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The sun has entered a new “solar cycle”, Nasa has said.Officially named “Solar Cycle 25”, it signals that there will be an increase in space weather that could have effects for technology on Earth as well as astronauts in space.The finding will be key to ensuring that the world is ready to deal with the various problems and complications that can come as a result of that change in space weather, experts said.“There is no bad weather, just bad preparation,” said Jake Bleacher, chief scientist for NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at the agency’s Headquarters. “Space weather is what it is – our job is to prepare.”The solar minimum that marks the end of the previous cycle actually happened in December 2019, Nasa said. But the variability of the Sun means that knowing for sure can take months.As the Sun heads into its new cycle, it could lead to dramatic events on the surface – giant explosions such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections. Those can spew “light, energy and solar material” into space, Nasa noted.“We keep a detailed record of the few tiny sunspots that mark the onset and rise of the new cycle,” said Frédéric Clette, the director of the World Data Center for the Sunspot Index and Long-term Solar Observations, which works to track those sunspots.“These are the diminutive heralds of future giant solar fireworks. It is only by tracking the general trend over many months that we can determine the tipping point between two cycles.”Scientists expect that activity will rise until July 2025, when the Sun reaches its next predicted maximum.They noted that this cycle is expected to be comparable to the previous cycle, which was below average. But that does not mean there are not risks, researchers said.“Just because it’s a below-average solar cycle, doesn’t mean there is no risk of extreme space weather,” said Doug Biesecker, a solar physicist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. “The Sun’s impact on our daily lives is real and is there.”

Apple is about to roll out major updates for the iPhone and all of its other major products.The new versions of the operating systems will come tomorrow, 16 September, the company said.As well as iOS 14, for the iPhone, new versions of iPadOS, WatchOS, and the operating system for the Apple TV will be released at the same time.iOS 14 brings a host of new features to the iPhone, including a redesigned home screen that allows apps to be hidden away when they are not in use.

Apple has launched a new line-up of iPads, including a redesigned version of the Air.It borrows from the look of the newer iPad Pro, which have square sides and no home button on the front.The Touch ID fingerprint sensor that was in that home button has been moved into the power button, Apple said. On the Pro, that problem was overcome with the addition of Face ID facial recognition, but that will not be present in the new iPad Air.But otherwise the Air now includes almost every feature from the Pro line-up. The more expensive iPad also includes Apple’s LiDAR sensor – a depth-sensing technology rumoured to be coming to the iPhone 12 – as well as an extra normal camera and a slightly larger and faster display.The new tablet makes use of new Apple chips that allow it to be 40 per cent faster than the previous model, the company says. That A14 chip is the first of Apple’s processors to use the 5nm process, which Apple said allowed for the chips to be made in ways that “challenge the law of physics”.Aside from the increased performance, the new Air will include new colours such as a green and pink. And it will now work with other devices, such as Apple’s own Smart Keyboard.Apple also updated the cheapest iPad – just called the iPad – with new Apple Pencil features and faster chips.

Apple has unveiled a host of new and updated products, including a revamped range of iPads, Apple Watches and a workout platform.The ‘Time Flies’ event was held at the same time of year that Apple typically announces its latest iPhone, though there was not a single mention of the iPhone 12.Apple had previously mentioned in a call to investors that its flagship device would be delayed by “a few weeks”, but it is still not clear when the launch will take place.It was the first big product reveal since the coronavirus pandemic and despite being presented from Apple Park in California, the entire event took place virtually through an online stream on its website.Show latest update
1600196171Watch the whole event here:[embedded content]Anthony Cuthbertson15 September 2020 17:551600154565Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Apple’s “Time Flies” event, which begins at 6pm UK time (or in just under 10 hours).Andrew Griffin15 September 2020 08:221600161107Is the iPhone 12 coming today? The short answer is: nobody outside of Apple can know for sure. But our best guess is no.Andrew Griffin15 September 2020 10:111600161154Andrew Griffin15 September 2020 10:121600163020UK parliamentary committee accuses Apple of ‘refusing to answer questions on environmental sustainability and repairability of its products’To mark the launch of the new products today, the UK’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has accused Apple of failing to answer questions “on its environmental record and repairability of its devices”.The company was asked to participate in an inquiry into electronic waste but cancelled its appearance at late notice, the committee said. Its chair, Philip Dunne, said he had written to Tim Cook to request an explanation but is “yet to receive a substantive reply”.“Apple has made more than two billion iPhones – a phone for every person in the whole of Africa and Europe. Today, as Apple unveils its next generation of gadgets, my Committee continues to wait for answers on what the company is doing to tackle its environmental footprint,” Mr Dunne said in a statement.“With the speed at which new devices are brought to market, tech companies drive consumers to buy new products rather than prolonging the life of their existing items. It can also be very difficult to repair electronic devices, with many companies making it almost impossible – or if possible, very expensive – for consumers to have the ability to fix themselves. As a result, we’re seeing a throwaway society for electronics, and tech companies must take responsibility for the environmental impact that this causes. A circular economy with repair and recycling at its heart is crucial if we are to tackle the climate emergency.“Apple appears to have a positive story to tell regarding its efforts on climate change. But its unwillingness to answer my Committee’s questions has led us to believe its environmental obligations is not taken seriously enough.”Andrew Griffin15 September 2020 10:431600168680Late rumours about the iPhone 12Rumours are still coming in about the iPhone(s) 12, at this late* stage: reliable Apple analyst Ming-chi Kuo reports that the new phones won’t have the fast 120Hz refresh rate that had been rumoured. That has the effect of making the screen look smoother, and is already in place on a variety of other flagship phones – but the new report says that Apple has abandoned it for battery life reasons, presumably pushing it back into next year.(Obviously, as before, we don’t know how late these rumours are: this could be announced in just a few hours. Or it could not be announced for another few weeks!)Andrew Griffin15 September 2020 12:181600172914If you’ve ever wondered what an Apple-designed face mask might look like, employees have shared pictures of their in-house facewear.This one shared by Reddit user Dualjpg shows a clean and simple design that you might expect from the tech giant.