Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Solen Feyissa Students in the US and Canada can access two months of ChatGPT Plus for free HighlightsChatGPT Plus is temporarily free for students in the US and CanadaOpenAI will verify student status using SheerID's systemsChatGPT Plus offers several benefits in comparison with the free versionAdvertisementChatGPT Plus will be free to access for select users over the next few weeks, OpenAI announced on Friday. The AI firm's ChatGPT Plus subscription tier typically costs $20 (roughly Rs. 1,700) per month, but eligible users won't have to pay for access to OpenAI's deep research and multiple reasoning models and limited access to Sora video generation. The lowest paid subscription plan lifts limits on messaging or file uploads, and image generation, while also offering limited access to Sora video generation.ChatGPT Plus Free Access for Students to Remain Available Through MayIn a post on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will offer students in the US and Canada free access to ChatGPT Plus. This is part of a limited promotion that offers access to the paid subscription for free, until the end of May, and details of the promotion are available on the company's support website.In order to avail of the student promotion, students must be enrolled at a degree-granting school in the US or Canada. OpenAI requires users to verify their student status via SheerID's secure verification system before claiming access to the complimentary ChatGPT Plus subscription. Students who are already paying for the service will get two months of access at no additional cost.ChatGPT Plus Subscription Plan Benefits, FeaturesThe free version of ChatGPT already offers access to ChatGPT-4o mini, along with limited access to GPT-4o and o3-mini models, while the Plus subscription offers access to deep research and multiple reasoning models. These include o1, o3-mini, and o3-mini-high. The paid subscription also offers access to a research preview of the GPT-4.5 model that was announced in February.ChatGPT Plus also lets users upload more files, send more messages, and generate more images than users on the free tier. Subscribers also have access to the advanced voice mde with support for video and screensharing.OpenAI also allows ChatGPT Plus subscribers to create custom GPTs and enables users to try out upcoming features on the platform. A subscription to ChatGPT Plus also grants limited access to Sora video generation, which isn't available on the free tier. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI, ChatGPT, AI David Delima As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com,on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: Nothing CMF Phone 2 will feature a rear panel with a matte finish HighlightsCMF Phone 2 is expected to succeed last year's CMF Phone 1 modelThe handset is expected to feature a triple rear camera setupThe CMF Phone 2 could feature the Accessory Point systemAdvertisementCMF Phone 2 the anticipated successor to last year's novel CMF Phone 1 handset could be launched soon with some design changes. The Nothing subsidiary recently began teasing the arrival of its second generation handset, and it has now revealed what appears to be the rear panel of the CMF Phone 2. The handset could arrive with a new matte finish, according to the latest teaser. Previous reports suggest that the CMF Phone 2 will be equipped with a triple rear camera setup.CMF Phone 2 Design (Expected)In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the smartphone brand revealed a portion of the rear panel on the purported CMF Phone 2. A brief video shows the handset with plastic edges and a screw that holds the redesigned rear panel in place. The movement of the handset reveals a glossy, rear panel with a matte finish.The post doesn't reveal the material of the rear panel, which could be made of plastic or aluminium. The current generation model is equipped with a polycarbonate rear panel (or vegan leather for the blue colourway). The teaser also shows the CMF by Nothing logo on the bottom left side that appears light or dark when held at different angles.A recent leak suggests that the CMF Phone 2 will be equipped with a triple rear camera setup, which could be a step up from the 50-megapixel primary and portrait sensor on the Phone 1. The image of the entire rear panel was revealed in the leaked image, and the left section appears to match the one on the phone seen on CMF's teaser.Another important feature seen on the CMF Phone 2 is the Accessory Point system, which enabled the use of accessories like a phone stand, a card case, or a lanyard. The leaked indicates that the CMF Phone 2 will also offer support for these accessories.The upcoming smartphone is expected to arrive with incremental hardware upgrades over the first generation CMF Phone 1. That handset sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and features a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip. It also packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W charging.REVIEWKEY SPECSNEWSDesignDisplaySoftwarePerformanceBattery LifeCameraValue for MoneyGoodSwappable rear panelVibrant 120Hz AMOLED display Good performanceClean User InterfaceBadNo charger in the boxNo stereo speakers No dedicated wide-angle or telephoto lensRead detailed CMF by Nothing Phone 1 reviewDisplay 6.70-inchProcessor MediaTek Dimensity 7300Front Camera 16-megapixelRear Camera 50-megapixel + 2-megapixelRAM 6GB, 8GBStorage 128GBBattery Capacity 5000mAhOS Android 14Resolution 1080x2400 pixels For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: CMF Phone 2, CMF Phone 2 Design, CMF Phone 2 Specifications, Nothing David Delima As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com,on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More Related Stories

Meta Platforms plans to release the latest version of its large language model later this month, after delaying it at least twice, the Information reported on Friday, as the Facebook owner scrambles to lead in the AI race.Meta, however, could push back the release of Llama 4 again, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter.Big technology firms have been investing aggressively in AI infrastructure following the success of OpenAI's ChatGPT, which altered the tech landscape and drove investment into machine learning.The report said one of the reasons for the delay is during development, Llama 4 did not meet Meta's expectations on technical benchmarks, particularly in reasoning and math tasks.The company was also concerned that Llama 4 was less capable than OpenAI's models in conducting humanlike voice conversations, the report added.Meta plans to spend as much as $65 billion (roughly Rs. 5,39,000 crore) this year to expand its AI infrastructure, amid investor pressure on big tech firms to show returns on their investments.Additionally, the rise of the popular, lower-cost model from Chinese tech firm DeepSeek challenges the belief that developing the best AI model requires billions of dollars.The report said Llama 4 is expected to borrow certain technical aspects from DeepSeek, with at least one version slated to employ a machine-learning technique called mixture of experts method, which trains separate parts of models for specific tasks, making them experts in those areas.Meta has also considered releasing Llama 4 through Meta AI first and then as open-source software later, the report said.Last year, Meta released its mostly free Llama 3 AI model, which can converse in eight languages, write higher-quality computer code and solve more complex math problems than previous versions. Thomson Reuters 2025

Photo Credit: Bloomberg Elon Musk and Sam Altman worked together to found OpenAI in 2015 HighlightsElon Musk claims OpenAI retreated from its founding purpose as a charityThe billionaire launched his own AI startup in 2023The Altman-Musk trial will begin is scheduled to begin in less than yearAdvertisementA federal judge set a March trial in Elon Musk's challenge to Sam Altman's plans to overhaul OpenAI's business structure, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between the two billionaires.US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, put the trial on her calendar for March 16 during a hearing Friday after previously pledging to fast-track it rather than let it linger until 2027.Gonzalez Rogers last month rejected Musk's request to temporarily pause the ChatGPT maker's transformation from a nonprofit to a more conventional, public benefit for-profit company. But she called for an expedited trial on the core claim from Musk's 2024 lawsuit that OpenAI's restructuring plan is unlawful.Having a firm trial date could impact decisions made by OpenAI's board on choosing a strategy to shift to a for-profit business model. It's also possible that the trial will begin after OpenAI has completed this shift: The startup is already in talks with officials in Delaware and California over its restructuring plans, and the size of its latest funding round is partly dependent on completing its restructuring process by the end of 2025.Musk and Altman worked together to found OpenAI in 2015. Musk now claims that OpenAI retreated from its founding purpose as a charity when it accepted billions of dollars in backing from Microsoft Corp. starting in 2019, the year after he left OpenAI's board.The world's richest person launched his own artificial intelligence startup in 2023, and in late March xAI acquired the X social media platform, which he also controls, giving the new combined entity, called XAI Holdings, a value of more than $100 billion (roughly Rs. 8,55,000 crore), Bloomberg News reported.OpenAI has denied Musk's legal claims and has argued that his real agenda in the court fight is to advance xAI. It has asked the judge to dismiss Musk's suit as a bid to undermine a successful competitor after he was unable to seize control of OpenAI.OpenAI said earlier this week that it finalized a $40 billion (roughly Rs.3,42,000 crore) funding round led by SoftBank Group Corp. The deal values the company at $300 billion(roughly Rs. 25,65,000 crore) including dollars raised almost double the ChatGPT maker's previous valuation of $157 billion(roughly Rs. 13,42,350 crore) from when it raised money in October.If OpenAI doesn't complete its restructuring by the end of 2025, however, SoftBank would be able to reduce the amount of funding it's contributing to the round from $30 billion(roughly Rs.2,56,500 crore) to $20 billion (roughly Rs. 1,71,000 crore), as Bloomberg has reported, while OpenAI would have the option to find other investors. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: OpenAI, Elon Musk, Sam Altman, xAI, Artificial Intelligence, AI Related Stories

Oppo Reno 14 Pro is expected to arrive later this year as the successor to the Reno 13 Pro (Review) model that was unveiled by the company a few months ago. A design render of the purported Oppo Reno 14 Pro has surfaced online, giving us a peek at the design of the upcoming handset. Oppo will reportedly equip the Reno 14 Pro with a triple rear camera setup, housed in a redesigned camera island. The handset is also expected to sport a flat OLED screen and could arrive with a programmable 'Magic Cube' button.Oppo Reno 14 Pro Design (Expected)A design render of the purported Oppo Reno 14 Pro published by Smartprix shows the design of the handset's rear panel appears similar to its predecessor, except for the camera island. While the Reno 13 Pro had three cameras located inside discrete 'rings', the next-gen Reno model could feature a slightly tweaked layout.The redesigned camera island on the Oppo Reno 14 Pro (Tap to expand)Photo Credit: SmartprixWhile the image suggests that the location of the triple rear camera setup will be retained on the Reno 14 Pro, the primary and ultrawide camera are seen together in the same module. Meanwhile, the optical periscope camera is located to the right, above the LED flash.Oppo Reno 14 Pro Specifications (Expected)According to the publication, the Oppo Reno 14 Pro will run on Android 15, with Oppo's ColorOS 15 skin. The handset will sport a flat OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, unlike the current generation model that features a quad curved display.Oppo will reportedly equip the Reno 14 Pro with a triple rear camera setup, featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilisation, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera.There's no word on the processor that will power the Oppo Reno 14 Pro, or the handset's battery capacity. Like other upcoming Oppo and OnePlus smartphones, the Reno 14 Pro will feature a new 'Magic Cube' button that can be remapped, like Apple's Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.The publication claims that the Oppo Reno 14 Pro will be launched in China next month, and the handset will arrive in India in "June or July". However, it's worth taking these claims with a grain of salt, as there's no word from the company on any plans to launch the purported successors to the Oppo Reno 13 series of smartphones.

Photo Credit: Pixabay/tomatomicek How Bats Avoid Collisions During Mass Flight Using Echolocation: New Study Reveals Secrets HighlightsBats change their echolocation to avoid collisions in large groupsStudy in Israel reveals bats fanning out to reduce jamming effectStudy in Israel reveals bats fanning out to reduce jamming effectAdvertisementBats fly out of caves in large numbers every night. Even though they fly in huge numbers they do not collide. Scientists have observed this for years. The ability of bats to navigate without crashing remains an area of study. Many species rely on echolocation to sense their surroundings. They emit calls and listen to echoes. When many bats use echolocation at the same time, interference should occur. Scientists refer to this issue as jamming. This raises the question of why bats do not collide when leaving caves in large groups.How Bats Navigate Without CollisionsAccording to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Tel Aviv University examined greater mouse-tailed bats in Israel's Hula Valley. The study was conducted over two years. Small tracking devices were placed on multiple bats. These trackers recorded their locations and sounds. Some of these devices contained ultrasonic microphones. The mics were there to capture the auditory scene. Since bats were tagged outside the cave, data at the opening of the cave was not available. A computational model developed by Omer Mazar was used to simulate the missing data. This model recreated the entire sequence of bat emergence.Findings on Echolocation AdjustmentsAs per the findings, 94 percent of echolocations were jammed when bats exited the cave. Within five seconds, jamming decreased significantly. Two behavioral adjustments were noted. First, bats moved outward from the dense group while staying in formation. They changed their echolocation strategy. Calls became shorter, weaker, and at a higher frequency. Scientists expected bats to avoid jamming by dispersing. The change in frequency was unexpected.Reason Behind Echolocation ChangesOmer Mazar, a researcher involved in the study, explained this shift. He stated in an interview with Phys.org that bats prioritise detecting the nearest barrier. In this case, the obstacle is another bat. They did this by changing the method of echolocation. They gather precise information about their immediate surroundings. This reduces the risk of collisions For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: SpaceX On April 3, SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base HighlightsSpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites on April 3 from California Falcon 9 booster lands on Of Course I Still Love You drone ship 38 Falcon 9 missions completed by SpaceX in 2025 so farAdvertisementSpaceX has sent another batch of satellites into orbit. On April 3, a Falcon 9 rocket launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The rocket lifted off at 9.02 p.m. Eastern Time and was followed by a successful landing of the first-stage booster on a drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This booster had already been used on four earlier flights. The satellites are expected to be deployed nearly an hour after takeoff if mission steps proceed as planned. The launch formed part of SpaceX's continued effort to expand its low Earth orbit network.Details from the Launch Mission DescriptionAccording to the mission information provided by SpaceX, the launch marked the fifth use of the same Falcon 9 booster. The drone ship used for recovery was named Of Course I Still Love You. This reusable system has become a routine part of SpaceX operations. The booster's return was completed around eight minutes after liftoff. The launch contributed to the growing total of Starlink satellites which is aimed at building a global broadband network.Launch Activity in 2025This latest mission has brought the number of Falcon 9 launches in 2025 to 38. About two-thirds of those have supported the expansion of the Starlink constellation. Earlier this week, two separate launches were also completed. One of them included the Fram2 private astronaut mission, which carried crew members into orbit over Earth's poles. That mission marked a new milestone in human spaceflight.Starlink Satellite NetworkOver 7100 satellites are now part of the Starlink constellation. The system is already the largest of its kind. SpaceX continues to work on expanding its coverage by launching more satellites regularly. The objective remains to provide consistent internet access worldwide, especially in regions with limited connectivity options. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: SpaceX, Starlink, Falcon 9, satellite launch, drone ship, booster landing, SpaceX 2025, internet satellite, Vandenberg launch Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: ESA Webb captured streaks resembling UFOs, which are distant stars. HighlightsSolar Orbiter recorded a massive plasma pseudostreamer near the SunThe structure extended 1.5 times the Suns width and lasted three hoursScientists expect more intense solar activity in the coming yearsAdvertisementA towering spiral of plasma has been recorded extending millions of kilometres from the Sun. The video was taken by the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter during an eight-hour period on October 12, 2022. A coronal mass ejection caused the plasma to rise from the Sun's surface. The footage captured something which was never observed before. It showed a swirling motion in the solar wind. As per the latest report, scientists also recorded bright streaks that were moving across the frame. Researchers also revealed that these streaks appeared as pixelated lines, which might also ressemble like UFOs. Scientists later confirmed they were distant stars visible due to the imaging process.Study Identifies Plasma Formation as a PseudostreamerThe study published in The Astrophysical Journal revealed that the massive structure that appeared in the photos was a large pseudostreamer. It was formed near the Sun's north pole after a solar flare erupted. The report further highlighted that the plasma reached 1.5 times the Sun's width and remained visible for three hours. Scientists believes the twisting movement of the plasma was due to Alfvnic fluctuations. These fluctuations happen when waves of charged particles respond to magnetic disturbances. Scientists says the pseudostreamer's location influenced its unique shape. Magnetic fields at the Sun's poles are stronger than those near the equator.Unusual Streaks ExplainedThe video also showed bright, half-dark lines crossing the screen. These lines appeared to move in a pattern similar to arcade game graphics. ESA confirmed that these were distant stars. The video's editing technique made them appear as streaks rather than points of light. The Solar Orbiter's movement against the background created this effect.Solar Activity Expected to IntensifyThe Sun is currently experiencing solar maximum. Flares and solar winds have increased since early 2024. The pseudostreamer in the video formed before this peak. Scientists were surprised by its early appearance. ESA's Solar Orbiter continues to capture detailed images of solar wind. NASA's Parker Solar Probe and ESA's Proba-3 mission are also studying these phenomena. More extreme solar winds are expected in the coming years. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Solar Orbiter, plasma spiral, pseudostreamer, solar wind, Sun, ESA, space weather Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: Pixabay/USGS Mount Spurr in Alaska shows increased volcanic activity with a steam plume, confirmed on March 28. HighlightsMount Spurr releases massive steam plume, eruption likelyMount Spurr may erupt in coming weeks, warns Volcano ObservatoryNo change in earthquake activity but gas emissions increasedAdvertisementA large steam plume has been seen emerging from Mount Spurr in Alaska, signalling increased volcanic activity. Images shared by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) on March 28 confirmed steam and gas emissions visible from the volcano's summit and a northern vent. The volcano is located around 80 miles west of Anchorage and stands at 11,070 feet high. The experts have revealed that there could be a possible eruption in the coming weeks or months. However, nothing is certain yet.Increased Signs of Unrest ReportedAccording to the latest update by the Alaska Volcano Observatory steam was observed rising from the summit on March 26. A smaller plume was also recorded from a fumarole on the volcano's northern flank. No immediate changes in seismic activity or gas levels were detected during these observations as per the AVO statement.The AVO had earlier mentioned in a March 11 update that a noticeable rise in gas emissions indicates fresh magma has moved into the crust beneath Mount Spurr. This has led scientists to assess the chance of an eruption in the near future. The observatory clarified that the exact timing of any eruption cannot be predicted yet.Hazards and Possible AlertsThe observatory has cautioned that the volcano's alert level might be raised if there are further signs of escalation. According to AVO, this may include persistent seismic tremors, increased gas emissions or visible surface changes. If an eruption occurs, possible hazards include ash clouds impacting flights, ashfall across nearby areas, pyroclastic flows and mudflows known as lahars.The volcano last erupted in 1992. That eruption resulted in heavy ashfall and affected air travel in the region. AVO has advised residents and visitors to stay informed and follow safety instructions if alerts are raised. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Alaska, Mount Spurr, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Volcanic Eruption, Volcano News, Mount Spurr eruption, Steam plume, Alaska volcano alert Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

Lumio is all set to launch new smart TVs in India next week. Just days ahead of the official reveal, the consumer tech brand founded by former Xiaomi and Flipkart executives has teased details of the picture and audio quality of the upcoming smart TVs. The Lumio Vision smart TV lineup is confirmed to include the Lumio Vision 7 and the Lumio Vision 9 QLED TV models. They will support Dolby Vision format and are equipped with 30W speakers.Lumio Vision 7, Lumio Vision 9 Features TeasedIn a press release, Lumio teased the specifications of the Vision 7 and Vision 9 smart TVs. The latter is confirmed to feature a Blue Mini-LED backlight technology with Dolby Vision and is claimed to deliver a peak brightness of 900 nits. The Lumio Vision 7 has a Blue LED backlight, along with Dolby Vision, and is claimed to offer 400 nits peak brightness.The Lumio Vision 9 display is confirmed to offer 115 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, while this figure is at 110 percent for the Lumio Vision 7. The former has a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and offers support for local dimming.The Lumio Vision 9 and Lumio Vision 7 are equipped an 'Act III Sound' audio system. They are confirmed to pack 30W speakers, and will have a quad-driver unit, including two full-range drivers and two tweeters. It supports 24-bit audio processing with a 88.2KHz sampling rate. The upcoming models include Bluetooth Out and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) support. They will support 300 Ohms impedance through a 3.5mm output.Lumio Vision smart TVs will be introduced in India on April 10 as the first smart TVs from the homegrown consumer tech brand Circuit House Technologies. They will be available for purchase via Amazon. The smart TVs will run on an in-house 'Boss' processor along with 3GB of DDR4 RAM. They will run on Android TV, along with the Google TV interface. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Lumio Vision 7, Lumio Vision 9, Lumio Nithya P Nair Nithya P Nair is a journalist with more than five years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in business and technology beats. A foodie at heart, Nithya loves exploring new places (read cuisines) and sneaking in Malayalam movie dialogues to spice up conversations. More

The US is considering rejecting the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) through the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. Unlike cryptocurrencies, a CBDC is a blockchain-based digital version of fiat currency issued and regulated by a central bank.Republican lawmakers, led by Congressman Tom Emmer, are pushing this bill to prevent financial surveillance of US citizens. Emmer, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, sponsored the legislation, which passed the committee this week with a 27-22 vote.The US stance on CBDCs contrasts sharply with nations like India, Russia, and China, which are already conducting advanced trials of their own digital currencies.The bill now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives, with a date yet to be announced.Key Highlights of the Proposed ActIn an April 3 statement, Tom Emmer announced that 114 of his House Republican colleagues support the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.Emmer argued that, "a CBDC is government-controlled programmable money that, if designed without privacy protections of cash, could give the federal government unilateral authority to surveil Americans' transactions and restrict politically unpopular activity."He cited China's CBDC, the eCNY, as an example, claiming it is being used by the Communist Party to monitor the spending habits of Chinese citizens."Although the Biden administration was willing to trade Americans' right to financial privacy for a surveillance-style CBDC, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans surely are not," Emmer noted.Supporters of the bill include members of the US Independent Community Bankers Association, American Bankers Association, Club for Growth, Heritage Action, and the Blockchain Association."The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act ensures that the United States' digital currency policy is in the hands of the American people not the Administrative State so it reflects our American values of privacy, individual sovereignty, and free market competitiveness," the policymaker noted.The US v/s OthersIn January, President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from creating, issuing, or promoting CBDCs, effectively ruling out a digital version of the world's primary reserve currency, the USD.However, President Trump's executive order banning CBDCs remains vulnerable to reversal by future administrations. To prevent this, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act aims to enshrine the prohibition into federal law, making it significantly more difficult to overturn.While supporters argue that CBDCs can enable real-time, cross-currency payments and offer a modern alternative to cash, opponents, reportedly believe that CBDCs can compromise people's financial privacy.CBDC transactions can leave permanent, traceable records on their underlying blockchains. Meanwhile, countries like India, Russia, China, South Korea, and the UAE are actively developing their own digital currencies to enhance transparency and permanence within their financial systems.

Midjourney released its latest image-generation artificial intelligence (AI) model, V7, on Friday. The V7 AI model is currently available in an alpha version, and the company is currently letting its user base test the model's capability. Arriving nearly a year after its predecessor V6, the V7 Alpha model is also the first in the AI firm's lineup to have personalisation turned on by default. The foundation model also introduces a new Draft Mode, which is said to cost half as much as the standard mode while offering 10 times the speed.Midjourney's V7 Brings New Modes and FeaturesIn a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the official handle of Midjourney announced the release of V7. Compared to V6, the image generation model has a higher text prompt adherence, and both the image quality and textures are better, the company added. The AI firm also claimed that the coherence among different elements is higher than its predecessor.Midjourney highlighted that V7 is its first model to have model personalisation turned on by default. It means that before getting access to the AI model, users will have to rate a large number of images to build their personalisation profile. This profile enables the Midjourney models to understand the user's preference, and it can adjust the outputs accordingly. However, once a user gets access to V7, they can turn personalisation on or off.The company is also introducing a new feature dubbed Draft Mode with this model. Draft Mode is said to be half the cost of the standard mode and renders images at 10 times its speed. It is essentially an iteration mode where users can give the model multiple prompts to get the desired output and to make inline edits to images. The mode supports voice input for a conversational experience.Users can either click Draft mode on the web client or add --draft at the end of the prompt to activate the mode. Midjourney highlighted that draft mode images are lower quality than the standard mode, but the model behaviour and aesthetic generation are consistent.The V7 image generation model is available in Turbo and Relax variants. Notably, Turbo mode costs twice as much as standard output generation. Additionally, the V7 model currently does not support upscaling, editing, and retexture-related tasks, and it redirects to V6 to complete these tasks.Midjourney also plans to release new features for the AI model every week or two for the next 60 days. One feature in the roadmap includes character and object reference. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Midjourney, AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI Model, LLM, Image generator Akash Dutta Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy A55 5G was launched with One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 out-of-the-box HighlightsSamsung has started rolling out the One UI 7 Beta for Galaxy A55 5GThe update is said to be limited to SKT Telecom subscribersUsers need to sign up via the Samsung Members app for the programmeAdvertisementSamsung is said to have commenced the rollout of the One UI 7 Beta for the Galaxy A55 5G. According to a community forum post, select users in South Korea who are enrolled with a particular mobile network provider are receiving the Android 15-based update. It requires them to sign up for Samsung's One UI Beta programme. With this move, the Galaxy A55 5G becomes the latest device to get One UI 7 Beta following the update's rollout for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 last month.One UI 7 Beta for Samsung Galaxy A55 5GA post on the Samsung South Korea's community forum reveals that Samsung Galaxy A55 5G users are now receiving the One UI 7 Beta update in the country. However, its rollout seems to be limited to consumers who have SKT Telecom as their mobile network provider, based on a machine translation of the text originally in Korean.In line with the beta updates for other smartphones, the One UI 7 Beta programme for the Galaxy A55 5G requires users to sign up for it via the Samsung Members app. The company emphasises that the features part of the beta update may vary depending on the country or region the user resides in.It supports a total of 29 languages including local dialects, such as Arabic, Chinese, English (Australia, India, United Kingdom, United States), Dutch, French (Canada, France), German, Hindi, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), and Vietnamese.This development builds upon the announcement made by the South Korean technology conglomerate's Indian arm last month. It expanded the One UI 7 Beta programme to include the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Tab S10 series and indeed, the Galaxy A55 5G. Although its exact release date was yet to be announced, the recent post on Samsung's community forum suggests that the company may have commenced its rollout.Notably, the Android 15-based One UI 7 was first introduced with the Galaxy S25 series in January. It introduces visual enhancements with more customisation options, a new notification system dubbed Now Bar, and redesigned One UI widgets, along with a host of new features powered by Galaxy AI Samsung's artificial intelligence (AI) suite. However, it remains unclear which of these features are making their way to the Galaxy A55 5G in South Korea.REVIEWKEY SPECSNEWSDesignDisplaySoftwarePerformanceBattery LifeCameraValue for MoneyGoodModern designGood displayFeature-packed softwareFantastic battery lifeGood primary cameraBadUnderwhelming ultra-wide angle cameraCPU performance lags behind the competitionOpts you in to Glance with every updateSoftware updates add unsolicited appsVery priceyRead detailed Samsung Galaxy A55 5G reviewDisplay 6.60-inchFront Camera 32-megapixelRear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 5-megapixelRAM 8GB, 12GBStorage 128GB, 256GBBattery Capacity 5000mAhOS Android 14Resolution 2340x1080 pixels For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: One UI 7, One UI 7 Beta, Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, Samsung, Android 15 Shaurya Tomer Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More Related Stories

Honor Play 60 and Honor Play 60m have been unveiled in China. Both smartphones are powered by MediaTek Dimensity chipsets and a 6,000mAh battery each. They carry 13-megapixel main rear cameras and 5-megapixel selfie shooters. The phones support up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. The handsets have a new button that lets users access certain quick functions with a single click.The Honor Play 60 and Play 60m are available for purchase in China.Honor Play 60,Honor Play 60m Price, Colour OptionsHonor Play 60 price in China starts at CNY 1,199 (roughly Rs. 14,100) for the 6GB + 128GB option, while the 8GB + 256GB variant is listed at CNY 1,399 (roughly Rs. 16,400). On the other hand, the Honor Play 60m ispriced at CNY 1,699(roughly Rs. 19,900) for the 6GB + 128GB version, while the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB configurations are marked at CNY 2,199(roughly Rs. 25,800) and CNY 2,599 (roughly Rs. 30,500), respectively. They will be available for purchase soon via the Honor China e-store.The base Honor Play 60 comes inMoyan Black, Yulong Snowy, and Xiaoshan Green (translated from Chinese) colour options, while the Play 60m is offered inInk Rock Black, Jade Dragon Snow, and Morning Glow Gold (translated) shades.Honor Play 60,Honor Play 60m Features, SpecificationsTheHonor Play 60 and Play 60m sport 6.61-inch HD+ (720x1,604 pixels) TFT LCD screens with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1,010nits peak brightness level, DC flicker-free dimming, low blue light,natural light eye protection, and reader mode. The handsets are powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC paired with ARM G57 MC2 GPU, up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. Theyship with Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0 skin on top.In the camera department, both Honor Play 60 and Play 60m have 13-megapixel primary rear sensors with f/1.8 aperture and 5-megapixel front camera sensors withf/2.2 aperture. The rear and front cameras support 1080p resolution video recording.TheHonor Play 60 series handsets come with AI-backed imaging, productivity and security features.They have a physical button on the left edge, which allows users to perform tasks like making calls, adjusting brightness, and more with a single click.Honor confirmed that both Play 60 and Play 60m variants pack a 6,000mAh battery with5V/3A wired charging support. For security, they carry side-mounted fingerprint sensors and have an IP64 dust and splash-resistant build. Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, OTG, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.The phones measure 163.95 x 75.6 x 8.39mm in size and weigh 197g each. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Sucharita Ganguly Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breakingnewsdesks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More Related Stories

Amazon is adding a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature to Kindle devices that will help users quickly refresh their memory while reading a book series. Announced on Wednesday, the new feature is dubbed Recaps, and it will provide a short AI-generated recap of the books already read in a series to bring the user up to speed before they read the next book. The e-commerce giant is currently rolling out the new feature via an over-the-air (OTA) update in the US. Notably, in November 2024, Amazon added a similar X-Ray Recaps feature to its video streaming platform, Prime Video.Kindle Devices Will Now Provide an AI-Generated Book RecapIn a newsroom post, the Seattle-based tech giant detailed the new feature, which is being rolled out to Kindle users in the US. The AI-powered Recaps feature is designed to help those readers who find it difficult to get back into a book series because they do not want to read older books to remember key plot details.This issue particularly occurs when a book series is not complete and the reader has gone through the released titles. By the time the next book arrives, the memory of the events has faded. Many readers opt to read through a series in continuity because of this issue, which has its downsides, such as reading fatigue and genre boredom.Amazon's latest feature solves this problem by providing readers a short, AI-generated recap of the books they've already read so that they can move on to the next title without an issue. The recap contains plot points, a storyline summary, and character arcs. The company warns that the recaps will contain spoilers of the previous books. Currently, the feature is available for only English language ebooks that are part of a series.Notably, Amazon only recognises those books as a part of a series that were purchased or borrowed from its digital store. So, even if books added from other sources are part of a series, they will not show as such in the Kindle library, and the Recaps feature will not work.Users who have access to the feature can try it out by looking for the View Recaps button in the series page in their Kindle Library. Alternatively, it can also be found as an option within the series grouping three-dot menu. Updating the e-reader is necessary before the feature becomes visible. Amazon has not shared when the feature could be released in more regions. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Amazon Kindle, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Akash Dutta Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More Related Stories

The third season of Love On The Spectrum is set to return. The docu-reality series is all about exploring the dating journeys of individuals on the autism spectrum. It offers a heartfelt look at their experiences in love and relationships. Jennifer Cook who is a Neurodiversity expert, is returning to guide the participants through their romantic journeys. She will be providing tailored advice based on their needs.When and Where to Watch Love On The Spectrum Season 3The new season of Love On The Spectrum premiered on April 2, 2025. The release date aligns with World Autism Day, making it a significant occasion for the show's audience. All episodes will be available for streaming on Netflix. Previous seasons can also be watched on the platform for those who want to revisit past love stories before the latest season arrives.Official Trailer and Plot of Love On The Spectrum Season 3The official trailer introduces returning and new participants. They each share their hopes for love. James B. Jones expresses excitement about his dating experiences and how his perspective has evolved. Tanner Smith talks about how he is looking for a companion who reflects his energy. We also have newcomers Madison Marilla and Pari Kim. Madison wishes to meet someone special and is motivated by previous participants. Pari joins in to dispel myths about dating and pursue relationships according to her own terms.Cast and Crew of Love On The Spectrum Season 3As one of the most adored couples on the show, Abbey Romeo and David Isaacman are back. Dani Bowman and Adan Correa will also return. Madison Marilla and Pari Kim are two new characters that provide the series with a variety of viewpoints. As a mentor, Jennifer Cook continues to help cast members with their dating endeavours. Love On The Spectrum season three promises to be another captivating chapter, with poignant moments and human development at its centre. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Love On The Spectrum, Netflix, docu-reality, autism, dating, relationships, streaming Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More

Photo Credit: WhatsApp A "Cant auto-save media" pop up is said to appear if the receipient tries to save media to the gallery HighlightsThe feature is reported in WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.25.10.4It prevents shared media from being auto-saved to the recipient's galleryThe feature is still in development and not available to beta testers yetAdvertisementWhatsApp is said to be developing a new feature for its Android app which adds another layer of privacy in conversations. According to a feature tracker, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform's Advanced Chat Privacy feature may let users restrict the media they share with others from being automatically saved to the recipient's gallery. It is also said to offer privacy-focussed restrictions such as blocking export of entire chat histories and more potential additions.WhatsApp's Advanced Chat Privacy Feature for AndroidAccording to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, Meta Platforms' instant messaging client is developing the Advanced Chat Privacy feature for release on a future version of the app. It was spotted in WhatsApp Beta for Android app version 2.25.10.4. The feature is said to be optional and can be toggled by navigating to the app's settings. Once it is enabled for the sender, the recipient who receives image or video files in a conversation will not be able to automatically save them to their device's gallery.Based on screenshots shared by the feature tracker, if the recipient tries to save the media, a Can't auto-save media pop-up will appear with the following description:Advanced chat privacy has been turned on, and prevents media auto-saving to your device's gallery.Additionally, WABetaInfo suggests that it might offer other privacy-focussed restrictions too. WhatsApp may block the export of chat histories which include messages from users who have activated the Advanced Chat Privacy feature. Additionally, it will prohibit participants in the same conversation from interacting with Meta AI WhatsApp's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.Notably, a similar feature exists when disappearing messages are enabled in WhatsApp, but this in-development functionality may bring the same level of privacy to standard conversations too.WABetaInfo claims that this new ability is still in development and is not available even to beta testers registered via the Google Play Beta programme. However, it is to be noted that while the instant messaging platform might be working on several new features for various platforms, not all of them make it to the public release. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: WhatsApp, WhatsApp for Android, WhatsApp for Android Beta, Meta Platforms Shaurya Tomer Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More Related Stories

Photo Credit: Apple Apple's seventh generation iPad Mini was launched in October 2024 HighlightsApple is said to be testing an OLED screen for a small tabletThe company is expected to upgrade the iPad Mini with an OLED screenApple launched the iPad Pro (2024) with a Tandem OLED screen last yearAdvertisementApple is testing a new iPad Mini model equipped with an OLED screen, according to details shared by a tipster. The new 8-inch panel is said to be manufactured by Samsung Display, and the South Korean firm could begin production in H2 2025. Apple is expected to unveil the successor to last year's iPad Mini (7th Generation) in 2026, according to analysts. The company's iPad Pro (2024) was its first tablet model to be equipped with an OLED screen.Apple's iPad Mini Could Sport an OLED Screen Produced by SamsungIn a post on Weibo, the Chinese microblogging website, Digital Chat Station (translated from Chinese) claims that Apple is evaluating a small OLED screen for the iPad. The smallest tablet in the company's lineup is the iPad Mini, and this indicates that Apple is planning to replace the Liquid Retina LCD screen on the iPad Mini (7th Generation) with an OLED screen.The tipster also says that they do now know whether Apple's next iPad model will feature an OLED screen with a high refresh rate. The LCD screen on the iPad Mini (7th Generation) refreshes at 60Hz, while the more advanced OLED panels used on the iPad Pro (2024) have a 120Hz refresh rate.Digital Chat Station states that Apple is currently evaluating the OLED panel produced by Samsung, and production could begin in the second half of 2025. The company could launch an upgraded iPad Mini with the new OLED screen in 2026.While the next-gen iPad Mini is expected to arrive with an OLED screen, it will not be as advanced as the one on the iPad Pro, which sports a Tandem OLED screen that delivers increased brightness and improved colour reproduction, while reducing power consumption.According to previous reports, Apple is also working on an upgraded iPad Air with an OLED screen that could launch "as early as 2026". At the time, it was claimed that Apple would be equipped with a less advanced OLED panel to keep costs low.Last year, technology research firm Omdia predicted that Apple's rumoured decision to equip its iPad Air and iPad Mini models with OLED screens would also convince rivals to switch from LCD panels. The demand for these panels could cross the 30-million-unit mark by 2029, according to the firm.Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.KEY SPECSNEWSDisplay 8.30-inchProcessor A17 ProFront Camera 12-megapixel + NoResolution 1448x2266 pixelsOS iPadOS 18Storage 128GBRear Camera 12-megapixel + NoMore Apple Tablets For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: iPad Mini, iPad Mini OLED, iPad Mini 2024, iPad, Samsung Display, Apple David Delima As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com,on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More Related Stories

The Nintendo Switch 2 will support Nvidia DLSS upscaling technology and ray tracing in games, Nintendo has said after fully unveiling its next console. The Switch 2's technical specifications confirm that the hybrid console utilises a custom Nvidia processor. Nvidia, too, confirmed DLSS and ray-tracing support for the Switch 2 on Thursday, and said its custom GPU would bring next-level visuals and smoother gameplay on the new platform.DLSS, Ray Tracing on Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo confirmed Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) ray tracing technology on the Switch 2 in a roundtable Q&A in New York following the Nintendo Direct broadcast on Wednesday. According to IGN, which attended the roundtable session, Nintendo did not provide details of the DLSS version supported.DLSS upscaling technology uses AI and machine learning to improve the quality of lower resolution images in real-time and boost framerates in games. Nvidia later announced the same in a blog post on Thursday, confirming the Nintendo Switch 2 was powered by a custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores.The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds, the company said.Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality.Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming.Nvidia claimed the Switch 2 would produce 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch and deliver sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. In handheld mode, the Switch 2 display would support variable refresh rate via Nvidia G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing.Nintendo and Nvidia have not detailed CPU and GPU specifications of the Switch 2 and have instead shared broad details about the console's capabilities. The Nintendo Switch 2 can deliver up to 4K resolution in docked mode and up to 120fps gaming at 1080p in handheld mode.The Nintendo Switch successor is set to release on June 5, along with a host of launch-day first-party and third-party titles. The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display and redesigned magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers that also support mouse controls. The console is priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,500) in the US for the sole 256GB storage option, $150 more than the original Nintendo Switch.KEY SPECSNEWSHDD 256GBProcessor Custom NvidiaGraphics Custom NvidiaAV NoUSB 2 USB Type-C portsWeight 535.2 gramsEthernet NoMore Nintendo Gaming Consoles For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo, Switch 2, Nvidia, AI, AI Upscaling, DLSS, Ray Tracing Manas Mitul In his time as a journalist, Manas Mitul has written on a wide spectrum of beatsincluding politics, culture and sports. He enjoys reading, walking around in museums and rewatching films. Talk to Manas about football and tennis, but maybedont bring up his video game backlog. More Related Stories

A strong solar flare of the X1.1 class caused radio outages across North and South America. GOES-16 satellite captured the incident around 11:20 a.m. EST on March 28. It is operated by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA together. The flare originated from a sunspot identified as AR4046. It is the first X-class flare detected since early February. Reports confirm that this solar event disrupted high-frequency radio communications for several hours in affected regions.Impact on Earth's radio signalsAccording to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, the flare caused significant interference with high-frequency radio signals. The sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation ionised the lower ionosphere. This led to a temporary loss of contact for radio operators. The affected region included areas facing the sun at the time of the eruption. NOAA classified this as an R3-level solar event, indicating strong radio signal degradation across large portions of the sunlit hemisphere.Coronal mass ejection follows the flareNOAA confirmed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) accompanied the solar event. A CME is made up of plasma and magnetic field energy released from the sun's surface. geomagnetic disturbances are likely to occur when these ejections interact with the Earth's magnetic field. Scientists are analysing data to determine if any impact on Earth is possible. Current assessments say that this CME will most likely not be directed toward Earth.More solar activity expectedSolar physicist Ryan French stated in a post on X that sunspot AR4046 is rotating to face Earth in the coming days. Future solar flares from this region could directly impact Earth. Another sunspot, AR4048, has also been identified as a potential source of powerful solar activity. Reports indicate a 15 percent likelihood of another X-class solar flare occurring between March 31 and April 2.

Photo Credit: SpaceX SpaceX launched the Fram2 mission into polar orbit on March 31, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center. HighlightsFram2 is the first astronaut mission to orbit over both poles.SpaceX launched the private mission on March 31.Crew is conducting space-based medical and biological research.AdvertisementThe first astronauts to orbit over both of Earth's poles have shared new images from their journey. SpaceX launched the private Fram2 mission on March 31, sending four first-time astronauts into a polar orbit. The mission lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and reached the orbit shortly after with the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The trajectory allowed the crew members to witness and document some of the most remotest regions of the planet. Interestingly, the images from the mission show views of the Arctic and Antarctic, which were never seen from a crewed spacecraft before.Mission Details and Crew MembersAccording to reports, the mission is led by Chun Wang from Malta, who personally funded the journey. Serving as vehicle commander is Jannicke Mikkelsen from Norway, with German astronaut Rabea Rogge as mission pilot. Australian crew member Eric Phillips is onboard as mission specialist and medical officer. SpaceX confirmed that the mission is the first to place astronauts in a true polar orbit, a path typically reserved for satellite launches.Scientific Research on BoardAs per mission details, nearly two dozen experiments are being conducted during the flight. Among these is the first attempt to grow mushrooms in microgravity. The crew is also performing medical studies. The studies also include the first-ever X-ray scans taken in space. Additional research focuses on the effects of weightlessness on muscles and bones. These studies aim to provide insights for future long-duration space missions.Landing Plans and Future MissionsFram2 is expected to remain in orbit for two to four days. SpaceX has announced that Resilience will re-enter Earth's atmosphere for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This marks a shift in recovery operations away from Florida to reduce risks associated with debris. Future missions are likely to follow a similar landing procedure. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Fram2, SpaceX, polar orbit, astronauts, Crew Dragon, space exploration, Earth images Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More

Photo Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, W. Balmer (JHU), L. Pueyo (STScI), M. Perrin (STScI) Webb's NIRCam captured Eridani 51 b, a young exoplanet, 11 billion miles from its star. HighlightsJWSTs coronagraphs were modified to enhance exoplanet imagingHR 8799 planets were captured in mid-infrared wavelengthsCarbon dioxide detection confirms core accretion planetary formationAdvertisementAstronomers have released new images of planets within the HR 8799 and 51 Eridani star systems. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used in a way that was different from standard procedures to achieve these results. Capturing direct images of exoplanets is challenging due to the brightness of host stars, which often obscures planetary details. To allow more light through, researchers adjusted JWST's coronagraphs. This helps in enhancing the visibility of these distant worlds. This adjustment provided clearer insights into planetary atmospheres and their compositions.Unconventional Use of JWST's CoronagraphsAccording to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, lead author William Balmer, a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins University, explained to Space.com that a thinner part of the coronagraph mask was used. This allowed more starlight to diffract, reducing the risk of completely obscuring planets. Coronagraphs typically block starlight to reveal faint celestial bodies, but this modification provided a balance between removing excessive glare and preserving planetary details.Key Discoveries and ObservationsThe JWST's mid-infrared imaging captured HR 8799 at 4.6 microns. It is a wavelength that is mainly blocked by Earth's atmosphere. Balmer stated that previous ground-based attempts had failed, demonstrating JWST's stability in detecting exoplanets. Observations at 4.3 microns were also conducted. This revealed the presence of carbon dioxide. It is a very important step in determining the planetary formation processes. The detected carbon dioxide levels suggested that these planets likely formed through core accretion, gathering heavy elements over time.Future Research and Expanding StudiesThere are many research planned to study the four additional planetary systems. Balmer's team has been allocated more JWST observation time to confirm whether similar gas giants formed through core accretion. This could offer more insights into the stability of planetary systems and potential habitability of smaller, unseen planets. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: JWST, HR 8799, 51 Eridani, exoplanets, space exploration, astronomy, NASA Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

Photo Credit: Pixabay/USGS A volcanic fissure opened near Grindavk, Iceland, after strong earthquakes. HighlightsA volcanic fissure near Grindavk on Icelands Reykjanes Peninsula has opAuthorities have evacuated residents and closed roads in the affected areVolcanic gas is expected to impact air quality in Reykjavk and surroundiAdvertisementA volcanic fissure has emerged near Grindavk on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula after a series of strong earthquakes. Lava has breached the town's defence barriers. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has warned that the fissure may continue to expand. The eruption began along the Sundhnkur crater row early in the morning. By 9:45 a.m. local time, a fissure stretching nearly 1,200 metres had opened north of Grindavk. The crack is moving southward. Officials have raised the hazard level to the highest risk category.Evacuations and Road ClosuresAccording to the IMO, a second fissure has appeared inside Grindavk's protective barriers. Authorities have evacuated the town along with the Blue Lagoon spa. Roads in and out of the area have been shut. Some residents have refused to leave. Local media outlet Visir has reported that emergency services remain on high alert.Impact of Volcanic GasWeather forecasts indicate that volcanic gas will be carried northeastward towards Reykjavk. The capital is located about 40 kilometres away. The IMO has stated that by tomorrow morning, changing wind patterns may direct the gas southwest and eastward. Residents have been told to remain indoors as much as possible while closely monitoring air quality updates. Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced about 11 eruptions since 2021. Eight have occurred along the Sundhnkur crater row since last year. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely. Authorities have urged people to avoid the affected region. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Iceland, Grindavk, volcanic eruption, Reykjanes Peninsula, lava, evacuation, volcanic gas Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories

NASA's SPHEREx mission has sent back its first images from space. This marks an important step before it begins the full survey of the sky. The space telescope, which was launched on March 11, 2025, is designed to scan millions of galaxies and collect data in infrared light. On March 27, its detectors captured uncalibrated images that show thousands of light sources, including distant stars and galaxies. The images, processed with added colours for infrared wavelengths, confirm that SPHEREx is operating as expected. Once fully operational, the telescope will take 600 exposures daily and map the entire sky four times during its two-year mission.Recorded Images Reveals Interesting DetailsAccording to NASA's SPHEREx mission, the observatory's six detectors recorded images of the same area of the sky, providing a wide field of view. The top three images represent one portion of the sky, while the bottom three cover the same section. As per the report, the SPHEREx catpured each image with around 100,000 light sources. As per multiple reports, scientists can now learn more about what celestial objects and its distance from Earth with the help of infrared wavelengths. The data from SPHEREx will also help researchers to explore the origins of water in the Milky Way. Moreover, it might also help the scientists to find more clues about the universe's earliest moments.Olivier Dor, SPHEREx project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Caltech, told NASA that the telescope is functioning as intended. The infrared light detected by SPHEREx is invisible to human eyes, but colour mapping enables researchers to visualise and analyse it. The observatory's unique design includes 17 infrared wavelength bands for each detector, creating a total of 102 hues in every six-image capture.How the Telescope WorksUnlike Hubble or the James Webb Space Telescope, which focuses on specific areas of space, SPHEREx is built for large-scale surveys. It uses spectroscopy to break down light and identify chemical compositions and distances of celestial bodies. Light entering the telescope is divided into two paths, each leading to three detectors. Specialised filters process the incoming wavelengths, allowing for detailed observations of millions of cosmic sources.Beth Fabinsky, deputy project manager at JPL, said in NASA's official statement that the successful image capture represents a major milestone. The telescope has also reached its target operating temperature of minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit, crucial for detecting faint infrared signals. Since focusing cannot be adjusted after launch, mission engineers verified the accuracy of the telescope's optics before sending it into space.Jamie Bock, principal investigator at JPL and Caltech, confirmed in NASA's report that the telescope is performing as expected. Engineers will continue testing before the observatory begins routine operations in late April.

A high-stakes world of luxury cars, gambling millionaires, and underground racing had been brought to life in the 2007 American action-thriller film Redline. The film had been directed by Andy Cheng and written by Daniel Sadek who had also produced the film. Featuring a storyline built around illegal street racing funded by wealthy individuals, the movie had promised speed and spectacle. A personal collection of exotic cars had been used by Sadek to shape the racing world shown on screen.When and Where to Watch RedlineRedline had been released across theatres in North America on April 13, 2007. It wad distributed as an independent project. Despite a wide release, the movie had failed to create an impact at the box office and was pulled from most cinemas after a short run of six weeks. The film can now be streamed Liongate Play.Official Trailer and Plot of RedlineThe official trailer of Redline focuses on the high-adrenaline world of illegal car racing and multimillion-dollar wagers. The film's plot followed Natasha Martin, who was an auto mechanic and aspiring musician with an exceptional driving talent. Natasha had been invited to race in a dangerous competition funded by wealthy individuals, where luxury sports cars had been used as stakes in the bets. The story had involved mobsters, veteran soldiers and music producers who had crossed paths in this underground race circuit. The final race had taken place in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada where personal vendettas and dangerous gambles had come to a head.Cast and Crew of RedlineThe film starred Nathan Phillips as Carlo and Nadia Bjorlin as Natasha Martin. Angus Macfadyen appeared as mob boss Michael D'Orazio. The cast included Eddie Griffin as music producer, Infamous Tim Matheson as Hollywood producer, Jerry Brecken and David Dayan Fisher as the Godfather. Direction was handled by Andy Cheng. The screenplay and production responsibilities had been carried by Daniel Sadek.Reception of RedlineRedline had been declared a critical and commercial failure. The film had opened at number eleven in the US box office during its debut weekend earning 3.9 million US dollars. The total production budget had been reported at 26 million US dollars and the total North American gross had reached only 6.8 million US dollars. On IMDb, the film had received a low score of 4.0 out of 10 based on audience reviews. Film critics had largely dismissed the movie due to its weak storyline and poor performances.

The Kannada-language horror comedy film Choo Mantar hit theatres on January 10, 2025. Directed by Navaneeth and backed by producer Tarun Shivappa under the Tarun Studios banner, the film brought together a strong ensemble cast featuring Sharan, Meghana Gaonkar, Aditi Prabhudeva, Prabhu Mundkur and others. The storyline revolves around an eerie treasure hunt inside a haunted location. After its theatrical release, the film has now made its digital debut and is available for streaming on Prime Video. Audience interest has remained steady since the premiere.When and Where to Watch Choo MantarThe horror comedy Choo Mantar can now be streamed on Prime Video. The film was released in cinemas across India on January 10, 2025. Following a successful theatrical run, it was added to the digital platform in March 2025. The streaming option has expanded its reach among viewers who missed its release in theatres.Official Trailer and Plot of Choo MantarThe trailer of Choo Mantar introduced viewers to an unusual blend of horror and comedy. The storyline follows paranormal expert Gowtham and his team. The team includes Akanksha, RJ and Nakul. They set out to uncover a treasure which is rumoured to be hidden beneath an abandoned and haunted property called Morgan House. The characters are unaware of the chilling history connected to the house. It is revealed that the ghost of British officer George Morgan guards the place because the treasure is linked to Clara's parents.Cast and Crew of Choo MantarThe film stars Sharan as Gowtham, also known as Dynamo. Aditi Prabhudeva appears as Akanksha. Chikkanna has played RJ, also known as Ramesh Jadugar. Meghana Gaonkar features as Catherine. Prabhu Mundkur plays Alex and Rajani Bharadwaj portrays Mogra. Gurukiran appears as George Morgan. The supporting cast includes Om Prakash Rao, Vijay Chendoor, Dharma Shankar, Ashwath and Kiran. The film has been directed by Navaneeth and produced by Tarun Shivappa.Reception of Choo MantarChoo Mantar has been rated 9.2 out of 10 on IMDb. The film has received positive feedback from audiences for its blend of horror and comedy. Its digital release on Prime Video has helped it gain a broader audience after its theatrical run.

The US is looking to regulate its stablecoin market with comprehensive guidelines. This week, the US House Financial Services Committee passed the proposed stablecoin bill pushing it to the House floor for a full vote. The committee's Digital Assets Subcommittee reportedly worked with Tether to draft these regulations, media reports claim. Tether is the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin USDT, that commands a market cap of over $144 billion (roughly Rs. 12,31,739 crore).The bill, which now awaits final approval, is dubbed the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) Act of 2025. It aims to give issue guidance around stablecoin payments, regulate stablecoin issuers, and establish reserve auditing mandates for stablecoin firms.The bill passed with a 32-17 vote on April 2, the Committee announced on X. Bryan Steil, the chief of the Digital Assets Subcommittee said that the STABLE Act is a foundational step towards securing the future of financial payments and solidifying the dollar's dominance as a world reserve currency.Key Details About STABLEThe first draft of the bill was introduced in February this year.Among proposed guidelines, the bill will prohibit crypto firms from creating stablecoins backed by self-issued assets. Only insured depository institutions or qualified nonbanks will be allowed to legally issue stablecoins backed by the US dollar, Treasury bills, insured deposits, or central bank reserves.The US, through these guidelines, would direct all stablecoin issuers to maintain reserves on at least a 1:1 basis, ensure timely redemption procedures, disclose reserve composition monthly, and comply with Federal and State-level regulatory frameworks.Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, are already giving rise to innovation across industries. They allow American manufacturers to export products abroad easily and receive payments backed by the US dollar. Allow contractors at home to send payments faster and cheaper. Encourage entrepreneurs and other nations to conduct business with the US dollar. We must ensure that as we embrace these advancements, we also establish the necessary safeguards to protect consumers, maintain trust, and ensure the integrity of our financial systems, Steil said, commenting on the Bill.US lawmakers are reportedly aiming to finalise stablecoin regulations by August 2025.US' Tryst with CryptoBillionaire Donald Trump's election as the 47th President of the US brought crypto under a positive light following years of scrutiny. During his campaign, Trump said he plans to make US the crypto capital of the planet.In the recent months following Trump's return to the White House, he signed multiple executive orders favouring the crypto sector.He established a Crypto Task Force under the SEC to expediate work on the designing of crypto laws as well as created a strategic Bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile. He also hosted the first Crypto Summit at the White House bringing crypto leaders and US lawmakers under one roof to open discussions on US' pro-crypto roadmap.

Jetking, a Mumbai-based IT training firm, plans to expand its Bitcoin holdings in the coming months. Company CFO Siddharth Bharwani said Thursday Jetking would raise Rs. 6.6 crore by selling 4,28,622 equity shares in compliance with SEBI regulations. The development comes around three months after Jetking became the first publicly listed firm in India to adopt a pro-Bitcoin treasury policy in December 2024. The company aims to use Bitcoin's high price value to elevate its financial value in the long term.Bharwani, in a post on X, said the company board had approved a Strategic Fund Raise plan, proceeds from which would primarily be used to acquire Bitcoin tokens. As part of the plan, each of the 4,28,622 equity shares that Jetking will offer, will be priced Rs. 154 (Rs. 10 face value and Rs. 144 premium).While the plan's main objective is Bitcoin investment, some portion of the collection will also be utilised to initiate Bitcoin-related educational, training, and skill development programmes in India.Many from India's Web3 space lauded the company for taking a chance on Bitcoin, which is often seen as a risky asset due to volatility in the crypto market. CoinDCX co-founder Sumit Gupta commented on the development saying, hopefully such initiatives inspire more Indian companies to learn about and explore Bitcoin and crypto.The company will start the process after obtaining shareholder and regulatory approvals.Jetking's History With BitcoinIn December 2024, Jetking leadership announced that it had added Bitcoin tokens worth 10 crore (around $1.2 million) to its balance sheets. The firm went ahead and finalised the decision despite India's lack of crypto clarity and the 30 percent tax rule.Bitcoin is the oldest and the most expensive cryptocurrency in existence. Presently, it is trading at $83,577 (roughly Rs. 71.5 lakh). At its highest, Bitcoin price has exceeded the mark of $108,000 (roughly Rs. 92 lakh).In recent months, Bitcoin accumulation has managed to attract the attention of several prominent personalities. Last month, US President Donald Trump established a strategic BTC reserve in the US for long-term holding.In February, Jetking got a shoutout from American Bitcoin investor Michael Saylor, whose company MicroStrategy currently holds 5,28,185 Bitcoin tokens, as per data on on-chain analytics firm, Bitbo.As per its official website, Jetking was founded in 1947 as an electronics firm. It shifted to IT training in 1990. It runs 100 IT training centres across India, training 35,000 students annually in blockchain, cybersecurity, and related fields. In the coming time, the company also aims to explore international collaboration on blockchain-related research and application work.

Samsung could be working on a foldable phone equipped with four foldable panels, according to a patent application. The document reveals a design for a device with three hinges that connect four folding panels that extend to form a single, elongated display. When folded, the four panels form a considerably thick bar The South Korean technology conglomerate has yet to unveil a tri-fold smartphone to compete with the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design that was launched in select markets.Samsung Patent Application Shows Device Could Feature Three HingesA patent application on the WIPO website (via SamMobile) indicates that Samsung is working on a foldable device with four foldable panels. These components are shown to be connected via three hinges. When unfolded, the smartphone appears to form a much larger display. The second and third panel are joined by a more complex hinge that allows the furthermost panels to fold inward.Samsung's foldable phone seen in folded and unfolded configurations (Tap to expand)Photo Credit: WIPO/ SamsungThe document, which is titled 'Electronic device including bendable display', incudes drawings of the most advanced foldable design from Samsung we've seen so far. The company has shown off several prototypes of foldable phones with three folding panels, and even a "rollable" display, but the device described in this document could unfold to form a much larger panel, offering more screen real estate.While the two inner panels appear to fold toward together in Fig. 5b, the next drawing (Fig. 5c) shows the outermost panels fold on top of the inner ones using two hinges (535 and 515). Once the device is in this partially folded state, a user can fold it once again, along the middle hinge (525).As a result, we see a considerably thick but compact foldable phone in Fig 5d, which can be fully unfolded to form the handset seen in Fig 5a. We can also see another view of the device when it is fully folded in Fig 5e.More drawings of the foldable seen in the patent document (tap to expand)Photo Credit: WIPO/ SamsungEarlier this week, another Samsung patent application revealed the company could be working on a foldable device that can be folded both inwards and outwards the company previously showed off a prototype of the handset in 2023. The company has also been spotted working on a tri-fold phone with two hinges and S Pen support.It is unclear whether Samsung plans to turn the foldable device with four panels described in the patent application into a commercial device. The company typically showcases some of its latest display prototypes that aren't ready to be launched as consumer devices, and we might see a preview of the purported foldable device in the future.

Spotify introduced a suite of new ad solutions on Wednesday at its Spotify Advance event in New York. The biggest highlight is the upgrades to the programmatic advertising platform dubbed Spotify Ad Exchange (SAX), which will offer advertisers access to the music streaming platform's engaged and logged-in users. The company is also introducing a new ad manager and its first AI tools to generate scripts and voiceovers. Spotify is also expanding its partnership with Google and Magnite for the ad exchange platform.Spotify Unveils First Advertiser-Focused AI ToolsIn a blog post, the Sweden-based music streaming platform detailed the new and upgraded ad solutions it is bringing for advertisers on the service. Spotify said it is modernising its ad platform to make it easier for advertisers to create, measure, and get results on their ads.The company's latest programmatic offering, which was first unveiled in October 2024, Spotify Ad Exchange or SAX, now offers advertisers access to the platform's engaged and logged-in users via real-time auction. It is now being expanded to The Trade Desk, Google's demand side platform Display & Video 360 and Magnite.Spotify says that integration with Yahoo DSP, Adform, and others will be added in the near future. Currently, SAX is available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and the US.The platform is also adding new features to its Ads Manager platform. The company said it will now give advertisers more targeting capabilities, new 1P and 3P measurement solutions, and outcome-based objectives to help advertisers with diverse needs create campaigns on the platform.While the company did not provide a lot of details, it announced the Spotify Gen AI Ads, its first set of AI tools for advertisers. The company says the tools can generate ad scripts and voiceovers at no extra cost. It is available to advertisers in the US and Canada within the Ads Manager platform.Pitching to advertisers, Spotify said that free users tune in to the platform for two hours daily. However, the company did not reveal the number of users with two hours of average daily usage. Citing a survey conducted by the company, the platform claimed that 71 percent of its Gen Z users look at Spotify as a positive platform and an antidote to doomscrolling. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Spotify, Spotify Ads, AI, Artificial Intelligence Akash Dutta Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More Related Stories