News
SpaceX offers Starlink ‘global roaming’ for $200, but there’s a catch
SpaceX has begun testing the new Starlink service. Some users have started receiving messages from SpaceX offering a new international roaming service.
Users report that in the invitations, the company invites them to try out a new “global roaming” package for $200 per month, which will allow access to satellite Internet “almost everywhere in the world.” The package is offered in addition to the basic Starlink package for $599.
As noted in The Verge, it is unclear how SpaceX will fulfill the promise to provide Internet from almost anywhere.
Despite the company’s growing constellation of small satellites, the company is still awaiting regulatory approval to provide Internet access in many regions, including India and Pakistan.
Moreover, such global roaming offers have been received by some users in countries outside Starlink’s coverage area, such as Greenland.
In its emails, SpaceX notes that global roaming services are “subject to regulatory approval.” It also notes that customers may experience “brief periods of poor or no connection at all” as the company works to expand its satellite network.
Software
Microsoft has released a major Windows 11 update for all users – installation optional
Microsoft has made a major update to the Windows 11 operating system, also known as Moment 5, available to all users as an optional update KB5035942.
Users can optionally install KB5035942 through Windows Update. Previously, the company allowed enthusiasts to manually activate new features from an update. Moment 5 is now available to everyone directly from Windows Update.
Windows 11 Moment 5 brings quite a lot of innovations. Among them are an improved Copilot AI assistant function with new plugins and skills, improved “Photos” with a smart “eraser”, an improved Clipchamp video editor (possibly removing “awkward pauses”), closer integration with Android smartphones (can now be used in as a webcam), and much more.
News
Space meteorologists predicted a new geomagnetic storm: the Sun is approaching maximum activity
Space meteorologists have issued a forecast for this week warning of a possible geomagnetic storm caused by the release of plasma from a solar flare. This could affect radio transmissions on Earth and contribute to the observation of the “northern lights.”
According to an alert issued March 23 by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, the public has no reason to be concerned.
Mainly, solar storms can disrupt high-frequency radio transmissions, such as communications between aircraft and remote towers. Jonathan Lash, a forecaster at the center, noted that many commercial aircraft can use satellite communications as a backup option.
Satellite operators may also have problems tracking their spacecraft, and the power grid may detect induced current in its lines.
“For the general public in high latitudes, with clear skies, this will be a great opportunity to see the ‘northern lights,'” Lash said.
Every 11 years, the Sun’s magnetic field changes and its north and south poles switch places. During this cycle, solar activity also changes and is now approaching its peak, which is called solar maximum.
During solar maximum, geomagnetic storms like the one observed last Sunday can occur on Earth several times a year, according to Lash. During periods of solar minimum, several years may pass between storms.
Last December, the largest solar flare in recent years disrupted radio communications.
Car News
BYD cuts prices on 100 models to beat Toyota and Volkswagen
BYD is going to beat Toyota and Volkswagen by offering modern cars at very low prices. According to Bloomberg, the Chinese automaker has reduced prices on more than 100 of its electric and hybrid models.
For example, BYD’s new generation-changing Seagull hatchback now costs less than $10,000, while the manufacturer’s best-selling electric sedan, the Qin Plus, costs less than $11,000.
BYD announced the beginning of an era called “electricity is cheaper than oil”, when hybrid and pure electric models become as affordable as traditional models with internal combustion engines, or even cheaper.
In total, BYD has already relaunched more than 70 models with lower prices. According to Bloomberg, only the newest Yangwang supercar worth 233 thousand dollars has not fallen in price so far.
By lowering prices, BYD wants to convince drivers to ditch gasoline cars and switch to electric vehicles and hybrids. This aggressive pricing policy poses a real threat to Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and other manufacturers.
Previously, BYD Auto officially announced the production of its 7 millionth new energy vehicle, which turned out to be the Denza N7.
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