United Airlines to Introduce Starlink Wi-Fi on Flights; Russia Develops Domestic Lithography Systems

In a significant advancement for air travel, United Airlines is set to become the first major US airline to integrate Starlink's high-speed satellite internet service on its flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted approval for the airline to equip a specific type of aircraft in its regional fleet with the service, with plans for the inaugural commercial flight featuring Starlink internet scheduled for May 2025.

Starlink, developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has already been adopted by several global airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and Air Baltic. Qatar Airways was the first major airline to announce the use of Starlink, equipping three of its planes with the service. United Airlines' move signals a growing trend among airlines to enhance passenger connectivity and onboard experience through advanced satellite technology.

Meanwhile, Russia has reported success in developing its own lithography systems aimed at supporting domestic semiconductor manufacturers. Previously reliant on foreign lithography technology, Russian chip producers had reportedly sought to import older systems from the Dutch company ASML via China. However, the newly produced lithography system in Russia currently lags significantly behind the advanced technologies utilized in the semiconductor industries of Taiwan, the USA, and other industrial nations. The system is only capable of producing relatively coarse structures with a resolution of 350 nanometers, which is comparable to technology from the 1990s.

In technology updates, Apple has rolled out significant updates for its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The latest updates introduce Apple Intelligence features to supported iPhones and iPads in the European Union, expanding language support to include German alongside English. This enhancement allows Mac users to utilize Apple's AI capabilities without needing to operate in English, marking a substantial step forward in making technology more accessible across different languages.

In Germany, discussions are intensifying regarding the implementation of a comprehensive ban on mobile phone usage in schools. The Hessian Ministry of Education is advocating for a rule that would prohibit the private use of mobile phones in school settings, although students would still be permitted to bring their devices. Similar discussions are occurring in Rhineland-Palatinate, where the opposition CDU party is pushing for legislative changes to support such a ban, aiming to introduce the proposal in the state parliament in May.

In other notable developments, China is planning to construct a new supersonic passenger aircraft capable of reaching speeds of Mach 1.6, which will be designed for greater range than the Concorde. Furthermore, new regulations are taking effect that allow users to manage their cookie preferences through recognized consent management services, addressing concerns over excessive cookie banners.

In a bid to mitigate carbon emissions in construction, researchers are exploring innovative methods to transform traditional building materials into carbon-negative products. Additionally, Nvidia has warned users of instability in its current graphic drivers for RTX 4000 models, advising a downgrade back to the December version for optimal performance.

The ongoing economic challenges have led to significant layoffs at Northvolt, the Swedish battery manufacturer, as it restructures in response to declining sales. Meanwhile, concerns are rising over the potential collapse of data transfer agreements between Germany and the USA, which could have severe implications for businesses and government entities in Germany.

In the automotive sector, Brose, a major auto supplier, has decided to sell its e-bike drive systems division to Japanese firm Yamaha as part of a strategic realignment. Investors are currently wary of Tesla stocks due to declining sales figures, contributing to a pressure on the company's share price.

Lastly, advancements in fire detection technology are underway with the development of a drone-based early warning system capable of detecting wildfires and alerting emergency services.