‘Don’t buy electric!’ — car dealerships dismiss electric vehicles, study finds

Car dealerships in Scandinavia — and perhaps beyond — have something against electric vehicles. That’s the conclusion of an investigative study conducted by researchers in Nordic countries, where they visited car dealerships and found agents actively discouraging going electric.

“We essentially found that, contrary to conventional wisdom, most car dealerships do not want to sell electric vehicles, even though they cost more … than ordinary vehicles,” Benjamin Sovacool, a professor of energy policy at the University of Sussex and one of the study’s researchers, told Digital Trends. “This creates a key barrier to adoption that has not yet been addressed by policy, let alone explored systematically in research.”

To conduct their investigation, the researchers visited 82 car dealerships in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. They arrived under the guise of being everyday customers, and later spoke to experts to give context to their experience.

In two-thirds of their visits, agents steered the researchers toward gas-powered cars, sometimes dismissing electric vehicles (EVs) outright. In over three-fourths of the visits, vendors didn’t even inform the researchers that they sold EVs.

At one dealership, the researchers report being told, “Do not buy this electric car, it will ruin you financially.”

“Dealers act as a key type of agent known as an intermediary — someone between a product and service on the one hand, and the user, customer, or owner on the other hand,” Sovacool said. “They can thus exert very strong influence over what consumers think and do.”

Sovacool notes that the dealer’s role is particularly strong today, given that the relative newness of EVs means consumers don’t know much about them. “We hypothesized that dealers would actually be more supportive or EVs, especially in the Nordic region, and were somewhat shocked by our findings,” he said.

Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens, one of the lead researchers on the study, thinks that attitudes of governments and industry leaders have a tendency to “trickle down” to the selling floor, “and do affect both how car dealerships and salespersons promote and sell vehicles.” This seems to have the subsequent effect on consumers not investing in electrical options.

“If these countries … are true about using [electric vehicles] as a tool for decarbonizing transportation, there needs to be a systematic revision of their policies and strategies to harmonize them and create a level-playing field, where the EV is a fair option in comparison to a petrol or diesel car,” De Rubens, a business and technology doctoral fellow at Aarhus University, said. “We cannot keep favoring petrol and diesel vehicles and expect that decarbonization … targets will be achieved.”

The report was published this week in the journal Nature Energy.

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Razer claims ‘world’s smallest’ with its 2018-edition Blade 15 gaming laptop

Razer is claiming the “world’s smallest” trophy with the latest version of its Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop. The 2018 edition packs a six-core Intel Core i7-8750H processor and your choice of a GeForce GTX 1070 or GTX 1060 (6GB) discrete graphics chip, both of which are based on Nvidia’s Max-Q design. That means they are tweaked for ultra-thin laptops to draw less power and thus produce less heat but at the cost of a slight performance decrease compared to the non-Max-Q chips. 

That said, the use of Nvidia’s Max-Q GPUs enable Razer to build a high-performance 15.6-inch gaming laptop at just 0.66 inches thick. That is for the GTX 1060 configurations: the GTX 1070 models are nearly as thin at 0.68 inches. By comparison, Razer’s 13.3-inch Blade Stealth measures just 0.54 inches thin while Razer’s high-end desktop replacement, the 17.3-inch Blade Pro, is 0.88 inches thin. 

Here are the five configurations Razer offers starting at $1,899: 

As the chart shows, all models will ship with 16GB of system memory clocked at 2,667MHz although you can upgrade the sticks to 32GB. The GTX 1060 and GTX 1070 models have two storage configurations each – either 256GB or 512GB on a PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD – but they support storage of up to 2TB. There are no dual-storage options. 

All configurations ship with one Mini DisplayPort 1.4 connector, one HDMI 2.0b port, one Thunderbolt 3 port, three USB-A ports (5Gbps), and one audio combo jack. Other shared features include Wireless AC and Bluetooth 5 connectivity, a 1MP (720p) webcam with an array microphone, two front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos technology, and an 80WHr battery. 

“The anti-ghosting keyboard is powered by Razer Chroma and offers 16.8 million colors per key, customizable through Razer Synapse 3 software,” the company says. “New power management options are also available, including modes to boost graphics performance or maximize the [battery’s] runtime.” 

Keeping this laptop cool is a large vapor chamber with direct contact to the heat sources, and high-performance thermal blockers and interface materials. What you won’t see here are bulky, noisy fans ruining your gaming experience. The 1060 models ship with a 200-watt adapter and the GTX 1070 model relies on a 230-watt adapter.

The 2018 Razer Blade Pro is available today in the United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Germany, and China starting at $1,899. 

Complementing the new Razer Blade is the company’s new Core X external graphics enclosure. It connects to your desktop or laptop via a Thunderbolt 3 port that must support the external graphics card standard. That said, you could game on the go with the latest Razer Blade, and then come home and connect it to the Core X for increased desktop-like performance. 

Razer’s enclosure supports Windows 10 and MacOS, and fits up to a three-slot wide, full-length add-in desktop graphics card from Nvidia and AMD. The included 650-watt ATX power supply allocates 500 watts for the installed graphics card and 100 watts for charging your laptop through the Thunderbolt 3 port (if supported). Compatible Razer laptops include the Blade Stealth, Blade 14, Blade 15, and Blade Pro. 

Here are the supported cards: 

The Razer Core X is available now for $299 (graphics card not included).

Editors’ Recommendations

• Origin PC’s latest notebook packs Intel’s Core i7-8750H CPU, Nvidia Max-Q GPU
• You can stuff a hefty Core i9 six-core CPU in Dell’s new refreshed XPS 15 laptop
• HP’s mainstream Pavilion PCs refreshed with latest AMD Ryzen, Intel Core CPUs
• Lenovo’s new IdeaPad laptops tickle your gaming fancy without breaking the bank
• Intel’s Radeon-backed ‘Hades Canyon’ mini PC runs games at 1080p, Ultra graphics

Instagram will tell you when ‘you’re all caught up’ with your feed

Admit it. When you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, you occasionally feel a little antsy as you wonder if you’ve seen every new post that’s appeared since the last time you looked.

In that case, a new feature being put through its paces by Instagram should serve to settle your nerves.

Currently being tested with a select group of Instagrammers, the popular app will show a message that reads, “You’re all caught up,” when you’ve seen everything there is to see in your feed.

The notification, first spotted by TechCrunch, actually refers to all new images and videos posted to your feed in the previous 48 hours, so depending on just how much you fear missing out on stuff, you could continue swiping to dig ever deeper into your endless stream of content.

Since Instagram scrapped its chronological feed in 2016, it’s more difficult to know if you’ve seen all the new posts that have landed in your feed. A feature like this, if Instagram rolls it out to the entire community, would certainly help to provide clarity.

Part of its aim is to prevent so-called “zombie browsing,” freeing you up to go and do something more useful instead, though Instagram would ideally like you to stay with its app and maybe perform searches for new images or find some new users to follow.

Time wasting?

News of Instagram’s latest feature comes at a time when tech companies are talking a lot about spending more quality time with online services. Back in January, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company was changing the site’s news feed to reduce the number of posts by businesses, brands, and media in the hope of increasing interaction between family and friends. He acknowledged that it could mean users spend less time on the social networking service.

Just last week, we learned that Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, may introduce an analytics tool telling you how long you’ve spent on the service in a given time-frame. The apparent aim to give users a way to help them manage their time on the app, thereby giving them enough control to make better decisions about their usage.

And then there’s Google. At the company’s recent I/O developer meet-up, CEO Sundar Pichai spent time in his keynote talking about responsibility in technology. The company is introducing a new Dashboard feature for Android users that’ll help them track how much time they spend on different apps. Coming with Android P, users will also find an alerts feature that lets you set timers that prompt you to take a break from an app. Google-owned YouTube has just rolled out such a feature for both Android and iOS users.

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Everything that’s new in the OxygenOS Open Beta

Wondering what’s new in the latest Open Beta? You’re in the right place.

There are a lot of reasons to like OnePlus phones, but one aspect that’s remained since the beginning is the excellent software experience they offer. All OnePlus phones now run OxygenOS, and if you want to test out new software features before anyone else, you can sign up for the OxygenOS Open Beta.

OnePlus updates the Open Beta quite frequently, with each new version including bug fixes, security patches, and feature galore.

To make sure you never miss a beat, here’s everything new in the beta right now.

May 15, 2018 — OnePlus 5 & 5T get group MMS, May security patch, and new launcher goodies

OxygenOS Open Beta 10 and 8 for the OnePlus 5 and 5T, respectively, is here and comes with a fair amount to check out.

In regards to user-facing changes, the OnePlus Launcher now has a Toolbox Card in the Shelf, Hidden Space section in the app drawer, and dynamic app icons (such as the calendar, clock, and weather) can now be edited. The OnePlus Switch app has a tweaked UI for the Backup & Restore section, as well as a more accurate time remaining timer and other general bug fixes.

This Open Beta also fixes a bug that was preventing group MMS from working on the 5 and 5T, and last but not least, the May security patch is here in all of its glory.

April 25, 2018 — Double-tap for lock screen comes to OnePlus 5/5T

With Open Beta 9 for the OnePlus 5 and Open Beta 7 for the 5T, OnePlus made very minor changes.

The most notable addition to this version is a new double-tap gesture that’ll turn on the lock screen when your display is off. This can be useful for quickly checking notifications if you don’t want to fully unlock your phone, so it’s nice to see something like this make an appearance.

Other than that, the only other items included is an improved search history when searching for apps in the app drawer and “optimized scanning logic for large files” with the File Manager.

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5

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• All of the latest OnePlus 5T news
• Join the discussion in the forums

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Amazon

Let these $9 Spigen Bluetooth headphones be your impulse buy of the day

Buy now, celebrate later.

We’ve featured plenty of deals on affordable Bluetooth headphones, but most of the time they are from smaller brands. Right now, you can pick up a set of Spigen Bluetooth headphones for just $8.99, which is the absolute lowest price we’ve seen them hit. These headphones have been selling for $21.99 recently, and in the past have sold for as much as $26.99.

This price drop is only available for the white version of these Bluetooth 4.1 headphones. They are compact, lightweight and deliver high-quality audio. You can use them in the gym, while hiking, biking, and much more. Each charge will give you 4.5 hours of playback and 175 hours of standby, making them perfect to keep in your bag, at your desk, or anywhere else.

Whether you already have a good pair of Bluetooth headphones and need a backup pair, or you finally want to see what all the hype is about, you won’t want to miss out on this deal.

See at Amazon

Do you prefer Verizon or T-Mobile?

Red vs. pink.

When looking at post-paid carriers in the United States, two of the most popular options are Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile. Verizon’s well-known for having one of the best networks across the entire country, but T-Mobile’s Un-Carrier movement has propelled it into huge success over the last few years.

Choosing between these two companies as your smartphone service provider can be a challenge, but at the end of the day, only one can reign supreme.

The Android Central forum users recently shared their thoughts on this comparison, and this is what they had to say.

amyf27
05-17-2018 05:39 AM

“

I moved to Verizon from T-Mobile a couple of weeks ago. It was a bit of a rough start with getting the new phones and having them straighten out the first bill that isn’t due for a couple of weeks but other than that there are a few things I like more about it already then T-Mobile.

Does anyone else have switched from T-Mobile to Verizon. The real test is how things go month by month. So we…

Reply

dpadams6
05-17-2018 11:29 AM

“

You made a wise move. Verizon has the best coverage in more areas, across the country, then any other carrier.

Reply

Dngrsone
05-19-2018 11:25 AM

“

I went from Sprint to Verizon a year and a half ago and so far so good. Bill is a bit less than with Sprint, though I’m not looking forward to getting new phones with even more bloatware on them in the future…

Reply

westham7
05-21-2018 02:56 PM

“

I made a switch from Verizon to Tmobile been with tmobile for 9 years no complaints

Reply

Now, we want to hear your side of things. Do you prefer Verizon or T-Mobile?

Join the conversation in the forums!

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‘Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia’ Coming to Mac on Thursday, May 24

Feral has announced that Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia will be released this week for macOS. The epic historical strategy game made its way onto Windows last month to generally favorable reviews, and from Thursday, May 24, Mac owners too can test their strategic nous on the battlefield, provided they can match the system requirements.

Originally developed by Creative Assembly, Thrones of Britannia is the first in the new Total War Saga series of standalone titles inspired by great turning points in history.

The first game in the new series sets Anglo-Saxons, Gaelic clans and Viking settlers against each other as they vie for supremacy across the British Isles, circa 878 AD. Players can command one of ten factions, each with a unique branching narrative, and make decisions that reshape history in unexpected ways.

Combining huge real-time battles with engrossing turn-based strategy, THRONES OF BRITANNIA challenges players to build and defend a kingdom. Players will forge alliances, manage settlements, raise armies and embark on a campaign of conquest from the snowbound highlands of Gaelic Scotland to the green fields of Anglo-Saxon Kent.

Focusing on a specific historical flashpoint, Thrones diverges from typical Total War titles, with some changes to the series’ standard game mechanics, including variations in building construction and military training to better reflect geographical differences.

As for spec requirements, the game officially runs on the following:

• All 13-inch Retina MacBook Pros released since 2016
• All 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros released since Mid 2012
• All 15-inch MacBook Pros released since Mid 2012 with a 1GB Graphics Card
• All 21.5-inch iMacs released since Late 2013 with a 1.8GHz i3 processor or better
• All 27-inch iMacs released since Late 2013 (late 2012 models with Nvidia 675MX or Nvidia 680MX graphics card are also supported)
• All 27-inch iMac Pros
• All Mac Pros released since Late 2013.

Visit the minisite for more information. Thrones of Britannia can be pre-ordered now for $35.99/£26.99 from the Feral Store and Steam.

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Comcast’s Xfi Pods turn power sockets into a mesh Wi-Fi network

After an initial launch in Boston and Chicago at the end of 2017, Comcast’s Xfi Pods are now available to all Xfinity internet subscribers in a three-pack for $119, or a six-pack for $199. They’re compatible with the company’s Xfi Wireless Gateway and the Xfi Advanced Gateway, extending the reach of your wireless network in the home or office. 

“Our gateway devices are incredibly powerful, but we know that some homes have a unique layout or are constructed of materials that can disrupt Wi-Fi coverage in some rooms,” Eric Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Comcast Cable, said in a statement. “Our Xfi Pods can blanket a home with great coverage and are simple to install and easy to use.” 

The Xfi Pods are AC1200-class devices, meaning they support speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band (2x 150Mbps) and up to 867Mbps on the 5GHz band (2x 433Mbps). They plug directly into a wall’s power outlet to create a “mesh” network: A web of coverage that shows up on your device as a single access point no matter where you are in the home or office. 

The hexagon-shaped Xfi Pods are the result of a collaboration between Comcast and mesh networking kit developer Plume. The Plume Wi-Fi system relies on what the company calls “Adaptive Wi-Fi” that is a bit different than the typical mesh networking kit. That is because it uses a feature called Auto Channel Hop, allowing data to “hop” from one transmission lane to another to avoid any congestion routed between the gateway, the Xfi Pods, and your device. 

Another difference between your typical mesh networking kit and the Xfi Pods is that they don’t physically connect to the gateway via an Ethernet connection. Instead, the unit serving as the “hub” connects wirelessly to the gateway with the others serving as “nodes” to create a web of connectivity. Thus, the included Ethernet port merely connects a wired device to the network. 

Comcast says these mesh devices will “evaluate” the environment and adjust the channels. They “self-monitor” their performance as well, diagnose all issues, and repair the connections between each Pod. They are powered by cloud-based remote management, meaning you can install, monitor and control these devices using a mobile app for iOS and Android. 

“Pods are not meant for outdoor use and should not be placed outside of your home,” the company FAQ states. “To extend Wi-Fi coverage to an outdoor location, place one of your Pods in an inside wall outlet that is closest to the outdoor area where you would like to extend Wi-Fi coverage.” 

Mesh networking kits complement your current gateway. Picture a radio tower: The further you move away, the fuzzier the music becomes until all you hear is static. Wi-Fi is similar, but adding a mesh network “extends” the coverage so your data transmissions remain fast and solid. Not every Xfinity subscriber will need this kit, such as small studio apartments. 

The new Xfi Pods are available to purchase online, at any Xfinity retail store, or within the Xfi app. 

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Xiaomi Mi 8 will be unveiled on May 31 with in-display fingerprint sensor

Xiaomi’s next flagship will launch at the end of the month with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Xiaomi usually launches a phone in its flagship Mi series in February, but this year it eschewed the Mi 7 in favor of an upgraded variant of the Mi Mix 2 dubbed the Mi Mix 2S. It now looks like the company is instead set to unveil the Mi 8 at the end of the month in China.

According to an invite shared on Weibo that was spotted by GizmoChina, Xiaomi will launch its next flagship on May 31. The phone is set to be called the Mi 8 Anniversary Edition, to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the brand.

We don’t know much about the device, but it is rumored with a 6.01-inch edge-to-edge OLED display, along with Snapdragon 845, and a 4000mAh battery with Quick Charge. Interestingly, the device is set to offer a 3D facial recognition feature similar to that of the iPhone X, and it slated to come with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Vivo was the first brand to roll out a device with an in-display fingerprint sensor, and it looks like Xiaomi isn’t far behind.

Reports out of China indicate we’ll also see the Mi Band 3 fitness band at the event. It’ll be interesting to see if the Mi 8 or any of the other devices that are set to launch next week will make their way outside of China. Xiaomi launched the Mi Mix 2 in India, but in recent months the company has focused on the budget segment, with the launch of the Redmi Y2 imminent.

With the launch event just over a week away, we should know more about the Mi 8 in the coming days, so stay tuned. In the meantime, let me know what you’re looking forward to seeing from the phone in the comments below.

Video: First 6 things to do with your new OnePlus 6!

If you’re unboxing a shiny new mirror black OnePlus 6, or perhaps a not-so-shiny midnight black or silk white variant, there are lots of things that you’ll want to play with right away. The OnePlus 6 is one of the most anticipated phones of the year so far, and there are plenty of (somewhat) hidden features to explore.

In our latest video, we’ll explore the top six things to do with your OnePlus 6 after you’ve unboxed it and popped in your SIM. We’ll cover everything from gestures to themeing, and even lesser-known tricks like ambient display.

Check it out below, and be sure to hit up our OnePlus 6 review if you haven’t already!

• Android Central on YouTube
• See at OnePlus
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• OnePlus 6 video review
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