In an unexpected move, Nothing has unveiled an updated version of its Phone 2a, just a few months after the original model’s release in March. The new Phone 2a Plus offers a few noteworthy enhancements over its predecessor, while maintaining much of the same hardware and design.

Key Features and Improvements

• Upgraded Processor: The most significant change in the Phone 2a Plus is its new MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip, which boasts a clock speed of 3.0GHz, compared to the original 2a’s Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro that maxed out at 2.8GHz.
• Enhanced Charging Speed: The wired charging capability has been slightly improved, with the 2a Plus supporting 50W charging, up from the 45W of the original model.

Unchanged Aspects

• Camera System: The camera setup remains the same as the original Phone 2a.
• Battery: No changes have been made to the battery specifications.
• Display and Design: The Phone 2a Plus features the same display and aesthetic design as its predecessor, maintaining the unique look that was praised in the original review.

Availability and Pricing

• US Market: The Phone 2a Plus will be available to US customers through Nothing’s beta program. However, only the gray version will be available, and it will not support true 5G connectivity on major US carriers like AT&T and Verizon.
• Price: Priced at $400, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
• Release Dates: Beta members in the US can order the phone starting August 3. UK residents can purchase it directly from Nothing on the same day. Global availability details are expected to be announced in September.

Upcoming Software Updates

Nothing OS 2.6: Alongside the hardware announcement, Nothing also shared insights about the forthcoming Nothing OS 2.6. The update will feature an improved Game Dashboard with new functionalities and the ability to block notifications from third-party apps.

The Phone 2a Plus represents a modest but meaningful upgrade, providing enhanced performance and faster charging while retaining the elements that made the original Phone 2a popular. As Nothing continues to refine its offerings, users can look forward to both hardware and software improvements designed to enhance the overall user experience.

Ken Griffin, the billionaire investor, just bought a nearly complete Stegosaurus fossil for a staggering $44.6 million at a Sotheby’s auction. This fossil, named “Apex,” is one of the most complete Stegosaurus skeletons ever found.

The auction’s final price was much higher than the expected $4 million to $6 million, setting a new record for dinosaur fossil sales. The previous record was $31.8 million for a T. rex named Stan, sold in 2020.

Griffin said, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!” He plans to loan the fossil to an American museum so the public can see it.

The Stegosaurus, which was found in Dinosaur, Colorado, is 27 feet long and 11 feet tall. It lived about 150 million years ago. The fossil was discovered by paleontologist Jason Cooper in 2022.

Some scientists are unhappy with such fossils being sold to private buyers instead of museums or research centers. However, Griffin’s plan to loan Apex to a museum could help make it accessible to everyone.

Griffin, who has a net worth of $37.9 billion, has donated over $2 billion to various causes. His latest purchase continues his tradition of supporting museums and public exhibits.

In summary, Ken Griffin’s purchase of Apex not only breaks records but also aims to educate the public by making this rare fossil available for viewing.

TikTok is venturing into new territory with the introduction of TikTok Notes, a photo-sharing application that mirrors the traditional Instagram experience. Currently, in a trial phase in Australia and Canada, this new platform represents TikTok’s broader strategy to diversify its offerings and secure its user base against potential regulatory challenges in the United States.

“TikTok Notes is designed as a dedicated space for photo and text content, enriching the ways our community shares and connects,” TikTok announced on the social media platform X. The app encourages users to document life’s moments, from daily snapshots to creative expressions, in a format that emphasizes photo content over video.

The layout of TikTok Notes will be familiar to social media enthusiasts, featuring a dual-feed system similar to TikTok’s structure. Users will navigate through a “For You” feed for recommended content and a “Following” feed to keep up with users they are interested in. The posts, comprising single images or photo carousels accompanied by detailed captions, are reminiscent of the early days of Instagram before its shift towards video-centric content.

This development comes amid persistent rumors and hints found within TikTok’s code by reverse engineering experts. The move to launch a photo-centric app could be seen as a strategic hedge against the potential legal and regulatory battles TikTok faces in the U.S., offering a fallback that could help retain its audience should complications arise with its main platform.

Moreover, the timing of TikTok Notes’ introduction could not be more poignant. Many Instagram users have expressed dissatisfaction with recent changes to their platform’s reach and visibility. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has been active in addressing these concerns but has yet to quell the growing discontent among creators. This new app from TikTok might just offer those disaffected Instagram users a new home for their photo content, leveraging the current climate of frustration to draw users to its burgeoning service.

As TikTok continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, TikTok Notes represents just the latest in its creative outreach efforts. While currently limited to Australia and Canada, the global TikTok community is keenly watching for signs of a broader rollout, particularly in markets like the United States, where the app’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing debates over digital security and platform governance.