Tim Stevens
@timstevens.bsky.social
Freelance journo for great places like TechCrunch, The Verge, MotorTrend, Road&Track, Car and Driver, and more. Former EiC at Engadget and CNET's Roadshow. Fiction in Analog SF and elsewhere. Fortune once called me the Nicest Guy in Tech.
Took a risk and switched from Substack to @beehiiv.com earlier this year to tap into the integrated ad network. Since then, the sponsor choices and ad rates have tanked. Now, Beehiiv is hiking its fees 25%, making this an even less profitable endeavor.
Anyone having any luck on other platforms?
Anyone having any luck on other platforms?
October 1, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Took a risk and switched from Substack to @beehiiv.com earlier this year to tap into the integrated ad network. Since then, the sponsor choices and ad rates have tanked. Now, Beehiiv is hiking its fees 25%, making this an even less profitable endeavor.
Anyone having any luck on other platforms?
Anyone having any luck on other platforms?
Reposted by Tim Stevens
HEADLINE: Autonomous #selfdriving race car crashes.
First of 2 reports from the always prolific + interesting @timstevens.bsky.social, this one from @motortrend.com.
DISCUSS. (1 of 2)
First of 2 reports from the always prolific + interesting @timstevens.bsky.social, this one from @motortrend.com.
DISCUSS. (1 of 2)
A Dramatic Autonomous Racing Crash Showed How Far Self-Driving Race Cars Have to Go
A late-race collision at the 2026 A2RL (Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League) event in Imola wasn't caused by AI alone. Here's what the hardware failure revealed about the current state of autonomous ra...
www.motortrend.com
September 13, 2026 at 2:12 PM
HEADLINE: Autonomous #selfdriving race car crashes.
First of 2 reports from the always prolific + interesting @timstevens.bsky.social, this one from @motortrend.com.
DISCUSS. (1 of 2)
First of 2 reports from the always prolific + interesting @timstevens.bsky.social, this one from @motortrend.com.
DISCUSS. (1 of 2)
Let it be known that I'm blowing off work today and going to hang out at an arcade with some friends. If I owe you an email, apologies.
September 10, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Let it be known that I'm blowing off work today and going to hang out at an arcade with some friends. If I owe you an email, apologies.
T-Tops make everything better. Even trips to the vet.
September 8, 2026 at 7:58 PM
T-Tops make everything better. Even trips to the vet.
Latest newsletter is up with some more advice for new/aspiring freelance writers: Always Be Filing!
www.timstevens.me/p/rules-of-e...
www.timstevens.me/p/rules-of-e...
Rules of Effective Freelancing: Always Be Filing
Another adage borrowed from an unlikely place.
www.timstevens.me
September 8, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Latest newsletter is up with some more advice for new/aspiring freelance writers: Always Be Filing!
www.timstevens.me/p/rules-of-e...
www.timstevens.me/p/rules-of-e...
I love how this is just sitting in dude's driveway.
Seems like you've got Andretti's lap times to beat!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-lola-indy-car/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-lola-indy-car/
September 6, 2026 at 12:07 AM
I love how this is just sitting in dude's driveway.
Greetings from Imola, one of the greatest tracks in the world. This weekend it plays host to A2RL, the Autonomous racing league. Look closely, there's nobody in that formula car. Eager to see how the cars go compared to the last time I saw them in 2024.
September 2, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Greetings from Imola, one of the greatest tracks in the world. This weekend it plays host to A2RL, the Autonomous racing league. Look closely, there's nobody in that formula car. Eager to see how the cars go compared to the last time I saw them in 2024.
I know lots of folks like to say that EVs are like smartphones, and that after a few years their batteries will be useless.
Well, after three years and 30,000 miles, our 2024 BMW iX is routinely delivering upwards of 350 miles on a charge. For the record, that's 40+ MORE than the EPA rating.
Well, after three years and 30,000 miles, our 2024 BMW iX is routinely delivering upwards of 350 miles on a charge. For the record, that's 40+ MORE than the EPA rating.
August 28, 2026 at 8:23 PM
I know lots of folks like to say that EVs are like smartphones, and that after a few years their batteries will be useless.
Well, after three years and 30,000 miles, our 2024 BMW iX is routinely delivering upwards of 350 miles on a charge. For the record, that's 40+ MORE than the EPA rating.
Well, after three years and 30,000 miles, our 2024 BMW iX is routinely delivering upwards of 350 miles on a charge. For the record, that's 40+ MORE than the EPA rating.
What I imagine is happening when I can't get an answer to a technical question from BMW during summer.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDnoTjWc/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDnoTjWc/
Bairischer Schuhplattler- Flashmob in Nußdorf? Nein, warmplatteln für das Gaupreisplatteln des Inngaus! #sepplausch #wosboarischismuassboarischbleim #hoamat #volkskultur #bayern
TikTok video by SeppLausch
www.tiktok.com
August 28, 2026 at 6:45 PM
What I imagine is happening when I can't get an answer to a technical question from BMW during summer.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDnoTjWc/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDnoTjWc/
Reposted by Tim Stevens
“How will we ever replace them?”
FUND. THE. ARTS.
FUND. THE. ARTS.
August 26, 2026 at 6:11 PM
“How will we ever replace them?”
FUND. THE. ARTS.
FUND. THE. ARTS.
Oh, does your performance EV have four motors? That's cute. My latest is a five-motor fescue-flaying beast that can turn on a dime and even haul wood.
Yeah, okay, it's a lawn mower, but it's still quite a thing. My review is live over at @theverge.com
www.theverge.com/transportati...
Yeah, okay, it's a lawn mower, but it's still quite a thing. My review is live over at @theverge.com
www.theverge.com/transportati...
Greenworks’ MaximusZ electric riding mower has five motors and a few compromises
Is this the ultimate mowing machine?
www.theverge.com
August 25, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Oh, does your performance EV have four motors? That's cute. My latest is a five-motor fescue-flaying beast that can turn on a dime and even haul wood.
Yeah, okay, it's a lawn mower, but it's still quite a thing. My review is live over at @theverge.com
www.theverge.com/transportati...
Yeah, okay, it's a lawn mower, but it's still quite a thing. My review is live over at @theverge.com
www.theverge.com/transportati...
Meet our next project. A 1987 Williams Big Guns pinball that followed us home tonight. It is... petty rough to say the least. Nothing a couple hundred hours of toil won't fix!
August 25, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Meet our next project. A 1987 Williams Big Guns pinball that followed us home tonight. It is... petty rough to say the least. Nothing a couple hundred hours of toil won't fix!
The glory days of boxes writing checks the games inside couldn't cash.
August 16, 2026 at 12:06 PM
The glory days of boxes writing checks the games inside couldn't cash.
I drove the Slate! It's far more charming than its monochrome adequacy would imply, but of course it'll be up to you how much personality you inject here.
Full impressions over at @engadget.com
www.engadget.com/2226925/slat...
Full impressions over at @engadget.com
www.engadget.com/2226925/slat...
Slate Truck first drive: A minimalist's delight - Engadget
Slate's anti-truck EV is poised to deliver on all of its promises.
www.engadget.com
July 31, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I drove the Slate! It's far more charming than its monochrome adequacy would imply, but of course it'll be up to you how much personality you inject here.
Full impressions over at @engadget.com
www.engadget.com/2226925/slat...
Full impressions over at @engadget.com
www.engadget.com/2226925/slat...
Damn, well, I'll just be over here streaming OutRun all day. pitchfork.com/story/kavins...
Kavinsky Dies at 50
The French touch DJ and producer who broke out with “Nightcall” from the Drive soundtrack died in Paris of a suspected stroke
pitchfork.com
July 29, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Damn, well, I'll just be over here streaming OutRun all day. pitchfork.com/story/kavins...
Reposted by Tim Stevens
This is framed as a feel-good story, but it should scare the wits out of anybody on the road.
Tesla's deceptive marketing is convincing seniors that the cars drive themselves. In reality, a human must always be ready to intervene.
If someone lacks the ability to do that, they shouldn't be driving!
Tesla's deceptive marketing is convincing seniors that the cars drive themselves. In reality, a human must always be ready to intervene.
If someone lacks the ability to do that, they shouldn't be driving!
Forget rideshare. How seniors are using Teslas for transportation
As Waymo and Tesla robotaxi services promise more rides for more cities, seniors are taking matters into their own hands and self-driving Teslas.
www.detroitnews.com
July 28, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This is framed as a feel-good story, but it should scare the wits out of anybody on the road.
Tesla's deceptive marketing is convincing seniors that the cars drive themselves. In reality, a human must always be ready to intervene.
If someone lacks the ability to do that, they shouldn't be driving!
Tesla's deceptive marketing is convincing seniors that the cars drive themselves. In reality, a human must always be ready to intervene.
If someone lacks the ability to do that, they shouldn't be driving!
Back at it filming with the Capital One Auto Navigator crew today at a pretty special location today. Some good cars and thankfully good weather, too.
July 22, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Back at it filming with the Capital One Auto Navigator crew today at a pretty special location today. Some good cars and thankfully good weather, too.
In my newsletter this week, in honor of the final week of the Tour de France, I'm dishing up an old adage from bicycle racing that I think about frequently: If you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. For me, it's a good reminder to always, always stay nimble or risk getting dropped.
July 20, 2026 at 1:12 PM
In my newsletter this week, in honor of the final week of the Tour de France, I'm dishing up an old adage from bicycle racing that I think about frequently: If you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. For me, it's a good reminder to always, always stay nimble or risk getting dropped.
Reposted by Tim Stevens
Our first data point on how SpaceX's "fly, fail, fix" approach will be received by the stock market: tonight's sudden abort / seemingly multiple Raptor engine failure wiped 69 billion off of SpaceX's market cap in after-hours trading
techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/s...
techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/s...
SpaceX suddenly aborts second Starship V3 launch after ignition | TechCrunch
The company didn't immediately say what went wrong. SpaceX's stock plunged more than 4% in after-hours trading before paring losses.
techcrunch.com
July 16, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Our first data point on how SpaceX's "fly, fail, fix" approach will be received by the stock market: tonight's sudden abort / seemingly multiple Raptor engine failure wiped 69 billion off of SpaceX's market cap in after-hours trading
techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/s...
techcrunch.com/2026/07/16/s...
Thoughts on the first episode of the new Ghost in the Shell series: it's entertaining, but a big tone shift from the film and previous series. For better or worse, it's staying extremely close to the original manga of the early '90s, odd humor and all.
I'm enjoying it and looking forward to more.
I'm enjoying it and looking forward to more.
July 12, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Thoughts on the first episode of the new Ghost in the Shell series: it's entertaining, but a big tone shift from the film and previous series. For better or worse, it's staying extremely close to the original manga of the early '90s, odd humor and all.
I'm enjoying it and looking forward to more.
I'm enjoying it and looking forward to more.
This picture, shared by Rochester meteorologist Eric Snitil, might be my least favorite jpg ever.
June 25, 2026 at 1:43 PM
This picture, shared by Rochester meteorologist Eric Snitil, might be my least favorite jpg ever.
owdy from Bavaria, where I'm testing the new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C. Always wanted a GT3 but can't go anywhere without the wind in your hair? This is your solution, and that's about all I can tell you about it for now.
June 24, 2026 at 10:33 AM
owdy from Bavaria, where I'm testing the new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C. Always wanted a GT3 but can't go anywhere without the wind in your hair? This is your solution, and that's about all I can tell you about it for now.
I cannot express how badly I want this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TnI...
Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball - Official Trailer
YouTube video by GameTrailers
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I cannot express how badly I want this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TnI...
Nice to see that Edge has made some Workspaces updates, shows that the team hasn't totally given up on the concept. But how the heck did they still not add a search function, or even a rudimentary folder system? I have hundreds and now they're in a completely random order.
c'mon @microsoft.com
c'mon @microsoft.com
June 23, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Nice to see that Edge has made some Workspaces updates, shows that the team hasn't totally given up on the concept. But how the heck did they still not add a search function, or even a rudimentary folder system? I have hundreds and now they're in a completely random order.
c'mon @microsoft.com
c'mon @microsoft.com
This year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb was a fascinating battle of means of propulsion.
The biggest story was the ZR1X's new production car record, but some questions remain about whether its replaces or augments the previous record. Details on @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06...
The biggest story was the ZR1X's new production car record, but some questions remain about whether its replaces or augments the previous record. Details on @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06...
1,250 hp hybrid Corvette shatters the Pikes Peak production record
The high-altitude race is a unique test of car and driver.
arstechnica.com
June 22, 2026 at 5:14 PM
This year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb was a fascinating battle of means of propulsion.
The biggest story was the ZR1X's new production car record, but some questions remain about whether its replaces or augments the previous record. Details on @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06...
The biggest story was the ZR1X's new production car record, but some questions remain about whether its replaces or augments the previous record. Details on @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06...