Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Image Credit: Archer Aviation

From Olympic Dreams to Take-Off Plans

Back in our feature “Flying Taxis and Olympic Dreams: Will LA28 Be the Jetsons Era in Real Life?” we explored whether Los Angeles could become the first city to showcase flying taxis on the global stage during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Now, that futuristic vision has gained some serious thrust. Archer Aviation — one of the leading players in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — has announced a major move that could change how the city thinks about air mobility.

Archer Takes Control of Hawthorne Airport

In a landmark deal, Archer announced plans to acquire control of Hawthorne Airport — just three miles from LAX — for approximately $126 million in cash.

The 80-acre site, home to 190,000 square feet of hangars and terminal facilities, will become the company’s operational hub for its Los Angeles air-taxi network and a testbed for AI-driven aviation technology.

Alongside the purchase, Archer raised an additional $650 million in new equity funding, bringing its liquidity to more than $2 billion — a strong signal that the company is serious about turning concept into concrete.

What This Means for LA’s Mobility Future

This isn’t just a real estate move. It’s a strategic infrastructure play.

If Los Angeles is to handle Olympic crowds and long-term congestion, new vertical mobility hubs are essential. Hawthorne could serve as the first of several vertiports forming a network across the metro area.

It also puts Archer in a prime position to work alongside city planners and mobility partners preparing for the LA28 Games — potentially transforming how visitors move between venues, airports, and downtown.

Caution: Not Quite “Jetsons” Yet

While this progress looks promising, it’s not smooth skies ahead just yet.

FAA certification remains the biggest hurdle; only about 15% of compliance documentation has been approved. Production and scaling still pose risks — building and maintaining a fleet of electric aircraft at commercial levels isn’t cheap. Public acceptance will matter too. Even the quietest aircraft need to earn the city’s trust for noise, cost, and safety.

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Still, compared to even a year ago, the vision of air taxis over Los Angeles feels far less like science fiction.

A Step Toward the Olympic Future

Archer’s move aligns perfectly with the question we raised earlier:

Can Los Angeles turn the 2028 Olympics into a showcase for sustainable, futuristic transportation?

By securing its own hub near LAX and backing it with fresh capital, Archer seems determined to make that answer a yes. Whether passengers will be hailing flying taxis in time for LA28 remains uncertain, but the groundwork — both financial and physical — is clearly being laid.

The skies over LA might just get busier — and cleaner — in the years to come.

Related Reading

• Flying Taxis and Olympic Dreams: Will LA28 Be the Jetsons Era in Real Life?
• Archer To Acquire Los Angeles Airport As Strategic Air Taxi Network
• HubTokyo Selects Archer’s Midnight Aircraft for First eVTOL Implementation Program

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Slate Automotive captured national attention earlier this year when it unveiled what many called the most anticipated “budget” electric pickup truck in America. Promising a minimalist design, domestic manufacturing, and a base price under $20,000 (after incentives), the Slate Truck was positioned as the EV industry’s boldest answer to the affordability problem.

But since its April 2025 debut, several developments have reshaped that story — including pricing adjustments, production plans, and questions about whether “affordable” will still apply once federal incentives fade.

⚙️ From Concept to Production

In April, Slate Auto revealed its small two-door electric pickup — a compact, customizable EV designed for simplicity over luxury. The company’s philosophy is centered around what it calls the “Blank Slate” concept: a base model stripped of unnecessary features but built for expansion.

• Base range: ~150 miles, with an optional battery upgrade to ~240 miles
• Length: ~175 inches (roughly the size of a compact SUV)
• Body style: 2-door truck, with a conversion kit planned for a 5-seat SUV variant
• Manufacturing site: Warsaw, Indiana — a repurposed 1.4-million-square-foot former printing plant
• Production start: Targeting late 2026
• Estimated deliveries: Early 2027

For more on early EV innovation and transport development, check out our recent stories on Boom Supersonic’s Overture and The Evolution of Public Transportation in Los Angeles.

💲 Price Bump and Policy Changes

When Slate’s founders — backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Mark Walter (Guggenheim Partners) — launched the concept, they confidently pitched a price “under $20,000 after incentives.”

However, recent developments have changed that equation. The loss of a key federal EV tax credit under recent legislation means the base price now sits closer to $27,000 before incentives. Even with state-level rebates, the total cost will likely land in the mid-$20K range for most buyers.

That’s still lower than most EVs on the market, but Slate’s base model is extremely minimal: manual windows, no touchscreen infotainment, and unpainted exterior panels in the entry trim. The company argues that the simplicity keeps prices low and durability high — echoing the utilitarian design of early pickups.

“We don’t believe an affordable EV should start at $60,000,” a Slate spokesperson said during the reveal. “Our truck is for people who want a reliable tool, not a gadget.”

🧩 Reservations and Early Demand

According to TechCrunch, Slate logged over 100,000 $50 refundable reservations within two weeks of launch — an impressive early show of interest.

That figure, however, does not guarantee actual orders. As seen with other EV startups, reservation enthusiasm doesn’t always translate into deliveries. Still, with $700 million in investor funding and a clear U.S. manufacturing plan, Slate’s prospects appear stronger than many early EV challengers.

🏭 Building in America

The company’s decision to set up shop in Indiana is strategic. It provides central U.S. access to suppliers and a lower-cost workforce compared to coastal hubs. The plant conversion is underway, and Slate aims to ramp up to 150,000 units annually by 2027, according to industry reporting.

If successful, the Slate Truck could become the first mass-produced electric pickup under $30K built entirely in the U.S.

🚦 What It Means for Affordable EVs

Slate’s progress comes at a pivotal moment for electric mobility. As other manufacturers focus on high-margin luxury vehicles, the affordable-EV space has thinned out. Slate’s entry signals a renewed interest in accessible electrification — but also highlights the fragile balance between price, policy, and practicality.

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If production holds, the Slate Truck could mark the beginning of a new chapter for everyday EV ownership — proof that electric doesn’t have to mean expensive.

📎 Further Reading and Related Links

From STM Daily News:

• Boom Supersonic and the Future of Flight
• The Evolution of Los Angeles Public Transportation
• The Long Track Back Podcast: America’s Transportation Comeback

Outside Sources for Further Information:

• TechCrunch: Bezos-backed Slate Auto Debuts “Analog” EV Pickup
• Car and Driver: 2027 Slate Truck Revealed
• Hagerty: Slate to Build Affordable EV Truck in Indiana
• Business Insider: Slate Auto Drops “Under $20K” Tag After Policy Change
• Newsweek: Slate Auto Confirms Funding and Bezos Involvement

Last Updated on October 18, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Costa Mesa, CA — BenQ is shaking up the professional display market with two strategic additions that address distinct needs in the creative workspace: a glossy-panel option for Mac enthusiasts and a calibration-equipped powerhouse for color-critical work.

The display technology leader announced the MA270UP—the company’s first glossy screen monitor—alongside the PD2770U, a Designer series model featuring built-in hardware calibration. Both launches signal BenQ’s commitment to removing barriers between professionals and the tools they need to create exceptional work.

Glossy Meets Matte: The MA Series Gets Personal

For years, Mac users have faced a familiar dilemma: their sleek MacBook displays feature glossy screens with vibrant, high-contrast visuals, but most external monitors offer only matte finishes. BenQ’s MA270UP changes that equation.

“We’re giving Mac users the freedom to choose how they see their colors—glossy or matte—without compromising on quality or budget,” said Jeffrey Hsieh, Director and Head of the Consumer Line of Business at BenQ.

The 27-inch MA270UP delivers the same glossy, high-contrast performance Mac users expect from their laptops, complete with rich blacks and saturated colors. But here’s the kicker: it’s priced identically to its matte-paneled sibling, the MA270U, at $549.99. That means your choice comes down to preference, not your wallet.

What Makes the MA270UP Stand Out

Beyond the glossy 4K UHD panel, the MA270UP includes BenQ’s iDevice Color Sync technology, which automatically matches color profiles across Mac devices. Whether you’re editing photos on your MacBook Pro or reviewing video on an external display, you’ll see consistent, accurate color representation.

The monitor’s Mac Color Match feature delivers P3 color gamut coverage—the same wide color space Apple devices use—ensuring faithful reproduction of creative content. Add plug-and-play USB-C connectivity that handles both display and fast charging through a single cable, and you’ve got a setup that’s as clean as it is functional.

Design-wise, the MA270UP mirrors Apple’s minimalist aesthetic with a fully adjustable stand offering tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment. It’s available for pre-order now, with shipments starting late November. A larger 32-inch glossy model, the MA320UP, follows in December for $649.99.

Studio-Grade Precision Without the Studio Budget

While the MA series targets everyday Mac users, the PD2770U is built for professionals who live and die by color accuracy: photographers, videographers, colorists, and design studios.

This is the first Designer series monitor with built-in hardware calibration—a feature that typically requires expensive external devices. The PD2770U’s integrated calibrator automatically fine-tunes the display in minutes, maintaining consistent color fidelity over time without interrupting your workflow.

Built for Teams, Designed for Creators

What sets the PD2770U apart is its Device Management Solution, which uses the monitor’s RJ45 LAN port to synchronize calibration settings across multiple displays. Studios can schedule auto-calibration to run outside working hours on all monitors simultaneously, ensuring every workstation maintains identical color standards without manual intervention.

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The color performance is elite: 99% Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 coverage, 100% sRGB and Rec.709, with a DeltaE accuracy rating below 1.5. It’s Pantone Validated, Pantone SkinTone certified, and Calman Verified—credentials that matter when clients expect pixel-perfect results.

The 4K UHD IPS panel (3840 × 2160) supports HDR10 with 400 nits brightness, delivering precise detail and sharp contrast across the full tonal range. Professional connectivity includes USB-C with 90W power delivery, KVM switch functionality, and a USB hub for streamlined multi-device workflows.

BenQ also includes a wireless Hotkey Puck G3 for quick access to input, mode, and calibration controls, plus a magnetic shading hood to block ambient light during color-critical work. The fully adjustable stand supports extended editing sessions without sacrificing comfort.

The PD2770U will be available for pre-order in November and ships in December for $1,699.99—a competitive price point for a monitor with this level of built-in calibration technology.

See It Live at Adobe MAX

Creative professionals attending Adobe MAX 2025 can experience both new monitors firsthand at BenQ’s booth #2826 from October 28-30. Live demos will showcase color accuracy, video editing workflows, and calibration automation. Booth visitors can enter to win prizes including a calibrator, BenQ merchandise, and a PD2770U monitor.

Support That Goes the Distance

BenQ continues to differentiate itself with personalized customer support through virtual 1-on-1 live video sessions. Customers can schedule appointments with BenQ specialists for real-time guidance on product setup, troubleshooting, and technical challenges related to audio, software, and color calibration.

The Bottom Line

BenQ’s dual launch addresses two distinct pain points in the professional display market: Mac users who want their external monitors to match their laptop’s visual experience, and creative professionals who need studio-grade color accuracy without investing in separate calibration equipment.

By pricing the glossy MA270UP identically to its matte counterpart and building calibration directly into the PD2770U, BenQ is removing traditional barriers—both aesthetic and financial—that have forced creators to compromise.

For Mac users seeking seamless integration with their Apple ecosystem, the MA series now offers genuine choice. For professionals whose reputation depends on color accuracy, the PD2770U delivers automated precision that scales from solo creators to multi-workstation studios.

In a market where display technology often forces users to choose between features and budget, BenQ is betting that giving professionals exactly what they need—at prices that make sense—is the smartest play of all.

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For more information:

• MA270UP: benq.com/en-us/monitor/home/ma270up.html
• PD2770U: benq.com/en-us/monitor/professional/pd2770u.html
• Adobe MAX 2025 details: benq.com/en-us/campaign/aqcolor-adobemax-2025.html

Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!

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