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Time Is Money

Sep 15, 2024 • 6 min read

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Ukraines Use of NATO Missiles
United Airlines Integrates Starlink Internet

Week Recap:

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully touched down in New Mexico after an uncrewed mission to test its return capabilities. Initially, NASA planned for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return aboard Starliner from the International Space Station (ISS), but due to concerns over technical issues with the spacecraft, the decision was made for it to re-enter without a crew. This mission was essential for evaluating Starliner’s performance as part of its path toward certification for future crewed flights.
At Apple's Glowtime event in Cupertino, Apple revealed the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These devices are designed with Apple’s new AI-driven platform, Apple Intelligence, marking a shift towards more advanced machine learning and AI capabilities across their devices.
The European Court of Justice recently ruled against Apple in a long-standing legal dispute over its tax arrangements in Ireland, marking the conclusion of a 10-year case. The case originated in 2016 when the European Commission mandated that Ireland recover up to €13 billion ($14.4 billion) in back taxes from Apple, claiming the company had benefited from unfair tax benefits. Apple has consistently denied this, asserting that it had complied with all applicable tax laws in both Ireland and the United States.
PayPal and Venmo recently introduced a new integration, enabling users to send and receive cryptocurrency using Ethereum Name Service (ENS) names. ENS simplifies the process by replacing long, complicated wallet addresses with easy-to-remember names, such as “username.eth.” This integration allows users to enter an ENS name directly when transferring crypto, eliminating the need to handle error-prone wallet addresses. It enhances the user experience by making crypto transfers much more intuitive, especially for beginners.
Microsoft experienced a major outage that disrupted access to services like Microsoft 365, Teams, Outlook, and Azure. The outage primarily impacted users on AT&T’s network, leading to thousands of reports from customers across the United States, including regions like Florida, Texas, and Ohio. The issue caused widespread problems with key cloud-based services, affecting both individuals and businesses reliant on these platforms for communication and productivity.
Sony Bank has partnered with Soneium, a new Layer 2 blockchain built on Ethereum, to create a stablecoin tied to the Japanese yen. This collaboration is part of Japan's broader initiative to integrate Web3 technologies into its financial systems, with the goal of modernizing the industry. The yen-backed stablecoin aims to lower transaction fees and improve the speed and efficiency of payments, leveraging blockchain to make transferring money simpler both within Japan and internationally. Before full deployment, the stablecoin will undergo a trial period lasting several months.

Ukraines Use of NATO Missiles:

Ukraine’s request to use NATO-supplied long-range missiles, including U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, has led to significant debate among international allies. Ukraine argues that using these missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory could disrupt critical Russian military operations by targeting supply lines, fuel depots, and logistics hubs. Some NATO members, particularly in Europe, support Ukraine’s right to decide how to use the weapons, believing it could weaken Russia's military capabilities and hasten the end of the conflict. However, other nations, including the U.S., have been more cautious, concerned that deeper strikes into Russian territory could escalate the conflict into a broader confrontation between NATO and Russia.
The conflict, which began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and escalated in 2022 with a full-scale invasion, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warnings that strikes deeper into Russian territory would widen the war, Ukraine’s NATO-backed forces have been able to resist Russian advances. Western military aid, including advanced weapons and intelligence, has played a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s defenses.
Russia, despite its numerical and material advantages, has struggled to gain decisive ground, partly due to Ukraine’s effective use of Western-supplied equipment. Putin’s threats of escalation have not yet resulted in significant military gains for Russia. Critics of continued NATO involvement argue that providing Ukraine with more advanced weaponry risks provoking Russia and could potentially lead to NATO being drawn into the conflict. They caution that deeper strikes into Russian territory, especially using long-range missiles, could trigger a broader war.
Conversely, proponents of continued military support believe that aiding Ukraine is essential for defending its sovereignty and preventing further Russian aggression. This ongoing debate reflects the complex nature of the conflict and the broader implications of international support. While there is general agreement on the need to assist Ukraine, opinions differ on how much military aid should be provided and what the potential risks of escalation are. The outcome of these discussions will likely shape the future trajectory of the conflict and the security landscape in Europe.

United Airlines Integrates Starlink Internet:

United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX to equip its entire fleet with free, high-speed Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. This advanced satellite service, expected to begin rolling out in 2025, will be available on over 1,000 aircraft. It aims to provide passengers with internet speeds similar to those on the ground, allowing for activities such as streaming, gaming, and browsing on multiple devices simultaneously during flights.
Starlink’s satellite technology operates via low-Earth orbit satellites, offering global coverage, even in remote regions like over oceans and polar areas. With speeds of up to 350 Mbps, this service will allow passengers to enjoy uninterrupted streaming and real-time online activities, addressing the typical issues of lag and slow connectivity experienced with traditional in-flight Wi-Fi.
United CEO Scott Kirby has highlighted the significant improvement this will bring to the passenger experience, allowing travelers to stay connected without sacrificing internet quality. Beyond passenger use, Starlink will enhance United’s operational efficiency. The reliable connectivity will assist crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, in streamlining communications, improving customer service, and maintaining flight safety.
This upgrade marks a significant technological shift in how in-flight operations and customer experience are managed, promising smoother travel for all. Several airlines have already adopted Starlink, including Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air New Zealand, which have implemented or are trialing the service across their fleets. Smaller carriers like JSX and Flexjet are also using Starlink, fueling competition in the aviation Wi-Fi space as airlines seek to meet the growing demand for fast, reliable in-flight internet access.

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