Day: December 27, 2024

Azerbaijan Airlines has revealed the cause of the Embraer 190 plane crash in Kazakhstan. The company believes the crash occurred due to “physical and technical external interference,” according to a statement by Azerbaijan Airlines on Twitter (X).

The statement indicates that preliminary investigation results into the crash of Embraer 190 flight J2-8243 point to external physical and technical interference.

Azerbaijan Airlines notes that because of this, as well as the risks that may arise for flight safety, flights from Baku to several airports in Russia have been suspended.

Starting December 28, per a decision by Azerbaijan’s State Civil Aviation Agency, flights will no longer be operated to Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, and Vladikavkaz.

Additionally, as of December 25, the airline suspended flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala.

For safety reasons, it was also decided to suspend flights of other airlines to Grozny and Makhachkala.

Plane crash in Kazakhstan

On December 25, a passenger plane, Embraer 190, crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The aircraft, owned by Azerbaijan Airlines, was operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny.

The crash claimed the lives of 38 people. A total of 67 passengers and crew were on board.

Initially, reports suggested the crash was caused by a collision with birds. However, later media reports claimed that the plane was shot down by Russian air defense in Grozny. The head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed that the aircraft was brought down by a Russian Pantsir-S1 missile system on Russian territory.

According to media reports, Azerbaijan acknowledged that the crash was caused by a Russian missile. Meanwhile, Russia denies responsibility and refuses to admit its involvement in the incident.

Read more about the Kazakhstan plane crash and how Russia is trying to avoid accountability in RBC-Ukraine’s material.

2025 is already close, and it looks like Apple will start it with several impressive product launches.

The leading Apple news site 9to5Mac reports on five new products expected at the beginning of 2025.

M4 MacBook Air

Apple’s most popular Mac is preparing for its next update. The new MacBook Air is expected to launch in early 2025 with the following features:

• M4 chip;
• 16 GB RAM standard;
• Nano-texture display option;
• 12MP Center Stage camera;
• Likely improved battery performance due to the M4 chip
• The same design in 13-inch and 15-inch versions

Overall, this will be a worthy update for the MacBook Air. As for the timing, the launch will most likely take place in March – just as the MacBook Air with M3 was released in early 2024.

iPhone SE 4

Apple’s next iPhone will be a device suitable for most buyers. The new iPhone SE 4 is expected to launch in March.

Key features of the new iPhone SE:

• iPhone 14-style design with an OLED display and no Home button;
• Face ID and a notch;
• A18 chip just added to iPhone 16;
• Apple Intelligence support, available only for 16 and 15 Pro models;
• 8 GB of RAM;
• 48 MP main camera, likely similar to the iPhone 16’s camera;
• USB-C port;
• The first ever 5G modem developed by Apple.

All of this at an affordable price, likely under $499.

Smart display ‘HomePad’

One of Apple’s most anticipated products will be a smart display called ‘HomePad.’

Mark Gurman describes this product as a new milestone in the Home lineup. According to Gurman, the main features of the device will be:

• Focus on Siri, communications, and smart home control;
• Support for Safari, Music, Notes, and several other Apple apps, but no access to the App Store
• The device is touch-sensitive, but the primary emphasis is on voice control through new App Intents in Apple Intelligence;
• The new operating system combines elements of watchOS and iOS in StandBy mode; the dynamic interface adapts depending on the user’s distance;
• Its size is roughly equivalent to two iPhones placed side by side, with a 6-inch screen;
• The device is equipped with speakers, a FaceTime camera, and a battery;
• Apple is developing wall attachments as well as a speaker base for tables, kitchens, and nightstands;
• Enhanced security features and the ability for video calling/audio intercom with other smart home devices;
• The main screen is customized with the classic Apple widgets and Home controls;
• Support for video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and security event notifications.

Gurman suggests that ‘HomePad’ will be released in March, although the launch could be postponed to a later date.

Smart display ‘HomePad’ (photo: 9to5Mac)

11th-generation iPad

After an almost empty 2023 for iPads, it was expected that Apple would update its entire iPad lineup in 2024. New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models were released, but the basic iPad remained unchanged.

In early 2025, the iPad will be updated to the 11th generation. Details about the new device are still scarce, but it is expected to include:

• A faster A-series chip;
• Likely 8 GB of RAM with Apple Intelligence support;
• A new networking chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from Apple

Essentially, it will be a standard update for the most affordable iPad.

Predictions: Apple Watch SE 3, iPad Air with M3, Smart Home products

Apple may release several other products in the first half of 2025:

Apple Watch SE 3

The last Apple Watch SE was released in 2022. The SE 3 was initially expected to launch in September 2024, but the device was not introduced. It will likely be released in March or April, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone SE 4.

iPad Air with M3

The current iPad Air with the M2 chip was released in May 2024, but rumors indicate a quick update to the M3 chip. The launch could happen in May, but the exact dates are still unknown.

HomePod mini 2 and New Apple TV 4K

Although there are no rumors about launch dates, it is logical to assume that their release could be tied to the HomePad launch as part of Apple’s new smart home strategy.

Apple’s plans can always change, but if these five or more products appear at the beginning of 2025, it will be an especially powerful start to the year for the company. All of this will lay the groundwork for an exciting WWDC and fall product launches.