Tesla, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is currently facing allegations that it has been trying to downplay complaints regarding the performance of its vehicles. According to sources cited by Reuters, the company had a secret team in Las Vegas called the Diversion Team, whose purpose was to cancel service appointments related to driving range issues.
If a customer complained that the range of their Tesla vehicle did not meet the marketing claims, Tesla advisors would allegedly tell them that the range figures provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were just predictions and that battery degradation would reduce the actual range. It is reported that Tesla began manipulating range estimates about a decade ago in order to exaggerate the figures when the EV was fully charged. The vehicles would only show more accurate range numbers once the battery charge dropped below 50 percent. Additionally, Tesla used a 15-mile buffer when the range estimate reached zero, similar to how traditional combustion engine cars still have some fuel in the tank when the gauge reads empty.
While Tesla is not the only EV company accused of inflating range estimates, it appears to be worse than most. A recent study published by the standards body SAE International revealed that EVs typically fall 12.5 percent short of their official range during highway driving. However, Tesla’s shortfall was reported to be 26 percent, which is more than double the average. The company has also faced previous accusations of exaggerating EV driving range.
It is important to note that these allegations have not been verified and should be viewed as speculative until further evidence is provided. Tesla has not yet responded to the specific allegations regarding the Diversion Team.
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On the gaming front, Call of Duty, one of the most popular video game franchises, is adding another celebrity character to its roster. Nicki Minaj, the renowned rapper, will become the first playable female celebrity Operator character in Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare 2. This move is part of the game’s “50 Years of Hip Hop Celebration,” which also features Snoop Dogg and 21 Savage as playable characters. Nicki Minaj will have her own storefront within the game, where players can purchase items related to her character.
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In the tech industry, Microsoft is facing an investigation by the European Commission regarding the inclusion of its communication and collaboration platform, Teams, in Microsoft 365 product suites. The probe was initiated after rival messaging app Slack filed an antitrust complaint in 2020, alleging that Microsoft’s bundling of Teams with its Office suite was illegal. Although Microsoft agreed to remove Teams from the Office suite to avoid a probe, the European Commission is still concerned about potential distribution advantages that Teams may enjoy.
Last but not least, Adobe has introduced a new feature in its Photoshop beta release called Generative Expand. This feature utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to grow an image beyond its original size. Users can now drag the crop tool beyond the picture’s boundaries and add new content, with or without a text prompt. This AI-powered feature not only helps when an image is too small but also allows users to change aspect ratios more easily. Adobe has hinted that more generative AI features will be introduced in the coming months.
Overall, these recent developments in the automotive, gaming, technology, and healthcare sectors highlight the ongoing innovation and advancements taking place across various industries. While Tesla’s alleged attempt to minimize complaints raises concerns about transparency, other companies are introducing exciting products and features that aim to enhance user experiences and meet evolving consumer needs.
