Elon Musk's Starlink-powered phone to be built on NPUs: What it means for connectivity, AI features?

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who owns Tesla, X (Twitter), and SpaceX, has stirred excitement by suggesting that a Starlink smartphone could be in the works.

While satellite connectivity has been around for decades, the satellite-connected handset from Starlink appears to have the potential to change how satellite connectivity is often perceived and used.

Responding to a user’s compliment on X (known as Twitter before his takeover), Musk noted that a Starlink phone is “not out of the question.” This remark makes it clear that the idea is under consideration, although no formal plans have been announced.

The tech tycoon has taken the internet by storm, with social platforms and public forums engaging in discussions about what a Starlink smartphone might feature.

Musk stressed that this device would be very different from conventional smartphones like the iPhone or Android models.

For those uninitiated, it should not be jaw-dropping that Starlink provides satellite internet services to millions worldwide, particularly in areas with little to no connectivity.

What's unique in Musk's purported Starlink phone?

Another standout feature of the Starlink smartphone is that it would be particularly optimised for running neural networks with maximum performance per watt. As per Musk's explanation, it mean that the primary focus will be on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy efficiency rather than traditional features like cameras or entertainment applications.

In line with this focus on an out-of-the-box functionality, the phone would be built around a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), enabling it to handle AI tasks directly on the device. If this comes to fruition, Musk's future phone may deliver a faster AI assistant, enhanced automation, and improved processing power while consuming less energy.

Besides, the Starlink phone would be directly connected to satellites, and reliance on traditional mobile networks would be insignificant.

The device appears to be immensely beneficial in underserved regions where telecom infrastructure is not as developed as it should be, making it an attractive option for users in remote areas.

As discussions on the subject keep pace, the possibility of a Starlink smartphone reflects the future of mobile technology.