Latest news with #affordable
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Carney slashes Marine Atlantic ferry rates by half for travel between N.L. and mainland
Travelling to the mainland by ferry will be cheaper for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians starting on Friday. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Monday that he's cutting Marine Atlantic passenger and vehicle fares in half by increasing funding to the ferry service that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route. "If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses," Carney said. "Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada." Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer said Monday's announcement will mean hundreds of dollars in savings for families looking to leave the island. "A customer who's traveling through Argentia, a family of four with a regular-sized vehicle, they're going to save between $300 and $400 per crossing. Through Port aux Basques, that's going to be about $100 to $200 for the same family of four," Mercer said. Marine Atlantic operates four ferries on two different routes. The year-round ferry service operates between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, N.S., with three vessels on its regular fleet: The Blue Puttees, Highlanders, and Leif Ericson. The second seasonal route operates between Argentia and North Sydney. It runs up to three times per week from June to September using the service's newest vessel, the Ala'suini. Mercer said Marine Atlantic is experiencing a spike in tourism this summer. The ferry service isn't sold out, he said, but capacity is strained. Summer bookings have increased by 9,000 compared to last year. "The thousands of additional passengers that are coming to Newfoundland this summer for whatever reason — could be the geopolitical situation in the United States, Canada Games ... we're seeing it on our vessels," Mercer said. For travellers with bookings past Aug. 1, Mercer said refunds will be issued. "We've got approximately 110,000 passengers that have bookings in our system, so it's going to take a little bit of time to work through those," Mercer said. "We ask for patience. Those refunds will be forthcoming. It's just going to take a little time." Passenger cabins are not included in Ottawa's fare reductions for Marine Atlantic vessels.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How Affordable Can the Entry Tesla Model Y Be, Without Being Too Cheap?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms a more affordable Model Y is on the way later this year, set to play the role of an entry-level volume model. Years ago Tesla had planned a $25,000 offering at times called a "Model 2," but had effectively abandoned that project amid a focus on the Cybertruck and other projects like the Optimus robot. A decontented Model Y is now expected to arrive on sale by the end of the year. Tesla began teasing the idea of a $25,000 car long ago, before inflation rapidly overtook that number, so the EV maker has focused instead on its delayed Cybertruck and other projects like the Robotaxi, as well as the Optimus robot. But the idea of a stripped-down budget model never quite went away, it turns out, even though we would have expected it to land before 2025. Now, just such a model is on the way into mass production later this year, and as rumored earlier this spring it'll be just a decontented Model Y. On a recent earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that a more affordable Model Y is indeed on the way. "It's just a Model Y," Musk said in response to a question about Tesla's future volume model. "Let the cat out of the bag there." This makes plenty of sense from Tesla's point of view. How Low Can Tesla Go? The Model Y has already seen plenty of variants over the six years it has been in production, so there is an extensive catalog of parts that can be added (or subtracted) from the vehicle with ease. It also makes sense not to develop something new and different, which is what Tesla has tried to do with its entire model range. There's also the reality that EV buyers don't really want something truly smaller in size, as evidenced by the lack of popularity of hatchback-sized EVs with correspondingly small batteries. So something close to the Model Y but cheaper seems to be the optimal solution. Just how much more affordable this Model Y will be remains to be seen. The least expensive Model Y currently offered in the US starts at $46,630, and that's before any tax incentives, which are slated to expire in a matter of weeks. We think it's pretty clear that the previous $25,000 target price for a budget model is entirely off the table, and that hitting a $35,000 price point will be quite an achievement, if it does not come with a laughably small battery. Where to Cut Corners? One of the issues with the updated Juniper Model Y is that the crossover itself was already quite basic, with so much having been trimmed as part of Tesla's drive to reduce complexity. So one way to decontent is to opt for harder, police-grade interior plastics, manually adjustable seats, fewer interior features, and less trim. Another tactic Tesla has already used is locking out part of the battery by software. And long ago General Motors practiced the art of decontenting a car by ditching the rear seat in the Chevette and applying the Scooter badge to it. So a more basic rear bench seat could probably be added, with no third-row option. The Model Y is already quite skimpy inside, so cost savings could have to be found via the hardware underneath, such as a smaller and less expensive LFP battery offering less range and a less powerful motor. This tactic has worked well for other EV makers seeking to offer a shorter-range, single-motor model, and it might work for Tesla as well. But this more affordable Model Y must hit a certain desirability point as well, in order to gain interest from buyers. It cannot be too cheap inside or offer too little range. It's a tough balancing act for any automaker, especially one already known for cutting corners whenever possible. Still, we think a $35,000 price before any incentives could be achieved if Tesla were to apply all the cost-cutting measures at its disposal for its popular crossover. A less expensive volume model—as small and inexpensive challengers like the Volvo EX30 start to arrive—could be just what Tesla needs at the moment. How should an entry Model Y be priced and what kind of range would it need to interest enough buyers to be a success in the marketplace? Please comment below.
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Hot Summer Deal: VPN + Antivirus Practically for Free
Surfshark is ready to rock your summer with its fresh out-of-the-fridge summer deal. Always known for its affordable prices, Surfshark was an ideal option for budget-oriented users. This time, it's no different! However, instead of buying just a VPN, you can get virus protection and Surfshark's in-house security toolkit for a shockingly small fee. Unfortunately, the summer lasts just a few months, but this deal is even shorter! React while it's still fresh. Get Surfshark + Antivirus On a Discount Surfshark was never a free VPN, but saying it's nearly free isn't a lie. While the Starter plan, at $1.99 monthly, better bears that title, the Surfshark One is the star of the show, at $2.49 monthly. The biennial plan offers three free months, resulting in a price of $67.23 for the first 27 months. This doesn't seem to be free. However, the monthly price tag is lower than a coffee at a local restaurant. We bet you chug these down each day! So, how to get your Surfshark and antivirus at the lowest price? Simply click the button above to go to Surfshark's website. Then, choose the Surfshark One plan in the middle and subscribe to it by following the steps. You'll be able to set up and use the VPN in a few minutes. The deal is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. It provides ample time to review Surfshark, see if it scratches your itch, and decide if you want to keep using it. Judging by many people's experiences, Surfshark is still among the best and most beloved VPNs at this price. Using Surfshark is an easy way to enhance your online security and privacy. With antivirus, you can even protect your device from nasties and keep things clean. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Surfshark is known for exceptional streaming prowess, torrenting support, and fast speeds suited to gamers. The VPN includes a handful of other tools, including Search, for genuine incognito browsing. Moreover, the Alternative ID makes a new online identity for you, letting you conceal your original whereabouts. Surfshark's Camouflage Mode overcomes censorship, while WireGuard provides excellent performance. Surfshark offers servers in 100 countries. Additionally, each subscriber gets unlimited simultaneous connections. With apps for all devices, Surfshark is a versatile VPN that anyone can afford and use in 2025. Its flexible plans mean you can pay how you like. While the Surfshark One is the golden middle, other plans, such as Starter and One+, are worth exploring thanks to hefty discounts and three extra months. Get Surfshark's discount while it's fresh; it won't last a lifetime. Get Started With Surfshark Risk-Free
CNA
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CNA
Tesla starts production of more affordable model
Tesla says it has started initial production of a more affordable model and expects volume production in the second half of the year.
The Verge
22-07-2025
- The Verge
Nothing's new CMF smartwatch drops swappable bezels for a bigger display
Nothing has launched a new smartwatch under its affordable CMF subbrand that improves upon the heart rate sensor, battery life, and GPS tracking capabilities of its predecessor, but gives up on some of its customizability. The Watch 3 Pro is available globally starting today for $99 (currently reduced to $79). The 1.43-inch OLED display provides a ten percent increase in screen-to-body ratio compared to the Watch Pro 2's 1.32-inch display. It comes in three color options — dark gray, light gray, and orange — but notably drops the Watch Pro 2's swappable bezel that allowed users to customize the appearance of their watch. The 3 Pro features 131 sports modes, a new four-channel heart rate sensor for better accuracy, and AI-powered coaching and post-workout summaries that offer personalized running plans and fitness insights. Nothing describes the Watch 3 Pro's new dual-band GPS as 'a major leap forward' from the Watch Pro 2, providing better signal stability and precision for 'faster and more accurate route tracking in any environment.' The new smartwatch fully charges in around 99 minutes and delivers up to 13 days of battery life 'under typical use,' according to Nothing, a two-day increase compared to the previous model. This is reduced to 11 days with heavier tracking, or around 4.5 days with the always-on display enabled. Users can manage the Watch 3 Pro features via Nothing's X app control center, which has been refreshed with a new UI and supports Strava, Apple Health, and Google Health Connect integrations. Nothing says the older CMF Watch Pro and Watch Pro 2 models will also be transitioning to the Nothing X app. One other gripe, aside from the lack of customizable bezels, is the inconsistent naming between the Watch Pro 2 and the new Watch 3 Pro. This is becoming something of a habit for Nothing's CMF brand, given the differing format also seen in its Buds Pro 2 and Buds 2 Plus earbuds.
