The Daily Valet. - 12/15/20, Tuesday

✔️ Time to Unite

December 15, 2020

Tuesday, December 15th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I’m not working out anymore unless it’s with a digital trainer.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today's edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

‘Democracy Prevailed’

Biden says after the Electoral College confirms his win

The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden on Monday as the nation’s next president, ratifying his November victory in an authoritative state-by-state repudiation of President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede that he’d lost, reports the Associated Press.

The president-elect called for Americans to come together in unity and healing, vowing to help pull the nation through the pandemic and criticizing the dangerous and false rhetoric of election malfeasance that some Republicans have promoted.

He delivered a clear rebuke to Trump, who continues to challenge the results unsuccessfully. “In America, politicians don’t take power—people grant power to them,” Biden said. “Faith in our institutions held, democracy prevailed ... so now it’s time to turn the page, as we’ve done throughout our history. To unite. To heal.”

And while some disruptions were expected, the drama-free proceedings resembled previous elections in which the results were a foregone conclusion. Despite pressure from Trump and his legal team to convince the Republican legislatures in battleground states to appoint a slate of electors who would overturn the popular vote, none obliged.

According to Reuters, Trump’s sole remaining gambit is to convince Congress to reject the results in January. But the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is sure to reject any such challenge, while senior Republicans in the Senate on Monday dismissed the idea of overturning the result.

↦ Meanwhile: Michigan congressman cites Trump's efforts to overturn election in announcing decision to quit GOP.

Epic Snowstorm to Hammer Northeast

Messy wintery mix spans from Virginia to New England

Winter storm watches and advisories have been issued across the Northeast for what is shaping up to be the most significant winter storm in several years, reports AccuWeather.

Even with travel being limited amid the pandemic, the storm, which has still yet to fully take shape, could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

According to CBS News, much of the East Coast, from Virginia up to Philadelphia and Boston will likely see a walloping of heavy snow as a major nor'easter takes aim. Some cities may pick up more than a half a season's worth of snow in 24 hours.

Before it reaches the East Coast, it will cross the entire U.S., diving south through the Rockies, dumping heavy snow in the mountains. Later today, robbed of moisture by the Rockies, the storm will bring only a light coating of snow to the Southern Plains around Oklahoma. But by Wednesday, the storm will start to crank again, thanks to a shot in the arm of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Weather is wild, huh?

↦ FYI: It's a myth that no two snowflakes are alike ... Mental Floss has some other interesting snow facts, if you liked that.

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Apple’s Fitness+ Launches

Is the subscription service worth it?

Personally, I'm pretty excited to try this out. Apple's highly anticipated workout-oriented subscription package, Fitness+, officially dropped Monday.

According to Gear Patrol, the service pulls together some of the brand's biggest strengths—Apple Watch metrics, the intuitive interfaces of its tablets and phones, the vast library of Apple Music—to deliver a variety of studio-style classes led by a diverse team of top trainers.

Apple is in a unique position to create something so seamlessly smart. It's rare that creators are so intertwined with technologists, but that's exactly this company's sweet spot. And like most Apple products, it's easy to use and beginner-friendly, and comes with multiple ways to customize it to your tastes and needs.

And at just $9.99 a month, it's one of the more affordable options too. Will it dethrone Peloton? GQ says “the Apple Music integration and cueing across the classes is just excellent, but the service doesn’t exactly cater to a more experienced athlete.” So it may be too soon to tell. Of course, no one wants Apple as a competitor, right?

↦ Dig Deeper: Men's Health catches up with Apple's exercise brain trust to go inside the launch of Apple Fitness+.

Meet Amazon’s First Robotaxi

Seats up to four, and can drive in multiple directions

Zoox, a self-driving car company that Amazon bought in June, has pulled the wraps off its first autonomous vehicle. Billed as a car “built for riders, not drivers,” the all-electric box on wheels eschews traditional controls, traditional seating and even traditional notions of a front and back, reports Autoblog.

There's no driver's seat or steering wheel and it fits four passengers who face each other, similar to a train car. Zoox's vehicle is a few feet shorter than small sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, to allow for easy maneuvering in cities.

Since each end is the same, it has the ability to drive both forward and backward, and side to side, or “bi-directionally.” Combined with four-wheel steering functionality, Zoox says its vehicle will be able to handle precise maneuvers like “tight curbside pickups” and “tricky U-turns.”

But if you're hoping for a trip anytime soon, don't hold your breath. Zoox won't say when the public will be able to ride in the vehicle, reports CNN. Nor will they confirm when Zoox will first test it on public roads. Maybe they'll start by having it carry automated Amazon deliveries.

↦ Meanwhile: Tesla is suspending production of Model S and Model X vehicles for 18 days beginning on Christmas Eve.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

The Untold Story of ‘Christmas Vacation’

Clear skin

Musical roads

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Home Gift Ideas

When you’re not sure what to get, get them something for their home. Who wouldn’t want a cozy blanket or smart speaker?

↦ Browse the Home Design Gift Guide

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