Mercedes launches new generation of GLA, eliminates EQ designation and incorporates video game technology in the dashboard

Volkswagen's commercial vehicle division has implemented several improvements to the electric Kombi, including increased range, boosted power, the addition of a 240V socket in the cargo area, and a reduced entry price. These modifications were announced in the United Kingdom.

In the British market, the initial version of the ID.Buzz Cargo has become £5,655 more affordable compared to its previous model.

The core mechanical change involves replacing the 59 kWh unit with a 58 kWh battery. Although the nominal capacity is marginally lower, the manufacturer claims that the new cell composition has optimized energy performance. Consequently, the range under the WLTP cycle has increased to 351 km, representing an advance of 27 km over the previous configuration.

Additionally, the electric motor's power has been increased from 170 hp to 190 hp, providing more vigorous acceleration even when the vehicle is loaded.

A major practical feature is the integration of vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology across the entire ID. Buzz Cargo line. This system provides 2.0 kW of continuous power and peaks of up to 3.6 kW via a 16A, 240V three-pin socket installed in the cargo area.

This functionality allows the van to act as a portable power source for equipment such as laptops, lighting, power tools, and small appliances, eliminating the need for generators on external jobs. This benefit is especially targeted at service providers, field technicians, and event organizers, who constitute the user base for light utilities.

The improvements also cover the digital aspect. The utility now operates with ID. Software 6.0, which introduces an app store in the multimedia system. Through this store, users can install charging, parking, and streaming services directly from the vehicle's central unit.

The Connected Travel Assist assistant has been enhanced to utilize more online data, allowing it to identify traffic lights and reduce the vehicle's speed before stopping upon detecting a red signal. Dale Piper, ID. Buzz product manager in Volkswagen's commercial division, stated that the package was adjusted to maximize customer usage potential during the workday.

The 58 kWh ID. Buzz Cargo model has an introductory price of £29,995 excluding tax in the UK. All vehicles equipped with this battery qualify for the Plug-in Van Grant, a British government program that offers an additional discount of £5,000 for eligible customers. Furthermore, the manufacturer offers corporate leasing options with monthly payments starting from £239.

However, these updates are not expected to reach Brazil anytime soon. Volkswagen has never marketed the ID. Buzz in the country; the 70 units imported in 2023 were exclusively passenger models and offered only through subscription under the Sign&Drive program. The recently updated cargo version is not part of the Brazilian operation.

Network slicing technology, which allows telecom operators to provide different internet speeds for different consumer groups, may soon become a reality in India. Following requests from several major operators, the telecommunications department tasked TRAI with studying this issue.

On Wednesday, the regulator released a draft of quality of service norms that take this controversial technology into account. Some fear that network slicing could affect the principle of net neutrality.

If these norms are approved, telecommunication companies will be able to set different tariffs for different services, such as 4G and 5G, unlike the current situation where both services are priced equally.

Choosing a small smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task, as manufacturers have started favoring larger devices that offer more internal space for batteries, camera systems, and other components.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to find phones with screens ranging from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, which simplifies one-handed use, as well as foldable models that are convenient to carry in a pocket.

The Tecnoblog website has prepared a guide presenting 10 compact smartphones with displays available for purchase in Brazil. It specifies the size of each phone, along with its advantages and disadvantages, to help in deciding on the ideal device for daily use.

The iPhone 17 Pro features a 6.3-inch screen and is the smallest device in Apple's latest Pro lineup. Its dimensions are 15.0 cm in height by 7.2 cm in width and 0.9 cm in thickness, with a weight of up to 204 grams.

This phone boasts high performance thanks to the A19 Pro chip (3 nm) and 12 GB of RAM, making it suitable for multitasking, multimedia editing, and gaming. The battery, with a capacity of about 4000 mAh, promises 31 hours of video playback.

Furthermore, the iPhone 17 Pro is equipped with the brand's best cameras to date: three 48 MP sensors, optical zoom up to 4x, and professional video recording features.

The iPhone 17 model, which has the same 6.3-inch screen as the Pro version, measures 15.0 cm in height, 7.1 cm in width, and 0.8 cm in thickness, but weighs only 177 grams. The smaller battery capacity and the absence of a rear camera module contribute to the device's lightness, facilitating transport and daily use. It runs on the Apple A19 processor, capable of running games, editing apps, and performing multitasking operations.

This model's camera includes a 48 MP wide-angle lens with optical stabilization, as well as an ultra-wide lens (48 MP). According to Apple data, the 3692 mAh battery provides up to 30 hours of video playback.

The iPhone 17e is the most compact model of Apple's current generation, featuring a 6.1-inch screen. The device dimensions are 14.7 cm in height, 7.2 cm in width, and approximately 0.8 cm in thickness, which contributes to comfortable one-handed use.

The technical specifications of this device include the A19 chip, identical to the iPhone 17's chip. Combined with 8 GB of RAM, the device can demonstrate high performance when working with heavy applications and multitasking. The rear features a single 48 MP wide-angle camera with OIS and 'optical' zoom up to 2x, which uses algorithms for magnification. The front camera has a resolution of 12 MP and records video in 4K at 60 frames per second, just like the main camera.