The high school version of me would have been all over this.
More on Ford and Tesla ⇢
Tim Stevens, writing on his very excellent Substack:
That’s my favorite joke from my software engineering days, one that I’m sure is older than me by decades and probably predates the invention of digital computers. The sad part is, it’s a joke I’ve been able to use again even long after I left that career behind.
Today, I get to dust it off for the rather disheartening news that Ford is, seemingly, abandoning the single biggest global charging standard for its EVs, the standard that already defeated another major charging standard, the standard that finally, after years of confusion, aligned every major global EV manufacturer — well, except for one.
This change is a frustratingly bad move for consumers and I’ll gladly tell you why, but first a little background.
Ford to Add Support for Tesla Superchargers ⇢
Ford PR has some good news for its customers:
- Starting early next year, Ford EV customers will have access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, in addition to the over 10,000 DC fast-chargers that are already part of the BlueOval Charge Network. This will give Ford EV customers unprecedented access to fast-charging.
- Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit customers will be able to access the Superchargers via an adapter and software integration along with activation and payment via FordPass or Ford Pro Intelligence.
- In 2025, Ford will offer next-generation electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector built-in, eliminating the need for an adapter to access Tesla Superchargers.
- The reliable Tesla Supercharger network has already established charging corridors across the U.S. and Canada.
I’ll leave the merits of the NACS connector to others, but from a consumer stand point, this seems like great news.1 Tesla has a ton of chargers, and with Ford continuing to build out their own network, drivers will have even more locations where they can charge quickly.
If EVs are every going to be as convenient as traditional vehicles, drivers will need to be able to easily charge just about anywhere, without having to worry about standards or adaptors. I don’t have to worry about what kind of gas pump I pull up to my truck, and EV drivers should have the same peace of mind.2
- It does mean that North America may end up with a different standard than the rest of the world, if other brands follow Ford in giving up the CCS standard. A lot of folks think CCS should win everywhere. Granted, it’s not clear if Ford is replacing CCS with NACS, or if they will offer both charging ports on future vehicles, and of course, there’s not a single CCS connector as different companies have implemented it differently. Ah yes, standards. ↩
- I really think the Toyota Tundra I just bought could be my last ICE vehicle; I would have loved a Lightning but it just wasn’t in the cards this time around. ↩
Connected #451: A Bath in the Genius Tub ⇢
This week on an action-packed episode of podcast:
An old problem is back, Myke found an unusual way to fix his Apple Watch, Federico is dazzled by magnets and Stephen feels weird about some apps.
Apple Announces WWDC Keynote ⇢
I can’t be in Cupertino for the keynote on Monday, but I’ll be in town Tuesday-Thursday to hang out and record a couple of podcasts.
I can’t believe WWDC is almost here again. This marks 10 years of going for me, and it’s always a fun week.
Final Cut & Logic for iPad Released
Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are out now for select iPad models. I played with Logic for a few minutes, and was pretty disappointed when it failed to import the template I use to edit Connected, running in to the same error Dan Moren got. I should be able to adapt my files for the iPad, but being an iPad mini user, I don’t see me switching over very often. All of that said, I am psyched that these apps are finally here.
Don’t miss Jason Snell’s hands-on with them.
Mimestream 1.0 Launches ⇢
Neil Jhaveri, writing about my favorite email client for the Mac:
Mimestream combines the power of macOS with Gmail’s advanced features for a new kind of email client that lets you move through your email effortlessly. Unlike other email clients that use the decades-old IMAP protocol, Mimestream uses the Gmail API for a new kind of lightning-fast experience that’s full of features. Built using the latest technologies from Apple, using Mimestream is a breath of fresh air that you’ll see and feel.
Today’s launch culminates a public beta of over 2 years, with more than 167,000 users joining the beta. During this time, we released 220+ updates, made 2500+ improvements, added 100+ new features, and grew the company from a solo founder to a team of 5. Mimestream is mature, reliable, ready to take on your most serious email workloads, and will continue improving.
I’ve been using Mimestream for most of its beta, for both my personal Gmail account and my work Google accounts. It’s fantastic, and an insta-buy for me. I know it doesn’t support iCloud and other email providers, but if you’re in Google Land, this is the way to go.
Sponsor: Unite 4 for macOS ⇢
Unite 4 for macOS allows you to turn any website into an app on your Mac. Using a lightweight, WebKit powered browser as a backend, you can easily create isolated, customizable apps from any site.
Unite 4 includes dozens of new features, including support for native notifications, new customization options, and much more. Unite apps also serve as a great alternative for resource hogging Electron apps or half-baked Catalyst apps.
Some examples of apps you could create in mere minutes with Unite:
- A Gmail web client that behaves like a native mail client.
- A status bar app for Apple Music or Overcast
- An isolated workspace for apps that may track you like Facebook
- A Google Meet app that works efficiently without using Chrome
- A fully featured Instagram app that has a resizable window, unlike the M1 version.
- A Robinhood, Figma, or Roam Research app for your desktop.
512 Pixels readers get 20% off this week when you purchase Unite 4 at bzgapps.com/unite512 or when you use the promo code ‘512Pixels’ at checkout.
You can also try Unite for 14 days absolutely free or use it as part of your subscription if you’re a Setapp subscriber!
xrProOS ⇢
Just a few weeks ahead of WWDC, it appears that Apple continues to secretly apply for trademarks related to its rumored AR/VR headset.
Delaware-based shell company “Deep Dive LLC” submitted a trademark application for “xrProOS” stylized in Apple’s SF Pro font on May 18 in Argentina, Turkey, and the Philippines, according to online records. The same company applied for an “xrOS” trademark in SF Pro in New Zealand earlier this month, and it is very likely that Apple is behind both filings as the company moves early to protect its headset-related intellectual property.
As my buddy Zach said in the Relay FM Discord, this has big five blades energy. Also… just look at the URL for this blog post. Woof.
I’m really hoping this is a defensive trademark.
Mac Power Users #693: Workflows with Mark Bramhill ⇢
Mark Bramhill’s name will be familiar to many, as he produced Welcome to Macintosh, a true great in the world of Apple podcasts. This week on MPU, he chats with us about his podcasting career, using a Mac mini as a home server, the power of Descript and what it was like to create an emoji.
Apple Unveils new Tysons Corner Store ⇢
Apple Tysons Corner in Virginia was one of the first two Apple Stores to open back in May 2001. This week, it is reopening in a new location and features a new design that brings back an old friend. Michael Steeber has details:
Today, Apple revealed its most comprehensive redesign of the Apple Store experience in nearly a decade. The Genius Bar is returning with a reimagined design. There’s an all-new space for more immersive product discovery. Store accessibility has been improved, and new design elements emphasize sustainability. It was 22 years ago at Tysons Corner that Steve Jobs showed the world how to “Shop Different.” Now Apple is back in the mall where it all began to start a new chapter.
Genius Bar support has been fundamental to the Apple Store experience since day one, and now Apple is once again creating a dedicated, identifiable space within the store for customers to find solutions. At the new Apple Tysons Corner, the Genius Bar is located exactly where it was in the first Apple Store — the far right corner. The new bar is built into an alcove lined with wood credenzas attached to backstage. Sitting and standing counters enhance accessibility.
Just look at this thing; I love how this looks:
As Steeber points out, Apple hasn’t built a new Genius Bar since The Great Apple Store Redesign of 2015. I am glad it’s back, and I hope it’s more than a one-off for this special retail location.
OpenAI Launches Official ChatGPT iPhone app ⇢
Searching for it in the App Store is a mess, as there are a ton of other apps using the service and its name, but if you want the official experience, there’s an app for that.
