Just a couple weeks after launching the refreshed “Juniper” Model Y in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, Tesla has started taking orders in the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, and Chile) and Europe. The Launch Series is the only trim level currently available to order in the US, offering a “fully loaded” setup with special badging, the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) driver assist, and Acceleration Boost for $59,990 before discounts and estimated savings.

The refreshed version of Tesla’s top-selling vehicle brings a new design for the front and rear lights, an updated interior with an 8-inch touchscreen for the backseat, acoustic glass treatment, a new sound system with more speakers, and a retuned suspension. There’s no mention of it, but in a few of the pictures (included in our gallery below), it looks like there’s also a turn signal stalk poking out to the left of the steering wheel instead of dropping it for on-wheel buttons like other recent Teslas.

It also has the same new front-facing camera that Tesla says adds “Enhanced visibility for Autopilot and Actually Smart Summon capabilities.”

Just like the previously announced markets, it is scheduled to start deliveries in March. It’s all similar to last year’s Model 3 update, promising better efficiency and performance, with added power-folding rear seats and a hands-free trunk that auto unlocks on approach.

One difference between this and most Tesla launches we’ve seen is that the older version is still available to order, with the website inviting buyers to take advantage of reduced pricing while it’s still available. From the configurations available online, the price difference between similarly-specced Long Range dual-motor AWD Model Ys new and old was only about $4,000.

The current edition is, of course, available right away, and with choices for additional options, like the performance package., additional colors, or a seven-seat configuration. The New Model Y advertises a 320-mile range with no EPA stamp compared to the old version’s 311 EPA estimate (until last year, the advertised range was 330 miles before Tesla suddenly lowered it) for a similar model. The advertised 0-60 mph time is also improved, at 4.1 seconds instead of 4.8, but the top speed allowed has dropped from 135 mph to 125, which probably won’t be much of an issue in a family hauler.

Netflix plans to offer couch co-op and party games that it will stream over the cloud to TVs, co-CEO Greg Peters said as part of the company’s Q4 2024 earnings announcements this week. The company has offered cloud gaming as a beta to a “subset” of subscribers since 2023, so this news from Peters indicates that the company is going to continue to invest in it.

Peters didn’t say exactly when the co-op and party games might be available. But he did say that “we think of this as a successor to family board game night or an evolution of what the game show on TV used to be.”

Netflix will also continue to focus on “more narrative games based on Netflix IP” — Peters says those games are “consistent fan favorites and we’ve got a lot in the library to work with there.”

The unveiling of the Skyrider X1, which claims to be the “world’s first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle,” has certainly stirred up excitement. 

This innovative vehicle promises to change how we think about personal mobility by combining land and air travel in one sleek design.

A major advancement in transportation

Developed by Rictor, a sub-brand of the Chinese company Kuickwheel, the Skyrider X1 marks a big progression from Rictor’s previous product, the K1 e-bike. Transitioning from an electric bicycle to a flying motorcycle is no small feat, and it shows Rictor’s ambition to push the boundaries of eco-friendly and energy-efficient transportation.

I’M GIVING AWAY THE LATEST & GREATEST AIRPODS PRO 2

Innovative features

The Skyrider X1 features amphibious functionality, allowing it to operate on both land and water, although some skeptics are curious about how well it will perform in real-world conditions. This vehicle can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) and offers flight times of around 25 minutes for the base model with a 10.5-kWh battery. The premium version, equipped with a 21-kWh battery, boasts up to 40 minutes of flight time.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET 

Made from lightweight carbon fiber composites and aviation-grade aluminum, the Skyrider X1 balances durability with flight capability. It also incorporates smart technology that includes automatic route planning to determine optimal flight paths based on your destination and real-time adaptability that adjusts altitude, speed and direction according to weather conditions.

CHINESE AUTO GIANT WANTS TO MAKE FLYING CARS YOUR NEXT COMMUTE OPTION

Safety as a priority

Safety is a top priority for Rictor in the design of the Skyrider X1. The vehicle includes triple-redundant flight control systems that ensure safe operation even if an engine fails. Additionally, it features an integrated emergency parachute for added peace of mind.

AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT THE MILITARY HAS ITS EYES ON CAN TAKE OFF WITH ONLY 150 FEET OF RUNWAY

Pricing and accessibility

With an expected price tag of around $60,000, the Skyrider X1 aims to make personal air travel more accessible compared to other eVTOL options. By blending performance with affordability, Rictor hopes to bring flying within reach for more people.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A look into the future

As cities grow and traffic congestion worsens, innovative solutions like the Skyrider X1 could become essential. This vehicle not only aims to ease urban travel but also promotes sustainable options in personal transportation. With advancements in battery technology and autonomous systems, eVTOL vehicles may soon transform how we navigate our environments.

SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Skyrider X1 is a glimpse into a future where flying could actually be part of our everyday lives. Imagine zipping through the skies instead of sitting in traffic. It sounds pretty cool, right? However, there are still some big questions to tackle about how this will all work in practice. We need to think about safety and whether it can really handle the demands of real-world travel. So, while the idea of flying motorcycles is exciting, we’ll have to wait and see how they fit into real-world scenarios.

So, what do you think? Would you be ready to hop on a flying motorcycle like the Skyrider X1? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.