Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Claims went viral alleging all Amazon Ring doorbells were hacked on 28 May
TikTok and Reddit users shared screenshots of multiple unauthorised logins
Cybersecurity expert initially investigated the claims
Amazon has confirmed the issue was a backend update error
No evidence of unauthorised access to customer accounts
Claims that Amazon Ring doorbells were hacked en masse on 28 May 2025 have gone viral across TikTok and Reddit, prompting widespread concern among users. The screenshots circulating online appeared to show suspicious logins on that date. However, Amazon has since confirmed that these login records were the result of a system error and not a breach.
Social media claims spark alarm
The rumours gained traction after users on TikTok and Reddit posted screenshots showing multiple unauthorised device logins on their Ring accounts, all dated 28 May. Given the recent warning sent to 220 million Amazon Prime users about account attacks, fears of a mass hack quickly escalated.
Cybersecurity writer and analyst Davey Winder was initially sceptical of the claims, but decided to investigate after seeing the volume of seemingly credible screenshots being shared.
Expert review reveals system inconsistencies
Upon checking his own Ring account, Winder discovered a similarly long list of logins dated 28 May. However, on closer inspection, he recognised all the devices listed, and noted that some were no longer in his possession at the time. He concluded it was highly unlikely to be a hack and more plausibly a technical glitch.
Amazon confirms backend update error
Amazon’s Ring team addressed the matter on 18 July in a public statement:
“We are aware of an issue where information is displaying inaccurately in Control Center. This is the result of a backend update, and we’re working to resolve this. We have no reason to believe this is the result of unauthorised access to customer accounts.”
The company reassured users that their Ring doorbell accounts remain secure and that the unusual log entries do not indicate a breach.
No cause for panic, say experts
While the false alarm has highlighted the public’s increasing concern over smart home security, experts advise users to remain cautious but not alarmed. Keeping devices updated, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication remain the best defences against actual cyber threats.
Google is currently experiencing a widespread outage affecting several of its core services, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet, and other Workspace tools.
According to a status update from Google, the issue began at approximately 3:10 pm and is causing delays and error messages across multiple platforms.
By 4:30pm, outage reports had peaked, with hundreds of users logging problems on DownDetector, a site that tracks service disruptions.
The problems extend to key services such as Google Docs, Google Chat, and Google Analytics, with many users unable to access or load content.
In a brief update, Google confirmed:
“Various Workspace services are experiencing elevated latency and error rates.”
Users have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share their frustrations. One user wrote: “Google would go down on a Friday lol — like this couldn’t wait ‘til Monday?” Another joked: “Google Drive is down? Well, my work day is over then.”
As of now, Google has not confirmed the cause of the outage or when full service will be restored.
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Google is positioning its Gemini assistant not only as a source of information but as an agentic tool
Google adds Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search to AI Mode
New features available to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers
AI-powered phone calls now available via Project Astra for business enquiries
Changes reflect Google's continued shift towards AI-led search experiences
Google rolls out Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search in AI Mode
Google is expanding its AI-powered Search capabilities by rolling out Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search within its dedicated AI Mode interface. The features are launching today for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers, further advancing the company's efforts to position AI Mode as the main way users interact with Google Search.
Both tools were initially previewed during the Google I/O 2025 conference and are now being fully integrated into the search chatbot.
What is Deep Search?
Deep Search is designed to offer more nuanced and thorough search results by analysing intent beyond standard keyword matching. When paired with Gemini 2.5 Pro, it enables more context-aware responses and layered reasoning—potentially replacing conventional browsing for complex queries.
These features were previously accessible through other interfaces, but their inclusion in AI Mode marks a strategic shift toward an AI-first search experience.
AI-powered phone calls go live
Alongside search enhancements, Google is also beginning to roll out AI-driven phone calls using its Project Astra framework. This feature, teased earlier this year, allows the Gemini assistant to make calls to local businesses to check for availability and pricing.
When a user searches for a business or service, they may see an option such as “Have AI check prices”, which will prompt the system to call the business on the user’s behalf. While available to all users, those on AI Pro and AI Ultra plans will benefit from higher usage limits.
A broader shift to AI-first search
These updates continue Google’s broader move to embed AI more deeply into Search, following the general rollout of AI Mode in May 2025. The ultimate goal appears to be transitioning users away from traditional search results and toward an interactive, AI-powered interface.
As these tools expand and improve, Google is positioning its Gemini assistant not only as a source of information but as an agentic tool—capable of acting on users’ behalf in both digital and real-world contexts.
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The Eternaut’s VFX scene was completed with generative AI at record speed
Netflix confirms first use of generative AI in visual effects for Argentine sci-fi series The Eternaut.
AI helped complete a key building collapse scene 10 times faster than traditional methods.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos says AI is a tool to enhance creativity, not replace artists.
Move comes amid ongoing debate in the industry over AI’s role and job implications.
Netflix has confirmed using artificial intelligence to generate final visual effects footage for the first time in one of its original shows. The streaming giant revealed that generative AI was used to create a dramatic building collapse in the upcoming Argentine sci-fi series The Eternaut, enabling the scene to be completed significantly faster and more cost-effectively than with traditional VFX tools.
The Eternaut brings Argentina’s legendary sci-fi comic to life using new AI toolsInstagram/theeternaut.netflix
Why did Netflix use AI for The Eternaut?
Netflix turned to generative AI to tackle budget limitations while producing the ambitious sci-fi series The Eternaut, which follows survivors of a toxic snowfall in Buenos Aires. According to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, the AI-powered tools enabled the VFX team to complete a complex building collapse sequence at a fraction of the usual time and cost.
Speaking during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Sarandos said the scene was finished “10 times faster than it could have been completed with traditional workflows.” He added, “The cost just wouldn’t have been feasible for a show in that budget.” Netflix collaborated with Eyeline Studios, its in-house production team, to deliver the final footage.
The use of AI in The Eternaut marks a pivotal shift in how streaming platforms may approach content creation. While AI has already been used in pre-visualisation and shot planning, this is the first instance where Netflix deployed it for final VFX output in a show.
Sarandos described the AI tools as an “incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper.” He emphasised that real people were still behind the work, using AI to enhance, not replace their craft. “This is real people doing real work with better tools,” he said.
The successful integration of generative AI could open doors for smaller productions to achieve high-end visuals without blockbuster budgets, levelling the playing field in an increasingly competitive market.
Netflix’s announcement comes amid ongoing industry concerns about the role of AI in filmmaking. In 2023, both Hollywood writers and actors went on strike, with AI being a central issue. Unions demanded protections to ensure that AI would not be used to replace human talent or exploit existing creative works without consent.
While Netflix presents its use of AI as a creative aid, many in the industry remain sceptical. Critics argue that relying on AI could devalue craftsmanship and threaten jobs in areas like screenwriting, visual effects, and animation.
The backlash has already had real-world effects. Filmmaker Tyler Perry famously paused a £634 million (₹6,700 crore) studio expansion due to uncertainty over AI’s long-term impact on jobs and creative processes.
Beyond production, Netflix is exploring how AI can improve the user experience. Co-CEO Greg Peters hinted at future developments, suggesting that AI could enhance content discovery through more natural, conversational search queries. For instance, users could soon find shows by describing mood, genre, or era.
Additionally, Peters mentioned that generative AI could be used to streamline ad creation, potentially reducing costs for advertisers while maintaining relevance for viewers.
Netflix’s decision to embrace AI in production, particularly in a high-visibility series like The Eternaut, signals that the technology is here to stay. But as the platform moves forward, it faces growing pressure to balance innovation with ethical responsibility.
Fitbit Charge 6 now available for £72 — the lowest price to date
Original retail price: £125
Includes ECG, heart rate and blood oxygen tracking, and a 7-day battery
What is the Fitbit Charge 6 and why is it still relevant?
Launched in 2023 by Google, the Fitbit Charge 6 remains a compelling choice for users wanting a feature-rich fitness tracker without committing to a full-blown smartwatch. While fitness bands have lost some popularity in favour of affordable smartwatches, the Charge 6 retains its appeal thanks to its health tracking capabilities and long battery life.
Where is the best Fitbit Charge 6 deal right now?
The Charge 6 is currently on sale for just £72 — a significant drop from its original price of £125. This new low applies to brand-new, sealed units in the Porcelain/Silver colour option. The deal makes it one of the most affordable advanced fitness trackers currently available.
What features does the Fitbit Charge 6 include?
Despite its compact form, the Charge 6 includes many premium features:
The electrocardiogram (ECG) function to detect irregular heart rhythms
24/7 heart rate tracking with improved accuracy
Blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring
Stress tracking and management tools
Sleep analysis and score
Built-in Google Maps and Google Wallet access
Up to 7-day battery life
Vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display
These functions are typically reserved for more expensive devices, making the Charge 6 especially attractive at this lower price point.
Will there be a Fitbit Charge 7 soon?
There’s no official word yet from Google on a Charge 7 release. The Charge 6 is now nearly two years old, leading to speculation of a possible update. However, the current model still performs strongly and delivers good value, especially for buyers prioritising health features over apps.
Should you consider buying the Fitbit Charge 6?
If you're after a reliable and easy-to-use fitness tracker, this is one of the best options available under £75. While it lacks the broader app support of devices like the Apple Watch, the Charge 6 excels in essentials: battery life, heart health, and ease of use.
It’s suitable for both Android and iPhone users and is ideal for anyone who wants to monitor their wellbeing without the distraction of a more complex device.
This is a limited-time deal, and availability may vary. Buyers are encouraged to act promptly if interested.
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The infant star HOPS-315 showing the first signs of planet formation.
Scientists detect earliest stage of planet formation around star HOPS-315.
Discovery made using data from JWST and ALMA telescopes.
Findings could mirror conditions in our solar system 4.6 billion years ago.
Research published in top journal Nature on 16 July.
In a historic breakthrough, astronomers have captured what they call the “earliest moment” when planets begin to form, not around our Sun, but around a young star named HOPS-315 located about 1,300 light-years away in the Orion constellation. The discovery marks the first time solid mineral grains, the initial seeds of planet formation, have been observed emerging within a protoplanetary disk around a new-born star.
The finding was made possible by the combined power of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. The results were published on Wednesday (16 July) in the journal Nature.
An image taken by ALMA showing jets of silicon monoxide (SiO) blowing away from the baby star HOPS-315ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.)
JWST and ALMA uncover the origin of rocky worlds
The team, led by Leiden University astronomer Melissa McClure, used JWST’s high-resolution infrared data and ALMA’s radio imaging to peer through dense clouds of dust surrounding HOPS-315, a protostar weighing about 60% the mass of our Sun.
What they found was unprecedented: crystalline silicates and gaseous silicon monoxide, crucial ingredients for rocky planet formation, beginning to solidify in a zone comparable to our solar system’s asteroid belt. This specific location suggests a likely match to the area in our system where similar minerals first condensed before forming planets.
“We’ve finally captured a glimpse of where Earth-like planets might start their journey,” McClure said. “This is the clearest snapshot of the early stages of planet formation we’ve ever seen.”
The infant star HOPS-315 showing the first signs of planet formation. ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.)
HOPS-315 resembles our solar system’s ‘time zero’
Scientists often rely on ancient meteorites to understand the early solar system, particularly calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions (CAIs), which are the oldest solid materials known to have formed around the Sun. But direct observation of such a moment elsewhere in the universe had never been achieved, until now.
HOPS-315, still surrounded by its original envelope of dust and gas, is oriented in such a way that astronomers could view its inner disk, a rare alignment that acted like a cosmic window. The young star is currently shooting out jets of material, but researchers confirmed the silicon-based minerals are part of the swirling disk, not the jet.
“This system is like a baby picture of our own solar system,” said Merel van ’t Hoff of Purdue University, a co-author of the study.
A promising model for studying early planet formation
While previous research has often focused on older, cooler planetary disks, this is the first confirmed observation of hot minerals beginning to condense in real time, the critical first step in planetesimal creation. These planetesimals, in turn, grow into planets over millions of years.
Phil Armitage, a theorist from Stony Brook University not involved in the study, said, “The minerals forming around HOPS-315 are consistent with what we’d expect during our solar system’s earliest stage, a fraction of a million years into its birth.”
Though the researchers did not detect CAIs directly, the conditions around HOPS-315 match several leading models of how such minerals emerged in our solar system.
An illustration shows the condensation hot gas condenses into solid minerals around the baby star HOPS-315, the genesis of planets around this star ESO/L. Cal\u00e7ada/ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.)
What’s next? More young stars under the lens
The discovery raises the possibility that other young protostars may also be going through similar processes. One potential target is HOPS-68, previously observed by NASA’s Spitzer telescope. With JWST’s enhanced sensitivity, astronomers now hope to revisit such targets and uncover more examples of planets in their earliest stages.
As McClure notes, “Only about 2% of the silicon we expected was found in the star’s jet. That suggests the rest may already be forming larger rocky bodies within the disk.”
The findings not only provide a window into the origins of our own solar system but also open the door to studying the universal conditions that lead to planet formation.