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SpaceXs satellite-to-cell Starlink texting service can now operate throughout New Zealand, thanks to the telecommunications company One NZ. The New Zealand-based provider says this is the first time that a nationwide satellite text messaging service has been powered by Starlink. T-Mobile has been making a lot of noise about getting this going, but it looks like One NZ beat it to the punch. Whats the benefit here for New Zealand residents? Its a country with many rural areas without access to mobile towers, resulting in weak or no signals. This should even the playing field for people who dont live near big cities. Now onto the caveats, and there are a couple of big ones. Starlink texting is incredibly slow when compared to traditional methods. One NZ says that most messages should be sent and received within three minutes during the initial rollout, but admits that timeframe could increase to 10 minutes or longer. It is for this reason that the company continues to urge folks to carry a personal locator beacon when traveling to a remote area. The service is also only supported by four smartphone models, which includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OPPO Find X8 Pro. This list of eligible devices is expected to grow next year. The company also intends to eventually expand the service to include voice calling and data. The satellite service is free for existing One NZ customers on paid-monthly plans, but we dont know the pricing scheme for new customers or for those signed up for other types of contracts. Starlink has partnered with other telecommunications companies to bring comprehensive coverage to Japan, Peru, Switzerland and Chile. As previously mentioned, its also working with T-Mobile to do something similar in the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/starlinks-first-nationwide-satellite-texting-service-goes-live-in-new-zealand-182343142.html?src=rss
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Sony has acquired a major stake in FromSoftwares parent company Kadokawa. This follows reports that Sony was in talks to purchase the company outright. It looks like that isnt happening, but Sony has boosted its total ownership of Kadokawa up to ten percent after spending around $300 million on more shares. This makes Sony the largest shareholder of the Japanese publisher. Sony likely made this move to get its hands on some of Kadokawas IP, which includes the entire roster of FromSoftware games and franchises created by Spike Chunsoft and Gotcha Gotcha Games. Kadokawa also publishes a boatload of anime and manga. A press release noted that the two companies will now discuss specific initiatives for collaboration, which will include live-action films and TV drama. Does this mean that well soon get an Elden Ring or Dark Souls movie? These are some of Kadokawas most prominent franchises, so its certainly possible. The companies have also promised to promote the global expansion of a wide range of entertainment, including anime and games. As for console exclusivity, dont hold your breath. Sony already owns a 14 percent stake in FromSoftware and games like Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are available on PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles and for PCs. To that end, there's some co-op DLC coming to Elden Ring sometime next year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sony-is-now-the-largest-shareholder-of-fromsoftwares-parent-company-165934956.html?src=rss
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Apple has issued a complaint about Meta regarding the DMAs mandated interoperability requests, as reported by Reuters. The iPhone maker says that Meta has issued 15 of these requests, which it says could impact the privacy and security of users. Meta disagrees. First, a quick primer. The EUs Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires that Apple allow rivals and third-party app developers to inter-operate with its own services or risk a steep fine, as much as ten percent of global turnover. Under the terms of the DMA, Apple must allow other companies to submit interoperability requests for hardware and software that affect iOS and iPadOS devices. Apple must assess these requests and, if approved, have to design a solution to allow for effective interoperability. Meta has issued 15 of these requests, more than any other company, and Apple says that compliance would give the company extensive access to its technology stack. Apple also says that doing so could put the privacy and security of users at risk. "If Apple were to have to grant all of these requests, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp could enable Meta to read on a user's device all of their messages and emails, see every phone call they make or receive, track every app that they use, scan all of their photos, look at their files and calendar events, log all of their passwords and more," Apple wrote in a statement to Reuters. The company also referred to Metas recent privacy issues throughout Europe. Meta has been fined in various countries for data breaches and for tracking users across apps, among other concerns. Meta, of course, has a different take on things. The social media and VR giant wrote that what Apple is actually saying is they dont believe in interoperability. Every time Apple is called out for its anticompetitive behavior, they defend themselves on privacy grounds that have no basis in reality. We sent preliminary findings to Apple under the Digital Markets Act.Apple should open iOS features like notifications, AirPlay, and AirDrop to third-party devices, enhancing innovation and user choice.It should also improve transparency and predictability for developers European Commission (@EU_Commission) December 19, 2024 We dont know if the EU will intervene on behalf of Apple or Meta in this case, but the European Commission recently published preliminary directions on how Apple should open up to rivals. These measures would require Apple to be transparent regarding the different phases, deadlines and criteria involving the completion of interoperability requests. These proposed measures are open for debate until January 9. In March, a decision is expected as to whether or not Apple has complied with the DMAs interoperability provision.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-and-meta-are-beefing-over-the-dmas-mandated-interoperability-requests-155851120.html?src=rss
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