Apple's iPhone 17 series has arrived to kick off the next global upgrade cycle, with early sales showing healthy traction. Preorders in China even pushed some models into shipping delays. But the headline model, iPhone 17 Air, has stumbled before it even got going. Its e-SIM-only design doesn't pass local regulatory muster, effectively locking it out of the world's largest smartphone market. For Apple, that's not just a sales snag; it's a strategic blind spot.
In a bid to accelerate innovation in 5G and cloud-native mobile networking, Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has launched a new global joint venture, Aduna, in partnership with major telecom operators including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Japan's KDDI. The initiative aims to unify and commercialize network APIs across carriers, platforms, and developers, laying the groundwork for a more open, programmable network ecosystem that could underpin the future API-driven global economy.
SpaceX is reportedly working with semiconductor manufacturers to develop a custom chip that will enable its upcoming direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication service, aimed at connecting ordinary smartphones directly to its Starlink satellite network. The service is slated for testing by the end of 2026, marking a major step in the company's ambitious plan to reshape global connectivity.
