This week, SpaceX's Starlink mobile application received a fresh upgrade that makes it easier for users to locate clear spots of sky and monitor outages. It also adds a dark mode to its user interface. SpaceX announced the app enhancements yesterday, as it reported that there were 90,000 users in its beta phase. This includes rural areas across 12 countries.SpaceX has described the completely new and updated version in its Apples App Store changelog. It includes a new method to scan your surrounding for potential obstructions, before installing a Starlink Terminal. The app allows users to scan their surroundings with their phones, but this version creates a small dome around the Starlink dish, overlaying potential obstructions. This dome is marked with different colors. Reddit users were impressed.The latest update to the Starlink app features a 3D obstruction checker. It's much more helpful and informative. The most important Starlink accessory is still a chainsaw, though pic.twitter.com/Rmd75Iy1jk nilay patel (@reckless) August 3, 2021Users can now track Starlink service drop frequency with the new update. The log also visualizes data such as latency, usage and uptime.SpaceX is the largest satellite operator in the world, with approximately 1,650 satellites currently in orbit (after others were de-orbited). According to the Federal Communications Commission (PDF), Starlink currently has approximately 90,000 users. This includes individual households as well as various government users such schools, towns and fire departments.Starlink's potential to disrupt the market for ground broadband fiber may seem appealing, however, we pointed out in our May review that the company still has some way to go. SpaceX has made a few updates to its Starlink app since then, with Monday's being the most recent.
