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NASA Transmitted a Laser Message to Earth from a Distance of Ten Million Miles

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The World Wide Web will eventually need to be expanded throughout the cosmos, and NASA has showcased a crucial technological advancement that could make this possible by beaming laser communications over a distance of over 16 million kilometers (10 million miles).

The achievement, made in November 2023, marked the first time that optical communications have been delivered beyond a distance that is roughly 40 times farther than the Moon is from Earth.

While radio waves have historically been used to communicate with far-off spacecraft, higher light frequencies, such as near infrared, provide a significant increase in bandwidth and consequently faster data transfer rates.

‘First light’ refers to the successful establishing of the communication link during the test, which was a component of NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment.

“Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity’s next giant leap,” stated at the time NASA Headquarters’ director of technology demonstrations, Trudy Kortes.

Similar technology that is integrated into optical fibers is used by all of us for high-speed, ground-based communications; but, in this case, it was modified for usage via outer space to enhance currently used techniques for returning data to Earth.

Engineers can readily transfer infrared light in the form of laser beams. The light will not move much faster as a result of this, but it will be more organized and limited to a small channel. This is more difficult to intercept and uses a lot less power than a dispersion of radio waves.

That does not imply that the task is easy. A superconducting high-efficiency detector array is one of the heavy-duty instruments needed to prepare the data for transmission and translate it at the other end because the data bits are embedded in the photons that the laser emits.

Having the system adjust its placement configuration in real time presents another difficulty. In the most recent test, it took the laser photons fifty seconds to go from the spacecraft to the telescope, and throughout that time, both were traveling at high speed through space.

The Psyche spacecraft is currently on a multi-year journey to explore the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The laser transceiver responsible for the successful connection is located on board. It established communication with the Californian Palomar Observatory’s Hale Telescope.

Tests will continue to be conducted to ensure that this cutting-edge near-infrared laser communication technology is as trustworthy and quick as it needs to be in preparation for Psyche’s planned flyby of Mars.

“It was a formidable challenge, and we have a lot more work to do, but for a short time, we were able to transmit, receive, and decode some data,” according to Meera Srinivasan, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s DSOC operations head.

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Sony has Revealed the PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and a Limited Edition PSOne-Style Device

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In the PlayStation video below, the collection was unveiled along with a limited-edition DualSense, DualSense Edge, and PlayStation Portal. All products will be available for preorder starting on September 26 and will ship on November 21.

There are just 12,300 PS5 Pro bundles available worldwide, making it probably the most limited edition. Included in the bundle are the DualSense Edge controller and case in the iconic PlayStation design, along with the PS5 Pro itself, a vertical stand, a charging station, and other accessories. Along with four cable ties designed in the image of the sacred symbols, an original PlayStation controller-style cable connector, a sticker, poster, and paperclip are also included.

The PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition is the other console that is available; however, if you want to utilize discs on the retro-themed console, you will still need to purchase a matching disc drive cover. Along with four cable ties designed to resemble sacred symbols, a sticker, poster, paperclip, and the original PlayStation controller-style cable connector, it also includes a standard DualSense controller and a vertical stand.

Sony withheld the pricing of any of the collection’s products, but enthusiasts who aren’t willing to shell out a lot of cash will be glad to hear that the DualSense controller and DualSense Edge will be sold individually.

As stated on the PlayStation Blog, preorders will be accessible to PlayStation Network account holders via PlayStation Direct on September 26. Additionally, between September 26 and October 10, participating shops will be taking preorders for the DualSense controller and the PS5 Digital Edition. On September 26, those who wish to preorder PlayStation Direct in nations where it is not accessible can do so at participating retailers.

At a technical conference on September 10, PlayStation unveiled the PS5 Pro and its $699.99 price tag. Those who like to use discs and stand their PS5 Pro upright will have to shell out approximately $805 since the regular model does not come with a disc drive or vertical stand.

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Google experiments with Android tablets’ desktop windowing

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Google is testing a new feature for Android tablets that would allow you to easily rearrange apps on your screen and resize them, which will facilitate multitasking. Developer previews of the “desktop windowing” functionality are now accessible, and you can even run multiple instances of the app simultaneously if they support it.

At the moment, Android tablet apps always open in full screen mode. Each program will show up in a window with controls to let you move, maximize, or close it when the new mode is enabled. Moreover, your open programs will be listed in a taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

It sounds a lot like Stage Manager for the iPad, which allows you to do the same with windows on your screen, or with almost any desktop operating system. For years, Samsung has also provided its DeX experience, which gives Android apps on Galaxy phones and tablets desktop-like window management.

When the functionality becomes available to all users, you may activate it by tapping and holding the window handle located at the top of an application’s screen. The shortcut meta key (Windows, Command, or Search) + Ctrl + Down can also be used to enter desktop mode if a keyboard is connected. (You can drag a window to the top of your screen to dismiss the mode, or you can close all of your open apps.)

Apps that are locked to portrait orientation can still be resized, according to Google, which could have odd visual effects if some apps aren’t optimized. Google intends to fix this in a later release, though, by scaling non-resizable apps’ user interfaces without changing their aspect ratios.

For the time being, users with the most recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel Tablets can access the developer preview.

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Sony Faces Backlash for Pricing PlayStation 5 Pro Well Above Xbox

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Sony Group Corp. has set the price of its new, faster PlayStation 5 Pro at $700, significantly higher than Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, which costs $600. The PlayStation 5 Pro, launching on November 7, comes at a $200 premium over the original PS5, suggesting Sony is targeting a loyal audience willing to pay extra for enhanced performance.

This pricing positions both Sony and Microsoft at the high end of the gaming console market. Four years into their product life cycles, the two most popular home consoles are moving towards premium models. Analysts are split on whether Sony’s pricing strategy will drive sales, especially as it seeks to grow its entertainment portfolio across gaming, anime, and film.

Industry analyst Serkan Toto described the PlayStation 5 Pro as a niche device aimed at hardcore PlayStation users, rather than a mass-market offering. “It’s about Sony skimming the absolute top end of the market,” he said, with the gaming world questioning Sony’s high pricing.

Others speculate that Sony’s pricing strategy is aimed at boosting margins, particularly after recent price hikes in Japan due to rising component costs like chips. The new console will allow for higher resolution and faster frame rates without requiring users to switch between performance modes, delivering 45% faster rendering than the standard PS5, according to lead architect Mark Cerny.

Despite the steep price, some analysts believe Sony could benefit. Citi analyst Kota Ezawa pointed out that no previous game console successor has been priced significantly higher than the original model, and that the PS5 Pro’s improved components may not justify such a big price jump. Nevertheless, the higher price could enhance Sony’s gross margins.

The PlayStation 5, which has sold over 59 million units since its 2020 release, has slightly lagged behind the PlayStation 4. The increased cost of the PS5 Pro may narrow its appeal, as the price edges closer to that of a gaming PC—one of the console market’s biggest competitors.

Reviewers also highlighted the lack of a disc drive in the new model, reflecting a broader industry shift from physical media to digital content. A disc drive will be available separately for purchase.

In a blog post, Sony announced that the PS5 Pro would enhance the performance of older titles, with several popular games such as Hogwarts Legacy, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Spider-Man 2 receiving free updates to take advantage of the console’s new features.

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