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After announcing initial plans two years ago, Formula E is finally ready to deploy its fast-charging pit stops in an official race. At the Jeddah E-Prix in Saudi Arabia this weekend, the all-electric series will debut Pit Boost, a mandatory 34-second stop what will add 10 percent additional energy (3.85kWh) via a 30-second charge. No more than two crew members can work on the car during this process, with a third dedicated to stopping and releasing the car with visual cues to the driver. Pit Boost is independent of Attack Mode, an in-race power increase which Formula E has been using in races for years to heighten the strategic aspects of its events. Attack Mode is currently deployed twice during each E-Prix when a driver activates the added energy by driving over a certain area of the track. This area is typically off the main racing line, so drivers usually sacrifice position in favor of Attack Mode. There's no doubt Pit Boost will give teams yet another major race element to manage. Plus, teams can only bring in one car at a time as the Formula 1-style "double stack" is against the regulations laid out by Formula E and the series' governing body, the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile). And not only is there the process of making pit stop to manage, but teams also have to account for the fact that it takes 34 seconds. That's an eternity in auto racing, especially when you compare with a sub-three-second stops in F1. Formula E says the FIA will determine the Pit Boost window for each event, and that info will be shared with teams 21 days before the race. DS Penske's Maximilian Gunther walks down the pit lane lined with Pit Boost chargers during practice at the Mexico E-Prix in January.Joe Portlock/Getty Images Formula E hasn't had pit stops in seven years. Back in those days, drivers had to swap cars during races to make it to the end of an E-Prix. EV battery technology advanced to the point that awkward change was no longer needed. In the seasons since, a mid-race pit stop was only done to change a flat tire or fix damage to the body work. It typically doomed any chance of a decent finishing position. This season was the debut of the Gen3 Evo car for the series, an updated racer with more power and all-wheel drive. The new EV has already made for more entertaining E-Prix, including Jaguar's Mitch Evans winning from the back of the grid in Sao Paulo. As The Race reports, Formula E first started planning energy-boosting pit stops in 2019 during the development of the Gen3 car. When it came time for the Gen3 cars to hit the track in 2023, it was immediately apparent that the quick-charging technology wasn't even close to being ready for race action. Pit Boost was then pushed to the 2024 season, but even with the delay, Formula E and its suppliers couldn't remedy every fault in the hardware and its deployment. There's a two-race double-header in Jeddah this weekend, but Formula E only plans to use Pit Boost in Friday's E-Prix. If all goes well, the series hopes to do the same at other double-header events this season. Those are scheduled for Monaco, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin and London. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/formula-e-will-finally-debut-its-fast-charging-pit-stops-this-weekend-144235800.html?src=rss
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You may no longer have access to CBS and CBS Sports, along with Paramount's other channels, through YouTube TV after today, February 13. In an announcement, YouTube has revealed that it's in the middle of negotiations with the company to be able to continue offering its channels. YouTube says it's "fighting for an agreement that avoids passing along additional costs" to you, which indicates that they can't agree on a financial deal that works for both of them, as well as one that gives you "more flexibility in how you watch your favorite sports and shows." In addition to CBS and CBS Sports, the channels affected include Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV and VH1. Several add-ons for YouTube TV, such as Paramount+ with Showtime, will no longer be available, as well. YouTube started adding Paramount's channels to its lineup in 2020, when YouTube TV still cost $50 a month. Today, the live TV streaming service will set you back $70 a month for the first half year and then $83 a month going forward. YouTube says that if it can't reach a deal with Paramount, and the company's content becomes unavailable for "an extended period of time," it will give you $8 in credit. Surprisingly, YouTube is advising viewers who want continued access to the networks shows to sign up for the Paramount+ streaming service, which costs at least $8 a month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-tv-is-removing-cbs-nickelodeon-and-other-paramount-channels-143010075.html?src=rss
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On March 3, Mobile World Congress will kick off in Barcelona, Spain. While its not the premier show it once was, many of the smartphone industrys leading players still attend the conference and frequently announce new devices there. Below, youll find a list of the more notable phones we expect to be announced at MWC 2025. Nothing Phone 3a series At MWC 2022, Nothings Carl Pei showed off a prototype of what would become the companys first handset, the Nothing Phone 1, behind closed doors, and at last years event, Nothing announced the Phone 2(a). This year, were definitely getting at least one new device from the company at MWC, with Nothing teasing something for March 4, the second day of the show. I say at least one device because Nothings invite says Phone 3a Series. To add to that, recent reports suggest the company is preparing to announce a Phone (3a) Pro alongside a regular offering. Why would Nothing release a Pro version of a midrange device, you ask? Im not sure, but this is Nothing we're talking about and the company has frequently done things a bit differently from the rest of the pack. Phone (3a) Series. Power in perspective.4 March 10 AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/auesJycJQy Nothing (@nothing) January 30, 2025 Xiaomi 15 Ultra Xiaomi In 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra made its global debut ahead of MWC, and its looking like history will repeat. Before the start of this month, there was some evidence to suggest Xiaomi would launch its new flagship at MWC 2025, but more recent rumors suggest the company plans to announce the 15 Ultra on February 26. In any case, Xiaomi is listed as an exhibitor at MWC 2025, so if the phone does debut before the end of this month, theres a good chance it will be on the show floor for people to try out. Like the 14 Ultra before it, it looks like the 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, with the phone rumored to feature a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. HMD Global Since 2017, HMD Global has been a mainstay at MWC. First, with its Nokia-branded phones, including retro throwbacks like the 8110 Reloaded, and now more recently with devices carrying its own name. Given that history, it seems a safe bet the company will have something to announce at the show. What that could be is more of a mystery, though its possible the sub-$100 HMD Key could get a global release. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung After Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at Unpacked last month, you might think it would be fitting for the company to launch the phone in Barcelona next month. After all, MWC was the venue where, up until the Galaxy S10 in 2019, Samsung announced every S series phone beginning with the S2 back in 2011, and the companys presence at MWC was the highlight of the event. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem Samsung is feeling nostalgic for and the sunny boulevards of Barcelona, with little in the way of rumors suggesting we could see the S25 Edge at MWC 2025. Still, never discount the chance Samsung may have a surprise up its sleeve. Everything else As Engadgets resident AI reporter, Im obligated to mention a lot of companies will probably have AI-related announcements to share at MWC 2025. Dont expect anything from the big players like OpenAI the company isnt registered as an exhibitor but with artificial intelligence being the trendy thing in the industry right now, everyone will be trying to cash in on the hype; in fact, AI+ is one of the main themes of MWC 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/what-to-expect-at-mobile-world-congress-2025-140057792.html?sc=rss
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