Tech Bites

Saturn's moon Enceladus has been a subject of scientific intrigue due to its massive water plumes, which were initially believed to be linked to an underground ocean beneath its icy crust. The idea that this ocean could sustain microbial life made it a prime target for astrobiological studies. However, new research suggests that the source of these geysers may not be the deep subsurface ocean, but rather a mushy layer within the ice shell itself. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the habitability of Enceladus and raises new questions about the mechanisms behind the moon's plumes. New Theory on Enceladus' Geysers According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers from Dartmouth College propose that the plumes erupting from Enceladus may not require fractures that extend entirely through the ice shell to the underground ocean. Instead, they suggest that a slushy, salt-laden layer within the ice could act as the source of the water ...

A refreshed version of Apple's C1 modem is said to be in development which adds a key functionality missing from the current model, as per the claims by an industry analyst. Introduced with the iPhone 16e last month, the C1 is the Cupertino-based technology giant's first-ever proprietary cellular modem which potentially reduces the company's dependency on Qualcomm. However, it is not without its caveats. A glance at the iPhone 16e's specifications reveals that the phone lacks mmWave support due to this modem, but that may soon change. mmWave Support on Apple's C1 Modem According to TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, C1 modem's architecture on the iPhone 16e comprises a 4nm or 5nm baseband, 7nm low-frequency transceivers, 7nm transreceivers for immediate frequency, and a 55nm Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). It only supports up to sub-6GHz 5G. Apple's C1 modem process technology: - Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are similar) - Low-f...

Wildfires in California during January caused widespread destruction, affecting communities and ecosystems. To improve wildfire monitoring and response, NASA deployed a new scientific instrument capable of capturing high-resolution thermal infrared images. The Compact Fire Infrared Radiance Spectral Tracker (c-FIRST) was tested aboard NASA's B200 King Air aircraft over fire-hit areas in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The instrument, developed for satellite-based missions, was assessed for its ability to provide real-time data on active and smoldering fires. Scientists aim to use this technology to enhance understanding of wildfire behavior and improve mitigation strategies. Enhanced Fire Detection and Data Collection According to reports , the c-FIRST instrument was developed and is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ), with support from NASA's Earth Science Technology Office. The compact design allows it to be deployed on airborne platforms, simulating ...

Shifts in Earth's tilt and orbit have played a crucial role in the onset and end of ice ages over the past 800,000 years, researchers have found. A direct link between these changes and the movements of massive ice sheets has been identified, indicating that another ice age would have started within the next 11,000 years if not for the rising impact of greenhouse gas emissions. The study examined how Earth's axial tilt and orbit influence long-term climate patterns, revealing a strong correlation between these factors and the expansion and retreat of ice sheets. Influence of Earth's Tilt and Wobble on Climate According to the study published in Science, Earth's axis is currently tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. Over a cycle of approximately 41,000 years, this tilt fluctuates, affecting the amount of solar radiation reaching the poles. Another factor, Earth's precession, refers to the wobble of its axis, which influences the intensity of sunlight in equatorial...

Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) 2025 is well underway with exciting innovations showcased by global companies so far. Among the most unique products is an offering from a company called GlocalMe. Dubbed PetPhone, it is advertised as a smartphone for pets which makes two-way communication possible. The device, showcased at MWC 2025 , is said to feature recognition for various actions such as barks. It also enables pet owners to keep a check on their pet's well being along with GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth tracking capabilities. GlocalMe's PetPhone Showcase at MWC 2025 According to GlocalMe, the PetPhone is in the form of a pet collar which can recognise different sounds uttered by pets. With this, pet owners can keep a check on their pet's mood while also having the option to talk back and comfort them with PawTalk and sound play features. Further, the PetPhone enables them to track their live location leveraging GPS, AGPS, LBS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and something which the compan...

Tecno unveiled its Camon 40 series of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona. The lineup includes the Tecno Camon 40, Camon 40 Pro, Camon 40 Pro 5G, and Camon 40 Premier 5G. The phones come with a new One-Tap Button and 50-megapixel selfie shooters. They are equipped with Tecno AI, which includes several AI-backed imaging and productivity features. The handsets are expected to be available for purchase in select global markets soon. Tecno Camon 40 Series Unveiled In a press release, the company confirmed that the Tecno Camon 40 series phones are equipped with MediaTek Dimensity Ultimate processors. The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate AI SoC. It is said to be the first ever handset to get this chipset. The series supports 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G, along with the Camon 40 Pro and Camon 40 Pro 5G handsets, arrives with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i prot...

Apple on Monday released iOS 18.4 Beta 2 for iPhone to developers and testers. The update brings Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro models, a key feature powered by Apple Intelligence which the company originally debuted with the iPhone 16 series and iOS 18 . Further, iOS 18.4 Beta 2 also introduces new toggles for select features in the Control Centre, the ability to select apps for Priority Notifications, and new emojis, and an app to tweak the Apple Vision Pro. iOS 18.4 Beta 2 Update: What's New According to Apple's changelog , a notable addition in the iOS 18.4 Beta 2 update is the support for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Powered by Apple Intelligence , it is a visual lookup tool which helps them learn about objects and places instantly. The feature can summarise text, translate it between languages, and detect phone numbers or email addresses with the option to add to contacts. Users can also enable Google search to look up a product they li...

Apple is gearing up to launch a new MacBook Air M4 this week after months of anticipation, the company confirmed via social media on Monday. The new generation laptop is expected to arrive with 13-inch and 15-inch models on offer, as the successor to the MacBook Air M3 which only debuted in March 2024. As per the speculation, the Cupertino-based technology company's entry-level laptop may come with support for Apple Intelligence — its suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features. MacBook Air M4 Launch Confirmed In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a teaser video with the text, “There's something in the AIR”. This hints towards the anticipated launch of the new MacBook Air powered by an M4 chipset. The company is expected to retain the same design as the current generation model and only refresh it with the new processor. This week. pic.twitter.com/uXqQaGNkSk — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 3, 2025 It is speculated to debut in two display size ...

Xiaomi has pulled the curtains from its all-new 15 series ahead of MWC 2025, which kicks off in Barcelona on Monday. The latest 15 series comprises the compact Xiaomi 15, the successor to the 14 and the big boy, 15 Ultra - the company's 'pinnacle' camera smartphone. As expected, both the phones come with Leica-tuned cameras. The partnership between Xiaomi and Leica for imagery technology has entered its fourth year, and we hope to see more camera-focused premium smartphones in the future. So far, companies have developed 21 products jointly covering five regions and 100 countries. We do not know the India pricing yet and will have to wait until March 11, when Xiaomi reveals prices for the 15 series. In Europe, the Xiaomi 15 starts at EUR 999 (roughly Rs. 91,000), and the 15 Ultra price is set at EUR 1,499 (roughly Rs. 1,36,000). Considering these are successors to the 14 series, we expect both these phones to be available in more or less the same ballpark figure. Xiaomi...

Microsoft has announced that it is shutting down Skype — its legacy video-conferencing platform — starting May 5, 2025. Debuted in 2003, it was known for its Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based video telephony, video-conferencing and voice calling capabilities which led to its acquisition by the Redmond-based technology company in 2011. Although Microsoft in 2023 revealed that the platform still had 36 million users, its market share has decreased over time, with Microsoft's own Teams app offering similar core features in addition to more functionality. Skype Shutdown As per Microsoft, it aims to streamline its free consumer communications offerings by making Teams the “modern communications and collaboration hub.” Aside from its one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing features, it offers more extensive functionality over Skype, including the ability to host meetings, manage calendars, and build and join communities for free. Microsoft reports tha...

Xiaomi announced a collaboration with Google on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025) in Barcelona. With this collaboration, the Mountain View-based tech giant will allow its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to be integrated within first-party Xiaomi apps in the Xiaomi 15 series. With this, Gemini can find information and take action across several apps of the Chinese consumer tech brand. Alongside, the company also launched the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 in global markets.  Xiaomi Brings Gemini AI Capabilities to the Xiaomi 15 Series In a blog post , the tech giant announced that it has partnered with Google to bring its AI services to the Xiaomi 15 series. With this collaboration, the Gemini AI chatbot is now being integrated with several Xiaomi apps including Xiaomi Notes, Xiaomi Calendar, and Xiaomi Clock. This is the first time the Chinese brand is letting a third-party AI service provider access its first-party apps. While Xiao...

HMD Barca Fusion and HMD Barca 3210 were unveiled on Sunday as part of the Finnish company's collaboration with Spanish football club FC Barcelona at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025). The former is a collector's edition smartphone that features exclusive themed content, while the HMD Barca 3210 resembles the company's classic feature phone, while offering 4G connectivity. The company also unveiled the HMD Fusion X1, a smartphone that is designed to keep younger users safe as they use the internet. The company has yet to announce pricing for the new HMD Barca Fusion, HMD Barca 3210, and HMD Fusion X1 models. These smartphones are expected to go on sale in global markets in the coming months. The HMD Barca 3210 is available in Blau and Grana colourways. HMD Fusion X1 Features HMD has reportedly equipped the Fusion X1 with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, along with up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of built-in storage. The smartphone sports a 6.56-inch HD display...

Xiaomi 15 Ultra was launched in global markets by the Chinese smartphone maker on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025) in Barcelona. The company's flagship smartphone was unveiled in China on February 27 , while the standard and Pro models were first introduced in October 2024. The Xiaomi 15 series features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip paired with up to 16GB of RAM. The handsets are equipped with LTPO AMOLED displays, and pack silicon carbon batteries with support for 90W fast charging. Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Price and Availability Xiaomi 15 Ultra pricing starts at EUR 1,499 (roughly Rs. 1,36,100) for the base model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The standard Xiaomi 15 is priced at EUR 999 (roughly Rs. 90,700) for the 12GB+256GB model. Xiaomi is expected to announce details related to availability in regions, including India, at a later date. Xiaomi also says it will provider one out-of-warranty repair without labour cost, within the first ye...

Samsung Galaxy A-series has always been a special series from the brand. The series not only bridges the gap between its flagship S-series and other affordable series like the Galaxy M or F, but it is also one of the most selling series from the South Korean brand. We have seen multiple Galaxy A models offering customers a good value-for-money proposition. Now, the brand is all set to take a step ahead with the latest Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A26. I have some time to explore the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, and here's what you need to know.  The Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy A36 offer a glass back at the rear.   Starting with the design, Samsung has ensured that the new Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 remain among the classiest phones from the brand in this price segment. The latest smartphones have a refreshed design language, a glass back, and a slimmer profile compared to the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35. The rear panel has a new liner floating island that houses...