The internet has been buzzing with talk about a so-called Tesla Pi Phone. This device is said to connect directly to SpaceX's Starlink network, cutting out traditional mobile carriers. The idea is that it could replace both smartphones and current internet services. But is there any truth to these claims?

A video from a YouTube channel called "Tesla Car World" started this latest wave of speculation. It claimed that Tesla had secretly developed a smartphone with lifetime free Starlink connectivity. The Pi Phone was described as having a massive 6, 499 mAh battery, a titanium and nano-ceramic body, and the ability to connect seamlessly with other Tesla products. The video also suggested that this phone could shake up the $1. 7 trillion US telecommunications industry.

The video went viral, gaining over 23, 000 views quickly. It compared the Pi Phone to Apple's iPhone 17 Air, criticizing Apple's phone for its thin design, poor durability, and heat issues. The Pi Phone was positioned as a superior alternative, offering better battery life, durability, and free global internet.

However, Elon Musk has never confirmed the existence of the Tesla Pi Phone. In fact, he has dismissed these rumors in the past. During an earnings call, Musk clarified that Tesla has no plans to enter the smartphone market. He did joke in 2022 that if Apple restricted Tesla's access to its App Store, he might consider making his own phone. But this was just a joke, not a plan.

The idea of a smartphone with free lifetime connectivity is appealing. Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, already provides broadband in remote areas. But experts say that a business model based on free connectivity wouldn't be sustainable. Starlink relies on subscription fees to maintain its satellite infrastructure.

Despite being debunked multiple times, the Tesla Pi Phone story keeps resurfacing. Without any official confirmation or evidence, the Pi Phone remains a myth. It's a reminder of how easily speculative technology can capture the public's imagination.

Tesla's Mysterious Pi Phone: Fact or Fiction?

The Fram2 mission has successfully launched four space rookies into orbit. They are traveling in a SpaceX Dragon vehicle, circling Earth over the polar regions. This journey is a big deal because it is the first time humans have flown in this particular path around our planet. The crew has already started working on important research projects from their unique position in space. They have shared some amazing photos and updates from their adventure.

The crew includes Chun Wang, a wealthy crypto entrepreneur who leads the mission, Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian filmmaker, Eric Philips, an Australian explorer known for his polar expeditions, and Rabea Rogge, a German expert in robotics. None of them had been to space before this mission, which is funded by Wang. Wang described the launch as surprisingly smooth, unlike the intense experience he had imagined.

However, the first few hours in space were not as easy. All four crew members experienced space motion sickness, feeling nauseous and vomiting. This type of sickness is different from what people feel in cars or on boats. Even small actions, like taking a sip of water, could make their stomachs upset. The crew spent their first night watching a recording of their own launch. The next morning, Wang felt refreshed and ready to enjoy the stunning views from the spacecraft's large window.

The astronauts are conducting 22 research studies to learn more about how humans handle space travel and to prepare for longer missions. They have already taken the first X-rays in space and tested SpaceX's Starlink network. Rogge, the robotics researcher, used an amateur radio to communicate with people in Berlin. The Dragon spacecraft is flying at an altitude of about 265 to 280 miles above Earth, traveling in a polar orbit. This means it passes over the planet's poles at an angle of about 60 to 90 degrees to the equator.

The mission is expected to last between three to five days. During this time, the crew will continue their research and share more updates from their journey. One of the things they hope to observe is a unique light phenomenon called STEVE, which appears as hazy purple and green streaks in the sky. The crew's adventure in space is not only exciting but also crucial for future space exploration.

STARLINK NETWORK

Tesla's Mysterious Pi Phone: Fact or Fiction?

Space Tourists Face Space Sickness in Polar Orbit

Continue reading...