☀️ Tekin Morning Saturday, July 18, 2026: India's Vikram-1 Rocket to Sony's Disc Farewell

India Enters Elite Private Space Club

Saturday morning, July 18, 2026 at 12:05 PM local time, Indian space company Skyroot Aerospace made history. The Vikram-1 rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and successfully deployed multiple technology demonstration payloads and postcards (including a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi) into low Earth orbit. This was India's first fully private orbital mission.

Named after pioneering Indian space scientist Vikram Sarabhai, the four-stage Vikram-1 rocket stands seven stories tall and flew in the Aagaman (meaning arrival) mission. Space.com reported that this launch made India the third country with private orbital launch capability, following the United States and China.

India Today wrote that the rocket performed a flawless, textbook launch on its first attempt. Skyroot Aerospace declared the mission a "grand success." Among the payloads carried were postcards with messages from Prime Minister Modi sent to space.

Why Vikram-1 Matters

The private sector's entry into India's space industry means reduced launch costs, increased mission frequency, and serious competition in the global market. Financial Express reported that Skyroot, a unicorn startup based in Hyderabad, has attracted major investments and has now proven its technology is practical and reliable with this successful launch.

The launch began with planned delays in the final minutes due to navigation issues, but the Skyroot team resolved them and the rocket lifted off from the first pad with an orange smoke trail. Business Standard wrote that all mission objectives were met and payloads were successfully placed in orbit.

Sony Consigns Physical Discs to History

Sony announced on July 1, 2026 that it will stop producing Blu-ray discs for new PlayStation games starting January 2028. After this date, all new titles will only be available through PlayStation Store and retailers in digital formats. This announcement officially marks the end of the physical media era in gaming.

The news, made official by PlayStation Blog, sparked widespread reactions in the gaming community. IGN, The Verge, and GameSpot all described this move as a historic turning point. TechRadar reported that Sony's Thalgau factory in Austria, which has produced 24 billion discs, is now being converted into a micro-optics laboratory just days after this announcement.

Impact on Collectors and Secondary Market

For physical game collectors, this decision is a heavy blow. In the digital model, you're only purchasing a license to use the game, not permanent ownership of it. Slate wrote that this Sony move makes the digital storefront the only purchasing location for all console owners, giving Sony complete control over pricing and access.

The used game market will also be severely impacted. Gamers can no longer sell, lend, or gift digital games. CNBC reported that this decision aligns with the broader consumer trend toward digital media, but concerns exist about preserving gaming history and long-term access.

Industry Reaction and Competitors

Sony isn't the first major company to take this path, but it's certainly the most influential. The Verge wrote that Sony had stopped producing recordable Blu-ray discs for consumers in mid-2024, maintaining production lines only for business and corporate customers until profitability disappeared.

This announcement doesn't affect games released or being released before January 2028. GameInformer emphasized that these titles will still be available physically, but any new game after that date will be digital only.

Steam Summer Sale Continues with Heavy Discounts

Steam Summer Sale 2026, which began June 25, runs until July 9, 2026 at 10 AM Pacific Time. This major sales event offers thousands of PC games with discounts up to 95%, providing a golden opportunity for gamers to complete their wishlists.

PC Gamer called this sale one with "deep discounts on thousands of games." GameSpot published a list of best deals including major titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Detroit: Become Human, and Silent Hill 2 Remake at 60% off. GG.deals reported that over 50 games with 90% discount or more are available.

Sale Details and Valve's Strategy

Unlike past years when Valve used "Flash Sales" and "Daily Deals," Steam Summer Sale 2026 keeps all discounts fixed for the full 14 days. Tech-Insider reported that the sale began June 25 at 10 AM PT (17:00 UTC) and prices won't change until the end, so there's no need to wait for deeper discounts.

Average discounts in this sale hover around 45%, but the most common discounts are 50%, 57%, and 75%. TechTimes wrote that discounts up to 90% are available on older catalog titles, which is the maximum discount cap allowed by Steamworks rules.

Transaction Volume and Market Response

Tech-Insider estimated that the total gross merchandise value (GMV) for this sale period reaches approximately $876 million. This figure demonstrates the power of the Steam platform and PC gamers' appetite for purchasing digital games during seasonal sales. GG.deals recommended users maximize savings by using discounted Steam gift cards to load their wallet balance.

The Konami Summer sale also returned for round two with discounts up to 85%. This includes Silent Hill 2 Remake at 60% off, which GG.deals described as "a cozy meetup with Pyramid Head for $27.99."

Nintendo Considering Switch 2 OLED

Nintendo is reportedly evaluating the release of a Switch 2 model with an OLED display, according to display industry sources. The new model would feature FHD (1920×1080) resolution, an upgrade from the HD (1280×720) resolution of the Switch 1 OLED model. Samsung Display is competing to supply the "rigid" (non-flexible) OLED panel.

Android Authority reported that Nintendo is evaluating whether this option is financially feasible. Nintendo Life wrote that if Nintendo decides to release a Switch 2 OLED, product development would likely begin in late 2026, with mass production in late 2027 or 2028.

Pricing Challenge and Nintendo's Decision

The main issue for Nintendo is the price gap between LCD and OLED panels. IGN wrote that Nintendo is concerned about the price increase caused by using OLED, and the extent of this price increase remains an open variable. Given that the base LCD Switch 2 model reaches $500 starting September 1, 2026, an OLED model could be significantly more expensive.

WCCFtech reported that Samsung is pushing Nintendo to choose OLED, but the $499 price crisis could stall the deal. Digital Foundry wrote that the new version would have a Samsung Display rigid OLED panel at the same 1080p resolution as the original Switch 2 LCD model, but no information is available about size, refresh rate, or HDR support.

Timeline and Competition with Rivals

Kotaku wrote that the original Switch was released in 2017, with the upgraded OLED version appearing four years later in 2021. This pattern suggests Nintendo might release a Switch 2 OLED three to four years after the Switch 2 launch. Hot Hardware reported there's no mention of a size increase like we saw with the Switch 1 OLED.

Games Radar wrote that given the high price of the base model, one can only imagine a Switch 2 OLED would carry a hefty price tag. TechPowerUp wrote that Nintendo is evaluating whether this option is financially feasible.

Google Pixel 9a Hits Lowest Price Ever

The Google Pixel 9a has reached $349, its lowest price since launch. This represents a 30% reduction from the original $499 price. Amazon and Best Buy are clearing inventory ahead of the Pixel 10a unveiling on February 18, 2027, creating an excellent opportunity for budget-conscious buyers.

TechBuzz reported that this $150 discount makes the Pixel 9a one of the best deals on the market. The Verge wrote that at this sale price, the Pixel 9a offers exceptional value with IP68 rating, seven years of software updates, a larger and brighter display than the Pixel 8a, wireless charging, and 120Hz refresh rate.

Technical Specifications and Value Proposition

The Pixel 9a comes with a 120Hz display, a battery lasting over 30 hours, and up to 256GB of storage. The 128GB model on Swappa averages $353 listed and sells for $323, while the 256GB model sells for an average of $398.

9to5Toys reported that the 256GB model also has the same $150 discount and is now available for $449 on Amazon. Android Headlines wrote that the Pixel 9a recently received the Android 17 update.

Comparison with Competitors

The Pixel 9a is cheaper than the base Pixel 9 which starts at $308. Swappa shows the Pixel 9a also starts at $300 in the used market. Technobezz wrote that the Pixel 9a reached $349 in February 2026, saving $96.30.

This phone is ideal for those seeking flagship Android features without the flagship price. TechBuzz wrote in October Prime Day that this price was $50 lower than the previous Prime Day low.

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Aborted at Last Second

SpaceX attempted to launch the giant Starship rocket on its thirteenth test flight on July 17, 2026, but at the last second, just as the 33 Raptor engines on the first stage began firing, something went wrong and the launch was automatically aborted. This was the first time a full-scale Starship experienced such a last-second abort.

Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, posted on social network X that "some of the engines" on the Super Heavy stage failed to ignite, triggering an automatic abort. Space.com reported that SpaceX is now targeting Monday, July 20 for launch, with a 90-minute launch window opening at 6:45 PM EDT.

Technical Details of the Problem

Florida Today reported that the delay was due to "some of the engines" on the Super Heavy failing to ignite, which provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff. This problem triggered an automatic launch abort. Onscreen data showed four engines didn't fire, and the remaining 29 engines immediately shut down, keeping the rocket anchored to the pad.

LA Times wrote that although the company didn't elaborate further, this was the first time a full-scale Starship experienced such a last-second abort. Technology.org quoted SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot saying: "We did trigger a hold on the booster that aborted our liftoff as we were starting to light those Raptor engines."

Background and Mission Importance

This launch attempt was SpaceX's first since going public in June 2026. India Today wrote that this launch was supposed to carry Starlink V3 satellites. The 400-foot Starship rocket is the world's largest and most powerful, designed for Moon and Mars missions.

Spaceflight Now reported that the post-ignition anomaly caused the abort of Starship Flight 13. Austin Statesman wrote that according to Musk, some engines failed to start, triggering an automatic abort. Crews quickly began draining the tanks after the abort.

Retry Attempt and Future Outlook

SpaceX announced that the retry is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026. Express News reported that it was unclear what caused the shutdown or when the thirteenth test flight would be rescheduled. Yahoo wrote that automatic safety features suspended the launch at T-0 minutes, around 6:45 PM EDT.

Space.com wrote that SpaceX tried to launch the giant Starship rocket on its thirteenth test flight today but couldn't quite pull it off. Just as the 33 first-stage Raptor engines started to fire up, something went wrong and an abort was triggered.

Technology Morning Wrap-Up

Saturday morning, July 18, 2026 brought six major stories from space, gaming, and technology. From India's success in joining the elite private space launch club to Sony's historic decision to end physical discs, each of these stories will have long-term impacts on the industry.

The Vikram-1 rocket demonstrated that India's private sector has the capability to compete in the global space market. Sony's decision to stop Blu-ray disc production by 2028 announced the end of an era. Steam Summer Sale continues to provide excellent buying opportunities for gamers. The Google Pixel 9a at $349 is one of the best smartphone deals on the market.

Nintendo is evaluating an OLED model for Switch 2 that could take visual quality to a new level, although pricing challenges exist. Finally, the last-second abort of Starship Flight 13 reminds us that even the most advanced technologies face technical challenges, but SpaceX is ready to try again.