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Ford will take just a bit longer to reach the electric vehicle production goal it set for itself. As The Washington Post reports, Ford CEO Jim Farley now expects the automaker to be able to start producing 600,000 EV units per year sometime in 2024. The company was originally aiming to reach that production level in late 2023 with the help of lithium iron phosphate battery packs, which will help Ford cut manufacturing costs and reduce its dependence on nickel and other materials prone to shortage.

In the company’s earnings report, (PDF) Farley explained that the “[t]he near-term pace of EV adoption will be a little slower than expected,” but that he believes it’s going to “benefit early movers like Ford.” He added: “EV customers are brand loyal and we’re winning lots of them with our high-volume, first-generation products.” The automaker’s all-electric division did well in the second quarter of the year, with revenue from the first generation F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E vehicles increasing by 39 percent. 

Ford was inundated with pre-orders for the F-150 Lightning after it was announced and had to temporarily stop taking reservations due to the demand. The company has recently slashed the vehicle’s prices citing increased production capacity, though it could also be because it’s looking to entice more customers who are also eyeing models by rivals like Tesla and General Motors. 

Ford CFO John Lawler said “[t]he transition to EVs is happening, it just may take a little longer” and “it will be a little slower than the industry expected.” The automaker was also aiming to manufacture 2 million EVs a year by 2026, but this delay affects that goal, as well. CNBC said Ford now doesn’t know when it can reach that level of production, but Lawler assured that the company will still invest the same amount of money into its EV endeavors. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ford-expects-to-reach-its-ev-production-goal-a-year-later-than-planned-101804539.html?src=rss 

Apple will soon start cracking down on Apps that collect data on users’ devices in order to track them (aka “fingerprinting“), according to an article on its developer site spotted by 9to5Mac. Starting with the release of iOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma, developers will be required to explain why they’re using so-called required reason APIs. Apps failing to provide a valid reason will be rejected started in spring of 2024.  

“Some APIs… have the potential of being misused to access device signals to try to identify the device or user, also known as fingerprinting. Regardless of whether a user gives your app permission to track, fingerprinting is not allowed,” Apple wrote. “To prevent the misuse of certain APIs that can be used to collect data about users’ devices through fingerprinting, you’ll need to declare the reasons for using these APIs in your app’s privacy manifest.”

The new rules could increase the rate of app rejections, some developers told 9to5Mac. For instance, an API called UserDefaults falls into the “required reason” category, but since it stores user preferences, it’s used by a lot of apps. At the same time, it sounds like Apple will basically need to take a developer’s word for reason declarations. If those prove to be false, though, it would certainly have a paper trail for any potential penalties. 

Fingerprinting apps can use API calls to retrieve characteristics of your smartphone or PC, including the screen resolution, model, OS and more. It can then take all this information and create a unique “fingerprint,” so it can identify you when you go to other apps or websites.

Apple effectively declared war on tracking when it released iOS 14.5 in 2021, requiring developers to ask users’ permission before tracking them. Since that feature arrived, only 4 percent of US iPhone users have agreed to app tracking. Now, it’s trying to stop fingerprinting (also called canvas fingerprinting), which first appeared in the digital zeitgeist a decade ago. Back in 2018, Apple said it would address fingerprinting on macOS by limiting the data that websites can access on its Safari browser, and now, it’s addressing the issue with apps as well.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-cracking-down-on-fingerprinting-with-new-app-store-api-rules-080007498.html?src=rss 

NASA is launching its very own streaming platform called NASA+ sometime this summer. While the space agency already livestreams launches and other events on its website, NASA+ will feature not just live broadcasts, but also collections of original video series. A handful of the first shows on the platform will even be new titles launching with the service, and what’s even better is that it will be free and will not be interrupting shows with ads. In other words, it’s where you should go if you want to binge watch NASA and space content. 

The streaming service will be available through the agency’s iOS and Android apps on mobile devices. You’ll also be able to access it on desktop and mobile browsers, as well as stream shows on demand through media players, such as Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV. 

Marc Etkind from NASA’s Office of Communications said:

“We’re putting space on demand and at your fingertips with NASA’s new streaming platform. Transforming our digital presence will help us better tell the stories of how NASA explores the unknown in air and space, inspires through discovery, and innovates for the benefit of humanity.”

In addition to introducing its own streaming service, NASA is also giving its whole digital presence an overhaul. It’s currently working on a new web (and app) experience that can better consolidate information about its missions, research projects and updates about the Artemis program, among other things. NASA has numerous websites for different programs and divisions, but the new experience will include content from several of them. It will also feature integrated navigation and search function for easier access to information across NASA websites. You can visit the beta version of the upgraded web experience right now, but take note that the agency plans to connect more libraries and websites to it even after it’s been fully launched. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasa-is-the-space-agencys-very-own-streaming-platform-063042960.html?src=rss 

Call of Duty Season 5 will feature Nicki Minaj as the first ever female celebrity “Operator” playable character, Activision announced. She’ll appear in Warzone and Modern Warfare 2 as part of CoD’s “50 Years of Hip Hop Celebration,” along with Snoop Dogg and 21 Savage. 

Other celebrities including Lionel Messi, Kevin Durant and Snoop Dogg (multiple times now) have appeared in CoD in the past. Minaj, however is “Call of Duty’s first-ever self-named female Operator,” the developer noted. “Playtime is over; this is not ‘Chill Nicki’; this is Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” it added, referencing Minaj’s track and video released earlier this year. 

Minaj will appear and have her own storefront later in Season 5, with items for sale likely including the hot pink rifle pictured above. Minaj’s appearance was previewed last year in a YouTube video called Squad Up, which also featured Lil Baby, Bukayo Saka, and Pete Davidson — though there’s no word if those people will also appear in CoD at some point. 

The Season 5 website also shows information on the 9mm ISO sub machine, the AN-94 assault rifle and other weapons. CoD also previewed multiplayer additions like new maps for Livestock and Petrov Oil Rig. Meanwhile, Warzone 2.0 adds new locations like Verdansk Stadium. Season 5 will also include a reveal of the upcoming Call of Duty 2023 (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3) — in Warzone. Season 05 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone are set to launch on August 2 at 9 AM PT across all platforms.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nicki-minaj-will-be-a-playable-character-in-call-of-duty-051544179.html?src=rss 

Ahead of the final two races of Season 9 in London, Formula E showed off the “unlocked” potential of its Gen3 electric race car. The EV series has claimed the world record for indoor land speed, clocking in at 135.9 MPH (218.71 KPH) in a GenBeta development car. The run took place on a .176-mile straight on the London E-Prix circuit, a portion of which is inside the ExCeL London arena. The car, piloted by NEOM McLaren Formula E driver Jake Hughes, beat the previous record of 102.7 MPH (165.2 KPH) by 33 MPH. 

Hughes went head-to-head with fellow driver Lucas di Grassi (Mahindra Racing) in a modified version of Formula E’s duels format typically used for qualifying. Each one was given a chance to set the fasted speed on the indoor section of track and both bested the former world record on all three of their practice runs before making official attempts. Neither Hughes nor di Grassi had driven the GenBeta car prior to this exhibition. 

Formula E says the GenBeta car has a number of upgrades to make it faster and more powerful than the Gen3 car used in race events. First, it has an enhanced power output of 400kW, up from 350kW in race trim. The added power comes via all-wheel drive for the first time in a Formula E car through “activation of the front powertrain kit” for more traction while accelerating. 

“The GenBeta is the first time that four-wheel drive has been activated in a single-seater race car for both acceleration and braking regeneration,” explains Alessandra Ciliberti, Formula E’s technical manager. “The GenBeta showcases what will be possible for Formula E racing in the near future.”

The GenBeta car was also running softer Hankook tires which afforded “faster warm-up and better peak grip.” The harder race-day tires are currently designed for all conditions and to offer low degradation over the course of an E-Prix. Additionally, 3D-printed wing endplates, wheel fins and a wind deflector were installed for enhanced aerodynamics and peak straight-line speed. Al was also used to analyze the drivers’ runs, powered by Google’s Vertex platform and McKinsey & Company’s QuantumBlack, helping interpret telemetry and fine-tune strategy.

In order to make the record official, the drivers had to start from a standstill and completely stop inside the convention center. This meant taking a 130-degree turn at about 25 MPH before going flat out along the straight. Speeds were captured 16.4 feet before the drivers hit the breaking zone, or the section of the circuit needed for them to stop and remain inside the building. 

The regular Gen3 car is already the fastest and most efficient electric racer ever built. It’s capable of over 200 MPH at top speed and generates 40 percent of the power it needs to complete an E-Prix through braking. Formula E describes GenBeta as “an innovation platform” that was created by the racing series, the FIA, Sabic and Hankook. Projects with the vehicle are meant to experiment with new materials and technology in a bid to increase performance, efficiency and sustainability. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/formula-e-breaks-indoor-land-speed-world-record-in-unlocked-gen3-car-040005749.html?src=rss