Data from millions of phones has helped produce the most complete map ever made of the ionosphere, part of Earth’s upper atmosphere. This could help us understand disturbances caused by geomagnetic storms and perhaps even improve GPS.

“Smartphone-based measurements cover twice as much of the ionosphere as traditional scientific monitoring stations,” says Brian Williams at Google Research. “It’s like there is a scientific monitoring station in every city where there are phones.”

Williams and his colleagues analysed data…

Shiny new phone? Preparing to get one soon? Congratulations, that’s always a great feeling, isn’t it? The dopamine hit of the mobile upgrade. But now it’s time to start thinking about some smarter more efficient ways to use that device, even if it’s not new. That’s where mobile accessories come into the equation. From stands to car mounts and portable power packs, they extend the functionality and usability of your favorite and beloved smartphone. Chief among the phone gear options is ESR Gear with its excellent selection of MagSafe accessories. Need an example? Look no further than the ESR 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger with Qi2 wireless charging and CryoBoost cooling technology. It can charge the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch, fast.

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Samsung is ramping up for the release of its Galaxy A36, expected in the first quarter of 2025, and reports suggest a notable upgrade to its front camera. The Galaxy A36’s front camera will feature a 12-megapixel sensor, a shift from previous models that had a 13-megapixel sensor.

This change, first reported by Galaxy Club, signals Samsung’s continued investment in the mid-range Galaxy A series as it competes in the smartphone market.

A leap forward for mid-range camera performance

The Galaxy A36 front camera change marks a departure from the A35’s 13-megapixel shooter. This move suggests Samsung is aiming to improve image clarity and low-light performance, focusing on a quality upgrade rather than increasing megapixels. Industry insiders anticipate that the shift to the 12-megapixel sensor, although modest, will bring significant image processing improvements that mid-range smartphone users will appreciate.

Notably, the Galaxy A36’s front camera will not use the same 12-megapixel sensor as the Galaxy A56, which is also scheduled for release. Samsung appears to be fine-tuning the Galaxy A36 to maintain its unique position in the lineup while ensuring the Galaxy A56, a higher model, maintains some competitive advantages in camera quality.

Apart from the front camera update, the Galaxy A36 will likely include other significant hardware enhancements. According to recent benchmarks, the Galaxy A36 will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 or 7s Gen 2 processor, with models reportedly tested with 6GB of RAM and the latest Android 15. These specs suggest a solid performance boost, with smoother multitasking and faster processing speeds than its predecessor.

Design and release timeline

Early images of the Galaxy A36 reveal a redesigned camera island, adding a refined look to the device’s back panel. Unlike the Galaxy A35, where camera lenses protrude individually, the Galaxy A36’s design appears more streamlined. Samsung has not confirmed the exact release date, but the Galaxy A36 will likely debut alongside the Galaxy A56 in March 2025.

The Federal Trade Commission will get a chance to argue its case for Meta’s breakup in court. On Wednesday, US District Judge James Boasberg allowed the FTC’s lawsuit against the social media giant to move forward (PDF link). The FTC first sued Meta in 2020 in an attempt to force the company, then known as Facebook, to divest itself of Instagram and WhatsApp. Alongside dozens of attorneys general, the agency alleged Meta acquired the platforms in 2012 and 2014 to stifle growing competition in the social media market.

This past April, Meta asked Judge Boasberg to dismiss the case. In addition to noting that the FTC had previously approved both acquisitions, Meta argued that the agency had failed to show that the company held monopoly power in the social networking services market, and that, in buying Instagram and WhatsApp, it had harmed consumers. Additionally, the company claimed that it had invested billions of dollars in both platforms and made them better as a result, to the benefit of social media users everywhere.

While he did not entirely dismiss the lawsuit, Boasberg did force the FTC to narrow its case, dismissing an allegation that Facebook had provided preferential access to developers who agreed not to compete with it.

“We are confident that the evidence at trial will show that the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have been good for competition and consumers. More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared these deals, and despite the overwhelming evidence that our services compete with YouTube, TikTok, X, Apple’s iMessage, and many others, the Commission is wrongly continuing to assert that no deal is ever truly final, and businesses can be punished for innovating,” a Meta spokesperson told Engadget. “We will review the opinion when it’s filed.”

Judge Boasberg will meet with the two sides on November 25 to schedule the trial. The FTC lawsuit, it should be noted, was filed under the previous Trump administration, though whether it moves forward and in what form will depend on who President-elect Trump appoints to lead the agency.