The vehicles use tech from MOIA America, the US wing of Volkswagen's self-driving subsidiary. Uber and MOIA plan to deploy thousands of ID. Buzz vehicles across the US over the next decade. LA is the pilot city, and if all goes well, it will spread to "multiple US markets." The companies say they're still on track for rides (with safety drivers) in LA in late 2026.
Uber / MOIA
The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen's modern take on the automaker's classic "hippie van" microbus. The head-turning EV has minivan-style sliding doors and seats up to seven people, making it a logical fit for larger groups hailing an Uber. The vehicle has a per-charge range of up to 234 miles.
After selling its in-house self-driving unit in 2020, Uber pivoted to a new strategy of partnering with multiple AV companies. It currently offers autonomous rides in the US with Waymo (Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta) and Avride (Dallas). Overseas, it has live service with WeRide in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Uber has a long list of other partners lined up for future services, including (among others) Rivian, NVIDIA and Zoox, the latter of which also plans to debut van rides in LA within the next year.
Correction, April 8 2026, 8:50AM ET: A previous version stated that driverless rides would be available in 2026; AVs are planned to be on LA streets in 2026, but with human safety drivers. Engadget regrets the error.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/uber-begins-testing-its-volkswagen-id-buzz-robotaxi-fleet-in-la-120000762.html?src=rss
Xbox’s Project Helix is an initiative designed to merge the convenience of console gaming with the flexibility of PC platforms. By incorporating technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution and advanced ray tracing, it aims to enhance gaming performance and visual quality. However, as Kevin Kenson explains, this strategy raises concerns about compatibility and the potential loss […]
This 12-sided clock turns global timekeeping into a calmer desk ritual
Keeping up with different time zones sounds simple until it becomes part of your everyday routine. You check your phone before a call, open another tab to confirm the hour, do a quick mental calculation, and still second-guess whether it’s too early in Tokyo or too late in New York. Not to forget the perils of push-notifications – a quick check of time leads you down a drain of doom-scrolling that you take an hour to return from! To add a layer of analog convenience in this increasingly digital setup, I present the Rolling World Clock.
Why Traditional World Clocks Never Quite Feel Right
The Rolling World Clock takes a familiar category and gives it a much smarter form. Instead of relying on screens, menus, or a row of tiny city labels, this analog desk object turns world time into a simple physical interaction. Built with 12 sides, each representing a major timezone city, it lets you roll from one location to another and instantly read the local time with a single hand. It’s a cleaner, more tactile answer to a problem that has long been solved in ways that feel unnecessarily digital.
That analog quality is a big part of the appeal. There’s a growing interest in devices that help people step back from constant digital interaction, and this clock fits neatly into that trend without feeling nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. It still solves a modern problem, especially for people working with global teams or keeping in touch with friends and family abroad, but it does so in a way that feels grounded and human. You’re not swiping, tapping, or toggling between screens. You’re just rolling the object in your hand and reading the time.
Built for modern routines, expressed through simple interactions.
The city lineup also makes it genuinely useful. The 12 sides cover major global time zones, including London, Paris, Cape Town, Moscow, Los Angeles, Karachi, Mexico City, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, and New Caledonia. That gives it enough range to be practical for a wide variety of work and lifestyle needs, whether you’re coordinating meetings, planning travel, or just trying not to message someone at the wrong hour.
Built for a More Intentional Desk
For the desk setup fanatics, there’s also a strong aesthetic argument here. The Rolling World Clock is available in black and white, two finishes that make it easy to integrate into a modern desk setup without fighting for attention. It has the kind of understated presence that works especially well for young professionals who want their workspace to feel differentiated without becoming visually noisy. It’s functional, yes, but it also reads as a design object, the sort of piece that quietly signals taste.
Clean lines, one hand, no distractions.
That balance of utility and personality is what makes this more than a novelty. If you work across cities, collaborate with clients in different regions, or simply like the idea of keeping global time visible without adding another glowing screen to your day, this clock makes a strong case for itself. It taps into a broader shift toward analog tools that feel slower, more deliberate, and more human, while still solving a very modern problem.
Feels as good in the hand as it looks on the desk.
Why It’s Worth Picking Up Now
At $49, the Rolling World Clock lands in a sweet spot for a desk upgrade that feels distinctive without being overcommitted. It also has the kind of giftable appeal that comes from being both useful and conversation-worthy. And with only a few left, it carries just enough urgency to make hesitation a risky move.
If your desk could use an object that feels smarter, calmer, and more intentional than another digital widget, the Rolling World Clock is worth grabbing now. It’s currently available in the Yanko Design Shop in black and white, and with limited stock remaining, this is one of those rare functional design pieces you probably shouldn’t wait on.
Meta has released a new version of WhatsApp for CarPlay that has much better integration that its previous version. As MacRumors and9to5Macreport, the new app gives users access to a native interface. The old WhatsApp for CarPlay is mostly limited to Siri-operated features. Users can, for instance, ask Siri to compose messages or place calls for them. The new interface has a contact info section, where they can see the profiles of people saved in their account, as well as a favorite contacts section that makes it easy to find users they usually message or call.
Users can also find a list of their recent chats and call history within the app. Plus, they’ll see new shortcut buttons for sending messages via dictation or for placing a call, in case they don’t want or can’t give verbal Siri commands. Meta has been beta testing the new app since at least last week. Now that it’s available, users can have access to all the features we’ve listed by updating their iOS app and connecting to their infotainment systems. OpenAI also recently rolled out ChatGPT's Voice mode to CarPlay, allowing drivers to hold a conversation with the chatbot while on the road.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/whatsapp-adds-a-better-native-interface-for-carplay-112127361.html?src=rss
Running a company entirely without human intervention might sound like science fiction, but David Ondrej’s video below explores how this concept becomes feasible with Paperclip, an open source platform for managing autonomous AI agents. Paperclip allows users to assign AI agents specific roles, such as CEO or operations manager, within a simulated corporate hierarchy. These […]
Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a significant overhaul of its MacBook Pro lineup, with a redesigned model expected to debut in early 2027. This update could represent one of the most substantial changes to Apple’s flagship laptop in recent years. Key highlights include the introduction of an OLED display, next-generation M6 Pro and M6 […]
Lossless Scaling, as explored by Retro Game Corps, offers a unique way to enhance gaming visuals and performance through AI-driven upscaling and frame generation. Designed to work across platforms like Windows and Linux-based handhelds such as the Steam Deck, it brings smoother gameplay and sharper visuals to games and emulators alike. Its standout feature, integer […]
Apple is preparing to unveil the highly anticipated iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max this September, aiming to elevate the premium smartphone experience to new heights. With significant advancements in design, performance, and functionality, these flagship models are poised to redefine industry standards. Despite ongoing global component shortages, Apple has committed to maintaining […]
Google’s latest AI-driven design system, Stitch, offers a structured approach to interactive design by incorporating features like predictive heatmaps and instant prototyping. Powered by Gemini AI, Stitch enables users to quickly generate interactive design flows while analyzing potential user interactions, significantly reducing manual adjustments. As highlighted by World of AI, its AI-native canvas supports multitasking […]
Wireless charging was supposed to simplify things. Instead, most Apple users end up with a tangle of pads and cables on the nightstand, one for the iPhone, another for the Apple Watch, and a separate spot for the AirPods. The technology meant to reduce friction has become its own kind of mess, especially for anyone who’s ever scrambled for a Watch charger before a morning flight.
Satechi’s 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 25W takes aim at that problem. The San Diego brand has updated its best-selling foldable charger with a meaningful upgrade, bumping wireless power delivery for compatible iPhones to 25W, a notable jump from the 15W ceiling most MagSafe-compatible pads have been stuck at. It’s built as a proper desktop stand, not just something you tolerate next to the lamp.
Set the phone down on the magnetic charging surface, and Qi2’s built-in alignment snaps it into position so you don’t lose power from an off-center placement. The Apple Watch sits at a comfortable angle on its dedicated fast-charge module, while the AirPods rest on their own pad below. All three charge simultaneously from a single cable going to the wall, with nothing to juggle.
Apple Watch fast charging requires MFi certification, and Satechi has that covered. The stand supports Series 7 and newer, including Ultra and SE models. Advanced safety protections manage heat and prevent power loss when all three pads are active at once. The magnetic surface on the phone pad also ensures it stays correctly positioned even if you accidentally nudge it during the night.
Then there’s the folding design, which is where the stand earns its keep as a travel companion. It collapses into a flat form that fits easily in a carry-on without much bulk, then unfolds into the same stable stand you’re used to at home. There’s no need to rethink your charging setup just because you’ve checked into a different room across town or across the world.
Satechi also includes a 45W USB-C power adapter in the box, which sounds like a minor detail until you’re unpacking in a foreign hotel room. The adapter ships with US, EU, and UK plug attachments, meaning it works across different countries without needing a separate travel adapter. That’s a small but thoughtful decision for anyone whose travels take them to multiple regions throughout the year.
Available now on Satechi.com and Amazon, the stand retails for $129.99 in Space Black. It’s a higher investment than a single-device pad, but consolidating three separate chargers into one that travels as well as it sits on a desk makes that gap easier to justify. For Apple ecosystem users tired of the cable pile next to the bed, this stand offers a much cleaner end to every day.