The big thing is the (supposed) mid-$20k base price. Exact pricing hasn’t been announced yet (and seems likely to increase, what with tariffs and unpredictable AI-based electronic component shortages). But if they actually do manage to bring a small, practical electric truck to market for, say, $27,000 and they can actually produce them at scale so there isn’t a years-long waiting list to get one…
Well, that will be a big deal, I think.
And, yeah. Doesn’t seem like it will be spyware on wheels, since it doesn’t even come with an infotainment system. You’re meant to mount your own phone or tablet to the dash instead. Those, of course, have their own spyware issues. But you could always just not do that if you’re worried about your privacy – you’d have no nav and no music, but also no spyware. Or just use an old tablet that doesn’t have an internet connection or something.
I have legit thought about just bringing an old school “boombox” style stereo into the car. I got one a couple of years ago for like $60 and aside from the cassette and radio, it can be connected to with aux and bluetooth, so that would be a slightly hilarious way to play music in the car.
The big thing is the (supposed) mid-$20k base price. Exact pricing hasn’t been announced yet (and seems likely to increase, what with tariffs and unpredictable AI-based electronic component shortages). But if they actually do manage to bring a small, practical electric truck to market for, say, $27,000 and they can actually produce them at scale so there isn’t a years-long waiting list to get one…
Well, that will be a big deal, I think.
And, yeah. Doesn’t seem like it will be spyware on wheels, since it doesn’t even come with an infotainment system. You’re meant to mount your own phone or tablet to the dash instead. Those, of course, have their own spyware issues. But you could always just not do that if you’re worried about your privacy – you’d have no nav and no music, but also no spyware. Or just use an old tablet that doesn’t have an internet connection or something.
I have legit thought about just bringing an old school “boombox” style stereo into the car. I got one a couple of years ago for like $60 and aside from the cassette and radio, it can be connected to with aux and bluetooth, so that would be a slightly hilarious way to play music in the car.
That’s not really far off from what Slate themselves are offering.
One of the sound system options is literally just a bluetooth speaker box that you attach to the bottom of the dashboard.
Yeah, I know, and honestly that is perfect as long as the speaker isn’t isn’t total crap.