Live data from Hacker News

Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

spectrum.ieee.org

201–210 of 233 posts

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The most upvoted posts are either “oh this person is a god” or “this person just spouts lies” It’s like commenting shouldn’t even be enabled

It's much better that commenting is open, so that people thinking these things can express themselves, and be exposed to different viewpoints, resulting in more thinking and shared knowledge. Without that, an opinion can fester in someone's mind, becoming worse since there's no way to release it and no visible counterarguments. In my younger Slashdot days, I would read these polarized discussions, and it taught me ab…

This. Long forum flame wars taught me a lot about the subjects bur also about discourse as such. These days the top comments are quickly moderated, like they have been here, and the only thing you are left with is headless conversations about how shallow takes are bad - without having an opportunity to react with said supposed shallow takes for youself.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not indulging one asshole does not mean you support the other one.

But pretending Elon is deserving of this attention is just lazy journalism… like he’s screaming from a megaphone what he’s doing… and journalists aren’t even looking at other billionaires/space companies/car companies that are up to worse activity than anything Elon is responsible for. (I’m not saying it excuses it, but it’s wasted attention)

[dead]

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#203
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is mentioned in the article. > Splashy announcements of satellite-cellular connectivity from Apple, Starlink, and T-Mobile in the third quarter of 2022 promoted the idea of anywhere, any-kind connectivity.

But the one from Apple is a joke compared to general sms and mms coverage. Or is apple’s system capable of much more and the first beta is just “SOS”?

I think they’ll def come up with a paid plan for extra features. Same way T-Mobile only basic features are going to be free. Same way Starlink residential is orders of magnitude cheaper than marine edition.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But the one from Apple is a joke compared to general sms and mms coverage. Or is apple’s system capable of much more and the first beta is just “SOS”?

Apple's stuff is probably orders of magnitude more reliable, the system they use has been battle-tested for decades. Both Starlink's sat-cells and Apple's Globalstar link will be a real benefit for people who get stuck in a bad situation unprepared, but if I were a serious rock climber or similar, I'd still prefer a full-scale Globalstar, Iridium terminal or EPIRB device, then an iPhone with Globalstar, and only then…

> full-scale Globalstar, Iridium terminal or EPIRB device

Remind me in 10 years

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So do we all pick our own billionaires now? Like Musk is the villain of the Left and Gates is the villain of the right? I reckon people should focus on fixing a system that allows individuals to amass such power/wealth. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

To fix the system, you have to hate both.

To break the system. To fix the system you need to know what you are doing and even then it's not guaranteed.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#206
post #100

I'm really excited for this. In Montana there are long distances between towns, lots of snow, and outdoor stuff is a major pastime. No longer having any places where you can't call for help will make things a lot safer.

True enough. We have a cabin in the middle of nowhere in Washington, and there’s just enough signal to call or text for help but not enough for anyone to browse Instagram or check email. Something magical happens when we invite people out there. For the first hour or two, you notice folks sneaking off and holding their phones high. After a while, everyone gives up and the rest of the weekend we’re all present where w…

Yeah, that part will be sad for sure.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#208
post #185

I wish it was possible to do direct phone to phone data communication, a bit like CB but for data. Of course the range would be limited because of phone batteries, but at least you would not require a large, expensive network of antennas. I have asked SDR folks about it but they're not convinced. Just imagine not having to rely on network operators for tiny amounts of data. Only a phone would be required, without pai…

The limiting factor wouldn't just be batteries. The antenna size and location (you aren't up on a tower) is a tremendous limiting factor.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#209
post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you provide details of the order cancellation? That’s a new one. Wasn’t the car telemetry only published because it went to court? Why are you upset with Musk when someone tries to defraud Tesla and they prove them wrong with data? No one else’s telemetry has been published. Meanwhile Uber have “god-mode” and can track every driver globally in realtime… and it was abused to stalk people. SpaceX donated starlinks…

> This super-villain narrative of Musk is hilariously comical. Where is it coming from? That's easy: people who disagree with his recent political shift. It's extremely obvious, because I see it primarily among the progressives in my circle.

The Republican party is a Fascist party (Support for a Fascist President and supported a failed Coup) and Elon has voiced support for the Republican party, thus, Elon is a Fascist (AKA, Super Villain). It's does not take much to draw a line between the two.

Re: Existing smartphones will connect with new satellite constellations in 2023

#210
post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or AI video generator text prompts.

You joke but nvidia is looking at AI compression: https://www.fiercevideo.com/tech/nvidia-swaps-codecs-for-ai-... Which would model the person and "generate" video.

Just give up on transmitting video. Just animate the person's profile pic. I'd rather video chat with an animated cat than a human lawyer any day.
Post reply on HN