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This smartphone-maker's first EV is wowza!

This smartphone-maker's first EV is wowza!

Xiaomi does what Apple can't.

Leander Kahney
March 29, 2024

If Xiaomi can do it, why can’t Apple?

The Chinese smartphone-maker just unveiled a great-looking electric car.

The SU7 (short for “Speed Ultra 7”) boasts an incredible 500-mile range and eye-watering acceleration. The sporty electric car rivals Porsches and Teslas, the company claims, at a fraction of those marquee brands’ prices. It starts at just $30,000 in China.

The SU7 looks hot af, and if it’s like other Xiaomi products, it will be well-designed and well-made.

Personally, I think Xiaomi makes great products. I own a couple, including an e-scooter and a portable electronic tire pump, and they could have come from Apple itself (if Apple made scooters and tire pumps).

Xiaomi makes a dizzying array of products, from smartphones to fish tanks and mechanical watches. And somehow, the company pulled off what Apple couldn’t, even after Cupertino blew $10 billion and wasted 10 years of effort.

Xiaomi’s success at making an EV — even if it isn’t fully self-driving — just makes Apple’s abandoned effort even more depressing. Come on, Tim Cook — crack the whip, make it happen!

If only Xiaomi’s EV was available in the United States. We have all the details here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Good news, bad news: The long-rumored iPad Air and iPad Pro updates are happening, but they’ve been pushed back till May. Looks like there’s something to the rumor they were delayed for a software update.
Here are the best ways to find out who called you from an unknown number.
This silicone magnetic strap is one of the best Apple Watch bands you can get, IMHO.
This is one badass setup.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Smartphone-maker's new EV aims to equal Porsche and Tesla

The Apple car met a sad demise not long ago. Now a rival smartphone-maker rolls out the hella-sporty Xiaomi SU7 EV.

Apple Pencil for Vision Pro might be in development

Quite a bit of evidence points to ongoing efforts to bring the Apple Pencil stylus to the Vision Pro AR headset.

New iPads won’t arrive until May and we can’t stop crying

The release date for the highly anticipated 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air leaves fans hanging … again.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

SwitchEasy Skin Silicone Magnetic Apple Watch Band

This Apple Watch band combines silicone and magnets into something supremely comfortable. The soft silicone feels great against your skin, while offering great water- and sweat-resistance. The magnetic closure is strong and stable, but makes it easy to put on and take off your Apple Watch (and adjust it throughout the day).

Shop big bargains on Mac, MacBook and iPad while they last

The new Woot! sale on Macs and iPads brings some bargain-basement deals on older gear you won't want to miss.

Grab JBL noise-canceling earbuds for less than $60

JBL Tune Buds offer advanced features similar to AirPods Pro. But you can get a pair for just $59.99.

^{A message from Cocosoft Technology}

Who called me from this phone number? 10 best ways to find out.

Finding out who called you from any phone number is easy. These top 10 sites can help you conduct background checks on any unknown caller.

Out Friday, Apple TV+ documentary chronicles Steve Martin's wild and crazy career [Updated]

Comedy legend Steve Martin, the original "wild and crazy guy," gets the documentary treatment on Apple TV+ on March 29.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 4 owners get Antennagate payout

On March 29, 2012, Apple settled its "Antennagate" controversy by giving affected iPhone 4 owners the chance to claim a whopping $15 payout.

Anker dock handles MacBook Pro and PC laptop [Setups]

A MacBook Pro and Anker dock setup easily swaps in a Windows laptop and connects to suitable displays and other peripherals.

Tweetz o’ the day

I chopped the head off a broken screen'd M1 Max MacBook Pro to become a fancy keyboard with a mobile compute powerhouse for Vision Pro
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley)
2:02 AM • Mar 29, 2024

First change to my Home Screen in ages. Just added Perplexity after signing up to a pro account and cancelling my ChatGPT sub.
Hugely impressed by its capabilities to find info and fact-check existing text.
— Leo Kelion (@LeoKelion)
12:43 PM • Mar 29, 2024

reached peak geek, testing the strength of my wifi signal in my Apple Vision Pro
introducing “AR WiFi&5G,” now available on the AppStore
who has faster wifi? can I come over 🤣
— Justin Ryan ᯅ (@futureio)
12:48 AM • Mar 29, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.

— Steve Jobs, 2005.

Today’s poll

What do you think of Xiaomi's EV?

Results from yesterday’s poll: How do you like Apple TV+ these days?

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