To cap off a busy week that saw the rollout of the first Apple Intelligence features and several new Macs, Apple reported its fiscal Q4 earnings this afternoon. The period included very early sales of the iPhone 16 lineup, offering a chance to gauge the momentum of the company’s latest phones. The Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 were also released during the quarter. CEO Tim Cook told CNBC that sales of the iPhone 15 were “stronger than 14 in the year-ago quarter, and 16 was stronger than 15.”

The company reported revenue of $94.9 billion, which is a new record for the September quarter and up 6 percent year over year. The strong performance was dampened somewhat by a one-time income tax charge of $10.2 billion that Apple paid to Ireland after a long-running tax dispute. Nearly every segment of Apple’s business was also up with the exception of the “wearables, home, and accessories” category. iPad revenues were up 8 percent after Apple finally introduced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in the spring.

Apple’s first set of AI-powered Apple Intelligence capabilities are mostly focused on summarization, writing tools, and image cleanup. ChatGPT integration and the ability to generate images will come with iOS 18.2 in December. “We’re getting great feedback from customers and developers already and a really early stat, which is only three days worth of data: users are adopting iOS 18.1 at twice the rate that they adopted 17.1 in the year ago quarter,” Cook told CNBC. 

The iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro were all refreshed this week with Apple’s latest M4 silicon. The Mini underwent a substantial redesign and is now smaller than ever. It’s rumored that M4 editions of the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio will follow sometime next year. Apple refreshed the iPad Mini earlier this month. This batch of new hardware, along with the iPhone 16 lineup and wearables, could boost Apple’s performance in the all-important holiday quarter.

New research has claimed the shift toward carrier-neutral Internet Exchanges (IXs) is revolutionizing data center connectivity, providing geographical diversity, redundancy, and flexibility to meet the increasing demands of AI, cloud services, and data-heavy applications.

Over the past decade, there has been a 600% growth in the deployment of IXs in the US, according to a recent study by Dstream Group, conducted on behalf of DE-CIX, which found 80% of all US Internet Exchanges (IXs) are now data center and carrier-neutral.

Come December 2024, and the Indian Space Research Organisation  (ISRO) will make a significant leap forward by launching its first fully electric-propelled satellites, a mission that promises to redefine India’s approach to space exploration. Known as the Technology Demonstrator Satellite (TDS-01), these satellites will highlight India’s ability to create lightweight, but powerful, spacecraft using modern electric propulsion systems. The launch is significant as it demonstrates India’s progress in space technology.

Experts point out that the integration of electric propulsion systems signifies a departure from traditional chemical thrusters and highlights the agency’s drive to enhance satellite efficiency, longevity, and operational flexibility. This move not only demonstrates ISRO’s technological capabilities but also places it in step with leading space agencies and private players, such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and China, all of which have been deploying electric propulsion in their satellite constellations. 

Electric propulsion offers several key advantages that make it an attractive choice for ISRO. “It drastically reduces the amount of propellant needed compared to chemical propulsion. Traditional satellites rely on chemical fuel for orbit-raising and station-keeping, consuming a significant portion of their mass in the process.  Electric propulsion, by contrast, uses small amounts of propellant, which is accelerated to high speeds using electrical energy, allowing satellites to perform the same tasks with much greater fuel efficiency. This efficiency enables ISRO to reduce the weight of its satellites, allowing more room for payloads or additional instrumentation, ultimately enhancing mission capacity,”  remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems. 

Moreover, electric propulsion extends the operational life of satellites. With traditional systems, once a satellite runs out of fuel, it becomes inoperable, even if its components are still functional. Electric propulsion, with its efficient use of fuel,  allows satellites to stay operational for longer periods, providing better value or money and reducing the need for frequent replacements. This is particularly valuable for communications satellites, which need to maintain precise positions in geostationary orbit for years. 

“A  ajor critical advantage of electric propulsion is its flexibility in orbital maneuvering. Satellites equipped with electric propulsion can make more precise orbital adjustments, making them suitable for missions that require fine control over satellite positioning, such as remote sensing, navigation, and scientific research missions. This flexibility will allow ISRO to expand its satellite capabilities, opening new possibilities for advanced Earth observation systems and interplanetary missions,” added Kesan. 

Interestingly electric propulsion, a technology that dates back to the 1960s with the Soviet Union’s Zond 2 probe, has evolved to become a cornerstone of modern satellite design. The first commercial application of this technology came with PanAmSat’s PAS-5 satellite in 1997, which used an electric thruster for station-keeping, marking the beginning of the transition from chemical to electric propulsion for satellites. In recent years, this technology has gained widespread adoption, thanks to its ability to drastically reduce fuel consumption and extend satellite lifetimes. 

The TDS-01 satellite will be the first Indian satellite to feature an electric propulsion system developed entirely indigenously. This system operates by using gases, such as argon, which are ionized (charged) and then powered by solar energy to generate thrust. This method makes the satellite more efficient and reduces the need for large amounts of fuel.  

“The satellite’s solar panels capture energy from the Sun and convert sunlight into electricity, which then powers various functions, including the electric propulsion system. This process not only helps the satellite move but also ensures that it uses less fuel, making the spacecraft lighter and more cost-effective. In addition to the electric propulsion system, the satellite will include travelling wave tube amplifiers  (TWTAs), devices that are crucial for strengthening the satellite’s communication signals and remote-sensing tasks. TWTAs ensure the signals are powerful enough to reach Earth or other spacecraft. This allows for clear data transmission and reliable communication between the satellite and ground stations,” explained space and aerospace expert Girish Linganna. 

All parts of the satellite, including the electric thrusters and TWTAs, have been completely developed in  India. This highlights the country’s ability to create advanced satellite technologies on its own. “Electric thrusters are engines used in satellites and spacecraft that generate thrust by using electricity to accelerate charged particles (ions). Unlike traditional rocket engines that burn fuel to create force, electric thrusters use much less fuel and are more efficient over long periods, making them ideal for space missions. The satellite will weigh less than two tons, but have the same power as a traditional satellite that weighs four tons. The electric propulsion system will help the satellite stay in orbit for a longer time, which will extend its overall lifespan,” added Linganna. 

Experts point out that since electric propulsion requires less fuel and results in a lighter satellite, it can significantly reduce launch and operational costs. Electric propulsion enables more efficient control of the satellite’s position and movement in orbit. Compared to chemical propulsion, electric systems produce fewer emissions, making them more environment-friendly. 

There are challenges too. “Electric propulsion produces less thrust than chemical systems, making it slower for the satellite to reach its final orbit. As said earlier, while chemical thrusters can reach a geostationary orbit in about a week, electric propulsion may take up to three months.  Additionally designing and implementing electric propulsion systems is more complex and requires advanced technology and specialized knowledge,” said  Linganna. 

Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, you’ll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle.

Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. There’s no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you’re stuck and need to know the answers to today’s Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below.

How to play Strands

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strand answers

Today’s spanagram

We’ll start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own:

Today’s Strands answers

• ROOK
• KNIGHT
• QUEEN
• PAWN
• KING
• TIMER
• BOARD
• BISHOP

Google continues to expand the availability of physical stores dedicated to Pixel and related products in the US. The Mountain View giant is about to open its fifth retail location. If you can’t wait for the opening, here are some images showing what the new Google Store Oakbrook looks like.

The Google Store Oakbrook is located in an outdoor mall. In fact, of the company’s five physical stores, this is the first one that bets on this type of location. The store will open tomorrow (Friday) to start selling products from the Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit lineups. Essentially, it will stock nearly all the products available on the online Google Store.

Google continues to expand its physical stores with the Google Store Oakbrook

A few years ago, Google changed its strategy regarding Google Pixels. Initially, the company was betting on a completely online approach. However, the Mountain View giant has set out to make its products capture a larger market share, making them part of the mainstream rather than remaining “niche.” Opening multiple physical retail locations is part of this strategy.

For the Google Store Oakbrook, images (courtesy of 9to5Google) show that the company has maintained the heavily wood-based aesthetic of the others. The wooden facade includes the name “Google Store” in a single color. Unlike previous years, the latest Google product boxes feature a monochromatic logo design. So, it seems that the brand is pursuing a more sober and minimalist aesthetic.

A wood-theme store where you can buy, test products, and get help

Returning to the Google Store, the wood-based theme is clearly visible from the outside through the windows. Upon entering, visitors will see large counters, shelves, and desks displaying the company’s products. One of the benefits of physical stores is that potential buyers can try out devices. This always gives a greater sense of confidence before making a purchase. However, the store also allows you to buy products online and pick them up in person later.

The Google Store Oakbrook will not only sell devices, but there is also technical support. If you have any problems, you can go to the “Here to Help” desk, where you can get advice and tips, or directly initiate device repair requests. The new physical Google retail location will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST.