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Remember the distinctive sound of an AOL dial-up connection? After 30 years, this iconic internet service is finally shutting down on September 30, 2025. While most of us have long moved on to lightning-fast broadband, approximately 200,000 Americans in extremely rural areas still rely on dial-up as their only gateway to the digital world. The contrast is stark—today's internet speeds are roughly 18,000 times faster than those early connections, enabling everything from streaming video to sophisticated AI applications that would have been unimaginable in the dial-up era.
Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is making a $5 billion bet on what they're calling their "Model T moment." Just as Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the assembly line in 1913, the company now aims to transform EV production with a completely reimagined manufacturing approach. By dividing production into three simultaneous segments—front sections, rear sections, and batteries—Ford believes they can significantly reduce costs to offer electric vehicles at around $30,000. According to Ford President Jim Farley, this competitive pricing strategy is essential for survival against Chinese manufacturers who have already mastered producing affordable, well-equipped EVs. When Farley test-drove a Chinese EV last year, he was so impressed he didn't want to return it—a wake-up call that drove this aggressive new strategy.
Perhaps most exciting is the emergence of next-generation geothermal energy as a practical, clean power source. Unlike traditional geothermal, which is location-specific, new technologies like Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Closed Loop systems can tap into the earth's heat almost anywhere by drilling 10,000-26,000 feet below the surface. A Department of Energy report suggests these innovations could potentially provide 5,500 gigawatts of capacity—140 times more than conventional geothermal. What's particularly fascinating is that oil and gas companies, with their deep expertise in drilling and geology, are perfectly positioned to lead this transition to clean energy production.
Have thoughts on these developments? Want to share your perspective on the future of technology and mobility? Call or text the Tech Mobility hotline at 872-222-9793, or email [email protected]. Your voice matters in this conversation about our rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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