China Loses 26 Percent of Its Glaciers Due to Global Warming, Claims New Study

China has reportedly witnessed a significant decline in glacier area over the last six decades. As per a new study published online,  the country has lost nearly 26 percent of its total glacier coverage since the 1960s. The study claims that the lost of such glacier area might be due to the rapid increase in global temperatures around the globe. Official data confirmed that close to 7000 small glaciers have entirely vanished from the landscape. The shrinking of glacier masses has been observed to accelerate over the past few years as warming trends continue to intensify.

Glacier Loss Confirmed by Chinese Academy of Sciences

According to a study released by the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources under the Chinese Academy of Sciences it was recorded that China's glacier area had reduced to nearly 46000 square kilometres by 2020. The total number of glaciers was stated to be around 69000 at that time. This marked a steep fall from an earlier figure of approximately 59000 square kilometres reported between 1960 and 1980 when glacier count stood at roughly 46000.

Impact of Glacier Retreat on Water Security and Environment

The melting of glaciers has raised concerns over freshwater availability across several regions. Environmental agencies have cautioned that the loss of glacier mass may result in higher competition for water resources in the years to come. The Tibetan Plateau which hosts a large portion of these glaciers has been referred to as the Third Pole owing to the vast ice reserves it holds.

Efforts to Slow Glacier Melting

Attempts have been made by Chinese authorities to slow the melting process through technological interventions. Artificial snow systems and snow blankets have been deployed as part of these initiatives.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/9Wj0KEt

Greenland’s Melting Glaciers Expose 1,620 km of New Coastline Since 2000

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.
 

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/N9mc6QV

Dhanush’s NEEK Now Available on Prime Video: A Romantic Drama on Love and Heartbreak

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.

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

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Early Renders Leaked; Suggest Minimal Design Changes From Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google is expected to bring the Pixel 10 series to market in the second half of this year. Like the current Pixel 9 series, the upcoming lineup is expected to include four models — Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Most recently, the first set of renders purportedly depicting the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold have leaked online. The foldable device appears to have a similar design as its predecessor.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold Looks  Similar to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Android Headlines, in association with tipster Onleaks, has shared alleged renders of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold showcasing its design. The renders depict a familiar design language in a cream colour option, and this could be marketed as the same Porcelain colour as its predecessor. The images suggest that the new phone will continue to feature a similar rectangular camera module to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The lenses are arranged vertically in a dual-stage design, and the phone is likely to retain the 48-megapixel rear camera unit of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The alleged Pixel 10 Pro Fold seems to have a hole punch cutout on the external display. The bezels on the display appear to be thick and symmetrical. The internal screen has a hole punch cutout on the right corner. The foldable phone is seen with rounded corners.

Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be slightly thicker than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, measuring 155.2x150.4x5.3mm when unfolded. The existing model measures 155.2x150.2x5.1mm. 

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is said to be in the works with the codename Rango. It is likely to go official in August this year alongside the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL models. The phone is expected to come with a Tensor G5 processor with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It could pack a MediaTek T900 modem and run on Android 16 OS. 

 

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/3WL1TPS

Vivo Y300 Pro+ With 7,300mAh Battery, 90W Charging Launched Alongside Vivo Y300t

Vivo Y300 Pro+ was launched in China on Monday. The phone is equipped with a 7,300mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging and a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM. The company also unveiled the Vivo Y300t, which comes with a 6,500mAh battery with 44W fast charging support and a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC. Both smartphones carry 50-megapixel dual rear camera setups and run on Origin OS 5 based on Android 15.

Vivo Y300 Pro+, Vivo Y300t Price, Availability

Vivo Y300 Pro+ price in China starts at CNY 1,799 (roughly Rs. 21,200) for the 8GB + 128GB option, while the 8GB + 256GB version costs CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 23,500). Meanwhile, the 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB variants are priced at CNY 2,199 (roughly Rs. 25,900) and CNY 2,499 (roughly Rs. 29,400), respectively. The phone is currently available for pre-orders in the country via the official e-store and will go on sale on April 3. It comes in Micro Powder, Simple Black, and Star Silver (translated from Chinese) colour options.

On the other hand, the price of the Vivo Y300t starts at CNY 1,199 (roughly Rs. 14,100) for the 8GB + 128GB option, while the 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB configurations are listed at CNY 1,299 (roughly Rs. 15,300), CNY 1,499 (roughly Rs. 17,600), and CNY 1,699 (roughly Rs. 20,000), respectively. It is currently available for purchase in the country via the official website and select online retail platforms. The handset is offered in Black Coffee, Ocean Blue, and Rock White (translated from Chinese) shades.

Vivo Y300t is offered in Black Coffee, Ocean Blue and Rock White (translated) colourways
Photo Credit: Vivo

 

Vivo Y300 Pro+ Features, Specifications

The Vivo Y300 Pro+ sports a 6.77-inch full-HD+ (1,080X2,392 pixels) AMOLED screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate, up to 5,000nits peak brightness level, and HDR10+ support. The handset is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 7s Gen SoC paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS2.2 onboard storage. It ships with Android 15-based Origin OS 5.

For optics, the Vivo Y300 Pro+ carries a 50-megapixel primary Sony LYT-600 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and a 2-megapixel depth sensor at the back alongside a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. The rear camera unit is accompanied by an Aura light feature. It supports AI imaging tools as well as Live Photos.

Vivo Y300 Pro+ packs a 7,300mAh battery with support for up to 90W fast charging and 7.5W OTG reverse charging. Connectivity options include 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, NFC and a USB Type-C port. For security, it has an in-display optical fingerprint sensor.

Vivo Y300t Features, Specifications

The Vivo Y300t has a 6.72-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,408 pixels) LCD screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,050nits peak brightness level. The smartphone comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS3.1 inbuilt storage. It runs on Android 15 with Origin OS 5 skin on top out-of-the-box. 

In the camera department, the Vivo Y300t gets a 50-megapixel main rear sensor with electronic image stabilisation (EIS) support alongside a 2-megapixel depth sensor as well as an 8-megapixel front camera sensor for selfies and video calls. 

The Vivo Y300t is backed by a 6,500mAh battery with 44W wired fast charging and reverse charging support. It is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. It supports similar connectivity options as the Vivo Y300 Pro+ variant, but supports Bluetooth 5.4.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/bdP0psf

Apple Vision Pro Gets Apple Intelligence Capabilities and New Features With visionOS 2.4 Update

Apple released the visionOS 2.4 update for the Apple Vision Pro on Monday. It is considered a major update and introduces the first set of Apple Intelligence features for the mixed reality (MR) headset. According to the Cupertino-based technology giant, users can now leverage Writing Tools for summarising and editing text, Image Playground for reimagining photos, and natural language search in Photos to find the best memories quickly. Further, the update also bundles a new feature called Spatial Gallery which brings curations by Apple.

visionOS 2.4 Update for the Apple Vision Pro: Features

Apple detailed the new features part of the visionOS 2.4 update in a newsroom post and the features are available on the headset with the device and Siri language set to English (US). The iPhone maker says Writing Tools is now available on the Apple Vision Pro. It is an AI-powered feature with options for composing, rewriting and proofreading documents with spelling and grammar checks. It can also summarise the text, create lists and tables, or highlight the key points from the text.

The update brings Image Playground, a standalone app which leverages generative AI to create images based on descriptive prompts. Users can select a reference person from their Photos app for inspiration and can choose from different art styles. The same app also bundles Genmoji which works similarly but for emojis. Apple says these can be added inline to messages, shared as a sticker, or sent as a Tapback.

Apple Intelligence now allows users to search for specific images stored in the Photos app with natural language queries. Further, the Create a Memory Movie enables AI to craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with a narrative arc, depending upon the prompt entered by the user. Meanwhile, Smart Reply in Mail and Messages allows for quick replies.

Apple says visionOS 2.4 also brings support for Priority Messages in Mail, Mail Summaries, Image Wand in Notes, Priority Notifications in Notification Centre, and Notification Summaries.

The company emphasises that photos and videos used to create movies and other actions are kept private and not shared with the company. Additionally, Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing whenever possible to protect user privacy. For tasks that require larger AI models, Apple engages Private Cloud Compute and the users' data is never stored or shared with the company.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/3LvJZol

iOS 18.4 With Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro Rolling Out; Brings Apple Intelligence to India

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.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/6ks7Pft