Drew Dowdell

Hi there. My Nexus ran for 3 years before I dropped it and smashed the screen. You're right about the updates and the crap carrier apps. Even if I stayed with Android, I would only ever get a Pixel so that I get updates like iOS does and none of the carrier apps. I get updates on my phone about once a month. But Google Pixel is the only way to get that sort of guarantee. The only reason I recommended the Motorola above was because its inexpensive, so if it only lasts him 3 years its no big deal.

Volvo has announced that all 2020 Volvos will come with an electronically limited top speed of 180 kph or 112 mph. The move is in pursuit of its Vision 2020 goal to have no fatalities or serious injuries in a new Volvo by 2020. The company identified three remaining gaps in its plan, one of which being speeding. Volvo says that the problem with high speeds is that above a certain point, in-car safety technology is no longer sufficient to prevent serious injury. The company is also investigating a smart speed control system that will use GPS and geofencing to limit top speed around schools and hospitals. The two other gap areas Volvo has identified are intoxication and distracted driving. Volvo will present ideas to tackle these problems at a special event on March 20th. Volvo Press Release on Page 2 Volvo Cars to impose 180 kph speed limit on all cars to highlight dangers of speeding Volvo Cars, as a worldwide leader in safety, is sending a strong signal about the dangers of speeding and will limit the top speed on all its cars to 180 kph from 2020. The company’s Vision 2020, which aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020, is one of the most ambitious safety visions in the automotive industry. But realising that technology alone will not get it all the way to zero, Volvo Cars is now broadening its scope to include a focus on driver behaviour. Research by Volvo Cars has identified three remaining concerns for safety that constitute so-called ‘gaps’ in its ambition to completely end serious injuries and fatalities in its cars, with speeding a very prominent one. “Volvo is a leader in safety: we always have been and we always will be,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. "Because of our research we know where the problem areas are when it comes to ending serious injuries and fatalities in our cars. And while a speed limitation is not a cure-all, it’s worth doing if we can even save one life.” Apart from limiting top speeds, the company is also investigating how a combination of smart speed control and geofencing technology could automatically limit speeds around schools and hospitals in future. “We want to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right or maybe even an obligation to install technology in cars that changes their driver´s behaviour, to tackle things like speeding, intoxication or distraction,” said Mr. Samuelsson. “We don’t have a firm answer to this question, but believe we should take leadership in the discussion and be a pioneer.” The problem with speeding is that above certain speeds, in-car safety technology and smart infrastructure design are no longer enough to avoid severe injuries and fatalities in the event of an accident. That is why speed limits are in place in most western countries, yet speeding remains ubiquitous and one of the most common reasons for fatalities in traffic. Millions of people still get speeding tickets every year and traffic accident data from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration shows that 25 per cent of all traffic fatalities in the US in 2017 were caused by speeding. People simply do not recognise the danger involved in speed, says Jan Ivarsson, one of Volvo Cars’ leading safety experts. “As humans, we all understand the dangers with snakes, spiders and heights. With speeds, not so much,” said Mr Ivarsson. “People often drive too fast in a given traffic situation and have poor speed adaption in relation to that traffic situation and their own capabilities as a driver. We need to support better behaviour and help people realise and understand that speeding is dangerous.” Beyond speeding, two other problem areas constitute ‘gaps toward zero’. As obvious a problem as speeding (and as difficult to end) is intoxication. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in large parts of the world, yet it remains a prime reason for injuries and fatalities on today’s roads. The other area is distraction. Drivers distracted by their mobile phones or otherwise not fully engaged in driving are another major cause of traffic fatailities. In many ways, they are equally dangerous as drunk drivers. Volvo Cars will present ideas to tackle the problem areas of intoxication and distraction at a special safety event in Gothenburg, Sweden on March 20. View full article

Getting the latest will help it last longer before you need to replace it. Phones have a bit of planned obsolescence in them. You can get 3 years out of a phone, but 6 years is pushing it.... the clock doesn't start when you buy the phone, it starts when the phone was released. I agree with @ykX that once you get one, you won't want to go back. There are a bunch of business apps that could even help you in your business to speed things up.

Elon Musk revealed in a series of tweets that the Tesla Model Y compact crossover would be revealed at an event in their LA Design Studio on March 14th. Detailed specs, pricing, and even test rides will be available. Musk says that the Model Y will be about 10% larger than a Tesla Model 3 and expects pricing to be about 10% more. The Model Y will share battery sizes with the Model 3 and because of increased size and weight will get slightly less range. Musk indicated that the Model Y will look a lot like a Model 3 and will not have the falcon wing doors found on the Model X. Last week Tesla announced that the base model $35,000 (before destination charges) version of its Model 3 sedan was now available and that it would be closing most of its retail locations to focus mainly on online sales. View full article

Also has the wheel flares... but it is a relatively short rear deck. I'm talking about cars with half a Stratofortress as a trunk. Ones that look like fuselages.

It's because it has those wheel flares.

Cars that big, coupes especially, need skirts to look right.

Yeah, if you mean last new name introductions, then that's correct

They're still issuing new ones at work. So you can buy one, it's just the oldest model Apple still offers. I was more saying that if you bought a refurb or something some Ebay. 8 is probably the oldest I would go with new.

The $29 deal is only for certain models of iPhone. I think the 6, 6S, and 7. You do not want to go any older than a 6S if you buy used.

Yeah, I understand the distinction. Changing later would be annoying. But it will cost more to go iPhone now than that Android.

The cheapest answer is likely this at Costco. Not the greatest, but it would get you by. Take it to your cell phone provider to get a Sim chip for it.

Apple fixes the prices of iPhones, so it's hard to find a deal, but look around.

I realize they are at the mercy of what Ford and Chevy send... but for less than $1,000 more, they could have had an ST with CoPilot and still been less expensive than the Blazer.

Then no, it has not. Though with the sightings that have popped up, patent drawings that have leaked, even the keyfob has been shown, I'm inclined to believe that it is coming. Concept cars aren't typically seen out on proving grounds because they have nothing to prove. Not in the last 20 years anyway.

I've never known my Android to have better battery life than my iPhone, though I use my Android a lot heavier than my iPhone. The nice thing about Apples is that if you do have a defective/dying battery, it is easy to just take it to an Apple store and have it replaced. I had to have the battery replaced on my Nexus and it was a production. The different vendors for Android is a downfall in my opinion these days. I'm a #NeverSamsung kinda guy, I've been burned by their phones too many times. You're at their mercy for getting software updates and then the carrier also potentially blocks a software update also. I'm assuming this phone is for @balthazar and not "a friend". One of the things you're not going to like is the cost... An iphone 8 will suit you just fine, no need to go all the way up to the top of the line phone.. but if you do, an XR is what my partner has and he likes it a lot. iPhones last longer than Androids do simply because Apple supports software updates for a lot longer. Unless you're looking to replace a phone every 2 years, go with iPhone. I was planning on moving to iPhone about 6 months ago, but then I dropped my Android Nexus 6P and it was replaced under insurance with a newer Pixel. The Pixel has been fine and is just something for me to use till I'm ready to upgrade. I have to change carriers also because my carrier only works on certain Android phones. Balth, if you do go with Android instead of iPhone, go with Google Pixel instead of Samsung or LG. Motorola is a good second place pick because they don't muck up their OS with garbage like Samsung does.

Over 8 Million Ford Taurus cars have been built over the years as U.S. Taurus production came to a close yesterday in Chicago. The Taurus was first introduced at the 1985 Los Angeles Auto Show. The original Taurus changed the design landscape for family cars in the U.S. from a traditional boxy shape to a very rounded aerodynamic one. Offered in sedan and wagon variants, the popular model became the best selling car in America by 1992. In 1989, the SHO was introduced, a 220 horsepower V6 engine provided by Yamaha. There was a two-year pause from 2006 to 2008 when the model was called the Ford Five Hundred. While the Taurus is ending in the U.S. an unrelated Taurus continues production in China. The Chinese Taurus was introduced in 2016 and is based on an extended Ford Fusion platform. Though production of the Taurus has ended in Chicago, Ford is investing $1 billion to expand their Chicago Assembly Plant and Chicago Stamping plant to get ready for the 2020 Ford Explorer , Ford Police Interceptor, and Lincoln Aviator. Ford is replacing or updating 75% of its U.S. lineup by the end of 2020. View full article

The GLC refresh didn't do anything visually. It's the same car with a different grill, very slightly more horsepower, and MBUX. Nothing that will move the needle.

That's pretty disappointing. I feel like my Encore does better than that.

I'm not seeing many of the Silverado, but the Sierras are plentiful, especially the Denali. I'm surprised how many Denalis I see... almost as many as the Silverado entirely.

I have been on Android as my personal phone pretty much ever since they came out. Before that I was on Blackberry and on Windows phone. I carry a work iPhone so I have experience with that as well. For years I have stuck with Android in spite of its less than steller compatibility with other devices. My current Android is likely my last Android. Next time around I will be going with iPhone simply because I no longer have the interest or desire to hack my phone just to make it work with other things. My music is spread out over several apps just so that I can have all of it. It's annoying and it will be a project to consolidate all of it once I switch, but it will be worth it. Android Auto is decent for vehicles that don't have an Android Auto compatible head unit because you can run it as its own head unit for easy use of Navigation, Music, texting, and calls. Apple Car Play can't do that. While you may not have a vehicle now that can handle either of these systems, if you buy any 2017+ truck, it will have them. Once you have a head unit that can handle Car Play or Android Auto, the advantage for Android goes away. TL/DR - get an iPhone.

I guess the old Tiguan is finally out of production