News
E-Book Review: “Owning Model S” – The Definitive Guide to Buying and Owning the Tesla Model S
Nick Howe’s “Owning Model S” book has been receiving rave reviews from Model S owners and enthusiasts worldwide. But despite the temptation to purchase it, I held off on buying the paperback because I’ve been waiting for the e-book version. Well it’s finally here and I’m ecstatic to be reviewing it.
The e-Book
I consider myself pretty well read on the Model S from browsing through forums and blogs, but what surprised me most about ‘Owning Model S’ was that there was an abundance of hidden tips and useful information on the Model S that I never knew about. Not only is the book rich with content and contains excellent narratives, diagrams and pictures, but it’s also really well structured.
Forums are great for an interactive social discussion and you have the patience to comb through the noise, but they can drive you crazy if you’re just trying to find a specific piece of information! The book reads really well from front to back and also serves as a great reference guide. The sections are laid out in a very organized manner which allows you to quickly find the information you’re looking for.
As $16.95 the book may run a bit pricier than other traditional e-books, but given the considerable amount of time that went into the research and production of the book, I think it’s worth every penny.
e-Book Benefits
I usually install my e-book on multiple devices ranging from my desktop computer, a laptop computer, my iPhone 5 (and later 6) and my iPad mini. My e-books can be read on many popular devices. Having this type of access allows me to read it wherever I am and regardless of my device.
e-Books also come with a quick search capability that your traditional paperback doesn’t have. With the e-book you’re able to search by keyword and jump directly to the information you need. Much like a physical book you can also highlight sections of the book and mark key pages. The images in ‘Owning Model S’ are in high quality so you’re able to pinch zoom without it being distorted.
I made the move to all e-books years ago for many of the reasons above and I think the e-book format is the only way to go.
e-Book Challenge
No “Copy” in this e-book
Authors like Nick Howe have to be concerned about people copying his work and distributing it freely. That means Nick needed to protect his work through a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system. I’ve never published an e-book before but one thing I do know is that it’s possible to get published on the Amazon Kindle store. Considering Amazon provides readers for all platforms including one of the most popular e-book readers in the world, it’s hard to understand why ‘Owning Model S’ did not go down this path, thus limiting itself to distribution and convenience for its readers.
For “Owning Model S” they went with an Adobe DRM format that requires a special e-book reader you’re not likely to have used before. The process for getting the reader involves registering an account with Adobe (many people won’t have accounts with Adobe before this), downloading the reader (not by Adobe if on a mobile device) and finally opening the encrypted book which you should have received via email after purchasing online from EVAnnex. You’ll have to repeat this set up using the special reader on every device that you intend on using.
It’s confusing and it’s a pain. But to their credit, they do provide helpful instructions on how to move through the process. Amazon Kindle is unfortunately not supported, and don’t even think about reading this from your Model S 17″ touchscreen.
Other features missing from the reader is the ability to synchronize your read position across devices and the ability to select and copy text. Another really odd feature or lack thereof is the ability to click on URLs. And since you can’t copy text, there’s no way for you to copy the URL and paste it into a browser.
Ultimately, ‘Owning Model S’ is one of the most comprehensive guides for the Model S and a must have by all owners. I would love to see Nick put the book on the Amazon store one day and open distribution up to more devices and potential readers.
The Model S is an amazing feat of technology, but you don’t have to be a geek to drive it. That said, you shouldn’t have to be a tech savvy geek to be able to read about it either.
News
Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access
The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.
SpaceX’s Starlink, the satellite internet program launched by Elon Musk’s company, has gotten its latest airline adoptee, offering stable and reliable internet to passengers.
Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday that it would enable Starlink on its aircraft, a new strategy that will expand to more than 300 planes by the end of the year.
The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.
Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer and Brand Officer for the airline, said:
“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our Customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel. Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving Customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”
Southwest also said that this is just one of the latest upgrades it is making to provide a more well-rounded experience to its aircraft. In addition to Starlink, it is updating cabin designs, offering more legroom, and installing in-seat power to all passengers.
Southwest became one of several airlines to cross over to Starlink, as reviews for the internet provider have raved about reliability and speed. Over the past year, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, airBaltic, Air France, JSX, Emirates, British Airways, and others have all decided to install Starlink on their planes.
This has been a major move away from unpredictable and commonly unreliable WiFi offerings on planes. Starlink has been more reliable and has provided more stable connections for those using their travel time for leisure or business.
Jason Fritch, VP of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, said:
“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Southwest Airlines and its Customers that really is similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home. Starlink is the future of connected travel, making every journey faster, smoother, and infinitely more enjoyable.”
Starlink recently crossed a massive milestone of over 10 million subscribers.
Elon Musk
Tesla nears closure of Full Self-Driving purchasing option
The move to bring FSD to this type of purchasing program comes after CEO Elon Musk noted in January that Tesla would move away from the outright purchase option.
Tesla is nearing the closure of its Full Self-Driving outright purchasing option, which will be removed on February 14, meaning Saturday will be the last time it can be bought as a non-subscription.
Tesla is aiming to move its Full Self-Driving suite to a subscription-only platform, a move that will enable people to only pay monthly for the semi-autonomous driving functionality.
The move to bring FSD to this type of purchasing program comes after CEO Elon Musk noted in January that Tesla would move away from the outright purchase option.
It is currently priced at $8,000 for the outright option to use Full Self-Driving, a substantial decrease compared to the $15,000 it was priced at one time. For the monthly subscription, it is just $99 per month, but that price will change, likely increasing as things get more advanced.
Tesla is overhauling its Full Self-Driving subscription for easier access
We say it will likely increase because there is no indication of how Tesla will price FSD. There has been some speculation that Tesla could utilize a tiered system to price FSD, which would potentially allow owners to pick and choose a set of features that would be most ideal for them.
This would potentially introduce an even more affordable option for FSD use, but this is unconfirmed. The reason many say this could be an option for Tesla is the fact that if the price goes up further, the take rate, which is currently around 12 percent at its most recent estimate, could be lower.
Musk needs 10 million active Full Self-Driving subscriptions to unlock one of the tranches of his newest compensation package.
The move to a subscription-only platform has its positives and negatives, and owners have been more than vocal about these since Musk confirmed the move.
Positives
- Lower barrier to entry and higher potential adoption
- Financially better for many users
- Easier transfers and brand loyalty
- Predictable recurring revenue for Tesla
- Access to the latest features
Negatives
- Higher long-term cost for loyal/long-term owners
- No true “ownership” or permanence
- Risk of future price hikes or even deactivation
- Perceived as of less value
- Impact on resale and used market
Overall, there is a split among the Tesla community in terms of what they see as the “right” way to handle this. Tesla is likely to shed more details on what its plans for the subscription-only platform will be, including pricing, in the coming weeks.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Boring Company selected for Universal Orlando tunnel project
The underground transport tunnel is designed to address the persistent gridlock surrounding International Drive.
Elon Musk’s The Boring Company has been selected for a proposed underground transit system connecting Universal Orlando Resort and the newly opened Universal Epic Universe.
The underground transport tunnel is designed to address the persistent gridlock surrounding International Drive.
As noted in a blooloop report, Universal’s Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District approved a resolution showing its intent to designate The Boring Company as the contractor for the project.
The agreement covers the full scope of the project, from the tunnel’s design, construction, and maintenance. The project has also been described in public documents as a “point-to-point innovative transportation” initiative with a 25-year agreement.
The proposed Boring Company tunnels would directly link Universal’s existing parks with Epic Universe, which sits roughly three miles away from Universal Orlando Resort. Today, buses are the only direct connection between the two destinations.
Project requirements were quite stringent. Bidders were required to demonstrate at least $75 million in bonding capacity, have a minimum of seven years of operational experience, and show prior delivery of a comparable project valued at $25 million or more within the past 15 years. The Boring Company, thanks in no small part to the Vegas Loop, meets these requirements.
The Orlando selection adds to The Boring Company’s growing portfolio of Loop-style systems. In Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop has transported more than two million passengers in Tesla vehicles through underground tunnels since 2021. The greater Vegas Loop system is also under construction.
For now, residents in the area seem enthusiastic about the upcoming project. In a comment to Fox35, residents noted that the tunnels could improve traffic in the area.
“We are very congested at certain times and certain hours and that would certainly help with people not having to budget their time,” Mary Walters-Clark, a resident, stated. Another resident, Scott Heinz, echoed similar sentiments. “I think it would be a new opportunity to lessen traffic load and good for visitors as well,” he said.
The tunneling startup has started bringing its Loop projects to international locations. It recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to explore the development of a 17-kilometer underground Loop network beneath Dubai.
Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access
Tesla nears closure of Full Self-Driving purchasing option
