#cellphones — Public Fediverse posts

Have People Changed?

https://lynnefisher.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/have-people-changed/

#Maine will require battery makers to provide #recycling options

By Tina Fischer, April 9, 2026

"Gov. #JanetMills signed into law a measure that will offer more options to recycle both single-use #alkaline and #LithiumIon batteries in Maine.

"LD 474 updates the state’s current product stewardship laws to require national battery manufacturing companies to set up drop-off locations and fund a statewide take-back program so that all batteries can be safely disposed of and rare earth metals can be extracted for reuse.

"Eight other states have enacted similar laws.

"The state’s existing battery recovery program, enacted in 1991, covers only nickel-cadmium batteries. Many hardware stores, town offices and Staples stores in Maine accept some types of batteries for recycling. The nationwide Battery Network lists on its website drop-off locations in Maine.

"Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries — commonly found in power tools, cell phone chargers and #vaping devices — has led to at least 24 fires at recycling facilities in Maine. Disposal concerns have driven up insurance rates for towns, according to the #MaineDEP.

"More than 820,000 pounds of batteries are thrown away in Maine every year, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine [#NRCM].

" 'Holding corporate battery makers accountable for cleaning up waste will lower costs for Mainers and help curb demand for mining rare earth metals,' said Vanessa Berry, sustainable Maine program manager at the nonprofit.

"It is technically illegal in Maine to dispose of rechargeable, button cell, or lead-acid batteries in the regular trash."

Source:
https://mainebiz.biz/article/maine-will-require-battery-makers-to-provide-recycling-options/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineNews #BatteryRecycling #LionBatteries #Recycle #VapePens #Batteries #CellPhones #RechargeableBatteries

Competitors to the SpaceLink/T-Mobile Direct to Device Tie Up are Getting their Act Together

SpaceLink and T-Mobile are not the only players in the “Direct-to-Device” market. AST SpaceMobile successfully deployed the BlueBird 6 satellite into low earth orbit, and it will initially be leveraged by AT&T and Verizon in the United States. AST has agreements with more than 50 mobile network operators worldwide that will be served by BlueBird.

BlueBird 6 provides 10X the data capacity relative to previous versions and is designed to connect directly to standard smartphones without specialized hardware. The system supports peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps for voice, data, and video applications.

“Direct-to-Device” (or “Direct-to-Cell”) technologies will merge terrestrial mobile and orbital networks into a singular, ubiquitous fabric, paving the way for mass-market adoption.

https://news.satnews.com/2025/12/24/ast-spacemobile-deploys-bluebird-6-largest-commercial-array-in-leo/ #Mobility #MobilePhones #CellPhones #Satellites #AST #ATT #MNO #DirecttoDevice #Verison #BlurBird

Are you ready to buy a mobile phone service plan from Elon Musk?

The FCC recently granted Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) licenses to SpaceX and T-Mobile which will usher in a major transformation in global telecommunications and mobile networks. “Direct-to-Device” (or “Direct-to-Cell”) technologies will merge terrestrial mobile and orbital networks into a singular, ubiquitous fabric, paving the way for mass-market adoption.

This is the first authorization that pairs a major national Mobile Network Operator (MNO) with an operating Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite constellation, enabling satellite operators to reuse terrestrial mobile radio bands under lease from the primate MNO service provider, and as such this creates a de facto template for future MNO–satellite partnerships seeking similar rights. https://news.satnews.com/2025/12/17/fcc-grants-landmark-scs-license-to-spacex-t-mobile/
#Mobility #MobilePhones #CellPhones #Satellites #SpaceX #TMobile #SCS #MNO #NGSO #Telecommunications #DirecttoDevice

War Zone #Surveillance Technology Is Hitting American Streets
A new report from news outlet NOTUS shows that at least two #Texas counties along the #US-#Mexico border have purchased a product that would allow #lawenforcement to track devices with #Bluetooth signals, including #cellphones, #smartwatches, #earbuds, and #car entertainment systems. This incredibly personal model of tracking is the latest level of surveillance infrastructure along the #SouthernBorder
https://www.notus.org/technology/war-zone-surveillance-border-us