The Daily Valet. - 11/19/19, Tuesday

✔️ Electric Cars and More Chicken Sandwich News

November 19, 2019

Tuesday, November 19th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

A big welcome to all the new readers joining us today ...

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

Meet Ford’s All-Electric Mustang

It’s a modern SUV. Or maybe it’s a good looking crossover. But is it a Mustang?

People want to drive SUVs. The demand for the gas-guzzlers is growing so much that it's fueling the world's thirst for oil and signaling the death of traditional cars. Back in April 2018, Ford even announced that it would be phasing out its sedans.

Perhaps that's why when the time came to remake the Mustang, they reimagined their flagship sports car as a modern all-electric crossover—somewhere between an SUV and a muscle car.

Esquire's Kevin Sintumuang knows that some people will be put off and say that it's not a real Mustang. "But that's a weak boomer argument at this point," he writes. "Porsche and nearly every other brand has proven that sportiness can translate into a crossover package and that people will buy them."

This is the first car to be conceived during the tenure of Jim Hackett, Ford’s design-focused CEO, reports Fast Company. And is the first piece of evidence on how his emphasis on the Ideo brand of design thinking might pay off for the 116-year-old automaker.

Here's what you need to know: The all-electric engine can go from 0-60 mph in the mid-three-second range—with estimated 342 kW (459 horsepower) and an approximate 300-mile range. The signature tri-bar tail lights remain, but the door handles are gone—replaced with smooth buttons. Inside, the minimalist yet roomy cabin boasts an Bang & Olufsen sound system and floating 15.5-inch touchscreen that is reminiscent of the Tesla Model 3. It starts at $43,895 and Ford is taking preorders now.

Is it the big, noisy V-8 we've come to think of when we think of an American sports cars? No. But maybe that's the point.

↦ FYI: The original Mustang was unveiled at the World’s Fair in New York City in 1964.

Google Launches Stadia Today

But playing games on launch day may not be as straightforward as you think

Today at 12 noon EST, Google releases a cloud service that truly lets you play big-budget games without discs or downloads, consoles or gaming PCs. And according to Sean Hollister of The Verge, it works.

"All you need is a decent internet connection, a good Wi-Fi router, and your pick of Google’s Chromecast Ultra dongle, Pixel phone, or the Chrome web browser on a laptop or desktop," he says. "Oh, and a lot of patience."

That's because despite the charm and an improved slate of games, Google’s cloud gaming service isn’t anywhere near what the company initially promised when they announced it back in March. And according to CNET, if you preordered one of the controller bundles, your delivery might be slightly delayed.

It all sounds more like a beta than an official launch, says Hollister. But Google is charging real money for this beta. So if you haven't shelled out for it just yet, you may want to wait until 2020 for things to improve.

↦ FYI: See how Stadia stacks up with Apple's Arcade games service.

Wow! We were shocked and awed by all the “Valet. Ambassadors” who've already earned themselves rewards. We'll be shipping those out this weekend.Grab your unique code now and start sharing for some exclusive discounts to our favorite brands and cool stuff you actually want (not just crappy, throw-away “swag”).

America No Longer Considers Israeli Settlements Illegal

The settlements have been a sticking point in contentious peace negotiations for generations

The US no longer considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be a violation of international law, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday—reversing four decades of American policy and removing what has been an important barrier to annexation of Palestinian territory.

The announcement is unlikely to drastically change conditions on the ground, but doubles down on a policy shift that has moved it ever closer to Israel's position on several questions, including the fate of Jerusalem, that have afflicted Middle East peace negotiators for decades, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Palestinians swiftly condemned the move, which is viewed as a weakening of Palestinian claims to statehood. Pompeo said any legal questions about the issue should be addressed by Israeli courts, adding that "arguments about who is right and who is wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace.”

↦ A Closer Look: Are the settlements illegal? Who decides. Here's the background to know.

It’s Now Easier to Eat at Chick-fil-A

Same delicious nuggets, but without a side of controversy

Ask someone about Chik-fil-A and you'll get some strong opinions. For some, their chicken sandwiches and nuggets are "the best." For others, the company's troubling record of supporting groups with anti-LGBTQ stances has long ruffled feathers (sorry, couldn't help myself).

On Monday, the Chick-fil-A Foundation (the chain’s charitable arm) announced that it’s introducing “a more focused giving approach” for next year. They're tackling education, homelessness and hunger while ending multi-year giving commitments to such organizations as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes—both of which have made controversial statements about homosexuality and same-sex marriage in the past.

Last month, the company opened its first location in the United Kingdom, but due to multiple protests, the restaurant was told its lease wouldn't be renewed. So this new direction seems like a win-win, really. They can focus their giving on causes that still matter deeply to the founder's Christian faith while freeing them from any discriminatory unpleasantness. Especially as younger Christians come to accept and embrace gay rights and same-sex marriage like the general population. Now please, someone pass me some honey mustard.

↦ FYI: Chick-fil-A is one of the fastest-growing domestic fast-food chains, with more than 2,400 restaurants in the US.

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

This rather unfortunate ad campaign

What to wear for Thanksgiving

Today is International Men’s Day ... who knew?

Airbnb Partners With the Olympics

The company becomes a worldwide sponsor for a nine-year, five-game partnership

Airbnb and the International Olympic Committee announced a new partnership Monday that will expand the availability of housing in host cities and could reel in the ballooning costs of hosting the sport spectacle.

The deal is "economically empowering, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable," the IOC and Airbnb said in a joint statement. The agreement involves reduced rental rates for Olympic Games organizers, generating direct revenue for local communities and hosts (and cutting back on unnecessary construction).

The deal comes in time for next year's Tokyo 2020 games, and will cover the Beijing 2022, Paris 2024, Milan 2026 and LA 2028 winter and summer games. All are major rental hotspots for the accommodation platform. Details of the partnership were not disclosed, but the Financial Times reported the deal was set at $500 million.

They will also be rolling out Airbnb Olympian Experiences in early 2020 to provide less known athletes the opportunity to earn money by hosting experiences like training with an Olympian and exploring a city with an athlete.