Global Tech Pulse: ISRO's Setback, Microsoft's AI Push, and SpaceX’s Starbase Surge
ISRO’s EOS-09 Mission Fails Due to Third-Stage Anomaly
India’s latest Earth observation satellite mission encountered a setback early Sunday morning. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that the EOS-09 mission was unsuccessful, stating that it “could not be accomplished” following the launch of the PSLV-C61 rocket at 5:59 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant setback when its 101st mission, the launch of the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite aboard the PSLV-C61 rocket, failed. The launch commenced successfully at 5:59 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. However, an anomaly occurred during the third stage of the rocket, leading to a drop in chamber pressure, which prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbit. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that the mission could not be accomplished and announced the formation of a Failure Analysis Committee to investigate the issue.
The EOS-09 satellite was designed to enhance India's Earth observation capabilities, providing critical data for applications such as agriculture, disaster management, and national security. Equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, it aimed to offer high-resolution imaging regardless of weather conditions or time of day. @EconomicTimes
Despite this setback, ISRO's PSLV has a commendable track record, with previous missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-3 showcasing India's prowess in space exploration. The organization is expected to conduct a thorough analysis to rectify the issue and continue its ambitious space endeavors.
Capillary Technologies Expands Global Loyalty Footprint with Kognitiv Acquisition, Eyes North American Growth
In a strategic move to expand its international footprint, Bengaluru-based Capillary Technologies has acquired Kognitiv, a Canada-based leader in omnichannel loyalty and personalized commerce solutions. This acquisition marks Capillary’s fourth in the loyalty space since 2021, following its integration of Persuade, Brierley+Partners, and Tenerity’s Digital Connect Assets.
With this deal, Capillary aims to deepen its presence in North America, where Kognitiv has built a strong portfolio of enterprise clients, including PetSmart, Hallmark, Yuu Rewards, and Leading Hotels of the World. The acquisition not only strengthens Capillary’s global reach—spanning the US, Australia-New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the UAE—but also significantly enhances its omnichannel and data-driven capabilities.
Founded to revolutionize brand loyalty through AI and real-time consumer insights, Capillary currently supports over 100 global brands, including 15 Fortune 500 companies. The integration of Kognitiv aligns with Capillary’s long-term vision of delivering personalized, intelligent loyalty experiences at scale.
Kognitiv, operating in over 20 countries, gained prominence after merging with Aimia’s Loyalty Solutions business in 2020. Its expertise in building scalable, omnichannel loyalty programs complements Capillary’s mission to drive deeper customer engagement through technology and personalization.
“This acquisition aligns perfectly with our global growth strategy,” said Aneesh Reddy, Co-founder and CEO of Capillary Technologies. “Kognitiv’s proven strength in omnichannel loyalty will help us deliver more impactful solutions that drive both engagement and business outcomes.”
The announcement follows Capillary’s $140 million Series D funding round in early 2024, which included a $20 million ESOP payout—highlighting its commitment to rewarding internal talent as the company scales.
As loyalty evolves from transactional rewards to emotionally intelligent, data-led experiences, Capillary’s acquisition of Kognitiv positions it as a frontrunner in the next generation of customer engagement.
AI at the Core: Microsoft Build 2025 Charts the Future Across Platforms
At the Microsoft Build 2025 developer conference, CEO Satya Nadella unveiled a series of AI-driven innovations aimed at enhancing productivity and user experience across Microsoft's ecosystem.
Windows Copilot Enhancements
Microsoft introduced "Copilot Vision," a significant upgrade to its AI assistant. This feature enables the AI to understand and interact with the user's desktop environment, providing context-aware assistance. For instance, Copilot can now interpret on-screen content to offer relevant suggestions or automate tasks, streamlining workflows.
Phi-3-Vision Model
Expanding its AI capabilities, Microsoft unveiled the Phi-3-Vision model, a new addition to its family of small language models. This multimodal model can process both audio and visual inputs, allowing for more nuanced and efficient AI interactions. Designed for specialized tasks, Phi-3-Vision aims to deliver high performance while being resource-efficient.
Real-Time Intelligence on Microsoft Fabric
The company announced the integration of Real-Time Intelligence into Microsoft Fabric, its AI-powered analytics platform. This enhancement allows organizations to make immediate, data-driven decisions by processing high-volume, time-sensitive data streams effectively.
Expanded Partnerships
Microsoft revealed new collaborations to broaden its AI offerings:
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Hugging Face: Microsoft is bringing Hugging Face's models to Azure AI Studio, facilitating easier deployment and integration of open-source AI models into applications.
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Khan Academy: In partnership with Khan Academy, Microsoft aims to enhance AI-powered educational tools. By donating Azure infrastructure, Microsoft supports the expansion of Khanmigo, Khan Academy's AI teaching assistant, making it freely available to educators.
These developments underscore Microsoft's commitment to integrating AI across its platforms, fostering innovation, and enhancing user experiences.
Epic Games Seeks Court Order to Reinstate Fortnite on Apple's App Store
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Epic Games has reignited its long-standing legal battle with Apple by filing a motion in U.S. federal court, urging a judge to compel Apple to reinstate Fortnite on the U.S. App Store. The latest dispute stems from Apple’s refusal to review Epic’s updated submission of the game, citing an unresolved decision pending from the Ninth Circuit Court. According to Epic, Apple’s delay violates a previous court order that prevents the tech giant from rejecting apps solely because they include links to alternative payment systems.
This legal standoff has resulted in Fortnite remaining unavailable on iOS devices across the globe. The absence is especially notable in the European Union, where Epic had attempted to reintroduce the game through its own app store, leveraging new digital competition regulations under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. However, Apple maintains that it has not taken any steps to block Fortnite in Europe, stating that no deliberate effort has been made to prevent access to the game on iPhones within the EU.
The legal saga between Epic Games and Apple first began in 2020, when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store after Epic implemented a direct payment option in violation of Apple’s in-app purchase policies. This triggered a high-profile antitrust lawsuit, shining a spotlight on the broader debate over app store monopolies, revenue sharing, and developer freedoms.
Since then, the conflict has come to symbolize the larger struggle between major tech platforms and app developers, especially regarding control over digital distribution, payment ecosystems, and compliance with evolving global regulations.
Epic contends that its efforts to relist Fortnite are aligned with court rulings and fair market practices, while Apple continues to argue for compliance with its legal and technical review processes. As the court deliberates on Epic’s latest motion, the case remains a landmark moment in the ongoing discourse about platform power, developer rights, and the future of digital marketplaces.
Android 16 Introduces AI-Powered 'Magic Actions' for Enhanced Notifications
Google's forthcoming Android 16 update is set to revolutionize the way users interact with notifications through a new feature called "Magic Actions." Leveraging the capabilities of Google's Gemini AI model, Magic Actions aims to provide context-aware responses and actions directly within notifications, enhancing user convenience and productivity.
What are Magic Actions?
Magic Actions are intelligent, AI-driven suggestions that appear within notifications, allowing users to perform relevant tasks without opening the associated app. For instance, if a user receives a flight delay alert, Magic Actions might suggest calling the airline, even if the notification lacks a direct contact number. This feature builds upon Android's existing Smart Reply and Smart Actions, offering more personalized and proactive assistance.
Integration with Gemini AI
The Magic Actions feature is powered by Google's Gemini AI model, which processes information on the device itself to generate contextually relevant suggestions. This integration ensures that the AI can provide timely and appropriate actions based on the content of the notifications, enhancing the overall user experience.The Indian Express
Visual Enhancements and User Experience
In addition to functional improvements, Magic Actions will receive special visual treatments to distinguish them from standard notification actions. These enhancements aim to make the feature more intuitive and user-friendly, encouraging users to engage with notifications more effectively.
Availability
Android 16 is expected to launch in the coming months, with Pixel devices receiving the update first. The introduction of Magic Actions is part of Google's broader initiative to integrate AI more deeply into the Android ecosystem, providing users with smarter and more responsive mobile experiences.
SpaceX Gains FAA Approval to Boost Launch Cadence to 25 Flights Per Year in South Texas
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX authorization to increase its annual Starship launch frequency from the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, from 5 to 25 launches per year. This decision follows a comprehensive environmental assessment, which concluded that the expanded launch cadence would not significantly impact the local environment .
The FAA's approval also permits up to 25 landings annually for both the Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster, including potential offshore landings in the Gulf of Mexico and other international waters . However, the agency has stipulated that no launches can proceed until the ongoing investigation into the March 6 Flight 8 mishap is completed or a "return to flight" determination is made
The upcoming Starship Flight 9, tentatively scheduled for May 26, 2025, aims to mark the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster. This milestone aligns with SpaceX's broader goal of developing fully reusable launch systems to facilitate missions to Mars and beyond .
In addition to operational considerations, SpaceX is required to implement several environmental mitigation measures. These include conducting post-launch environmental surveys, installing protective measures for nesting birds, and contributing $5,000 annually to the Gladys Porter Zoo's Animal Health Department .
The FAA's decision represents a significant step forward for SpaceX's Starship program, potentially enabling biweekly launches that could accelerate the development and testing of the company's next-generation spacecraft .
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