Tesla sets October 26th as tentative date for Semi truck launch event

Tesla originally set a September launch for its all-electric Semi truck but that got pushed back and now we get a new tentative date for the launch. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the Semi truck will be unveiled on October 26^th at Hawthorne, California, which is where SpaceX HQ is located. But he adds the caveat that it’s “tentatively scheduled.” Not only will those in attendance get to see the truck but Musk says there will also be a test ride, meaning the Semi will be operational when it gets unveiled.

As expected details about the truck are sparse. But the event should shed light on questions like whether it’ll feature autonomous driving technology, have a 200- to 300-mile range (as reported by Reuters), and have a sizable battery pack to power through this (and whether it needs more charging time to fill its battery). Musk has previously said there would be more surprises at the event.

Source: TechCrunch

OnePlus to hold special event in Paris on the 19th, might release special edition of current flagship

OnePlus is going to have an event on September 19^th in Paris, France. And it looks like they might unveil a new special edition version of the OnePlus 5. The company is partnering with French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and we anticipate that we’re going to see a special color option for the phone alongside the designer’s logo. This won’t be the first time OnePlus will do this. Back in March, OnePlus partnered with Colette to out a black edition of the OnePlus 3T with the Colette logo engraved on the back. There were only 250 units made available of that special OnePlus 3T, let’s hope OnePlus adds a few more units this time around.

Source: Android Authority

Samsung plans to unveil a bendable Galaxy Note in 2018

Mockup of a bendable Samsung

With the Galaxy Note8 barely out of Samsung’s stables, the South Korean company is looking at the future and thinking it might be time they did something new with their Note line. Samsung announced at an event in Seoul, South Korea that it plans for the next iteration of the Galaxy Note to be somewhat bendable. According to Dongjin Koh, president of mobile business at Samsung, they are still working on surpassing some hurdles and will push back release if they don’t get these resolved.

“When we can overcome some problems for sure, we will launch the product,” said Koh. “We are digging thoroughly into several issues we must overcome, as we don’t want to just make a few, sell a few and be done. We want to hear that Samsung made a very good product. We have a plan to adopt a foldable display in our roadmap.” This is the first time Samsung has publicly acknowledged that they are working on a smartphone with a foldable display. But it has been rumoured countless times that they're working on this.

Source: The Verge + MacRumors

J. J. Abrams replaces Colin Trevorrow as ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ director

After Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow gets fired as director for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode IX, it looks like Lucasfilm and Disney are going back to a tried-and-tested director. The production company names J.J. Abrams as Trevorrow’s replacement. Abrams directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which can be considered the reboot or continuation of the nine-part Star Wars saga. As a consequence of the directorial change, Lucasfilm also announced that this last movie of this installment is getting pushed back to December 20, 2019 instead of its May 2019 release.

Before Trevorrow lost the gig, we know Lucasfilm brought on Jack Thorne to re-write the script. Rumour has it the film needed to be re-written partly because of Carrie Fisher’s death. As General Leia in the new set of films, she was set to play a significant role in Episode IX and while we may see some pre-shot footage, her role in the film will obviously have to be lessened.

Source: Ars Technica