Dusty Mag

Elecom is introducing a power bank that is powered by a sodium-ion mobile battery. The Japanese electronics company claims this is the first in the world. Its environmentally friendly approach attracts consumers to call it the next-generation battery.

Prior to the groundbreaking innovation, the accessory maker had been in the mobile battery-selling scene in Japan since 2010. In line with this, it holds the most sales volume in the country for 11 consecutive years – until now.

However, Elecom and the people behind it recognized that their lithium-ion products pose a negative impact on the environment. At the same time, this kind of battery entails the possibility of grave danger. Accordingly, the sodium-ion battery is the Osaka-based manufacturer’s answer to the problems.

Based on a press release by the company, the product boasts four game-changing aspects.

Sustainable Approach

Traditional mobile batteries, specifically lithium-ion, require metals like cobalt and lithium. Consequently, this presents environmental pollution and safety concerns during mining. On the other hand, a sodium-ion battery is much easier to produce and more abundantly available. It enables a stable supply and fixes the problems concerning the environment.

Versatility and Reliability

The new revolutionary battery is suitable for use in any weather condition. It will work even in the most harsh environments, ranging from -35℃ to 50℃. So, consumers do not have to worry whether the product will function when they are on snowy mountains or under the extreme heat of the sun.

Next-level Safety

Compared to a conventional lithium-ion battery, sodium-ion batteries are less likely to catch fire or cause thermal runaway. It includes Thermal Protection and features a safe circuit design.

Durability

A sodium-ion battery promises a lifespan of approximately 5,000 times. With a 9,000mAh capacity, one charge can charge a 1,800mAh smartphone up to 2.9 times.

The product from Elecom is available in Japan at ¥9,980 or around $66.75. 

Apple iPhone 17 dummy phones surfaced online after a leak from Sonny Dickson appeared on X. Dickson has a reputable history of leaking nonfunctional versions of iPhones. Accordingly, manufacturers of phone accessories use them for preparing products in advance.

According to The Verge, the unofficial photos resemble the renders from previous weeks. In line with this, the recent renders suggest that the iPhone 17 Air would be the Cupertino company’s thinnest phone. Both the new leak and recent renders share the same look. Similarities go down up to the phone-wide camera bump, which is expected to be included on every model except the standard iPhone 17.

The insider images from Dickson presented the dimensions of the dummy handsets. While the existing models of iPhones are pretty slim, these leaked photos show a notable difference. The rumored Air model makes the others look like they have been hitting the buffet.

Subsequently, the dummies seem to support circulating rumors that the iPhone 17 Air is sized at 6.6 inches. It is right in the middle of the iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inches) and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inches), Wes Davis of The Verge reports.

More Possible Features of the iPhone 17 Air

As reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6 display after Apple canceled its plan of making it 6.9 inches. Apparently, the tech company was worried that the original design was prone to bending, making the device less durable. The journalist also added that the smartphone includes the Dynamic Island and a button to control the camera. At the same time, it is rumored to feature slim bezels. 

Moreover, the upcoming smartphone will feature a single back camera, an Apple A19 chip, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and a familiar battery life, Gurman says as shared by The Verge. He also expects the Apple iPhone 17 Air to start at roughly $900.

Meta will begin testing Community Notes across its major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Originally, the tech giant announced this innovation last January, stating it would end the third-party fact-checking program.

According to an article, the company will adopt the approach of X’s Community Notes system. Specifically, its version will be more of a crowd-sourced Community Notes method.

The testing program amassed almost 200,000 potential contributors in the US through sign-ups across their apps. While the waitlist remains open, Meta will start admission gradually and randomly. As part of the program testing, contributors will write and rate notes on content. However, Meta plans to take its time testing the system entirely before publishing anything.

A Closer Look at How Community Notes Work

Meta says that it does not get to decide on the content, but community contributors will. Publishing content requires “contributors with a range of viewpoints broadly agree on them” to avoid bias. In connection, the process is not majority wins. Individuals who commonly disagree need to approve that the content offers helpful context for it to get published, regardless of how many contributors agree on the note. A link to support the note will also be necessary in the process.

Furthermore, community notes will not feature the names of the authors, as it wants contributors to rate solely the content. Similarly, contributors are not allowed to post notes on advertisements.

Facebook’s parent company also wants Community Notes to perform better than its previous program.

“We expect Community Notes to be less biased than the third party fact checking program it replaces, and to operate at a greater scale when it is fully up and running,” Meta says, citing the unexpected challenges it faced in 2016.

Meta’s Community Notes testing will begin on March 18 in the United States. Nevertheless, it intends to bring the new approach to the rest of the world once everything is running smoothly.