Latest news with #customization
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Bezos backs basic EV pick-up where radio, back seats and power windows will cost you extra
Slate Auto, an electric pick-up brand backed by Jeff Bezos, will build its no-frills vehicle, where a radio and power windows cost extra, at an old Indiana printing plant. Slate announced on Monday that it is taking over the historic plant in the small town of Warsaw that closed in 2023. The new facility is expected to create 2,000 jobs, the company said. The truck originally had a $20,000 price tag after federal EV incentives – much less than the average new vehicle, which sells for above $45,000. But Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' killed the federal EV credit, now likely adding an extra $7,500 to the cost. The brand is selling its truck on the concept that it 'can change into whatever you need it to be – even an SUV.' 'Made in the USA at a price that's actually affordable (no really, for real), their website boasts. The baseline truck is small, measuring 15 feet long, which is smaller than a Honda Civic hatchback. The standard truck also only features two seats, for a driver and a single passenger, and will be built with gray panels, cutting costs by forgoing additional paint. Standard versions of the truck also come with roll-down windows and manually adjustable rearview mirrors, according to Car and Driver. However, customization will allow customers to change countless features of the vehicle. Slate says more than 100 accessory items will be available when deliveries of the truck begin at the end of 2026. Possible upgrades include power windows, a stereo and a center console. There's also an SUV kit, which adds a roof panel to the truck's bed, a three-across rear bench seat, a roll bar, and airbags in the back of the car. It was not immediately clear how much each possible add-on would cost customers. The Michigan-based company has raised over $700 million from investors, including Bezos, and received over 100,000 reservations for its cars, which won't be delivered until late 2026 but can be reserved for $50. The truck comes at a time where the cost of a new car is out of reach for many Americans – and may only get worse under President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'There's a growing appetite, especially among younger drivers, for vehicles that are more honest, more modular and less over-engineered,' said Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific. 'Slate taps right into that.'
Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 CarPlay Public Beta Is Here – Top New Features & Changes You Need to Know
The iOS 26 public beta introduces a comprehensive set of updates to Apple CarPlay, focusing on enhancing customization, functionality, and the overall user experience. These improvements are designed to make in-car interactions more seamless, intuitive, and tailored to individual preferences. Below is an in-depth look at the most notable changes and how they can elevate your driving experience. The video below from HotshotTek gives us a look at Apple CarPlay in iOS 26 Public Beta. Watch this video on YouTube. Enhanced Widget Integration Widgets have become a central feature in CarPlay, offering quick access to essential information directly from the dashboard. With iOS 26, you can add widgets for weather updates, media controls, and even third-party apps. Customization is straightforward and managed through your iPhone settings, allowing you to create a personalized interface. For instance, productivity tools or AI-powered apps can now be integrated, allowing you to stay organized and informed while on the road. This enhanced widget functionality ensures that critical information is always within reach, minimizing distractions. Upgraded Apple Maps Apple Maps has undergone significant enhancements to improve both navigation and safety. The addition of pinch-to-zoom functionality—available in select vehicles—makes interacting with maps more intuitive and user-friendly. Expanded incident reporting allows drivers to report road closures, hazards, or accidents with ease, contributing to a safer driving environment. These updates ensure that navigation is not only more precise but also more responsive to real-time conditions, helping you reach your destination efficiently and safely. Revamped Apple Music Experience Music lovers will appreciate the new features introduced in Apple Music for CarPlay. The Automix feature creates seamless transitions between tracks, making it ideal for long drives or road trips. Enhanced filtering options for playlists and favorites simplify the process of finding your preferred music. Additionally, the ability to pin albums, playlists, or songs for quick access ensures that your favorite tunes are always just a tap away. These updates make managing and enjoying your music library more convenient than ever. Personalized Wallpapers and Icons CarPlay now offers expanded options for personalization, allowing users to choose from a variety of wallpapers and icon styles. You can select color themes that match your preferences and switch between clear, dark, or default icon styles. These updates provide a visually appealing and customized interface, allowing you to tailor CarPlay's appearance to suit your style. This level of personalization enhances the overall aesthetic and usability of the platform. Streamlined Notifications Notification management has been refined to reduce distractions while driving. Incoming calls no longer take over the entire screen, allowing you to stay focused on the road. Additionally, tap reactions for messages and expanded call response options make communication more efficient and less intrusive. These changes ensure that you can stay connected without compromising safety or convenience. Improved Live Activities and Siri Suggestions Live Activities now provide enhanced real-time tracking for tasks such as monitoring flights, deliveries, or other ongoing events. Improved animations and dismiss options make these features more user-friendly. Siri Suggestions have also been upgraded, offering proactive recommendations based on your habits and preferences. Whether it's suggesting a playlist for your commute or reminding you of upcoming appointments, these updates make your driving experience more intuitive and personalized. Updated Podcast App The Podcast app has received a subtle yet impactful update, featuring a redesigned interface for adjusting playback speed. This makes it easier to control how you listen to your favorite shows, whether you're catching up on episodes during a commute or enjoying a long-form discussion on a road trip. These improvements enhance the overall usability of the app, ensuring a smoother listening experience. New Screenshot Functionality Capturing and sharing your CarPlay interface is now more convenient with the introduction of a screenshot feature. This functionality can be enabled through your iPhone settings, allowing you to take CarPlay-specific screenshots effortlessly. Whether you want to share your customized dashboard or troubleshoot an issue, this feature adds a new layer of convenience. Future Features and Subtle UI Tweaks Looking ahead, AirPlay support is expected to enable media streaming to the CarPlay display while parked, expanding the platform's versatility. Additionally, subtle UI adjustments, such as a cleaner CarPlay logo and refined text, contribute to a more polished and modern appearance. These minor changes, while not new, enhance the overall look and feel of the interface, making sure it remains visually appealing and functional. The iOS 26 public beta delivers a robust set of updates to Apple CarPlay, focusing on customization, functionality, and user interface enhancements. From improved widgets and Apple Maps updates to enhanced music features and streamlined notifications, these changes are designed to make your in-car experience more intuitive and enjoyable. Whether you're a daily commuter or an occasional driver, these updates ensure that CarPlay continues to be a reliable and user-friendly platform for all your driving needs. Enhance your knowledge on iOS 26 CarPlay by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Source & Image Credit: HotshotTek Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
CNET
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
There's No Way a Controller This Good Should Be So Affordable
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. GameSir Super Nova Multiplatform Controller $50 at Amazon Pros Solid hardware Lots of customization Plenty of pro features Mappable buttons Affordable Cons Mobile app is limited PC app UI needs work No Xbox support GameSir Super Nova Multiplatform Controller $50 at Amazon I've used a lot of GameSir products over the years, and it's gotten to the point where I'm never sure what to expect when they send a new product. It's always hit or miss. The Super Nova is one of the company's hits, and quite likely one of the best controllers it has ever made -- especially in a gaming landscape that's become increasingly competitive. The Super Nova has all the features you'd expect from a solid controller, including many you typically only find on pro-level controllers, plus some fun customization options, all at a price that's much lower than you might expect. What I like about the GameSir Super Nova Jason Cockerham/CNET From a design standpoint, the Super Nova looks and feels a bit like a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, which isn't a bad thing, especially for those of us with smaller hands. I really like the way it feels. I find it more comfortable than most Xbox and other popular controllers. The buttons are nicely tactile, which is surprising for membrane ABXY buttons. Typically, membrane buttons feel mushy and soft, but these are crisp and satisfying. You can even switch the buttons around for playing on Switch or PC, which is a useful feature. At $50, you might not expect the Super Nova to come with many "pro-level" features, but surprisingly it does. For starters, it has Hall Effect joysticks. These are becoming more popular but it's still rare to find them on controllers priced far below $100. There are also two-stage, Hall Effect triggers, so you can mechanically lock the trigger pull for much faster response times. You can even set a digital hair trigger for high-speed games. If you've never used multi-stage triggers on a controller before, they're a game-changer (pun intended). Jason Cockerham/CNET On the back, there are two programmable buttons that you can remap to almost any keypress. You can also get up to a 1000Hz polling rate via the wireless dongle or the included USB-C cable. There's also support for macros and, of course, there's RGB lighting. Compatibility The Super Nova is compatible with PC, Switch, iOS and Android, but switching between them quickly can be annoying. If you're switching Bluetooth inputs, just be prepared that it might take a couple of minutes before everything's ready to go. My favorite feature of the Super Nova is auto-play. Once paired to a device, you can just pick up the Super Nova from the charging station and it will instantly reconnect, waking your device in the process. I can grab the Super Nova and by the time I've sat down in my chair, my Switch is awake, the TV is on and I'm ready to play. You'll quickly get spoiled by not having to manually turn on your console like a Neanderthal. Customization options Jason Cockerham/CNET The entire faceplate is attached magnetically, and GameSir has made several different color options for the Super Nova, allowing you to add your own dash of flair. If you want the white controller and charging stand, however, you'll have to order the "whipped pink" color, but again, you can swap the faceplate out if you prefer. Aside from the magnetic faceplates, there are plenty of other customization options available in GameSir Connect app for Windows. There are also iOS and Android apps, but they don't offer quite as much customization. You'll need to use your PC to fully fine-tune it. GameSir Connect is pretty comprehensive, letting you adjust the trigger stops, joystick dead zones and even the motion control settings if you like using the gyroscope for Switch games. The UI is a little stale, and you can't store multiple profiles for the controller, but overall it works well. The only issue I've seen is that sometimes connecting to the controller wirelessly can be tricky; just use a cable and you'll be fine. Should you buy the GameSir Super Nova? To be honest, there really isn't anything I don't like about the Super Nova. A nitpick might be that the D-Pad is not the best, but it's certainly not bad. I do wish you could store multiple profiles on the controller, and some people might be turned off by the lack of Xbox support, but none of those are deal-breakers for me. CNET Especially when it only costs $50. I personally don't know of another controller on the market that is this good and gives you this many features for so little money. If you want to upgrade your Switch controller with one that also works great for PC and mobile, or if you want a great, inexpensive extra controller for your partner or kiddos, you really can't go wrong with the Super Nova.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Function of Beauty names new CEO
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Function of Beauty has turned to a marketing veteran to be its chief executive officer. Monica Belsito had been chief marketing officer at Sabra Dipping Company since 2023, after about a year in omnichannel sales and marketing there. Belsito will augment the hair care brand's 'existing sales, marketing, and innovation capabilities' across the retail and direct-to-consumer channels, per a company press release. Her arrival comes four years after L'Oréal executive Alexandra Papazian replaced Function of Beauty co-founder Zahir Dossa as CEO. Dive Insight: Function of Beauty offers a level of customization based on customer preferences and needs. The brand, founded by engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a cosmetic scientist, also taps into what Circana research has found to be consumer attention on clinical expertise in the beauty arena. Consumers are 'gravitating towards brands with a clearer, clinical heritage and backed by experts such as dermatologists, chemists, or other medical professionals,' per a May report from Circana emailed to Retail Dive. With the announcement of Belsito's appointment, the brand said it is looking to grow via direct-to-consumer but also expand its retail distribution. For the last couple of years Function of Beauty has turned to wholesale for growth, announcing partnerships with Amazon, Target, Sephora and, most recently, Walmart. "Function of Beauty continues to expand and strengthen retail partnerships in some of the world's largest retailers," Rob Hawk, the brand's chief financial officer and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "In partnership with Monica, we are excited to continue to demonstrate to our customers and consumers the benefits of custom made personal care formulas versus traditional incumbent offerings.' The company has also expanded via acquisition, taking over personalized skin care brand Atolla four years ago. Both Sabra and feminine products company Lola, where Belsito was founding chief marketing officer, were ultimately acquired by larger consumer product companies. PepsiCo snapped up Sabra in November, and Amazon aggregator Forum Brands acquired Lola in 2023. Recommended Reading
The Verge
22-07-2025
- The Verge
The Verge is getting way more personal with following feeds
I've probably written a thousand stories for this website about our favorite apps adding new features, so it's a fun change of pace to be writing one about ourselves doing the same thing. Today, The Verge is adding some exciting new features that will let you personalize exactly how you read the site. You'll be able to follow individual topics and authors, then read them in a custom homepage feed and through a daily email digest that's specific to you. On the front page, you'll now see a toggle that says 'Following' at the top of our news feed. Click it, and you'll be able to start choosing the topics you want to populate your own custom feed. You'll also see '+' buttons around the website, which let you add new authors and topics as you come across them. You'll need to sign up for a Verge account to access the features, but they're all available for free — subscribers and non-subscribers alike. You'll notice this feels a lot like the way an RSS feed or a social network works. That's very much by design. Everything is a feed now, and everything is customizable. We think our site should work the same way. What you're seeing today is the first step toward adding deeper personalization features across The Verge, and we will keep building on this foundation in the months ahead. We're also launching one more way for people to read The Verge: a daily newsletter. It's called The Verge Daily, and it'll deliver a bunch of our top headlines to your inbox every weekday at 7AM ET. It'll be curated by our editorial team every day and allow you to read the biggest stories of the past 24 hours right from your email. Our first edition goes out tomorrow, and we'd love it if you signed up. The newsletter is going to be free to everyone. (But a note for our subscribers: stay tuned… there's more to come.) This is a big launch for us, and I hope you all like what we've been working on. But stick around — there's a lot more we want to build. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jacob Kastrenakes Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Bulletin
