Month: January 2026

From enabling life-saving emergency texts to powering apps where no cell tower can reach, T-Satellite is bringing next-level connection for millions. Just six months since launch, the nation’s first direct-to-cell satellite service delivering data to everyday consumers is proving its impact. Here’s how it’s doing and why it matters.

Inspiration pushes us beyond the horizon. Innovation carries us even further — to the skies, revealing a whole new world of possibility. A world where staying connected with loved ones becomes limitless.

Somewhere deep in the Rocky Mountains, a mom sends a “made it!” text with a photo to her kids to let them know she safely arrived at a trailhead. In rural Texas, a dad shoots off a WhatsApp voice memo from a remote jobsite to tell his family he misses them but will be home soon. During the California wildfires, those in danger and dire need of help still receive life-saving emergency alerts even though local cell towers are down.

The phone they use? If you have a popular smartphone from the last four years, then it is  likely the same one you have in your pocket right now.

It’s the network that’s different.

No matter how far off the beaten track you are, T-Satellite with Starlink is delivering next-level connectivity for more than 150,000 Americans every day, in places where coverage was never thought possible. It’s a first-of-its-kind technology quite literally placed into the hands of customers in record time — and now it’s even powering data on 34 apps, so you can depend on things like WhatsApp, Google Maps and AllTrails to keep you and your loved ones safe while hiking, mountain biking or exploring other places your adventures take you.

Go for Launch

Back in 2022, when T-Mobile and SpaceX first announced their plan to bring satellite connectivity to regular smartphones, one YouTube commenter summed up the moment better than any headline:

“Why do I have a feeling this is the first step to a huge thing in telecommunications and cellphones that we don’t necessarily realize yet?”

The decision to create a direct-to-cell service using hundreds of Starlink’s low-orbit satellites marked a giant leap forward in T-Mobile’s ultimate vision: redefining what connectivity means by keeping people connected, even across the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. where traditional cell towers can’t reach.

As T-Mobile’s then CEO Mike Sievert put it at the time, “The biggest dead zone buster ever.”

Fast forward to 2025, when a troop of seven Girl Scouts and their leaders set off on an overnight wilderness hike. Quickly, that fun adventure took a turn for the worse when one girl fell into a canyon and hit her head, losing consciousness.

Thankfully, because of T-Satellite, one of the group members was able to text 911, changing a rescue operation that could have taken days to one of a few minutes  — and that dead zone buster into a lifesaver.

Since the service launched, millions of messages have been sent and automatically received, showing that people outside dead zones can still reach T-Satellite users and that T-Satellite users can get messages out when it matters most.

Dynamic Kickoff

As stars like Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper took to their swank suites, the other 128 million of us tuning in at home for the annual Big Game last February took in a spectacle that rivaled the halftime show.

T-Mobile unveiled its now-iconic ad announcing something unheard of: an opportunity to test out free satellite connectivity for everyone, on the compatible phone they already owned. Oh yeah, even for AT&T and Verizon customers.

The spot didn’t just break through, it blew up. The ad drove 12.6 times more engagement than the average Big Game commercial, and nearly 2 million people signed up for the T-Satellite beta, including tens of thousands of customers with AT&T and Verizon.

Suddenly, the promise of T-Satellite was real. Over 1 million messages were being sent in national parks, on backroads and in remote corners of the country where traditional coverage used to vanish. From hikers on the Appalachian Trail to a family living on the backroads in Oklahoma, the satellite connectivity didn’t just work. It worked automatically. In fact, T-Satellite delivered three times more incoming messages than people sent because it automatically connects, even when they didn’t know they were off the grid.

“We believed the real value of satellite wasn’t just emergency access — it was everyday access,” said Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s Chief Business and Product Officer. In June of 2025, T-Mobile officially became America’s Best Network, and CEO Srini Gopalan, then Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the company’s plan to keep pushing forward.

“T-Mobile’s network is about two years ahead of Verizon and AT&T,” Gopalan said, “and that lead is only going to expand.”

Because, for other wireless providers, the sky may be the limit. But for T-Mobile, it’s just the beginning of a whole new era.

In July 2025, T-Satellite officially launched, and was immediately available on most modern smartphones.

To showcase T-Satellite’s heavenly capabilities, YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober teamed up with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin for an off-the-grid adventure through the North Cascades, a vast alpine wilderness miles beyond T-Mobile’s headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. Its rugged terrain made it virtually impossible to receive a cell signal before T-Satellite.

The video documenting the journey racked up more than 6 million views, as people watched in real time how a regular smartphone could still connect in one of the most remote places in America. In a recent follow-up interview, Chin said he was “stoked” when he first heard about T-Satellite, saying it’s a game-changer poised to revolutionize the way he works by allowing him to push farther into wild, remote places while staying safe, connected and able to keep in touch with those dearest to him along the way: “Being able to talk to my kids is really important to me.”

“T-Satellite is more than a product — it’s a promise fulfilled,” said John Saw, T-Mobile’s President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer. “After six months in beta with nearly 2 million users on board, T-Satellite was already delivering real value for people in hard-to-reach places,” as Chin and Rober attested, “and this is just the beginning. We’ve hit the next level in our efforts to eliminate mobile dead zones.”

Rapid Response

Sometimes the most powerful technology isn’t the kind you notice. Sometimes it’s the kind that’s just there when it matters most.

That’s what T-Satellite became in its early days of beta: not just a new product, but a lifeline. The Federal Communications Commision (FCC) approved the service for emergency use during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024 and again during the California wildfires in early 2025. With networks down, T-Satellite delivered over half a million messages that otherwise would never have gone through.

In the middle of a flood. On the edge of a wildfire. Deep in the backcountry. It was there — helping people stay connected when traditional networks couldn’t.

“Believing in an idea is one thing,” said Katz. “Seeing it make a difference in real lives is another.”

For T-Mobile’s Emergency Response teams, that mission is deeply personal. When driving into disaster zones, carrying essential gear where towers are down or power is out, they say these tools let them act faster than ever.

“I’ve supported recovery efforts in the Carolinas and the LA wildfires, and I’m proud to work for a company helping people stay connected when it counts most,” said Luis Reyes, Vice President of Field Engineering for the West Region.

T-Mobile’s field teams now deploy with AI-powered cell towers, drones, Wi-Fi trailers and charging stations. They also have state-of-the-art satellite trucks that can provide instant connectivity.

With up to 30,000 daily T-Satellite users during the beta test period, the headlines wowed, but the most powerful proof came from people in need. During wildfires and hurricanes, over 1 million people connected through T-Satellite with over 650,000 SMS messages and more than 200 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) sent to all eligible devices, regardless of primary carrier.

T-Satellite During the Moments When It Matters Most

• In the Los Angeles wildfires last year alone, over 410,000 people were able to communicate with loved ones thanks to more than 250,000 messages and 157 emergency alerts delivered.
• In the Texas floods in 2025, nearly 94,000 people connected and exchanged 287,000 texts while 125 emergency alerts were also delivered.
• During the 2025 Oregon wildfires, 6,800 people were able to connect thanks to more than 24,000 SMS messages and seven emergency alerts via T-Satellite.

Behind these numbers are real moments — firefighters sharing location pins with crews, families receiving alerts to evacuate, people in their most vulnerable moments reaching out for help.

The company also announced in addition to its text-to-911 services available via terrestrial cell towers, it’s taken its text-to-911 feature built within T-Satellite and made it available — for free with a simple signup — to any person with a satellite-compatible smartphone. Quite simply, T-Mobile has made sure 911 access is available to as many people as possible nearly anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. if they have a view of the sky.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all in disaster recovery,” said Stacy Tindell, T-Mobile’s Senior Director of National Operations. “You need a lot of different tools in the kit to respond and satellite has been a game-changer.”

From Beta to Data (There’s an App for That)

As of last October, T-Satellite isn’t just delivering messages — it’s powering data for optimized satellite apps that help people navigate, share, explore and stay informed. Whether you’re miles into the mountains, off-grid in the desert or caught in a coverage gap during a storm, essential apps can be used.

Now people can live, work, explore and stay safe in places where traditional connection used to vanish. The service works on hundreds of smartphones and dozens of apps like WhatsApp, AllTrails, AccuWeather, Google Maps, T-Life, X and others that have been optimized for satellite, and there are no extra steps. No setup. No pointing your phone at the sky. Just open your app — and go.

“We’ve got the most towers, the best spectrum and the most advanced network technology,” Gopalan explained. “This is how we’re transforming what it means to be connected — and we won’t stop building, innovating and pushing the boundaries of what wireless can be.”

The Future of Data-driven Decisions

So now, think back to that troop of seven Girl Scouts and their leaders. Did their story end in a successful rescue with T-Satellite’s help? Yes. But more importantly, will they be ready to head back into the wilderness they love? Absolutely. Because now, they won’t just have a lifeline. They will have access to satellite-powered tools to plan their route, share their location and stay connected every step of the way, all on the phones already in their pockets.

Wherever the adventure takes you, if you can see the sky, you’re connected. And that changes everything.

Learn more about T-Satellite.

January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, announced verification study results for its investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA) Annual Meeting.

The company successfully completed pivotal clinical studies for its new Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology. Initial data show that the investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology, when paired with a set of market-released sensors representative of the Nellcor™ pulse oximetry sensor line, demonstrated SpO₂ accuracy better than the FDA’s draft-recommended¹ threshold. Additionally, pulse rate accuracy was within Nellcor™ technology acceptance limits. These results were observed in a sample inclusive of the full range of skin tones.

Pulse oximetry accuracy has historically varied across skin tones, raising concerns about technology that works for all patients. The investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology reflects ongoing efforts of Medtronic to deliver its Nellcor™ technology’s consistent SpO₂ and pulse rate accuracy across all skin tones. The company’s commitment to getting it right — for every patient — is why Medtronic opened a clinical physiology lab near the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. As a result of their extensive community outreach efforts, Medtronic has conducted its clinical studies not only with a diverse array of participants but with greater speed and frequency, leading to faster innovation.

Previously granted FDA Safer Technologies Program (STeP) designation, the company’s investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor is currently under 510(k) review, marking an important regulatory milestone in efforts by Medtronic to bring this innovation to market.†

“Today’s verification study results demonstrate accuracy across various skin tones, meeting and exceeding both the current U.S. FDA guidance and newer, more-inclusive draft guidance,” said Dr. Randall Clark, principal investigator of the Medtronic clinical physiology lab. “Seeing such positive outcomes with the investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology, paired with Nellcor™ sensors, marks an important step toward advancing medical-grade pulse oximetry that works for every patient.”

The verification studies were conducted in consideration of the evolving regulatory guidance¹ and global standards expectations on pulse oximeters for medical purposes, which recommends accuracy testing across the full spectrum of skin tones and maintaining the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for SpO₂ accuracy within 3%, regardless of sensor type.

Key findings:

• Study design: Three controlled hypoxia studies with 71 participants (ages 20–46) representing diverse skin tones across Monk Skin Tone (MST) cohorts:
  • Light (MST 1–4): 32 participants (45.1%)
  • Medium (MST 5–7): 19 participants (26.8%)
  • Dark (MST 8–10): 20 participants (28.2%)
• SpO₂ accuracy: Investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor paired with Nellcor™ sensors demonstrated SpO₂ RMS accuracy ranging from 1.33% (upper 95% CI: 1.48%) to 1.69% (upper 95% CI: 1.93%), outperforming the FDA draft guidance threshold of 3%.
• Pulse rate accuracy: RMS accuracy remained within 2 bpm, meeting the Nellcor™ technology acceptance criterion of 3 bpm.

“Medtronic is leading the way for pulse oximetry technology that aims to deliver accuracy and inclusivity for every patient, every time,” said Dr. Jeb Denny, chief medical officer of the Medtronic Acute Care & Monitoring business, which is part of the company’s Medical Surgical Portfolio. “Our leadership in this space reflects a commitment to advancing standards that represent all patients and empowering clinicians with world-class technology to deliver safe, equitable care for every patient, in every setting.”

The findings were presented by Medtronic at STA 2026, with Dr. David MacLeod, anesthesiologist at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, as the healthcare professional author on the abstract.

Learn more about equitable monitoring and the company’s commitment to patient safety at health equity in pulse oximetry monitoring and on Medtronic Academy.

† STeP designation applies to future product candidates. Nellcor™ technology in the scope of the STeP application is 510(k) pending. It is not approved or cleared by the FDA and not available for sale in the U.S. Inclusion in STeP does not guarantee approval, clearance, or granting of future marketing submissions.

Acute Care and Monitoring products should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and are intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment. Note: Oxygen saturation accuracy can be affected by certain environmental, equipment, and patient physiologic conditions that influence readings of SpO2.

References

1. Pulse Oximeters for Medical Purposes – Non-Clinical and Clinical Performance Testing, Labeling, and Premarket Submission Recommendations – Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. 2025.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts
Amanda Bartschenfeld
Communications
amanda.k.bartschenfeld@medtronic.com

Ingrid Goldberg
Investor Relations
investor.relations@medtronic.com

Chemours’ New Johnsonville titanium dioxide (TiO₂) manufacturing site in Tennessee has achieved Silver Level status in the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program, an honor awarded by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The designation recognizes businesses that actively recruit, hire, and retain service members, veterans, and their families.

Silver Level businesses are considered leaders in advancing Tennessee’s transition from being “Veteran Friendly” to “Veteran Ready.” Through this recognition, the Department of Veterans Services will continue partnering with the site to provide resources and collaboration opportunities that strengthen veteran-focused initiatives.

“We’re honored to receive Silver Level recognition from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services,” said Amanda Smith, New Johnsonville Plant Manager. “This achievement reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where all employees, including service members and veterans, feel valued and supported. Their skills and experiences strengthen our team and help drive our success.”

The New Johnsonville site employs nearly 500 full-time employees and approximately 350 contractors. As the second-largest employer in Humphreys County and one of the largest industrial employers in the Tennessee Valley, the site continues to demonstrate its dedication to workforce diversity and community engagement.

With a legacy of nearly 100 years of innovation, Chemours Ti-Pure™ TiO₂ remains a trusted partner to customers around the globe. Through quality products, reliable supply, and expert service, the team helps meet evolving market needs while delivering the consistency and performance customers expect.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Kitty Broihier

The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) was recently released—a highly anticipated event for many. Dietitians like me, of course, along with people who work in school nutrition, public health and the food retailing world. Why is this a big deal? Because the DGAs help shape major US food and nutrition programs and policies and therefore have a big influence on nutrition in our country. For example, they inform funding priorities for nutrition and health research topics, and help determine food labeling regulations. They also affect decisions about which foods are offered to our school children and military members, and much more. In other words, you may not read the guidelines or choose to follow them personally, but there’s a good chance that they impact you.

The DGA are required by law to reflect up-to-date science and be revised every 5 years. The graphic that accompanies them is also sometimes revised. Since the nature of science is that it’s always changing, it’s expected that the guidelines will change over time. And it’s not unusual for the DGAs to be controversial. For example, experts (including many dietitians) are questioning some of the new recommendations, since they contradict current accepted science and nutritional principles. In fact, the new DGAs deviate dramatically from the 2025 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, whose charge is to review the science and make recommendations for the new edition of DGAs.

I’ve written about various editions of the Dietary Guidelines previously. Just like those earlier posts, it’s impossible to do a deep dive into the DGAs in one blog post. However, here are some key takeaways.

New Recommendation: Avoid “Highly Processed Foods”

This is the first time the DGAs use this phrase in an overt recommendation. Given the lack of agreement on how to define “highly processed foods,” this one might be a little tricky for consumers to put into practice. Eating fewer highly processed food items is not a new concept in nutrition—nor is it new to the DGAs. In fact, the guidelines always encourage reliance on whole foods as the basis of a healthy diet. So the current DGAs’ frequent use of the phrase “real food” is really just marketing-speak, not a shift.

Past versions of the guidelines emphasized eating more whole foods and avoiding specific ingredients associated with highly processed foods, including added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and sodium. In essence, it’s the same recommendation—just stated differently. The new DGAs also suggest limiting consumption of artificial flavors, certain food dyes, artificial preservatives, and low- or no-calorie sweeteners. Guiding Stars addresses food ingredients contained in highly processed foods, such as artificial colors and non-nutritive sweeteners, in our “Additives to Limit” debit.

New Recommendation: Eat More Protein

The guidelines now call for a protein intake of 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram body weight, which is roughly twice the level previously recommended. While protein is important, there’s no evidence that there is a “war on protein” in this country. (In fact, I’d venture to say it’s quite the opposite judging by new product introductions and social media coverage.) There are some population groups, such as teenage females and older adults, that could certainly benefit from getting more protein. It is an important macronutrient, but protein deficiency in the U.S. is extremely rare.

What’s more, the previous edition of the DGAs (and the MyPlate graphic) had a general plant-forward approach. This version, however, is decidedly pro-animal protein. The messaging in the guidelines acknowledges the role that plant-based proteins can play in nourishment, but it doesn’t exactly match with the primary positioning of animal foods in the accompanying upside-down pyramid graphic. People can meet protein needs with plant foods as well as animal foods, and we know that plant foods are more environmentally sustainable (and they stretch your grocery dollars too!). Relying on larger amounts of fatty animal proteins can also make it difficult to adhere to the recommended saturated fat limit, which remains the same as before—less than 10% of daily calories.

New Recommendation: Consume Full-Fat Dairy

Dairy products are nutrient-dense and the new guidelines recommend three servings per day, just like the previous version. What’s different is the large emphasis on consuming full-fat dairy products. There is some scientific data showing limited differences between low-/no-fat dairy and full-fat dairy on cardiovascular disease risk. But the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee didn’t find it impactful enough to warrant any changes to the usual recommendation for low-/no-fat dairy.

The administration chose to ignore their decision, however. Whole milk and full-fat dairy now have extra call-outs in both the graphic and the guidelines themselves. The DGAs are encouraging full-fat dairy for everyone at every age. They are also suggesting that people watch their calorie intake and keep saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories, which places responsibility on the individual consumer.

What Else Is New?

Some of the other new additions to the DGAs are laudable, including:

• Suggestion to consume fermented foods, which promotes gut health.
   
• Suggestion to limit added sugar, and avoid completely for kids up to age 10. In the previous edition, this was up to age 2. The guidelines provide some specific targets: less than 10 grams of added sugar per meal, less than 5 grams per grain-based snack, and 2.5 grams per dairy-based snack. This results in essentially the same overall gram recommendation for added sugars as the previous DGAs (less than 50 grams daily for ages 10 and up).

Established nutrition science isn’t as supportive of other new suggestions in the guidelines, including:

• Suggestion to cook with butter and beef tallow, which contain high amounts of saturated fat, conflicting with strong evidence that unsaturated fats are healthier for the heart and arteries.
   
• Loosening of the alcohol intake guideline. Alcohol is a toxin and has many adverse health effects. Previous guidelines recommended a maximum number of drinks per day (no more than two for men and one for women). The new version just says “consume less alcohol,” leaving it up to the consumer to define “less.”

What Is the Same?

Many of the food consumption recommendations are the same as they were in the last version, including things like:

• A focus on nutrient density
   
• Being aware of portion sizes and eating an appropriate amount of food for your needs
   
• Limiting refined carbohydrates and emphasizing whole grains
   
• The general amount of dairy, fruits, and vegetables, although these are now in “servings” instead of cup measures
   
• The suggested upper-level intakes on sodium and saturated fat

Now that the DGAs have been released, the Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel has initiated their standard process of review and will advise on updates to the algorithms if needed.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image from DietaryGuidelines.gov