SpaceX's Starship Rocket Blasts Off, Then Loses Control in Space
SpaceX's Starship Rocket Blasts Off, Then Loses Control in Space
SpaceX launched the latest flight test for its Starship vehicle, which made it to space before losing control during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Photo: Eric Gay/AP
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The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Apple unveils software redesign while reeling from AI missteps, tech upheaval and Trump's trade war
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — After stumbling out of the starting gate in Big Tech's pivotal race to capitalize on artificial intelligence, Apple tried to regain its footing Monday during an annual developers conference that focused mostly on incremental advances and cosmetic changes in its technology. The presummer rite, which attracted thousands of developers from nearly 60 countries to Apple's Silicon Valley headquarters, subdued compared with the feverish anticipation that surrounded the event in the last two years. Apple highlighted plans for more AI tools designed to simplify people's lives and make its products even more intuitive. It also provided an early glimpse at the biggest redesign of its iPhone software in a decade. In doing so, Apple executives refrained from issuing bold promises of breakthroughs that punctuated recent conferences, prompting CFRA analyst Angelo Zino to deride the event as a 'dud' in a research note. In 2023, Apple unveiled a mixed-reality headset that has been little more than a niche product, and last year WWDC trumpeted its first major foray into the AI craze with an array of new features highlighted by the promise of a smarter and more versatile version of its virtual assistant, Siri — a goal that has yet to be realized. 'This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar,' Craig Federighi, Apple's top software executive, said Monday at the outset of the conference. The company didn't provide a precise timetable for when Siri's AI upgrade will be finished but indicated it won't happen until next year at the earliest. 'The silence surrounding Siri was deafening,' said Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said. 'No amount of text corrections or cute emojis can fill the yawning void of an intuitive, interactive AI experience that we know Siri will be capable of when ready. We just don't know when that will happen. The end of the Siri runway is coming up fast, and Apple needs to lift off.' The showcase unfolded amid nagging questions about whether Apple has lost some of the mystique and innovative drive that has made it a tech trendsetter during its nearly 50-year history. Instead of making a big splash as it did with the Vision Pro headset and its AI suite, Apple took a mostly low-key approach that emphasized its effort to spruce up the look of its software with a new design called 'Liquid Glass' while also unveiling a new hub for its video games and new features like a 'Workout Buddy' to help manage physical fitness. Apple executives promised to make its software more compatible with the increasingly sophisticated computer chips that have been powering its products while also making it easier to toggle between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 'Our product experience has become even more seamless and enjoyable,' Apple CEO Tim Cook told the crowd as the 90-minute showcase wrapped up. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said Apple seemed to be largely using Monday's conference to demonstrate the company still has a blueprint for success in AI, even if it's going to take longer to realize the vision that was presented a year ago. 'This year's event was not about disruptive innovation, but rather careful calibration, platform refinement and developer enablement —positioning itself for future moves rather than unveiling game-changing technologies,' Jeronimo said. Besides redesigning its software. Apple will switch to a method that automakers have used to telegraph their latest car models by linking them to the year after they first arrive at dealerships. That means the next version of the iPhone operating system due out this autumn will be known as iOS 26 instead of iOS 19 — as it would be under the previous naming approach that has been used since the device's 2007 debut. The iOS 26 upgrade is expected to be released in September around the same time Apple traditionally rolls out the next iPhone models. Apple opened the proceedings with a short video clip featuring Federighi speeding around a track in a Formula 1 race car. Although it was meant to promote the June 27 release of the Apple film, 'F1' starring Brad Pitt, the segment could also be viewed as an unintentional analogy to the company's attempt to catch up to the rest of the pack in AI technology. While some of the new AI tricks compatible with the latest iPhones began rolling out late last year as part of free software updates, the delays in a souped-up Siri became so glaring that the chastened company stopped promoting it in its marketing campaigns earlier this year. While Apple has been struggling to make AI that meets its standards, the gap separating it from other tech powerhouses is widening. Google keeps packing more AI into its Pixel smartphone lineup while introducing more of the technology into its search engine to dramatically change the way it works. Samsung, Apple's biggest smartphone rival, is also leaning heavily into AI. Meanwhile, ChatGPT recently struck a deal that will bring former Apple design guru Jony Ive into the fold to work on a new device expected to compete against the iPhone. Besides grappling with innovation challenges, Apple also faces regulatory threats that could siphon away billions of dollars in revenue that help finance its research and development. A federal judge is currently weighing whether proposed countermeasures to Google's illegal monopoly in search should include a ban on long-running deals worth $20 billion annually to Apple while another federal judge recently banned the company from collecting commissions on in-app transactions processed outside its once-exclusive payment system. On top of all that, Apple has been caught in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump's trade war with China, a key manufacturing hub for the Cupertino, California, company. Cook successfully persuaded Trump to exempt the iPhone from tariffs during the president's first administration, but he has had less success during Trump's second term, which seems more determined to prod Apple to make its products in the U.S. The multidimensional gauntlet facing Apple is spooking investors, causing the company's stock price to plunge by 20% so far this year — a decline that has erased about $750 billion in shareholder wealth. After beginning the year as the most valuable company in the world, Apple now ranks third behind longtime rival Microsoft, another AI leader, and AI chipmaker Nvidia. Apple's shares closed down by more than 1% on Monday — an early indication the company's latest announcements didn't inspire investors.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — A state-of-the-art Japanese warship has arrived in Australia as part of a high-stakes campaign to secure a $6.5 billion contract to build the country's next fleet of general-purpose frigates. The JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory in what appears a symbolic and strategic move aimed at strengthening defense ties with Australia and showcasing Japanese naval technology. Japan's bid, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was short-listed in November for the Royal Australian Navy's SEA 3000 frigate project and is competing against Germany's MEKO A-200 offered by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Japan would jointly develop and produce the frigates for the Australian navy. Bolstering defense industry As part of its military buildup, Japan is pushing to strengthen its largely domestic defense industry by participating in joint development, including a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and promoting foreign sales like the Mogami-class ships. In a sign of its commitment and heavy investment Japan has pledged to prioritize the RAN's order over its own naval procurement. The project not only serves to further deepen cooperation between Japan and Australia but also to enhance Japan's warship capabilities, Defense Minister General Nakatani has said. The Japanese Mogami-class design boasts advanced combat systems, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities, and mine countermeasure operations — all operated by a lean crew of around 90, helping to address ongoing recruitment challenges in the Australian Navy. The vessel's commanding officer, Tamura Masayoshi, said the ship's smaller crew was an aim of the Mogami-class ship. 'The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force thought we need stealth, and less people, and a little bit smaller ship,' Masayoshi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Closer military ties The JS Yahagi's visit to Darwin comes amid intensifying strategic cooperation between Canberra and Tokyo, both of which have emphasized the importance of maritime safety and security of sea lanes. The frigate's arrival is also seen as a gesture of Japan's growing role in regional security and its desire to align more closely with key partners like Australia. In September 2024, Australia and Japan agreed to increase joint military training exercises to address shared concerns of China's incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Two months later, defense ministers from Australia, Japan and the U.S. held tripartite talks in Darwin to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening security ties and planning for joint military operations in northern Australia. —— Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
United Airlines disables Starlink on jets after cockpit-radio disruptions
The Brief United Airlines grounded Starlink WiFi on Embraer E175 jets due to cockpit radio interference. Pilots reported static while communicating with air traffic control after Starlink antennae were installed. United and SpaceX say the issue is minor and expect service to resume after testing. LOS ANGELES - Pilots aboard some United Airlines regional jets experienced a surprising form of turbulence recently — radio static tied to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, United has temporarily disabled Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on its Embraer E175 aircraft after pilots experienced interference while communicating with air traffic control. Though the airline says the issue was not considered a safety risk, the static was traced back to newly installed Starlink antennae. United is now working with SpaceX to investigate and resolve the issue, which may delay the rollout of the high-speed satellite internet system on more aircraft. What we know Initial findings offer a limited but telling view of the issue, which appears to be directly tied to Starlink's recent onboard installation and its interaction with cockpit radio systems. Roughly two dozen United Embraer E175 jets had been outfitted with Starlink equipment. Pilots began experiencing static during radio transmissions, prompting a pause in service. United issued a statement calling the issue "fairly common" with new Wi-Fi installations. The Points Guy first reported the shutdown, citing internal memos and a public statement. Starlink service remains suspended on the affected aircraft as tests continue. What we don't know Despite the swift pause in service, key questions remain about the scope of the interference and whether it could pose broader challenges as Starlink expands in commercial aviation. Whether the static interference could escalate under different flight conditions. How quickly the issue can be resolved and Starlink Wi-Fi restored. Whether other airlines using Starlink have experienced similar communication issues. The backstory Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has rapidly expanded its presence in commercial aviation, marketing itself as a faster, more consistent alternative to traditional inflight Wi-Fi systems. The company has already signed deals with several airlines and boasts global coverage through its low-Earth orbit satellite network. But its rollout hasn't been entirely smooth. While high-speed connections are appealing to travelers, compatibility with sensitive cockpit electronics is now under scrutiny after this United incident. What they're saying "United and Starlink teams are working together to address a small number of reports of static interference during the operation of the Wi-Fi system," the airline said in a statement published by The Points Guy. "This is fairly common with any new airline Wi-Fi provider. We expect the service to be back up and running on these aircraft soon." Neither the FAA nor SpaceX has commented publicly on the issue, though both are expected to weigh in if additional safety testing is required. Big picture view This isn't just about in-flight Wi-Fi. The incident highlights how deeply Elon Musk's businesses are embedded in critical infrastructure — from internet satellites to rockets transporting astronauts to the ISS. It also comes at a time when confidence in air travel safety is already shaky due to aircraft malfunctions and staffing shortages in U.S. aviation. What's next United and SpaceX are expected to release an update after reviewing the interference issue. In the meantime, the airline has halted the Starlink rollout on additional aircraft. If the problem persists, it could spark wider industry concern — not only about in-flight internet safety, but about how much of the travel and tech ecosystem now depends on Musk's companies. The Source This report draws primarily from The Wall Street Journal, which first linked Starlink equipment to radio interference aboard United regional jets. Additional details were provided by The Points Guy, which obtained and published United Airlines' public statement. No FAA or SpaceX statements have been issued as of publication.
