Tesla events 17 & 28 October

Tesla product unveiling on the 17th (unexpected by most), followed by Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 9, 2016

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted about a, “product unveiling on the 17th”, recently. Looks like the event promised for the second part of the Model 3 unveil, “later in 2016.” In June, he said this second part of the unveil would be, “the obvious thing.”

Existing solar installations mount solar cells above a conventional roof. Consensus appears to be that, “Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th”, will be a solar roof, in which the roof itself is composed entirely of solar cells.

Inverse – 3 theories about Tesla’s surprise product announcment
https://www.inverse.com/article/21957-new-tesla-product-is-coming

Wired – Tesla to unveil 'unexpected' product next week
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tesla-event-october-17-elon-musk

Electrek – Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces unexpected product unveiling Oct. 17th & Tesla SolarCity event Oct. 28
https://electrek.co/2016/10/09/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-announces-unexpected-product-unveiling-oct-17th-tesla-solar-city-event-oct-28/ / Elon Musk promised new product electric car company Tesla tweeted unexpected product launched company 17 October 17 launching two new products this month new unknown product solar roof battery created Tesla SolarCity Tesla product unveiling Tesla/SolarCity 28th tweet launched could second part Tesla's Model 3 launch March revealed most affordable electric car Model 3 more than 400,000 preorders high-quality electric vehicle range over 215 miles range greater than 215 miles reach 60mph six seconds support Tesla Supercharger network car launched May Elon Musk big event second part car's launch later 2016 Code Conference June Musk second event for the car would unveil "the obvious thing" 28 October 28 Tesla SolarCity reveal solar roof integrated Powerwall 2.0 battery Tesla charger billionaire new energy efficient roof publicly seen first time San Fransisco Bay 28 October 28 roof made entirely solar cells integrate products Musk's electric car company integrated home battery Powerwall 2.0 Tesla charger customise design fit specific housing design new roof sustainable energy sustainable renewable environmental energy /

Tesla in New Zealand in 2017

Tesla Powerpack utility & business energy storage
Credit: electrek

To date, Tesla has not marketed in New Zealand. They plan to change this in 2017, with a Tesla Store, service centre & sites for Superchargers. Product range will include cars, Tesla Powerwall & Powerpack.¹ Orders will be taken on-line from this November, & local recruiting will begin immediately.

Although not “marketed”, there have been accounts of private imports. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/how-many-teslas-in-new-zealand.46754/

EVs are a particularly good match for a country where around 73 percent of electricity is generated from renewable sources: hydro (60%), geothermal (10%) & wind (3%). Solar is less than 1%. Wave & tidal are in design & testing.²

NZ Herald – Tesla coming to New Zealand next year
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11723975

Stuff – Tesla confirmed for NZ launch in early-2017
http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/85061582/tesla-confirmed-for-nz-launch-in-early2017
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¹ Tesla: “Powerpack”, https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/powerpack?redirect=no

² consumer.powerswitch: “Green energy – Answers to questions about renewable & non-renewable energy sources”, https://www.powerswitch.org.nz/powerswitch/site-info/powerswitch-faqs/green-energy / Powerpack bi-directional inverter inverter converts AC grid power DC Powerpack storage converts DC power AC grid interconnection Powerpack Controller onsite computer interface creates control signals relays commands inverter DC combiner integrated application control software control signals relayed SCADA system Powerpack Combiners combiners allow for multiple Powerpacks wired controlled together software state of the art battery management software controls performance cell pod pack level built in control software dispatch locally hosted interface direct Modbus DNP3 connection scheduled autonomous operation additional software integration demand response peak shaving microgrid installations utility-scale grid integration Tesla customer testimonies customer testimony commercial Powerpack Powerpacks Tesla Energy energy management operational efficiency renewable energy systems Advanced Microgrid Solutions Tesla Energy Tesla Model 3 available New Zealand customers overwhelming demand Model 3 enthusiasm owners imported Tesla Tesla New Zealand future site Tesla Store Service Center sites Superchargers Tesla Powerwall Powerpack products begin taking orders online recruiting local talent New Zealand launch Tesla topped sales estimates Elon Musk boost staff raise profit ramp up production Model 3 /

Tesla Model S racer for Electric GT World Series makes an appearance

Electric GT
Credit: Electric GT/The Verge

News of a racing series for Tesla Model S cars first began to appear in March of this year. Now, more news has emerged, including a car & a driver.


Interior gutted, wheel replaced, central screen retained
Credit: Electric GT/The Verge

Compared to Formula 1 (3 day event – race not over 305 km (189.5 miles), nor more than two hours), Formula E is a compact format – an entire event – practice (1 hour sessions), qualifying (1 hour), & race, are packed into a single day. Electric GT will be even more compact, with a 20-minute practice, 30-minute qualifying, & two races of 60 km (37 miles) each.

Unlike Formula E, which uses street circuits, all Electric GT races will be held on traditional race tracks.

A seven race series will start in 2017.

Leilani Münter,^1,2 ARCA^3,4 racer, environmental activist, vegan, biology graduate, & hippie chick, has been contracted to drive. She is credited as the author, of the maxim, “Never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car,” an insight which is rarely challenged.



The Verge – How to start a racing series with Teslas — an interview with the CEO of Electric GT World Series
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/1/13124944/electric-gt-tesla-world-series-fia-interview-ceo

Green Car Reports – Tesla Model S race car for Electric GT shown
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1106347_tesla-model-s-race-car-revealed-for-electric-gt-series

Electric GT World Series home page
http://www.electricgt.co/#closer
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¹ Wikipedia: “Leilani Münter”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leilani_Munter

² “leilani.green Official Site of Leilani Münter”, http://www.leilani.green/

³ Wikipedia: “ARCA Racing Series”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARCA_Racing_Series

⁴ ARCA Racing Series: http://www.arcaracing.com/ / Tesla Model S racing series Electric GT World Series grid modified Model S zero-emissions GT road car based racing championships begin 2017 car grid Tesla Model S P85+ new championship Electric GT World Series seven-race season 2017 races Europe America Asia organisers tracks used Barcelona Spain Donington UK Mugello Italy Estoril Portugal 10 teams team two modified Tesla Model S P85+ road cars power unit control software unchanged standard road car 416hp horsepower 601Nm torque changes aerodynamics suspension brakes more suitable for racing car's weight reduced tearing out unneeded upholstery battery's cooling system improved drivers foot on the throttle longer Agustin Paya professional racing driver promoter Electric GT World Series P85+ rear-wheel-drive newer P90D all-wheel-drive chosen more suitable for racing easier to fix in a pinch drivers prefer RWD track future Formula E plan Electric GT World Series allow range different cars grid Tesla Model S one of the best cars ever made best 100 percent electric cars luxurious super tourer made for racing weight distribution low centre of gravity considerable mass more than two tons allows unbelievable cornering speed unending torque add up great racing car testing Barcelona Catalunya F1 Circuit Madrid Jarama circuit Model S GT champion Electric GT pull in the punters Formula E engine noise Model S much larger battery Formula E cars car-switching battery back swapping races last more than 100 or 150 miles Tesla racing exciting techies Teslaphiles tune in favourite car electric race car racing car lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range Electric GT Holdings race series Tesla Model S electric car electric vehicle EV Electric GT Formula E fastest longest-range longest range electric road car production Model S Model S P85+ high performance Model S dual motor all wheel drive D variants /

Politicians discussing global warming – when it is important to appear to be doing something

“Politicians discussing global warming” – a sculpture by Isaac Cordal
Credit: Isaac Cordal/Twitter

Sniping at those who are actually getting on with it is another way to appear to be doing something – particularly valuable if you need to deflect attention from your own inaction.

“What if climate change is just a hoax?” has been used to good effect too.

Some have found, “I don’t believe in global warming”, appropriate in some circumstances.
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See more work by Isaac Cordal on his website:
http://cementeclipses.com/works/

Isaac Cordal on Wikepedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Cordal / politicians discussing global warming when it is important to appear to be doing something climate change global warming greenhouse gas CO2 carbon dioxide methane carbon monoxide greenhouse effect fossil fuel fossil carbon heatwave weather heat wave flood rising sea level rise greenhouse green house gas carbon dioxide CO2 anthropomorphic anthropocene global warming climate change climatologist anthropogenic human methane CH4 /

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires – fire in a replacement phone

Fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee has been attributed to a Note 7 charging on the dashboard
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

Fires in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 & the resulting recall have been widely publicised.

But it gets worse:
● a fire has occurred in a replacement phone – ostensibly fixed

● previous fires have occurred exclusively in phones which were charging – which implied that a Note 7 could be rendered safe by turning it off

● in this most recent case, the phone had been powered down shortly before it began smoking

The Verge – Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13175000/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-replacement-plane-battery-southwest

If you have a Note 7:
● stop using it now
● place it in a non-flammible area
● power it down
● return it as soon as possible

Here's everything you need to know:
https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-7-return-exchange-faq/

Cnet – Here's why Samsung Note 7 phones are catching fire:
https://www.cnet.com/news/why-is-samsung-galaxy-note-7-exploding-overheating/ / fire Jeep Grand Cherokee Note 7 charging on dashboard Samsung Galaxy Note 7 halt sales Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery retailers stop selling phones Samsung halt sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones prepare replacement devices phones already sold multiple reports exploding batteries Australia's biggest phone retailers stopped selling phone reported problems were being investigated Samsung take about two weeks prepare replacement devices phones already sold high-end gadget launched just weeks ago users have complained battery fault caused phones explode catch fire while being charged 35 cases of problems smartphone concerned customers return the phone outlet where they purchased it JB Hi-Fi Optus Telstra remove phones unclear how many phones been affected telecommunications provider paused sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 investigation by Samsung customers concerns Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset visit nearest Optus store discuss their options Telstra investigating problem Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung precaution paused Galaxy Note 7 sales Telstra spokesperson contact existing owners directly issue affecting their phones unclear how many phones have been affected problem nip it in the bud right now analysts expect the Note 7 problems to be resolved quickly ongoing major problems derail Samsung's mobile recovery string of product successes reversed the smartphone leader's declining market share South Korean firm maintain strong sales momentum stiffening competition Apple Inc release its latest iPhone Samsung name exploding battery injury Investors stripped about $7 billion off Samsung Electronics' market value shipment delays Samsung halt sales Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery retailers stop selling phones Samsung halt sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones prepare replacement devices phones already sold multiple reports exploding batteries Australia's biggest phone retailers stopped selling phone reported problems were being investigated Samsung take about two weeks prepare replacement devices phones already sold high-end gadget launched just weeks ago users have complained battery fault caused phones explode catch fire while being charged 35 cases of problems smartphone concerned customers return the phone outlet where they purchased it JB Hi-Fi Optus Telstra remove phones unclear how many phones been affected telecommunications provider paused sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 investigation by Samsung customers concerns Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset visit nearest Optus store discuss their options Telstra investigating problem Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung precaution paused Galaxy Note 7 sales Telstra spokesperson contact existing owners directly issue affecting their phones unclear how many phones have been affected problem nip it in the bud right now analysts expect the Note 7 problems to be resolved quickly ongoing major problems derail Samsung's mobile recovery string of product successes reversed the smartphone leader's declining market share South Korean firm maintain strong sales momentum stiffening competition Apple Inc release its latest iPhone Samsung name exploding battery injury Investors stripped about $7 billion off Samsung Electronics' market value shipment delays on Thursday /

Google's Pixel Android phone

Google Pixel & Pixel XL smartphones in Really Blue (limited edition, USA only), Very Silver & Quite Black
Credit: Google/TechCrunch

Google has just unveiled its new Android phone, the Pixel, which it is billing as its first phone.

And the Nexus series of phones? Google always shared billing with the actual manufacturer.

Although manufactured by HTC, there is no mention of their involvement anywhere on the Pixel, only the “G” on the lower back.


Credit: Cnet

Pixel & Pixel XL are almost identical apart from:

● 5 inch screen on the Pixel & 5.5 inch screen on the Pixel XL

● XL has more pixels (1080x1920 vs 1440x2560) & more pixels per inch (441 ppi vs 534 ppi)

● battery – 2770 mAh vs 3450 mAh in the XL

Most outstanding feature is the camera, which Google describes as, “the best smartphone camera ever made,” – which DxOMark has supported by a score of 89 – highest ever awarded to a mobile phone camera. Features include a 12.3-megapixel sensor with large, 1.55 micron pixels, & an f/2.0 lens.

Read what DxOMark had to say at: https://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Pixel-smartphone-camera-review-At-the-top

RAM is unspectacular at 4GB. 32GB flash storage is standard, but with no microSD slot, the 128GB option looks like a good choice.

Complete specs at GSMArena:

Google Pixel
http://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel-8346.php

Google Pixel XL
http://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_xl-8345.php


The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/4/13161028/google-phone-announced-pixel-xl-price-release-date-specs

TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/04/google-pixel/

Gizmodo
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/10/google-pixel-australian-hands-on/

LifeHacker
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/10/google-pixel-and-pixel-xl-australian-pricing-specs-and-release-date/ / Pixel phone by Google announced pre-event leaks revelations Google new Pixel Pixel XL smartphones official size and resolution screens 5 inch 1080p display Pixel 5.5 inch Quad HD panel XL two devices built HTC Google takes full credit design explicit phone by Google branding Pixel models latest Snapdragon 821 processor special version Google Android OS operating system support Daydream virtual reality platform Google I/O Pixel name Rick Osterloh hardware chief hardware software designed built Google new Pixel phones Google Assistant Pixel new Google Assistant built in touch and hold home button hot word Assistant Google event demo Assistant photos from a particular time place past plays whatever music play choosing your favorite music app integrates Google Now on Tap functionality bot Google Assistant voice prompts camera experience Pixel Pixel XL rear camera scores 89 DxOMark highest rating ever benchmark most consistent measure good performance indicator sensor's potential new Pixel phones 12.3-megapixel resolution large 1.55-micron pixels f/2.0 aperture Google new camera shortest capture time mobile camera ever gyroscope-based video stabilization stabilisation no optical image stabilization for stills Google best smartphone ever endless cloud storage unlimited cloud storage Google allow free unlimited storage full-resolution images videos shot with Pixel standard Google Photos backup takes off the size limit compression4K video shot with the new phone connectivity and communications Pixel users latest Android updates directly from Google become available Android Google Pixel's battery endurance battery life fast charging 7 hours power 15 minutes charging built in 24-hour live phone support Pixel's software tech support operator Google Duo pre-installed Google’s video chat app mobile virtual reality Pixel first Daydream-compatible phone Google $79 Daydream View headset accommodate Pixel VR use Daydream View tiny motion controller precise controller Daydream View safe storage hardware Pixel phones aluminum big glass window at the back camera, flash fingerprint sensor Pixel Imprint Pixel XL 3,450mAh battery Pixel 2,770mAh battery display AMOLED 4GB RAM USB-C 32GB or 128GB flash storage Bluetooth 4.2 3.5mm headphone jack Google Live Case Nexus devices pricing $649 smaller 5-inch Pixel 32GB storage available pre-order today /

Chevy Bolt electric vehicle – range claims supported by growing number of road tests

Some time ago, Wired achieved 240 miles (386 kilometres) on a single charge (with range to spare) in a Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle. Since that time, two other road tests have achieved similar results:



Green Car Reports:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1106077_2017-chevrolet-bolt-ev-first-drive-240-miles-in-an-electric-car / Chevy Bolt electric car electric vehicle EV cell battery charge recharge charger fast charger Supercharger lithium ion LiIon LiFeO4 lithium iron phosphate Tesla 60 kWh kilo Watt hour battery 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car 240 miles single charge lowest range achieved driving four Bolt EVs along the California coast same trip 32 miles remaining car’s display 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric car 238 mile EPA range rating 119 MPGe combined Bolt EV EPA range rating 238 miles combined real-world use six-hour drive route 235 miles Monterey California south Santa Barbara scenic coastal Route 1 one of the most frustrating routes in the world Chevrolet team member comparatively free slow-moving rented motorhomes gawking tourists half the drive route covered speeds 40 to 60 mph country roads highway toward the end trip keep up with traffic 70 to 75 mph crested 2,000-foot pass over coastal mountains descending sea level our destination air conditioning low counter temperatures more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit miles before final grade Bolt replaced miles-remaining number instrument cluster orange Low Range warning halfway up the grade warning began flash insistently GM passenger it’ll be fine warning comes up based variety factors kicked in on the early side some battery capacity remaining traveling up to 75 mph before starting the steep climb 60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack motor rated up to 150 kilowatts 200 horsepower relatively light Bolt EV remaining range inescapable physics energy used overcome aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed mix of speeds Bolt EV delivered 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour 240 miles used 58.7 kwh 97.8 percent total stated pack capacity of 60 kwh less aggressive driver achieved 4.8 mi/kwh 4.5 mi/kwh remaining range price half average Tesla sold today electric car market second-generation Nissan Leaf Tesla Model 3 electric BMW crossover utility compact-sized electric car Volkswagen other vehicles 200 or more miles of range Bolt EV pre-production Bolt EV may not quite correspond final vehicles hit dealer floors before the end of the year Bolt EV’s shape short length tall height boxy bigger car substantially larger Chevy Spark Mitsubishi i-MiEV interior wide remarkably spacious four tall adults can sit easily inside unlike Volt flat floor center position rear real seat seating position perched on a hump Bolt’s interior large crisp displays central touchscreen touch screen fully digital instrument cluster size resolution brightness easier to read information simple speed range remaining energy cluster total energy consumption other data central display thin seats comfortable room in the back full-sized adults normal Drive mode gear selector lever just like automatic transmission idle creep keep foot on the brakes alternative Low range increases regenerative braking considerably smoothly slow the car complete stop without using brakes one-pedal driving Tesla Bolt EV regen Chevy electric cars mimic automatic-transmission driving experience various modes that increase regen one-pedal driving conventional mode Bolt EV genuine one-pedal driving conventional feel idle creep entirely absent in Low hill-hold function mode Sport mode remaps accelerator deliver power more quickly weight 3,580 pounds relatively light 60-kwh battery size 94-cubic-foot interior volume handling and roadholding predictable 200-hp motor more than enough performance keep up with traffic acceleration is good too looks considerably smaller than it actually is tall wagon small minivan interior volume 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV more interior volume than you'd expect superb instrumentation electric-range cars costing twice as much enjoyable performance electric vehicle Bolt EV usual test route recharge speed winter 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV pricing features trim levels options released car on-sale /