Chevy Volt’s Residule Value Based On Tax Credit

I just read this article on Automotive News. And they report that Kelley Blue Book is claiming the Volt will be worth $17,000 after three years.

They say that is 51% of the value AFTER the $7,500 tax credit the original purchaser gets. In reality… I think they are undervaluing the car, because the 42% of the selling price of $41,000 is how you should view this. Since the feds have changed the rules on these rebates, it is possible that some people won’t get as much of the rebate, as others.

But this is something that is really tricky. Since there is no incentive in the used car marketplace, where to you put the udes car value for something like this.

Is this car really worth so little, down from $41,000 to $17,000 in just three years. Or do you have to consider it as a $33,500 because Uncle Sam picked up part of the tab.

What do you think?

Subscriptions on Android Tablets

Not to be outdone by Apple’s new venture with Hearst, it looks like we have a larger selection of magazines coming to Android Tablets.

According to this article from PCMag.com – Time, Inc., Hearst, Conde Nast, Meredith, and News Corp. are teaming up to provide subscriptions to Fortune, Time, New Yorker, Fitness, Parents, Esquire & Popular Mechanics from their respective publishers. All will initially be available on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but will follow with other Android devices by the end of the year, plus have at least 40 publications available in that same time frame.

Notice that Hearst in the company that recently announced its deal with Apple. Clearly they are hedging their bets by taking on the two platforms.

I have to say I am glad. Competition is good for the consumer. If companies make exclusive deals with Apple or Google it will limit their audience. I am not sold on the iPad… yet. And I worry that Apple’s good — but very closed & locked — ecosystem will be more beneficial to Apple than its users.

I can’t wait to see how the magazine market looks two years from now. It will be interesting.

Android 3.1… Let the Fun & Competition Begin

After reading this article on CNet about Google I/O, their developer conference, I am stoked about the upcoming competition to the iPad and the fun this means for consumers.

At this point in time (today) the iPad doesn’t have any real competition. But with Android 3.1 on the Xoom, it is starting to happen. Android 3.1 is coming with a music service that sounds a lot like Amazon’s Cloud Player. You will be able to upload your own music to stream to your device. I am sure there are a lot more detail which will include some easy way to buy music or have a subscription service like Microsoft’s Zune Pass.

Android 3.1 also includes movie rentals. You can browse and rent movies. The movies will be downloaded so they can be watched when you don’t have an Internet connection (like on an airplane). Of course, it comes with all the restrictions we hate… you have up to 30 days to start watching (not a issue in my opinion), but have to finish watching it within 24 hours of starting it (a mild issue). I think you should get 72 hours… so it is more like renting a movie at Block Buster. You have it or 3 days. How much of a big deal is that.

Anyway, the other interesting items are USB device support for keyboards and cameras and such. I think Apple needs to start worrying. I can’t wait until they battle each other on better on price to get these devices to be more affordable.

I am about 90% sure I won’t ever get a laptop… because a tablet will do at least 90% of what a laptop would do for me. So… Google & Apple… battle it out to see who will get my money. I can’t wait to see what the Xoom II or the iPad 3 will offer. That should be when I make my purchase.

Hearst puts Magazine Subscriptions on iPad

Hearst is going to be providing subscriptions to Esquire, Popular Mechanics, and O, The Oprah Magazine on the iPad. Prices will be $19.99 a year. This according to PCMag.com.

I am not familiar with the price of those magazine’s subscriptions in print, but 20 bucks a year seems a bit high. Maybe it is me, but I want the reduced cost of printing & shipping of a magazine to be reflected in the price of a digital copy.

I subscribe to a few automotive based magazines. With special offers I am usually paying less than 20 per year for each of them. Plus, at the end of a year I box them up and save them. Having a digital copy would be easier to “back them up” at the end of each year… or would it?

I want to know that after my subscription runs out that I won’t have any trouble reading the magazines in the future. For me… I read the automotive magazines for entertainment. But when I look to buy a car I use the magazines like Car and Driver and Road & Track for research. If/When I get another classic I will use Hot Rod, Car Craft, Super Chevy and/or Mustang Monthly for research on any project car I would buy.

I applaud Heart for going this route… but they should be providing more incentive with a lower price — even if that lower price is an introductory offer — to lure in new subscribers.