A bird? Plane? It’s an autonomous electric flying taxi
Catching a ride to a faraway place could involve a small aircraft with no pilot in future, experts say, as regulations race to catch up with the technology.
consumer issue – lifestyle and leisure
Uber to take Leaf out of Japan’s second-hand EV market
Ride-share and food delivery drivers will be encouraged to adopt second-hand electric vehicles under a pilot program launched in Queensland.
Why future cars will be like ‘smartphones on wheels’
Buyers might not choose their next car for its shape, power or brand, auto experts say, but based on what its software can do.
auto trends
automotive equipment
construction and property
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy resources
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Old apartment blocks struggling to support EV take-up
More Australians are buying electric cars but experts warn millions of apartment dwellers may delay making purchases if they can't charge the vehicles at home.
consumer goods
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
consumers
fire
recalls (products)
safety of citizens
science and technology
technology (general)
Virtual reality tech, batteries named in safety probe
Battery-powered products and new kinds of consumer gadgets will be closely examined by Australia's consumer watchdog as a top priority.
P&O Cruises sets sail into sunset after 90-year voyage
After 90 years on the high seas, Australian cruise line P&O is sailing away to be absorbed by Carnival Cruise Line, the most popular brand in the world.
How green is your transport? Uber to rate your rides
Uber will give users more than a passenger rating in future, revealing plans to estimate the carbon emissions they save by choosing electric and hybrid cars.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
consumer issue - macro economics
economic policy
economy (general)
road transport
transport
Australia’s love of big vehicles comes with big costs
The popularity of large SUVs and utes is driving higher costs, a report reveals the average household's annual spending on transport has risen by 10 per cent.
Bonza passengers in limbo as planes grounded for longer
Bonza's fleet will be idle or a few more days as administrators hold talks with stakeholders and determine the airline's future.
Sydney drivers cop big fines for ICE-ing electric bays
Blocking electric vehicle charging bays attracts penalties in most parts of Australia but figures show the fines are not being applied consistently.
computing and information technology
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
consumer issue - macro economics
economy (general)
employment
online
science and technology
social issues (general)
technology (general)
TikTok says it boosts economy by $1.1b amid ban threat
TikTok delivers a significant economic boost to the Australian economy, a report has found, in what experts say is an attempt to prove its worth.
auto trends
business (general)
business enterprises
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
road transport
transport
Uber ride-share rival Ola hits the brakes in Australia
Ride-share company Ola will end its operations in Australia after six years, warning customers of the closure in an email.
computing and information technology
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
news media
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
technology (general)
Concerns over Meta’s plan to take news out of News Feed
Social media users, as well as small and specialised news outlets, could be the big losers from Meta's plan to remove more news from Facebook, experts say.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
EV owners urged to change charging behaviour for Easter
Charge early and plan ahead: experts are advising electric vehicle drivers to be mindful of others to avoid queues during a record-breaking Easter holiday.
Google and Apple challenged in Epic court showdown
Apple and Google profited from "anti-competitive, unconscionable" restrictions on apps that financially impacted consumers, the firm behind Fortnite says.
‘Back to the future’ as Uber launches phone service
Like taxis before them, Uber has revealed plans to launch a phone hotline as part of a new service designed to get more seniors on board.
Mitsubishi cleared of breaking law in gas-guzzling case
A four-year court battle over new car fuel consumption labels has been resolved in the High Court, with Mitsubishi emerging as the winner.
Not fit for purpose: Fitbit fined $11m for false claims
Australia's Federal Court has issued Fitbit with an $11 million penalty for making misleading claims to customers who complained about faulty devices.
air pollution
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Sparks fly over claims Aussies are not ready for EVs
A top Toyota executive says hybrid cars are a better fit for Australian drivers right now but Tesla and the industry are hitting back in a fiery debate.
alternative energy
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
energy (general)
environmental issue
renewable energy
research
road transport
transport
Why electric car owners may be paid to plug into solar
Queensland university research will investigate whether electric vehicle owners can be enticed to recharge their vehicles during peak renewable energy hours.
Distraction still deadly behind wheel of driverless car
Research on distracted motorists behind the wheel of an autonomous vehicle shows road regulators should impose strict limits to avoid accidents, academics say.
Qantas rejects lawsuit over COVID-19 travel credits
A class action lawsuit filed against the national carrier, Qantas, alleges it misled customers and failed to issue refunds for flights cancelled in 2020.
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
food - consumer goods
lifestyle (house and home)
lifestyle and leisure
Air Fryers: A Savvy Solution to Rising Energy Costs
By utilising rapid air technology, these innovative appliances are cooking up healthy, delicious meals while cutting down on power usage.
An expert’s guide to drinking beer for people who don’t do well with gluten
If you're gluten-sensitive, this could be your passport to a world where you don't have to choose between your love for beer and your dietary restrictions.
Google spreads its Wing drone deliveries in Australia
Drones carrying sushi will take off from another Australian launch-pad this week as Google expands its delivery operations in the country.
Car subscription service geared to shake up transport
A car-sharing platform owned by Toyota is poised to launch long-term car subscriptions in the latest bid to change the way Australians access transport.
Floods an ongoing torment for regional tourism
Almost 70 per cent of Australians will avoid taking a regional holiday this year due to rain and flood risks, according to a nationwide poll.
Samsung investigates phone-crashing update
The world's biggest smartphone company is investigating reports a software update is disabling some of its handsets in one Australian location.
Flight bite: Airfares soar before Christmas
The price of air travel in Australia continues to reach new heights, with a new report showing passengers are paying much more this year.
Car-sharing services battle for Aussies
A new car-sharing service will attempt to change summer holiday rentals in Australia but its biggest rival is pulling out stunts to divert attention.
Why petrol cars could be bad investments
Some lenders are offering better rates for electric car loans amid predictions petrol cars will become a dying breed within years.