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While electric cars are better cars and better for the environment that those that run on combustion engines, you still need to make an informed decision and consider a number of factors before owning an electric car
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Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
How Apple made an iPhone-powered camera to film real F1 races for its new movie
Capturing the velocity and intensity of Formula One racing from the driver's point of view is no easy feat. But that's exactly the challenge Apple embraced in its upcoming F1 Apple Original film, directed by Top Gun: Maverick 's Joseph Kosinski and lensed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda. The filmmakers weren't satisfied with traditional F1 broadcast angles—those familiar shots from just behind the cockpit, with the top of the driver's helmet occasionally bobbing into view. While functional for live TV, those cameras record in lower resolutions and limited colour formats, making the footage ill-suited for the immersive, cinematic vision Kosinski and Miranda had in mind. So Apple built something entirely new, according to Wired. Revealed at WWDC last week beside a real F1 car, Apple's solution is a custom camera module that externally mirrors the standard broadcast camera used in races—but internally, it's a Frankenstein of iPhone parts tailored for Hollywood. Designed to be indistinguishable in size, weight, and balance to avoid compromising the car's aerodynamics or regulations, this stealthy module contains an iPhone camera sensor, an A-series chip (likely the A17 Pro), a battery, and a neutral density (ND) filter to tame exposure in the blinding sun of a racetrack. The module also runs iOS with a custom firmware, allowing it to capture cinematic ProRes footage in log format—a flat, desaturated look ideal for post-production color grading. In fact, this behind-the-scenes work inspired two pro-grade features in the iPhone 15 Pro: log video recording and support for the industry-standard ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) color pipeline. Given the unforgiving environment of an F1 race—screaming engines, brutal G-forces, and scorching temperatures—Apple's engineering team couldn't simply drop in phone parts and hope for the best. The camera module was put through rigorous tests to ensure it could withstand intense vibrations, shocks, and heat. By all accounts, it not only passed but exceeded Formula One's requirements. Since there are no built-in radios, the only way to control the camera was through a custom iPad app. Once plugged in via USB-C, the app let filmmakers tweak shutter angles, white balance, frame rates, and more. They could also start and stop recordings remotely—essential for capturing fleeting on-track moments. The result? Authentic POV footage from real F1 cars, filmed during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, that seamlessly blends into the film's wider visual language. Apple's foray into filmmaking hardware isn't entirely new. The iPhone has slowly carved out a space in the industry ever since Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015) gained critical acclaim for being shot entirely on an iPhone 5s. More recently, Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later and now F1 continue that trend—with Apple backing both projects. But while it's tempting to celebrate these as 'shot on iPhone' milestones, it's important to understand the context. Film sets are meticulously lit. Third-party lenses are often bolted onto the phone. Stabilisation rigs are involved. Still, the power and flexibility of smartphone cameras have come a long way. They've opened the gates for emerging filmmakers who don't have access to big-budget equipment. They've also allowed even the most seasoned directors to think outside the conventional lens—sometimes quite literally. F1 stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, and Damson Idris, and is set to release on June 26 in the UAE.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
DEWA's Green Charger Initiative powers EVs in Dubai with more than 39,159 MWh of electricity in a decade
Dubai, UAE: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced that DEWA's Green Charger initiative has witnessed a 23.6% increase in electric vehicle (EV) charging use at the end of Q1 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Since the programme's inception in 2015, DEWA has provided more than 39,159 MWh of electricity for EV charging across Dubai, powering a cumulative EV distance of 195 million kilometres. 'We support the transition towards green mobility and net zero by reducing the carbon footprint in the transport sector, enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE and Dubai in the electric vehicle sector, in line with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030,' said Al Tayer. Since 2015, Dubai has seen a significant increase in EV adoption, with numbers rising to more than 39,000 by the end of Q1 2025, with 5.41% increase compared to Q1 2024. This growth has greatly advanced the emirate's plans to shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transport. The number of EV owners registered under DEWA's EV Green Charger initiative has expanded from just 14 in 2015 to 20,903 by the end of the end of Q1 2025. Dubai's EV charging infrastructure now includes over 1,100 charging points across DEWA's network and licensed charge point operators (CPOs). EVs are witnessing an increase in demand in the UAE. In a comprehensive survey conducted by global company Toluna, it was found that 73% of the UAE population prefers to buy EVs. EV Green Charger Stations are available around the clock at key locations across Dubai. Customers can easily find charging station locations through DEWA's website ( smart app and 14 other digital platforms. DEWA offers four types of chargers: ultra-fast, fast, public and wall-box. DEWA enables customers to create an EV account through its website, smart app or interactive voice response (IVR) system at its Customer Care Centre. Once a customer registers their vehicle with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, DEWA creates an EV Green Charger account, giving them access to its stations where they can charge their vehicles within an hour. Unregistered EV users can also use DEWA EV Green Chargers by using the guest mode feature.
Khaleej Times
21 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Antonelli's F1 podium debut likely to be first of many
Kimi Antonelli felt goosebumps in Canada on Sunday after becoming the first Italian driver in 16 years to finish on the Formula One podium. The 18-year-old Mercedes rookie made it to the bottom step this time but nobody doubted it would be the first of many for the third youngest F1 driver of all time to score a top three result. The last Italian on the podium was Jarno Trulli with Toyota in October 2009. "I knew Kimi coming up through the karting ranks, people were already saying great things, so I was keeping an eye on him," said Red Bull's four times world champion Max Verstappen who finished one place ahead and had his first podium at 18. "I think what's impressive is he's naturally quick. What I like is his level-headed, calm approach. Those are great qualities to have. I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year. "I'm very happy that it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It's a nice boost. And it will only get better," added the Dutch driver. Antonelli has taken the seat vacated by seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton but the team have emphasised he needs time to learn and will make mistakes. In fact he has made very few in a season that has already seen him become the youngest driver to take a pole, albeit in a sprint, lead a race and set fastest lap. "I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest," said Antonelli of an afternoon where he seized third place from McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and then held on. "I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful." Antonelli said the last few laps had been a struggle, with Piastri getting ever closer, but a late safety car after Piastri and teammate Lando Norris collided took the pressure off. Stepping out onto the Montreal podium and hearing the crowd at a circuit named after Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve and in a city where there is a significant Italian community, was better than he had imagined. "I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time. It gives you a boost -results like this and this feeling, you can't buy this feeling," said the fan-voted 'Driver of the Day'. "It's an amazing feeling and you just want more. "Now the next goal is to win, to bring Italy back on top. This result was needed. It's also for all the Italian tifosi (fans) out there. "Imola (his first home race) was an incredible weekend for me in terms of support. It didn't go as well as I wanted, but seeing so much support already early on is great. So, this result is also for them."
