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Tesla’s Cybertruck is being recalled yet again, according to reporting by The Verge. The company issued a physical recall that could impact nearly 12,000 owners of the controversial vehicle.

Here’s how it breaks down. The company’s recalling 11,688 Cybertrucks due to a faulty windshield wiper that could significantly reduce visibility while driving. It’s also recalling 11,383 electric pickups because of trim in the bed that could come loose and create a road hazard for other people on the road. Tesla said that it’s “not aware of any injuries or deaths” related to either issue, according to Quartz.

The NHTSA’s recall notice for the wiper indicates that Tesla will replace the wiper motor once the owner brings it in for service. As for the potentially loose trim, the company will apply “adhesion promoter and pressure sensitive tape or replace missing applique as necessary.” Both of these fixes will be free of charge.

This follows another significant recall from earlier this year. That one involved a faulty accelerator pedal that could get stuck during use. The accelerator pedal issue impacted nearly 4,000 vehicles.

It’s tough to figure out what percentage of sales these recalls impact, but it could be just about all of them. Back during the accelerator pedal fiasco in April, Tesla revealed it had manufactured and sold 3,878 units to date. The company hasn’t released updated sales figures but these latest recalls account for nearly 12,000 vehicles. How many more could it have sold since April? Maybe people are snatching them up just for the purpose of spray painting anti-Elon graffiti.

The Cybertruck has been plagued by issues since launch, though most of them didn’t reach the level of a recall. Consumers have complained about an overall lack of visibility, difficulty in off-road conditions, costly repairs, an inability to drive on snow, poor mileage and all kinds of other frustrations. It also starts at nearly $82,000.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-cybertruck-has-been-recalled-again-174632424.html?src=rss

The east coast of the U.S. has been experiencing a punishing heat wave over the past week, with cities like Washington D.C. hitting 100 degrees and breaking all kinds of heat-related records. Combine that with the very real possibility that Donald Trump could be president again, and there’s perhaps no better symbol of…

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Typically, Google shows off its next generation of devices in the fall. But this year it seems that time frame has moved up: the company’s next Made by Google event will be August 13 at 1PM ET.

While Google didn’t share any specific details regarding upcoming announcements, the invite says the company will “showcase the best of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices.” In another break from tradition, this year’s event will take place at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA instead of New York City, which has been the typical host location for Pixel launches.

Based on rumors and the release cadence of Google’s existing devices, we’re expecting to learn more about the Pixel 9, the next version of the Pixel Fold, a new Tensor chip, a third-gen Pixel Watch and possibly an update to the Pixel Buds. And based on the amount of attention the company gave to AI during Google I/O earlier this spring, it’s basically a guarantee that we’ll see some new machine learning-based features as well. 

While it remains unclear what prompted Google to move its next product launch up to August 13, between this event and rumors of an upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, it’s shaping up to be a busy summer for gadget fans. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/made-by-googles-next-event-will-be-august-13-165538940.html?src=rss

If you’re a fan of robotics, you probably already heard about Optimus — No, we’re not talking about the brand name that was once owned by LG for their flagship phones (check out our review for the Optimus G here), but instead, a Tesla brand now.

During the company’s 2024 stockholder meeting, Elon Musk introduced the Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot, priced between $10,000 and $20,000. The advanced robot aims to revolutionize the labor market and potentially enhance Tesla’s market value significantly.

Dexterity and Adaptability

Optimus Gen 2 brings sophisticated engineering with 22 degrees of freedom in its hands, allowing it to perform intricate tasks such as playing the piano. Enhanced by AI, the robot can understand and anticipate user needs, adapting to various environments and preferences. It is capable of executing up to 70 tasks and features customizable personality and voice options.

Optimus folds a shirt pic.twitter.com/3F5o3jVLq1

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024

Impact on the Labor Market

The introduction of Optimus could drastically alter the global labor market. By taking over tasks traditionally performed by humans, the robot may reduce Tesla’s workforce by 60% by 2030. This shift, while potentially displacing some jobs, also opens up new opportunities in manufacturing and robot technology development.

Tesla aims to produce Optimus cost-effectively, with an estimated production cost of around $10,000. The company plans to use mass production techniques to further reduce costs. Initially, the robots will be available for leasing, with broader sales anticipated between 2028 and 2030. This phased approach ensures accessibility and cost efficiency.

Tesla plans to incorporate existing automotive technology into Optimus, enhancing both cost efficiency and functionality. This strategy positions Tesla to lead the robotics industry and capture a substantial market share over the next 10-15 years.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its potential, Optimus faces significant challenges, including developing a supply chain for specialized components and achieving scalable mass production. While experts have mixed opinions on Musk’s ambitious timeline, Tesla’s history suggests they may overcome these obstacles. Additionally, legal and financial challenges related to Musk’s compensation package could arise.

The Optimus robot represents a major technological leap with the potential to reshape work and industry. As Tesla continues to innovate, the widespread deployment of these robots could lead to unprecedented efficiency and productivity, marking a significant milestone in human-machine collaboration.

Tesla Unveils Optimus Gen 2 Robot Priced From $10,000

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The original Razr was always sort of a style icon. It was super thin (almost to a fault) and looked more like a prop from a sci-fi movie than all its brick-shaped rivals at the time. And with the launch of a new generation of its signature flip phone later this summer, it feels like Moto is trying to recapture some of that magic with the 2024 Razr family.

Just like last year, the Razr line is split between two devices: the flagship Razr+, which starts at $1,000, and a more affordable non-plus model that starts at $700. That said, Motorola has made some significant changes to help close the gap between the two phones. Both of them feature a 6.9-inch flexible OLED interior display with a 165Hz refresh rate for the Razr+ and a 120Hz panel on the standard version. Meanwhile, on the outside, Moto created a new hinge it claims is 30 percent smaller, while also increasing the size of the front display (which is covered by Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability).

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The Razr+’s exterior OLED screen now measures 4 inches across, which is up from 3.6 inches on last year’s model. However, the basic Razr has made an even bigger jump by replacing the tiny 1.5-inch panel on its predecessor with a new 3.6-inch display. But Moto didn’t stop there. Thanks to an update to its Panels UI, you can open basically any app on the Razrs’ front display, with the only exceptions being apps that require specific (i.e. larger) resolutions. But perhaps the biggest improvement for overall usability is that both handsets now also feature IPX8 ratings for water-resistance (up from IP52), which is tested to withstand dunks of up to 5 feet for 30 minutes.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Razr without some fashionable color options and for 2024, Motorola is definitely delivering on that. The Razr+ will be available in Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Hot Pink (which is an homage to the vibrant magenta version of the OG Razr) and Peach Fuzz, with the latter being Pantone’s 2024 color of the year. Meanwhile, the standard Razr comes in three colors: Koala Gray, Beach Sand and a particularly eye-catching hue that Moto is calling Spritz Orange. Notably, every one of those options features a vegan leather back aside from the gray model. That comes in vegan suede instead, which sort of feels like silicone but with an ever softer finish. Whichever finish you choose, both options are a nice departure from the glass backs you get on pretty much every other phone these days.

For snapping photos, both devices feature a 32-MP punch-hole selfie camera on the inside along with a 50-MP main camera on the outside and either a 2x telephoto cam on the Razr+ or an ultra-wide lens on the standard Razr. Moto says it also updated the Camcorder feature so that it automatically activates when you bend the screen and rotate the phone 90 degrees, which should make switching between photo and video a bit more seamless.

As for software, Moto is jumping on the AI bandwagon with its own series of AI-powered features. The Razr supports Google Gemini (including three free months of Gemini Advanced with purchase) along with the company’s own Moto AI tools. This includes things like Magic Canvas, which allows you to generate images using text prompts and the nifty Style Sync mode, which lets you take a photo of your clothing so you can create a matching wallpaper for use on the device, which feels like a small but thoughtful addition for fashionistas that don’t want their phone to clash with their outfit. 

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Later this year, Moto is adding even more AI tools including Catch Me Up which can summarize all your notifications so you don’t have to swipe through everything individually after being away for a while. But the feature that might have the most impact is Remember This. With it, you can ask Moto AI to record a photo, screenshot or audio and then repeat important details back to you later when you ask. That said, you have to first prompt the Razrs to do this, and unlike Microsoft’s Copilot feature Recall, the phones only save what you tell them to instead of saving and tracking everything you do.

Finally, powering the Razr+ is a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip along with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a 4,000 mAh battery, the latter of which is slightly larger than the 3,700mAh cell in a Galaxy Z Flip 5. Meanwhile, the vanilla Razr features still solid but less impressive specs, including a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It does come with a slightly larger 4,200 mAh power pack, though.

First impressions of the Moto Razr and Razr+

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

While I only had a short while to play around with both devices, I really like what Moto has done with the Razr’s design and software. The exterior feels more luxurious thanks to that vegan leather/suede back and the larger front display supports a wider range of apps and makes better use of space. And while AI has become a bit of a buzzword these days, it feels like Moto is taking a more considered approach with features like Style Sync and Remember This, which are fun or helpful additions that don’t feel too intrusive.

However, I do have some small complaints as well. I wish the Razr’s main cameras were positioned on the left instead of the right. The reason is that if you’re right-handed (which accounts for around 90 percent of people), the way the lens housing protrudes can sometimes get in the way of your thumb. I also think the Razr’s hinge could be a touch stiffer, as its screen doesn’t feel quite as stable as rivals like the Z Flip 5. And while Motorola says the phone will receive three major Android OS upgrades and four years of software support, that’s still way short of the seven years you get from recent Samsung and Google phones.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Lastly, while there is still a crease in the internal display, it’s so faint that it’s really more of a shallow ripple that you only see at acute angles. Motorola says the Razr’s new hinge creates more of a waterdrop-shaped fold when closed, which helps reduce the appearance of creases. After seeing the devices up close, I have to say it’s not distracting at all. But the best part is that with the basic Razr starting at just $700 and the flagship model going for $1,000, we’re getting more foldable phones with solid water resistance and good builds for a reasonable price.

The Razr and Razr+ will be available for pre-order starting on July 10 with official sales slated for July 24.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/motorolas-2024-razr-and-razr-might-be-the-most-stylish-and-affordable-foldables-of-the-year-160024366.html?src=rss