I’ve excellent news for all iPhone customers hoping to seize the most recent iOS 18.3 replace. It is going to not flip your system into considered one of Elon Musk’s lackeys, even when it does embrace help for T-Cellular’s just-hit-beta Starlink satellite offering.
Right here’s how this “information” got here to be: Over the previous two weeks, social media has expressed dismay over a report in Bloomberg last month that mentioned Apple and SpaceX had been “secretly working” with T-Cellular so as to add help for the Starlink community within the newest model of iOS. Now, I don’t have info to say whether or not the 2 firms are or aren’t collaborating. However I do know the fear-mongering about putting in iOS 18.3 and permitting Starlink entry to your iPhone has been vastly exaggerated.
The iOS 18.3 replace supports Starlink’s new satellite connectivity choices with T-Cellular. The provider introduced the beta launch in a big Superbowl ad, and any smartphone on any cell community can strive it. T-Cellular’s thought behind the beta is to transform you over as a brand new buyer for its out-in-the-wilderness connection choices, so it needed to be out there for each iPhone suitable with iOS 18.3. For now, this contains the iPhone 14 and up.
The primary complaints began on Apple’s support pages. People claimed they might ditch their iPhones if it meant acquiescing to Elon’s whims. “I would like nothing to do with Elon Musk [sic],” wrote a person named noelonmuskplease. It’s the primary voted touch upon that thread. “The world freaked out when Apple downloaded a U2 album onto everybody’s iPhones. Why is that this not being publicized extra?” requested one other person.
Nicely, right here you go. I’m publicizing it for you. One other person on a different support forum page additionally requested if there was a method to block T-Cellular and Starlink’s satellite tv for pc community providing in order to not have the hyperlink on their system. “Based mostly on who owns Starlink and his angle in the direction of knowledge privateness, I don’t wish to connect with Starlink in any circumstance,” replied one other person. Reddit went in on it, too.
Then, a couple of users on TikTok went viral with the assertion that downloading the iOS 18.3 replace would put “Starlink in your pocket.” They instructed folks to carry off on updating gadgets till there was extra details about what was to come back. The feedback are nonetheless going sturdy from folks, probably much less technically savvy than the weirdos right here at Gizmodo, expressing reduction over holding off on the replace for concern of complying with Elon’s Starlink.
I like tech sleuths on social media and sometimes cite them in my work. However it’s a wild leap from receiving a typical, run-of-the-mill software program replace to being unable to sleep as a result of an Elon-adjacent product has dumped code in your cellphone. However that is additionally a chief instance of what occurs while you dwell in a world the place misinformation runs rampant and rapidly beneficial properties traction due to the concern surrounding an thought. Proper now, individuals are cautious due to what’s taking place excessive up within the U.S. authorities with Trump, Musk, and the remainder of the band of mayhem-men.
What occurred is that this: folks freaked out over the concept that their iPhones had a hyperlink to some of the hated males on earth. We noticed Tim Cook dinner at Trump’s inauguration. We’ve seen how Silicon Valley lately cowed to the latest administration and the way simply the largest expertise firms rolled again their dedication to range, fairness, and inclusion as a result of political strain. Unsurprisingly, customers would assume that Musk was coming for the iPhone. He went for the White Home, didn’t he?
