Month: July 2023
Model 3 owners love their Teslas but increasingly not Elon Musk: survey
Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images
Bloomberg’s latest survey of thousands of Model 3 owners presents a conflicted view of Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, suggesting that while owners are happy with their cars they’re souring on Musk himself. The survey, which asked 5,000 Model 3 owners a series of questions about their vehicles and views on Tesla and Elon Musk more generally, follows a similar project from 2019, making it possible to track how sentiment has shifted over time.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the survey is the divergence in opinion on the Model 3 itself, versus the man whose name is so closely intertwined with the Tesla brand. Overwhelmingly, respondents strongly agreed that the car is enjoyable to drive, and said that it’s been more reliable than previous cars they’ve owned. A majority of owners say they don’t intend to ever buy a gas-powered car again, and almost three quarters of those surveyed say they’re considering a Tesla for their next purchase, with the Cybertruck the most popular answer.
Image: Bloomberg
Bloomberg’s chart showing the declining sentiment towards Elon Musk.
And yet, Bloomberg reports that “the steepest change of opinion was the drop in Musk’s approval.” Respondents said they agreed that he should stop tweeting and stay out of politics. People were particularly wary of his purchase of Twitter (now being rebranded to X), which a majority agreed had been a “distraction” from his work at Tesla. When people had decided to sell their Tesla and switch to another brand, “disapproval of Elon Musk” was cited as the most popular reason. Democrats, unsurprisingly, had the most negative views of Musk, while those who’d voted for Trump in 2020 viewed him more positively. Despite the drop in sentiment, respondents still agreed on average that Musk is the right man to be leading Tesla.
Image: Bloomberg
A chart highlighting how sentiment of Musk contrasts with whether customers would buy another Tesla.
A couple of other answers I found interesting:
While most respondents said they were considering a Tesla for their next car, other brands mentioned (in declining order of popularity) included Rivian, Ford and Hyundai. The ID Buzz was the only Volkswagen to appear on the list.
Range was reported to be about 91 percent of the original rated capacity after 100,000 miles, due to battery degradation.
People’s perception of Tesla’s customer service improved if they accessed it online or via Tesla’s app, but declined via phone. Once Tesla actually worked on their car, a majority of owners were satisfied.
The Model 3’s brakes and chassis were rated as its most reliable component, followed by battery and drive-system. Exterior reliability was lowest, with paint chips and scratches being the most common complaints.
Finally there’s the section of the survey on Tesla’s driver-assistance system, which Bloomberg calls “the first major driver assessment of Tesla’s autopilot software.” A majority of customers think the “Full Self-Driving” feature was worth the price they paid for it, and think that Tesla is on the right track with its approach. But opinions were more mixed on whether it’s reliable enough for the average driver, with specific issues cited including problems navigating construction zones, and responding to emergency vehicles (a concern that overlaps with a federal investigation).
The survey paints a nuanced view on the attitudes of Tesla owners who are happy with their cars and the company, but frustrated at the behavior of its CEO. Bloomberg’s full writeup is well worth a read.
Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images
Bloomberg’s latest survey of thousands of Model 3 owners presents a conflicted view of Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, suggesting that while owners are happy with their cars they’re souring on Musk himself. The survey, which asked 5,000 Model 3 owners a series of questions about their vehicles and views on Tesla and Elon Musk more generally, follows a similar project from 2019, making it possible to track how sentiment has shifted over time.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the survey is the divergence in opinion on the Model 3 itself, versus the man whose name is so closely intertwined with the Tesla brand. Overwhelmingly, respondents strongly agreed that the car is enjoyable to drive, and said that it’s been more reliable than previous cars they’ve owned. A majority of owners say they don’t intend to ever buy a gas-powered car again, and almost three quarters of those surveyed say they’re considering a Tesla for their next purchase, with the Cybertruck the most popular answer.
Image: Bloomberg
Bloomberg’s chart showing the declining sentiment towards Elon Musk.
And yet, Bloomberg reports that “the steepest change of opinion was the drop in Musk’s approval.” Respondents said they agreed that he should stop tweeting and stay out of politics. People were particularly wary of his purchase of Twitter (now being rebranded to X), which a majority agreed had been a “distraction” from his work at Tesla. When people had decided to sell their Tesla and switch to another brand, “disapproval of Elon Musk” was cited as the most popular reason. Democrats, unsurprisingly, had the most negative views of Musk, while those who’d voted for Trump in 2020 viewed him more positively. Despite the drop in sentiment, respondents still agreed on average that Musk is the right man to be leading Tesla.
Image: Bloomberg
A chart highlighting how sentiment of Musk contrasts with whether customers would buy another Tesla.
A couple of other answers I found interesting:
While most respondents said they were considering a Tesla for their next car, other brands mentioned (in declining order of popularity) included Rivian, Ford and Hyundai. The ID Buzz was the only Volkswagen to appear on the list.
Range was reported to be about 91 percent of the original rated capacity after 100,000 miles, due to battery degradation.
People’s perception of Tesla’s customer service improved if they accessed it online or via Tesla’s app, but declined via phone. Once Tesla actually worked on their car, a majority of owners were satisfied.
The Model 3’s brakes and chassis were rated as its most reliable component, followed by battery and drive-system. Exterior reliability was lowest, with paint chips and scratches being the most common complaints.
Finally there’s the section of the survey on Tesla’s driver-assistance system, which Bloomberg calls “the first major driver assessment of Tesla’s autopilot software.” A majority of customers think the “Full Self-Driving” feature was worth the price they paid for it, and think that Tesla is on the right track with its approach. But opinions were more mixed on whether it’s reliable enough for the average driver, with specific issues cited including problems navigating construction zones, and responding to emergency vehicles (a concern that overlaps with a federal investigation).
The survey paints a nuanced view on the attitudes of Tesla owners who are happy with their cars and the company, but frustrated at the behavior of its CEO. Bloomberg’s full writeup is well worth a read.
Formula E’s first visit to a proper American racetrack saw packed stands
We found a lot to be optimistic about for the all-electric racing series.
Enlarge / I can think of maybe one other race track that has a volcano for a backdrop. (credit: Sam Bloxham/Formula E)
Jaguar Land Rover provided a flight from Washington, DC, to Portland and two nights in a hotel so we could attend the Formula E race. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.
PORTLAND, Ore.—This year’s Formula E season draws to a close this weekend, with the final two rounds taking place in London. The title fight is a three-way contest, with Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis leading Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy and Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans. Last month, the series held a race here in the US on the opposite coast of its traditional home in Brooklyn. Formula E did something outside its comfort zone, holding a race at permanent road course—Portland International Speedway. And as Ars found out, it was a good decision; this leafy race track with its volcano backdrop felt like a much better venue for Formula E than a humid parking lot next to the Hudson River.
It was also our first opportunity to see the series’ new cars in action, and they’re significantly lighter and more powerful than the Gen2 machines. As ever, the drivers have a lot of work to do to manage energy in the cars, thanks to restricted telemetry to their engineers in the pit lane and new tires that prioritize sustainability over outright grip.
Portland saw the Gen3 cars reach their highest ever top speeds. (credit: Simon Galloway/Formula E)
This isn’t a city center street circuit
Portland was not the first Formula E race we’ve attended; we were on hand to see the series’ rather chaotic Miami ePrix in 2015, and Ars logos even ran on a pair of cars at that year’s London ePrix. Miami was not a repeat event for the sport, and the Long Beach ePrix in California was held only twice, in 2015 and 2016.
Marshall’s new guitar amp looks like something you’d find in a loft and I love it
Meet Studio JTM, which definitely hasn’t been stuck in an attic since ’62 – but is based on Marshall’s debut amp of that year.
Marshall has just introduced the all-new Studio JTM amp – although you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s actually been stored in the eaves of a house in Pasadena since 1962 and has only just been rediscovered following a mammoth clear out.
As with the firm’s retro-styled Emberton 2 (a Bluetooth speaker that looks so good, I ditched my JBL Flip 6 for it), the larger Stanmore Multi-room speaker and Major III headphones to name but a few, the name of the game here is iconic heritage aesthetics married with thoroughly modern innards.
We’re right to think that the iconic audio brand is delving directly into its storied past this time around. Marshall’s latest design is inspired by the first ever model made in the brand’s original shop in Hanwell, London. It has been released to continue (and celebrate) the legacy of founder Jim Marshall as well as to coincide with what would have been his 100th birthday.
Style over substance? No – and it’s important to make that point because Marshall amps have been endorsed by some of the world’s most revered artists, including Jimi Hendrix, and all of Marshall’s amps are made in Milton Keynes (UK) by skilled craftspeople. Its makers promise that the Studio JTM amp is reminiscent of the same sound DNA (think smooth, warm tones) that dates back to the 60s, too. Cool.
Opinion: I don’t even play guitar, but now I want to start
I want it and I also want whatever’s happening with the decor (Image credit: Marshall)
The new Studio JTM range has four unique but equally distinguished products in the form of a 20W head, 20W combo amp, 1 x 12-inch and 2 x 12-inch cabinets all adorned with period-correct aesthetics, such as the famous red enamel poured “coffin” logo and luxurious fawn fret.
The original JTM45, upon which it is based on, was heavily praised by the likes of Gary Moore, Richie Blackmore and Angus Young for granting more tone, more gain and more grit to their sound.
Terry Marshall, Jim Marshall’s son and creator of the original JTM45 said: “When I was demonstrated the Studio JTM and it took me back to my original JTM45, it was my sound… I feel like it is going to be something special.”
We should note that the new design is significantly smaller than the original model, but Marshall assures us that the scaling down has been done without compromising on the Marshall sound people know and love.
TechRadar doesn’t even typically cover musician-specific amps, but here we couldn’t resist. I mean, look at this thing. Obviously it’s not about to become one of the best Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested because that’s not what it is – although for a somewhat similar look, there’s always the Orange Box, which is a Bluetooth retro-styled speaker.
The Studio JTM range will be available to purchase soon on Marshall’s website, with prices starting at £565 / $1480, which is around AU$2,189, but this particular price quote is unofficial. And suffice to say, I really like it.
New Expanded Child Tax Credit Proposal Wants Credit for Unborn Babies
Over the past few years, we have seen several lawmakers push for expanding the federal child tax credit, but with
The post New Expanded Child Tax Credit Proposal Wants Credit for Unborn Babies appeared first on ReadWrite.
Over the past few years, we have seen several lawmakers push for expanding the federal child tax credit, but with little success. Now, House Republicans have introduced a new expanded child tax credit proposal that, among other things, includes applying the credit to fetuses in the womb.
New Expanded Child Tax Credit Proposal: What Makes It Different?
Last week, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) introduced the Providing For Life Act that aims to expand the federal child tax credit, as well as cover parents during pregnancy. This proposal is another sign that expanding support to families is growing popular within the GOP.
“Providing for your child begins the second a woman finds out she is pregnant — from making doctor’s appointments, to stocking up on diapers, and searching for child care,” Hinson told The Post.
If approved, this new expanded child tax credit proposal would raise the credit amount from $2,000 currently to $3,500 for children aged five and under, and $4,500 for those over the age of five.
While expanding the child tax credit is a step in the right direction, it’s important to remember that families facing serious illnesses like cancer need additional support. That’s where the small-cap company Behind the Markets comes in, utilizing AI to create new cancer drugs in record time. With high-profile investors like Bill Gates and Steve Cohen, this company could be a game-changer in the fight against cancer. This paragraph is AI-generated advertising.
Additionally, the proposal offers benefits retroactively post-birth for the time that a child is in the womb. The benefits will be available to households with annual incomes up to $400,000 (up to $200,000 for individuals).
Also, the new proposal makes the adoption tax credit fully refundable. This means that households with no tax liability would get a check from the government. This change would mostly benefit lower-income families who adopt a child.
What Else Is In The Legislation?
Along with expanding the child tax credit, the legislation also calls for enhancing paid parental leave, as well as expanding eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program to postpartum women.
Additionally, the legislation requires cooperation with child support for SNAP recipients. The legislation also encourages states to create rules requiring fathers to bear half the pregnancy costs.
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The proposed legislation also has several ways to curb abortion, including creating a federal clearinghouse of resources by establishing a website – life.gov.
Such a measure would ensure Title X funding is available to pregnancy resource centers. These centers offer aid to women as an alternative to abortion and ensure that pregnant women on college campuses are aware of their rights and have access to non-abortion resources.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the Senate version of the bill in January. Rubio has long been pushing for expanding the tax credit and sees it as a logical extension of Republicans’ anti-abortion and pro-family agenda.
“This comprehensive legislation will provide real assistance for American parents and children in need. We need policies like these to show America that conservatives are pro-life across the board,” Rubio said in a statement.
It will be interesting to see Democrats’ response to this proposed legislation. Democrats have largely opposed measures to use federal funds for such programs after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) ruling, which provided federal protection for abortion.
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Featured Image Credit: Photo by Leah Kelley; Pexels; Thank you!
The post New Expanded Child Tax Credit Proposal Wants Credit for Unborn Babies appeared first on ReadWrite.
Rocket Report: Starbase comes alive again; China launches four times
Maybe the next Starship launch isn’t all that far off.
Enlarge / The Super Heavy booster for SpaceX’s next Starship test flight is raised onto its launch mount at the Starbase facility in South Texas. (credit: SpaceX)
Welcome to Edition 6.04 of the Rocket Report! SpaceX has a Super Heavy booster on the launch pad in Texas a lot sooner than many thought. There was some pretty extensive damage at the launch site in the aftermath of the Starship test launch in April, SpaceX made quick work with repairs and upgrades to beef up the pad. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launcher, Rocket Lab’s Electron, and China’s rocket fleet show no signs of slowing down.
As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
China’s Galactic Energy launches sixth successful mission. Galactic Energy, one of several new Chinese startup launch companies, launched its sixth consecutive successful satellite delivery mission on July 22, Space News reports. The company’s solid-fueled Ceres 1 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan launch base in the Gobi Desert with two small satellites on board. Galactic Energy is also developing a medium-lift rocket named Pallas 1 that is designed to eventually be recoverable and reusable.
Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air Is Superb for Pro Photography Work – CNET
As a professional photographer and video producer, I’ve really enjoyed using the surprisingly powerful 15-inch Air.
As a professional photographer and video producer, I’ve really enjoyed using the surprisingly powerful 15-inch Air.
PIA VPN Review 2023: An Open-Source VPN Provider That Does Transparency Right – CNET
Private Internet Access struggles a bit with streaming, but it’s easy on the pocketbook and provides excellent privacy.
Private Internet Access struggles a bit with streaming, but it’s easy on the pocketbook and provides excellent privacy.
The iPhone 15 might not get the big camera upgrade we were expecting
The iPhone 15 will reportedly have a 48MP camera – just not the one we were expecting.
We’ve long expected the iPhone 15 to include two big upgrades over the iPhone 14, specifically a Dynamic Island and the same 48MP main camera as on the iPhone 14 Pro. However, while the former still looks set to happen, the latter might not.
That’s according to reputable leaker Digital Chat Station, who, on Chinese site Weibo (via Phone Arena), has claimed that while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will apparently retain the 48MP camera of their predecessors, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will get a different 48MP camera.
Different how? Digital Chat Station says it’ll be a 48MP camera with a 1/1.5-inch sensor, which is smaller than the 1/1.28-inch sensor used by the 48MP camera on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
When it comes to sensors, bigger is better
That smaller sensor size means it won’t be able to capture as much light, and therefore probably won’t perform as well in low-light conditions. Beyond that, a larger sensor size can benefit depth of field and dynamic range, and can improve the overall image quality – though in the latter case the size of the sensor is just one of several factors at play.
So if Digital Chat Station is right, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus may have less-capable main cameras than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
We’d take this with a pinch of salt, but this leak doesn’t necessarily conflict with earlier rumors, which tended to simply say that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would have a 48MP camera, and didn’t get into the specific sensor sizes.
If this claim is correct it’s certainly disappointing, but it’s not all bad news. A 48MP iPhone 15 camera will still likely be a slight upgrade on the 12MP snapper found on the iPhone 14, even if it doesn’t match the cameras of the Pro models. This would also make for a larger sensor than the 1/1.7-inch one used by the iPhone 14.
So this could still be one of the more useful improvements that the iPhone 15 offers over its predecessor – just not quite as useful as we’d hoped, leaving it less likely to rank among the very best camera phones.
These tiny robotic tentacles could travel into the lungs to treat cancer
Scientists have developed tiny robotic tentacles that travel into the lungs to detect and treat cancer. The device is just 2.4 mm in diameter and ultra-soft. It’s sent to the periphery of the lungs from the end of a bronchoscope — a thin tube with a light and camera. During the journey, magnets adapt the robot’s shape to the body’s anatomy. As it moves, both its form and position and form are fed back to a clinician. After reaching its destination, an embedded laser fibre can deliver localised treatment. The robot was developed at the University of Leeds’ STORM lab, which…This story continues at The Next Web
Scientists have developed tiny robotic tentacles that travel into the lungs to detect and treat cancer. The device is just 2.4 mm in diameter and ultra-soft. It’s sent to the periphery of the lungs from the end of a bronchoscope — a thin tube with a light and camera. During the journey, magnets adapt the robot’s shape to the body’s anatomy. As it moves, both its form and position and form are fed back to a clinician. After reaching its destination, an embedded laser fibre can deliver localised treatment. The robot was developed at the University of Leeds’ STORM lab, which…
This story continues at The Next Web