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News

TikTok’s Instagram Competitor Notes Gets Limited Launch For Some Users

April 18, 2024 David Leave a comment

While TikTok and Instagram had a very completely different audience within the preliminary days of their life, these apps have been at loggerheads for the previous a number of years — particularly after Instagram “encroached” into TikTok’s area of brief movies with Instagram Reels. While there isn’t any denying that Reels has been a significant success, the very fact stays that Instagram began as a photo-sharing platform. With Notes, it appears TikTok needs to present Instagram (and Meta) a style of its personal drugs by making its presence felt within the nonetheless standard photo-sharing area.

Thanks to the screenshots uploaded by TikTok, we have now a good thought of what TikTok Notes UI seems to be like. One main characteristic that Notes affords over Instagram is the flexibility to create headlines for pictures.

TikTok/X

The grid structure of the images additionally seems to be markedly completely different from what you may have been used to seeing on Instagram. TikTok additionally appears to have taken inspiration from X and affords customers separate sections for viewing TikTok ‘Notes’ from folks they comply with, in addition to a separate “For You” tab that recommends folks chances are you’ll be concerned with following.

Incidentally, the information of TikTok Notes making its partial debut comes on the identical day Elon Musk hinted at the possible return of Vine. This standard brief video-sharing app predates TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Car review

Omoda E5 prototype assessment

April 13, 2024 David Leave a comment

The Omoda E5 is meant to have a somewhat upmarket really feel, and Hyundai and Kia are a selected goal. However, there’s a whiff of tackiness to the trim in our top-spec Noble prototype take a look at automotive. Small particulars just like the chiny, chrome speaker covers, and the wave sample on a number of the plastic trim. It’s attempting a bit too laborious, in areas.

Still, the double wi-fi telephone charging pad is nice – particularly because it has its personal cooling vent, to maintain your telephone from overheating – and there are another neat touches together with display brightness controls which are completely seen on the panel subsequent to the steering wheel. Talking about illumination, although, the back-lit, touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel disappear fully if it’s nonetheless mild outdoors and also you flip the headlights on. Don’t anticipate to have the ability to flip your music down when it’s foggy or raining closely, then.

Naturally, there’s an enormous, 12.3-inch touchscreen on high of the sprint, which is housed along with the large driver’s readout. Our automotive was but to have its last software program replace, however even with the tweaks that we’re advised will occur earlier than the mannequin hits dealerships, the system will like really feel a contact dated. The graphics are a bit grainy, discovering a number of the automotive’s settings takes too lengthy (you must prod at the very least three- or 4 occasions to show lane-keep help and pace restrict warnings off), and the house menu icons and in-screen temperature controls are small and fiddly. It’s harking back to MG’s touchscreen software program again when the MG4 was first launched, in truth, and also you’ll discover the methods from Kia, Hyundai, Renault and (dare we are saying it…) even Volkswagen, usefully higher. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary, so that you received’t have to make use of the native system fairly often, anyway.

Rear passenger house is okay. You’ll get a few six-footers within the again with relative ease, though headroom is a bit tighter than in some rivals and there’s little or no foot house beneath the entrance seats.

The boot has a paltry 292-litre claimed capability, which is completely woeful and extra what you’d anticipate in a metropolis automotive than a household crossover. We’re a bit sceptical about that determine, although, and suspect that Omoda hasn’t included underfloor storage, because the boot actually doesn’t look so dangerous to us; you’ll get the large store in there, no worries. There’s additionally a small frunk, though it’s shallow sufficient that you simply’ll most likely find yourself sticking your charging cables within the boot, anyway.

And should you do carry that boot ground up – reward be to the automotive gods, it’s an electrical automotive with a full-size spare! We thought we’d by no means see the day, and when the E5 involves the UK it’s attainable that it’ll be a space-saver, however even that could be a large enchancment on a tube of gunk, or nothing in any respect.

Featured

FAME Subsidy For EVs Should Be Extended For Another 5 Years: FICCI

December 6, 2023 Prafful Singh

The commerce affiliation states that the scheme will assist in attaining the goal of 30 % EV penetration in India

The FAME-II scheme was launched in April 2019 and is efficient as much as March 2024.
FICCI suggests together with non-public EV patrons within the new FAME-III scheme.
Penetration of EVs within the Indian market stands at 5 % at present.
Also suggests contemplating hybrid automobiles as a part of the scheme.

The reputation of electric vehicles (EVs) has been on a pointy rise in our market over the previous couple of years, which can also be right down to many manufacturers having launched totally different fashions. Before this surge, the central authorities had rolled out a pan-India incentive scheme known as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric automobiles (FAME). An up to date model, FAME-II, was rolled out in 2019 with a goal to maintain the momentum of mass adoption of EVs. However, with the FAME-II scheme ending in March 2024, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has put forth a proposal suggesting that the Indian authorities carry ahead the FAME scheme for one more 5 years.

What Has FICCI Suggested?

FICCI says sudden withdrawal or discontinuation of the incentives will result in as much as 25 % value enhance of EVs, dissuading potential patrons and even affecting funding within the discipline. As per the organisation, EV penetration within the Indian market at present stands at solely 5 %.

If the inducement schemes proceed for the subsequent 5 years, roughly 30.5 million electrical automobiles could possibly be adopted throughout segments, serving to electrify 30 % of India’s transportation as focused. FICCI said that the subsidies could possibly be lowered and finally discontinued as soon as the value hole between EVs and combustion engines develop into negligible. This shall be achieved because the battery prices proceed happening and costs of EV elements lower over the subsequent 3-5 years.

Other Recommendations By FICCI

Besides the above solutions, FICCI has additionally shared a couple of different inputs:

It has talked about that every one sorts of hybrid automobiles (together with strong- and plug-in hybrids) and hydrogen-powered automobiles have to be included below the FAME-III scheme.
FAME-III ought to deal with extending the advantages to non-public patrons selecting an electrical automotive as nicely.
It additionally highlighted that the calculation of the subsidy ought to proceed to be primarily based on the battery dimension (per kWh) as at present talked about within the FAME-II scheme.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, chairperson, FICCI EV committee, mentioned, “Favourable insurance policies and particularly the FAME-II scheme of the Government of India has performed a key position in spurring demand by serving to to scale back the upfront costs of EVs. This has helped create a optimistic momentum and encourage EV adoption within the nation. However, whereas we have now nicely begun, we’re nowhere near being half performed. Let us not overlook that the present value premium of EV vis-à-vis ICE with none subsidy continues to be substantial, starting from 40 % to as excessive as 130 % for numerous segments. Given this actuality, the continuation of demand incentive or subsidy is crucial and important to assist scale back this value hole. Fame-III is required to spur continued curiosity from prospects in EVs and enhance penetration over the subsequent few years.

Also Read: All The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Buying A New Car At The End Of A Calendar Year

A Recap Of FAME-II Scheme

The FAME-II scheme was launched in April 2019 and was initially supposed to finish by March 2022 however the Indian authorities pushed again the deadline by two years (on account of COVID-19) to March 31, 2024. It covers hybrids and electrical automobiles, however largely tilted to favour the latter.

It had a funds of Rs 10,000 crore to subsidise the price of shopping for an electrical automobile. This would cowl subsidising 55,000 electrical 4-wheelers having Li-ion batteries, 10 lakh electrical 2-wheelers, 5 lakh 3-wheelers and seven,000 buses had been additionally eligible for the inducement over a interval of three years. In the case of 4-wheelers, incentives have majorly been supplied to business automobiles and people used for public transportation.

While these are solely a number of the solutions made by FICCI, it stays to be seen which of those shall be considered by the Indian authorities whereas formulating the FAME-III scheme. Which of those do you suppose must be included within the last incentive scheme? Drop your solutions within the feedback.

News

“`html 2024 Toyota Tundra Towing Payload Capacity

December 1, 2023 David

Summary

Toyota trucks are marketed towards the lifestyle market, such as surfing, adventuring, and off-roading, rather than heavy truck work targeting the American lifestyle.
The towing capacity varies by trim level, with the SR5 offering the highest tow rating of 12,000 lbs for the 2024 Toyota Tundra, which has improved towing capabilities thanks to a turbocharged engine and modern components.
However, it still falls short in towing capacity compared to domestic full-sized trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.

Toyota trucks are not designed to compete with American trucks in heavy-duty truck work but are tailored for the lifestyle market. They are aimed at people who enjoy activities like surfing, adventuring, and off-roading. This article focuses on the towing and payload abilities of the new Toyota Tundra.

10 Must-Have Off-Road Upgrades For The Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is already capable, but these modifications will make it go even further – maybe even too far.

To ensure the most accurate information, data for this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and authoritative sources, including Toyota and Motortrend.

Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity

The towing capacity of the 2024 Toyota Tundra varies by trim level due to various factors impacting the weight a vehicle can tow such as 4×4 system and additional interior and exterior technology.

Each available trim level of the Toyota Tundra has different tow ratings:

Tundra Towing Capacities By Trim Level

Trim	Towing Capacity
SR	8,300 lbs
SR5	11,010 lbs – 12,000 lbs
Limited	10,970 lbs – 11,450 lbs
Platinum	10,890 lbs – 11,380 lbs
1794 Edition	10,890 lbs – 11,380 lbs
TRD Pro	11,175 lbs
Capstone	10,340 lbs

(Source: Toyota)

The SR5 trim with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6 offers the highest tow rating of 12,000 lbs with Class IV hitch and integrated trailer brake controller as standard, with a starting price of $45,500.

In addition, Toyota offers an available towing tech package that includes rear-facing trailer lights and Straight Path Assist but does not increase the tow rating of the vehicle.

Toyota Tundra Payload Capacity

Payload capacities follow a similar trend based on the weight of the trim level, with the SR5 offering the highest payload capacity of 1,940 pounds.

The New Tundra Is Miles Ahead Of The Old One For Towing

The 2024 Toyota Tundra has improved towing capabilities compared to its predecessor, thanks to the modern components and a turbocharged engine.

2023 Tundra Performance Specs

Engine	Twin-turbo V-6	Twin-turbo V-6 Hybrid
Displacement	3.5L	3.5L
Power	389 hp	437 hp
Torque	479 lb-ft	583 lb-ft
Transmission	10-speed automatic	10-speed automatic

(Source: Toyota)

The new Tundra’s turbocharged engine delivers its peak torque at lower RPMs, allowing it to tow heavy loads with more efficiency. In addition, the availability of a hybrid powertrain option in the Tundra showcases Toyota’s commitment to sustainability.

“`

News, Smartphones

5 Expectations for Apple’s iPhone 15 Event: Watch Series 9, New AirPods, and More

September 9, 2023 David

For several years now, Apple has released four different versions of the iPhone to cater to different audiences. In 2022, they offered the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. According to recent reports, the upcoming iPhones are likely to be named the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. There were rumors of the “Pro Max” variant being renamed as the iPhone 15 Ultra, but those reports have been dismissed.

Apple appears to be sticking with the familiar design language for the iPhone 15 lineup, making them look similar to previous generations. However, there will be some minor changes, such as thinner bezels across all models and slightly larger displays on the Pro and Pro Max models. There is also speculation about Apple using a more durable Titanium body for these devices, which could potentially reduce fingerprint smudges that have been an issue since the iPhone X launch in 2017.

In terms of camera improvements, the 2023 update might bring good news for photography enthusiasts disappointed with the lower-end iPhone models. It is likely that Apple will upgrade the 12MP primary sensor on these phones to a larger 48MP sensor.

Featured

CD Speak: Should The Latest WR-V Be Offered Alongside The Honda Elevate In India?

July 21, 2023 Prafful Singh

While the Honda Elevate has helped the carmaker target the compact SUV segment, we believe the WR-V will make its SUV lineup stronger

Honda has appeared to be on the back foot in India for the last few years. Apart from the Honda City Hybrid – essentially a derivative of the regular fifth-gen City – there haven’t been any new major model launches from the carmaker in our market. To jog your memory, the Honda WR-V was their last fresh launch for India back in 2017, and it served as their closest SUV-like offering.

And now, Honda is finally making a move to rejuvenate its presence in our market with the recently revealed Honda Elevate, an all-new model, which will enter the crowded compact SUV segment. With the WR-V discontinued in April 2023 due to the BS6 Phase 2 norms, the Elevate will be Honda’s sole SUV offering in India. In our opinion, it does not have to be that way, and here’s why.

What About The WR-V?

Although the India-spec WR-V didn’t get any of the global updates before its eventual discontinuation, it has been improved over time in other markets. The new-gen Honda WR-V, which debuted in late 2022, made global headlines with its recent launch in Malaysia. Our friends in the Southeast Asian country also enjoy the sportier iteration of the SUV thanks to the range-topping RS trim.

Why It Makes Sense For India

Honda plans to launch five new SUVs in India by 2030, though it hasn’t divulged details like whether those include any existing nameplates. The only confirmed model is the Elevate EV. So if one could petition Honda regarding which other models to reboot its SUV innings in India, the new-gen WR-V will top our list.

Affordability

Shortening the new WR-V’s length to under four metres (from 4.060m) could make it more affordable and competitive against other subcompact SUVs. While the Elevate can compete in the more premium space against better-equipped SUVs from Hyundai, Kia, Maruti, Toyota and the like, the WR-V could be positioned below the Elevate as a more affordable entry point to Honda SUVs, with the benefit of being a known identity amongst both buyers and Honda fans, unlike the Elevate.

Furthermore, subcompact SUVs today are some of the most sought-after models, proven by the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Brezza.

Design Advantage

The new-gen WR-V has its own advantages, foremost being its sporty design that will help it stand out in the populated segment. In this writer’s opinion, its design is more exciting than that of the all-new Elevate. Additionally, the Elevate’s target audience is mainly family car buyers. The WR-V, then, with its more compact dimensions and sportier stance, would better help Honda cater to personal car buyers, that too at a lower price point.

The India-spec WR-V could also get an improved interior and gain some premium features from the Elevate, like the 10.25-inch touchscreen, single-pane sunroof, and perhaps the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as offered in the Malaysian-spec model.

Shared Petrol Engine

Then comes the benefit of the shared powertrain that will help keep manufacturing costs in check. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the new WR-V is powered by the same tried and tested 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Honda City sedan, which will power the upcoming Elevate SUV as well. This naturally aspirated unit puts out 121PS and 145Nm with both 6-speed MT and CVT options. If the new WR-V were to be offered with this powertrain here as well, it would become one of the most powerful SUVs in its class.

What About The Elevate SUV?

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In some ways, the Elevate will be Honda’s SUV alternative to its compact sedan, the City. Both have a lot in common, with the latter including features and powertrain options, except that the SUV will not be getting a hybrid version. It will be offered in four broad variants: SV, V, VX and ZX. Prices of the Honda Elevate will likely start at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) with the launch slated for September 2023. It will be in contention with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, and MG Astor.

Also Read: 7 Important Tips To Ensure Your Car Is Safe During Flash Floods

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