Instead of paying hundreds up front, new customers in “select markets” will have to rent their Starlink hardware for $10 per month on top of the monthly fee. It only applies to Residential plans currently, and renters can’t pause the service, but can buy their kit later by ”creating a support ticket,“ according to a support page. The move comes after Starlink recently raised prices on its monthly plans.
After Jeff Bezos’s New Glenn rocket failed to put BlueBird 7 into orbit, AST SpaceMobile will use Elon Musk’s trusty Falcon 9 to help build out AST’s space-based cellular broadband network useable by everyday smartphones. The delivery of those giant BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites — which feature the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit — is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th.
The first beta build of iOS 27 is dropping hints of Apple’s first foldable, just like the macOS 27 beta did a few hours ago.
“What we’re showing here is kind of a draft version of the version one of the SpaceX AI satellite,” said Elon Musk at the reveal on Monday. “It’s actually much simpler than a Starlink satellite.” The release of renders and specs for the space-based AI1 data center is very much timed to lend credence to the SpaceX IPO, which is set to begin trading on Friday.
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An incredibly bright Google TV all-in-one that’s also part robot.
Jeff Bezos’ Leo service had an FCC deadline of July 30th to launch half of its planned 3,232-satellite constellation. To date it’s only launched 331. The waiver comes with conditions meant to incentivize Amazon to move quickly, which would be a lot easier if Bezos’ semi-reusable New Glenn rocket hadn’t exploded and destroyed its only launchpad.
Telemundo’s live feed on Peacock will apparently be the first commercial deployment of the efficient Dolby AC-4 codec by a streaming platform, promising immersive stadium sound that shouldn’t overload the network. Peacock will also be streaming the World Cup in 4K and 1080p HDR, according to Dolby spokesperson Andrea Villarreal.
Update and correction: Peacock will stream the games in 4K and 1080p HDR, but won’t offer personalized audio controls as previously stated.
OG Silicon Valley founder / CEO types just can’t resist the lure of AI. At least Chesky will reportedly remain at Airbnb, unlike Dropbox’s Drew Houston who jumped ship entirely with his billions.
For a fraction of Leica’s first $7,900 ultra-short throw projector, the new Cine Compact 1 is built around a triple RGB laser and 360-degree mount to project a 4K image onto walls and ceilings. The all-in-one projector runs the Linux-based VIDAA OS originally developed by Hisense which supports Netflix streaming, AirPlay, and Dolby Vision. Leica says brightness can hit “1,700 lumens,” but fails to say how they’re measured — shame, shame.
