Something I have considered a great emergency feature on Apple’s iPhones may be in for some long term issues. I’m talking about satellite connectivity. Apple has offered the feature since 2022, but actually started talking to Boeing about low orbit satellites back in 2015. 9to5mac.com reports that at that time, Cupertino envisioned offering full blown wireless internet service, in addition to emergency services. Apple pulled back due to concerns about damaging relations with the cellular carriers. Then, in 2022, Elon Musk approached Apple about Using SpaceX for satellite connectivity. Musk wanted $5 billion up front and a billion a year. Apple said nope. Musk gave them 72 hours, then said he would move forward with his own deal…which he has…in partnership with T-Mobile. Apple is now concerned if it adds to the emergency features, Musk will use his influence to get the government involved and get the feds to regulate Apple as a telecommunications carrier. Some are now predicting that Apple may abandon this satellite feature, and leave it to the carriers to handle. This would be a shame…the emergency satellite calling has saved lives in areas where there is no…and will never be any…cellular service.

NPR and 3 Colorado public radio station have sued the Trump White House over the president’s executive order, which acts to bar the use of congressionally appropriated funds by NPR and PBS. From NPR’s filing, quote: “It is not always obvious when the government has acted with a retaliatory purpose in violation of the First Amendment. ‘But this wolf comes as a wolf,’” states the legal brief for the public broadcasters. “The Order targets NPR and PBS expressly because, in the President’s view, their news and other content is not ‘fair, accurate, or unbiased.’” The line about the “wolf” was drawn from a 1988 dissent by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The lawsuit says the administration is usurping Congress’ right to direct how federal money will be spent and to pass laws. NPR reports itself that “The Executive Order is a clear violation of the Constitution and the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech and association, and freedom of the press,” that from a statement by NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher. The administration has been pursuing Harvard University over its diversity programs, in another instance where the Trump administration seems intent on throttling that institution and it’s faculty and students as they try to exercise their First Amendment rights. 

Usually by mid to late summer, Samsung releases its latest folding phones. Now comes word that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 may be sold worldwide with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip. That is, worldwide, except for South Korea…where it will continue to have an Exynos 2500. Androidpolice.com says the folder will reportedly get a bigger 4300 mAh battery and as we reported earlier, will have a bigger cover display…along the lines of the latest Motorola folder. The big brother Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be notably thinner, and we expect a price bump due to the Trump tariffs. 

In a big move for gamers, Valve has rolled out its SteamOS version 3.7 to the public. Arstechnica.com notes that this is no ordinary update…this one will run on PC hardware in addition to Valve’s Steam Deck. It will run on a number of other AMD powered handhelds and even AMD desktops and laptops in some cases. Some of the mobile systems it will run on including the Asus ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go, and Legion Go S. Right now, the Legion Go S is the only one that will have fully baked SteamOS support. At present, the SteamOS is no drop-in replacement for Windows, that won’t happen without strong support for Intel or NVIDIA hardware…but that may be coming. With a lot of people and companies reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11, a fair number of gamers and do-it-yourselfers may just migrate to SteamOS…especially if the rumored support for Intel and NVIDIA happen.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.