📱 iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost projected to jump by 38%

The Bill of Materials (BOM) cost for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is estimated to increase by up to 38% compared to its predecessor. This significant rise applies specifically to the 256GB storage version of the device. According to TrendForce, the baseline 256GB model is expected to cost as much as $1,399 at launch. Memory components alone are projected to balloon from 10% to 42% of the BOM by the first half of 2027. Apple might absorb some of these higher costs by cutting its profit margins. 📈

🦅 Internet's Big Bear Bald Eagle, Jackie, Passes Away 🦅

Jackie, the globally recognized bald eagle from Big Bear Valley, has sadly died after a prolonged illness. The Ojai Raptor Center announced this on Monday, August 10, confirming her passing after over three weeks of intensive medical treatment. Jackie was part of the online community watched via livestreams, having hatched in spring 2012. Her story highlighted the recovery of bald eagles in the United States through her resilience. Her remains have now been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

🦾 DNA and glass make super-strong, light material

Scientists created a novel material by combining the structure of DNA with pure glass to achieve incredible properties. This breakthrough was developed by researchers from the University of Connecticut, Columbia University, and Brookhaven National Lab. The resulting nanolattices are five times lighter and four times stronger than steel, as demonstrated in studies from 2023 and 2024. The initial method used DNA as a temporary scaffold before heat-treating the structure. Future work aims to scale this technology for applications like advanced armor. 🦾

📱 WhatsApp in-chat search for iPhone is coming

WhatsApp is rolling out an in-chat search feature for iPhone users. This new functionality is being tested by the company across various iOS versions. The feature is expected to be widely available by late 2024. It aims to help users quickly find specific messages within long conversations. Developers are continuously updating the app to improve user experience.

📈 YouTube raises entry bar for creator earnings 📉

YouTube announced Monday that it is increasing the entry requirements for the main tier of its YouTube Partner Program. This change will specifically affect creators across the platform in the US. For long-form videos, the requirement jumps to 8,000 watch hours in 12 months, while Shorts need 20 million views in 90 days. These updates are part of YouTube's plan to broaden monetization beyond just ad revenue. Creators already in YPP will remain eligible, but new applicants face higher hurdles.

🛡️ Chinese part found in Royal Navy drones

The Ministry of Defence confirmed there is no evidence of a data breach involving the Royal Navy's new sea drones. During a routine cyber vulnerability assessment, it was found that the drones' cameras sent a signal to a Chinese IP address. This occurred while the Navy procured 20 K3 Scout surveillance drones at a London exhibition last year. The MoD spokesperson stated that a thorough investigation found no external access or compromise of MoD data or systems. This incident highlights ongoing struggles in sourcing China-free materials, even within the defense sector. 🧐

📈 Unemployment rate ticks up slightly in April-June quarter

The unemployment rate for those 15 and older increased to 5.4% during the April-June 2026 quarter. This rise of 0.4 percentage points was reported by the PLFS from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The rural unemployment rate was 4.8%, while the urban rate edged up to 6.7% from the prior quarter. Additionally, the share of regular wage and salaried employees grew in both rural and urban settings. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate saw a slight decline to 54.6% in this period.

🚨 India's Privacy Bubble is Bursting 🤯

Two potentially dangerous acts have been passed in India, raising serious concerns about digital privacy for citizens. These laws have been enacted by the government, impacting individuals across the country. The specific details of the acts and their implementation timeline are yet to be fully disclosed. Critics argue these measures erode fundamental rights and increase surveillance capabilities significantly. The public and legal experts are now closely watching how these new regulations will be enforced moving forward.

😥 Brad Pitt shares mental health struggles and drinking relapse

Brad Pitt revealed that 'family stuff' negatively impacted his mental health during a tough period. The Oscar-winner discussed his return to drinking after seven years of sobriety while facing legal issues with Angelina Jolie. He recalled a dark time where he felt overwhelming pain, though he denied being suicidal. The divorce, finalized in December 2024, followed a separation in 2016. Pitt now approaches alcohol in a much more controlled and disciplined manner. 😔

🛰️ NASA hacks power for aging Voyager 2

NASA engineers successfully engineered a 'Big Bang' plan to boost power for the Voyager 2 spacecraft. This action was taken by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory team at the spacecraft's location. Since 2024, the probe has lost power due to decaying plutonium, which drops by about 4 watts annually. This power-saving measure prevents the shutdown of another instrument before the end of 2026. The freed energy should keep its three remaining instruments running for at least one more year. 🚀

🔬 Carp Relatives Fight Koi Herpesvirus Infections

Researchers found that common carp relatives can effectively blunt infections caused by koi herpesvirus. This study was conducted by scientists at the University of Birmingham. The research tracked the virus's impact over several months in their lab settings. The findings provide crucial new insights into controlling potential disease outbreaks in koi populations. Future studies will explore how to best apply this knowledge for better fish health management.