Carlsbad’s Viasat is betting on space satellites

so you don’t drop texts. How would that work?

Tech companies like SpaceX, Apple and Viasat are investing millions of dollars in satellite networks that will expand smartphone and device coverage beyond Earth’s cell towers.

A growing field of technology companies will spend millions of dollars this year on space satellites so you can keep texting. Their goal is to build global satellite networks so phones, computers, cars and people never lose coverage.

It won’t replace the cellular service you pay for from companies like Verizon and AT&T, but it would be an added benefit to cover dead zones. That means you might soon have an option to pay extra to get satellite texting on your phone while you hike the mountains or get stuck in an emergency off the grid.

The latest player to plant their flag in the direct-to-device space is Carlsbad’s Viasat.

The local telecommunications company has partnered with Skylo Technologies, a non-terrestrial network service provider, to provide direct-to-device services globally. It marks a new revenue opportunity for Viasat in the IoT (Internet of Things) space at a scale it hasn’t previously delved into, said Anton Monk, vice president of wireless initiatives at Viasat.

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Top Illustration: The new nonterrestrial network will utilize Viasat’s existing global L-band capabilities as well as partner satellite operator networks. (Courtesy of Viasat)

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3 Ocean Beach Pier Renewal design concepts to be aired

The City of San Diego will hold a public April 6 community workshop to present three preliminary design concepts for the

Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. The workshop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, San Diego 92106. A presentation will be at 2:15 p.m. followed by interactive workshops.

The designs have been prepared following a year of public outreach events, community meetings, booths at major events, flyers and emails, and an online survey of 5,000 participants.

OB  Pier renewal design concepts: top: Squint test-labeled birdeye; center: Braid-labeled birdeye; bottom: Remora-labeled birdeye.

Click here for enlarged top pier design

Click here for enlarged center pier design

Click here for enlarged bottom pier design

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How California lawmakers want to target retail theft

By Lynn La | CalMatters

Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation last Thursday to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft — just beating the deadline to introduce new bills.

He joined Democratic Assemblymember Rick Zbur of Los Angeles, chairperson of the committee, and Kevin McCarty of Sacramento, chairperson of the Assembly Public Safety committee, to unveil the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, which Rivas describes as “critical legislation” to address “a serios crime that’s hurting businesses and impacting our communities.”

Focusing on “professional retail thieves,” Zbur said the measure would create a new crime with a penalty as long as three years behind bars for the possession of stolen property with the intent to sell.

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Bill introduced to increase safety measures on e-bikes

Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), whose district includes the beachfront, has introduced AB 2234 to ensure the safety of e-bike riders and those who share the roads with them.AB 2234 will require anyone over age 12 without a valid driver’s license to take an online e-bike safety training course and pass a written test to prove they understand traffic safety rules.

Those without a valid driver’s license must have a state-issued ID to operate an e-bike. The bill will also prohibit children under the age of 12 from operating e-bikes.

“Owning and riding an e-bike is a big responsibility, and children and their parents must understand the liability they take on when they get on an e-bike that can go nearly 30 mph,” said Tasha Boerner. “As an avid cyclist and a mother, my goal is to ensure that California’s young riders are educated on the rules of the road to increase their safety and the safety of other road users.”

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Birch Aquarium opens immersive art exhibit on kelp forests

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography has opened “Hold Fast,” an immersive art exhibit that invites guests to explore the impact of climate change on the local kelp forests through the lens of three local artists and scientists.

“Warming waters and giant kelp don’t mix. We have to be realistic about the outsized impact that climate change has on our local giant kelp forests,” said Megan Dickerson, Birch Aquarium’s director of exhibits and co-curator of the installation. “But at the same time, local people are doing beautiful things. This ‘Hold Fast’ installation posits that the actions of local artists and scientists can give us hope that together, as a community, we can make collective change as we also acknowledge climate trauma.”

Aquarium visitors can now explore a labyrinth of cyanotype-printed giant kelp by photo-based artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter. They can come face-to-face with local species via gyotaku prints – the traditional Japanese method of printing fish – by artist Dwight Hwang. Finally, they can peer into the tiny world of kelp propagation with Scripps Oceanography PhD student Mohammad Sedarat.

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Mrs. Stephanie Aretz named COO of Smartville Inc.

Carlsbad-based Smartville Inc., a leader in sustainable energy solutions and a trendsetter in repurposing electric vehicle batteries, announced the appointment of Mrs. Stephanie Aretz as its new chief operating officer.

Mrs. Aretz’s vast experience and profound leadership in the technology sector will be pivotal as Smartville continues its mission to revolutionize battery energy storage worldwide, one battery pack at a time.

Mrs. Aretz will spearhead all day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and budget execution at Smartville, Inc.

Priya Huggett appointed to board of NAIOP San Diego

Priya Huggett, a partner with Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson, a commercial real estate law firm, has been appointed to the board of NAIOP San Diego, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

Huggett has more than 20 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate – including acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, finance and operations covering multifamily, retail, residential, hospitality and office assets.

She was general counsel of Brixton Capital prior to joining CGS3 in 2022.

Brian L. Frary joins Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani law firm

Brian L. Frary has joined the law firm of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in its San Diego office, and membe of the Employment Law practice group.

Frary has practiced law in San Diego for over 20 years.

His practice includes business litigation, consumer finance litigation defense, class actions, real property litigation, product liability, personal injury, construction defect litigation, and professional liability defense. He is a long-time member of ACA International and the San Diego Bar Association.

Cal Coast Cares Foundation scholarships top $1 million

The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has just reached a major milestone, awarding over $1 million in student scholarships and educator grants to nearly 800 individuals in San Diego and Riverside counties since Cal Coast Credit Union established the foundation in 2015. The foundation will award an additional $260,000 in scholarships and grants in 2024. Established by San Diego teachers in 1929, California Coast Credit Union is the longest-serving financial institution based in San Diego County with more than $3.5 billion in assets.

UCSD, Sanford Burnham, Prebys secure $9 million NIH grant

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, UC San Diego, and San Diego-based Camino Pharma received a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support further studies around a drug to treat nicotine addiction. Under the three-year grant, researchers will conduct toxicology studies and drug manufacturing for the therapy that reduces levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to nicotine addiction and relapse behavior.

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Sony Electronics launches aibo Espresso Edition in the U.S.

Sony Electronics Inc. announced that the limited-quantity aibo Espresso Edition (ERS-1000B) is now available for purchase in the United States directly from Sony.

Originally released in Japan in late January 2023, the aibo Espresso Edition is the fourth color variation of the acclaimed aibo (ERS-1000) robotic “puppy” companion in the United States. The aibo Espresso Edition is currently available on Sony’s website for a suggested retail price of $2,899.99.

Mindgruve partners with Kick It California in tobacco cessation program

Mindgruve, a digital marketing agency, announced its partnership with Kick It California, the longest-running statewide phone-based tobacco cessation program in the U.S. The collaboration focuses on a complete redesign of the app formerly known as NoButts and NoVape, now rebranded as the Kick It app, tailored to aid users in their journey to quit both smoking and vaping. The app officially launched on Dec. 29, 2023.

The Well Community For Women opens North Park location

The Well Community For Women, a San Diego-based nonprofit, is opening its second coworking, childcare, and resource center at 3810 Bancroft St. in North Park. The Well’s new San Diego location is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and its original La Mesa location is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Ste. 195. Coworking memberships in North Park Park ranges from $60/day to $250/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities. La Mesa memberships range from $50/day to $600/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities.

Cue Health appoints Rishi Reddy to board of directors

Cue Health, a health care technology company, announced it entered into a cooperation agreement with Tarsadia Investments, and appointed Rishi Reddy to its board of directors, effective immediately. Reddy is a managing director at Tarsadia, where he leads the firm’s venture and growth equity strategy. He was previously an observer on Cue’s Board of Directors from April 2018 to September 2021. In addition, the board intends to commence a process to add an additional highly qualified, independent director to the board.

Spectator Health adds Surescripts certification

Spectator Health, a San Diego-based senior living technology company, announced the complete integration of Surescripts’ suite of e-prescribing capabilities into its platform, allowing for real-time medication analytics and e-prescribing for senior living communities caregivers and providers. Spectator Health’s platform has been awarded key certifications, which cover a comprehensive suite of Surescripts.