IT Ministry to Launch Easy Installment Scheme For Buying Mobile Phones Next Week:
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, with the coordination of telecom operators, will launch the long-awaited initiative of providing mobile handsets on easy installments on January 12, 2024. The caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif while talking to a group of journalists mentioned that one telco also is planning to offer Apple iPhone on installments. In case of failure to pay installments, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would block the handset on the pattern of Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS).
Samsung to Launch Its First Gamepad for Its Gaming Platform at CES 2024:
Samsung has joined hands with gaming accessory makers to introduce a new program called “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub.” As the name says, this program will create gaming products for Samsung devices and ensure compatibility, quality, performance, safety, and assurance. Samsung’s Gaming Hub is a cloud gaming platform that is built into some newer Samsung Smart TVs and monitors. It was launched in June 2022 and allows for quick and easy access to popular game streaming services such as Nvidia Geforce Now, Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, Boosteroid, and many others. It also has support for video streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Spotify for music.
Nayatel Expands Its Home Entertainment Solutions with the Launch of Android TV Box:
For users who have yet to upgrade their standard TVs to smart ones, the Android TV Box seems to be the obvious cost-effective solution. This device enhances the television experience by combining Android technology with Nayatel’s commitment to quality digital services. The Android TV Box comes with 4K resolution, Google Assistant, WiFi support, DVR, built-in Chromecast, and much more. It allows access to multiple apps, video games, and streaming services, including YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video, directly on television. Additionally, with resolution support ranging from SD to Ultra HD, users can easily connect their Android TV Box to any screen.
Here is Your First Hands on Sneak Peek at Xiaomi 14 Ultra:
Back in October, Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro smartphones, but murmurs of an even more high-end “Ultra” variant have been circulating in the rumor mill for some time now. While Xiaomi has yet to provide official confirmation of its existence, fans have been treated to leaked hands-on images of this mysterious device. These leaked photos, believed to have been captured during an early camera test, offer a somewhat obscured glimpse of the phone. Shielded within a protective case, the overall design remains shrouded in secrecy. Yet, a noteworthy detail emerges – a prominent camera bump, prominently featuring a periscope lens, positioned on the lower right side of the device.
Poco X6 Pro Will Feature 2x Optical Zoom Camera and OIS in a Budget Package:
Poco is gearing up for its next big launch, introducing a trio of smartphones that cater to the mid-range and affordable segments. The much-anticipated Poco X6 5G Series, featuring the Poco X6 5G, Poco X6 Pro 5G, and another addition, the Poco M6 Pro 4G, is scheduled to make its debut on January 11 in India. This unveiling promises to inject fresh choices into the mid-range and affordable price brackets. Building on previous teasers, Poco is once again building anticipation by teasing the Poco X6 and Poco X6 Pro 5G models via its official social media accounts. With just a few days left until the official launch, smartphone enthusiasts and Poco fans can look forward to discovering the full range of features that these devices are set to bring to the table.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 May Have Stronger “Ironflex” Hinges:
A new trademark listing has surfaced at the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service, courtesy of Samsung. This listing hints at a notable advancement that’s expected to grace future iterations of the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices. The trademark filing is named “Ironflex,” and while specifics about this feature are shrouded in mystery, the timing of the listing suggests that it’s highly likely to make its debut in the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, expected to hit the market this August.
iPhone 16 Pro Leaks With Almost Completely Unchanged Design:
The iPhone 16 series is not coming until at least September-October this year, but we already have a series of early renders based on the iPhone 16 Pro’s prototypes courtesy of MacRumors. The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro is set to make its mark with a 6.27-inch screen diagonal. Preliminary dimensions of this highly anticipated device reveal it to be 149.6 x 71.45 x 8.25mm in size, with a weight of approximately 194 grams. Meanwhile, its larger sibling, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, ups the screen size to 6.85 inches. It’s anticipated to come in at dimensions of 163 x 77.58 x 8.25mm and a weight of around 225 grams.
Netflix is Exploring Ways to Make More Money from Games:
Netflix has been making sweeping changes to make more revenue out of its services. Last year, the streaming giant put a stop to password-sharing to encourage more paid accounts, and now the company is looking for ways to make more money out of games. A new report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that Netflix is having internal discussions on potential revenue strategies for its gaming wing. Netflix currently has 68 games on its platform and has 90 more in the works. Some of its noteworthy titles include the GTA trilogy and some in-house games including Oxenfree 2. However, despite having some commendable game lineups, Netflix’s gaming platform has yet to see any consistent engagement. Even after a year of launching games, only 1% of Netflix’s subscribers are playing games on the platform and the figure hasn’t improved much since.
IT Minister Gives Good News Regarding PayPal in Pakistan:
The government has resolved the long-standing demand of freelancers while enabling them to channel remittances through the international gateway — PayPal. This was revealed by Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif while talking to journalists. The minister informed that the ministry is all set to launch several digital initiatives next week including channelizing remittances through PayPal to make Pakistan a ‘Tech Destination’. Currently, there is no financial instrument available to facilitate payments. The minister said that PayPal is not coming to Pakistan but an agreement has been reached under which the remittances would be channelized from Paypal through a third party. The formal launching ceremony in this regard is scheduled on January 11, he added.
Is Elon Musk’s Starlink Finally Coming to Pakistan After Years of Delay:
The caretaker federal government has approved the National Space Policy to enable satellite communication services in the country. Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Umar Saif said that multinational corporations would launch satellite services in Pakistan after getting a no-objection certificate from the Defence Ministry. To support the effort, the private sector will contribute 6 percent of its earnings to the government’s R&D Fund. The minister stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would offer satellite communication service licenses to interested companies. He added that people living in remote areas of Pakistan would now be able to communicate using low-orbit satellite services.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Appears in All Its Gaming Glory A Week Before Launch:
Asus is gearing up for the highly anticipated launch of its ROG Phone 8 series in China, set to take place on January 16. While an official teaser was unveiled at the start of the previous month, recent leaks have provided us with detailed renders of both the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro. The leak presents a fresh batch of renders, this time exclusively focusing on the ROG Phone 8 Pro, offering an extensive view from various angles. It’s worth noting that the design of both the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro will be nearly indistinguishable, with the exception of some distinct lighting elements located on the rear.
‘Elvis AI show more like time travel than ABBA hologram’ – creator:
Experiencing the AI hologram of Elvis Presley is less like ABBA Voyage and more like time travel, according to the man whose company created it. Andrew McGuinness, from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, founded Layered Reality who created the Elvis Evolution show. He said: “You’re going to be stepping in to intricate sets that make you feel like you’ve time travelled.” The CEO explained visitors interacted with actors and walked in the king’s “shoes” to experience his life story.
Oxfordshire based firm Oxa designs the AI behind self-driving cars:
The latest in automated driving technology has been on display as an Oxfordshire firm prepares for a driving “revolution”. The test car travelled around Culham Science Park, and the driver at the wheel was just there as a precaution. It used radar, lidar and other technology, it learnt as it drove and it reacted to other vehicles. Oxa, a technology firm based at the park, builds the software that enables any vehicle to be self-driving.
China and Taiwan: A really simple guide:
China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing’s control – and has not ruled out the use of force to take the island. But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. Taiwan has strong links to China, its biggest trading partner. And many Taiwanese have business and family connections across the strait. But over time, polls show that the number of people who identify as Taiwanese, as opposed to Chinese, has gone up. The island, which is roughly 100 miles from the coast of south-east China, has been home to various indigenous tribes for centuries. Historical sources suggest it first came under the full control of a Chinese empire in the 17th Century. It became a Japanese colony in 1895, after the Qing empire lost the first Sino-Japanese war. Then in 1945, after Japan lost World War Two, China took the island but now a nationalist government, led by General Chiang Kai-shek, was in power.
BT Group to turn old street cabinets into electric vehicle charging points:
Old green street cabinets will be converted into electric vehicle (EV) charging points, according to BT Group. The metal cabinets are traditionally used to store broadband and phone cabling, but many are coming towards the end of their lifespans. The first converted cabinet will be installed in Scotland within weeks, under a pilot programme. BT hopes up to 60,000 could be converted, which would help tackle a shortfall in electric car chargers. The government’s ambition is to increase the number of charging points from more than 50,000 today to 300,000 by 2030 but Zapmap figures show nearly a third of all UK charging points are currently in London.
How portable X-ray machines are helping remote patients:
Portable X-ray machines “can literally be the difference between life and death”, says radiographer Sam Pilkington. For most of us, if we need to be X-rayed the procedure is done in a hospital. But for acutely unwell patients, or for infection control, Ms Pilkington says that portable machines are very helpful. This is because “they remove the excess burden of transportation from the patients”, says the final-year student at the University of the West of England in Bristol, who is also a member of the Institute of Physics. Instead the X-ray equipment goes to them. There are obvious advantages for remote locations, including battlefields, roadsides and disaster zones. And thanks to the increased availability – and ability – of such portable systems their usage is growing rapidly. With the coronavirus pandemic fuelling this increase, the global portable X-ray market was worth a reported $7.1bn (£5.6bn) last year. And this is expected to rise to $14bn by 2028.
Young Britons exposed to online radicalisation following Hamas attack:
There has been an unprecedented 12-fold increase in hateful social media content being referred to specialist police officers since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, according to the UK’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit. Once focused on propaganda shared by the Islamic State group (IS) and the fall-out online following UK-based attacks, much of the unit’s focus has shifted to assessing whether hateful and extreme social media posts breach anti-terror legislation. The team says it has received more than 2,700 referrals from the public – shared via an online form – since Hamas attacked Israel, and Israel launched waves of air strikes on the Gaza Strip in return. It is a spike in hate that leaves young Britons increasingly exposed to radicalisation by algorithm.
Tesla recalls more than 1.6 million cars in China over steering software issues:
Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China over issues with steering software and door-locking systems, the country’s regulator says. The recall includes its models S, X, 3 and Y, and 7,538 imported vehicles. The problems will be fixed by remote updates to software, meaning the vehicles will not need to be taken to dealerships or garages. It comes less than a month after Tesla recalled two million cars in the US due to autopilot software issues. In May last year, the Chinese regulator said more than a million vehicles may have acceleration and braking system issues.
Space elevator concept wins €10,000 design prize:
An architect from Cumbria has won a €10,000 (£8,617) prize for his design of a new kind of space travel. Barrow-born Jordan William Hughes has designed an elevator that transports passengers into space. His futuristic concept was awarded a prize for space architecture and innovation from the Jacques Rougerie Foundation, in Paris. Mr Hughes admits that the idea may be fanciful today but he believes space elevators will be used in the future. Mr Hughes works as an architect in London and designed the Ascensio space elevator in his spare time. The use of an elevator is designed to replace rockets, which he says are inefficient, expensive and bad for the environment.