IO Interactive Says Work on Project 007 Going 'Amazingly Well', Hopes It Kicks Off New James Bond Trilogy

Hitman developer IO Interactive has been working on a James Bond video game. Project 007 will be an original Bond origin story, allowing players to step into the shoes of fabled spy and earn his double-O status. The game, which doesn't yet have an official title or a release window, was first announced in 2020. Now, IO Interactive chief has provided an update on Project 007 and said that the studio hopes the Bond game could be the beginning of a trilogy.

Work on Project 007 Going 'Amazingly Well'

In an interview with IGN, IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak said development on Project 007 was going “amazingly well,” but stopped short of providing new details. “I don't have an update today, but believe me, it's itching here as well to be talking about it soon,” Abrak told IGN. “So we are following our plans. The production's going amazingly well and we will soon be talking more about it. I know it was a little teaser, not a lot of information, but there's a lot of cool stuff coming up.”

Akrak said that two decades of making Hitman games, where gamers get to fulfil their “agent fantasy,” had handed IO the expertise required to make a James Bond game. And while Project 007 is based on a popular IP, IO Interactive is working on a completely original story with a new James Bond, without utilising the likeness of any actor who has taken up the 007 mantle in the past.

“So it's not a gamification of a movie. It's completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future,” Abrak said.

“And equally important and exciting, it's a new Bond. It's a Bond we built from ground up for gamers. It's extremely exciting with all the tradition and all the history there is there together to work on this together with the family of creating a young Bond for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with.”

A New Bond Story

IO Interactive is working with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Bond films producer Eon Productions as a developer and publisher on Project 007. Ian Fleming's iconic British MI6 agent has had a storied history in the medium, with 1997's GoldenEye widely considered as one of the most influential games ever made. Of late, however, Bond has struggled to maintain his footing in video games, even as Eon's films have continued to do well. The last James Bond game was Activision's 007 Legends, a Call-of-Duty style first-person shooter released in 2012.

IO, however, intends to start a new chapter for the martini-sipping spy when it comes to video games. "I don't want to speak too big about it, but I just hope we'll do a thing that will define James Bond in gaming for years to come,” Abrak said.

The Danish developer is not yet ready to fully reveal the game and provide details on its release window, Abrak said the studio would share more updates in “due time.”

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Amazon Prime Video to Introduce Ads for Subscribers in India Starting in 2025

Amazon Prime Video will start to show ads to subscribers in India starting in 2025, according to the company. Advertisements on Prime Video were previously introduced in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK, the US, and a few European countries, and Amazon Prime members in India will soon see ads while watching content on the e-commerce giant's streaming platform. Customers who do not want to see ads will have to purchase a more expensive subscription that will be launched in the future.

Amazon Prime Video to Introduce Ads in India Starting in 2025

In a recent update posted to its website, Amazon said that it would introduce "limited" ads on Prime Video in India starting in 2025. The company said that advertisements will let it invest in content for the video streaming platform and "keep increasing that investment over a long period of time". These ads will be shown when users are watching Prime Video shows and movies.

The company claims that Prime Video will show "meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming providers". In India, streaming providers like Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar offer ad-supported and more expensive ad-free plans. Amazon also offers customers a Prime Lite subscription that offers access to Prime Video content at 720p resolution with ads.

Customers who don't want to see any ads while watching content will have to opt for a new ad-free subscription option for Prime Video, which could arrive as an add-on to the annual Amazon Prime membership fee that is priced at Rs. 1,499 and includes access to Prime Video. The company says this price will not change in 2025, and it will reveal the cost of the new ad-free subscription plan in the future.

While there's no word on when ads will be introduced on Prime Video in India next year, Amazon says that it will inform Prime members "several weeks" in advance, along with details of the upcoming ad-free subscription and how to sign up for it. The change will affect Amazon Prime members, while Prime Lite subscribers, who already see ads on the streaming service will not be impacted.

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Honor X60, Honor X60 Pro With 108-Megapixel Rear Camera, MagicOS 8.0 Launched: Price, Specifications

Honor X60 series has been launched in China as a successor to the X50 series, which made its debut in July last year. The Chinese smartphone maker's latest lineup comprises two models: Honor X60 and X60 Pro. Both models share some features such as the 108-megapixel primary rear cameras. On the other hand, the standard model gets a MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra chipset while the X60 Pro variant is equipped with a Snapdragon chipset.

Honor X60 Series Price

Honor X60 price starts at CNY 1,199 (roughly Rs. 14,000) for the base 8GB + 128GB configuration model. It is available with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage and in three colourways: Elegant Black, Moonlight, and Sea Lake Qin.

Meanwhile, the Honor X60 Pro price starts at CNY 1,499 (roughly Rs. 18,000) for the base 8GB + 128GB model. The handset is available in similar storage configurations as the standard Honor X60. It can be purchased in a total of four colourways: ash, black, orange, and sea green.

Honor X60, Honor X60 Pro Specifications

Honor X60 is equipped with a 6.8-inch TFT LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2412×1080 pixels. Under the hood, it is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra chipset; an octa-core CPU comprising two Cortex-A78 cores operating at 2.5GHz and two Cortex-A55 cores with a clock speed of 2.0GHz. The SoC is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of in-built storage.

It is backed by a 5,800mAh battery with support for 35W fast charging. This model gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

On the other hand, the Honor X60 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2700×1224 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor with a peak clock speed of 2.2GHz. The smartphone comes with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It also gets two-way satellite communication capabilities in situations where there is no Wi-Fi or cellular network coverage.

The smartphone is backed by a 6,000mAh battery with support for faster 66W charging.

Both models in the Honor X60 series sport a 108-megapixel primary rear camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. They also get 8-megapixel front selfie cameras on the front.

Additionally, both handsets support dual-SIM 5G and Wi-Fi 5. The standard model supports Bluetooth 5.1 while the Honor X60 Pro comes with Bluetooth 5.3 support.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition Confirmed to Launch in South Korea on October 21

Samsung has confirmed the launch of an upcoming Galaxy device in its home country of South Korea next week. While details remain unknown, the upcoming unveiling is widely speculated to be of the purported Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, which has been rumoured to be in development for some time. Notably, this development builds upon recent leaks that suggested the purported handset may feature a thinner design and bigger displays compared to the standard model.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition Launch Date

In a newsroom post, Samsung South Korea announced that it will showcase a new Galaxy device on October 21. The device is expected to be the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition. A teaser video has also been posted, but doesn't show the device. The company did not reveal any details about the purported device, however recent reports hint at a redesigned camera module which may be stacked in a rectangular layout instead of the pill-shaped unit on the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Furthermore, the foldable smartphone could have a thickness of 10.6mm when folded, compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6's 12.1mm thickness — translating into a difference of just 1.5mm. It is said to have S Pen support and a titanium frame.

In terms of optics, the purported Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition may sport a 200-megapixel primary camera. It is also reported to be equipped with marginally bigger displays, with a claimed 8-inch internal and 6.5-inch outer display. For reference, the standard model is equipped with a 6.3-inch internal and 7.60-inch external screen.

However, unlike the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6 which is globally available, the special edition variant launched by the South Korean technology conglomerate is expected to have limited availability. Reports suggest will only launch in two markets: China and South Korea. The foldable smartphone is tipped to first debut on September 25 in South Korea – the company's home base. This launch is said to be followed by its unveiling in China shortly after.

The production numbers are likely to remain limited too, with only 4 to 5 lakh units of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition expected to be produced.

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Vivo Y300 Plus With Snapdragon 695 SoC, 5,000mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Specifications

Vivo Y300 Plus was launched in India as the latest entrant in the company's midrange Y series. The new Vivo handset comes in two colourways with an IP54-rated build. It sports a 6.78-inch 3D curved screen with 120Hz refresh rate and runs on a Snapdragon 695 SoC paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The Vivo Y300 Plus features a dual rear camera unit led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. It packs a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging support.

Vivo Y300 Plus Price in India

The Vivo Y300 Plus is available at Rs. 23,999 in India for the single 8GB RAM 128GB model. It is offered in Silk Green and Silk Black colours. The handset is currently available for purchase via the Vivo India e-store. Customers can also avail of a Rs. 1,000 instant discount for purchases made using HDFC, SBI, and ICICI bank cards.

Vivo Y300 Plus Specifications

The dual-SIM (Nano) Vivo Y300 Plus runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14 and features a 6.78-inch full-HD (1,080x2,400 pixels) 3D curved display with 120Hz refresh rate as well as a peak brightness level of 1,300nits. It runs on a 6nm Snapdragon 695 SoC along with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The RAM can be virtually expanded up to an additional 8GB, while the storage can be extended to up to 1TB via microSD card.

For optics, the Vivo Y300 Plus has a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2-megapixel secondary shooter with an f/2.4 aperture. It carries a 32-megapixel front camera with an f/2.45 aperture for selfies and video calls.

Connectivity options on the Vivo Y300 Plus include Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Navic and OTG, Wi-Fi, and USB Type-C port. It also features an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, e-compass, gyroscope and a proximity sensor. It boasts an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.

Like most recent Vivo Y series phones, the Vivo Y300 Plus has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. It packs a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging, measures 164.42x74.92x7.49mm, and weighs around 183.0 grams.

 

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Android 15 Rolling Out to Pixel Phones; Brings Theft Detection Lock, Private Space and More

Android 15 rollout has commenced for Pixel devices, Google announced on Tuesday. The latest operating system (OS) was globally released on September 3. Google has detailed the features of the update on Pixel devices, including security measures like Theft Detection Lock and privacy-centric additions such as Private Space. Furthermore, Android 15 also includes exclusive functionality for foldable smartphones and devices along with improvements for the camera and authentication.

Android 15 Features

In a blog post, Google highlighted the features arriving on Pixel smartphones with the Android 15 update, including a feature dubbed Theft Detection Lock. It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to sense if the device has been snatched or stolen and lock it automatically. Alternatively, users can take advantage of the existing Remote Lock functionality to manually lock the handset using the mobile number.

The Mountain View-based tech giant is also making it more difficult for malicious actors to access the device settings, courtesy of added authentication requirements for actions like removing SIM or turning off Find My Device. If multiple failed attempts are detected, the device will automatically be locked.

Google also emphasised on privacy with the already-previewed Private Space feature — private space for users to store their private information. Users will be able to add another layer of authentication to this space or choose to hide it entirely from the view.

For foldable devices like the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Android 15 will allow users to pin or unpin the taskbar on the screen for easy access. They can customise the layout of the page and keep frequently used apps within quick reach. The update's App Pairing feature is claimed to make multitasking easier by enabling sharing of files using drag and drop. Users can also save their most frequently used app combinations and they will appear as a single app icon on the home screen.

Android 15 also includes other changes on Pixel devices such as improved controls in the camera app during low-light conditions, more precise control in third-party camera apps, single-tap login in apps using Passkeys for authentication, and the ability to use satellite communication in third-party apps without Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

Eligible Google Pixel Models

Several Pixel smartphones, ranging from the latest Pixel 9 series to the Pixel 6 series, are expected to get the upgrade to Android 15. Google says the following Pixel smartphones are eligible to receive the over-the-air (OTA) update:

1. Google Pixel 9 Series
2. Google Pixel Fold
3. Google Pixel 8 Series
4. Google Pixel 7 Series
5. Google Pixel 6 Series
6. Google Pixel Tablet

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NASA's Europa Clipper Launches to Explore Life Possibilities on Icy Moon Europa

NASA Europa Clipper mission, aiming to explore the icy moon Europa, one of Jupiter's most intriguing satellites. Scientists believe that underneath this icy surface lies a vast ocean, which could provide the necessary conditions for life as we know it. The Europa Clipper spacecraft will undertake 49 flybys of Europa, using advanced instruments to study its icy shell and the ocean beneath. The mission will focus on analysing surface materials that may have originated from the ocean below, searching for signs of organic compounds and examining gases that may escape from the moon.

Key instruments include the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE), which will identify the various materials present on Europa's surface, and the Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS), which will help locate possible hot spots that could indicate active geological processes.

Understanding the Internal Structure

In addition to surface analysis, the mission will also investigate Europa's internal structure. Using the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) and the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS), scientists will measure the moon's induced magnetic field and the electrical currents surrounding it. This data is crucial for understanding the depth and salinity of the ocean, as well as the thickness of the ice shell. The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding to Near-surface (REASON) instrument will allow researchers to peer deep into the ice, providing insights into potentially habitable environments beneath.

Future Implications for Astrobiology

The findings from the Europa Clipper mission are expected to advance our understanding of habitable environments beyond Earth. Steve Vance, an astrobiologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, notes that the mission may raise new questions about extraterrestrial life, expanding our knowledge of where life could potentially exist in the universe. The data collected may play a vital role in future missions aimed at exploring the mysteries of our solar system.

 

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