I am introducing cryptography.
Cryptography is used to secure and protect data during communication. Encryption is a process which transforms the original information into an unrecognizable form. Decryption is a process of converting encoded/encrypted data in a form that is readable and understood by a human or a computer.
Meta, the tech giant encompassing various platforms, has often displayed a predictable response to challenges, particularly when it involves new regulations aimed at enhancing transparency in its targeted advertising business.
However, Meta’s compliance tends to come with its own set of conditions. The company behind Facebook and Instagram is reportedly contemplating a significant departure from its traditional business model, considering the introduction of a subscription option for users in the European Union.
Meta completely changes its course in the EU
According to The New York Times, citing information from three anonymous insiders familiar with Meta’s plans, the company is exploring the possibility of offering a subscription model to EU users.
In essence, this subscription would allow users to pay for an ad-free experience, while Facebook and Instagram would continue to provide a free version supported by advertisements. Details such as the subscription cost and additional features that might accompany it remain undisclosed at this time.
Nevertheless, this potential move signifies a major departure for Meta, which has long relied on the “users-as-product” model as a cornerstone of its business strategy over the past decade.
The reported move by Meta to introduce a subscription option for European Union users is seen as an effort to navigate the complexities arising from the EU’s Digital Services Act. This legislation imposes greater transparency requirements on major tech companies, particularly those with extensive platforms, regarding their practices related to targeted advertising and content moderation. Although the law passed through the European Parliament last year, it has yet to come into full effect, but some of its provisions are already being enforced by the EU.
Meta’s history with EU laws
Meta has already faced challenges under the EU’s tightening regulatory framework for advertising. In Germany, antitrust regulators prevented Meta from aggregating user data across its major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other websites.
Meta’s ability to attract advertisers is heavily reliant on this collected user data. Furthermore, in May, the EU imposed a $1.3 billion fine on Meta for transferring EU data to the United States.
Pay-to-remove-ads model is becoming more common
It’s worth noting that there are only a few social media networks that offer users the option to pay in exchange for an ad-free experience. Twitter, with Elon Musk’s involvement, introduced a paid verification service for $8, promising subscribers to see fewer ads than non-subscribers. Meta already provides a paid verification service, priced at $12 on the web and $15 on iOS, offering enhanced account monitoring capabilities but not extending into additional ad-related services.
Instagram has been taking steps in response to evolving regulations and user demands. Last month, the platform announced the introduction of a chronological feed for Stories and Reels in Europe, alongside a commitment to providing more transparency regarding the ranking of posts in its AI algorithms.
Additionally, Instagram recently introduced a new setting that allows users to restrict Meta its parent company, from using their posts to train its AI models. This move aligns with ongoing efforts by the European Union to encourage major tech companies to establish systems capable of recognizing and labelling AI-generated content.
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The US is desperately trying to be the first country that formulate a codified set of regulations on AI, hoping that its legislation around artificial intelligence would then be followed by the rest of the world.
However, the CEOs of some of the biggest AI development studios and tech companies have other plans.
“Thought-leaders of AI” to meet
The US Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, disclosed plans for his office to convene a meeting with prominent figures from the tech sector, especially those that deal with AI and ML, sometime later this month. The aim of this gathering is to garner insights that could potentially shape forthcoming regulations.
In his influential role, Schumer wields substantial authority in shaping the trajectory of federal regulations if they do materialize.
The individuals slated to participate in this meeting do not necessarily represent the average citizen. The invitees to this upcoming summit include tech magnate Elon Musk, hypothetical debate counterpart and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NVIDIA President Jensen Huang, and Alex Karpy, CEO of defence contractor Palantir, among other notable figures from the upper echelons of Silicon Valley.
Tech CEOs expect leniency, emphasis on profitability on leveraging AI
Schumer’s upcoming gathering, which his office has labelled as an “AI Insight Forum,” does suggest the possibility of impending regulatory action. However, judging by the guest list comprised largely of corporate figures, it raises doubts about the effectiveness of such action.
The selection of attendees for the meeting with Schumer has faced significant criticism online, with many perceiving it as a gathering of influential corporate elites. Nonetheless, Schumer’s office has indicated that the Senator will also engage with civil rights and labour leaders, including the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in America, with its president, Liz Schuler, slated to participate.
Despite this inclusion, it remains challenging to view this closed-door assembly as anything other than an opportunity for the tech industry to seek regulatory leniency from one of America’s most influential politicians.
The US trying to dictate how the world uses AI
The US has been trying to dictate how the world develops and uses AI. From imposing sanctions on China that restricts the flow of AI-capable silicon to the country, to imposing bans on machinery that is vital to the making of power AI silicon, the US is trying to cut the legs from under the biggest threat it has in AI application.
Several reports surfaced last week which revealed that the US was trying to impose a similar sanction on West Asian countries, trying to stop them from developing their own AI.
Although the US has denied that the President Joe Biden-led administration has imposed any such restrictions, regulatory filings from NVIDIA and AMD have revealed that US-based tech companies need a special kind of export license if they want to send their products to any West Asian nation.
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Just days after the successful moon landing of Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the Vikram Lander has once again achieved a “soft-landing” on the lunar surface. ISRO reported that the Vikram Lander not only met but exceeded the mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 by successfully completing a “hop experiment.”
According to ISRO, the Vikram Lander executed the engine firing command, elevating itself by approximately 40 cm as anticipated, and safely landed at a distance of 30 to 40 cm from its initial position.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
Vikram soft-landed on đŸŒ–, again!
Vikram Lander exceeded its mission objectives. It successfully underwent a hop experiment.
On command, it fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40 cm as expected and landed safely at a distance of 30 – 40 cm away.… pic.twitter.com/T63t3MVUvI
Following its successful lateral jump, the Vikram lander has taken the next steps by re-deploying the ramp and releasing the ILSA and ChaSTE payloads onto the lunar surface.
Meanwhile, preparations for the Pragyan rover’s endurance of the extended and severe lunar night, characterized by plummeting temperatures to below -180°C, have been completed.
The rover’s batteries have been fully charged, its solar panels are oriented toward the Sun to harness solar energy, and ground stations are actively monitoring for signals, ensuring its safety and functionality during this challenging lunar phase.
This remarkable achievement by the Vikram Lander has energized and set the stage for future missions involving sample return and human exploration, as noted by ISRO.
In related developments, last week, the Pragyan rover of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was placed into “Sleep mode” with fully charged batteries and an active receiver. ISRO expressed hopes for a successful awakening to carry out additional tasks, emphasizing that otherwise, it would remain a symbol of India’s lunar presence as a lunar ambassador.
In preparation for the lunar night approaching the vicinity of Shiv Shakti Point, the location where the Chandrayaan 3 mission made its historic landing on August 23, 2023, Vikram will enter sleep mode. The planned scientific activities and operations of the mission have been successfully completed.
Extensive ground tests have provided reassuring results, indicating that the instruments and equipment on board can endure the harsh lunar night and subsequently reactivate themselves on September 22, 2023, with the return of sunlight to the Shiv Shakti Point area. If all goes as planned, this will enable the Lander and Rover to resume their scientific endeavours.
India’s historic achievement with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, marking the first country to land near the moon’s south pole, has generated widespread excitement and pride. The soft and precise touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 contrasts with the earlier unsuccessful attempt in 2019, making it a momentous scientific accomplishment for India and a source of national jubilation. This landing is regarded as one of India’s most significant scientific achievements in the past two decades.
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Pros:
– Great design
– Superb build quality
– Bright and vibrant display
– Tons of customisation option
– Solid performance
– Great battery life
– Very capable cameras
– Glyph interface that now comes with a ton of functionality
Cons:
– Glass back is very slippery
– Only has IP54 water resistance
– Low-light photography can be a hit or a miss
Rating: 4.5/5 Price: Rs 54,999 for the tested 512GB+12GB variant. Starts at Rs 44,999
The Nothing Phone 1 was a massive hit among tech enthusiasts, mainly for its design. However, it had one massive issue. As solid as the phone was, it lacked the horsepower that it truly deserved. And, as impressive as the Glyph lights were, they were severely limited by any practical functionality. If we’re being brutally honest, the entire USP of the Nothing Phone 1 was its Glyph interface.
Cut to 2023, and Nothing has really stepped up their game. Although the Nothing Phone 2 looks a lot like its predecessor, it feels and performs like a completely different device. A beastly device, might we add.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
With the Phone 2, Nothing has managed to take away the biggest complaint that tech enthusiasts had with the Phone 1 — it finally gave the device the grunt to go with the trendsetting industrial design and made it a wholesome package. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say this, but the Nothing Phone 2, is one of the best overall packages in the market today, albeit with some issues.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Design
Straight off the bat, the Nothing Phone looks very premium, and feels in the hand, exactly how it looks. You’ve Gorilla Glass covering the front screen, which is a nice touch. Flip it over, and you again see a ‘pillowed’ transparent Gorilla Glass back, which gives you a peek at a harmonious arrangement of components – magnetic charging coil, flat power cables, and more, all arranged beautifully. BTW, Pillowed is just another fancy term that Nothing is using for 2.5D glass.
The Nothing Phone 2 is a bit on the chunkier side, measuring in at 8.6mm in thickness and weighing 201 grams. However, what’s surprising though is how it manages to maintain a light and easy-to-handle feel. The frame at the sides is nice and flat and made using aluminium.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
The build quality is seriously impressive, providing a strong and sturdy sensation. Just a bit unfortunate that it only holds an IP54 water and dust resistance rating.
When you hold the phone, the smooth glass texture feels genuinely exceptional in your hand. However, once you place it on any surface, whether flat or not, be prepared for it to gradually and inevitably, slide slowly. It is prone to slipping if, for some reason, you love to hold it using the glass panels.
Going back to the rear panel, I absolutely adore the way it looks – all elements of the phone arranged neatly, as well as the Glyph lights. I particularly am a fan of the way the phone has very minimal branding at the corner, and instead lets its industrial design do all the talking. It’s not as industrial-looking as the first Nothing smartphone, but it indeed is a pretty apt follow-up to that device.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
Nothing has also been consistent with the port placement – meaning you’ll find the discreet volume buttons on the left and the power button on the right. At the bottom, you’ve got the SIM tray, Type-C port, and speaker all neatly arranged.
As for colour, you get two simple options – White and Black, which, realistically is more grey than black. And although there are some minor tweaks to the glyph lights, they are mainly because of the software – hardware-wise, not a lot has changed in the glyph interface, except for the ambient light sensor at the back.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Display
At the front, we’re met with a 6.7-inch display (up from the previous 6.55 inches), rocking a 10-bit AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2412X1080 pixels. The display uses LTPO tech and allows the refresh rate to switch between 1Hz and 120Hz, dynamically.
Plus, the screen’s brightness can hit an impressive 1600 nits, and it’s fully compatible with HDR10+. They’ve also thrown in Widevine L1 support for streaming HD content.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
It’s a pretty great display that packs vibrant colours and eye-catching visuals – no complaints on that front. There’s also a fingerprint scanner tucked underneath the display which is quick and very responsive.
By default, the HDR mode is activated, and the display settings have the colours set to “Alive,” resulting in one of the most vibrant screens you’ll come across. The colours are super-saturated, making videos really pop off the screen.
I’m actually a fan of how the display looks, although using it for too long in Alive mood does become a little uncomfortable sometimes.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
The good news is that even if you switch over to “Standard” mode, the colours still retain a rich vibrancy. Brightness hasn’t been an issue for me, even in bright sunlight, and the ambient light sensor deserves a pat on the back for consistently keeping the screen visible.
As for bezels or a chin, they are pretty thin, almost non-existent.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Camera
As far as the cameras are concerned, especially the hardware, not a lot has been changed. The Phone 2 comes with a pair of 50MP cameras – one is a 50MP Sony IMX890 equipped with both optical and electronic stabilization, and the other is a 50MP Samsung JN1 wide-angle camera with EIS. You also get a 32MP selfie camera.
What Nothing has done for the Phone 2, is bring a ton of improvements to the software, and it shows.
I’ve genuinely taken a liking to the photos captured by the Nothing Phone 2. They are vibrant, lively and have great, and stunning, all without going overboard with HDR and saturation.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
If your goal is to share your shots on social media, you might find that they require little to no editing before they’re ready for the world to see. The consistency between the main camera and the wide-angle one is impressive, and though there’s no dedicated telephoto zoom, the 2x zoom manages to hold its own.
Low-light conditions, however, are the Nothing Phone 2’s Achilles Heel. In such situations, there’s a noticeable lack of detail, and the images tend to have a significant amount of noise, even in partial lighting. When it gets really dark, the photo quality takes a nosedive.
It’s disappointing to see that all of the Nothing Phone 2’s competitors manage to capture better photos at night or in low-light settings. This is a bit unfortunate because the camera performs admirably during the day.
So, while the Nothing Phone 2’s camera isn’t the absolute best you can find in this price range, it does represent an improvement over the Phone 1. As long as you’re not planning on taking photos at night, you’ll likely be pleased with the results it delivers in well-lit conditions.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Performance, software experience and UI
Unlike the Nothing Phone 1, which fell into the mid-range category when it came to processing power, the Phone 2 has stepped up its game. It’s now equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and although it isn’t exactly the topmost SoC in 2023, it still is one beast of a chip, especially when you consider real-life performance.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
Thanks to the SoC the Nothing Phone 2 can handle practically anything that a power user might throw at it – this means hardcore games, video and photo editing, tons and tons of multitasking apps etc. No matter what we did, the UI was smooth and the performance was pretty impressive. That’s because the Nothing Phone 2 that we tested came with 12 gigabytes of RAM, which, it was managing superbly.
As for storage, you can choose from 128GB, 256GB or even a beefy 512GB variant this time. However, do keep in mind that the 128GB variant, comes with only 8GB of RAM.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
Nothing’s take on Android for their first device got a lot of love for keeping things neat and tidy, ditching any unnecessary bloatware, and keeping things largely clean. The Nothing Phone 2 gets the same treatment, albeit with a few newer touches of its own. It comes with Android 13 and an upgraded Nothing Skin out of the box. They are calling this combination, Nothing OS 2.0.
However, there are some issues with the Nothing OS 2.0, mainly the UI. Nothing’s icon pack could have been a nifty feature, and for some, they surely are. These icons maintain their original design, but they lose their colours and might be arranged in circular or square folders.
Nothing’s widgets follow suit with their pixelated black-and-white style, providing info on time, and weather, a selection of Quick Settings shortcuts, and controls for Nothing earbuds. Even most of their default wallpapers stick to abstract black-and-white, monochromatic images.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
However, when you fully commit to Nothing OS’s icon pack and theme it can feel pretty monotonous. It takes a bit of time to get used to the new look of app icons, which can slow down your navigation at first.
While it works well on the lock screen where colour isn’t a big deal, it might border on being a bit too drab for the home screen.
Having said that, Nothing OS 2.0 really lets you make things your own, with resizable folders, snazzy colour themes, and even the option to ghost those app labels. They’ve thrown in a slick monochrome icon pack and cool widgets decked out in Nothing’s signature dot-matrix style. You can even slap those widgets on your lock screen for some extra flair. Plus, they’ve packed in some handy features like app cloning and app lock.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
As for updates, Nothing is making a solid commitment here. They’re pledging to provide users with not just one, not two, but three major Android version updates. On top of that, you can expect a reassuring four years of security updates, delivered every two months. They’re really stepping up their game as far as software is concerned.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Battery
The Nothing Phone 2 packs a 4,700mAh battery, which might seem a bit modest for today’s larger smartphones, but it’s not something that’s very unusual. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 pairs really well with the battery here and is very power efficient, offering some top-notch performance while effectively managing to save battery life. I’ve been quite satisfied with how long the battery lasts during my use.
With a mix of casual gaming, calls, camera usage, and a ton of video content consumption, both on OTT platforms and YouTube, you can expect the battery to drop by about 40 per cent to 50 per cent after three to four hours of screen time, at about 60 per cent screen brightness.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
The Nothing Phone 2 supports a super quick 45W PPS wired charging. Additionally, it’s compatible with 15W Qi wireless charging and offers 5W reverse charging, so, you’ve got some convenient charging options at your disposal.
While it’s possible to drain the Nothing Phone 2’s battery in a single day, you’d really have to push and make an effort to do so. For casual users, the device should easily last you a full day. Even if you manage to deplete it completely, it only takes about 55 minutes to an hour to fully recharge it.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: Verdict
It’s really difficult not to recommend the Nothing Phone 2 to anyone who is looking for a smartphone at the Rs 45,000 price point. I will go as far as to say that if you can spare the cash, and can move your budget up by Rs 5,000, then do it, you won’t regret it.
You get near flagship-level performance, especially in real-life use case scenarios, a pretty solid set of cameras, a design that still manages to turn heads and catch eyeballs, and a pretty solid battery life. And the pretty lights at the back, actually have a ton of functionality now.
Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das
The only negative that I can think of about the Nothing Phone 2, is that the rear glass surface is a little too slippery and that it only has IP54 water resistance. And, if you’re really looking for a negative, you might add that the Nothing Phone 2 looks a lot like the Phone 1 and that not a lot has changed.
As of August 2023, the Nothing Phone 2 is one of the best packages out there. It is almost neck and neck with the OnePlus 11R, the most complete phone at this price point, but then, the OnePlus does not have the cool factor that Nothing does.
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Scientists and engineers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, who were responsible for the primary payload of the Aditya L-1 solar mission, implemented a stringent policy against the use of perfumes and sprays.
This precautionary measure was set in place due to the potentially disruptive impact that even the minutest particle could have on the crucial work being conducted on Aditya’s primary payload, called the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph or VELC.
In order to maintain an impeccably pristine environment, these dedicated professionals carried out their tasks within a highly controlled cleanroom, often referred to as a “sanctuary.”
This cleanroom maintained a level of cleanliness surpassing that of a hospital intensive care unit by a factor of 1,00,000. Furthermore, every member of the team wore specialized suits to prevent any form of contamination. Additionally, they underwent ultrasonic cleaning procedures as an extra precautionary measure, every time they entered the clean room.
Nagabushana S, the head of the VELC technical team, explained, “The cleanroom had to be maintained at a level of cleanliness 1-lakh times higher than that of a hospital ICU.”
“We used HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, isopropyl alcohol (99 per cent concentrated), and rigorous protocols to ensure no foreign particles caused disruptions. A single particle discharge could have undone days of hard work,” Sanal Krishna from IIA, a member of the VELC technical team, added.
IIA’s scientists worked in six-hour shifts without even using medicinal sprays within the confines of the cleanroom, Krishna explained
It should be noted that this practice was not observed by scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as reported. In interviews conducted with three ISRO scientists, all confirmed that they were not obliged to abstain from using perfumes and deodorants while working.
However, all of them agreed and underscored the significance of upholding the cleanliness and purity of cleanrooms. One of them even speculated that perhaps the IIA scientists were taking additional precautions, as reported by the Times of India.
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China’s BYD (Build Your Dreams) has announced plans to start selling its second electric vehicle model in Japan this month.
Having been denied a request to set up a factory in India, BYD has been desperate to expand outside China. To that end, BYD is actively going at their strategy, and making some seriously aggressive moves
BYD Expands its portfolio in Japan
The automaker will begin taking orders for its Dolphin electric car on September 20, potentially posing a challenge to Japanese rivals who are grappling with competition from BYD and other domestic manufacturers in China’s rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
BYD will also reveal the pricing details for the Dolphin model on that date. In China, the Dolphin starts at 116,800 yuan ($16,092.14).
Notably, BYD intends to exclusively offer battery-powered vehicles in Japan and will not introduce other powertrain technologies such as plug-in hybrids, where it has a strong presence in the Chinese market.
Another model incoming
The company plans to offer both regular and long-range versions of the Dolphin that are compatible with Japan’s CHAdeMO charging standard. Additionally, BYD plans to introduce its Seal model in Japan by the end of this year or early next year.
While BYD has not disclosed specific sales targets for Japan, it is actively expanding its presence in the country. Since opening its first Japanese dealership in Yokohama in February, BYD has sold approximately 700 ATTO 3 electric sports utility vehicles, which retail for 4.4 million yen ($30,205.26). The automaker aims to establish more than 100 dealerships in Japan by the end of 2025, and it recently signed a car dealership contract with the Japanese trading house Sojitz.
When the Indian Government rejected BYD
Recent developments indicate that the Indian government had rejected the proposal put forth by BYD and its proposed Indian manufacturing partner, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd, to establish an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in India.
The companies had jointly applied to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for the project, which included setting up a factory for manufacturing EVs and batteries in Hyderabad.
The rejection of this proposal signifies a setback for BYD’s plans to invest $1 billion in India and expand its presence in the country’s growing EV market. It remains to be seen whether the companies will reevaluate their plans or seek alternative avenues for investment and collaboration in India’s EV sector.
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India’s upcoming space-based solar observatory mission, Aditya L1, is set for launch this Saturday. With a successful launch, India will be one of the very few countries in the world to have its own solar observatory this close to the sun.
PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission:
The 23-hour 40-minute countdown leading to the launch at 11:50 Hrs. IST on September 2, 2023, has commended today at 12:10 Hrs.
The mission was supposed to be launched about 15 years ago, former ISRO scientist, Dr YS Rajan has revealed. The mission was initially planned to place an orbiter in a Near-Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 800 km.
Dr Rajan, who is a recipient of the 2012 Padma Shri award for his contributions to science and engineering and co-authored “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium” with former President A P J Abdul Kalam, told ANI that Aditya was originally planned for launch in 2008.
The mission was designed to orbit the Earth closely, allowing it to continuously observe the Sun and provide valuable data. He also highlighted ISRO’s longstanding interest in space exploration, spanning more than 15 years, and the agency’s ongoing commitment to taking on ambitious interplanetary missions.
This insight sheds light on the long-term planning and dedication within ISRO to advance space exploration and scientific endeavours, culminating in the upcoming Aditya L1 mission, which will significantly contribute to solar research and understanding.
Once at L1 or Lagrange 1, the Aditya Solar Observatory will have its work cut out. However, the journey to point L1 is not going to be easy. It will be a long and lone flight to the designated spot, which will last over 100 days.
Aditya L1’s journey to Lagrange Point 1
The forthcoming journey of the Aditya L1 mission, from its launch to its arrival at the Lagrange point 1 (L1) within the Sun-Earth system, is expected to encompass approximately four months. Here’s an overview of the stages leading to the L1 point:
The Launch: The Aditya L1 mission will start with the launch of ISRO’s PSLV XL C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
Initial Orbit: Initially, the spacecraft will be placed into a Low Earth Orbit, where it will remain for a few days, gathering momentum.
Elliptical Orbit: Following the initial orbit, adjustments will be made to transition into a more elliptical orbit.
Leaving Earth’s Gravitational Sphere of Influence or SOI: Using the momentum it gathers, and using onboard propulsion, the spacecraft will be propelled away from Earth, breaking free from Earth’s gravitational influence.
Cruising to its destination: After escaping Earth’s SOI, the spacecraft will enter a cruise phase, where it will slowly cruise to the L1 point. It is near this point where things will start getting heavy, literally, for the orbiter, as it draws closer to the sun.
Entering Halo Orbit: Ultimately, the spacecraft will be inserted into a halo orbit encircling the Lagrange point (L1). This orbit allows the spacecraft to maintain a stable position relative to Earth and the Sun, enabling continuous solar observations and scientific research.
Aditya-L1’s objective
The Aditya-L1 mission is equipped with seven specialized scientific instruments meticulously designed to study various layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer known as the corona. These instruments are equipped with electromagnetic particle and magnetic field sensors to facilitate their observations.
Of the seven instruments, four have an unobstructed view of the Sun, allowing them to observe solar phenomena directly. The remaining three instruments are dedicated to on-site investigations of particles and fields within Lagrange Point L1.
The mission’s objectives are to significantly advance our understanding of a wide range of solar phenomena and their impact on the interplanetary environment and Earth. Specifically, the instrumentation carried by the Aditya L1 mission has the potential to provide crucial insights into areas such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, and their distinct characteristics. Additionally, these investigations will enhance our knowledge of space weather dynamics and shed light on the behaviour of particles and fields as they propagate through space. This mission represents a significant step forward in solar research and space science.
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In a development that would spell nightmares for some people, the US military is planning to give some of their robot dogs the abilities of AI, and are also planning to throw guns into the mix.
If everything goes as per their plan, soon, the US military will have AI-enabled robodogs that have guns like AR-15s, SCAR, or even an LMG mounted to their backs, which, they can then fire at will.
According to a report from Military.com, a spokesperson for the US Army has indicated that the military branch is working on the idea of equipping remote-controlled robot dogs with advanced rifles as part of its exploration of future combat possibilities. They will then give the dogs some AI capabilities that will allow them to choose their targets and aim
The concept is relatively straightforward: to affix a rifle onto a robotic dog for various military tasks and deploy it in unspecified battlefield scenarios.
This initiative, which was initially reported earlier this month by the intelligence service Janes, appears to have received tentative confirmation from a spokesperson.
The Army’s interest revolves around the idea of attaching a weapon to one of Ghost Robotics’ Vision 60 Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Q-UGV). This robotic platform is positioned as a competitor to Boston Dynamics’ well-known robodog, which has been employed by entities like the New York Police Department.
In previous reports, scientific researcher Bhavanjot Singh from the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) mentioned that the Army had already initiated experiments involving the attachment of various types of weaponry to Q-UGVs. However, he indicated that upcoming experiments would focus on evaluating the robotic dogs’ specific capabilities, akin to those of actual canines.
Singh emphasized that one of the unique attributes of these robot dogs is their ability to navigate diverse terrains that may be inaccessible to wheeled vehicles. He made this statement at a gathering of lawmakers in late July, where one of the armed robodog units was showcased.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the interest and experimentation in this area don’t necessarily translate into an immediate deployment of gun-equipped robotic dogs on the battlefield, according to DEVCOM spokesperson Tim Ryder.
Ryder clarified that while advanced technology demonstrations enable the exploration of potential transformative capabilities for future combat formations, they do not automatically lead to formal service-wide research programs or investments.
The prospect of these experiments does raise ethical questions and introduces a novel dimension to military technology. It appears that the military’s exploration of these robotic dogs represents a unique and potentially contentious avenue of development.
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The UK government wants its police to use AI-based facial recognition to solve more crimes and use it to bring charges against perpetrators, despite repeated warnings by activists and AI experts that the technology is highly inaccurate and is prone to make mistakes.
The UK’s Home Office is planning to increase its use of facial recognition technology for the purpose of tracking and locating criminals within law enforcement and other security agencies. The technology that the UK Home Office is using has already made headlines for identifying the wrong people, a number of times.
New biometrics to be added
In a document released on Wednesday, the government outlined its intentions to potentially implement new biometric systems at a national level within the next 12 to 18 months.
This move follows criticism from privacy advocates and independent researchers who have raised concerns about the technology’s accuracy and bias, especially in its treatment of people of colour.
Members of Parliament have previously called for a halt to its use on the general population until clear legislation is established by the parliament.
The government is now inviting submissions from companies offering technologies capable of “resolving identity using facial features and landmarks,” including live facial recognition systems that involve scanning the general public to identify specific individuals on police watch lists.
The Home Office is particularly interested in innovative AI technologies that can efficiently process facial data for individual identification, as well as software that can be integrated with the department’s existing technologies and CCTV cameras.
Facial recognition’s past failures in the UK
Facial recognition software has been tested in public spaces over the past five years by law enforcement agencies like South Wales Police and London’s Metropolitan Police, including trials in shopping centers and during events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and the recent coronation.
As per a Financial Times report, private entities, such as the owners of King’s Cross in London, used facial recognition to scan the public for known troublemakers and shared this data with the Metropolitan Police, although they have since ceased this practice.
EU to ban AI-based facial recognition?
In contrast, the European Parliament is moving toward banning the use of AI-driven facial recognition software in public spaces through its Artificial Intelligence Act. The legality of using live facial recognition on the general population in the UK is currently a subject of debate, as is the question of whether widespread use of the technology infringes on citizens’ rights.
It’s worth noting that not only law enforcement but also schools and private retailers, including the Southern Co-op and J Sainsbury, have begun adopting facial recognition technology.
In 2020, an appeal court ruled that earlier trials of facial recognition software by South Wales Police were unlawful, although the force continues to use the technology. The Metropolitan Police recently announced that it conducted a review of the technology’s effectiveness and found “no statistically significant bias in relation to race and gender,” with a low chance of false matches.
UK going the China route
Researchers specializing in facial recognition technologies and technology ethics, have stressed the need for a proper legislative framework before widespread use, and often compared it to China’s version of generalised use of live facial recognition, without any rules or regulations.
The government’s Defence and Security Accelerator, which operates under the Ministry of Defence, is overseeing the submission process for the Home Office’s facial recognition technology initiative.
The Home Office has emphasized that facial recognition technology is already in use across various applications within the realms of UK policing and security. These applications include efforts to prevent and detect crime, enhance security measures, and locate individuals wanted by law enforcement, among other functions. Furthermore, expanding the use of this technology is deemed a top priority for the Home Office.
Last year, an independent review led by former deputy mayor of London, Matthew Ryder, highlighted the “urgent need” for new legislation regarding live facial recognition technology. This need was identified through an analysis of existing laws pertaining to human rights, privacy, and equality, which were found to be insufficient in addressing the challenges posed by this technology.
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NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has captured images of a newly formed crater on the Moon’s surface, believed to be the result of Russia’s Luna 25 mission.
Luna 25, a Russian lunar lander, encountered an anomaly during its descent, causing it to crash on the Moon’s surface on August 19th. The LRO spacecraft’s images provide valuable insight into the impact site and the aftermath of the Luna 25 mission’s landing failure.
Official reports have suggested that the Luna 25 lander module crashed after one of the thrusters on board the Luna 25 went out of control, and crashed on the moon.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured images of a new crater on the Moon’s surface, likely resulting from Russia’s Luna 25 mission. The latest “before” image of the area was taken in June 2022, meaning the crater formed after that date.
The image on the right is believed to be that of a new crater prior to Luna-25’s Crash. The image on the left, shows the same spot, but before the crash | Image Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University
The proximity of the crater to the estimated impact point of Luna 25 suggests that it was caused by the failed mission rather than a natural event.
The LRO spacecraft, managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, has provided valuable data since its launch in 2009. Its images and observations have significantly contributed to our understanding of the Moon’s surface and geological features.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), operated by Arizona State University, captured the images of the Luna 25 impact site.
The newly formed crater has a diameter of approximately 10 meters and is situated at coordinates 57.865 degrees south latitude and 61.360 degrees east longitude, at an elevation of around minus 360 meters.
Google has announced its upcoming “Made By Google” event, which is set to include a livestream keynote to unveil new hardware, likely including the Pixel 8 smartphone and the Pixel Watch 2.
The event is scheduled for October 4 at 10:00 AM ET and will be organised in New York City. Similar to past events, Google will livestream the event on YouTube and other social media platforms.
It is expected that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones will be revealed during the event, with the Pixel Watch 2 making its debut as well. This event aims to capture attention during the competitive phone launch season and showcase Google’s latest hardware offerings.
While Google’s I/O event earlier this year didn’t offer much insight into the Pixel 8, leaks have filled the void with information on the upcoming device. One notable leak even came from Google itself, albeit unintentionally. The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to feature Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which is the third iteration following the Tensor G2 from the Pixel 6. Leaks have suggested that the G3 chip will come with nine CPU cores, promising enhanced performance. Graphics are also anticipated to improve, with 10 GPU cores running at 890MHz, compared to the Tensor G2’s 7 cores.
The Pixel 8 is expected to have a camera upgrade, introducing a 64 MP ultrawide sensor. The phone might also revert to its previous design with more curved corners and adopt colour options found on the Pixel Fold, such as Porcelain, Obsidian, and a blue hue referred to as “Sea.”
Regarding the Pixel Watch 2, reports indicate that the smartwatch will transition to the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, and its battery life is expected to significantly improve compared to its predecessor. Rumours suggest that it could operate for up to 24 hours with the always-on display active. The Pixel Watch 2 is also likely to run on Wear OS 4.
While it’s uncertain whether Google will introduce a new Pixel Tablet, considering the relatively recent launch of the first one last year, there is a possibility of new Nest devices being unveiled. However, compared to the rumours surrounding Google’s phone and wearable lines, there’s been limited information regarding potential new Nest products.
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