Mercedes locks faster acceleration behind a paywall

Mercedes becomes the latest company to offer subscription services for a feature its cars already have. The carmaker is introducing an "Acceleration Increase" add-on for a yearly subscription of US$1,200. This is expected to improve performance by boosting motor output by 20-24 percent, increasing torque, and shaving around 0.8 to 0.9 seconds off 0-60mph acceleration when in Dynamic drive mode. 

The subscription doesn't come with any physical hardware upgrades. It just unlocks the full capabilities of the vehicle, suggesting Mercedes intentionally limited performance so they can sell this as an extra. The add-on is available for the Mercedes-EQ, EQE, and Mercedes-EQ EQS electric car models. With global sales for new cars falling in recent years, car manufacturers have turned to selling software updates and features as subscriptions to generate a continuous revenue stream after the car's purchase.

Source

Did you know you can try out paid iOS apps for free?

Hoping to get you to use subscription-based apps, Apple is highlighting apps that come with free trials. At the moment, you get four of these apps: 1Password, USA Today, Lake: Coloring Books, and Panna Video Recipes. You can check these out through the Try It For Free section in the iOS App Store (located in the Apps tab). The App Store highlights the free trial offered by these apps. If you opt for the free trial, you be taken to the “Subscription Offer” screen where you’ll be informed of how long the trial runs for, the price after the trial, and how you can download the app.

Source: 9to5Mac

Popular distraction-free writing app Ulysses to follow subscription model

If you write on a Mac or on an iPad, Ulysses is one of the most well-rounded and feature-rich distraction-free word processors. It has personally been my choice for years now and one of the reasons I just can't switch to Windows from MacOS. Ulysses has announced that it is now going to a subscription based model.

"As of today, we're switching Ulysses to subscription payment. This is the result of a of a long-lasting discussion about how to put Ulysses’ development, and the future of our company, on a sustainable foundation.

It’s still the same Ulysses, same features, same distribution, we’re just switching to subscription. There are yearly, monthly, and students plans available, and they all unlock Ulysses on all devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad). To encourage existing customers to switch to the new model, we are offering special migration deals," the spokesperson for Ulysses said.

Click to read more ...

Massive Adobe Photoshop CC update enables printing of 3D models

Adobe unveiled new 3D printing capabilities in Adobe® Photoshop CC. By radically simplifying the 3D print process, Photoshop CC will become the go-to tool for anyone who wants to print a 3D model.  Available immediately, as part of a major update to Adobe Creative Cloud, the new 3D printing capabilities integrated in Photoshop CC enable Creative Cloud members to easily and reliably build, refine, preview, prepare and print 3D designs, setting the stage for explosive growth in the 3D printing market.

Click to read more ...