Kia sold more electric vehicles in the US in Q2 than its sister company, Hyundai, with over 29,000 EVs sold in the first half of the year. The new EV9, a three-row electric SUV, helped propel Kia to a new record, with 9,671 units sold in the first six months of 2024. Sales of the EV6, Kia's first dedicated electric car, were also up nearly 40% in Q2.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

A German union, IG Metall, has threatened a potential strike at Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin after a contentious meeting with management. The union has 16 seats on the worker council, despite a majority of workers voting against union representation earlier this year. The union is citing safety concerns, pay, and other issues at the factory. Tesla has pushed back against unionization and has introduced initiatives to improve morale, including a gym and a rave cave.

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The Department of Energy has awarded $1.7 billion in grants to help automakers keep 11 troubled manufacturing plants open and convert them to electric vehicle manufacturing. The plants are located in 8 states and were designated as 'shuttered or at-risk' facilities. The grants are part of the Domestic Conversion Grant Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

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Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Ring will not require a monthly subscription to use its features. The company unveiled the Galaxy Ring alongside other new devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldable phones, and the Galaxy Watch 7 series. The Galaxy Ring marks Samsung's entry into the smart ring market.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

The Pixel 9 series leaks reveal European pricing, with the Pixel 9 available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Cosmo, and Mojito colors, starting at 899 € for the 128 GB model. The Pixel 9 Pro comes in four colors, including Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Pink, with a starting price of 1,099 Euros. The prices are reportedly from a French retailer and might apply to all of Europe.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

Motorola has launched its latest 2024 razr+ foldable phone, which will be available for pre-order with a $100 price drop. The phone can be purchased from Amazon or the official Motorola site, with the promo code MDMO offering the same discount. The phone is set to release on July 24, the same day Samsung is launching its new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 models.

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Nothing has launched the CMF Buds, an ultra-affordable set of earbuds with active noise cancellation, available for $30 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $35. The CMF Buds are the entry-level set, with the CMF Buds Pro 2 available for $59 with ChatGPT integration.

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Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, and pre-order deals are available. The new foldables can be pre-ordered with a $50 promotional credit. The deals also include discounts on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, Buds 3 Pro, and Buds 3. The pre-order deals were showcased at Samsung Unpacked in Paris.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

Google has announced an early event for the Pixel 9, taking place on August 13 at its headquarters in Mountain View, California. The event starts at 10 a.m. PT and will showcase the best of Google AI, Android software, and the Pixel portfolio of devices.

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Today's Android game and app deals are available, featuring discounts on various titles such as Through the Darkest of Times, 3D EARTH PRO, SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake, and Earthlings Beware!. The deals also include pre-order offers for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, as well as price drops on the official Google Pixel 8/Pro cases and the Motorola razr+ 2024 foldable phone. Additionally, Nothing's CMF Buds are available at a discounted price of $30.

Source: https://9to5google.com/