The incident took place on 19 April, when a convoy coming back from a mission aimed at suspected methamphetamine labs in a secluded, hilly region lost control and fell into a ravine. Authorities reported that two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency also lost their lives.
The bottom line: On most lunar landing flights, astronauts probably won’t travel farther from Earth than Artemis II did, though in some cases the right circumstances could push a crew slightly past the 252,756-mile threshold. A guaranteed surpassing of that distance will likely occur once a mission targets Mars.
Haise, the sole surviving member of Apollo 13, wasn’t especially pleased with the distance record he and his fellow astronauts set in 1970. It felt like a sort of consolation prize to him. You’re likely aware of the story of Apollo 13’s aborted lunar landing and the nonstop, high-stakes effort to bring the crew back home.
Even so, of the more than 100 billion people who have ever lived on Earth, the Artemis II crew has been farther from the cradle than anyone else. It isn’t the same as walking on the Moon, but it’s more than just a trivial fact.
Haise, 92, spoke with Ars while Artemis II was returning to Earth earlier this month. Below is our conversation, lightly edited for clarity.
Ars: How closely have you followed the Artemis II mission?
Fred Haise: Not very closely. I haven’t watched anything today—I just got back from my great-grandson’s baseball game. From their published flight plan I could tell they’re past the Moon and on the cruise back toward Earth for reentry. I’ve seen some of the photos they took, and they’re excellent. Their cameras and gear are better than what we had on Apollo, so the images look to be much higher resolution than what we managed from that distance.
Ars: I presume this all brings back some memories for you.
Haise: Vaguely. Their splashdown on Friday means that the following day, Saturday the 11th, is the day I launched 56 years ago. So yes, I’ve gone through several lifetimes—the Shuttle era and then a career in business. That was a long time ago.
However, Apple’s new CEO might address that issue.
However, Apple’s new CEO might address that issue.
Apple and Samsung have maintained a stronghold on the US mobile market for many years. Along with Google, they have defined the standards of what a smartphone should be, influencing advancements in mobile photography, software design, and processing capabilities. Nevertheless, in recent years, they have appeared less innovative, choosing to gradually improve their products rather than breakthrough new advancements. Meanwhile, Chinese tech companies have surged ahead, creating a widening disparity between what is offered to US consumers versus global markets. US smartphone purchasers are missing valuable options.
Apple shares some responsibility for this disparity. Its approach often dictates market trends, and its recent pace has been sluggish. However, with new CEO John Ternus—who has extensive experience in hardware—set to lead from this September’s iPhone 18 rollout, there is hope that the more cautious strategy of Tim Cook regarding iPhone specifications might soon be a thing of the past. Should Ternus escalate the speed of innovation, the broader US market might be compelled to follow suit.
In various respects, US smartphones trail behind their international counterparts, notably in camera quality and battery life. The improvements in battery technology are a recent trend, following years where Chinese smartphones have showcased rapid charging technologies that have yet to see widespread application in the US. Innovations like silicon-carbon batteries allow for larger energy storage in the same space, enhancing performance. Typical smartphones have seen their battery capacity double recently, while slim devices and foldables now frequently outperform standard models in terms of battery life—Honor’s Magic 8 Pro Air is comparable in thickness to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge but surpasses the S26 Ultra with a superior battery.
Thus far, the trio of Apple, Samsung, and Google has not introduced any models utilizing silicon-carbon batteries, nor have they indicated plans to do so. In stark contrast, numerous Chinese Android manufacturers have already embraced this technology.
The slow uptake in the US may be attributed to concerns about long-term battery life. Silicon-carbon batteries could potentially degrade in capacity more quickly, leading to larger, but not necessarily enduring, batteries. Chinese manufacturers assert they have found methods to mitigate this issue; however, tangible evidence will only emerge as initial silicon-carbon devices age. Furthermore, the requirement of maintaining 80 percent battery capacity after five years under forthcoming EU regulations adds caution for manufacturers who may not want to compromise battery longevity.
When it comes to cameras, the situation is equally concerning. Although Apple, Google, and Samsung have previously set benchmarks in mobile photography, there’s no current clear leader among them. Continual minor updates have resulted in many phones utilizing outdated camera hardware. Samsung has lagged the most, evidenced by its S26 and S26 Plus having hardly progressed from their predecessors, the S22.
In contrast, leading Chinese brands consider camera advancements their competitive edge. Each year, their Ultra flagship models enhance aspects such as resolution, sensor size, and aperture, and these innovations trickle down to more affordable models. Collaborations with companies like Zeiss, Leica, and Hasselblad bring custom lenses, color tuning, and unique design elements to the devices. Furthermore, these advancements extend beyond phones into accessories, like official camera grips featuring shutter buttons and zoom controls, and even telephoto extenders that drastically enhance shooting capabilities.
Of course, enhancements have their drawbacks. Larger sensors and superior lenses require more space, resulting in bulkier cameras that can dominate the rear of modern Ultra smartphones. While they deliver performance, they may lack aesthetic charm. I’ve questioned whether Apple would embrace such large camera setups, though the newly designed camera “plateau” on the iPhone 17 Pro indicates a potential shift in design philosophy.
Additionally, camera components represent a substantial cost, significantly impacting profit margins for each smartphone produced. Tim Cook, known for his practical approach to maximizing profits through gradual upgrades, likely frowns upon initiatives that would reduce the iPhone’s profitability.
I’ve recently begun testing Vivo’s X300 Ultra, a smartphone boasting multiple 200-megapixel camera sensors, a robust 6,600mAh silicon-carbon battery, and compatibility with two external telephoto lenses alongside a grip transforming the phone into a compact camera. Each rear camera is comparable in specs to the primary cameras of leading models from Apple, Samsung, and Google.
As remarkable as the X300 Ultra is, these features are not groundbreaking. Similar attributes appear in recent flagship models from Oppo, Xiaomi, and Huawei, including a 10x telephoto lens that outperforms Samsung’s latest offering, a continuous optical zoom with an adjustable lens, and a camera that switches between two lenses sharing a single sensor. Honor is set to release a phone with a robotic gimbal camera mechanism. The disparity in photographic capabilities is so stark that my experience using last year’s Pixel 10 Pro XL, lauded as one of the top camera phones in the US, left me frustrated by its limitations compared to various Chinese flagships.
However, this issue extends beyond Ultra models, and it includes elements beyond just batteries and cameras. The Honor 600 offers better specifications than the iPhone 17 at a lower price, featuring a 200-megapixel, 1/1.4-inch main camera, a 7,000mAh battery, and the utmost IP69K dust and water-resistance rating — surpassing the iPhone in all aspects. Poco’s X8 Pro Max retails from $469, equipped with a 9,000mAh battery and 100W charging, alongside the same outstanding IP69K rating. Spend slightly more on the company’s $769 F8 Ultra and enjoy stereo speakers and a subwoofer from Bose. Innovative features, such as RGB lighting, liquid cooling, color-shifting designs, and dual screens on the rear, have all been created, but few have made it widely to the US market due to skepticism towards Chinese technology and resistance from US carriers.
The US smartphone landscape is primarily dominated by two players: Apple and Samsung. While Google’s Pixel makes headlines now and then, it still holds a marginal market share. Motorola performs well selling lower-end models, but given rumors that OnePlus may cease US operations, choices for consumers may soon diminish. You may not be inclined toward phones with RGB lighting or built-in subwoofers; I certainly am not. Yet, there are buyers out there wanting such options, which are unavailable in the US.
However, hardware is not the sole consideration. Apple has thrived for years despite being outperformed in specifications, relying on product design, seamless software integration, and an easy-to-navigate ecosystem to compensate. Google has similar strengths with its Pixel devices, and Samsung’s One UI is the version of Android most familiar to US consumers. Previously, software was a significant drawback for Chinese smartphone manufacturers; nonetheless, as they have upgraded their hardware, they have also made strides in enhancing the user experience of their versions of Android, often mirroring Apple’s design ethos.
Currently, I favor Oppo’s ColorOS over Samsung’s One UI, noting that its multitasking capabilities make it superior for foldable devices. Brands are gradually minimizing bloatware, refining interfaces, and optimizing performance. Although challenges remain, progress is at an all-time high.
When combined with contentious updates like Liquid Glass or the redesign of the iPhone 17 Pro, it is evident that US brands cannot depend on UI advantages indefinitely. As the specification divide widens, the situation becomes more problematic. My fiancé switched to Android after a decade with iPhones, enticed by the superior camera capabilities of Vivo’s flagship. That was years ago, and while Vivo’s camera technology has considerably improved since, Apple’s camera systems remain largely unchanged.
There’s potential for Apple to return to a mindset of innovation, and should this occur, it’s likely that Samsung and Google will follow closely behind. Despite mixed opinions about it, the iPhone Air was a significant shift in Apple’s mobile offerings. This could serve as a pilot project ahead of Ternus’ anticipated launch of the first foldable iPhone later this year, especially given that foldable devices are now waterproof, dust resistant, and almost crease-free. Reports from Bloomberg suggest he was “a champion” of the MacBook Neo, a more budget-friendly laptop that recently received critical acclaim and strong sales. Not every initiative has been successful; one Bloomberg profile described him as “a driving force” behind the MacBook Touch Bar, and later the butterfly keyboard. However, even missteps indicate a leader open to innovation, corrections, and progress.
That said, there’s no assurance that Ternus will spearhead a revitalization of the iPhone’s innovative spirit. He is known for pushing engineering limits, yet also maintains a “Cookian approach to cost management.” In a challenging economic climate marked by rising component prices, it will be tough to justify investing in cutting-edge technology while still ensuring profitability for Apple. Moreover, presently Apple commands the largest global smartphone market share, with only Samsung competitively capable of challenging that position shortly. Xiaomi remains in third, holding merely two-thirds of Apple’s stake. Coupling that with potential regulatory challenges posed by silicon-carbon batteries and the risk that larger camera components may disrupt the sleek aesthetic of the iPhone, my confidence in Ternus leading the iPhone into a specifications competition soon is limited.
Regardless of which direction Ternus leans when he begins his tenure in October, the repercussions of his choices will extend beyond Apple’s boundaries, influencing the hardware teams at Google and Samsung. If Apple resumes its push into advanced smartphone hardware, it will benefit all consumers—especially smartphone users in the US.
Only a few months into President Donald Trump’s second term, Palantir employees began to question their employer’s promises on civil liberties. Last autumn, Palantir appeared to turn into the technological backbone of Trump’s immigration-enforcement apparatus, supplying software that identifies, monitors, and helps deport immigrants for the Department of Homeland Security, and that’s when current and former staff started sounding the alarm.
Around that moment, two former employees reconnected by phone. Just as they answered, one of them asked, “Are you tracking Palantir’s descent into fascism?”
“That was their greeting,” the other former employee recalls. “There’s this feeling not of ‘Oh, this is unpopular and hard,’ but ‘This feels wrong.’”
Palantir was launched—with initial venture capital from the CIA—during a period of national unity after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when confronting terrorism abroad was widely viewed as the country’s most urgent task. The company, cofounded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, sells software that functions as a powerful data-aggregation and analysis tool, powering everything from private-sector operations to the US military’s targeting systems.
For the past 20 years, employees accepted intense outside criticism and awkward conversations with family and friends about working for a company named after Tolkien’s corrupting all-seeing orb. But a year into Trump’s second term, as Palantir deepens ties with an administration many workers fear is causing harm at home, employees are finally voicing those concerns internally, as the US’s campaign against immigrants, the war with Iran, and even company-released manifestos have forced them to reconsider the role they play.
“We hire the best and brightest talent to help defend America and its allies and to build and deploy our software to help governments and businesses around the world. Palantir is no monolith of belief, nor should we be,” a Palantir spokesperson said in a statement. “We take pride in a culture of fierce internal dialogue and even disagreement over the complex areas we work on. That has been true since our founding and remains true today.”
Caught between a public opinion that is adverse to the Trump administration and the economic and defense needs of maintaining Washington’s support as much as possible, numerous European Nato (and EU) countries, spearheaded by France and the UK, are collaborating with other nations to establish international maritime patrol and mine-clearing operations for the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have ceased. This initiative aims, among other objectives, to somewhat appease Trump.
Tshering Sherpa, the CEO of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a local NGO in the Everest region, reiterated the same sentiment, noting that it wasn’t only the local residents in jeopardy if Imja were to overflow. Spring marks the height of visitor activity here, as trekkers, tourists, and climbers all converge in the area.
Nvidia shares achieved a milestone high on Friday for the first occasion since October, elevating the company’s market capitalization over $5 trillion, as investors rushed into the AI chip sector ahead of next week’s earnings reports from tech giants.
The stock increased by 4.3% to settle at $208.27. Nvidia has surged more than 14 times since late 2022, fueled by a significant rise in demand for artificial intelligence services and models. Nvidia’s graphics processing units are utilized by Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon as well as model creators OpenAI and Anthropic.
The surge on Friday was triggered by better-than-expected earnings released late Thursday by chipmaker Intel, which has mostly been absent from the AI market until recently. Intel shares surged 24%, marking their highest performance since 1987.
Advanced Micro Devices, which rivals Nvidia and Intel, saw a 14% increase, while mobile device chip manufacturer Qualcomm rose 11%.
Investors had been retreating from large-cap technology stocks as oil prices soared due to the conflict in Iran and ensuing supply chain issues. However, various segments of technology have regained favor recently, with the demand for AI infrastructure continuing to grow.
The Nasdaq has gained 15% in April, on track for its most successful month since April 2020.
Nvidia does encounter escalating competition in AI. Alphabet, a key Nvidia client, unveiled new chips designed to compete with Nvidia’s products when they launch for cloud customers later this year.
Bloomberg reports that Google will commit at least $10 billion to Anthropic, with the potential for the total to climb to $40 billion if Anthropic achieves certain performance milestones.
This comes after Amazon’s initial $5 billion investment in Anthropic announced a few days earlier; the Amazon arrangement similarly leaves room for additional funding tied to performance. Both deals place Anthropic’s valuation at $350 billion.
Anthropic has seen rapid adoption of its Claude models and related offerings like Claude Code, which promises to greatly accelerate and streamline how companies and individuals develop software. (Outcomes range from substantial improvements to setbacks, depending on the project, the organization, how Claude Code is applied, and many other factors.)
Several elements have driven Anthropic’s recent gains, including controversies around OpenAI and ChatGPT, advances in agentic workflows, and new products such as Claude Cowork, which handles general knowledge-work tasks in a way similar to how Claude Code targets software development.
The criminal probe by the Department of Justice regarding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has been “temporarily paused,” according to a letter sent to the department on Friday by two Democratic senators, which was first obtained by CNBC.
“Your announcement effectively leaves open the possibility for you to revive the criminal inquiry into Chair Powell — or initiate unfounded investigations into Powell or other Fed Governors and a future Fed Chair — if it becomes politically advantageous for you,” Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., stated in the communication directed to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro mentioned in a Friday statement that the Fed’s inspector general had been requested to assess cost overruns related to a renovation project. She did not clarify who initiated the request. Last year, Powell had asked the inspector general to investigate the matter.
“I have instructed my office to conclude our investigation while the IG conducts this inquiry,” Pirro stated. “However, be assured that I retain the ability to resume a criminal investigation if the factual basis necessitates it.”
Pirro’s office did not respond promptly to a request for comments.
The Fed declined earlier on Friday to comment on Pirro’s verdict. Powell mentioned in January that he had received subpoenas from Pirro’s office, which he condemned as a pretext, asserting that the Trump administration was unhappy with him for not rapidly and significantly lowering interest rates beyond what the Fed deemed justified.
Prosecutors from Pirro’s office informed a judge in March that they lacked specific evidence of any misconduct. Consequently, the judge moved to quash Pirro’s subpoenas. Appellate attorneys indicated to CNBC that an appeal would prove challenging.
The senators’ letter examines the possible political motives behind the investigation. “From your standpoint, what types of ‘facts’ would justify resuming the investigation?” Warren and Durbin inquire.
They also question Pirro if President Donald Trump or other officials within the administration were informed about the decision to suspend the investigation. They seek details regarding the request made to the Fed’s inspector general.
Scott Alvarez, a former general counsel for the Fed, commented earlier on Friday that the institution likely sought clarification from Pirro about similar matters.
“What kind of facts would prompt her to reopen the investigation when she initially launched it without any factual basis?” he articulated.
Warren expressed earlier on Friday her belief that the Senate should proceed with the confirmation of Kevin Warsh, Trump’s appointee to take over Powell’s position. Warsh testified before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday. A Republican member of the committee, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has committed to blocking the nomination while the investigation is ongoing.
Tillis has yet to comment on Pirro’s ruling.
Users of Windows will also have the ability to shut down and restart their systems without having to perform updates.
Users of Windows will also have the ability to shut down and restart their systems without having to perform updates.
Windows users will now have the flexibility to avoid automatic updates while engaged in gaming or during a busy schedule. Microsoft is introducing sought-after modifications to Windows Update for those on its Dev and Experimental Windows Insider channels, featuring the option to postpone updates indefinitely for up to 35 days at once.
Last month, Microsoft unveiled various forthcoming alterations to enhance Windows 11 and tackle some of the frequent user grievances regarding the system. The central focus of the company’s intended updates was making updates less intrusive. In a blog entry released on Friday, Microsoft stated that you can “extend the pause end date as many times as necessary” and that there are “no restrictions” on how many times you can revert to another 35-day period. If the updates are not re-paused at the end of the 35-day duration, they will proceed as normal.
The modifications to Windows Update will also feature more precise titles for driver updates, indicating the relevant device class, like display, audio, or battery.
Moreover, Windows 11 will consistently provide options within the power menu to restart or shut down without triggering updates, in addition to the ability to bypass updates when setting up a new Windows device. Microsoft is also working on “standardizing the update experience” by consolidating updates to minimize the frequency of reboots. Instead, “updates will download in the background, then will wait for a synchronized installation and restart.”
