China reveals space war simulator...

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

Is China prepping for a new battle… in space?

The world superpower just revealed an advanced simulation system to prepare for futuristic space warfare. Let’s dig deeper…

In today’s tech rundown:

• China develops simulation for space warfare

• NASA, Boeing, GE team up on hybrid electric planes

• 8 new products

• Apple rolls out pricing feature in App Store

• Blue Origin resumes flight schedule

• Tech giants face class action lawsuit over Apple Pay

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

MILITARY TECH

🛸 China develops simulation for space warfare

The Rundown: Though publicly opposing space weaponization, China just revealed its military now has a new advanced system to game out futuristic orbital combat scenarios and train personnel should conflict arise.

The details:

• China has used the simulation to sharpen tactics and identify elite talent — putting cadets through two months of mock space skirmishes while wielding advanced weaponry.

• The simulation provides vivid modeling of intricacies like debris collisions that could ensue, with space warfare having potential massive second-order impacts on satellites and infrastructure.

• The move comes amid broader space rivalry with the U.S., with China accusing the pioneering American Space Force of driving unwelcome militarization it must counter.

Why it matters: While nearly all countries seem aligned on the scary consequences of potential space warfare, it isn’t stopping the world’s superpowers from beefing up their military in the sector. Let’s hope humanity continues reach for the stars — without fighting each other in the process.

TOGETHER WITH MASTERWORKS

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The Rundown: The AI revolution has already begun to rewire Wall St, and its impact has been strongly felt in one growing market in particular. Because, thanks to a Harvard data scientist and his crack team, everyday people can now benefit from a previously “off-limits” investment.

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AVIATION TECH

✈️ NASA, Boeing, GE team up on hybrid electric planes

The Rundown: NASA is teaming up with GE Aerospace and Boeing on a major initiative to develop and test hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial airliners — aiming to produce new tech that decreases aviation's reliance on jet fuel.

The details:

• The hybrid electric architecture combines gas engines with electric motors and batteries for efficiency.

• NASA, GE and Boeing plan to retrofit a test plane with hybrid electric drives by the mid-2020s.

• Batteries currently can't fully power large aircrafts, but hybrid electric enables partial electrification — with electric motors filling increasing propulsion needs over time as tech progresses.

• Widespread adoption could significantly curb commercial aviation's carbon footprint, though many advances are still needed.

The relevance: With the massive current push in hybrid cars, it’s no surprise to see the same initiatives take to the sky. A scalable, reliable hybrid breakthrough would help cut down on gas-guzzling airplanes — and continue charting a greener path for transportation.

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SNIPPETS

The US House has passed an act to extend warrantless surveillance under Section 702 until April 2024.

Blue Origin is scheduled to resume flights with its New Shepard rocket today, following a year-long hiatus due to a launch failure last September.

Apple is piloting a new "contingent pricing" feature in the App Store, enabling developers to offer discounted subscriptions to users.

Florida officials refused $320 million in federal funds for climate change-related infrastructure, citing objections to the politicization of such funding.

Solana smartphone sales skyrocket as the value of a digital token related to its release significantly increases.

Apple, Visa, and Mastercard face a lawsuit alleging they colluded to dominate point-of-sale payments via Apple Pay.

Peloton expands its app compatibility to third-party treadmills, allowing users to track workout metrics, catering to subscribers of its premium subscription.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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