Of course perhaps the largest highlight in tech this week, especially for gadget enthusiasts, is the Apple Event 2023. We tweeted most of the highlights. But we have a quick brief on this as well.
Here is what week 37 of 2023 has been up to in tech! For clarity, week 37 of 2023 runs from Monday 9th September to Sunday 17th September.
1. SpaceX Starlink revenue falls short of projections
A report by the Wall Street Journal indicates that the Starlink division of SpaceX has failed to meet customer and revenue projections. To woo investors in 2015, Starlink said it would have 20 million subscribers and earn $12 billion in revenue by 2022. However, the service gained about 1.5 million subscribers globally, and a revenue of $1.4 billion in 2022.
Starlink has the largest network of 4,700 low-earth orbit (LEO) broadband satellites. These satellites provide between 50 and 200 Mbps internet in areas without access to fiber or cable networks. Consumers have three packages to choose from, starting at $599 equipment fees and $110 per month for internet. There is also Starlink RV at the same equipment fee but $135 per month. Starlink Business requires a $2,500 installation fee and a $500 monthly subscription.
Despite this pricing strategy, Starlink is yet to make a profit. Individuals and businesses that can afford this service mainly live in cities that already have robust and cheaper internet. There is no need for specialized equipment in these areas, so Starlink’s upfront costs turn off many customers. Investors are still waiting for official revenue figures from the company.
2. NYC Police using AI to predict future criminals
A new report by the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) included redacted NYPD contracts with tech firm Voyager Labs. The deal signed in 2018 was worth over $8 million. The company uses proprietary technology to create “AI-based investigation solutions,” according to its website. Voyager Labs claims that its AI technology can predict future crimes based on social media usage. It assigns a risk score and reports users who have any ties to extremism or Islamic fundamentalism.
The STOP report shows that the NYPD used Voyager’s AI technology to track social media users. The same firm was flagged by the Brennan Center for Justice for its partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department.
This technology raises alarms about how social media platforms share user data with law enforcement agencies. It may violate terms of service and interfere with First Amendment rights. It may also have a negative impact on marginalized groups.
In January this year, Meta sued Voyager Labs for creating fake accounts to scrape data from 600,000 users. Voyager has since claimed that their AI software only uses publicly available data. They also claim that their software does not replace human oversight.
3. Save the Children ransomware attack compromises 6.8TB of data
The cybercrime group, BianLian, added Save the Children to its list of targets this week. It stole 6.8TB of data from the nonprofit, including personal data, HR files, and financial records. The hackers’ intention is unclear, but they might leak or sell the data if a ransom demand is rejected. In a statement to The Register, Save the Children acknowledged the cyberattack but reported no interruptions to their operations.
BianLian first appeared in 2018 as a double-extortion hack group. They would steal and encrypt data, then threaten a leak unless ransom is paid. However, the group recently shifted tactics to pure extortion, meaning they no longer encrypt the stolen data and focus on the ransom. This makes them an even bigger threat should the data leak or land in the wrong hands.
Save the Children began in 1919 to provide relief for children impacted by WW1. The NGO has since helped over a billion children around the world. An investigation into the cyberattack is ongoing.
4. No more lightning chargers for iPhones
During the iPhone 15 unveiling, Apple confirmed that their latest product will use a USB-C charging cable instead of a lightning cable. The company also released a USB-C-to-lightning adapter for Apple accessories. This change is due to an EU compliance directive issued 11 months ago. It required the tech giant to use a more user-friendly charging system instead of their proprietary design. Adopting USB-C may also reduce e-waste and save money for the company and its consumers.
While this new feature complies with EU regulations, consumers may reconsider their decision to buy the latest iPhone. First, buyers may opt for cheaper USB-C devices instead of a premium iPhone, since there are few differentiating features. Secondly, the adapter comes in at $36, a high price point compared to off-brand alternatives. Finally, the new devices are quite similar to each other and to their predecessors. A brighter screen, an action button, and a titanium frame may not be worth the upgrade.
That said, the iPhone 15 handset is not on sale yet, with pre-orders set to begin on September 15. The impacts of the USB-C transition on consumers and the environment are yet to be seen.
5. New Unity fee structure charges developers for installations
Unity Technologies, creators of the Unity Engine, announced a new pricing plan for game developers. From January 1, 2024, developers will be charged for downloads and installations for each game. The additional runtime fee depends on the license. Unity Personal and Unity Plus subscribers who earn $200,000 in annual revenue will pay $0.20 per install for 200,000 lifetime installs. Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise subscribers will pay $0.15 and $0.125 per install, respectively. The rate applies after one million lifetime installs and $1 million annual revenue.
Game developers were outraged at the news, causing the company to clarify the charges a day after the announcement. On their official X (formerly Twitter) page, Unity stated that over 90% of game developers won’t be affected by the pricing change. The company also said that the one-time fees apply to new installs only, not on reinstalls, trials, streamed games, or charity bundles.
The biggest concerns for Unity developers from this announcement involve disgruntled gamers, subscription services, and charity offers. The fee would also take a significant part of indie developers’ incomes and put their sustainability to question. Despite the clarifications, developers still worry about the runtime fee implications. Many developers can afford a per-seat license, but any additional fees would be a potentially unmanageable burden.
