Starlink has competition. Can Amazon cast a shadow?

Amazon has officially entered the satellite internet race, launching the first 27 operational satellites of its Project Kuiper constellation aboard an Atlas V rocket. This move positions Amazon as the most financially capable competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, even if it still lags behind in both deployment and rocket capability.

Amazon’s Kuiper constellation finally begins

Project Kuiper was announced in 2018, but delays in rocket availability stalled its progress. Unlike SpaceX, which builds and reuses its own rockets, Amazon relies on partners like ULA, Blue Origin, and ArianeGroup. While the recent launch marks a significant milestone, Amazon must deploy at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026 to comply with FCC regulations—an ambitious target given current setbacks.

Rocket challenges and ambitious partnerships

Amazon has committed to the largest commercial rocket purchase in history, securing launches with multiple providers. However, its reliance on third-party rockets—some of which are yet to prove their reliability, like Blue Origin’s New Glenn—makes the timeline highly uncertain. In contrast, SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 has already deployed over 8,000 Starlink satellites with remarkable consistency.

Global competition rises

While Kuiper is the most serious challenger, other players are advancing. OneWeb focuses on B2B and government clients with 630 active satellites, while China’s SpaceSail and Guowang plan mega-constellations that may undercut prices by 30%. These projects highlight an escalating race not only in technology but also in affordability and scale.

Amazon’s entry into this space marks a turning point, but its ability to rival Starlink depends on execution speed and rocket reliability. The competition is no longer a two-horse race—it’s a global sprint for orbital dominance.

ESA has launched the world’s first satellite that can see through forests: What it means and what it will do

The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched BIOMASS, the first satellite in the world capable of peering through dense forest canopies. This groundbreaking mission aims to deliver unprecedented measurements of the Earth’s biomass, helping scientists better understand the carbon cycle and track changes in global forests.

A revolutionary radar in space

BIOMASS carries the first P-band synthetic aperture radar ever sent into orbit, a major technological leap. Unlike other satellite radars using shorter wavelengths, BIOMASS’s P-band radar can penetrate clouds, rain, and thick layers of foliage, allowing it to scan the woody parts of trees such as trunks and branches—where most forest carbon is stored.

Why forests matter for climate change

Forests cover about one-third of Earth’s land and absorb an estimated 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, playing a crucial role in regulating climate. However, deforestation and land use changes are rapidly returning that carbon to the atmosphere. Until now, we lacked the tools to precisely measure how much carbon forests hold—or how fast they are losing it.

BIOMASS’s two-phase mission

The satellite will operate for 5.5 years. In its first 18 months, it will conduct tomographic mapping to build 3D models of forest structure. Then, it will switch to interferometric observations, tracking changes in forest height and densityto estimate how biomass evolves over time. This will allow scientists to map carbon distribution globally and monitor forest degradation with unmatched accuracy.

By combining global coverage with cutting-edge radar technology, BIOMASS is set to become one of the most valuable tools for understanding our planet’s forests—and protecting them.

Will the anticipated Google Pixel 10 have a display that takes care of all of us?

Google is in the midst of developing the Pixel 10 smartphones, following its usual release schedule. However, what stands out the most is the special attention the company is paying to the screens of these devices, focusing on identifying how their panels affect users sensitive to pulse-width modulation (PWM). Pulse-width modulation is a technique used in OLED screens that causes flickering to enhance visual quality and brightness perception. Google is focusing on screen sensitivity in the upcoming […]

Google is in full development of the Pixel 10 smartphones, following its usual release schedule.

However, what stands out the most is the special attention that the company is paying to the screens of these devices, focusing on identifying how their panels affect users sensitive to pulse-width modulation (PWM).

Pulse width modulation is a technique used in OLED screens that causes flickering to enhance visual quality and brightness perception.

Google focuses on screen sensitivity in upcoming Pixel 10 smartphones

Although this is technically beneficial, it can trigger headaches and other symptoms in people who are sensitive to this type of flicker. So far, Pixel phones have stood out for having lower PWM rates compared to other high-end smartphones, suggesting the need for a flicker reduction option.

According to information provided to Android Central, Google is “aware and investigating” this issue and has promised updates later this year.

While there are no guarantees that the improvements will be implemented in the Pixel 10, it is reasonable to speculate that the next generation of devices could benefit from these innovations. It is rumored that the Pixel 10 could improve the PWM rate to 240 Hz or even 480 Hz, following in the footsteps of competitors like Samsung, Honor, and OnePlus.

For users who suffer from sensitivity to blinking, it could be crucial for Google to integrate an accessibility mode that reduces blinking, a feature that has already been adopted by other brands in the industry.

Although there are still no specific details about the announcement date of the Pixel 10 smartphones, Google’s attention to PWM sensitivity is a positive step in the right direction, not only for those who are susceptible to these issues but for all users in general.

Windows wants you to leave Windows 10 before its end comes

Microsoft is preparing for the imminent end of support for Windows 10, set for October 14, 2025. This critical date has begun to motivate the company to seek more creative ways to persuade users to upgrade to Windows 11. Unlike previous attempts that included intrusive ads, such as full-screen pop-ups, the current strategy focuses on offering attractive options, such as the Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft is ramping up its push for Windows 11 with the new Copilot+ PCs. The Copilot+ PCs are devices that meet the rigorous system requirements of Windows […]

Microsoft is preparing for the imminent end of support for Windows 10, scheduled for October 14, 2025.

This critical date has begun to motivate the company to seek more creative ways to persuade users to upgrade to Windows 11.

Unlike previous attempts that included intrusive ads, such as full-screen pop-ups, the current strategy focuses on offering attractive options, such as Copilot+ PCs.

Microsoft intensifies its bet on Windows 11 with the new Copilot+ PCs

The Copilot+ PCs are devices that meet the rigorous system requirements of Windows 11 and stand out for integrating artificial intelligence-based features, such as Windows Recall and improvements in search. These devices aim to optimize the user experience and facilitate the transition to the new operating system.

Microsoft has indicated that, despite Windows 10 continuing to dominate the market with a share of 54.2%, Windows 11 has achieved notable growth, reaching a market share of 42.69%.

During the fourth quarter of last year, up to 15% of premium laptops in the United States were Copilot+ PCs, and this figure is expected to increase in the coming years. Microsoft seems to be focused on turning this figure into a larger proportion of future sales, suggesting that the adoption of these PCs could be key to the overall adoption of Windows 11.

The company has decided to adopt a less invasive approach to encourage updates, evidenced by the corresponding improvement in user experience and the sensitive approach towards privacy and security.

Users who still rely on the Microsoft ecosystem but own older devices may increasingly be led to consider purchasing a Copilot+ PC as the end of support date for Windows 10 approaches.