India's first hybrid reusable rocket 'Rhumi 1' launched in Tamil Nadu

India's first hybrid reusable rocket 'Rhumi 1' launched in Tamil Nadu


Mission Rhumi-2024: India’s reusable hybrid Rocket Takes Flight | (Photo: X)


Tamil Nadu-based SpaceZone India and Martin Group on Saturday launched the country’s ‘first hybrid reusable rocket – Rhumi 1’ into orbit from East Coast Road Beach at Pattipulam in Tamil Nadu. 


A statement read that Rhumi 1 was launched into space on India’s first hydraulic mobile launch system enabling flexible and adaptable launch operations from various locations at different angles between 0 to 120 degrees. Rhumi 1 rocket made history by launching three Cube satellites into orbit and safely returning to land in just 7 minutes, setting a new standard for rapid space missions. Last week, Martin group of companies, founded by ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin had reportedly stated that it is planning to venture into the space sector and may pick up with a stake in Space Zone India. Interestingly, Martin Group’s Future Gaming and Hotel Services, a little-known Coimbatore-based company, was in the news in March 2024 as the biggest buyer of electoral bonds. 


“At Martin Group, we are always on the lookout for innovative ventures that push the boundaries of technology and contribute to a better future. Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drives us to support cutting-edge advancements with the potential to transform industries and inspire students in rocket science and space technology. Supporting Space Zone India aligns perfectly with our vision,” said Jose Charles Martin, Managing Director of Martin Group. The rocket carried three Cube satellites designed to monitor and collect data on atmospheric conditions, including cosmic radiation intensity, UV radiation intensity, air quality, and more. The rocket deployed 50 different Pico satellites, each dedicated to studying various aspects of atmospheric conditions such as vibration, accelerometer readings, altitude, ozone levels, toxic content, and natural and synthetic molecular bonding of fibers, enhancing our understanding of environmental dynamics.


“Their dedication to sustainability and excellence in aerospace technology is truly inspiring. By supporting Mission Rhumi-2024, we are not only supporting a ground-breaking space mission but also enhancing the lives of future generations through educational and research-based programs that enlighten deserving students. We are proud to be part of this remarkable journey and look forward to witnessing the incredible impact that Space Zone India will have on aspiring students and the society,” he added. 


Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister for Civil Aviation, said, “This successful launch of Rhumi 1 marks a significant leap for India’s aerospace industry, showcasing our nation’s growing capabilities in space innovation. The breakthrough of a reusable hybrid rocket, able to launch satellites and return within minutes, speaks volumes of the technological prowess we possess. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the brilliant scientists and engineers at Space Zone India for their vision and dedication to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and to Martin Group for supporting them. This is a proud moment for India and a testament to our drive for innovation in the global aerospace arena.”


Siva V Meyyanathan, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Tamil Nadu, said, “This innovation reflects our commitment to advancing environmental stewardship while embracing the boundless potential of space exploration. Together, we pave the way for a greener tomorrow. I wholeheartedly congratulate Space Zone India and Martin Group for the success of mission Rhumi 2024.”


Mylswamy Annadurai, called the “Moon Man of India”, said “Working on Mission Rhumi has been an incredible journey. “I’m proud to see it set new benchmarks in India’s space exploration efforts. The successful launch and return of the Rhumi 1 rocket demonstrate the power of collaboration, innovation, and the limitless potential of our next generation of scientists and engineers. This mission not only marks a technological leap but also serves as an inspiration for future space endeavors,” he added.


Anand Megalingam, Founder and CEO of Space Zone India, said, “This mission is not just a testament to our dedication, but also to the incredible talent of the students who worked alongside us, showcasing their potential in shaping the future of space exploration. I wholeheartedly thank the Martin Group and Charles sir for supporting Space Zone India throughout all our missions. They have been our pillar of strength, and we look forward to what’s next.”

First Published: Aug 25 2024 | 9:20 AM IST



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Apple likely to set Sept 10 for new iPhones, AirPods, and watches debut

Apple likely to set Sept 10 for new iPhones, AirPods, and watches debut


The launch is a critical one for Apple, which has suffered sluggish sales of its smartphones and wearable devices in recent quarters | Photo: Bloomberg


By Mark Gurman

 


Apple Inc. is planning to hold its biggest product launch event of the year on Sept. 10, when the company will unveil the latest iPhones, watches and AirPods, according to people familiar with the situation. 

 


Though the timing hasn’t yet been announced, the company is making preparations for that date, which falls on a Tuesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. The unveiling will be followed by the phones going on sale Sept. 20, in line with Apple’s typical approach in recent years.


A representative for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment.


The launch is a critical one for Apple, which has suffered sluggish sales of its smartphones and wearable devices in recent quarters. A Sept. 20 release of the new iPhone 16 would mean some of the device’s revenue is recorded in the current period — Apple’s fiscal fourth quarter — when the company expects sales to grow about 5 per centfrom a year earlier.


A bigger chunk of sales will come the following quarter, which coincides with the holiday season. Analysts have predicted that revenue will climb 7 per centto $128.4 billion in that period.


The iPhone 16 will have larger screens on its Pro models and new camera features, such as a dedicated button for snapping photos. The company also is rolling out a suite of artificial intelligence tools called Apple Intelligence. Overall, though, the phones won’t be vastly different than last year’s models.


Apple’s wearable devices, meanwhile, are due for bigger changes. The Apple Watch Series 10 models will be thinner but include larger screens. And Apple is revamping its AirPods lineup with new low-end and mid-tier versions. For the first time, the company will offer noise cancellation on its mid-level AirPods, and the entry-level model is getting updated for the first time since 2019.


The company is also planning to begin transitioning its Macs over to M4 processors later this year, but Mac updates typically don’t arrive until about a month after the annual iPhone launch. 


To that end, the company has ramped up testing of four new Mac models to ensure compatibility with third-party applications, according to developer test logs seen by Bloomberg News. That’s a key step prior to launching the new machines. The Macs that appeared are labeled with the identifiers “16,1,” “16,2,” “16,3” and “16,10.” 


They all represent models with base-level versions of the M4 chip. Three of the Macs have 10 total cores in their central processing units, or CPUs, while one low-end version includes eight total cores — a measure of performance. The versions with 10-core CPUs also have 10-core GPUs, or graphics engines. The model with an eight-core CPU, meanwhile, has an eight-core graphics engine. They all have either 16 or 32 gigabytes of memory.


The 10-core CPU has the same specifications as the M4 processor in the iPad Pro, including four high-performance parts and six cores focused on efficiency. But the fourth chip seen in the developer logs only includes eight total cores, split between four high-performance parts and four efficiency cores. 


Bloomberg News has reported that a smaller Mac mini, new MacBook Pros and updated iMacs with M4 chips are coming later this year.

First Published: Aug 24 2024 | 8:39 AM IST



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Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp of staffers in Biden, Trump admins: Meta

Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp of staffers in Biden, Trump admins: Meta


US intelligence officials say Iran’s increasingly aggressive use of cyberattacks and disinformation has several motives: to confuse and polarise voters | Photo: Bloomberg


The same Iranian hacking group believed to have targeted both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns, tried to go after the WhatsApp accounts of staffers in the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, Meta Platforms said Friday.


Meta said it discovered the network of hackers, who posed as tech support agents for companies including Microsoft and Google, after individuals who received the suspicious WhatsApp messages reported them. Meta’s investigators linked the activity to the same network blamed for the hacking incident reported by Trump’s campaign.


The FBI this week said a hack by Iran of the Trump campaign and an attempted breach of the Biden-Harris campaign was part of a broader Iranian effort to interfere with the US presidential election.


A statement Friday from Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, said that the hackers had tried to target the WhatsApp account of individuals in the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as political and diplomatic officials including unidentified officials associated with the Trump and Biden administrations. A small cluster of accounts was blocked by Meta, the company said.


We have not seen evidence of the targeted WhatsApp accounts being compromised, but out of an abundance of caution, we’re sharing our findings publicly, in addition to sharing information with law enforcement and our industry peers, Meta said in a statement.


US intelligence officials say Iran’s increasingly aggressive use of cyberattacks and disinformation has several motives: to confuse and polarise voters in an effort to undermine confidence in US democracy, to erode support for Israel, and to oppose candidates that it believes will increase tension between Washington and Iran.


Iran has vowed revenge against Trump, whose administration ended a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered the killing of an Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.


In July, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said Iran’s government gave covert support to American protests against Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Groups linked to Iran posed as online activists, encouraged campus protests and provided financial support to some protest groups, Haines said.


Messages left with the Trump and Harris campaigns were not immediately returned Friday.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Aug 24 2024 | 7:16 AM IST



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Microsoft to host cybersecurity summit after CrowdStrike-induced IT outage

Microsoft to host cybersecurity summit after CrowdStrike-induced IT outage



Microsoft said on Friday it would hold a summit in September to discuss steps to improve cybersecurity systems, after a faulty update from CrowdStrike caused a global IT outage last month.

 


The conference marks the first big step by Microsoft to address the issues that affected nearly 8.5 million Windows devices on July 19, disrupting operations across industries ranging from major airlines to banks and healthcare.

 


The event will be held on Sept. 10 at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The company will invite government representatives to the gathering, it said in a blog.

 


“The CrowdStrike outage in July presents important lessons for us to apply as an ecosystem,” Microsoft said.

 


The outage raised concerns that many organizations are not well prepared to implement contingency plans when a single point of failure such as an IT system, or a piece of software within it, goes down.

 


“We look forward to bringing our perspective to the discussions with Microsoft and industry and government stakeholders on the need for a more resilient ecosystem,” a CrowdStrike spokesperson said when contacted for a comment.

 


Analysts have said the outage has exposed risks of dependence on single-vendor providing one-stop shop for security solutions.

 


CrowdStrike, which has lost about $9 billion of its market value since the outage, has been sued by shareholders, who said the cybersecurity company defrauded them by concealing how its inadequate software testing could cause the global disruption.

 


Earlier this month, Delta Air Lines said it was pursuing legal claims against CrowdStrike and Microsoft, after the outage caused mass flight cancellations and cost the carrier at least $500 million.

 


CrowdStrike is scheduled to report its second-quarter financial results after the U.S. market close on Aug. 28.

First Published: Aug 23 2024 | 10:42 PM IST



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Tech wrap Aug 23: Poco Pad 5G, Google Essentials, Instagram profile, more

Tech wrap Aug 23: Poco Pad 5G, Google Essentials, Instagram profile, more



Poco has launched its first Android tablet in India, the Poco Pad 5G. The device features a 12.1-inch display with a 2.5K resolution, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, and backed by a 10,000mAh battery. Available in Cobalt Blue and Pistachio Green, the Poco Pad 5G starts at Rs 23,999. Sales will begin on Flipkart from August 27.


Google has introduced a new application, “Google Essentials,” designed to streamline access to various Google services on Microsoft Windows PCs. This app serves as a central hub for services like Google Photos and Google Messages, and also includes the beta version of Google Play Games on PC, allowing users to play Android games on their Windows devices.


Samsung has announced special cashback and upgrade bonus offers for its Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 5G smartphones, which have recently been enhanced with Google’s Circle to Search feature. The Galaxy A55 and A35, originally priced at Rs 39,999 and Rs 30,999, are now available at effective prices of Rs 33,999 and Rs 25,999, respectively.


Instagram has launched a new feature that allows users to add a song to their profile, which will be displayed in the bio section. Users can choose to remove or replace the song as needed, adding a personalized musical element to their profile.


Apple is expected to launch macOS Sequoia in mid-September, alongside iOS 18, tvOS 18, and watchOS 11, deviating from its usual schedule of releasing macOS updates in the following months. This simultaneous release is likely intended to ensure compatibility across devices for new features, according to reports from MacRumors.


Apple has reportedly filed patents for a series of smart rings, each with distinct functionalities but designed to work together seamlessly. According to 9To5Mac, these patents outline how multiple rings could be used in tandem for various purposes, including Siri integration and wireless charging between the rings.


Samsung is reportedly planning to launch a slimmer version of its Galaxy Z Fold 6, dubbed the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim, in South Korea on September 25. This launch is strategically timed to coincide with Apple’s iPhone 16 series release, according to a report by Android Authority.


The Honor Magic 6 Pro 5G, a premium flagship smartphone, is now available for purchase in India. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip, the device runs on MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14, and comes equipped with advanced AI features for content creation, image editing, and text summarisation.


The iQOO Z9s Pro 5G smartphone, which was launched in India earlier this week along with the Z9s model, is now available for purchase. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, supports 80W fast charging, and features a 50MP Sony IMX primary camera sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera.


The OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the third-generation wireless earbuds from OnePlus, are now available for purchase in India. These earbuds feature a new design, dual audio drivers, active noise cancellation, and support for spatial audio. They are tuned by Dynaudio and are compatible with both Android and Apple devices through the HeyMelody app.


The OnePlus Watch 2r, an R-version of the second-generation OnePlus Watch, has been launched as a more affordable alternative to the premium Watch 2. This smartwatch offers a range of features, including long battery life, while omitting some high-end elements like sapphire glass protection and military-grade durability to keep the price accessible.

First Published: Aug 23 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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Samsung announces offers on these Google AI-enhanced Galaxy A-series models

Samsung announces offers on these Google AI-enhanced Galaxy A-series models


Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35


Samsung has announced cashback and upgrade bonus offers for its Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 5G smartphones, which recently received Google’s Circle to Search feature. Originally priced at Rs 39,999 and Rs 30,999, the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 will now be available at an effective price of Rs 33,999 and Rs 25,999, respectively.


Customers purchasing the Galaxy A55 can either avail of a Rs 6,000 cashback on select bank cards or receive an upgrade bonus of the same value on trade-in deals. Similarly, a Rs 5,000 cashback or upgrade bonus is applicable on the purchase of the Galaxy A35. Both smartphones are also available with an equated monthly instalment (EMI) plan of up to six months.


Samsung recently announced the roll-out of Google’s Circle to Search functionality on select Galaxy A-series devices and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE line. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35, along with last year’s Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34, are the first A-series smartphones to receive Samsung’s select Galaxy AI features, which were previously limited to the flagship Galaxy S series.


In addition to these devices, 9To5Google reported that the Galaxy S21 FE smartphone from 2022 has also received an update enabling Circle to Search. However, Samsung has not officially confirmed the availability for the Fan Edition model of the Galaxy S21.


What is Circle to Search


Circle to Search is an artificial intelligence-powered tool from Google that allows users to perform a Google Search for any subject displayed on their smartphone’s screen. Simply pressing and holding the home button launches the interface, where the user can tap or encircle the object they want to look up on the internet. The feature was initially launched on Samsung’s 2024 flagship Galaxy S24 series and later expanded to other Samsung Galaxy devices.


It should be noted that Circle to Search is not exclusive to Samsung devices. The feature is also available on select Google Pixel devices, including the newly launched Google Pixel 9-series smartphones.

First Published: Aug 23 2024 | 3:28 PM IST



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