Intricate and sophisticated sequences depend on several untested technologies. A crucial aspect is the refueling of starships in space. Dreyer noted that it remains uncertain how many launches will be required to supply the necessary fuel, but they must occur rapidly.
“It might take between 12 and 20 refueling missions within a month to replenish Starship’s tanks with enough fuel for a mission to the moon and back,” he stated. “Such a scenario has never been realized.”
Refueling only in space would necessitate a “significant advancement” from Starship’s current capabilities, he remarked.
“This poses a tremendous challenge,” Dreyer emphasized. “Without these advancements, our lunar aspirations won’t be achievable.”
The Starship lander is projected to stand approximately 150 feet taller than the rugged, spider-like lunar lander NASA utilized during the Apollo missions. Such a taller design could enable Starship to transport more passengers and cargo; however, it may also be less stable than the Apollo spacecraft.
Nevertheless, Dreyer argued that it wouldn’t have been practical for NASA to depend on outdated technology, especially considering financial constraints. A single Saturn V rocket launch from the Apollo era costs around $2 billion today. In contrast, SpaceX aims to develop Starship as fully reusable, which could lower costs and speed up launch times.
The next phase for the company involves revealing an upgraded Starship prototype. This model is approximately five feet taller and incorporates an enhanced docking mechanism, increased energy storage, and software improvements to facilitate long-duration flights.
This new version will be employed for Starship’s inaugural orbital flight, testing essential SpaceX procedures such as fuel transfer and payload transportation into space, as per SpaceX officials. I discussed this in my previous post following Monday’s test.
Future missions, like this week’s, will also be under scrutiny as China moves toward its 2030 objectives.
“Four years is a short time frame in space,” Dreyer remarked. “These endeavors are exceptionally complex and challenging because the universe is perpetually testing you.”
Deep, resonating pulses and heartbeats are being revealed beneath East Africa, ripping the continent apart.
This unusual phenomenon is attributed to a rhythmic surge in melting mantle rocks that rise and fall beneath the Earth’s surface, as explained by recent research. Natural Earth Science. These forces are so intense that they’ve been capable of splitting Africa for millions of years, resulting in the formation of new oceans.
These geological pulses were identified in the AFAR triangle, the region where three tectonic plates (the African, Somali, and Arabian plates) converge beneath Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. This area, known as a structural triple junction, is one of the rare locations on Earth where the crust is simultaneously pulled in three different directions.
As the plates shift, significant fissures, known as lifts, form. Here, the Earth’s crust thins until it eventually fractures. It is within these gaps that the discovery was made.
“We discovered that the mantle underneath was not stationary but rather uniformly dynamic,” said Dr. Emma Watts, a geologist at Swansea University who led the research.
To delve further, the research team gathered volcanic rock samples from the area and examined their chemical composition. What emerged was a type of “geological barcode,” showcasing a consistent pattern of chemical traits, which indicates that magma plumes have ascended over millions of years.
Geologists study layers of volcanic sediments to decipher the history of the rocks. Coset Volcano, the main Ethiopian rift. – Credit: Thomas Gernon, University of Southampton
At times, some barcodes were broader than others, hinting that the clefts channel pulse magma.
“The chemical patterns indicate that the plume behaves like a heartbeat,” stated Professor Tom Gernon, who also contributed to the study from the University of Southampton.
He elaborated that these pulses function differently based on the Earth’s crustal structure. Magma pulses can travel more freely, akin to the way blood flows through arteries along the Red Sea.
“Our findings reveal a close link between the evolution of deep mantle upwellings and the movement of the plates above,” said Derek Keir, co-author of the research at the University of Southampton.
“This significantly influences our understanding of surface volcanism, seismic activity, and continental fission.”
Apple has built its reputation on innovation, but recently, it has leaned more towards diplomatic solutions.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, recently secured a tariff exemption for exporting iPhones manufactured in China. This strategic move allowed Apple to focus on business and maintain a strong position.
It facilitated the company’s launch of new budget-friendly iPhones in February, alongside boosting app and service sales. Apple stated that quarterly profits increased by 4.8% from last year, totaling $24.78 billion. Meanwhile, company sales rose5% to $953.6 billion.
These results surpassed Wall Street Analysts’ expectations of $24.37 billion in profits and $943.5 billion in sales.However, stocks fell by more than 2% in after-hours trading.
Apple’s consistent performance emerged amidst various challenges. Within months, the company faced both internal and external struggles, including setbacks with its highly anticipated artificial intelligence system and the tough tariff policies enforced by the Trump administration on overseas products.
Last month, Apple’s stock took a dive following President Trump’s announcement of a 145% tariff on exports from China, where 80% of iPhones are produced. This measure also affected other countries that manufacture iPads and Macs, such as Vietnam, resulting in a loss of approximately $770 billion in market value over four days.
Wall Street analysts anticipate that Apple may need to raise the iPhone price from $1,000 to $1,600. In response, some customers rushed to purchase iPhones before the potential price hike, leading to a temporary sales boost.
However, three months after donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, Tim Cook sought to persuade the White House to ease the tariff restrictions.
Last Thursday, Apple reported that iPhone sales, its primary revenue source, increased by 2% to $46.841 billion compared to the previous quarter. There was over a 10% rise in iPhone sales in Japan, India, and the Middle East, leading Apple to secure the largest share of smartphone sales globally in three months, according to Counterpoint Research.
Nevertheless, the company continues to struggle in China, posting a sales decline for the sixth consecutive quarter, with total revenue from the region at $16 billion, down 2% year-over-year.
“We are eager to see the developments at the company’s high-tech research firm,” said Ben Bajarin, principal analyst at Creative Strategies. “The question remains, what if additional tariffs are implemented?”
The company’s services division, which includes app sales, Apple Music, and Apple Pay, has outperformed device sales, generating $26.65 billion in revenue, reflecting an 11.6% increase from the previous year.
However, the future stability of Apple’s services division is in question. Recently, a federal judge criticized the company’s business practices under antitrust laws, ruling that Apple could not impose a 27% fee on selling apps outside its app store, undermining a key revenue stream.
In another antitrust matter, Apple risks losing the $2 billion in service revenue derived from Google’s payment for being the default search engine on iPhone web browsers. A federal ruling last year determined that Google maintained an illegal search monopoly, with hearings planned to address these activities.
The device division also faces uncertainties. Last year, Apple unveiled a generational AI system aimed at enhancing email, summarizing notifications, and upgrading Siri, its virtual assistant. This system was marketed as a primary reason to purchase a new iPhone. However, in March, the company announced it would be delayed until this fall.
Five years later, Apple is back with a complete revamp of its earphones, which rebranded the Beats Headphones brand for athletes and sports enthusiasts as the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Designed to be attached to the ear and placed without wires, the original PowerBeats Pro is the perfect earphone for workouts and was worn by sports superstars such as Lebron James and Anthony Joshua.
In 2025, Apple refined the fit, slimmed the bulk, added noise cancellation and heart rate monitoring to the original Powerbeats Pro, priced at $250, aiming to reclaim the top spot in the industry.
The overall design of the earphones remains the same, with a flexible silicone wire that hooks behind the user’s ears and connects to earphones with arms sitting in the ears. It is lighter and more secure than its predecessor, making it comfortable for extended listening sessions during commute and active exercise without any discomfort.
Each earphone includes a multi-functional “B” button for playback and noise cancellation control, as well as a volume locker for easy adjustments during workouts. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The earphones provide approximately 8 hours of playback with noise cancellation (10 hours without it) and come with a flip-top case that can charge the earphones three times. The case, which is 30% smaller than before, is still quite spacious and fits easily in a bag, but may be a bit bulky for pockets.
The PowerBeats Pro 2 features the same H2 chip and connectivity as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, offering seamless connections with various Apple devices, spatial audio for movies and music, audio sharing, SIRI support, lossless audio, and more when used with the Apple Vision Pro.
Additionally, the earphones support advanced Android features, making the Beats app more versatile than other Apple earphones, allowing for one-touch pairing, customization, updates, and other functionalities.
Great Sound Quality and Effective Noise Cancellation
Adjust noise cancellation and other settings using iPhone Bluetooth settings or the Android Beats app. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The H2 chip equips the Powerbeats with many top features of AirPods, including active noise cancellation that is nearly as effective as Apple’s top buds, providing significant reduction of external sounds. The earphones handle wind noise well and boast the best-in-class transparency mode.
The new Powerbeats offer excellent sound quality, with great separation of tones, well-controlled bass, and detailed high notes. They perform well across various music genres, from pop and hip hop to classical and jazz. They may not match the AirPods Pro in sound adjustment capabilities, but they excel in most workout scenarios.
Additionally, they support Apple’s personalized spatial audio system for immersive sound experiences and offer exceptional call quality.
Specifications
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, HR sensor
Battery life: 8 hours ANC playback (36 hours with case)
Water resistance: IPX4 earphones (sweat resistant)
Earphone dimensions: 45 x 41 x 24mm
Earphone weight: 8.7g each
Charging case dimensions: 75 x 66 x 34mm
Charging case weight: 69g
Case charging: USB-C, QI wireless
Ear Heart Rate Monitoring
The optical heart rate sensor is located just inside the ear next to the silicon tip. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature an optical heart rate sensor that enables pulse monitoring through the ears, similar to Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport Earbuds. The sensor, located on the earphones’ inner side touching the tragus, achieves accurate pulse readings when both earphones are worn.
Data from the heart rate sensor is stored in the health app on iPhones or connected training apps for Android users, providing accurate and useful fitness tracking.
Sustainability
The PowerBeats Pro 2 case is sturdy and charges via USB-C and QI, but lacks water resistance and may be bulky for some users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple has not disclosed the expected battery lifespan, but it is estimated to endure over 500 full charge cycles at 80% capacity. Additionally, the earphones incorporate recycled plastic in some internal components and offer individual replacements for lost or damaged parts.
While the earphones are not repairable, Apple supports trade-in and recycling programs for its products, including non-Apple devices, promoting responsible disposal and reducing environmental impact.
Price
The PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £249.95 ($249.99).
When compared to other models, the Beats Fit Pro is priced at £219.99, Beats Studio Buds+ at £179.99, Beats Solo Buds at £79.99, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 at £229, and Sennheiser Momentum Sport at £199.
Verdict
The PowerBeats Pro 2 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering top-notch features and performance for premium training earphones.
With secure and lightweight fit, effective noise cancellation, and heart rate monitoring, these earphones cater to a wide range of workout needs. They excel in sound quality, call quality, and offer platform compatibility with iPhone and Android devices.
While the price point may be high, the PowerBeats Pro 2 stand out as versatile and high-performance earbuds suitable for various activities, especially for iPhone users seeking a secure and reliable fit.
The main drawback is the non-replaceable batteries, which may impact the long-term sustainability and lifespan of the earphones.
Strong Points: Excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation and transparency mode, long battery life, secure and comfortable fit, user-friendly controls, spatial sound experience, excellent call quality, cross-platform compatibility with iPhone and Android.
Cons: High price point, bulky case, limited iPhone app support for heart rate monitoring features, lack of multipoint connection, non-replaceable batteries.
The music pauses when you remove the PowerBeats Pro 2, thanks to the sensor located on the earphones’ bottom. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple’s latest Beats-branded earphones offer the sound, fit, and Android compatibility of the popular Studio Buds but in a smaller, cheaper, and longer-lasting package.
The Solo Buds follow in the footsteps of last year’s Buds+, offering full integration with a range of Apple’s devices and Google’s Android, providing the best of both platforms.
However, Beats has trimmed some features and lowered the price to £80 (€90 / $80 / AU$130), half the price of the brand’s other truly wireless earphones.
The appearance is very similar to the Studio Buds and Buds+, and while the compact pill shape remains, the shape has been slightly improved for increased comfort. They are light, fit well, and come with four different sizes of earphone tips.
The tops of the earbuds protrude slightly from the ears, making them easier to grip. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A hidden button just above the “b” logo allows you to control playback, access your phone’s voice assistant, adjust the volume, and more, although it doesn’t pause your music when taken out of your ears like AirPods do.
Unlike most earbuds, the Solo Buds do not have a battery inside the case to charge them when not in use. Instead, each earbud has a powerful built-in battery that provides 18 hours of playback on a single charge.
The case charges the earbuds when connected to a USB-C cable, but with no built-in battery, they are 40% smaller, 55% lighter, and easier to fit in your pocket. The earbuds also emit a chime when charging or in pairing mode instead of an indicator light on the case.
specification
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC
Battery life: 18 hr
water resistance: none
driver: 8.2mm
Earphone Weight: 5.7g each
Earphone Dimensions: 16.7 x 18.5 x 18.9mm
Case Weight: 22 g
Case Dimensions: 34.7 x 66.1 x 23.7mm
charging: USB-C
Perfect for Android or iPhone
It takes 80 minutes to fully charge the earbuds via USB-C. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Like the more recent Studio Buds+ and Solo 4, the Beats’ big advantage is their broad cross-compatibility with Android and iOS.
It integrates better with iPhone than the competition, with controls accessible in Quick Settings, instant pairing you only need to do once to use with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products, and an Audio Sharing option so you can use two sets of headphones with one device.
If you have an Android or Google device, many of the same features are supported, including instant pairing, syncing and switching between Google devices, and spatial audio with compatible Pixel devices. The Beats Android app provides controls, a battery widget, settings, and other features.
The earbuds are also integrated with Apple and Google’s Find My systems, meaning you can locate them if you lose them, regardless of platform.
Good sound quality but no noise cancelling
The Solo Buds have good sound quality but lack noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
One big feature that was cut to achieve the lower price point was noise cancellation, so the Solo Buds rely entirely on silicone earbud tips to block out the outside world. They perform reasonably well when playing music, but they can’t completely block out the noise of your commute like the Buds+ can.
However, they are equipped with the same drivers as Beats’ more expensive earphones, so the sound quality is worth the price. They produce great, easy-to-listen-to sound with a decent amount of bass balanced with the highs. The earphones sound great across a range of genres and never sound shrill or cheap. Sound separation is solid, but they lack a bit of detail and aren’t quite on par with the best in the business.
There’s no equalizer or other adjustments available, and they lack the spatial audio tech found in the company’s more expensive earbuds, making movies and TV shows less immersive when watching them on Apple devices, though the Solo Buds are compatible with Google’s spatial audio system in Pixel devices.
Call quality was very good in both quiet environments and noisy city streets, and although my voice sounded slightly compressed, it did a good job of blocking out background noise during calls.
sustainability
The case is much smaller and does not contain a battery but does contain some electrical components visible in a transparent red color. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple does not disclose the expected lifespan of the battery but should last for more than 500 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity.
Apple offers out-of-warranty repairs “Battery Service”. The company has not released environmental impact statements for its headphones and other accessories, but it offers trade-ins and free recycling for products, including non-Apple products.
In comparison, Beats Studio Buds are £160, Studio Buds+ are £180, Apple AirPods 3 are £169, and Fairphone Fairbuds are £189. £129Nothing Ear (a) is priced at £89.
verdict
The Solo Buds are a great set of budget earphones that straddle the line between Android and Apple platforms better than the competition.
For just £80, you get more than the basics: great sound quality, extremely long battery life, a small case, and a very comfortable fit. Perfect integration into the iPhone is something only Apple can offer, and Android offers much the same functionality with the Beats app.
There are some shortcomings compared to the brand’s more expensive earbuds and competitors, the biggest of which is the lack of noise cancellation, which may be a turn-off for some, as well as the lack of hands-free Siri support, water resistance rating, and Apple spatial audio, but these may be negligible given the price.
The battery is not replaceable and the earbuds are not repairable, so they are ultimately disposable, which will cost them a star.
Strong Points: Great sound quality, cross-platform compatibility with enhanced features for iPhone and Android, great battery life, small case, compact and comfortable for long periods of use, stable button control, low cost.
Cons: No noise cancellation, no Apple spatial audio, music doesn’t pause when removed, not repairable.
The Solo Buds are great, affordable earbuds that fit in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Solo 4 headphones are an improvement on the fan-favorite headphones that made Beats famous, upgraded with longer battery life, improved sound quality, and the latest features favored by Apple and Android.
The original Solo HD was launched in 2009 and was updated in 2016 as the Solo 3 after Apple acquired Beats. Now in its fourth generation, the Solo headphones are the company’s smallest and lightest at £200 (€230 / $200 / AU$330), making them cheaper than the £350 Studio Pro.
The design remains essentially the same but has been updated with premium materials and color options. While competitors have moved away from this shape, Beats continues to offer on-ear headphones that sit on top of the ears rather than around them.
A slight reduction in pressure on the sides of your head and softer ear cushions make these headphones more comfortable than previous models. They fold up for easy transport and come with a compact, easy-to-use case.
The “b” logo in the ring surrounding it and the volume buttons are easy to use as they make a satisfying click sound when pressed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The left ear cup houses a Beats button with playback controls and a volume rocker, as well as a small, easy-to-miss white LED next to the 3.5mm headphone socket for the detachable cable, indicating power and connection status – a rare feature on wireless headphones these days.
The right cup houses the power button and a USB-C socket for charging the headphones, or for wired listening or calls with USB-equipped devices. The battery lasts up to 50 hours with Bluetooth playback, and the headphones can also be used without battery power using the included 3.5mm analog cable.
specification
weight: 217g
size: 177 x 158 x 68mm
driver: 40mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, USB-C audio and charging
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