Elon Musk appears to be inching closer to realizing his long-standing vision of creating an all-encompassing app known as “X.” Over the years, he has discussed his desire to develop such an “everything app,” enabling users to conduct payments, share opinions, connect with others, and more.
Unexpectedly, when Musk acquired Twitter last year, it became apparent that he aimed to transform the social media platform into the very “everything app” he had dreamed of.
a hint of what’s to come. who’s in? https://t.co/TYEevYJlfL pic.twitter.com/G0DTLeHQic
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) September 20, 2023
Before Musk’s acquisition, Twitter was primarily a platform for expressing opinions within the constraints of limited characters. However, under his leadership, Twitter has expanded its offerings significantly.
The platform now allows users to share extended videos, compose longer tweets, subscribe to specific accounts, and more. Furthermore, a recent video shared by Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino hints that Twitter will soon incorporate payment functionalities.
In her video announcement of this upcoming feature, Yaccarino wrote, “A hint of what’s to come. Who’s in?” The two-minute video offers a glimpse into the various capabilities that users can expect on the X app.
In addition to payment capabilities, the video also mentions the imminent introduction of video calling, expanding beyond text-based communication, which is currently the norm on the X app. Furthermore, users will soon be able to use X for job searches and more.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, has recently suggested the possibility of implementing a monthly fee for users of the app. During a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk hinted at the idea of users having to pay a modest monthly fee to access the platform.
He cited the need for this fee as a means to counter the proliferation of automated bots on the platform, explaining, “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots,” according to a CBS News report.
Since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion last year, Musk has initiated a series of significant changes on the platform. Upon taking ownership, he removed the then-CEO Parag Agrawal and assumed control of the social media site. Musk also permitted previously banned accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, to return to Twitter.
Additionally, he revamped the “blue check” verification system, originally used to identify celebrity accounts, and transformed it into a paid subscription service available to all users.
Following a prolonged and bone-chilling lunar night lasting 14 days, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to reawaken the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s lander and rover modules, Vikram and Pragyan.
Sunlight has finally returned to the Shiv Shakti Point in the South Polar region of the Moon, where the modules have been stationed. This return of sunlight brings with it the much-needed warmth required to activate the solar panels on Vikram and Pragyan.
The lunar night, which endures for approximately 14 Earth days, ushers in plummeting temperatures, making it even colder than the harshest Antarctic winters. This extreme cold poses a formidable challenge to the survival and functionality of the mission’s equipment.
Nevertheless, ISRO’s dedicated scientists have been diligently working to ensure the successful revival of these modules.
Before the lunar sunset, the Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover, integral to the Chandrayaan-3 mission, were placed in a state of dormancy. Their batteries, initially charged by sunlight, were preserved, and their solar panels were strategically oriented to capture the first light at dawn.
These solar panels hold a pivotal role in generating the power necessary to charge the batteries for the subsequent 14 days, until sunlight graces them once more.
The endeavor to reactivate these instruments is slated for September 21 and 22, timed to coincide with the lunar dawn. ISRO holds optimism that these vital components will spring back to life on September 22.
Should this reawakening prove successful, it would signify a momentous achievement in space exploration, showcasing our ability to endure and function effectively in the unforgiving lunar environment.
The primary objective of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was to execute a gentle landing on the Moon and undertake an examination of lunar surface characteristics, encompassing thermal properties and surface elements of the lunar topsoil.
The Pragyan rover has been operational since August 23, dutifully carrying out its mission objectives.
The triumphant revival of Vikram and Pragyan would not only extend the mission’s lifespan but also furnish valuable insights into surviving the lunar night. Such insights could hold profound implications for forthcoming lunar missions and the overarching aspiration of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.
Timeline of the Chandryaan-3 missions
14 July: ISRO successfully launches the Chandrayaan-3 mission to its Earth orbit
31 July: Chandrayaan-3 is finally pushed towards the moon after a number of orbits around the earth.
5 August: ISRO places Chandrayaan-3 in an orbit around the Moon
17 August: Vikram Lander Module separates from Chandrayaan-3’s propulsion unit
18 August: Vikram Lander starts deorbiting on its final journey to the moon.
23 August: ISRO creates history, Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander soft lands on the lunar South Pole. Pragyan rover gets deployed.
6 August: ISRO declares that all three major objectives of the Chandrayaan-3 mission stand successful
September 2: Pragyan Rover put to sleep
September 4: Vikram Lander performs second soft landing
September 4: Vikram Lander put to sleep
September 22: ISRO tries to revive Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover
