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Top 5 Electric Cars for Winter and Snow, Advised by Specialists

choosing the appropriate EV for usage in winter conditions involving snow necessitates careful consideration of certain technical and performance aspects. Cold temperatures affect driving behavior due to slippery surfaces, snow, and ice, but battery performance is just as crucial. Lithium-ion batteries show decreased chemical reactions in low temperatures, which leads to diminished energy availability and slower charging speeds. Moreover, heating the cabin in EVs directly utilizes battery power, further diminishing the effective driving range.

In addition to reduced range, winter driving requires excellent traction, either all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive capability, a well-designed stability control system, and tires suitable for snowy and icy conditions. When assessing EVs for use in winter, important factors should consist of: the extent of range reduction in cold weather (the durability of the battery and thermal systems), whether the vehicle incorporates a heat pump or other effective cabin and battery heating methods, the strength of the driveline and AWD systems in low-grip scenarios, as well as cold weather charging efficiency.

Research indicates that in freezing conditions, many EVs generally operate at 75% to 85% of their optimal temperature range. Vehicles featuring a heat pump generally experience less range loss. In snowy areas, vehicles with a lower center of gravity (due to ground-mounted battery packs), improved chassis stability, and specialized winter/traction models perform better. Let’s examine five EVs that excel in winter and snowy conditions, combining range durability and effective traction.

Audi e-tron (premium plus)

Guide to Keeping Your Steam Deck Touch Screen Clean

Steam Deck modifications and enhancements can further boost its capabilities. However, like any electronic gadget, it is crucial to maintain and clean your Steam Deck periodically to prevent the accumulation of oil and grime. This is particularly important for the Steam Deck’s touchscreen, which you’ll likely be engaging with frequently as you browse your library and games. Keeping the screen clean is essential to prevent scratches and ensure smoother interactions. Although it may be tempting to grab Windex or your usual lens cleaner for the touchscreen, this has been widely discouraged on various forums and websites.

Instead, Valve advises a straightforward approach to maintain the cleanliness of the Steam Deck’s touchscreen display. According to the official Steam Support Care and maintenance guidelines for the Steam Deck, Valve suggests that Steam Deck users utilize a dry microfiber cloth for display cleaning. Furthermore, if liquid is necessary, Valve recommends applying a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth before gently rubbing the screen. Directly applying alcohol to the screen can lead to damage, which Valve states will not be covered under the handheld’s warranty.

Reasons to avoid using cleaning products on your Steam Deck

How to Improve Your Exercise Routine Utilizing Your Treadmill’s USB Port: 4 Impactful Techniques

how you can leverage your TV’s USB ports to energize streaming devices — as well as the kinds of gadgets you can connect to your phone’s USB ports — but what can you really accomplish with the USB ports on a treadmill? Aside from charging a mobile phone or power bank, there are additional ways to transform the USBs on our fitness equipment into genuine workout allies and entertainment hubs

Whether you’re a frequent treadmill user or simply seeking the right inspiration to resume exercising, we’ve devised four methods to utilize your treadmill’s USB port to enhance your workout experience. From powering handy workout gadgets to downloading essential software updates for your equipment, these suggestions are intended to make each workout more fulfilling.

Stay refreshed with a USB-operated fan

Perspiration is a normal aspect of the exercise routine, but that doesn’t imply you have to enjoy it. If you think you could benefit from a gentle breeze to help cool off while using the treadmill, consider getting a compact USB-operated fan. There are various models designed to attach and clamp onto the arms and other parts of your treadmill, and one of our top picks is the Gaiatop Mini Portable Stroller Fan. Offered in six different colors, the fan features a 2,000-milliamp rechargeable battery built in. When fully charged, you will receive

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Cloudflare Service Interruption Impacts Online Platforms: ChatGPT, X, Spotify, and Many Prominent Websites Affected

You’re not alone — Cloudflare disrupts numerous major sites, here’s the explanation

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

If you’ve not been miraculously exempt from the Internal Server Error 500, you are likely aware that many websites online aren’t functioning properly today. The cause behind this is a significant outage at Cloudflare, a major internet infrastructure provider that supports a multitude of large websites and platforms.

As one of the most dependable infrastructure providers, Cloudflare’s Content Delivery Network has consistently facilitated the replication of websites across various servers globally, ensuring swift loading times for users everywhere.

Nevertheless, its pivotal role in powering numerous popular apps, websites, and services also positions it as a crucial bottleneck when issues arise, like this morning. This is what occurred, the impacted websites, and Cloudflare’s somewhat inconsistent history regarding these particular attacks.

Guide for Configuring Safety and Emergency Functions on the Pixel Watch 4

It takes just a few moments to make sure that your loved ones are informed in the event of an emergency, and that responders have the ability to access your medical and insurance details.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and earlier models encourage you to establish critical safety and emergency functions. Since you likely bypassed this step to dive into using your new smartwatch, assistance is needed now to activate these features, ensuring your Watch 4 can request help during an emergency, even when there’s no cellular signal.

You are able to update your emergency and medical information in two locations. On your Pixel Watch 4, swipe down from the primary watch face, tap the Settings gear icon, and scroll down to the Safety & Emergency section. Alternatively, in the Pixel Watch mobile application, if your smartwatch is connected via Bluetooth, you can locate the same Safety & Emergency section under Settings on the main app screen.

Certain functions of the Pixel Watch 4 are automated; others necessitate prior manual configuration, such as Safety Check. This guide walks you through the surprisingly extensive array of safety features on the Watch 4 that can provide you and your family reassurance — or possibly save your life.

Configure and personalize Emergency SOS on the Pixel Watch 4

1. On your Watch 4 (or previous Pixel Watch model), access Settings, scroll to Safety & Emergency, and select Emergency SOS. If it’s not enabled already, switch the feature on.
2. Tap on Ways to initiate SOS. By default, you have to press the crown five times, then press and hold the screen for three seconds. Alternatively, you can set the Watch 4 to Automatically call; after the five button presses, it’ll contact 911 after a five-second pause.
– If you opt for the latter, decide whether to toggle Play a sound on or off; it’s a loud alert to notify you that it’s about to make a call, with a cancellation option displayed.
3. Finally, select Who to call for assistance. By default, Emergency SOS connects you to Emergency services, but you can opt for a personal contact instead by tapping Manage contacts and selecting an option from your saved contacts.

Switching to a personal contact makes Emergency SOS feel less “official.” You can quickly reach out to family members for help, without incurring ambulance fees or involving law enforcement, but there’s no assurance they will answer promptly as 911 would.

I suggest keeping 911 as the default choice. You can depend on the Personal Safety app to inform family members.

Select what information is shared during an emergency

1. Press the crown and open the Personal Safety app.
2. Scroll down to Emergency info access.
3. Tap Share during emergency call to permit “Emergency Location Service” to share your GPS location and Medical Info with emergency responders.
4. Back in the main app view, tap Emergency contacts to manage your contacts; tap Add contact to include more or use the trash icon to delete contacts.
5. In the primary app view, select Medical Info and then Edit on phone.
6. On your paired device, you can input your date of birth, blood type, height, weight, allergies, pregnancy status, medications, address, organ donor status, and any other medical details. This information will be shared if you enabled “Share during emergency call” above.

Using the Personal Safety app for Safety Checks or Emergency Sharing

If you frequent the gym at night, return late from campus, or face any situation where you have concerns for your safety, the Pixel Watch’s Personal Safety app is a proactive solution to manage those worries.

1. Launch the Personal Safety app from the app drawer, then select Emergency Sharing.
2. Under “Share with,” toggle specific emergency contacts on or off, then tap Share real-time location.

Your contacts will receive an SMS reading, “You’re receiving this message because you’re an emergency contact for [Your name]. [Name] is sharing their real-time location with you: URL. Please call or text

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Best Buy Provides More than $140 Discounts on Meta Quest 3S Acquisition

The Black Friday offers are truly starting to ramp up at Best Buy.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

To be truthful, when I reported on the Black Friday Meta Quest offers yesterday, I had no clue that Best Buy was about to overshadow every other retailer with an amazing deal of its own. Live and learn, right?

As of this morning, if you purchase the Meta Quest 3S 128GB during the festive sale Best Buy will provide you with a $50 discount off the price

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Battery Life Span of the Google Pixel 10

Will You Require Additional Portable Chargers?

Following the launch of the Google Pixel 10 series, numerous users are curious about the necessity of acquiring more portable chargers to ensure their devices remain powered throughout the day. The Pixel 10 lineup, encompassing the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, features remarkable battery life and charging performance, but is this sufficient to negate the requirement for extra charging accessories?

Battery Performance of the Google Pixel 10 Series

The Google Pixel 10 series is built to deliver significant enhancements in battery life compared to earlier models. All three versions are rated to last a minimum of 24 hours on a single charge with typical usage. When Extreme Battery Saver is activated, Google asserts the devices can endure for up to 100 hours. The Pixel 10 is equipped with a 4,970mAh battery, the Pixel 10 Pro contains a 4,870mAh battery, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is fitted with a 5,200mAh battery.

Charging Features

Although the Pixel 10 series provides satisfactory battery longevity, the charging features are another important aspect to take into account. The Pixel 10 and 10 Pro support 25W wired charging, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL can handle up to 40W. Utilizing a 30W USB-C PPS charger, the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro can achieve up to 55% charge in 30 minutes, whereas the Pixel 10 Pro XL can reach around 70% with a 45W charger.

Wireless charging is present across the entire lineup, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL enabling faster 25W wireless charging due to the Qi2.2 standard, while the other models are capped at 15W.

Is There a Need for More Portable Chargers?

Considering the enhanced battery life and charging speeds, the necessity for extra portable chargers might diminish for many users. Nevertheless, for those who are often traveling or extensively using their phones throughout the day, having a portable charger can still serve as a practical backup. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, with its larger battery and quicker charging features, is the optimal choice for those focusing on battery duration.

Ultimately, whether you need additional portable chargers hinges on your usage habits and way of life. If you frequently find yourself depleting your battery, investing in a portable charger could offer reassurance and convenience.

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Potential Benefit Exposed by Disclosed Battery Dimensions of iPhone Fold

### Apple Analyzing Largest iPhone Battery Ever for iPhone Fold

Speculation hints that Apple is preparing to unveil its inaugural foldable iPhone, provisionally titled the iPhone Fold, next year. Recent disclosures have shed light on the anticipated battery capacity of this groundbreaking device.

As per leak aggregator yeux1122, the battery capacity presently undergoing testing for the iPhone Fold is considerably greater than that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Reports suggest that the battery for the iPhone Fold is being evaluated within the 5400-5800 mAh range. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a battery capacity slightly above 5000 mAh, making the potential for the iPhone Fold to reach or possibly exceed 6000 mAh significant.

The iPhone Air, for example, was initially assessed with a peak battery capacity of 3000 mAh, ultimately achieving 3149 mAh in its finalized version. This indicates that Apple is striving for a major enhancement in battery life with the iPhone Fold, particularly given the complications posed by its expanded display.

The iPhone Fold is rumored to possess an internal display approximately 7.58 inches in size, a considerable rise from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 6.9 inches. This increased screen size might result in higher battery usage during intensive operations. However, the device will also feature a smaller external display of around 5.38 inches, which is anticipated to use significantly less energy.

### 9to5Mac’s Perspective

While it’s still unclear if the iPhone Fold will attain battery life that matches or surpasses that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the current testing outcomes are encouraging. There are also suggestions that Apple intends to equip the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max with an even bigger battery, potentially establishing a new benchmark for battery efficiency across its lineup.

Considering the high price point expected for the iPhone Fold—likely exceeding $2,000—Apple is probably going to prioritize battery longevity to fulfill consumer demands. After dealing with battery-related issues with the iPhone Air, the company will aim to ensure that the iPhone Fold provides exceptional performance.

In summary, the leaked details about the iPhone Fold’s battery capacity are a positive indication for prospective users. As Apple continues to evolve in the smartphone arena, an emphasis on battery life will be vital for maintaining its competitive advantage.

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Beginning Tomorrow, Additional iPhone Users Will Be Able to Integrate Their Driver’s License into Apple Wallet

Apple Wallet’s support for digital driver’s licenses and state IDs is on the rise, with Illinois officially announcing that as of tomorrow, iPhone users will have the capability to include their driver’s license or state ID in the Apple Wallet app for digital usage. With this update, this feature is now accessible in 13 states, plus Puerto Rico.

### Apple Wallet Driver’s License Capability in Illinois

Today, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias shared the news. Starting tomorrow, residents of Illinois can access the Wallet app on their iPhones and quickly add their driver’s license through a few simple steps. Users will be required to take a picture of their license and perform a Face ID-style scan, followed by a short waiting period for identity confirmation.

After the license is integrated into Apple Wallet, it can be utilized in-person, online, and in-app at selected establishments. This includes TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports nationwide, like O’Hare, Midway, and Lambert. Although Apple has not released a complete list of establishments that recognize mobile driver’s licenses, further information on where Apple Wallet digital driver’s licenses can be used is available through various channels.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, conveyed her excitement regarding the launch, asserting, “Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet bring users one step closer to supplanting the physical wallet with a convenient, secure, and private digital wallet… The introduction of Illinois driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet enhances everyday experiences further.”

The rollout of mobile ID support in the Wallet app to Illinois comes after Apple’s earlier launch of Digital ID in Wallet. Both features are present in the Wallet app:

– **Digital ID**: Accessible to anyone in the United States possessing a passport.
– **Mobile driver’s license or state ID**: Offered in specific states and Japan.

Both can be employed at TSA checkpoints throughout the U.S., and mobile driver’s licenses might be recognized at additional businesses and organizations. Apple has signaled that “more Digital ID acceptance scenarios” will be forthcoming.

As residents of Illinois get ready to incorporate their driver’s licenses into Apple Wallet, the ease and security of digital identification persist in transforming how individuals engage with their identification in routine scenarios.

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Thieves in London Return Stolen Mobiles When They Aren’t iPhones

### The Change in Smartphone Theft: Why Criminals Favor iPhones Over Androids

No one wishes for their smartphone to be stolen, but a recent article from the local journalism outlet London Centric indicates that non-iPhones are becoming less appealing to thieves.

#### London Centric Highlights Multiple Android Users Whose Phones Were Declined by Thieves

Though it may appear that phone thieves in London will take any device within reach, an increasing number of signs suggest that many are primarily drawn to Apple iPhones. Numerous Android users residing in the capital, who shared their experiences with London Centric, mentioned they underwent an emotional rollercoaster after they were robbed — only to have their device returned.

The article conveys accounts from a few of these Android users in London, some of whom possessed Samsung Galaxy devices. For instance, there’s the account of Sam, who was robbed by a group of eight men in January. The thieves seized Sam’s phone, his camera, and even the beanie hat he was wearing. After ensuring Sam had no further belongings, they began to flee. What transpired next was unexpected. With most of the gang already heading down the Old Kent Road, one individual turned back and handed Sam his Android phone, bluntly declaring, “Don’t want no Samsung.”

In a similar vein, Galaxy owner Mark had his device snatched by a thief on an e-bike. Mark recalls, “I saw him stop, glance at my phone, then toss it on the pavement. He pedaled away and I picked my phone up.” Another amusing tale features Simon, who encountered an unusually affable stranger (and potential thief) who lost all interest upon Simon revealing his phone. This made Simon realize that his fortuitous meeting was related to a possible mugging. He overheard the would-be thief explaining to his supposed accomplice their reason for backing off: “Phone’s dead, innit.”

As highlighted by John Gruber at Daring Fireball, iPhone versus Android ownership in the UK is roughly split down the middle. However, it’s evident that, particularly due to high resale values, the iPhone continues to be significantly more sought after.

Have you ever experienced or heard a tale similar to this, where an Android phone was rejected by thieves? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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