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Updated September 2026: in December 2022, after Elon Musk bought Twitter, I speculated that Tesla or Musk might move into IT services for businesses, as Amazon had with AWS. I have rewritten it to look at what actually happened and what it means for the technology market.

After the Twitter acquisition in October 2022, I wondered whether Musk's companies would move into business IT services, following Amazon's path from retail to cloud computing with AWS. It seemed a logical way to use the scale Musk's businesses already had.

Did Tesla or Musk enter IT services?

Not in the sense of consulting or enterprise software like AWS. Musk's move into technology services went through artificial intelligence instead. He founded xAI in 2023, which launched the Grok chatbot, and Twitter was renamed X. In 2025, xAI and X were combined under one company.

Why did AI, not cloud services, become the focus?

Because the AI race took off in 2023, and building large AI models became the main battleground among major technology companies. Cloud infrastructure was already dominated by Amazon, Microsoft and Google, making it a hard market to enter.

What does Starlink offer businesses?

Starlink, from SpaceX, sells satellite internet to homes and businesses, including enterprise and maritime plans. It is the closest thing to a business technology service among Musk's companies, and it has pursued approvals to operate in India.

Was the AWS comparison fair?

Partly. Amazon built AWS from its own internal needs; Musk's companies have instead built AI and connectivity services from their needs for data and communication. The pattern of turning internal capability into a product holds, even if the product differs.

What does it mean for businesses in India?

More choice in AI tools and potentially in rural connectivity. Evaluate these services on price, reliability and data policies, as with any provider.

Should businesses rely on these services?

As with any vendor, do not depend on a single provider for critical systems. Test AI tools on non-sensitive data first, and read the terms on how your data is used.

What is the lesson on predictions?

The direction was reasonable; the specific market was not. Technology companies expand where the timing is right.

Keep reading

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• India vs. China: Different Paths to Tech Success
• Why Indian IT Loyalty Punishes Good Employees

Updated September 2026: in October 2022 I argued that waiting for the M2 Pro MacBook Pro was not worth it, expecting only a small gain over the M1 Pro. I have rewritten it with what the M2 Pro delivered and a general rule for deciding whether to wait for a new chip.

With the M2 already out, many performance-focused buyers were waiting for an M2 Pro. My view was that it would not be the leap the M1 Pro had been, and that waiting would bring little benefit.

What did the M2 Pro deliver?

Apple released M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros in January 2023. They brought solid gains in CPU and GPU performance and better battery life in some tasks, but kept the same design as the M1 Pro models. For most users, the difference from M1 Pro in everyday work was modest, which matched my expectation.

When is waiting for a new chip worth it?

• When the launch is weeks away, not months.
• When you need a specific capability the new chip adds.
• When the older model will be discounted at launch and you are happy to buy that.

When is it better to buy now?

When your current laptop is failing or slowing your work, or when the gain is incremental. Performance increases between Apple silicon generations have usually been steady rather than dramatic.

What matters more than the chip?

Memory and storage, which cannot be upgraded, and the screen and battery. A previous-generation Pro with more memory can be better value than a new one with less.

How do you find a good deal on the older model?

Watch for price drops after launches and during festive sales, and consider certified refurbished units with warranty.

How long will an M1 Pro or M2 Pro last?

Several more years for most work. Both have strong performance and efficiency; software support and battery health will decide when to replace them, not speed.

Was I right?

Largely. The M1 Pro remained a very capable machine, and buyers who did not wait lost little.

Keep reading

• M1 vs M2 Macbook Air : Shopping ruled out
• Older Mac Shutting Down at Random? Diagnose It
• India's Repairability Index Changes How You Buy Phones

Updated September 2026: in 2022 I explained why I kept using AirPods Pro I suspected were affected by Apple's free replacement programme for units made before October 2020: Covid travel restrictions made visiting a store difficult. I have rewritten it into a guide to Apple's service programmes and how to use them.

I bought my AirPods Pro soon after launch. Apple later announced a service programme for some units made before October 2020 that developed sound problems, offering free replacement. I suspected mine were affected but kept using them for over a year, partly because Covid restrictions made a store visit impractical.

What was the AirPods Pro service programme?

Apple found that a small percentage of AirPods Pro units made before October 2020 could develop crackling or static, or lose active noise cancellation. It offered free service for affected earbuds for a limited period after purchase. Programmes like this have end dates, so waiting too long can mean missing out.

How do you know if a device qualifies?

• Check Apple's Service Programs page for your product.
• Compare the described symptoms with what you notice.
• Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorised Service Provider, who test the device.

Do you have to visit a store?

Not always. Apple Support can arrange mail-in service, and authorised service providers in many Indian cities handle programmes. Travel restrictions like those in 2021 are exactly when mail-in is useful.

Is it worth using a device you suspect is faulty?

It is usually safe, but the programme window can close. Having it checked early costs little and avoids paying for a repair later.

How do you prepare for service?

Note the symptoms, keep your purchase receipt, update the firmware and try Apple's troubleshooting steps first, such as resetting. Service staff may ask whether you have done these.

What if the programme has ended?

Ask anyway. Apple sometimes helps with issues covered by an expired programme, especially if the fault started while it was active. If not, AppleCare+ or an out-of-warranty replacement for a single earbud is an option.

Where do you hear about programmes?

Apple lists them on its support site. Checking once a year for devices you own is a simple habit.

Keep reading

• Switching From Android to iPhone Smoothly
• Should You Wait for the Next Mac Chip?
• Extended Warranty Add-Ons: What You Actually Bought

Updated September 2026: in 2022 my 2012 MacBook Pro began shutting down at random and would not restart as usual, needing an SMC reset. I have rewritten it into a guide to diagnosing random shutdowns on an older Mac, and when it is time to replace it.

I had relied on my 2012 MacBook Pro for years. One day, while working on a personal project, it shut itself down and would not restart normally, unlike the times I had pushed its memory with many apps. After an SMC reset it came back, but the incident was a warning.

What causes random shutdowns on older Macs?

• A worn or failing battery, which cannot deliver power under load.
• Overheating, from dust-clogged fans or dried thermal paste.
• Logic board faults, common in ageing machines.
• Software issues, less often, after updates.

What should you try first?

Back up immediately. Then check battery condition in the battery menu or System Information, reset the SMC on Intel Macs as I did, and run Apple Diagnostics by restarting while holding D. Clean dust from vents if the Mac runs hot.

When is a repair worth it?

A new battery or a fan cleaning is inexpensive and often solves the problem. A logic board repair on an old Mac is usually not worth the cost; the price can approach that of a refurbished newer machine.

What does age mean for security?

A 2012 MacBook Pro no longer receives current macOS security updates. Using it for banking and browsing carries more risk every year, which is a strong reason to replace it even if it still works.

How do you move to a new Mac?

Use Migration Assistant from your Time Machine backup or directly from the old Mac. Your files, apps and settings transfer in a few hours.

What did the shutdown teach me?

That a backup is the first response to any warning sign. My old Mac recovered that time; the next failure was not so kind.

Keep reading

• Should You Wait for the Next Mac Chip?
• iCloud Files Disappearing From Your Mac? Keep Them
• Switching From Android to iPhone Smoothly