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A barebones EV that will cost just USD 20K after a federal tax credit, the newly announced Slate truck backed by Jeff Bezos is creating a lot of buzz. Not just for its low price but also for how it challenges automotive norms. Here's how the vehicle aligns with four consumer trends:SAVINGS BY DESIGNIn a market where economic uncertainty has consumers scrutinizing every purchase, Slate's no-frills approach to affordability is baked in:Molded plastic bodies instead of costly paint jobs Manual windows and other simplified controls Bring-your-own-tech philosophy leverages devices people already ownUPGRADIAThe truck's modular design makes for unusual levels of ongoing customization. Drivers can adapt the vehicle to their personal style and changing needs or add more luxury when they've saved up for it: Transformation from two-seat pickup to five-seat SUV without specialized tools 100+ 'Slate Attach Points' accommodate a wide range of accessories Wrap kits starting around USD 500 enable affordable color changesSECOND LOVESlate extends the concept of vehicle longevity by empowering owners to maintain and repair their own trucks: A dedicated learning platform called Slate U provides step-by-step videos and tutorials DIY-friendly design makes repairs accessible to non-mechanics "You'll go from Slate novice to DIY master in no time"MANUAL MODEWhile most auto manufacturers have gone all in on touchscreens and automatic everything, Slate recognizes people are willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience for a lower price and mechanical simplicity: Manual windows have an analog charm Simplified systems reduce electronic failure points Basic design elements favor function over (excessive techWhat if the future of driving isn't smarter tech, but smarter trade-offs? Slate is betting drivers are ready to swap excess for agency. By stripping away legacy expectations and letting owners build up from zero, Slate speaks to consumers raised on IKEA, Roblox and iPhones with cracked screens practical, hands-on and unafraid of a little hacking.
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Marketing and Advertising
Late last year, Reddit introduced its AI-powered search tool, Reddit Answers. Now, the company plans to make the feature even more prominent by adding it into Reddits main sitewide search, CEO Steve Huffman said during the companys first-quarter earnings call. We are now working to integrate it into Reddit core search experience to further streamline the path from question to answer on Reddit, Huffman said. Integrating into Reddit search means we want one search box. That'll be the primary search box, and youll type your query in there, you'll get, potentially, your [Reddit] Answers, answer, or, you know, more of a traditional Reddit response, depending on what you're searching for. Up to now, Reddit Answers, which is still labeled as being in beta, has lived in its own section of the service. The feature summarizes conversations from across Reddit in response to queries that users may otherwise seek out by adding Reddit to their searches on Google. Huffman said that Reddit Answers, which recently became available to all US Redditors, as well as a handful of international markets, already has 1 million weekly users. Thats only a small fraction of Reddits 401 million weekly users, but adding it into Reddits primary search box should give it a boost. Huffman said the change is part of a broader strategy to improve search across Reddit. Reddit Answers, he said, could help make the service more accessible to new users and guide people who come to the site via search engines. The change could also be somewhat controversial Reddit users arent exactly known for loving big changes to the service though Huffman acknowledged users may not always want an AI-generated summary in response to every search. Sometimes people will want the summarized, annotated, sterile answers from AI, and we're even building this ourselves in Reddit Answers, Huffman said. But other times they want the subjective, authentic, messy, multiple viewpoints that Reddit provides.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-will-integrate-ai-answers-into-its-main-search-bar-223907171.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
Microsoft just increased all Xbox prices: Grab one before the hikes go into effect Microsoft Gaming is about to get a lot more expensive at least for Xbox fans. Effective today, May 1, Microsoft is increasing the price of Xbox consoles and controllers, and not by an insignificant amount: The Xbox Series S 512GB, is now $380, more than a 25 percent increase from $300. The Xbox Series X 1TB Digital is now $550, a 22 percent increase from $450. The Xbox Series S 1TB is now $430, a 22 percent increase from $350). The Xbox Series X 1TB with Blu-ray is now $600, a 20 percent increase from $500. The Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition is now $730, a 22 percent increase from $600. The news doesn't end there. Controllers and headsets now start at $65 and top out at $200 for the "Full" Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Games will also increase in price, though not right away: "Some of our new, first-party games will launch at $79.99 beginning this holiday season," Microsoft explains. That last one seems more about leaning in to Nintendo's ambitious Switch 2 game pricing, and less about any possible tariff impact (though it's worth noting Xbox prices are going up worldwide, not just in the US.) But not all is negative, as if you're in the market for a new console, prices at online retailers have yet to catch up. Before you whip out your credit card, remember some key caveats here. The current Xbox platform is effectively five years old, with the leaked mid-gen "Brooklin" refresh seemingly canceled. An all-new Xbox generation is also expected to arrive in the next few years, perhaps 2028, with leaks suggesting it may be a "cloud hybrid" machine. And more and more previous Xbox exclusives are beginning to pop up on the PS5, too. That said, if you've been waiting to buy an Xbox, now is the time, as these legacy prices could disappear any minute. Best Xbox deals This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/microsoft-just-increased-all-xbox-prices-grab-one-before-the-hikes-go-into-effect-192628921.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
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