Tech

Apple is rumoured to be developing a successor to the Vision Pro and it could be launched as early as this year, as per a seasoned journalist. Since its launch in 2023, the adoption of first-generation Vision Pro mixed reality headset has been slow, especially since the device is primarily focused on developers and not general consumers. The Apple Vision Pro successor is said to come with several minor upgrades in tow, including a faster processor, improved components that support artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, and a new strap option. 

Apple Vision Pro Successor Launch

In a report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared details about the potential upgrades coming to the Apple Vision Pro. The mixed reality headset is said to get an upgrade to the M4 processor which currently powers the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and the iMac. This chip will reportedly be accompanied by better components for running the AI features.

This model is said to be aimed at keeping the company relevant in the mixed reality headset industry while it prepares to launch a more affordable version of the Vision Pro that is aimed at consumers, as per Gurman. Design work on this model is expected to be completed by 2026.

Apple is also reportedly testing several versions of the Vision Pro successor with different numbers of cores inside the neural engine. Currently, the mixed reality headset features a neural engine comprising 16 cores which help process content in real time and run applications in virtual environments.

Gurman also states that new straps for the Vision Pro successor are in the prototyping phase, with a focus on reducing neck strain and head pain – issues caused by wearing the headset for a prolonged period. With the initial upgrade, the company may be looking to address the issues without having to reduce the weight of the hardware.

These are just about all the upgrades that the 2025 Apple Vision Pro is expected to come with.

On the other hand, the tech giant is also reported to be developing another successor to the mixed reality headset that could bring major changes. It is likely to be launched in 2027 with a “significant” reduction in weight. Lastly, the company could wrap up this decade by introducing its first-ever augmented reality (AR) glasses, whereas a non-AR pair of smart glasses may arrive by next year.

iPhone 17 series is likely to launch in September, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule. The lineup, which is expected to include four models — iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — has seen several rumours recently. There’s a new one now, which suggests the colour options for the iPhone 17 Air. The new model, that is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, is said to be available in four colourways. It is expected to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display and a 48-megapixel rear camera.

Tipster Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) claimed that the iPhone 17 Air will be launched in black, silver, light gold, and light blue colours. The light blue is said to be similar to the Sky Blue shade of the MacBook Air (M4). For comparison, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were launched last year in Black, Pink, White, Teal and Ultramarine colour options.

The tipster also shared mock-ups of the alleged iPhone 17 Air in the rumoured colour options. The black and silver colour variants look similar to the Black and White colour found on the current generation iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. An early rumour also suggested green and purple colourways for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Air Specifications (Expected)

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be launched in September alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. It is claimed to be Apple’s thinnest phone to date, replacing the ‘Plus’ version. It is rumoured to have a 5.5mm thick build and weigh about 145 grams. The handset is likely to be priced around $1,299 (roughly Rs. 1,09,500).

As per past leaks, the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and 8GB of RAM. It is tipped to come with a 24-megapixel selfie camera and a 48-megapixel single rear camera. Apple’s A18 or A19 chip is expected to power the phone. It is likely to be backed by a 2,800mAh battery. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is expected to be unveiled soon. Rumours about the Fan Edition handset have surfaced online over the past few weeks. The smartphone is expected to come with watered-down features when compared to the Galaxy S25. The South Korean tech giant is expected to use either an Exynos 2400 or a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC in the handset. Ahead of anything official, the Galaxy S25 FE has appeared on the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) database. The listing hints at a key charging detail and also shows the expected design of the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Appears on WPC Database

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE handset was spotted on the WPC website. The listing suggests an imminent launch and also shows the design of the upcoming handset. The placement of the three rear cameras and the LED flash unit appears to be similar to the existing Samsung Galaxy S24 FE model. The silver rings around each camera sensor also showcase its similarity with the preceding smartphone. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE appears to have a flat display with a centred hole-punch slot at the top for the front camera. The volume rocker and power button are seen placed on the right edge of the handset. The phone is shown in a dark grey colourway. The design aligns with previously leaked renders as well.

The WPC listing for the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE suggests that it will support Qi2 wireless charging. Specifically, it will support the Baseline Power Profile (BPP), indicating that the handset will not have built-in magnets. However, users will be able to access wireless charging functionality through compatible cases.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will likely get a 6.7-inch 120Hz Flexible OLED display. It is said to be equipped with an Exynos 2400 or a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC. For optics, the phone is rumoured to get a 12-megapixel selfie camerea and an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom at the back. It is expected to launch in select global markets by October. The handset will likely ship with Android 16-based One UI 8.

Google on Wednesday released the latest Pixel drop for July 2025 and it brings several new features to Pixel devices. One of the biggest announcements is a free one year subscription to the Google AI Pro plan for Pixel 9 Pro owners. This gives them access to the company’s latest Veo 3 video generation model. Further, it brings Google’s recently introduced AI Mode in Circle-to-Search along with Gemini on Wear OS-powered Pixel Watch.

Google Pixel Drop: Features

Google detailed the new features arriving on Pixel devices in a blog post. The company said that Pixel 9 Pro owners can enjoy a free subscription to Google AI Pro plan for one year. This plan usually costs Rs. 1,950 per month in India. It brings access to advanced Gemini models such as 2.5 Pro and Deep Research on 2.5 Pro. There is also video generation with a limited access to the Veo 3 model.

Apart from this, Pixel 9 Pro owners can use Google’s AI filmmaking tool dubbed Flow, which has been custom-built with Veo 3. They also get higher limits for image-to-video creation powered by Veo 2 in Whisk. Across both apps, Google provides users with 1,000 monthly AI credits.

Additionally, the Google AI Pro plan also offers higher limits in Audio Overviews, access to Gemini in Google apps such as Chrome, Docs, and Gmail, and 2TB of cloud storage across Drive, Gmail, and Photos.

The Pixel Drop also brings AI Mode in Circle-to-Search to users in India and the US. They can type text-based prompts and receive detailed responses with inline citations. The company is also adding in-game help in the visual lookup tool, enabling users to discover helpful articles and videos of the exact spot that you’re stuck at in a game without having to switch apps.

Lastly, Pixel Watch users get access to Gemini on-the-go, with natural language support. They can ask the AI assistant to send text messages, provide directions, plan trips, set reminders, summarise emails, and remember details. These features are available on Wear OS-powered smartwatches running Wear OS 4 or later firmware.

Tecno Pova 7 5G series sale in India begins today. The lineup was launched on July 4 comprising the Pova 7 5G and the Pova 7 Pro 5G. Both handsets are powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate processor and pack 6,000mAh batteries. The phones features a Delta Light interface at the back that can be used for notification alerts, calls, and more. They are also equipped with Tecno’s Ella AI assistant with support for multiple Indian languages. As part of the launch offers, buyers can take advantage of bank-related benefits to get the Tecno Pova 7 5G series at a reduced price.

Tecno Pova 7 5G Series Price in India, Offers

The price of Tecno Pova 7 5G in India starts at Rs. 12,999 for the 8GB + 128GB RAM and storage configuration. It is also available in an 8GB + 256GB variant which costs Rs. 13,999. However, these are limited-period prices during the initial launch period that are inclusive of all bank offers.

The handset comes in Geek Black, Magic Silver, and Oasis Green colour options.

On the other hand, the Tecno Pova 7 Pro 5G is priced in India at Rs. 16,999 and Rs. 17,999 for the 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB configurations, respectively. It is available in Dynamic Grey, Geek Black, and Neon Cyan shades.

Further, Tecno offers a six-month no-cost EMI option on both handsets. They can be purchased from Flipkart starting 12 pm IST today.

Tecno Pova 7 5G Series Features, Specifications

The Tecno Pova 7 Pro 5G features a 6.78-inch 1.5K (1,224×2,720) AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and a 4,500 nits peak brightness. On the other hand, the standard Tecno Pova 7 5G has a 6.78-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,460 pixels) LTPS IPS screen with 900 nits brightness.

Under the hood, both phones are powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 onboard storage. The phones run on HiOS 15 based on Android 15.

For optics, the Tecno Pova 7 5G gets a 50-megapixel primary rear camera coupled with a Light sensor. Meanwhile, the Pro model features a 64-megapixel Sony IMX682 main sensor paired with an 8-megapixel secondary sensor. On the front, both phones have a 13-megapixel selfie camera.

The Tecno Pova 7 5G series packs a 6,000mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging. The Pro variant also supports 30W wireless charging. At the back, both phones feature a Delta interface, as Tecno calls it. An LED light strip, which is said to use 104 LEDs, is placed around the rear camera module. It can react to music, alert you of notifications and calls, work as a battery charging indicator, and more. 

Astronomers predict an unseen class of star-like bodies called “dark dwarfs” near our galaxy’s center. A new study suggests these objects could shine thanks to annihilating dark matter, not nuclear fusion. Dark matter makes up about a quarter of the universe and interacts via gravity. If WIMP-like dark matter particles collect in a brown dwarf, they would annihilate and heat it, causing a faint glow. Dark dwarfs would be too light to fuse hydrogen, but would keep lithium-7 in their atmospheres, offering a signature. This prediction comes from a JCAP study. The discovery of one could reveal dark matter’s nature.

Predicted Dark Dwarf Properties

According to the paper, sub-stellar objects just below the hydrogen-burning threshold would be powered by dark matter. The authors find that the minimum mass for hydrogen fusion shifts above ∼0.075 M⊙ in dense dark-matter environments, so lighter brown dwarfs instead become stable dark-matter–powered stars (‘dark dwarfs’) via WIMP annihilation inside them. They predict such objects only appear in regions with extremely high dark-matter density, like the Galactic center (ρ_DM ≳ 10^3 GeV/cm^3), because further out the halo is too tenuous. Crucially, dark dwarfs should retain lithium-7 in mass ranges where ordinary brown dwarfs burn it away, providing a clear observational signature.

Observational Prospects and Implications

Sakstein notes that powerful telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope might even already detect extremely cold objects like dark dwarfs near the galactic center. Alternatively, astronomers could survey brown dwarf populations for a rare sub-class with anomalous lithium content. Notably, even one confirmed dark dwarf would strongly favor heavy, self-annihilating dark matter.

Sakstein explains that finding dark dwarfs would provide “compelling evidence” for dark matter that is massive and interacts with itself – essentially WIMPs or similar particles. He notes that lighter candidates (like axions) would not produce such stars, so a dark dwarf discovery would disfavor those models. While not a proof of WIMPs, a dark dwarf detection would imply dark matter behaves like WIMPs (heavy and weakly interacting). Indeed, future surveys and JWST observations will also test these predictions.

In early July 2025, NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers snapped a rare image of a giant red “sprite” phenomenon erupting above a thunderstorm, as she orbited 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. Sprites are brief, luminous columns caused by powerful lightning discharges far below. Ayers noted that having the ISS vantage makes for a “great view above the clouds” and helps scientists analyze these elusive events. This sprite appeared over storm clouds spanning Mexico and the southern U.S. on July 3, 2025. The sighting coincides with NASA’s Spritacular citizen-science project, which crowdsources photos of sprites and other upper-atmosphere flashes.

Rare ‘Sprite’ Phenomenon Explained

According to NASA, sprites are one of the “least understood” and most visually striking upper-atmosphere phenomena. They are brief columns of red light that flash high above thunderclouds, triggered by powerful lightning strikes. Data show sprites often form around 50 miles (80 km) altitude above Earth. These fleeting bursts take varied shapes – tendrils, plumes or towering columns of red light.

In Ayers’s photo, the sprite looks like an inverted scarlet umbrella extending into the sky. Each sprite flash lasts only a few milliseconds, so every image provides valuable data. Observations from orbit and the ground are steadily building a clearer picture of these mysterious storm-driven events. For example, NASA’s Juno mission even recorded sprite-like flares in Jupiter’s atmosphere, suggesting similar lightning processes on other worlds.

Crowdsourcing Sprites

To gather more data on sprites, NASA launched the Spritacular citizen-science project. Through Spritacular, volunteers with cameras can submit photos of upper-atmosphere flashes for research. The project’s website reports over 800 volunteers from 21 countries have uploaded about 360 sprite sightings since its 2022 launch. Each contribution helps scientists map where and how sprites occur. Ayers’s ISS photo adds a valuable perspective that complements citizen reports.

Space.com notes that multiple ISS crew members have begun photographing sprites from orbit, bolstering the data. Spritacular principal investigator Dr. Burcu Kosar says the project “will bridge the gap” between casual observers and researchers. NASA scientists say many questions about how and why sprites form “remain unanswered”, so more images could soon help decode the mystery.

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