GM looking to offer lower-cost, shorter-range Volt?

GM looking to offer lower-cost, shorter-range Volt?

We’ve certainly had some complaints about the Chevrolet Volt, including mediocre highway mileage, but far and away it’s that $41,000 MSRP keeping it from being a real contender for mass adoption. Now we’re hearing rumors that GM is thinking about down-sizing the car’s batteries in an attempt to drop that price as well. The battery pack is far and away the most expensive single component in the car and the thought is that a reduction of the pure EV range to just 20 miles (down from its current 30 – 50) could have a whopping $10,000 reduction in cost. That would mean buyers would dip into the gas tank a little sooner but be a lighter on their bank accounts — at least in the beginning.

GM looking to offer lower-cost, shorter-range Volt? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric car sales watch: 281 Volts and 67 Leafs sold in US during February

Neither Chevrolet nor Nissan have felt proud enough of their EV sales numbers to list them on their latest press releases, but our colleagues over at Autoblog Green have dug those numbers up anyhow. They make for dispiriting reading if you’re an electric car well-wisher, as the Volt‘s sales declined from January’s tally of 321 to an even less impressive 281, while the Leaf closed February with only 67 US sales, down 20 on last month. Upon seeing their previous numbers, we postulated that both cars are suffering from constrained supply, which is likely still the case, but it feels ironic to us that electric vehicles, whose driving experience offers instant torque, are taking their sweet time to rev up their sales.

Electric car sales watch: 281 Volts and 67 Leafs sold in US during February originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple iOS 4.3 GM available now to developers

That’s right, kids! The Golden Master version of iOS 4.3 has become available — it’s seeding as we speak. If you do any development on the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, and you’re ready to get to partake in (or even dev for) all the new AirPlay and Personal Hotspot capabilities (for starters), you know where to go. As for the rest of us, we guess we’ll have to wait until the OS gets its official release on March 11. By the way, there’s no word of an OS update for Apple TV yet. Sorry, kids. That’s what they call “tough love.”

[Thanks, Gregg!]

Apple iOS 4.3 GM available now to developers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM shows off Terrain SUV with noise cancellation, says silence equals fuel efficiency

GM claims its new Terrain has other SUVs beat when it comes to fuel efficiency, and they’re citing active noise cancellation — a concept near and dear to audiophiles everywhere — as one of the driving factors that puts it 4MPG above the competition. Basically, the Terrain’s enlisted a new one-touch “Eco mode” that allows its four-cylinder engine to run at a lower torque, decreasing engine speeds, and thus saving gas. The thing is, this increased fuel efficiency comes with a “low-end frequency boom,” which is where the noise cancellation sets in: two microphones built in to the car’s headliner detect the boom, prompting a frequency generator to pump counteracting sound waves through Terrain’s speakers. Simply put, GM’s just getting rid of an unpleasant hum. So a quieter car isn’t necessarily a greener car, but we’ll take a more fuel efficient SUV any day. If you’re picking up what GM’s laying down, check out the full PR after the jump.

Continue reading GM shows off Terrain SUV with noise cancellation, says silence equals fuel efficiency

GM shows off Terrain SUV with noise cancellation, says silence equals fuel efficiency originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show – 018: GM’s Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G

Humans, allow us to present the latest episode of The Engadget Show — you won’t want to miss it. First up, Josh and Tim Stevens sit down with GM’s chief electrical engineer Micky Bly for a frank conversation on the future of automotive technology, chatting about everything from networked vehicles (with a surprise visit from the unmistakable EN-V prototype), electric cars, advancing smartphone integration, and a world without stoplights. Then, Micky announces and demos Chevy’s new MyLink infotainment system, in a world-first, Engadget Show-exclusive look at the new technology.

Fresh off a resounding victory over mankind, IBM’s Watson researcher David Gondek joins Josh and Paul for a breakdown of Watson’s Jeopardy domination and an in-depth conversation about machine-learning, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and the meaning of love. Last up, Josh, Paul, and Nilay bust out the Motorola Atrix 4G and break down the week in news, including Nokia’s Windows Phone announcement, the rise of Honeycomb tablets, and everything worth talking about from Mobile World Congress.

This is one you absolutely should not miss. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the video stream after the break or download the show in HD below!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Special guests: Micky Bly, David Gondek
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger
Edited by: Danny Madden
Music by: Note!
Visuals by: Batsly Adams
Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec

Taped live at SIR Stage37
Download the Show: The Engadget Show – 018 (HD) / The Engadget Show – 018 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show – 018 (Small)

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Continue reading The Engadget Show – 018: GM’s Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G

The Engadget Show – 018: GM’s Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox

Welcome to the wonderful world of smartphones, Chevrolet. The company has just announced (on our very show, no less) a system it calls MyLink. It’s a definite competitor to things like Ford’s AppLink and the recently unveiled Toyota Entune system. Offering compatibility with iOS, BlackBerry, and Android it allows for a driver to interact with apps running on their smartphones using controls in their car. Connectivity is totally wireless for the last two, with data going over Bluetooth, but as of the current version iOS devices need to be physically tethered to the car. That’s a bit of a bummer.

Currently there are only two compatible apps: Stitcher and Pandora, the latter maintaining its status of the world’s most popular infotainment app. Naturally, more are coming. Drivers can interact with the apps using voice, courtesy of Nuance, or using the touchscreen displays found in the Volt and Equinox, the first cars that will offer this system and which will also offer PowerMat charging, meaning you can not only stream tunes wirelessly but also charge your device. No word yet on cost or what option packages this system will be available in, but we’ll be bringing that to you as soon as we can. Until then, enjoy the video demo after the break.

Continue reading Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox

Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show returns tonight with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!

Clear your calendars everybody, because tonight at 7:00pm ET, the Engadget Show is back in a big way! GM’s head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) will be on hand for some frank conversation about the future of cars and a bunch of mind-blowing demos to go with it. Oh, and GM says they have a big announcement that they will be making exclusively on the Engadget Show, so be a part of tech history and come join us, won’t you? Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens will be joining the fun and we’ll also have a very special guest from IBM’s Watson team, fresh off the game-show-playing supercomputer’s three-day run on Jeopardy. It will be a night to remember, with some incredible chiptunes music by Note! with visuals from Batsly Adams. As usual, we’ll be streaming live at 7:00PM from SIR’s Stage 37 (a new venue!) and we’ve got around 350 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. Also, trust us when we say that the giveaways for this taping are going to absolutely blow. your. mind.

REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the SIR Stage37 (ie. not the TimesCenter or Cooper Union), located in Manhattan at 508 West 37th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Tickets are — as always — free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served… so get there early! Also, because of the nature of the space, we won’t be able to do assigned seats so the seats will be first-come, first-served as well (we know, just after you got used to assigned seating!). Here’s the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:

  • There is no admission fee — tickets are completely free
  • The event is all ages
  • Ticketing will begin at the SIR Stage37 at 5:00PM on Thursday, February 17th, doors will open for seating at 6:15PM, and the show begins at 7:00PM
  • We can’t do assigned seating in this venue, so remember that your ticket guarantees you entry into the show, but where you sit is up to you.
  • You cannot collect tickets for friends or family — anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
  • Seating capacity is limited (we’ve got room for approximately 350), and once we’re full, we’re full
  • The venue is located at 508 West 37th St, between 10th and 11th Avenues. (map after the break)
  • The show length is around an hour

If you’re a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we’ll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Subscribe to the Show:

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

The Engadget Show returns tonight with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevy Volt could be eligible for an extra $5,000 off in California

2012 Chevy Volt could be eligible for an extra $5,000 off in California

If you live in California you’re blessed with a lot of things, including weather patterns that seem to get stuck in a rut an awful lot. Another treat you’ll find is an additional $5,000 rebate on cars that are rated AT-PZEV — that’s Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle, those having very low emissions and hybrid-like technology. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt failed to score that rating because its batteries are not rated for 10 years and 150,000 miles, part of the AT-PZEV rules, but GM is apparently looking to fix that next year with a version of the Volt that will qualify. It’s unclear whether all Volts will be upgraded or whether it’ll be an option — and if an option how much that will cost — but a total of $12,500 in rebates on the Volt would certainly make that $41,000 MSRP a lot more palatable.

2012 Chevy Volt could be eligible for an extra $5,000 off in California originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show returns Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!

Clear your calendars everybody, because tomorrow, February 17th at 7:00pm, the Engadget Show is back in a big way! GM’s head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) will be on hand for some frank conversation about the future of cars and a bunch of mind-blowing demos to go with it. Oh, and GM says they have a big announcement that they will be making exclusively on the Engadget Show, so be a part of tech history and come join us, won’t you? Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens will be joining the fun and we’ll also have a very special guest from IBM’s Watson team, fresh off the game-show-playing supercomputer’s three-day run on Jeopardy. It will be a night to remember, with some incredible chiptunes music by Note! with visuals from Batsly Adams. As usual, we’ll be streaming live at 7:00PM from SIR’s Stage 37 (a new venue!) and we’ve got around 350 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. Also, trust me when I say that the giveaways for this taping are going to absolutely blow. your. mind.

REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the SIR Stage37 (ie. not the TimesCenter or Cooper Union), located in Manhattan at 508 West 37th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Tickets are — as always — free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served… so get there early! Also, because of the nature of the space, we won’t be able to do assigned seats so the seats will be first-come, first-served as well (we know, just after you got used to assigned seating!). Here’s the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:

  • There is no admission fee — tickets are completely free
  • The event is all ages
  • Ticketing will begin at the SIR Stage37 at 5:00PM on Thursday, February 17th, doors will open for seating at 6:15PM, and the show begins at 7:00PM
  • We can’t do assigned seating in this venue, so remember that your ticket guarantees you entry into the show, but where you sit is up to you.
  • You cannot collect tickets for friends or family — anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
  • Seating capacity is limited (we’ve got room for approximately 350), and once we’re full, we’re full
  • The venue is located at 508 West 37th St, between 10th and 11th Avenues. (map after the break)
  • The show length is around an hour

If you’re a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we’ll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Subscribe to the Show:

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Continue reading The Engadget Show returns Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!

The Engadget Show returns Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show returns this Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!

Clear your calendars everybody, because this Thursday, February 17th at 7:00pm, the Engadget Show is back in a big way! GM’s head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) will be on hand for some frank conversation about the future of cars and a bunch of mind-blowing demos to go with it. Oh, and GM says they have a big announcement that they will be making exclusively on the Engadget Show, so be a part of tech history and come join us, won’t you? Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens will be joining the fun and we’ll also have a very special guest from IBM’s Watson team, fresh off the game-show-playing supercomputer’s three-day run on Jeopardy. It will be a night to remember, with some incredible chiptunes music by Note! with visuals from Batsly Adams. As usual, we’ll be streaming live at 7:00PM from SIR’s Stage 37 (a new venue!) and we’ve got around 350 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. Also, trust me when I say that the giveaways for this taping are going to absolutely blow. your. mind.

REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the SIR Stage37 (ie. not the TimesCenter or Cooper Union), located in Manhattan at 508 West 37th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Tickets are — as always — free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served… so get there early! Also, because of the nature of the space, we won’t be able to do assigned seats so the seats will be first-come, first-served as well (we know, just after you got used to assigned seating!). Here’s the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:

  • There is no admission fee — tickets are completely free
  • The event is all ages
  • Ticketing will begin at the SIR Stage37 at 5:00PM on Thursday, February 17th, doors will open for seating at 6:15PM, and the show begins at 7:00PM
  • We can’t do assigned seating in this venue, so remember that your ticket guarantees you entry into the show, but where you sit is up to you.
  • You cannot collect tickets for friends or family — anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
  • Seating capacity is limited (we’ve got room for approximately 350), and once we’re full, we’re full
  • The venue is located at 508 West 37th St, between 10th and 11th Avenues. (map after the break)
  • The show length is around an hour

Sprint is also offering 50 guaranteed tickets to The Engadget Show taping to the first 50 entrants who text “ENGADGET” to 467467 or enter online! Standard text messaging rates apply. Click for the Official Rules and see how to enter online.

If you’re a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we’ll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Subscribe to the Show:

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Continue reading The Engadget Show returns this Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!

The Engadget Show returns this Thursday with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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