Technology

Chinese company BYD, one of the world’s largest electric car manufacturers, has introduced a new charging technology that allows vehicles to travel 400 km in just 5 minutes. The innovation, part of the Super e-Platform, puts BYD ahead of competitors such as Tesla, significantly reducing charging times and making it easier for consumers to adopt electric cars. The new technology is expected to debut in the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV models, which will be launched in April. Following this news, BYD shares rose by as much as 6%, reaching a record high. The company also announced the construction of 4,000 new charging stations in China, although it did not give an exact timeframe for their implementation. The development could change the electric car market, bringing charging times closer to those of filling up a car with gas, a major advantage in global competition.

Microsoft has announced that it will finally shut down Skype on May 5, 2025, shifting its focus to Microsoft Teams. After more than two decades as one of the most popular communication platforms, Skype will no longer be available, and users will have to look for other alternatives for video calls and messages. Microsoft has guaranteed that user data and contacts can be easily migrated to Teams, making this the most recommended option by the company. For those looking for other solutions, there are several powerful platforms for communication. Google Meet is a reliable alternative, which allows free meetings for up to 100 participants. Zoom remains one of the most popular options for video conferencing, especially for businesses and educational institutions. Meanwhile, Discord is suitable for large communities and groups, offering voice and video calls without time limits. For users who value privacy, Signal is a secure alternative with end-to-end encryption for messages and video calls. With Skype shutting down, the choice of a new platform will depend on users' needs, whether for personal or professional communication. Microsoft encourages everyone to switch to Teams, but the final choice remains with users and their preferences for a suitable communication experience.

President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order creating the U.S. Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, including a number of cryptocurrencies, just days before a March 7 White House cryptocurrency summit. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. Policy toward digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) in the national reserve. Trump has described the move as a strategy to strengthen the U.S. Position in the global cryptocurrency industry and protect the economy from financial uncertainty. The news has sparked a surge in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin up more than 11% to nearly $94,000, while Ethereum has surpassed $2,500. XRP, Solana, and Cardano have also seen significant increases in value. The decision signals a clear support for digital assets, moving away from the more regulatory approach of previous administrations. With the upcoming White House summit, experts expect discussions on the integration of cryptocurrencies into the US economy and possible regulations to strengthen the industry.

SpaceX’s Starlink has revolutionized rural internet connectivity, delivering high speeds where traditional providers fail. But is it enough for online gaming? According to PCMag’s testing in a rural area in Idaho, Starlink achieves download speeds of 100–200 Mbps and a competitive latency of 20–40 ms. These results make it suitable for most online games. However, occasional interruptions caused by signal switching between satellites can negatively impact the gaming experience, especially in fast-paced titles. For most games, including casual and competitive racing, Starlink performs well. Even cloud gaming platforms—which require a stable, fast connection—run surprisingly smoothly. However, games that rely on instant response, like Valorant or Rocket League, may experience brief lags when switching satellites. While Starlink is a big improvement over DSL or older satellite providers, it still can’t match the stability of fiber or cable. For remote areas, it remains the best option for modern games, but users should be prepared for occasional outages.

Amazon has announced that it will be shutting down the Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025. After that date, users will no longer have access to the Appstore on non-Amazon Android devices, and apps purchased through it may stop working on those devices. However, the Appstore will continue to function on Amazon devices, such as Fire tablets and Fire TVs. In line with this shutdown, Amazon is also ending its virtual currency program, Amazon Coins. As of February 20, 2025, Amazon Coins are no longer available for purchase. Users with existing coin balances are encouraged to spend them before August 20, 2025; any remaining balance after that date will be refunded, with details on the refund process to be provided at a later date. This decision reflects Amazon's strategic shift to focus on improving the Appstore experience on its hardware platforms.