So here in the UK, we had a slight change in the weather. Meaning, the sun was out! I know… crazy! I say, finally! The weather was lovely for a few days and this morning – we’ve had some light rain – that’s ok, it’s good for the grass!
Anyway, so much has been happening this week… so let’s not waste any more time on the weather and deep dive right into it!
- Up first we have Microsoft Windows 11
Microsoft has been teasing a “next generation” of Windows for months now, but new hints suggest the company isn’t just preparing an update to its existing Windows 10 software, but a new, numbered version of the operating system: Windows 11.
The software giant announced a new Windows event for June 24th yesterday, promising to show “what’s next for Windows.” The event invite included an image of what looks like a new Windows logo, with light shining through the window in only two vertical bars, creating an outline that looks very much like the number 11. Microsoft followed up with an animated version of this image, making it clear the company intentionally ignored the horizontal bars
Up next… the future of cars (but not electric!)
2. That’s right… we’re talking 623 miles on a single tank of hydrogen!
Toyota says that if you drive normally, its hydrogen-fuelled Mirai can travel around 400 miles between fill ups. Drive much more carefully, though, and you could go further. Maybe a lot further.
By doing just that Toyota France has driven a Mirai 623 miles on a lone 5.6kg tank of hydrogen, thereby breaking the Hyundai Nexo’s existing record for the longest distance travelled by a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle on a single tank by a whopping 72 miles.
The company says the unmodified Mirai covered 623 miles, or 1,003km, on public roads south of Paris in the Loir-et-Cher and Indre-et-Loire regions of France. The distance covered and consumption, rated at 0.55kg of hydrogen per 100km, have been independently certified.
Hydrogen cars are being marketed as an emissions-free alternative to petrol, and – if the hydrogen is produced with only renewable energy – that’s true, and in fact, is probably better for the environment than EVs.
But there are two ways to create hydrogen. The first involves mixing fossil fuels and water, which releases significant CO2 emissions. The second uses a large amount of electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If this power comes from wind or solar sources then we are sitting pretty, but if it’s taken from the regular grid then you run into the same problems as charging your EV at home. Fossil fuels are still involved, just less visibly. But for some – it’s not all fossil fuels, there’s also sun, wind, etc… that can help you power your car.
So there we have it… Window 11 and Hydrogen cars travelling 623 miles on a single tank.
I’m not sure which is more exciting… to be honest, I’m not excited by either of these (smiley face). And I’ll tell you why…
Whilst Microsoft are bringing out Windows 11, and it’ll have lots of great new features – what will it bring that, people say wow. Do we really need windows? (Apple Mac users need not answer). I mean, we have apps for virtually everything. And of course, there’s a decline in laptop/computer sales.
And then the hydrogen cars. It’s taking a while for the electric charging points to be installed but the infrastructure is slowly getting there and there’s a lot of positive signs. To start building a hydrogen infrastructure will take a lot longer also!
Either way – Windows ‘most of us’ need, and as for the future of cars…. this is so interesting because we also have in the mix, self-driving capabilities, etc…