DETROIT - From electric car startups to the old-school Detroit auto giants, the automotive industry is gearing up for a battle royal as companies race to deliver the first all-electric pickup truck to the mass market. The best-selling vehicle in the U.S. is a pickup truck (Ford's F-150). Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales have been steadily rising
NOVI - ITC Michigan, which owns and operates the high-voltage electricity grid in most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, has once again lit up one of its 150-foot tall transmission towers in Novi with colorful holiday decorations. The transmission tower is decorated with approximately one-third mile of rope lights (17,700 bulbs). The display includes a 10-
LONDON (AP) — Imagine a world where you move around in your own personal sound bubble. You listen to your favorite tunes, play loud computer games, watch a movie or get navigation directions in your car — all without disturbing those around you. That’s the possibility presented by “sound beaming,” a new futuristic audio technology
SEATTLE - Amazon has announced an upgraded model of its Echo Frames smart glasses, adding better sound quality, longer battery life, and new colors. Amazon also is offering Echo Frames to buy, as the company transitions the Alexa-equipped glasses from a “Day One Edition” invitation-only device to a full-fledged product. The second-generation Echo Frames will cost $249.99
DETROIT - Digital license plates have been allowed in California and Arizona since 2019; now they are allowed in Michigan, too, but not yet for sale. At a starting price of nearly $500 a plate with a $55 yearly connectivity fee, only 3,300 people have them in California and Arizona. The company that created them, Reviver, is in discussions
ANN ARBOR - Residents of Detroit, Inkster, Flint and Washtenaw County will soon benefit from expanded free Wi-Fi access at more than 50 community locations across S.E. Michigan. The effort, part of Merit Network’s Michigan Moonshot initiative, was supported by contributions from the Toyota USA Foundation and Cisco. Washtenaw Intermediate School District and Merit Network
FARMINGTON HILLS—The online information services provider Gale announced the rollout of enhancements to its interactive online learning system for children ages 3 to 6, called “Miss Humblebee’s Academy.” New features include the following interface enhancements: Guided Learning Path: An updated classroom setting gives children a visual queue of a starting point, interval achievements, and a
ANN ARBOR—The artificial intelligence developer Clinc announced the appointment of Mahesh Baxi as the organization’s chief customer officer, effective immediately. “Enterprises with complex infrastructures are continuing to adopt new, cutting-edge technology, including AI, for various business purposes—in particular, customer service,” Baxi said. “I am looking forward to enabling a successful journey for both customers who
ANN ARBOR–The Ann Arbor software developer Wisely announced that it plans ot offer restaurants free contact tracing as multiple states implement new related regulations. Michigan and New Hampshire have announced contact tracing requirements. The orders require restaurants and bars to collect names and phone numbers of all patrons, should they need to be informed by
SAGINAW - Discover Great Lakes Bay is hosting a virtual networking experience that will offer job opportunities for young professionals currently in the region or who have left and are interested in returning home. The event will feature regional employers and representatives who live in this community. Those employers have specific positions available; go to
