Amazon keeps reaching for the skies, literally. The commerce giant is acquiring satellite service provider Globalstar to enhance Leo — its own satellite operation — when it eventually provides direct-to-device service.

In the deal, reportedly valued at $11.6 billion, Amazon will get Globalstar’s satellite operations, infrastructure and assets. Globalstar, based in Louisiana, has 24 satellites and plans to expand to 32 later this year, according to its website. The company provides «critical and emergency communications to customers around the world,» Tuesday’s announcement said.

The transaction also involves Apple. Globalstar provides emergency satellite connectivity for iPhones from the iPhone 14 and up, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, for texting emergency services, requesting roadside assistance, sharing locations and messaging friends and families during natural disasters. Apple bought a 20% stake in Globalstar in November 2024.

Amazon said in Tuesday’s announcement that Leo would «power satellite services for iPhone and Apple Watch, including Emergency SOS via satellite.»

Amazon Leo — the «Leo» stands for «low Earth orbit,» which is where its satellites are positioned in space — is trying to become a major competitor to Starlink, the global satellite service leader owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites in orbit, providing connectivity to smartphones, devices, vehicles and appliances as an alternative to cellphone towers.

Formerly known as Project Kuiper, Leo aims to start providing satellite connectivity services in early 2028, but there have been hiccups. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told shareholders last week that Leo would not begin providing Wi-Fi service to governments, airlines and other businesses until mid-2026. One of the issues is that Amazon must have 1,600 satellites in orbit by July, per a Federal Communications Commission deadline, but it currently has only 250.

Amazon asked the FCC for an extension on the mandate, but the agency has not ruled yet.

Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have deals with Amazon to use Leo for in-flight connectivity for passengers in the future.

Panos Panay, senior vice president of Devices & Services at Amazon, said Tuesday’s deal with Globalstar will help deliver internet to «billions of customers» who are «beyond the reach of existing networks.»

Amazon said that Leo, whenever it does begin delivering satellite service, «will offer substantially higher spectrum use and efficiency than legacy direct-to-cell systems.»

For a limited time, you can add a new controller to your gaming necessities for a nice, low price. Normally $65, the Xbox Core controller is now 42% off. That means you’ll pay a more reasonable $38. If you’re interested, you should hurry. Quantities are currently low at Woot, and the black color option is already sold out. Don’t miss your chance to take your gaming to the next level at a nice discount.

This Xbox controller features an ergonomic design. It has sculpted surfaces that make long gaming sessions more comfortable. It also has a hybrid directional pad and textured grips on the triggers and bumpers, giving you better control and precision no matter what game you’re playing. 

This is a wireless controller, either through Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless. If you prefer, you can plug it in with USB-C for a lag-free wired connection. It works easily across Xbox consoles, Windows PCs and mobile devices. Through the Xbox app, you can even customize things like button mapping. This is truly an all-around solid controller.

Not an Xbox fan? Take a look at the best Nintendo Switch deals you can shop right now.

Why this deal matters

This is a pretty impressive discount of $27 on an Xbox controller, saving you almost 50% off the regular price. Woot claims you have 10 more days to pick up this deal but we disagree. Quantities are already limited, and once it’s sold out, it won’t be back. The black color option is sold out and the white probably isn’t too far behind. 

Mopping up dried-on coffee spills and muddy footprints takes a little elbow grease. Ecovacs’ new Deebot X12 OmniCyclone robot vacuum doesn’t have elbows, so it substitutes firepower, blasting stubborn dried-on floor stains away with pressurized water jets before making its mopping pass.

The Deebot X12 OmniCyclone is, naturally, the successor to Ecovacs’ Deebot X11 OmniCyclone flagship robot vacuum and mop. The new model features boosted suction that’s now 22,000 Pa versus the X11’s 19,500 — suction power is measured in Pascals — and a 50% longer mopping roller that lets it cover more floor with each pass. Ecovacs also says that it’s updated the X12’s hardware and software to allow the robot to clean closer to walls and baseboards, reach deeper into corners and better pick up hair without tangling. However, the coolest new party trick is the addition of high-pressure water jets.

Ecovacs calls the new feature its FocusJet Stain Pre-Dissolving Technology. When mopping hard surfaces, the robot uses cameras and infrared sensors to detect dried-on messes — such as coffee stains, dried juice, mud and footprints. Upon approaching, dual 46,000 Pa water jets blast the stain, soaking and pretreating the mess. The vac then scrubs the softened mess with its updated Ozmo Roller Mop 3.0, lifting the dirt away. 

The X12 also uses an array of 16 pressurized nozzles to rinse the mop roller, preventing dirt from spreading. When it’s time to transition to carpet cleaning, the X12 can lift its mop 15mm and deploy a new Mop Roller Smart Cover to prevent dripping.

Backing up the water-blasting brawn are upgraded brains. The X12 should boast smarter AI-powered navigation that Ecovacs says will allow the cleaner to get closer to fixed obstacles, like furniture or walls, while steering clearer of pets, toys and loose wires. The robot vacuum will also feature version 2.0 of Ecovacs’ Agent Yiko AI voice assistant, which can guide you through setup and intelligent scheduling, as well as suggesting adaptive cleaning plans that adjust based on a home’s floor plan and the vac’s detection of high-use, extra-dirty areas.

The X12 OmniCyclone will ship with the latest version of Ecovacs’ Omni Station, where the robot vacuum can automatically empty its dust bins, wash its mop roller and refill its water reserves. The new flagship base station adds a new fast-charging feature (PowerBoost Charging Plus), which can quickly add around 13% charge to the battery in just 3 minutes, allowing the bot to finish up longer cleaning missions with just a quick top-up. 

Despite its hardware and software upgrades and the addition of water-powered blasters, the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone’s price hasn’t gone up. The robot vacuum retails for $1,499 at Ecovacs.com and on Amazon.