Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016 first drive: The Einstein of luxury cars

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon is here for 2016 and it’s pushing the boundaries of how luxurious and technologically advanced a car can be.

The future of self-driving cars is edging closer and vehicle companies are working harder and faster to be the first to deliver that reality. Bit by bit we’re seeing self-driving features seep into newer cars as safety systems, steering us back into lane or breaking for us. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class aims to offer a leap forward in that technology.

With self-driving competition from the likes of Tesla, and technological developments like key fob controlled driving in the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes has a lot to compete with while sticking to its starting price of almost £36,000.

We took the new E-Class, E 220 d, E 350 d and A400 models, on the road and around tracks to test the limits and find out if the new E-Class is a glimpse into the future of driving.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016: Design and build

As you’d expect from Mercedes’ luxurious saloon, the E-Class design is bleeding edge while still maintaining classic lines. The new model manages to be longer yet narrower and lower than the previous E-Class, while still offering plenty of internal space.

The upstanding badge won’t be making it to the UK but everything else about the models pictured here are largely what you can expect to hit our shores at launch.

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The new E-Class Saloon is lighter than ever, in fact it’s a full 100kg lighter than last year’s model. This is thanks to a combined steel and aluminium build, something lots of companies are now doing as a way to improve fuel efficiency.

Both the headlights and tail lights are power efficient LEDs with optional high-resolution multi-beam headlights to light the road intelligently without dazzling others. This upgraded version is able to block out certain parts of the beam so full beam can stay on while oncoming cars are blocked out so as not to be dazzled, which worked well in our road tests. This tech continues on the interior where 64 colours of LED lighting create an ambient glow inside the car.

One of the things you notice inside the car immediately is the silence. We stepped in from some stormy weather and were immediately relieved by the welcoming seats and almost vacuum like silence from the outside elements.

The seats, which deliver optional heating and cooling, have been designed for long journeys with comfort in mind. The optional heating not only heats the seats but also the arm rests for ridiculous levels of comfort no matter the driver’s shifting positions. Plus there are massage settings, which are great for loosening the back while sat in one position for a long time.

One of our favourite touches comes on the steering wheel. As standard the three-spoke wheel features two touchpads. This lets you easily swipe and tap to get through menus, just as you would on a phone or tablet. You’d think you might accidentally brush them by mistake but they’re perfectly placed for easy access but not accidental selecting.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016: Drive and handling

Despite being a larger car the E-Class offers plenty of power, especially in the 350 d and A400 models. But it’s ride comfort that’s important in a car of this type, that’s why lowered comfort suspension is standard on UK models. The result is all the comfort you’d expect, absorbing bumps effortlessly, while still offering enough stiffness to corner quickly with plenty of feedback through the wheel.

The E 220 d can hit 149mph, does 0 to 62mph in 7.3 seconds yet offers an impressive mixed range of 72mpg, according to Merc. The E 220 d features a 1950cc four-cyldiner engine with 194hp. This is a new engine for Mercedes as it’s lighter and more efficient and offers lower CO2 and better fuel economy despite still pushing out the power.

The E 350 d tops out at 155mph, does 0 to 62mph in 5.9 seconds and still offers a decent mixed range of 54mpg, claims the manufacturer. The E 350 d sports a 2987cc six-cylinder engine that tops out at 258hp.

Both have plenty of pull, enough for a quick take off or easy overtaking at any speed and certainly more than enough for a comfortable ride.

Sport and Sport+ modes do rev a lot higher and tighten the handling so if you ever need a little more punch, it’s available. We found Comfort mode the best to drive in as suspension was super smooth while cornering intelligence kept everything tight when needed. Even the seats could be set to react and pull you in using the bucket wings as you corner.

All that said our model did have the Air Body Control option which means multi-chamber air suspension, making it the only car in its segment to offer this. It also means adaptive suspension stiffness.

Pulling away is smooth thanks to the nine-speed automatic gearbox which makes power delivery feel almost as if there aren’t any gears. It’s not the torque driven, gear-free pull of an electric drivetrain yet, but it’s one of the closest we’ve tried.

The car certainly looks and feels wide, judging from the internal space. But on the road, thanks to a great turning circle, it was easy enough to manoeuvre around the city.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016: Infotainment system

Inside the E-Class feels like we’d imagine being at the helm of a spaceship spa might. Surrounded by leather, lights and electronics you’re immediately filled with a sense of excitement about how advanced the machine you’re in control of is. That said it does a lot of the controlling for you.

If you opt for the optional advanced head unit you get twin 12.3-inch high-resolution displays sat behind a single pane of glass. This gives the display a real seamless feel, widescreen look and also future-proofs the car for updates.

The display can be used for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, via a cable-connected smartphone. But if your phone is simply Bluetooth connected it can still be used for calls and music while sat in its own bay that Qi wirelessly charges, having connected to the car via NFC.

That phone can also be used to unlock the car using NFC on the door handle. Plus the app will allow you to start the engine and get it ready before you’re inside.

The surround sound system can be upgraded to a 23-speaker Burmester 3D setup that uses speakers in the roof for complete immersion.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2016: Advanced smart driving

The future is all about better communication between devices and Mercedes has begun pushing forward with this using its Car-to-X communication system. This allows the vehicle to exchange information with other cars. The idea is that you will get warnings from other cars for traffic, obstacles on the road, accidents and more. Once more cars have this it should make driving safer and navigation more efficient.

In a bid to begin down the road to self-driving, Merc has upgraded the E-Class with plenty of optional smart driving features. The car is now able to spot other vehicles and pedestrians at high speeds so it can brake if needs be. Testing this on the track, we had the car brake from 40mph to a stop in front of a simulated child when we thought it was too late, very impressive.

The car has also been upgraded to maintain smart cruise control at speeds of up to 130mph, meaning it’ll adjust speed to suit the car in front – presuming you want to go that fast. The point, rather, is that the car can handle higher speeds thanks to its faster-than-ever reactions. That said we enjoyed writing a message on our phone while doing 75mph following a car in front.

When it came to corners we were more cautious as the steering is limited to a certain torque level before giving out – we had to grab the wheel to take over a few times on sharper corners. Of course this is a safety aid and not built for self-driving, but we had to try.

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The E-Class also recognises objects on the side of the road like buildings which, in combination with other car recognition, can keep the car in lane even when markings are missing. We were driven along accurately in Drive Pilot mode, with no hands on the wheel or feet on pedals, where there were no road markings, at night, in the rain. Impressive.

Thanks to radar sensors and cameras, the car can even change lanes by simply using the indicators. This feels a little disconcerting at first but when you’ve done it once you start to wonder why all driving can’t be like this. 

In the event of a dangerous situation the car will not only help with emergency braking but it’ll also help steer clear of objects. We did a test veering the car into oncoming traffic. Rather than steering away, the car simply applies braking to the front and rear wheels on the side of the car it needs to move in, and you’re drawn back into your lane. The idea is to not take control of the wheel, allowing the driver to correct if needs be. In another test, we pulled into the path of a car in the next lane, at speed, and the car automatically pulled us away to safety.

Should you be hit in the side it’ll fire airbags at the right angle to move you away from danger. Also, in the event of an accident the car will emit a pre-safe sound that causes your ears to perform a natural aural reflex that protects them from damage. While this sounds amazing, much like the airbags, it wasn’t something we wanted to test.

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For all these smart safety features, if the driver applies the brake or takes the wheel, the car will give control back immediately. That said, we did a braking test where the accelerator was held down while heading into the back of another car. The Mercedes began braking when close, allowing you a chance to take control and stop. If you didn’t, it braked at the last second to avoid a collision.

As standard the car comes with parking sensors that coordinate with a reversing camera to offer self-parking. Remote Parking Pilot was another way Mercedes has managed to take a current tech development and enhance it. You can drive the car out of a garage or space using your phone, simply by spinning your finger on the screen – it even dodged us by steering at an angle on its way out. Then when parking you can pick from multiple spaces and choose to go in front first or reverse – you can even get out halfway through the manoeuvre and let the car finish, ideal if going into a tight spot.

All these smart driving extras, except for the as-standard pre-safe sound and parking, come as an optional package for £1,695. We’d say, in the grand scheme of the car price, this is well worth it. You’re essentially paying for a robotic chauffeur. 

First Impressions

Mercedes has taken its E-Class and filled it with some of the most advanced tech on the road.

When it comes to the expectations you’d have for the E-Class, they’re all are met: the design is elegant, the interior is comfier and quieter than most homes, plus power and handling offer enough of everything to keep it exciting but luxurious. On top of all that the technology pushes the brand forward, leading the way.

The infotainment system, with the dual-screen setup and in-wheel touch controls, is clear to use while offering a depth of personalisation. The ability to run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wirelessly charge a phone and use the app to unlock and actually drive the car is fantastic.

The self-driving safety features are helpful for long drives, making motorways nearly a hand and foot free experience, while taking the hassle out of slow moving traffic. We’re not quite at the point of self-driving yet, but this is powering in the right direction.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class starts at almost £36,000 and is available from April.

FBI confirms new rules for accessing Americans’ NSA spying data

Score one for privacy… I guess? The FBI has confirmed to The Guardian that it’s accepted new privacy rules for accessing data on American citizens collected by the NSA. The only rub? We don’t know what the heck has been changed. In fact, the agency won’t even say when the new rules took affect. All we know is that the government watchdog group PCLOB (the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Group) noted the change in its most recent compliance report. Specifically, the group says the Obama administration has introduced “revised FBI minimization procedures” that take into account its earlier privacy concerns about how the agency accesses surveillance data.

Back in 2014, the PCLOB noted that the FBI had full access to data from the NSA’s “Prism” surveillance program. In particular, the PCLOB was worried that the agency’s rules for keeping out sensitive information about Americans weren’t being observed, given the freewheeling access it had to surveillance data. So the best we can gather now is something about those rules has been revised, which can only be a good thing when it comes to data privacy.

Still, it sure would be nice to eventually see how the US government is actually addressing privacy concerns. Timothy Barrett, a spokesperson for the NSA, tells The Guardian that the rule changes could eventually be made public, just as it did for similar revisions in 2014. “As we have done with the 2014 702 minimization procedures, we are considering releasing the 2015 procedures,” he said. “Due to other ongoing reviews, we do not have a set date that review will be completed.”

Source: The Guardian

Yik Yak ‘Handles’ finally attach names to posts

Since it launched, Yik Yak has allowed users to anonymously post messages and pictures viewable by others within their local area. Popular among students, the service has been controversial and considered by some as a vehicle for cyberbullying, and threats of violence, but now for the first time it’s letting users attach their nicknames to posts. If you choose to grab a “Handle,” it will be on by default for new posts afterwards, but you can choose to post without it, or continue using the service without one.

Yik Yak hasn’t been the only anonymous mobile app out there, as other notable apps have included Whisper and Secret. We profiled the rise and fall of Secret almost a year ago, and adding an identity may be a way for Yik Yak to hang on. Of course, if you’re just trying to escape any online identity in a world full of Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and the rest, maybe anonymity is preferred.

Will you grab a Yik Yak Handle?

Source: Yik Yak blog

Lollipop becomes the most popular version of Android

At last, there’s a new flavor of Android on top of the heap. Google has published updated stats which show that Lollipop is now the most-used version of Android, snagging 36.1 percent of device share in early March versus former champ KitKat’s 34.3 percent. It’s a big milestone that suggests many Android users are using a reasonably modern take on the mobile platform.

As VentureBeat notes, Lollipop is claiming the lead 16 months after it shipped, and 5 months after the arrival of Marshmallow. Phone owners have either had to wait a long time for their Lollipop upgrades, or they were in no rush to get those few devices running the latest code.

On the positive front, Marshmallow use nearly doubled in the space of a month, to 2.3 percent. That’s far from huge (it’s the same share as the 2011-era Ice Cream Sandwich), but it shows that Marshmallow upgrades are arriving in earnest. And those figures should get a healthy boost soon: Marshmallow-toting flagships like the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 are arriving in force this spring, so many users will jump to Google’s freshest OS as a matter of course.

Via: VentureBeat

Source: Android Developers

‘Gears of War 4’ stars ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ ‘Spartacus’ actors

Gears of War 4 is set 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3, and its story stars JD Fenix, the son of long-time series protagonist Marcus Fenix, Game Informer reports. He’s joined by Kait Diaz, a survivalist who grew up outside of JD’s walled-off world, and Delmont “Del” Walker, one of JD’s best friends from boarding school and the army. After a mysterious military incident, Del and JD find themselves in the wild — in Kait’s territory, in fact — and that’s where the game kicks off. But, it’s not going to go very far without a handful of talented voice actors.

Developer The Coalition tapped three accomplished video game and television actors to portray Gears of War 4’s main characters. Kait is portrayed by Laura Bailey, who provided the voice of Kid Trunks in Dragon Ball Z, Fiona in Tales from the Borderlands, Spartan Olympia Vale in Halo 5: Guardians and numerous other roles. Del is voiced by Eugene Byrd, who plays Marcus “Boomer” Boone in Battlefield Hardline and has recurring roles on the TV shows Bones and Arrow. JD gets his voice from Liam McIntyre, who also plays the lead in Starz’s Spartacus series and had a run on The Flash as Weather Wizard.

They all appear fairly pumped to have roles in Gears of War 4.

Thanks for all the huge love guys re: @GearsofWar – Huge role, huge responsibility, huge honor. GEARS IS BACK!! Thanks @GearsViking

— Liam McIntyre (@Liam_J_McIntyre) March 8, 2016

Beyond excited to finally talk about this! #GearsofWar4 https://t.co/JhHfSezS5X

— Laura Bailey (@LauraBaileyVO) March 8, 2016

Hey @Liam_J_McIntyre and @LauraBaileyVO…We look goooooood. #bosses #GearsofWar4 #GICoverReveal https://t.co/rYh1emaW1i

— Eugene Byrd (@Vududaddy) March 8, 2016

Hey @Vududaddy @Liam_J_McIntyre @LauraBaileyVO I can finally share this photo of the newest Gears family members! pic.twitter.com/k1oyZOeL9c

— Rod Fergusson (@GearsViking) March 8, 2016

Source: Game Informer

Random Fighters: Fight against your memory [Review]

Overview In an ecosystem in which pixel graphic games are a dime a dozen, developers have to find ways to come up with interesting gameplay in order to stand out.

Tom Clancy’s The Division Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

In Tom Clancy’s The Division, New York is a desolate wasteland. A smallpox epidemic has ravaged the US, and as the member of a strategic task force, it’s up to you and your fellow operatives to piece the nation back together. Naturally, this mostly involves shooting at a lot of things.

Screenshot by Nate Ralph/CNET

What exactly is Tom Clancy’s The Division? And when can I play it?

The Division is a cover-based, third-person shooter; expect to spend a lot of time ducking behind conveniently placed dumpsters and vehicles, taking potshots at similarly crouched foes. It’s also an RPG: you’ll roam the rather stunning backdrop of a dilapidated New York City, checking out points of interest scattered around the map, hopping from mission to mission, or just exploring the desolate city streets. There’s also loot to sift through, levels to gain by earning experience, and skills to earn and equip.

And you can play right now! The game is available today, on the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4, and PC. Don’t expect reviews for a while, though: developer Ubisoft believes that the best way for reviewers to assess the game is to get into the trenches with the players, and play the game the way it’s meant to be played.

Screenshot by Nate Ralph/CNET

That sounds like a lot of random stuff, cobbled together.

I know, right? But it actually works rather well. Co-operative play is at the heart of the game, so you can run around tackling events and the like with a crew of up to 4 buddies if you’d rather not go it alone.

It actually really reminds me of a more grounded version of Destiny. There are no spaceships and aliens, and you won’t scale towers, or leap around verdant jungles. But the tight, focused levels should lend itself well to chaotic gameplay.

Screenshot by Nate Ralph/CNET

What if I want to, say, shoot other people?

The player-versus-player mode offers some of the best loot in the game: you just have to go get it. The catch, of course, is that the goodies you find inside these “Dark Zones” won’t be yours until you’ve successfully escaped — die, and you’ll lose everything you picked up.

And so every trip to the Dark Zones is one fraught with a kind of terror. Any player can strike you down at a moment’s notice. Or maybe they’ll cooperate with you, sharing the spoils so you’ll all get ahead, together. I aware there’s little to no chance of that actually happening, so be sure to rope some (trustworthy) friends in.

Screenshot by Nate Ralph/CNET

What do I do when I’m not shooting?

Well, there’s an entire city to explore. It’s not exactly a 1:1 representation of New York City — that would take ages to roam. But as someone who was born and raised in the city, it’s eerily reminiscent of the place I used to call home.

Beleaguered citizens roam the streets, looking for a hand — in exchange for loot — or just trying to get out of your way. There are bad guys to tangle with, random nuggets of information hidden discarded documents and voice recordings, and lots of random encounters littered around the city. You also have a base that you’ll build up and personalized, using supplies earned from completing missions. Ubisoft has also pledged to ship three expansions for the game over the course of the year, promising to flesh out the city and give us more things to do over time.

Launch the iOS app switcher with 3D Touch – CNET

Double-tapping the Home button to call up the app switcher to jump to another app or close an app has probably become such a force of habit that you can’t imagine app switching or app closing by any other means. But should you have an iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S Plus with 3D Touch and a desire to shun the Home button, there is another way to access the multitasking app switcher.

To open the app switcher with 3D Touch, press down on the left edge of the screen — at the very left-most edge of the screen. Press down hard enough until the screen slides a bit to the right. From here, you have two options: quickly swipe right to jump to the last app you used, or slowly swipe right to open the app switcher.

And while we are on the topic of the app switcher, there is a setting that changes the way you swipe through the carousel of apps. Head to Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion and toggle the switch on.

Left: the app switcher with Reduce Motion turned off.

Right: with Reduce Motion turned on.

Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET

With Reduce Motion turned on, swiping through the app switcher occurs in a more controlled manner. Apps are presented one by one, so you can swipe through the carousel more slowly but without ever skipping past an app you are searching for.

Check out each way to make your own decision about the Reduce Motion setting.

For more, see everything you can do with 3D Touch.

Galaxy S7 teardown shows off the bigger battery and more

The folks at iFixit have given Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy S7, a full tear down. Sometimes, we forget to appreciate everything that goes inside the phone, and this gives us a great chance to do just that. Samsung has once again not added screws to the outside of the phone, so removing the front and back are a bit tricky, and can cause big damage if you aren’t careful. On the inside you can see how Samsung jammed a larger battery in next to all the other sensors and chips it needed to make the phone operate properly.

It isn’t everyday we get to admire the components that make up the inside of our phones. If you recently purchased, or plan to purchase the Galaxy S7, you may want to check out the inside of the phone just for fun.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Galaxy S7 edge with Exynos: A Canadian perspective
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Details on the Galaxy S7’s camera
• The SD card is back on the GS7
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

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Nexus 5X update improves performance, stability and brings March security patches

In addition to the March security patches, the Nexus 5X will also gain a number of other fixes and improvements in its latest OTA download. According to a new post on Reddit from a Nexus Community Manager, the update will bring various bug fixes, performance, connectivity and stability enhancements and the March security update.

We have listened to your feedback, and this update includes a number of bug fixes that will improve overall stability, connectivity, and performance on the Nexus 5X. The March security update will be included with this OTA for the Nexus 5X.

The update is starting to roll out now, though it isn’t likely to be available for everyone just yet. You can check manually for the update by heading into your Settings then About Phone and finally check for updates. If you receive the update, be sure to let us know if it improves your phone at all.

Discuss the incoming Nexus 5X update in the forums

Nexus 5X

• Nexus 5X review
• 5 things to know about the Nexus 5X
• Read the latest Nexus 5X news
• Learn about Nexus Protect insurance
• Learn about Project Fi
• Join the Nexus 5X forums
• Nexus 5X specs

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