With the Vancouver International Autoshow going on last week, it gave Drex and I an opportunity to talk about the clean energy vehicles available in B.C. And the incentives from the B.C. government that can offset the cost of purchasing one. We also talked about some of the technology being embedded into cars these days, including in-vehicle routers, Apple’s CarPlay, and Android Auto.
This week, incentives to buy EVs, which are on display at the Vancouver International Autoshow, and some of the cool tech that’s in cars and trucks these days.
B.C. Government brings back incentives to buy electric vehicles
If you’re looking to buy a new car, you’ve got 5,000 reasons to consider an electric vehicle (EV). This week, details of the provincial government’s renewed Clean Energy Vehicle program were announced.
Buying a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle will save you up to $5,000.
If a hydrogen fuel cell is more up your alley, you can save up to $6,000 (the extra grand is to compensate you for having access to fewer charging stations).
Some 27 clean energy vehicles from 15 manufacturers are on the floor of the Vancouver Convention Centre this week as part of the Vancouver International Autoshow.
The Tesla Model S P85D is there, as is a Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid. Also look for cool concept EVs from Audi (the Inspiration hybrid), Nissan (the three-seater BladeGlider), and Toyota (the single-seat iRoad, which actually leans into turns; watch the video of it in action below).
Two vehicles powered by hyrdrogen fuel cells are also on display: Hyundai’s Tucson Fuel Cell crossover utility vehicle (which is actually on Lower Mainland roads right now) and Toyota’s Mirai concept.
A number of auto manufacturers are also rolling out with more general technology in vehicles.
The Audi Q7 is one of the first vehicles to implement Apple CarPlay, which gives your dashboard an iPhone-like interface. A company rep said that Android Auto will also be supported. And you can open and close the tailgate by simply moving your foot under the rear bumper.
Chevrolet is equipping more than 30 vehicles in its lineup with 4G/LTE routers. Which turns your car into a big roaming hotspot. You can connect up to 7 devices, data plans start at $10 a month, and there are no roaming charges if you travel to the U.S.
Lincoln is doing something similar with its new made-in-Canada MKXSUV. It’s connectivity enables a range of smartphone functions, including remote start and door locking and unlocking. It will even greet you with a, “Hello,” when you approach the vehicle.
Last week, Drex and I talked about the redesigned Galaxy S6 smartphones from Samsung, the Okidokeys smart key system, and how EA Sports has replaced Tiger Woods with Rory McIlroy.
This week, some hands-on experiences with the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and the Okidokeys house key replacement system, and Rory McIlroy pushes Tiger Woods off the cover of EA Sports’ golf game.
Hands on with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
On April 10, Samsung releases a pair of new smartphones, and they are different from any smartphone the company has released before. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are all glass and metal, and the new design aesthetic is outstanding.
The 5.1-inch displays are improved over the last Galaxy phones, and the GS6 and GS6 Edge use a new 14 nanometer processor that improves power and efficiency.
Wireless charging is built-in and Samsung is supporting both global standards, so whatever wireless system you find, the GS6 and GS6 Edge will work with it. You can purchase a wireless charger for $60.
Charging overall has been improved, too, and these smartphones can get to a full charge in only three hours when using the wireless process. When plugged in you can get to full in only 80 minutes. You can get four hours of standard phone and texting usage in only 10 minutes.
That’s one reason why Samsung has dropped the replaceable battery from the new smartphones. As Samsung spokesperson Vlastimir Lalovic explained, “You don’t need it anymore.”
The other thing that’s been dropped from the hardware is the SD card slot. Samsung’s Ken Price said that research indicated that the average user required 23 GB of storage space, so the entry point with the GS6 and GS6 Edge is 32 GB of built-in storage.
“There’s a tradeoff,” said Price about dropping the removable battery and SD slot. But it was required, he said, to achieve the thin, light design. “This was the right time to remove them,” Price added.
Topping it all off, Samsung got rid of a bunch of the bloatware that used to come preinstalled on their devices, so not only do the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge look nicer, operating them is nicer, too.
The GS6 Edge differs because it has a curve to both sides of the screen, which better accommodates hand preferences. The curve provides notification and clock functionality, which is not as feature-packed as last year’s Note Edge, but is still a nice addition. And the curved front fits nicely in the palm.
The two smartphones come in black or white, and in three configurations:
32 GB ($250, $350 on a contract, $750, $850 without)
64 GB ($360, $460 on a contract, $860, $960 without)
128 GB ($470, $570 on a contract, $960, $1,070 without)
Preorders for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have already begun. You can take a look at the new phones yourself at the Samsung stores in Burnaby’s Metrotown and Richmond Centre.
Hands on with Okidokeys
Yesterday I went for a run in the forest near my home. I’ve done this before, but the difference this time is that I didn’t have to take a key with me. Instead, I had a silicon wristband equipped with an RFID chip that opened my door for me when I got back.
The future! It’s here!
With Okidokeys, you can turn your exterior doors into smart locking doors that can be activated with wristbands, access cards, fobs, or even your smartphone or tablet. It’s similar to the access systems that are in some hotels and office buildings.
The locking system works with your existing deadbolt, too, maintaining the exterior key lock so you can keep using keys if you need to. But Okidokeys adds other functions, too, including an alarm sensor and the ability to create mobile “keys” for others to use at any time, from any where.
A smart lock costs US$189, and for US$249 you get an access pack that includes a smart lock and three smart tags (a wristband, a keychain fob, and an access card).
So long, Tiger, make way for Rory
For 15 years, the golf video game developed by EA Sports was branded “Tiger Woods PGA Tour”. The Tiger era, which ended in 2013, has officially ended now that Rory McIlroy has become the new cover boy for the game.
McIlroy is ranked number one in the word, so perhaps this is no surprise.
In a statement, McIlroy, who is 25, said he grew up playing video games, and that the EA Sports FIFA soccer game was his favourite.
On Wednesday, Drex and I talked about the products that Apple unveiled at the media briefing on Monday, including the Apple Watch and the new MacBook laptop computer, which, as a listener pointed out afterwards, does have a headphone jack, despite what I claimed on air.
The Mind Control Division is the intelligence arm of Blaine Kyllo's Solo Corps Creative Incorporated. This department conducts investigations and experiments into media and technology culture.
