Waymo partners with Phoenix Valley Metro for better last-mile mobility
Instead of replacing current transit options, Waymo wants to make them more appealing.
Transit may cover a lot of ground, but there's still the problem of first-mile and last-mile mobility, which helps get folks to and from stations that aren't within easy walking distance. Waymo thinks it can help solve that problem, at least in the Phoenix area for now.
Waymo announced today in a Medium post that it has entered a partnership with Valley Metro, which is the regional transportation authority for the Phoenix area. The two will work together to see how Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing options can help bridge the gap between current public transit routes and the people who need to use them.
The partnership will operate in phases. The first phase will start in August, when Waymo will start offering its ride-hailing services to Valley Metro employees who need to reach public transportation. The second phase will extend Waymo's services to Valley Metro RideChoice users. RideChoice provides deeply discounted taxi rates to seniors and people with disabilities, and it's at this point is when Waymo will begin to gather data to see how its service impacts people in the Phoenix area.
Eventually, Waymo wants its service to be opened up to the public at large, offering the kind of first- and last-mile solutions that could make public transportation even more accessible. This could reduce traffic by making public transit more appealing, but at the very least, it will help the underserved get where they're going more efficiently.
This focus on enhancing, not replacing, public transportation is one of Waymo's four main pillars. It's already made headway on the other three -- creating a ride-hailing service, creating self-driving trucks for the logistics industry and working with OEMs to create personally owned autonomous vehicles. We're still a few years away from any of these goals being fully realized, but the pace at which Waymo is flying is good news.
Why You Can Trust CNET Best E-Bikes and Scooters to Give in 2024
Take your holiday gifting game to a new level with one of the best e-bikes or scooters of 2024.
- Author of Taking your Android Tablets to the Max
- 6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
- Desiree's previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.
Sometimes you want to go all out and spoil your loved ones for the holidays. If you're looking to splurge, electric scooters and electric bikes are hot items this year. Both e-bikes and electric scooters make it easier to go on longer rides, tackle hills or just cruise around town. And not only are they trendy, but they're sustainable too, making them a worthy investment.
We've curated a list of our favorite e-bikes and scooters to give to loved ones for the holiday, and we've included options for every type of rider, from the adventure-loving teen to the commuting spouse and even that friend who needs an extra nudge getting over hills.
Note that if you decide to take the plunge and purchase the perfect rideable for your loved one or friend, you'll want to check the model's specifications, age recommendations and class -- and read over the local laws to see if there are any restrictions that apply to your area.
There are a few safety-oriented "must haves" for an e-bike you're going to be riding around a city, but when you start shopping for folding bikes, a few of those features quickly become optional. Unless, that is, you buy from Heybike. The Ranger S foldable bike not only comes with a great headlight and a surprisingly good integrated horn, but it's also got integrated turn signals and an easy release mechanism for the battery so it can be changed even when the bike is locked outside. The rear rack makes it great for hauling groceries or gear from the office, and the folding mechanism makes it easy to tuck the bike away when not in use. It's a great bike for just about any environment, but for a city rider, this frequently my first and last recommendation.
-- Russell Holly
The Lectric XP 3.0 is your gateway to an elevated and powerful adventure. It takes Lectric’s award-winning XP 2.0 design to the next level, providing the company’s best ride to date. A quieter motor, increased torque, hydraulic brakes, longevity boosters and added suspension are only a few of the many notable upgrades with this epic e-bike design. Best of all, brand-new optimized gearing makes riding at higher speeds smoother than ever before. The XP 3.0 is also compatible with fan-favorite new accessory options, including the Yepp Seat and a Passenger Package that can hold riders up to 150 pounds.
The M20, especially the green and brown version, looks almost exactly like a motorbike from World War II, with the two gas tanks being replaced with batteries. It's not exactly a bike for long-distance riders -- the seat isn't designed for that -- but it is a constant joy to ride on small trips as well as off-road. The suspension is good and the 750 watts can get you across just about any terrain. Oh, and the double battery version easily does 75 miles on throttle alone. If the person you're giving it to loves to have fun, I'd recommend the M20.
-- James Bricknell
Cruiser bikes are their own unique experience. You're not riding for the most intense workout or to get somewhere as fast as possible, and you're not flinging yourself down a mountain for thrills. Cruisers are for the love of roaming, and when you add an e-bike motor to an already great cruiser, you get the SixThreeZero Around the Block. A 500-watt motor with a rear-mounted 48-volt battery (an integrated battery model also exists) can reach 20 mph if you really need to go fast, but it's clear from the extra comfortable seat and large display that this is a ride for savoring the experience. And by coming it at just under $1,000, it's an experience you don't need to take out a loan to enjoy.
-- Russell Holly
The Super73-Z Adventure Series is a top choice among older teens and young adults thanks to its undeniable cool factor. With its rugged looks and powerful 600-watt motor, it feels almost like riding a stripped-down motorcycle. This e-bike can tackle most terrains at impressive speeds. One drawback is that if you're going over rough trails, you'll probably notice its lack of full suspension. The front fork and fat tires help, but it can still be a bit of a bumpy ride. The comfortable seat is a welcome addition, and it's long enough to fit an extra rider in the back.
Yes, CNET gave its sibling, the Super73-R, a lackluster ranking -- don't go for this brand if you're looking for a pedal-friendly bike -- but the Super73-Z listed here has a lower price while still maintaining the Adventure Series' head-turning aggressive design and ease of control over speed. Building out of the box is relatively easy, but keep in mind that you'll likely need to tune it up after breaking it in.
-- Desiree DeNunzio
There are a lot of scooters out there and most of them are fun to ride. The Turboant X7 Max is fun, but it's also large enough to feel more stable for a big guy like me. The range is around 25 miles when an adult rides it, but the top speed of 20 mph works for either kids or adults. My middle schooler rides this to school every morning and loves it, and I ride it whenever I want to have fun on my trips to the gym.
-- James Bricknell
If you've got money to burn and you want to make someone's morning commute an absolute joy, the Apollo Go is a great choice. Thanks to its dual motors and top-notch suspension system, we rated it our top pick for the best electric scooter of 2024. It supports riders up to 265 pounds, has an estimated range of 20 to 30 miles on a full charge, and can zip around at a top speed of 28 mph.
-- Desiree DeNunzio
Why You Can Trust CNET Best Hybrid Vehicles for 2024
If you're looking to save money at the pump and help keep the air just a little cleaner you should consider a hybrid.
Gas prices are volatile on the best of days and it's difficult to predict when they may skyrocket. Because of this, you may be looking to make the switch to a hybrid vehicle. There's a huge selection of hybrid models on the market right now, and all of them will help you make fewer stops at the pump and keep more cash in your pocket. Below, in no particular order, you'll find some of CNET Cars team's favorite hybrids on the market right now.
First up, a Toyota, but probably not the model you're thinking of. Did the Prius come to mind? Instead of that groundbreaking model, we've selected the Highlander Hybrid. A large and versatile three-row utility vehicle, this thing has an upscale interior, plenty of high-tech goodies and loads of refinement. Of course, it also delivers incredible fuel economy. The front-drive model stickers at 36 miles per gallon combined. That's crazy for something that can seat up to eight people.
Now it's time for a plug-in hybrid, and a luxury model, no less. Porsche offers a couple different gasoline-electric powertrains in its Panamera. There's the 4 E-Hybrid and the Turbo S E-Hybrid. Each powertrain is offered in the standard sedan, extended-length Panamera Executive and even the Sport Turismo wagon body styles because that's not confusing.
Anyway, the less-potent of these two powertrains features a twin-turbocharged V6 augmented by an electric motor. This package delivers 455 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. The more muscular variant is built around a twin-turbo V8 that's also bolstered by a motor. That setup gets you 690 hp and 641 lb-ft of twist! In either case, a 17.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides an electric-only driving range of 17 to 19 miles. As for fuel efficiency, expect right around 50 MPGe for each powertrain, less than half that when running on gasoline only.
Toyota is the automaker best known for building hybrids, but Ford has sold more than its share of gasoline-electric vehicles as well. Now, you'd never know that based on the new Explorer Hybrid, which is not great, but its little brother, the Escape Hybrid, is actually super nice to drive. Its amped-up powertrain is smooth and reasonably potent, delivering 200 horsepower. Fuel economy is, naturally, a strong suit. Front-wheel-drive versions sticker at 41 mpg combined, and that's hard to argue with. For even greater efficiency, a plug-in version of this vehicle is in the works as well.
Ford, and other automakers, too, are rapidly shifting away from sedans. But what if you want a fuel-efficient vehicle that's not a crossover or SUV? Well, Toyota will happily take your money in exchange for an Avalon Hybrid.
This sizable four-door is cushy and comfortable, with a large interior and plenty of refinement. Under the hood you'll find a 2.5-liter gasoline engine augmented by a couple electric motors. This team delivers 215 hp and up to 44 mpg combined.
The XLE trim serves base duty and kicks off at just about $38,000 including destination fees. Just be thankful they don't charge based on the square footage of its grille. If they did, Jeff Bezos couldn't even afford this car.
Much like the Toyota Highlander mentioned earlier, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a large and useful vehicle with tons of interior space for passengers, packages or both at the same time. With a plug-in powertrain, it's also super economical, returning 82 MPGe combined when running on electricity.
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V6 and a pair of motors that, among other things, function as a continuously variable transmission. Total system output measures 260 hp. With a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack onboard it offers an electric-only driving range of about 32 miles.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid builds on the all-around excellence of the standard CR-V utility vehicle by delivering significantly improved fuel economy and better refinement.
With standard all-wheel drive, its smooth-running two-motor hybrid system gives you 212 hp to play with, a nice upgrade over the regular model's 190. As for fuel economy, expect 38 mpg combined. When you factor in this Honda's versatile cabin and standard driver-assistance technology it's easy to see why it's a CNET Cars favorite.
One of the most beautiful plug-in hybrids available today is the Volvo V60. And hell, that's enough of a reason right there to include it on this list. In top-shelf Polestar Engineered trim, this Swedish long-roof features a turbo and supercharged four-cylinder engine augmented by a rear-mounted electric motor. All that jazz gets you 415 hp and just shy of 500 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, the performance is stellar, but so is the efficiency. With a fully juiced battery, you should get around 22 miles of electric-only range and 69 MPGe combined. Once that electron reservoir is depleted, expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving while running on gasoline.
Finally, there's an exotic hybrid worth mentioning. It has 600 hp on tap and can hit 60 mph in around 3 seconds. It's easy to forget the Acura NSX is a hybrid, but it is, one with three electric motors providing extra oomph and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. Efficiency ain't one of this car's strong suits, expect 21 mpg in mixed driving, but it goes like stink and gets loads of attention wherever you take it.
X Is Using Your Tweets to Train Its AI. Disabling That Is Still an Option, For Now
Changes set to go into effect Nov. 15 could mean users have no choice but to see their tweets used for AI training.
The AI platform used by X can learn from your user data, and soon it seems you won't be able to opt out.
Back in July, users of X found out that Grok AI, the platform's artificial intelligence model, opted them in for AI training on their posts and interactions. But the company, owned by Elon Musk, created an option that users could disable to prevent that from happening.
Now, a new terms of service for the site seems to signal that the company will no longer let users opt out. The changes, which X says will go into effect Nov. 15, state in part, "You agree that this license includes the right for us to (i) analyze text and other information you provide and to otherwise provide, promote, and improve the Services, including, for example, for use with and training of our machine learning and artificial intelligence models, whether generative or another type." The text is in a section titled, "Your Rights and Grant of Rights in the Content."
According to the terms of service, by using X, users are granting the company license to train machine-learning models on content that users post or provide. It's unclear whether that includes private data users provide to X, direct messages or other information that is not public.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last year, the service began collecting biometric data as well as employment and school history, as part of a move to use public data to train its AI.
Read more: How to Opt Out of Instagram and Facebook Using Your Posts for AI
For now, the option to opt out of Grok AI still exists on desktop and mobile versions of X. In settings under data sharing, the option reads, "Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning." Text below that states that the data may also be shared with X's "service provider xAI for these purposes." There's also an option on the page to "delete conversation history."
The training of AI systems on user data has become a controversial practice, with companies including Apple, OpenAI and Meta coming under scrutiny for training AI on data without permission, or in ways that are not evident to users. AI systems need more and more data to evolve and update their models, and tech companies are increasingly seeking new sources of information to feed them. That could lead to a data shortage in the next few years, some experts say. In Europe, where tech restrictions are more prevalent, companies including Meta and Apple are withholding some of their AI features.
How to opt out
Opting out of X's Grok training for now requires going into Settings, selecting Privacy and safety, and selecting Grok under the Data sharing and Personalization section.
If you manage multiple accounts on the platform, you'll need to opt out separately for each one.
Services and Software Guides
Why You Can Trust CNET Best Portable Jump-Starter Deals: Score Big Bargains on Top Car Battery Jump-Starters
You don't want to be caught up in an emergency looking for a jump-starter, and with these hot deals, you'll be glad you invested in one without draining your bank account.
Having a portable power station ready to go can be a big lifesaver, especially during emergencies like big storms, but are you also prepared for those upcoming road trips during the holiday season? Portable jump-starters are essentially big power banks that have jumper cables and can give your car enough power to get back on the road in just a few minutes. They are compact and can easily fit in most trunks. Thankfully, they're pretty simple to use.
If you're planning a drive, a dead battery can really bring your plans to a halt, not to mention it can also be pretty dangerous. Keeping a portable jump starter in your vehicle can bring you peace of mind of being able to stay on the go without having to waste time waiting for roadside services.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
With a portable jump starter of your own, you don't have to rely on another car to give you a jump. It doesn't cost a fortune to get your hands on one, either. We've gathered current discounts on portable jump-starters for vehicles both big and small to help you grab one for less.
With a peak current of 6,000 amps, this compact Avapow jump-starter is the most powerful model you'll find on this list, and it can handle just about any vehicle on the road. That includes any gasoline engine and even diesel engines of up to 12 liters, making it great for cars, trucks and motorcycles, as well as boats, ATVs and more. Plus, the intelligent jumper clamp has eight different protection systems in place so you don't damage the starter or your battery.
Be sure to clip the on-page coupon to get the additional $50 off. This deal is exclusive for Prime members. However, nonmembers can still enjoy a decent discount bringing it to $110.
With a 27,800-mAh capacity and a 4,000-amp peak, this Avapow portable jump-starter packs some serious power. It can start any vehicle with a gas engine, or any diesel engine up to 10 liters. It also has a built-in LED flashlight and two USB-A ports to charge your devices, and it can fully recharge in as few as four hours.
You can start dead batteries easily with this compact and powerful 1,000-amp portable lithium car battery jump-starter pack. It can last up to 20 jump starts on a single charge and is capable of powering up 6-liter gasoline engines and 3-liter diesel engines. This is also a power bank for charging your phone, tablet and other devices. Plus, there's a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight with seven light modes, including emergency strobe and SOS.
Currently 62% off at Amazon, this 1,700-amp portable charger packs a lot of power so you don't have to stress about a dead battery in the middle of nowhere, but it is bigger than some of the others on this list. Weighing it at 23 pounds, it may be too big for compact vehicles, but at this major price cut it's definitely worth considering for its fast-charging capability.
Regular car batteries can be jumped, but those who drive an electric vehicle are wise to keep a portable charger on hand, too. Sometimes navigation to a charging station doesn't work, or you just can't find one in time. A portable EV charger can give you peace of mind, especially when traveling longer distances. This one from Avapow is currently discounted to nearly half off. It delivers 40 amps of power and works at 240 volts/40 amps with a NEMA 14-50 plug and a 25-foot charging cable.
This Noco Boost model comes with jumper cables and can handle up to 6-liter diesel engines or 8-liter gasoline ones. It's a fairly compact option and is a good choice for those who want something that's not too unwieldy.
A smaller, portable charger includes a light that can be used as a flashlight or in strobe or SOS mode. It features dual USB outlets also for emergency cellphone charging. You get the compact jump starter and one smart jumper clamp, as well as a USB-C cable. It also weighs less than a pound, making it great for motorcyclists, too.
Clip the on-page coupon for the full discount.
At a little over 14 pounds, it's a little bulkier than some portable jump starters, the Stanley J5C09D is also a 120 psi air compressor and power station as well as a jump starter. Includes cables and air compressor nozzle adapter.
