Gadgets 360

Fossils of a 444 million-year-old marine creature, which is preserved in an unusual state, have been unearthed in South Africa. The remains belong to an extinct species of arthropod that lived long before dinosaurs, claims a new study. The fossils, which were discovered nearly 250 miles north of Cape Town in the Cederberg Mountains, shows an inside-out preservation technique. This means that the the soft tissues, such as muscles and guts, survived but the hard outer shell and limbs did not. This rare preservation offers a glimpse into ancient marine life and environments that existed during the Late Ordovician period.

Fossil Findings and Preservation

According to the study published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology, researchers have identified the specimens of the recently discovered fossils to be known as Keurbos susanae. The fossils were found in the Soom Shale, a geological formation recognised for preserving soft-bodied fossils. The researchers stated that the remains had been preserved without their shell and head while internal features like muscles and intestines remained intact. It has been reported that the species possibly lived in oxygen-deficient waters high in dissolved hydrogen sulphide which may have contributed to the unique preservation of soft tissues.

Challenges in Fossil Interpretation

Lead researcher Dr Sarah Gabbott, a Palaeontologist at the University of Leicester, told Live Science that the fossil was described as an "inside-out, legless, headless wonder". She mentioned that muscles, tendons and even guts had been mineralised in remarkable detail while the outer shell and legs were missing due to decay. According to the report, the fossil dates back to a period when nearly 85 percent of marine life was wiped out by a mass extinction event. The absence of the exoskeleton has made it difficult for scientists to establish evolutionary links with other species from that time.

Limited Prospects of Further Discoveries

It has been reported that the fossil site where Keurbos susanae was discovered has been buried due to quarrying activity. Dr Gabbott mentioned that she had searched for additional specimens over the past two decades, but no new examples had been found. The species was named after her mother, Sue, who had encouraged her to pursue a career that brought her happiness. The research team noted that unless new specimens surface, the evolutionary significance of Keurbos susanae may remain unresolved.

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Fossils of a 444 million-year-old marine creature, which is preserved in an unusual state, have been unearthed in South Africa. The remains belong to an extinct species of arthropod that lived long before dinosaurs, claims a new study. The fossils, which were discovered nearly 250 miles north of Cape Town in the Cederberg Mountains, shows an inside-out preservation technique. This means that the the soft tissues, such as muscles and guts, survived but the hard outer shell and limbs did not. This rare preservation offers a glimpse into ancient marine life and environments that existed during the Late Ordovician period.

Fossil Findings and Preservation

According to the study published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology, researchers have identified the specimens of the recently discovered fossils to be known as Keurbos susanae. The fossils were found in the Soom Shale, a geological formation recognised for preserving soft-bodied fossils. The researchers stated that the remains had been preserved without their shell and head while internal features like muscles and intestines remained intact. It has been reported that the species possibly lived in oxygen-deficient waters high in dissolved hydrogen sulphide which may have contributed to the unique preservation of soft tissues.

Challenges in Fossil Interpretation

Lead researcher Dr Sarah Gabbott, a Palaeontologist at the University of Leicester, told Live Science that the fossil was described as an "inside-out, legless, headless wonder". She mentioned that muscles, tendons and even guts had been mineralised in remarkable detail while the outer shell and legs were missing due to decay. According to the report, the fossil dates back to a period when nearly 85 percent of marine life was wiped out by a mass extinction event. The absence of the exoskeleton has made it difficult for scientists to establish evolutionary links with other species from that time.

Limited Prospects of Further Discoveries

It has been reported that the fossil site where Keurbos susanae was discovered has been buried due to quarrying activity. Dr Gabbott mentioned that she had searched for additional specimens over the past two decades, but no new examples had been found. The species was named after her mother, Sue, who had encouraged her to pursue a career that brought her happiness. The research team noted that unless new specimens surface, the evolutionary significance of Keurbos susanae may remain unresolved.

Gadgets 360

A powerful X-class solar flare was unleashed by an emerging sunspot region leading to radio blackouts over large parts of North and South America. The flare was classified as X1.1 and was reported to have erupted from sunspot region AR4046. This unexpected solar event was recorded on March 28. The flare impacted shortwave radio signals across the sunlit areas at the time of eruption, which disrupted communication in several regions.

Solar Flare Triggered By Sunspot AR4046

Reportedly, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the solar flare originated from sunspot region AR4046. It was reported that the flare was accompanied by a filament eruption and a coronal mass ejection. A coronal mass ejection refers to an expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona. Reports have stated that this specific ejection is not expected to directly affect Earth because of the sunspot's location on the eastern limb of the sun during the flare.

Potential For Future Solar Activity

Solar physicist Halo CME, in a post shared on X social media platform, stated that the coronal mass ejection observed after the flare may not impact Earth due to the sunspot's position. Solar astrophysicist Ryan French also posted on X saying that the sunspot region responsible for the flare is expected to rotate towards Earth in the coming days. Space weather forecasters are currently monitoring the region for possible future eruptions that may impact Earth.

Impact On Communication Signals

The Space Weather Prediction Center reported that shortwave radio blackouts were detected across much of North and South America. These blackouts occurred when intense X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare ionised Earth's upper atmosphere. The increased ionisation resulted in disturbances in high-frequency radio communication across the affected regions.

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A powerful X-class solar flare was unleashed by an emerging sunspot region leading to radio blackouts over large parts of North and South America. The flare was classified as X1.1 and was reported to have erupted from sunspot region AR4046. This unexpected solar event was recorded on March 28. The flare impacted shortwave radio signals across the sunlit areas at the time of eruption, which disrupted communication in several regions.

Solar Flare Triggered By Sunspot AR4046

Reportedly, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the solar flare originated from sunspot region AR4046. It was reported that the flare was accompanied by a filament eruption and a coronal mass ejection. A coronal mass ejection refers to an expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona. Reports have stated that this specific ejection is not expected to directly affect Earth because of the sunspot's location on the eastern limb of the sun during the flare.

Potential For Future Solar Activity

Solar physicist Halo CME, in a post shared on X social media platform, stated that the coronal mass ejection observed after the flare may not impact Earth due to the sunspot's position. Solar astrophysicist Ryan French also posted on X saying that the sunspot region responsible for the flare is expected to rotate towards Earth in the coming days. Space weather forecasters are currently monitoring the region for possible future eruptions that may impact Earth.

Impact On Communication Signals

The Space Weather Prediction Center reported that shortwave radio blackouts were detected across much of North and South America. These blackouts occurred when intense X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare ionised Earth's upper atmosphere. The increased ionisation resulted in disturbances in high-frequency radio communication across the affected regions.

Gadgets 360

Two planets outside the solar system have been identified orbiting a star located nearly 250 light-years away from Earth in the Draco constellation. These planets are categorised as a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune. Both types are commonly observed in the Milky Way galaxy yet neither is present in our solar system. The host star, known as TOI-1453, is slightly cooler and smaller compared to the Sun. These planets were found around a binary star system which features two stars orbiting each other.

Details of the discovery

According to the study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics these exoplanets have been named TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c. Their detection was carried out using data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher for the Northern hemisphere spectrograph based in Spain. The TESS satellite identified these planets through the transit method which monitors reductions in a star's brightness when a planet passes in front of it. Complementary measurements were obtained through the HARPS-N spectrograph which detects shifts in a star's light caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets.

Characteristics of TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c

As per information shared by the University of Liège astrophysicist Manu Stalport, TOI-1453 b is categorised as a super-Earth slightly larger than Earth and believed to be rocky. It completes an orbit around its star in just over four days suggesting that it is extremely close to its host star. The planet's proximity is likely to make its surface temperature very high.

In contrast, TOI-1453 c has been classified as a sub-Neptune and is nearly twice the size of Earth. Its mass is comparatively low at approximately 2.9 Earth masses which has raised questions about its density and composition. Astronomers believe that it may contain a hydrogen-rich atmosphere or a water-dominated interior.

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Two planets outside the solar system have been identified orbiting a star located nearly 250 light-years away from Earth in the Draco constellation. These planets are categorised as a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune. Both types are commonly observed in the Milky Way galaxy yet neither is present in our solar system. The host star, known as TOI-1453, is slightly cooler and smaller compared to the Sun. These planets were found around a binary star system which features two stars orbiting each other.

Details of the discovery

According to the study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics these exoplanets have been named TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c. Their detection was carried out using data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher for the Northern hemisphere spectrograph based in Spain. The TESS satellite identified these planets through the transit method which monitors reductions in a star's brightness when a planet passes in front of it. Complementary measurements were obtained through the HARPS-N spectrograph which detects shifts in a star's light caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets.

Characteristics of TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c

As per information shared by the University of Liège astrophysicist Manu Stalport, TOI-1453 b is categorised as a super-Earth slightly larger than Earth and believed to be rocky. It completes an orbit around its star in just over four days suggesting that it is extremely close to its host star. The planet's proximity is likely to make its surface temperature very high.

In contrast, TOI-1453 c has been classified as a sub-Neptune and is nearly twice the size of Earth. Its mass is comparatively low at approximately 2.9 Earth masses which has raised questions about its density and composition. Astronomers believe that it may contain a hydrogen-rich atmosphere or a water-dominated interior.

Gadgets 360

Telugu political drama Racharikam is arriving on Lionsgate Play on April 11. Directed by Suresh Lankalapalli, the film is set in the 1980s and revolves around love and political turmoil in the village of Rachakonda. Bhargavi Reddy and Shiva find themselves entangled in a conflict that stems from family, politics, and social hierarchies. With themes of male power and caste oppression, the narrative explores the complexities of political ambition and personal relationships.

When and Where to Watch Racharikam

Racharikam will premiere exclusively on Lionsgate Play on April 11. Viewers with an active subscription can watch the film on the streaming platform.

Official Trailer and Plot of Racharikam

The trailer shows the intense political rivalries which causes emotional struggles. Among all of this is a love story set against a backdrop of these very power struggles. The plot follows Bhargavi Reddy who is an aspiring politician and Shiva who is a youth leader from the Mana Sakthi Party. Bhargavi's and her brother, Vivek Reddy's political ambitions gets tangles with her father's opposition to her love story. Political motivations are shown intertwining with personal relationships, as tensions arise. All of this ends up leading to a dramatic confrontation.

Cast and Crew of Racharikam

The film stars Apsara Rani and Vijay Shankar in lead roles. The film has Varun Sandesh, Srikanth Iyengar, Vijay Ram Raju, Esshwar and Hyper Aadi in supporting roles. The music has been composed by Vengi.

Reception of Racharikam

Upon its theatrical release on January 31, Racharikam received strong reviews, with an IMDb rating of 9.3/10. The film's storytelling, performances, and political themes were well received.

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Telugu political drama Racharikam is arriving on Lionsgate Play on April 11. Directed by Suresh Lankalapalli, the film is set in the 1980s and revolves around love and political turmoil in the village of Rachakonda. Bhargavi Reddy and Shiva find themselves entangled in a conflict that stems from family, politics, and social hierarchies. With themes of male power and caste oppression, the narrative explores the complexities of political ambition and personal relationships.

When and Where to Watch Racharikam

Racharikam will premiere exclusively on Lionsgate Play on April 11. Viewers with an active subscription can watch the film on the streaming platform.

Official Trailer and Plot of Racharikam

The trailer shows the intense political rivalries which causes emotional struggles. Among all of this is a love story set against a backdrop of these very power struggles. The plot follows Bhargavi Reddy who is an aspiring politician and Shiva who is a youth leader from the Mana Sakthi Party. Bhargavi's and her brother, Vivek Reddy's political ambitions gets tangles with her father's opposition to her love story. Political motivations are shown intertwining with personal relationships, as tensions arise. All of this ends up leading to a dramatic confrontation.

Cast and Crew of Racharikam

The film stars Apsara Rani and Vijay Shankar in lead roles. The film has Varun Sandesh, Srikanth Iyengar, Vijay Ram Raju, Esshwar and Hyper Aadi in supporting roles. The music has been composed by Vengi.

Reception of Racharikam

Upon its theatrical release on January 31, Racharikam received strong reviews, with an IMDb rating of 9.3/10. The film's storytelling, performances, and political themes were well received.

Gadgets 360

Greenland's melting glaciers have exposed 1,620 kilometers of previously ice-covered coastline in the last 20 years. Arctic marine-terminating glaciers have significantly receded, according to satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020, exposing new land to the elements. This change illustrates the continued effects of global warming as the region's geography is altered by shrinking ice flows. The newly exposed areas now face environmental changes, such as possible ecosystem shifts, sediment displacement, and new opportunities for scientific exploration.Over the past two decades, glaciers melting in Greenland have revealed 1,620 kilometres of previously ice-covered coastline. Satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020 has shown a significant retreat in Arctic marine-terminating glaciers, exposing new land to the elements.

Satellite Data Tracks Greenland's Changing Landscape

According to a study published in Nature Climate Change, researchers examined satellite images to map changes in the northern hemisphere's glacier coverage. The study found that 2,466 kilometres of coastline have been revealed in the Arctic over 20 years, with Greenland accounting for 66 percent of the total. Glacial retreat has been most pronounced at Zachariae Isstrom, where 81 kilometres of coastline have been exposed—twice as much as any other Arctic glacier.

Newly Exposed Islands and Potential Territorial Claims

The discovery of 35 islands larger than 0.5 square kilometers, 29 of which are in Greenland, and 13 of which are not shown on any maps, is another result of the retreat of ice. The study further suggests that these 35 islands might be in danger as multiple nations might claim it for its natural resources. Researchers also pointed out in the study that these islands may have significant scientific value. The report adds that the new landscapes might provide new insights into Arctic geology and marine ecosystems.

Newly Exposed Islands and Potential Territorial Claims

The discovery of 35 islands larger than 0.5 square kilometers, 29 of which are in Greenland, and 13 of which are not shown on any maps, is another result of the retreat of ice. These islands' unexplored status raises the possibility of future territorial claims by nations looking to access unexplored natural resources. Researchers point out that these emerging landscapes may have scientific value, providing new insights into Arctic geology and marine ecosystems.

Environmental Implications of Glacier Loss

Long-term environmental effects are yet unknown as Arctic ice continues to melt. Researchers caution that the loss of ice affects global climate patterns by causing sea levels to rise and ocean currents to shift. Local governments, communities, and environmental researchers face both opportunities and challenges as a result of the recently exposed coastline.
 

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Greenland's melting glaciers have exposed 1,620 kilometers of previously ice-covered coastline in the last 20 years. Arctic marine-terminating glaciers have significantly receded, according to satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020, exposing new land to the elements. This change illustrates the continued effects of global warming as the region's geography is altered by shrinking ice flows. The newly exposed areas now face environmental changes, such as possible ecosystem shifts, sediment displacement, and new opportunities for scientific exploration.Over the past two decades, glaciers melting in Greenland have revealed 1,620 kilometres of previously ice-covered coastline. Satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020 has shown a significant retreat in Arctic marine-terminating glaciers, exposing new land to the elements.

Satellite Data Tracks Greenland's Changing Landscape

According to a study published in Nature Climate Change, researchers examined satellite images to map changes in the northern hemisphere's glacier coverage. The study found that 2,466 kilometres of coastline have been revealed in the Arctic over 20 years, with Greenland accounting for 66 percent of the total. Glacial retreat has been most pronounced at Zachariae Isstrom, where 81 kilometres of coastline have been exposed—twice as much as any other Arctic glacier.

Newly Exposed Islands and Potential Territorial Claims

The discovery of 35 islands larger than 0.5 square kilometers, 29 of which are in Greenland, and 13 of which are not shown on any maps, is another result of the retreat of ice. The study further suggests that these 35 islands might be in danger as multiple nations might claim it for its natural resources. Researchers also pointed out in the study that these islands may have significant scientific value. The report adds that the new landscapes might provide new insights into Arctic geology and marine ecosystems.

Newly Exposed Islands and Potential Territorial Claims

The discovery of 35 islands larger than 0.5 square kilometers, 29 of which are in Greenland, and 13 of which are not shown on any maps, is another result of the retreat of ice. These islands' unexplored status raises the possibility of future territorial claims by nations looking to access unexplored natural resources. Researchers point out that these emerging landscapes may have scientific value, providing new insights into Arctic geology and marine ecosystems.

Environmental Implications of Glacier Loss

Long-term environmental effects are yet unknown as Arctic ice continues to melt. Researchers caution that the loss of ice affects global climate patterns by causing sea levels to rise and ocean currents to shift. Local governments, communities, and environmental researchers face both opportunities and challenges as a result of the recently exposed coastline.
 

Gadgets 360

Dhanush's Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (NEEK) has finally been released on OTT after its theatrical run. The film is written and directed by Dhanush. The movie also marks the debut of Pavish Narayan. Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam follows the story of a young man who attends his former lover's wedding. The film also shows his journey on how he moves on and embraces his arranged marriage. 

When and Where to Watch Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

NEEK premiered in theatres in February. The film is now available for streaming on Prime Video. The film caters to a younger audience, reflecting modern relationships and emotions.

Official Trailer and Plot of Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

The official trailer of the movie reveals the struggle the protagonist deals with his unresolved emotions he attends his ex-lover's wedding. The story talks about his internal struggle, which creates moments of humour, drama, and introspection. The film focuses on different angles of love, heartbreak, and new beginnings.

Cast and Crew of Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam features Pavish Narayan, Anikha Surendran, Matthew Thomas, Priya Prakash Varrier, Rabiya Khatoon, Ramya Ranganathan, and Venkatesh Menon in their pivotal roles. The movie also features senior actors R. Sarathkumar, Naren, and Saranya Ponvannan. The music has been composed by GV Prakash Kumar, while Dhanush has backed the project under Wunderbar Films.

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Dhanush's Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (NEEK) has finally been released on OTT after its theatrical run. The film is written and directed by Dhanush. The movie also marks the debut of Pavish Narayan. Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam follows the story of a young man who attends his former lover's wedding. The film also shows his journey on how he moves on and embraces his arranged marriage. 

When and Where to Watch Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

NEEK premiered in theatres in February. The film is now available for streaming on Prime Video. The film caters to a younger audience, reflecting modern relationships and emotions.

Official Trailer and Plot of Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

The official trailer of the movie reveals the struggle the protagonist deals with his unresolved emotions he attends his ex-lover's wedding. The story talks about his internal struggle, which creates moments of humour, drama, and introspection. The film focuses on different angles of love, heartbreak, and new beginnings.

Cast and Crew of Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam

Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam features Pavish Narayan, Anikha Surendran, Matthew Thomas, Priya Prakash Varrier, Rabiya Khatoon, Ramya Ranganathan, and Venkatesh Menon in their pivotal roles. The movie also features senior actors R. Sarathkumar, Naren, and Saranya Ponvannan. The music has been composed by GV Prakash Kumar, while Dhanush has backed the project under Wunderbar Films.

Gadgets 360

Apple on Monday released its highly anticipated iOS 18.4 update for iPhone. It adds to the list of Apple Intelligence features including Priority Notifications and the availability of Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. With the update, the Cupertino-based technology giant also expands its AI suite to include India and other regions, which eliminates the need to set the device and Siri language to English (US) to access the features.

There are new features, new toggles in the Control Centre, new emojis, and an app to customise the Apple Vision Pro features as part of the update.

iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Availability

Apple says iOS 18.4 update expands Apple Intelligence features to include support for Chinese (Simplified), English (India, Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish languages. Thus, iPhone users in India can now gain access to the AI features without having to change the device language.

iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Features

A key new addition with the update is the support for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Initially introduced with the iPhone 16 models in September, it is a visual lookup tool which leverages Apple Intelligence to help users learn about objects and places instantly. It can summarise text, translate it between languages, and detect phone numbers or email addresses and add them to contacts. Further, users can also enable web search to look up a product they like, solve a math equation, or simply ask ChatGPT to provide more information.

While this feature takes advantage of the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup, iPhone 15 Pro users may be able to toggle it via the Action button and a dedicated Control Centre toggle.

Building upon the previous announcement, the iOS 18.4 update introduces an Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone. It enables users to download apps and games for the Vision Pro via the App Store, discover films and shows tailored for the mixed reality (MR) headset, get tips, and access other information. There's also a new feature which Apple calls Review Summaries. As the name suggests, it compiles information from individual reviews left by users on an app or a game on the App Store to create a comprehensive summary, enabling others to quickly get an idea about the app without having to scroll through the entire list.

Another addition is the new toggles for two existing functionalities — talk to Siri and Visual Intelligence. Meanwhile, the company also introduces an Ambient mode toggle which enables users to play ambient soundscapes in the background. With iOS 18.4, the Apple News+ app shows recipes from global recipe publishers along with a catalogue which they can browse through to find the perfect dish. The Image Playground app now provides Sketch as an additional style option alongside animation and illustration.

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Apple on Monday released its highly anticipated iOS 18.4 update for iPhone. It adds to the list of Apple Intelligence features including Priority Notifications and the availability of Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. With the update, the Cupertino-based technology giant also expands its AI suite to include India and other regions, which eliminates the need to set the device and Siri language to English (US) to access the features.

There are new features, new toggles in the Control Centre, new emojis, and an app to customise the Apple Vision Pro features as part of the update.

iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Availability

Apple says iOS 18.4 update expands Apple Intelligence features to include support for Chinese (Simplified), English (India, Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish languages. Thus, iPhone users in India can now gain access to the AI features without having to change the device language.

iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Features

A key new addition with the update is the support for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Initially introduced with the iPhone 16 models in September, it is a visual lookup tool which leverages Apple Intelligence to help users learn about objects and places instantly. It can summarise text, translate it between languages, and detect phone numbers or email addresses and add them to contacts. Further, users can also enable web search to look up a product they like, solve a math equation, or simply ask ChatGPT to provide more information.

While this feature takes advantage of the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup, iPhone 15 Pro users may be able to toggle it via the Action button and a dedicated Control Centre toggle.

Building upon the previous announcement, the iOS 18.4 update introduces an Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone. It enables users to download apps and games for the Vision Pro via the App Store, discover films and shows tailored for the mixed reality (MR) headset, get tips, and access other information. There's also a new feature which Apple calls Review Summaries. As the name suggests, it compiles information from individual reviews left by users on an app or a game on the App Store to create a comprehensive summary, enabling others to quickly get an idea about the app without having to scroll through the entire list.

Another addition is the new toggles for two existing functionalities — talk to Siri and Visual Intelligence. Meanwhile, the company also introduces an Ambient mode toggle which enables users to play ambient soundscapes in the background. With iOS 18.4, the Apple News+ app shows recipes from global recipe publishers along with a catalogue which they can browse through to find the perfect dish. The Image Playground app now provides Sketch as an additional style option alongside animation and illustration.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami announces renaming of 11 places: Aurangzebpur to be renamed Shivaji Nagar; check list here

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of 11 places in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar to honor Hindu deities, icons, and notable BJP and RSS leaders, reflecting public sentiment and Indian heritage.

from mint - politics Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of 11 places in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar to honor Hindu deities, icons, and notable BJP and RSS leaders, reflecting public sentiment and Indian heritage.

Is PM Modi retiring in September? This BJP rule sparks buzz as Sanjay Raut flags RSS visit

Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed PM Modi visited RSS headquarters to announce his retirement, sparking discussions about his successor. Maharashtra's CM Fadnavis dismissed this, asserting Modi will continue as PM until at least 2029, amid ongoing speculation about retirement at age 75.

from mint - politics Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed PM Modi visited RSS headquarters to announce his retirement, sparking discussions about his successor. Maharashtra's CM Fadnavis dismissed this, asserting Modi will continue as PM until at least 2029, amid ongoing speculation about retirement at age 75.

Gadgets 360

A new ballet drama is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video. It brings us an intense look into the competitive world of dance. Titled Étoile, the series is created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino. The show follows two renowned ballet companies—one in Paris and one in New York—as they exchange their top dancers to revitalise public interest and attract new audiences. With themes of ambition, artistic rivalry, and the struggle to keep classical ballet relevant, the series aims to capture the high stakes of the dance world.

When and Where to Watch Étoile

Étoile will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. All the eight episodes are scheduled for release on April 24.

Official Trailer and Plot of Étoile

The trailer released in March, provided a glimpse into the challenges faced by ballet directors while trying to keep their companies afloat. Charlotte Gainsbourg's character highlights the crisis, stating that the audience and funding both are dead while the seats remain empty. The storyline takes us around the directors' decision to swap their leading dancers. They are shown hoping to inject fresh energy to draw in new audiences. It shows us the personal and professional struggles of these dancers as they navigate a demanding industry, balancing artistry with the pressure of survival.

Cast and Crew of Étoile

The series features a mix of actors and professional dancers. Emmy winner Luke Kirby, known for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, stars alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, who recently appeared in The Pale Blue Eye. The ensemble also includes Lou de Laâge, Gideon Glick, David Alvarez, Ivan du Pontavice, Taïs Vinolo, David Haig, Simon Callow, and Yanic Truesdale.

Renowned ballet dancers will also be seen in Étoile, including Unity Phelan and Tiler Peck from New York City Ballet, along with Boston Ballet's John Lam. The involvement of real-life professionals is expected to add authenticity to the show's portrayal of the ballet world.

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A new ballet drama is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video. It brings us an intense look into the competitive world of dance. Titled Étoile, the series is created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino. The show follows two renowned ballet companies—one in Paris and one in New York—as they exchange their top dancers to revitalise public interest and attract new audiences. With themes of ambition, artistic rivalry, and the struggle to keep classical ballet relevant, the series aims to capture the high stakes of the dance world.

When and Where to Watch Étoile

Étoile will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. All the eight episodes are scheduled for release on April 24.

Official Trailer and Plot of Étoile

The trailer released in March, provided a glimpse into the challenges faced by ballet directors while trying to keep their companies afloat. Charlotte Gainsbourg's character highlights the crisis, stating that the audience and funding both are dead while the seats remain empty. The storyline takes us around the directors' decision to swap their leading dancers. They are shown hoping to inject fresh energy to draw in new audiences. It shows us the personal and professional struggles of these dancers as they navigate a demanding industry, balancing artistry with the pressure of survival.

Cast and Crew of Étoile

The series features a mix of actors and professional dancers. Emmy winner Luke Kirby, known for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, stars alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg, who recently appeared in The Pale Blue Eye. The ensemble also includes Lou de Laâge, Gideon Glick, David Alvarez, Ivan du Pontavice, Taïs Vinolo, David Haig, Simon Callow, and Yanic Truesdale.

Renowned ballet dancers will also be seen in Étoile, including Unity Phelan and Tiler Peck from New York City Ballet, along with Boston Ballet's John Lam. The involvement of real-life professionals is expected to add authenticity to the show's portrayal of the ballet world.

Gadgets 360

Dolby Atmos has been a household name in India for years. If you've recently bought a smartphone, laptop, or smart TV, it probably comes with Dolby Atmos support. The best part is that we can now experience Dolby Vision and Atmos in live sports events like the recently concluded Champions Trophy, which India lifted in 2025, and Wimbledon - transforming how fans experience live events at home. Of course, you still need a Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos-enabled device to enhance your viewing experience. At the same time, you can find over 1,000 Dolby Atmos screens and plenty of content to consume online. Dolby is already working on its next big frontier and has collaborated with Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad to bring up India's first Dolby-certified facility for cinema and home. The collaboration not only opens up new horizons for studios but also prioritises the needs of filmmakers.

Ashim Mathur, Vice President - Marketing for APAC at Dolby Laboratories, while discussing Dolby Vision, stated that the company is already working on an outreach programme that will help spread the word. Speaking on the collaboration with Annapurna Studios, Mathur added that facilities like this will help bring filmmakers' vision to life, and the right cinemas will help users consume such content the way it is intended.

Dolby Vision post-production facility: Technical details, mixing rundown

Talking about technical aspects, particularly Dolby Vision and HLG, a Dolby engineer explained that Dolby Vision uses PQ, short for Perceptual Quantizer, for HDR, offering a dynamic range 40x brighter and 10x darker than the standard dynamic range. Hybrid log gamma technology, or long for HLG, developed by DVC and NHK, is suitable for broadcast and OTT platforms, but it has a lower contrast ratio when compared to PQ.

Dolby Atmos mixing unit at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad

 

The engineer also talked about the importance of colour correction software like Baselight and DaVinci Resolve. And the role of transfer functions in camera technology, and the benefits of Dolby Atmos for immersive audio experiences in cinemas.

Discussing peak brightness in Dolby Vision cinema projection, the Dolby engineer noted that it's 108 nits at 12 bits in cinemas and 1000 nits for Smart TVs at home. The engineer explained the concept of Atmos mixing and emphasised the importance of stage (bed) speakers and the object (atmos elements). The object element allows sound to move freely within the room, enhancing the audience's experience. The entire setup comprises 128 channels of audio, with the first four channels dedicated to the bed and the remaining channels allocated to objects. The engineer clarified that the main elements of the film, such as heavy music and dynamic sounds, are typically placed in the bed channel.

Dolby Vision projection system by Christie Digital

 

When asked about the difference in approach taken for theatre and OTT, the engineer explained that the mixing room is set up for theatre, while an OTT room is used for different monitoring and loudness levels. He added that each OTT platform has its norms, and the mix is adjusted accordingly to meet those requirements. However, it is important to maintain a comfortable balance that works well for both theatre and OTT releases.

The engineer added that even the blacks are always dynamically controlled by Dolby Vision, whether it is for a Dolby cinema projector. He stressed the consistency of quality across different screen sizes and the advantages of Dolby Atmos for Dolby Cinema, emphasizing the studio-grade audio quality and its transferability to exhibitions.

Much like the Dolby Atmos adoption, which steadily picked up pace, we expect the Dolby Vision to become the next big thing for filmmakers and will see more pickup in some time. Mathur said that Annapurna Studios will be a marquee example for other production houses and may follow suit.

(From left to right): Nagarjuna, actor and co-owner of Annapurna Studios, and Ashim Mathur, Vice-President Marketing for APAC, Dolby

Annapurna Studio: The legacy studio

Annapurna Studio in Hyderabad completed the 50-year milestone in 2025 and was established by veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) in 1975; it was named after ANR's wife, Annapurna. The studio, initially with non-air-conditioned sound stages, has grown to 12 fully equipped air-conditioned stages, serving over 5,000 films and producing more than 60. It introduced new technologies, like Dolby Cinema, which required significant investments, especially during COVID-19.

Annapurna Studio also expanded into virtual production technology during COVID-19 and was inspired by the success of series like "The Mandalorian" on Disney+. It now offers comprehensive post-production services, handling projects from editing to visual effects, aiming to be a one-stop shop for filmmakers.

Annapurna Studios has handled mixing for popular movies like Pushpa and Pushpa 2. Gadgets 360 was among the select media that experienced the state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos mix rooms. The facility features a cutting-edge Dolby Vision projection system developed by Christie Digital Systems, a long-standing partner of Dolby.

A shooting space at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad

Dolby and Annapurna Studios collab is just the first in many

Nagarjuna Akkineni, actor and co-owner of Annapurna Studios, discussed the investments into developing a one-stop solution for filmmakers. He touched upon the importance of expanding the studio space and the potential for new stories to be told in darker settings with advanced technology like Dolby Vision. Nagarjuna stressed the benefits of technologies like Vision, which will help filmmakers bring new storytelling techniques alongside infrastructure improvements in theatres and the impact on production quality. He also talked about the passion and dedication of filmmakers to adopt advanced technology.

As an example of how extensive work goes around movie launches, Nagarjuna discussed the considerable time spent mastering trailers, which play a crucial role in movie launches.

Nagarjuna also talked about the passion and approach some filmmakers take to perfect their projects. "I believe Mr S. S. Rajamouli is the one person who really pushed the limits at that point for the RRR movie. He went through so many iterations and corrections for RRR and was also learning on the go, but that's what passionate filmmakers think that this can be done and achieved."

Talking about the studio's early days, he recounted the challenges faced during the construction of Annapurna Studios, including an encounter with a snake.

Mathur talked about the potential for more Dolby Vision screens in India. "We believe that this facility, which is now operational and with more content being added, will serve as a valuable reference point for exhibitors who are also deciding whether to make the shift," Mathur added.

Dolby has vast plans, and we can expect to hear more from them this year, including some new collaborations for Dolby Vision.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/wB7S1XA

Dolby Atmos has been a household name in India for years. If you've recently bought a smartphone, laptop, or smart TV, it probably comes with Dolby Atmos support. The best part is that we can now experience Dolby Vision and Atmos in live sports events like the recently concluded Champions Trophy, which India lifted in 2025, and Wimbledon - transforming how fans experience live events at home. Of course, you still need a Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos-enabled device to enhance your viewing experience. At the same time, you can find over 1,000 Dolby Atmos screens and plenty of content to consume online. Dolby is already working on its next big frontier and has collaborated with Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad to bring up India's first Dolby-certified facility for cinema and home. The collaboration not only opens up new horizons for studios but also prioritises the needs of filmmakers.

Ashim Mathur, Vice President - Marketing for APAC at Dolby Laboratories, while discussing Dolby Vision, stated that the company is already working on an outreach programme that will help spread the word. Speaking on the collaboration with Annapurna Studios, Mathur added that facilities like this will help bring filmmakers' vision to life, and the right cinemas will help users consume such content the way it is intended.

Dolby Vision post-production facility: Technical details, mixing rundown

Talking about technical aspects, particularly Dolby Vision and HLG, a Dolby engineer explained that Dolby Vision uses PQ, short for Perceptual Quantizer, for HDR, offering a dynamic range 40x brighter and 10x darker than the standard dynamic range. Hybrid log gamma technology, or long for HLG, developed by DVC and NHK, is suitable for broadcast and OTT platforms, but it has a lower contrast ratio when compared to PQ.

Dolby Atmos mixing unit at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad

 

The engineer also talked about the importance of colour correction software like Baselight and DaVinci Resolve. And the role of transfer functions in camera technology, and the benefits of Dolby Atmos for immersive audio experiences in cinemas.

Discussing peak brightness in Dolby Vision cinema projection, the Dolby engineer noted that it's 108 nits at 12 bits in cinemas and 1000 nits for Smart TVs at home. The engineer explained the concept of Atmos mixing and emphasised the importance of stage (bed) speakers and the object (atmos elements). The object element allows sound to move freely within the room, enhancing the audience's experience. The entire setup comprises 128 channels of audio, with the first four channels dedicated to the bed and the remaining channels allocated to objects. The engineer clarified that the main elements of the film, such as heavy music and dynamic sounds, are typically placed in the bed channel.

Dolby Vision projection system by Christie Digital

 

When asked about the difference in approach taken for theatre and OTT, the engineer explained that the mixing room is set up for theatre, while an OTT room is used for different monitoring and loudness levels. He added that each OTT platform has its norms, and the mix is adjusted accordingly to meet those requirements. However, it is important to maintain a comfortable balance that works well for both theatre and OTT releases.

The engineer added that even the blacks are always dynamically controlled by Dolby Vision, whether it is for a Dolby cinema projector. He stressed the consistency of quality across different screen sizes and the advantages of Dolby Atmos for Dolby Cinema, emphasizing the studio-grade audio quality and its transferability to exhibitions.

Much like the Dolby Atmos adoption, which steadily picked up pace, we expect the Dolby Vision to become the next big thing for filmmakers and will see more pickup in some time. Mathur said that Annapurna Studios will be a marquee example for other production houses and may follow suit.

(From left to right): Nagarjuna, actor and co-owner of Annapurna Studios, and Ashim Mathur, Vice-President Marketing for APAC, Dolby

Annapurna Studio: The legacy studio

Annapurna Studio in Hyderabad completed the 50-year milestone in 2025 and was established by veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) in 1975; it was named after ANR's wife, Annapurna. The studio, initially with non-air-conditioned sound stages, has grown to 12 fully equipped air-conditioned stages, serving over 5,000 films and producing more than 60. It introduced new technologies, like Dolby Cinema, which required significant investments, especially during COVID-19.

Annapurna Studio also expanded into virtual production technology during COVID-19 and was inspired by the success of series like "The Mandalorian" on Disney+. It now offers comprehensive post-production services, handling projects from editing to visual effects, aiming to be a one-stop shop for filmmakers.

Annapurna Studios has handled mixing for popular movies like Pushpa and Pushpa 2. Gadgets 360 was among the select media that experienced the state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos mix rooms. The facility features a cutting-edge Dolby Vision projection system developed by Christie Digital Systems, a long-standing partner of Dolby.

A shooting space at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad

Dolby and Annapurna Studios collab is just the first in many

Nagarjuna Akkineni, actor and co-owner of Annapurna Studios, discussed the investments into developing a one-stop solution for filmmakers. He touched upon the importance of expanding the studio space and the potential for new stories to be told in darker settings with advanced technology like Dolby Vision. Nagarjuna stressed the benefits of technologies like Vision, which will help filmmakers bring new storytelling techniques alongside infrastructure improvements in theatres and the impact on production quality. He also talked about the passion and dedication of filmmakers to adopt advanced technology.

As an example of how extensive work goes around movie launches, Nagarjuna discussed the considerable time spent mastering trailers, which play a crucial role in movie launches.

Nagarjuna also talked about the passion and approach some filmmakers take to perfect their projects. "I believe Mr S. S. Rajamouli is the one person who really pushed the limits at that point for the RRR movie. He went through so many iterations and corrections for RRR and was also learning on the go, but that's what passionate filmmakers think that this can be done and achieved."

Talking about the studio's early days, he recounted the challenges faced during the construction of Annapurna Studios, including an encounter with a snake.

Mathur talked about the potential for more Dolby Vision screens in India. "We believe that this facility, which is now operational and with more content being added, will serve as a valuable reference point for exhibitors who are also deciding whether to make the shift," Mathur added.

Dolby has vast plans, and we can expect to hear more from them this year, including some new collaborations for Dolby Vision.

Gadgets 360

The Poco M7 Pro was launched in India in December as a mid-range budget offering and we got to try it out recently. It's astonishing how much value modern smartphones offer at accessible price points, especially under Rs. 15,000, which is the cost of the base variant of this new Poco model. For that money, you get a large AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,110mAh battery, a capable mid-range chipset, and a dual rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor.

Poco is highly competitive in the budget and mid-range segment while launching standout higher mid-range phones like the Poco X7 Pro. On paper, the M7 Pro also seems to be an excellent value for money, but how does it hold up in real-world usage? Read on to find out.

You get a 45W charger in the box alongside a case and the usual paperwork

 

The base variant is priced at Rs. 14,999 and has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Meanwhile, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage option will set you back by Rs. 16,999.

Poco M7 Pro Design

Poco M7 Pro has three colour options – Lavender Frost, Lunar Dust, and Olive Twilight. We received the Lunar Dust variant (8GB RAM + 256GB storage) for review, which will surely catch your eye. The phone features a dual-tone design on the rear panel with a moon dust/sandwave pattern covering one-half of the back. The other half has a matte finish. The combination is unique and, paired with the square camera module, gives the phone a premium look and feel.

The phone gets a dual-speaker setup

 

There's Poco branding on the camera module and a 5G logo at the bottom. The camera module doesn't stick out too much and has curved edges, which is nice. The rear panel and the frame, which also has a matte finish, are all plastic.

It has an IP64 rating

 

The phone weighs 190 grams, is decently light, and is only 7.99mm thick. It also gets an IP64 rating, which is an improvement over the M6 Pro's IP52. The volume rocker and power button are placed on the right side. You get a USB Type-C port, microphone, loudspeaker, and the SIM tray slot at the bottom. The top of the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone, another speaker, and an IR blaster.

The phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as an IR blaster

 

Moving over to the front, there's a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with thin bezels on the sides and a slightly thicker bezel on the bottom. Poco claims the phone offers a 92 percent screen-to-body ratio.

The bezels on the display are minimal

 

The display offers 2,100 nits of peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and full-HD+ resolution. Poco has used Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.

Poco M7 Pro Performance

Poco M7 Pro's display is good for viewing content and playing games. You get three colour profiles to choose from and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The phone also lets you switch between 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate or stick to the default adaptive mode. The 2,100 nits of peak brightness translates to excellent indoor brightness, ensuring that you can read the screen even under direct sunlight.

The display offers 2,100nits of peak brightness

 

The phone runs Android 14 with Xiaomi's HyperOS skin on top, and there's a boatload of pre-installed apps and bloatware. Most of these apps can be uninstalled. Poco promises 2 years of OS updates, which means that the phone will not get any OS updates post-Android 16. Luckily, the phone is said to get four years of security updates. UI animations, scrolling, and software navigation were smooth throughout the review. I never faced any major lag when it came to regular usage.

You get Android 14-based HyperOS out of the box

 

In terms of performance, the phone performed quite well in daily usage. The Poco M7 Pro is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. This isn't a particularly strong chipset, but it does just fine with all kinds of day-to-day tasks and even gaming. I ran some benchmarks on the phone, and you can see the results below.

Benchmarks	Poco M7 Pro	Motorola G64
Geekbench Single	942	1,012
Geekbench Multi	2,235	2,403
PCMark Work 3.0	10,661	13,920
AnTuTu v10	4,77,196	4,94,364
GFXB T-rex	57	70
GFXB Manhattan 3.1	29	33
GFXB Car Chase	16	18
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	2,435	2,590
3DM Slingshot	3,261	3,379
3DM Wild Life	Not supported	Not supported
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	Not supported	Not supported

The phone also did well when it came to gaming. I ran BGMI and Asphalt 9 on the phone, and both ran fine without any issues in the medium settings. The touch response was also fine, and there was nothing to complain about.

You get a dual speaker setup on the M7 Pro, and the sound quality is decent. The phone gets loud, and there's no crackling at high volumes, but it does lack punchiness. The call quality was good, and I did not face any random call drops. The microphone and earpiece output were also sound.

The phone features a 20-megapixel selfie camera placed inside a hole-punch cutout

 

Moving on to the cameras, Poco has included a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 sensor at the back with OIS and an f/1.7 aperture. There's a secondary 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 20-megapixel selfie camera up front. The photo quality of the primary rear camera is quite good in daylight conditions. There's good detail, natural colours, dynamic range, and white balance. It performed decently well in low-light conditions and managed to preserve some details but with higher noise.

Top to bottom: Samples from Main rear camera (2), 2x zoom (2) [Tap to expand]

 

The 2x zoom and portrait shots were decent, with mostly accurate skin tones and edge detection. Selfies were good, with plenty of details and natural skin tones, but only in daylight conditions. Low light performance is not bad and usable when there's enough light.

Lowlight samples: Top (primary camera), bottom (2x zoom) [Tap to expand]

 

As for the video, the phone offers 1080p 30fps support from the main rear as well as the front camera. Video performance from the rear camera is decent, with good details and colours. However, stabilisation isn't great when there's heavy movement or fast panning. The front camera also does an okay job in daylight conditions.

Selfies come out well in daylight conditions

 

Now, let's talk about battery life and charging. The Poco M7 Pro packs a 5,100mAh battery, which supports 45W fast charging. You also get the charger in the box. In our HD video loop test, the phone managed to last for about 18 hours. Meanwhile, a full charge took about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Poco M7 Pro Verdict

The Poco M7 Pro, for the money, is good value. It offers several upgrades over its predecessor and is a capable performer. The large AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, good primary rear camera, and decent performance make it a top contender among other phones in the segment. The software and lowlight camera performance are probably the most annoying things about the phone. Otherwise, this is a solid budget mid-range smartphone.

As for alternatives, you could go for the Motorola G64 (Review), which offers slightly better performance and better software. There's also the iQOO Z9x (Review), which offers better performance or the Redmi Note 14 5G, which offers mostly similar specifications with a 108-megapixel main rear camera and an ultrawide sensor. However, the latter is also slightly more expensive.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/qmT7rg4

The Poco M7 Pro was launched in India in December as a mid-range budget offering and we got to try it out recently. It's astonishing how much value modern smartphones offer at accessible price points, especially under Rs. 15,000, which is the cost of the base variant of this new Poco model. For that money, you get a large AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,110mAh battery, a capable mid-range chipset, and a dual rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor.

Poco is highly competitive in the budget and mid-range segment while launching standout higher mid-range phones like the Poco X7 Pro. On paper, the M7 Pro also seems to be an excellent value for money, but how does it hold up in real-world usage? Read on to find out.

You get a 45W charger in the box alongside a case and the usual paperwork

 

The base variant is priced at Rs. 14,999 and has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Meanwhile, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage option will set you back by Rs. 16,999.

Poco M7 Pro Design

Poco M7 Pro has three colour options – Lavender Frost, Lunar Dust, and Olive Twilight. We received the Lunar Dust variant (8GB RAM + 256GB storage) for review, which will surely catch your eye. The phone features a dual-tone design on the rear panel with a moon dust/sandwave pattern covering one-half of the back. The other half has a matte finish. The combination is unique and, paired with the square camera module, gives the phone a premium look and feel.

The phone gets a dual-speaker setup

 

There's Poco branding on the camera module and a 5G logo at the bottom. The camera module doesn't stick out too much and has curved edges, which is nice. The rear panel and the frame, which also has a matte finish, are all plastic.

It has an IP64 rating

 

The phone weighs 190 grams, is decently light, and is only 7.99mm thick. It also gets an IP64 rating, which is an improvement over the M6 Pro's IP52. The volume rocker and power button are placed on the right side. You get a USB Type-C port, microphone, loudspeaker, and the SIM tray slot at the bottom. The top of the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone, another speaker, and an IR blaster.

The phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as an IR blaster

 

Moving over to the front, there's a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with thin bezels on the sides and a slightly thicker bezel on the bottom. Poco claims the phone offers a 92 percent screen-to-body ratio.

The bezels on the display are minimal

 

The display offers 2,100 nits of peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and full-HD+ resolution. Poco has used Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.

Poco M7 Pro Performance

Poco M7 Pro's display is good for viewing content and playing games. You get three colour profiles to choose from and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The phone also lets you switch between 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate or stick to the default adaptive mode. The 2,100 nits of peak brightness translates to excellent indoor brightness, ensuring that you can read the screen even under direct sunlight.

The display offers 2,100nits of peak brightness

 

The phone runs Android 14 with Xiaomi's HyperOS skin on top, and there's a boatload of pre-installed apps and bloatware. Most of these apps can be uninstalled. Poco promises 2 years of OS updates, which means that the phone will not get any OS updates post-Android 16. Luckily, the phone is said to get four years of security updates. UI animations, scrolling, and software navigation were smooth throughout the review. I never faced any major lag when it came to regular usage.

You get Android 14-based HyperOS out of the box

 

In terms of performance, the phone performed quite well in daily usage. The Poco M7 Pro is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. This isn't a particularly strong chipset, but it does just fine with all kinds of day-to-day tasks and even gaming. I ran some benchmarks on the phone, and you can see the results below.

Benchmarks	Poco M7 Pro	Motorola G64
Geekbench Single	942	1,012
Geekbench Multi	2,235	2,403
PCMark Work 3.0	10,661	13,920
AnTuTu v10	4,77,196	4,94,364
GFXB T-rex	57	70
GFXB Manhattan 3.1	29	33
GFXB Car Chase	16	18
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	2,435	2,590
3DM Slingshot	3,261	3,379
3DM Wild Life	Not supported	Not supported
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	Not supported	Not supported

The phone also did well when it came to gaming. I ran BGMI and Asphalt 9 on the phone, and both ran fine without any issues in the medium settings. The touch response was also fine, and there was nothing to complain about.

You get a dual speaker setup on the M7 Pro, and the sound quality is decent. The phone gets loud, and there's no crackling at high volumes, but it does lack punchiness. The call quality was good, and I did not face any random call drops. The microphone and earpiece output were also sound.

The phone features a 20-megapixel selfie camera placed inside a hole-punch cutout

 

Moving on to the cameras, Poco has included a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 sensor at the back with OIS and an f/1.7 aperture. There's a secondary 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 20-megapixel selfie camera up front. The photo quality of the primary rear camera is quite good in daylight conditions. There's good detail, natural colours, dynamic range, and white balance. It performed decently well in low-light conditions and managed to preserve some details but with higher noise.

Top to bottom: Samples from Main rear camera (2), 2x zoom (2) [Tap to expand]

 

The 2x zoom and portrait shots were decent, with mostly accurate skin tones and edge detection. Selfies were good, with plenty of details and natural skin tones, but only in daylight conditions. Low light performance is not bad and usable when there's enough light.

Lowlight samples: Top (primary camera), bottom (2x zoom) [Tap to expand]

 

As for the video, the phone offers 1080p 30fps support from the main rear as well as the front camera. Video performance from the rear camera is decent, with good details and colours. However, stabilisation isn't great when there's heavy movement or fast panning. The front camera also does an okay job in daylight conditions.

Selfies come out well in daylight conditions

 

Now, let's talk about battery life and charging. The Poco M7 Pro packs a 5,100mAh battery, which supports 45W fast charging. You also get the charger in the box. In our HD video loop test, the phone managed to last for about 18 hours. Meanwhile, a full charge took about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Poco M7 Pro Verdict

The Poco M7 Pro, for the money, is good value. It offers several upgrades over its predecessor and is a capable performer. The large AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, good primary rear camera, and decent performance make it a top contender among other phones in the segment. The software and lowlight camera performance are probably the most annoying things about the phone. Otherwise, this is a solid budget mid-range smartphone.

As for alternatives, you could go for the Motorola G64 (Review), which offers slightly better performance and better software. There's also the iQOO Z9x (Review), which offers better performance or the Redmi Note 14 5G, which offers mostly similar specifications with a 108-megapixel main rear camera and an ultrawide sensor. However, the latter is also slightly more expensive.

Gadgets 360

Asus Gaming V16 is part of a new lineup from the Taiwanese manufacturer made for those who want a decent gaming laptop on a budget. The Gaming V16 features a slim and understated design. The laptop weighs under 2kg, making it portable enough to take around in your backpack. It is equipped with the latest Intel Core CPU and a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU that is powerful enough to run most games.

The laptop has a starting price of Rs. 82,990 for the base variant, which gets the Intel Core 5 210H CPU. Meanwhile, the Intel Core 7 240H processor variant is priced at Rs. 92,990. Both variants get 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU with 6GB video RAM. Is the Asus Gaming V16 a good option for budget gamers? Read on to find out.

Asus Gaming V16 Design: Simple

• Dimensions - 35.70 x 25.07 x 1.80 ~ 2.20 cm
• Weight - 1.95kg
• Colours - Black

Asus has kept the design of the Gaming V16 very simple. There aren't any RGB lights or fancy logos suggesting that it's a gaming laptop. The lid has a matte finish, is prone to fingerprints, and features an Asus logo.

The bottom houses dual speakers

 

Owing to the plastic build, you'll find that the lid and the bottom cover flex a bit, but everything is assured to be durable. According to Asus, the laptop even meets the MIL-STD 810H military standards and has passed several tests. The hinge also feels like it won't give up on you and lets you open the lid with one hand.

There's a single USB Type-A 3.2 port on the right side

 

You'll find a textured finish on the sides and bottom of the laptop, which keeps the fingerprints away. The bottom also houses the dual speakers, large rubber feet, and cutouts for the fan.

The left houses most of the ports

 

As for connectivity, the Gaming V16 offers an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A 3.2 port, a USB Type-C 3.2, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left side, along with a proprietary power connector. The right side of the laptop features another USB Type-A 3.2 port.

The laptop features large exhaust ports at the back

 

The laptop doesn't get a LAN port, which is something gamers may find discouraging.

Asus Gaming V16 Display: Good enough

• Size and type - 16-inch FHD+ IPS panel
• Refresh rate - 144Hz
• Brightness - 300 nits

The 16-inch IPS display on the laptop offers a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1920 x 1200p resolution. The display has an anti-glare coating and a screen-to-body ratio of 89 percent. It also offers a 144Hz refresh rate, which is excellent when gaming. The 16:10 aspect ratio is also good when working or browsing the web.

The display gets an anti-glare coating

 

Brightness is alright indoors, but I'd recommend not using the laptop outdoors as the 300 nits is barely enough. The display also features muted colours, and while that's okay for watching content and playing games, it's not great for video or photo editing. You can improve colour reproduction slightly by choosing a different profile, which is available in the MyAsus software.

Asus Gaming V16 Keyboard, Touchpad, speakers, and webcam

• Keyboard - Full-size keyboard with Numpad, Single colour backlight
• Touchpad - Large size, multi-touch with smart gesture support
• Speakers - Dual drivers with Dirac tuning
• Webcam - 1080p FHD with privacy shutter

Asus equips the Gaming V16 with a full-sized keyboard, complete with a numeric keypad and a full-function row. The keyboard features what Asus calls a "Turbo Blue" backlight, which is both adjustable and sufficiently bright for nighttime use. While I personally liked the blue backlighting, it may not appeal to everyone. Asus should've at least offered the ability to change colours since most competitors do.

The laptop gets a full-size keyboard with numpad

 

Additionally, the arrow keys and W, A, S, and D keys have translucent caps, allowing more of the blue light to shine through. The keyboard is nice to type on, has good spacing, and offers 1.7mm of travel.

The large touchpad supports Smart Gestures

 

It's uncommon to see a large touchpad on a gaming laptop, but I'm glad that Asus offers one with the Gaming V16. The large ErgoSense touchpad supports multi-touch gestures but also offers Smart gestures that let you adjust brightness, volume, and more. While it doesn't have a glass coating, the surface is smooth and also features a hydrophobic coating. The clicks are fine, and so is the feedback.

The downward-firing speakers lack bass

 

You get dual downward-firing speakers on the laptop, and they're decent. The speakers don't get very loud, and there's very little to almost no bass. However, the sound is clear and doesn't crack even at full volume. When gaming or watching movies, it's better to use headphones.

The laptop offers a privacy shutter for the webcam

 

The webcam on the laptop is also nothing to brag about. It's the usual 1080p camera found in most Windows laptops and does the job. The image is grainy in most lighting conditions. Asus offers a physical privacy shutter, which is nice.

Asus Gaming V16 Software: Basic

• OS - Windows 11 Home
• Additional software - MyAsus, ScreenXpert 3.0

The laptop runs Windows 11 Home and has some Asus tools, such as MyAsus and ScreenXpert 3.0. A Copilot key is available on the keyboard, which you can use to access the AI chatbot.

You get access to Microsoft's Copilot chatbot on the laptop

 

The MyAsus app lets you customise the laptop to your liking. You can check for hardware problems, troubleshoot, check battery health, change performance/fan profiles, and adjust the display colour. Unfortunately, there are no AI tools such as Microsoft Studio Effects.

Asus Gaming V16 Performance: Mid-range

• CPU - Up to Intel Core 7 240H
• RAM - 16GB DDR5
• Storage - 512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage
• GPU - Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB VRAM (70W TDP)

Coming to the performance, the Gaming V16 unit we got for review was equipped with the Intel Core 5 210H processor. There's also a variant with the Intel Core 7 240H chipset. However, the RAM and storage are capped at 16GB of DDR5 and 512GB PCIe 4.0. They're both expandable, though and while 16GB RAM is good enough to run most tasks, it's best to upgrade the storage as 512GB will run out in no time if you like to install and play a lot of games.

The GeForce RTX 4050 GPU has a max TDP of 70W

 

The laptop performs well without much lag when used regularly. However, I did notice some hiccups when running benchmark tools. Talking about benchmarks, I ran a couple of them and below are the results.

Benchmarks	Asus Gaming V16
Geekbench Single	2,413
Geekbench Multi	9,349
PCMark 10	6,801
Geekbench AI CPU (ONNX)	3,631 (Quantized)
Geekbench AI DirectML (ONNX)	9,618 (Quantized)
3DMark Steel Nomad	1,557
3DMark Time Spy	7,445

The Asus Gaming V16 performed quite well in the benchmarks, especially when it comes to GPU scores. The GeForce RTX 4050 GPU on the laptop is topped at 70W TDP, which is not the most amount of power, which shows in demanding games. I played the new Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the laptop, and even with DLSS enabled and graphics set to low/medium, the game only delivered about 30 to 40 fps. However, less demanding titles such as Forza Horizon 4 did perform better on the laptop, delivering over 70 fps.

In terms of heat management, the laptop did a decent job. The dual fans helped to keep most of the heat away from me, but the top part of the keyboard did get hot when playing games and running benchmarks.

Asus Gaming V16 Battery: Impressive

• Capacity - 63Wh
• Charger - 150W AC adapter

While the performance didn't impress, the battery life did. The Intel Core 5 210H chipset is an efficient one, and coupled with the 63Wh battery, you can expect the laptop to last anywhere between 6 to 7 hours and even longer if you just use it for web browsing. That's not something you'd expect from a gaming laptop.

The laptop comes with a 150W charger

 

Asus bundles a chunky 150W charger with the laptop that can fully charge the laptop in under 2 hours. You can also charge the laptop using the USB Type-C port, but it's not as fast.

Asus Gaming V16 Verdict

The Asus Gaming V16 is a good buy for those venturing into the world of gaming, but not if you're a seasoned gamer. If you're on a budget and don't do a lot of gaming, this might be a good option. It's got a portable design with a decent build, a 16-inch high refresh rate display, a good keyboard, and excellent battery life. And, for those short gaming sessions between study or work, you've got the GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. At a starting price of Rs. 82,990, the Gaming V16 should certainly be on your list of budget gaming laptops.

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Asus Gaming V16 is part of a new lineup from the Taiwanese manufacturer made for those who want a decent gaming laptop on a budget. The Gaming V16 features a slim and understated design. The laptop weighs under 2kg, making it portable enough to take around in your backpack. It is equipped with the latest Intel Core CPU and a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU that is powerful enough to run most games.

The laptop has a starting price of Rs. 82,990 for the base variant, which gets the Intel Core 5 210H CPU. Meanwhile, the Intel Core 7 240H processor variant is priced at Rs. 92,990. Both variants get 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU with 6GB video RAM. Is the Asus Gaming V16 a good option for budget gamers? Read on to find out.

Asus Gaming V16 Design: Simple

• Dimensions - 35.70 x 25.07 x 1.80 ~ 2.20 cm
• Weight - 1.95kg
• Colours - Black

Asus has kept the design of the Gaming V16 very simple. There aren't any RGB lights or fancy logos suggesting that it's a gaming laptop. The lid has a matte finish, is prone to fingerprints, and features an Asus logo.

The bottom houses dual speakers

 

Owing to the plastic build, you'll find that the lid and the bottom cover flex a bit, but everything is assured to be durable. According to Asus, the laptop even meets the MIL-STD 810H military standards and has passed several tests. The hinge also feels like it won't give up on you and lets you open the lid with one hand.

There's a single USB Type-A 3.2 port on the right side

 

You'll find a textured finish on the sides and bottom of the laptop, which keeps the fingerprints away. The bottom also houses the dual speakers, large rubber feet, and cutouts for the fan.

The left houses most of the ports

 

As for connectivity, the Gaming V16 offers an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A 3.2 port, a USB Type-C 3.2, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left side, along with a proprietary power connector. The right side of the laptop features another USB Type-A 3.2 port.

The laptop features large exhaust ports at the back

 

The laptop doesn't get a LAN port, which is something gamers may find discouraging.

Asus Gaming V16 Display: Good enough

• Size and type - 16-inch FHD+ IPS panel
• Refresh rate - 144Hz
• Brightness - 300 nits

The 16-inch IPS display on the laptop offers a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1920 x 1200p resolution. The display has an anti-glare coating and a screen-to-body ratio of 89 percent. It also offers a 144Hz refresh rate, which is excellent when gaming. The 16:10 aspect ratio is also good when working or browsing the web.

The display gets an anti-glare coating

 

Brightness is alright indoors, but I'd recommend not using the laptop outdoors as the 300 nits is barely enough. The display also features muted colours, and while that's okay for watching content and playing games, it's not great for video or photo editing. You can improve colour reproduction slightly by choosing a different profile, which is available in the MyAsus software.

Asus Gaming V16 Keyboard, Touchpad, speakers, and webcam

• Keyboard - Full-size keyboard with Numpad, Single colour backlight
• Touchpad - Large size, multi-touch with smart gesture support
• Speakers - Dual drivers with Dirac tuning
• Webcam - 1080p FHD with privacy shutter

Asus equips the Gaming V16 with a full-sized keyboard, complete with a numeric keypad and a full-function row. The keyboard features what Asus calls a "Turbo Blue" backlight, which is both adjustable and sufficiently bright for nighttime use. While I personally liked the blue backlighting, it may not appeal to everyone. Asus should've at least offered the ability to change colours since most competitors do.

The laptop gets a full-size keyboard with numpad

 

Additionally, the arrow keys and W, A, S, and D keys have translucent caps, allowing more of the blue light to shine through. The keyboard is nice to type on, has good spacing, and offers 1.7mm of travel.

The large touchpad supports Smart Gestures

 

It's uncommon to see a large touchpad on a gaming laptop, but I'm glad that Asus offers one with the Gaming V16. The large ErgoSense touchpad supports multi-touch gestures but also offers Smart gestures that let you adjust brightness, volume, and more. While it doesn't have a glass coating, the surface is smooth and also features a hydrophobic coating. The clicks are fine, and so is the feedback.

The downward-firing speakers lack bass

 

You get dual downward-firing speakers on the laptop, and they're decent. The speakers don't get very loud, and there's very little to almost no bass. However, the sound is clear and doesn't crack even at full volume. When gaming or watching movies, it's better to use headphones.

The laptop offers a privacy shutter for the webcam

 

The webcam on the laptop is also nothing to brag about. It's the usual 1080p camera found in most Windows laptops and does the job. The image is grainy in most lighting conditions. Asus offers a physical privacy shutter, which is nice.

Asus Gaming V16 Software: Basic

• OS - Windows 11 Home
• Additional software - MyAsus, ScreenXpert 3.0

The laptop runs Windows 11 Home and has some Asus tools, such as MyAsus and ScreenXpert 3.0. A Copilot key is available on the keyboard, which you can use to access the AI chatbot.

You get access to Microsoft's Copilot chatbot on the laptop

 

The MyAsus app lets you customise the laptop to your liking. You can check for hardware problems, troubleshoot, check battery health, change performance/fan profiles, and adjust the display colour. Unfortunately, there are no AI tools such as Microsoft Studio Effects.

Asus Gaming V16 Performance: Mid-range

• CPU - Up to Intel Core 7 240H
• RAM - 16GB DDR5
• Storage - 512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage
• GPU - Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB VRAM (70W TDP)

Coming to the performance, the Gaming V16 unit we got for review was equipped with the Intel Core 5 210H processor. There's also a variant with the Intel Core 7 240H chipset. However, the RAM and storage are capped at 16GB of DDR5 and 512GB PCIe 4.0. They're both expandable, though and while 16GB RAM is good enough to run most tasks, it's best to upgrade the storage as 512GB will run out in no time if you like to install and play a lot of games.

The GeForce RTX 4050 GPU has a max TDP of 70W

 

The laptop performs well without much lag when used regularly. However, I did notice some hiccups when running benchmark tools. Talking about benchmarks, I ran a couple of them and below are the results.

Benchmarks	Asus Gaming V16
Geekbench Single	2,413
Geekbench Multi	9,349
PCMark 10	6,801
Geekbench AI CPU (ONNX)	3,631 (Quantized)
Geekbench AI DirectML (ONNX)	9,618 (Quantized)
3DMark Steel Nomad	1,557
3DMark Time Spy	7,445

The Asus Gaming V16 performed quite well in the benchmarks, especially when it comes to GPU scores. The GeForce RTX 4050 GPU on the laptop is topped at 70W TDP, which is not the most amount of power, which shows in demanding games. I played the new Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the laptop, and even with DLSS enabled and graphics set to low/medium, the game only delivered about 30 to 40 fps. However, less demanding titles such as Forza Horizon 4 did perform better on the laptop, delivering over 70 fps.

In terms of heat management, the laptop did a decent job. The dual fans helped to keep most of the heat away from me, but the top part of the keyboard did get hot when playing games and running benchmarks.

Asus Gaming V16 Battery: Impressive

• Capacity - 63Wh
• Charger - 150W AC adapter

While the performance didn't impress, the battery life did. The Intel Core 5 210H chipset is an efficient one, and coupled with the 63Wh battery, you can expect the laptop to last anywhere between 6 to 7 hours and even longer if you just use it for web browsing. That's not something you'd expect from a gaming laptop.

The laptop comes with a 150W charger

 

Asus bundles a chunky 150W charger with the laptop that can fully charge the laptop in under 2 hours. You can also charge the laptop using the USB Type-C port, but it's not as fast.

Asus Gaming V16 Verdict

The Asus Gaming V16 is a good buy for those venturing into the world of gaming, but not if you're a seasoned gamer. If you're on a budget and don't do a lot of gaming, this might be a good option. It's got a portable design with a decent build, a 16-inch high refresh rate display, a good keyboard, and excellent battery life. And, for those short gaming sessions between study or work, you've got the GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. At a starting price of Rs. 82,990, the Gaming V16 should certainly be on your list of budget gaming laptops.