entropys

Doesn’t justify the price increase.
disappointing really. Mrs entropy is ready to upgrade her old machine, which was top of the range back then.  She reckons going for the non pro plus the price sweet spot for her.

also, cracking AUD$2000 for base config of a phone?

 I would expect even Larry Ellison might pause at that, let alone any other Apple friends.

Better margins on a synthetic product.

The kind of person introducing these laws to target those that cause them discomfort never stops to think it might one day be applied to them.

tht said:

entropys said:

I can’t figure out why there is a middleman here. Just go with starlink directly and reduce the endless fiddling around with making sure the iPhone antenna is placed correctly.

You should probably tell us how this is possible, the part about not pointing the phone to the Starlink satellite. 

As for Apple, GlobalStar is their main provider for satellite comm services. They are giving Apple whatever they want, and Apple can continue to fund them for increasing the size and capacity of their satellite service, all for a pretty cheap price. 

If Starlink wants to get Apple’s business, they can offer a competitive price or a better service. 

The iridium satelitte network is a dinosaur. I know, I have an iridium phone.  Hardly ever works well, a nearby tree, a shower of rain and its no go. Anyway, given the impressive broadband of Starlink (~250mbps, latency ~ 30 ms in my experience) compared with nothing. 

Optus, in collaboration with SpaceX, which designs, manufactures and launches some of the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft, today [12 July 2023] announced an agreement to deliver mobile connectivity using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. Together, Optus and SpaceX plan to cover 100% of Australia*.

• Through its agreement with SpaceX, Optus will work to expand the reach of customers’ mobile connectivity to include the 60% of Australia’s land mass that currently has no mobile coverage. This will be achieved through a phased rollout of SpaceX’s satellite capability, starting with SMS in late 2024, with voice and data to follow in late 2025.

  SpaceX’s Senior Director of Satellite Engineering, Sara Spangelo, said, “We share Optus’ vision to improve connectivity across Australia. The connectivity pairs SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation with Optus’ mobile network to transmit directly to mobile phones across the country.

  “We’re excited to collaborate with Optus and offer a solution to expand coverage and help keep customers connected regardless of where they live or travel,” added Dr. Spangelo.

  This new satellite-to-phone coverage will be extensively tested before launch, with further information on its characteristics and accessibility provided closer to availability.

  * Excludes Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia where no service is permitted to be provided and Remote Offshore Territories and Islands of Australia. Coverage requires a clear line of sight to most of the sky.  Further information will be provided at service launch..
  

wonkothesane said:

I would not trust something your life (or your customers’ lives) could depend upon to someone as unreliable as a guy that doesn’t pay bills for toilet paper. Or rent. Or cares about the rules for taking down a street sign. Or establishing a new one. Or treating people with respect, or like they actually mean something. Just sayin’. 

What about a dude that for an entire childhood, refused to admit he had a love child? What a deadbeat.