Amazon plans to take on Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite internet arena
Amazon has outlined its plans to deliver internet from space under Project Kuiper.
The company says it will be done by sending more than 3000 small satellites in low Earth orbit.
The e-commerce giant had signed a multi-billion-dollar contract back in April, securing 83 launches for its Project Kuiper from Arianespace, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance.
Amazon plans to take on Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite internet arena. Picture: Amazon Science
The contract was the the largest rocket deal in the history of the commercial space industry
“These launch agreements reflect our incredible commitment and belief in Project Kuiper and we’re proud to be working with such an impressive lineup of partners to deliver on our mission,” Dave Limp, the Senior Vice President for Amazon Devices & Services says in a written statement.
Tech expert Greg Nibler says Amazon is an “economic powerhouse” that has bought its way into becoming a “viable competitor”.
“With Amazon securing these contracts… will give them enough to provide some pretty reliable internet to a lot of places around the globe,” Nibler says.
SpaceX has about 2000 satellites already up in the space and a clearance to put up 12,000 but Nibler says while SpaceX is ahead of its game, Amazon is already in households across the globe.
“You think of that as just ready made customers,” he says.
“I bet that’s what they’re going to do… integrate it in with everything they’ve already got,” Nibler says, calling it a huge competitive advantage.
SpaceX’s Starlink provides internet at the cost of $110 per month but Nibler says if Amazon can make its service’s price low enough, it will be a win for the company.
Billionaire’s space race
Jeff Bezos’ satellite internet project was revealed in 2019 and is expected to be launched in installments over 5 years.
On the other hand, Nibler says Elon Musk is on the top of the world.
“With Starlink he is so far ahead I doubt he is going to view Amazon as much of a competitor,” he says.
Nibler says Bezos attempts to come after Musk over anything space based have been no secret.
“They trade their barbs back and forth on Twitter which Musk now owns,” he says.
“He (Musk) is leagues ahead of everyone so he’s kind of sitting in driver’s seat right now.”
Musk’s Starlink is available to order and is said to be suited for rural and remote communities where connectivity is otherwise unreliable or unavailable.
OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.
With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?
In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.
OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.
The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.
Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.
Policy Changes
Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.
The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.
OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.
OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.
In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.
Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.
The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.
Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.
Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.
Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.
British Companies
In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.
Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.