Daily briefing
November 4, 2026
4 stories · about 4 minutes
SpaceX picks Qualcomm chips for Starlink Mobile's US 5G network
Qualcomm will supply the radio and processing chips for tens of thousands of Starlink Mobile cell sites across the US, with the first ones going up in 2027.
- Qualcomm announced that SpaceX chose its Dragonwing cellular infrastructure for Starlink Mobile's nationwide US 5G network.
- The multi-year deal covers tens of thousands of cell sites, and rollout is planned to begin in 2027.
- Two Qualcomm chip platforms are involved: the QRU100 for radio units and the QDU100 for processing.
- SpaceX wants Starlink Mobile to become a major US carrier, but it still has far less spectrum than the big three.
Why it matters: Qualcomm announced that SpaceX picked its Dragonwing chips to power Starlink Mobile's nationwide 5G network. The multi-year deal covers tens of thousands of US cell sites, using radio units and processors built for high capacity and low power use. Rollout is planned to begin in 2027. It is the clearest sign yet that SpaceX plans to build real towers, not only satellites, to compete with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Read the full story →VMware brings back a low-cost server product called vSphere Express
VMware has launched vSphere Express, a basic server virtualization package capped at 128 cores. A distributor lists it at $9,600 a year, and small customers are watching to see if it wins back their trust.
- VMware has launched vSphere Express, a basic virtualization package that runs on up to 128 processor cores.
- It includes live migration of running virtual machines, automatic restart of failed ones, a distributed switch and fast patching, but each copy is managed on its own.
- VMware did not give a price. A distributor lists $9,600 a year for the full 128 cores, with no discount for using fewer.
- Many small customers left or complained after the Broadcom takeover, so the product has to win back trust as well as sales.
Why it matters: VMware has launched vSphere Express, a stripped-down server virtualization package for smaller organizations, capped at 128 processor cores. It includes live migration, automatic restart of failed virtual machines and fast patching, but copies cannot be managed together. A distributor lists it at $9,600 a year. VMware says it will update the product as often as its big bundles, and it is sold only through distributors.
Read the full story →Microsoft says Windows 11 now runs up to 40% faster on 8 GB PCs
Microsoft tuned how Windows 11 handles memory on low-RAM PCs. It claims up to 20% better responsiveness and up to 40% faster multitasking, and says a full Task Manager is fine.
- Microsoft says Windows 11 on an 8 GB PC is now up to 20% more responsive, and multitasking is up to 40% faster in its own lab test.
- Windows can now keep up to 2 GB more active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage, and Edge tabs fall asleep after 15 minutes instead of 2 hours.
- Microsoft also says a mostly full Task Manager is normal, and the real test is whether the PC stays responsive.
- The changes come as memory prices climb and Microsoft's Windows OEM and devices revenue fell 22% last quarter.
Why it matters: Memory prices are rising, so many people will keep an 8 GB PC longer than they planned. Microsoft says it tuned Windows 11 for exactly that machine, with up to 20% better responsiveness and up to 40% faster multitasking in its own tests. The update is in Windows 11 26H2, build 26300.9818 or later, plus app updates through the Microsoft Store. The numbers come from Microsoft's lab, so your PC may differ.
Read the full story →Enough Phone brings a 5.3-inch Android phone to Kickstarter
A new company says people still want small phones. Its Enough Phone has a 5.3-inch screen, a battery you can swap, and a choice between regular Android and a stripped-down mode.
- Enough Phone opened a Kickstarter campaign on November 4 for a 5.3-inch Android phone, with shipping planned for May 2027.
- Early backer prices start at $399 and rise through the campaign, and the final price is planned at $599.
- Buyers pick Android 17 or OdysseyOS, a limited version of Android that blocks social media, games and browsers.
- The battery is removable, and the company promises software updates through 2032.
Why it matters: Enough Phone opened a Kickstarter campaign on November 4 for a compact Android phone with a 5.3-inch screen, a removable battery and a mid-range MediaTek chip. Early backers pay from $399, with a planned final price of $599. Buyers can pick standard Android 17 or OdysseyOS, a limited version that blocks social media. Shipping is planned for May 2027, and crowdfunded hardware can slip or fail to arrive.
Read the full story →