The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 1. This release is the first beta for 7.1.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! PHP 7.1.0 Beta 1 builds on previous releases with: Asynchronous Signal Handling (without ticks) in ext/pcntl. Additional Context in pcntl_signal Handler For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. The second beta will be released on the 8th of August. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 2. This release is the second beta for 7.1.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 2 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. The third and last beta will be released on the 18th of August. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 3. This release is the last beta for 7.1.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.1.0 Beta 3 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. The first release candidate will be released on the 1st of September. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 1. This release is the first beta for 7.2.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION!PHP 7.2.0 Beta 1 builds on previous releases with:The much anticipated Sodium extensionOpcache improvementsCountable support for DOMNodeList and DOMNamedNodeMapImproved handling for invalid UTF8 in json_decode()And many bugfixes... For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found at windows.php.net/qa/. The second beta will be released on the 3rd of August. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 2. This release is the second beta for 7.2.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 2 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found at windows.php.net/qa/. The third and final beta will be released on the 17th of August. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP development team announces the immediate availability of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 3. This release is the third and final beta for 7.2.0. All users of PHP are encouraged to test this version carefully, and report any bugs and incompatibilities in the bug tracking system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. For source downloads of PHP 7.2.0 Beta 3 please visit the download page, Windows sources and binaries can be found at windows.php.net/qa/. The first Release Candidate will be released on the 31th of August. You can also read the full list of planned releases on our wiki. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the release of the fifth PHP 7.3.0 version, PHP 7.3.0beta1. The rough outline of the PHP 7.3 release cycle is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.3.0beta1 please visit the download page. Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be Beta 2, planned for August 16th. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the release of the sixth PHP 7.3.0 version, PHP 7.3.0beta2. The rough outline of the PHP 7.3 release cycle is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.3.0beta2 please visit the download page. Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. Internal changes are listed in the UPGRADING.INTERNALS file. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be Beta 3, planned for August 30th. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the release of the seventh PHP 7.3.0 version, PHP 7.3.0beta3. The rough outline of the PHP 7.3 release cycle is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.3.0beta3 please visit the download page. Windows sources and binaries can be found on windows.php.net/qa/. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION! For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. Internal changes are listed in the UPGRADING.INTERNALS file. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be RC1, planned for September 13th. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the first beta release of PHP 7.4: PHP 7.4.0beta1. This continues the PHP 7.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.4.0beta1 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be Beta 2, planned for August 8th. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the second beta release of PHP 7.4: PHP 7.4.0beta2. This continues the PHP 7.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.4.0beta2 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be Beta 3, planned for August 22nd. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is glad to announce the third and last beta release of PHP 7.4: PHP 7.4.0beta4. This continues the PHP 7.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 7.4.0beta4 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release would be RC 1, planned for September 5th. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the fourth testing release of PHP 8.0.0, Beta 1. This continues the PHP 8.0 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.0.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 2, planned for Aug 20 2020.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the fifth testing release of PHP 8.0.0, Beta 2. This continues the PHP 8.0 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.0.0 Beta 2 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 3, planned for Sep 3 2020.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the sixth testing release of PHP 8.0.0, Beta 3. This continues the PHP 8.0 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.0.0 Beta 3 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be the Release Candidate 1, planned for Sep 17 2020.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the seventh testing release of PHP 8.0.0, Beta 4. This point in the release cycle would normally be RC1, however we're still finalizing development of the JIT and squaring away named arguments, so we've opted for an extra beta release with plans to start the RC cycle in two weeks. At this time, we're not planning to adjust the GA date, however this may change during the course of the RC cycle. The updated release schedule can, as always, be found on the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.0.0 Beta 4 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be the Release Candidate 1, planned for Oct 1 2020.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the first beta release of PHP 8.1.0, Beta 1. This continues the PHP 8.1 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.1.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 2, planned for Aug 5 2021.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the first beta release of PHP 8.1.0, Beta 2. This continues the PHP 8.1 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.1.0, Beta 2 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 3, planned for Aug 19 2021.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the release of PHP 8.1.0, Beta 3. This is the third beta release, continuing the PHP 8.1 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.1.0, Beta 3 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be the first release candidate (RC 1), planned for 2 September 2021. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the first beta release of PHP 8.2.0, Beta 1. This continues the PHP 8.2 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki.For source downloads of PHP 8.2.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version.Because of a bug found in early testing of this release, this version is NOT usable with ZTS builds.For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive.The next release will be PHP 8.2.0 Beta 2, planned for Aug 4 2022.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the second beta release of PHP 8.2.0, Beta 2. This continues the PHP 8.2 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki.For source downloads of PHP 8.2.0 Beta 2 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version.For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive.The next release will be PHP 8.2.0 Beta 3, planned for Aug 18 2022.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the third beta release of PHP 8.2.0, Beta 3. This continues the PHP 8.2 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki.For source downloads of PHP 8.2.0 Beta 3 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version.For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive.The next release will be the first release candidate (RC 1), planned for Sept 1 2022.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the first beta release of PHP 8.3.0, Beta 1. This continues the PHP 8.3 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.3.0 Beta 1 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 2, planned for Aug 3 2023.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the second beta release of PHP 8.3.0, Beta 2. This continues the PHP 8.3 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.3.0 Beta 2 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 3, planned for Aug 17 2023.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the third beta release of PHP 8.3.0, Beta 3. This continues the PHP 8.3 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.3.0 Beta 3 please visit the download page.Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system.Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file, or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be RC 1, planned for Aug 31 2023.The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site.Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the release of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 3. This is the first beta release, continuing the PHP 8.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 3 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 4, planned for 29 August 2024. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the release of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 4. This is the second beta release, continuing the PHP 8.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 4 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be Beta 5, planned for 12 September 2024. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

The PHP team is pleased to announce the release of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 5. This is the third beta release, continuing the PHP 8.4 release cycle, the rough outline of which is specified in the PHP Wiki. For source downloads of PHP 8.4.0, Beta 5 please visit the download page. Please carefully test this version and report any issues found in the bug reporting system. Please DO NOT use this version in production, it is an early test version. For more information on the new features and other changes, you can read the NEWS file or the UPGRADING file for a complete list of upgrading notes. These files can also be found in the release archive. The next release will be RC 1, planned for 26 September 2024. The signatures for the release can be found in the manifest or on the QA site. Thank you for helping us make PHP better.

Which video intercom to choose? Before choosing an intercom, let’s understand where and why we will put it. In a private house or apartment? Let’s say an apartment. In modern multi-tenant buildings, in most cases, apartment intercom systems are already installed. It can be an access intercom, a video surveillance system, automatic gates, security, and [...]

The post 5 Differences Between IP Video Intercom and Analog appeared first on Braves News World.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Kenya's Evans Chebet and Albert Korir claimed two of the three podium places at the New York Marathon in a thrilling men's race on Sunday.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- World record holder for the women's marathon, Ruth Chepng'etich, is the only Kenyan in the final list of nominees for the World Athletics athletes of the year awards.

[Liberian Observer] With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, Liberia is bracing for a potentially dramatic shift in its relationship with the United States. Early indications suggest Trump may take a more pragmatic, interest-first approach to foreign policy, departing sharply from the development-focused strategies of past administrations, both Republican and Democrat. For Liberia, this shift brings both risks and opportunities. Figures like Peter J. Pham, a former Trump advisor and now a key player in Liberia's

[Nigeria Health Watch] Maternal mortality continues to critically impact women of reproductive age across Africa. In Nigeria, research shows that maternal and infant mortality rates are highest in the northeast and northwest zones and lowest in the southeast and southwest. Kano State has the highest maternal mortality rate, with 377.8 per 100,000 live births, which exceeds the national target of 288 per 100,000 national target.

[Vanguard] The Diabetes Association of Nigeria, DAN, has warned that six million Nigerians with diabetes are facing existential threat, following the skyrocketing cost of healthcare.

XML is a standard that defines how to structure a text document using tags, to store information in a organized way in that document.

RSS follows that XML standard, but goes further....

What is the Difference Between RSS and XML?

It's a drink we all loved as kids, and it turns out it may be better than cough syrup for soothing coughs and sore throats.

Spotify heeft er in het derde kwartaal 14 miljoen maandelijks actieve gebruikers bijgekregen, waarmee het totale aantal luisteraars wereldwijd op 640 miljoen kwam, een stijging van 11 procent ten opzichte van een jaar eerder...

I love the mountains and discovering off-beat destinations and trails. I am looking for a sturdy and tough SUV that can take a solid beating in bad roads in remote areas. It doesn’t need to be 4x4, but it should have good ground clearance. The car will also be used as a daily driver. I was looking at the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. What would you suggest?

Adwait Kelkar, Pune

Autocar India says: The Harrier is a very comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a great ride. It has the edge over the Roxx when it comes to overall comfort. However, if you are looking for an SUV that will be driven on bad roads regularly, then the Roxx is a much better choice. The tough body-on-frame chassis and high ground clearance gives it a huge advantage over the Harrier, which doesn’t feel as robust in comparison. Also, the Roxx’s diesel engine is far superior to the Harrier’s gruff diesel, which is now showing its age. For town use, the Roxx’s ride is lumpy compared to the Harrier, but it’s not a deal breaker and can easily double up as an everyday car, too. To sum-up, the Roxx is tougher and better suited for the mountains.

Also see:

Thar Roxx vs Jimny vs Gurkha 5-Door comparison video

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I am confused between the Mahindra XUV700 and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. We’re a family of six, and I need a powerful vehicle with ADAS.

Kaustubh Satish, Bengaluru

Autocar India says: As a family car, the XUV700 is a better choice as it is more spacious than the Thar Roxx, especially since you have six family members. The XU700’s second row is wider than the Roxx, so sitting three abreast isn’t as comfortable on the latter. Also, the XUV700 has a third row, which the Roxx doesn’t, and this is crucial for accommodating the sixth passenger. The XUV700 is also more powerful than the Roxx and comes with ADAS. The Roxx is meant for adventure seekers who also want an everyday car, but for your requirements, the XUV700 is the better choice.

Also See:

Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all?

Mahindra Thar Roxx video review

2021 Mahindra XUV700 review, test drive

2021 Mahindra XUV700 video review

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a long, storied history with India with the first model officially launched almost 30 years ago. It has been going strong ever since and has been the bestselling Mercedes in India for years. Its popularity only grew with the introduction of the long-wheelbase V213 model in 2017. In its sixth generation now, the V214 E-Class is bigger, techier and promises the same chart-topping performance. We test the claim with the entry-level E 200.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class exterior

The new E-Class is longer, taller, and has a longer wheelbase than before, and as a result, road presence is considerable. Up front it gets LED headlamps in Merc’s latest design language, but the digital LED lights with projector elements are reserved for the top-of-the-line E 450. The star-studded grille with the huge Mercedes logo further adds the necessary bling, though its thick black surround seems at odds with the otherwise restrained and classy look.

Over to the side, the added length gives it that much-needed limousine look, while the S-Class-like flush door handles are a techy touch. Like the new BMW 5 Series, the E-Class also gets 18-inch wheels, but, as the spokes stretch to the end of the rim, they feel bigger and don’t look as disproportionate as the ones on the BMW. The separated rear quarter glass is a nod to the Maybach S-Class.

At the rear, it gets LED tail-lamps with a tri-arrow design motif, and a healthy dose of chrome. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior

The E-Class has also grown on the inside, both in terms of space and modernity. The front section is dominated by what’s called a ‘Superscreen’, which means the dashboard itself is made of three individual screens: a 12.3-inch free-standing digital instrument cluster, a 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen. We’ve seen this cluster on new Mercs with a host of customisation options (although not as much as in larger Mercs), but the large centre screen is where most of the functionality is. So much so that even the AC vents are digitally controlled via the settings in the climate menu of the screen. Definitely a handful, but something that would mostly concern the chauffeur more than the owner seated in the rear, and luckily can be manually overriden. Moreover, HVAC controls are now exclusively in the touchscreen like the S- and C-Class, but less intuitively, require a two-step process to access.

What’s impressive are the seats that offer good room and support with the right amount of cushioning. The soft pillows help, but ventilation is sorely missed on hot days. Also, strangely, the Burmester sound system’s stunning 4D experience is exclusive to the front seats. The speakers inside the seats can be altered up to 10 levels, and at their maximum, are strong enough to double up as a massage function as well. Aesthetically, it gets a large open-pore wood panel for the centre console and soft-touch materials all around. What is a slight irritant is the cramped footwell with a cramped dead pedal – noticeable if you are someone with a UK12 foot size. 

In the back, space is even more generous than before. But it’s not just the sheer room on offer; the overall comfort is impressive as well. The seats, like at the front, are hugely comfy with the right amount of support and cushioning; however, the party piece is the recline that’s moves the backrest from 26 degrees to 36 degrees. And that's not all, the seat squab also features an extendable underthigh support for added comfort. Add to that the ‘Boss’ mode, which allows you to push the passenger seat all the way to the front, and you get enough room to sit as comfortably as you would in a lounge chair. It also features powered sunblinds for the rear windshield and windows with manual blinds for the rear quarter glass. AC performance was a sore point for the earlier version, but the four-zone climate control and the AC vents housed in the centre and B-pillars help cool the cabin fast. However, a command touchpad to control the infotainment from the rear would have been a cherry on top.

The India-spec E-Class gets the ‘Chauffeur Pack’ as standard, which brings with it a foldable centre armrest for the rear with cup holders, a wireless charging pad and some storage space. Fold the armrest back and you’ll have a centre seat, but it’s far from comfortable due to the large centre tunnel hump. This makes the E-Class only an occasional 5-seater.

What does improve practicality, however, is the fact that you no longer have to sacrifice boot space with a spare wheel. The space saver now sits under the boot floor and results in a rather generous 510-litre boot.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class performance

The new E-Class comes with three powertrain options: the E 200 seen here with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the E 220d with a 2.0-litre diesel and the E 450 with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. In terms of performance, the 2.0-litre petrol engine makes 204hp and 320Nm but also features a 48V mild-hybrid setup that bumps up the power by 23hp under acceleration. That said, the response is linear and the surge in acceleration is gentle. Although it’s more responsive in Sport mode, it never feels too aggressive. Mated to the engine is a 9-speed automatic, which, thanks to the closely stacked gears, always ensures you are in the power band.

The mild-hybrid setup aids in bottom-end response and the torque flattens out once you’re over triple-digit speeds. The engine is refined, but there’s a raspy exhaust note that seeps into the cabin past 3,200rpm; it is far from sounding coarse. 0-100kph is a relaxed 8.25 seconds but there is no dearth of pulling power during overtakes.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class ride and handling

While the performance might not be something to boast about, the focus of an E-Class is always comfort and ride quality. With 18-inch wheels and a soft suspension setup, the new E rides well and composed on smooth highways. However, over broken roads, especially at low speeds, there is a fair bit of movement inside the cabin, and it can thud over bad patches. That said, ground clearance is something you don't have to worry about much with the new E. Large speed bumps are well managed, and the car almost never scrapes its underbelly. Impressive, but you still need to be wary of the long wheelbase over some poorly built speed bumps. 

Handling manners are neutral with a light yet sharp and linear steering that aids manoeuvrability. You can tweak the response in the drive modes, but it remains a comfy cruiser and not a corner carver. That said, grip levels are good and body roll, despite the soft suspension, is only marginal.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class price and verdict

Priced at Rs 78.5 lakh, the E 200 is only Rs 2 lakh more than its predecessor, and given the updates, it's not a significant amount. Against its rival, the 5 Series, also available in long-wheelbase guise, it's Rs 5.8 lakh more, so a comparison between the two is inevitable. But as things stand, the new E-Class – especially in this E 200 guise – has got a lot of things right. Sure, more tech should have been lavished at the rear instead of the front given its primarily chauffeur-driven duties. Still though, it is a vast improvement over the previous version, which is a feat in itself. 

It gets the stately look expected of a limousine, plenty of tech to keep it modern for a few years, and amazingly, an even more spacious and comfy rear seat than before. It's clearly then a no-brainer. The only question remaining is if it is better than the new BMW 5 Series, and we will find that out soon.

Also see:

Next-gen Mercedes CLA previewed ahead of global debut

Constant changes in EV taxation distort the market, says Mercedes India CEO

Four years down the road, the Triumph Tiger 900 gets a significant midlife update that aims to fix most of the existing 900’s issues.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: engine, performance, refinement

The main improvements are within the 888cc three-cylinder engine, and multiple changes have resulted in not just more power and torque but also the promise of more efficiency. The previous Tiger 900 was far from slow, but the jump from 95hp/87Nm to 108hp/90Nm makes the bike feel even more potent and reactive.

But it’s not just about speed because this engine is also really lovely to ride at a relaxed pace. It’s torquey and very flexible with the gears, so you can ride over speed breakers in third and use sixth as low as 40kph. The fuelling is also beautifully smooth, and you can open the accelerator at very low revs without any signs of protest. This means less clutch use – both off the road and in heavy city traffic, and that’s always nice, even though this clutch isn’t particularly heavy to operate.

I’m also a fan of the sound and feel of this engine with its deep, raspy growl. That said, while it’s characterful, it’s also far from perfect. The big complaint with the 900 engine was its high-rpm vibration, and Triumph has tried to improve that. Heavier bar-end weights and rubber-damped handlebar mounts have made some very clear improvements, but this is still not the smoothest engine in its class at high speeds.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: comfort, ride & handling

Wind protection is usually based on your height and helmet, but I find that this height-adjustable windscreen results in some uncomfortable helmet buffeting at high speeds. Thankfully, the rest of the ergos are beautiful. Despite having gone up by 10mm, the 820-840mm seat height is very low for an ADV of this size and capability, and even tall riders will be comfy here. The seat is also new, and the comfort is fantastic.

The highly impressive chassis remains unchanged, and some fantastic suspension allows this bike to tear effortlessly through any form of terrible road. Like before, there’s a 45mm USD fork with 180mm of travel and a monoshock with 170mm of travel. The suspension is adjustable, but not fully – compression and rebound at the front and preload and rebound at the rear. The stock settings are good enough, but with a remote rear preload adjuster, you can easily make any changes you need.

Even though the GT is the road-biased bike in the line-up, it’s fun to ride off-road and will easily get you through one of those Ladakh adventures. But you must remember that it’s running road tyres on alloy wheels and has no crash protection; Triumph has even removed the earlier GT’s plastic sump guard. For most casual ADV riders, this will be more than capable enough off-road, and I’d only recommend going for the Rally if you really want that hardcore capability or taller seat.

Road handling is neutral and easy but not particularly sporty, and you won’t have to work too hard to scrape its footpegs. It’s definitely no Multistrada V2 in the corners, but it’s still good enough that you’ll have fun.

The impressive braking hardware is the same, but there’s a new linked-braking system that adds in some rear brake when you use the front. It feels quite natural while bringing some more stability to the braking.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: verdict, price, service cost

As for features, the biggest change is the new 7-inch TFT from the Tiger 1200. This one has a great layout and, thankfully, gets rid of those weird layouts from the old Tiger 900. But, like in the Tiger 1200, it takes an eternity to boot up and feels laggy to operate. Triumph really should have fixed this.

But what’s most frustrating is that Triumph still expects you to pay an additional Rs 43,531 if you want a quickshifter. It’s a feature I really missed, and not getting one in this day and age on a Rs 14 lakh motorcycle is quite annoying. Thankfully, you get most of the essentials you’d want on a big ADV, such as two power outlets, cruise control and heated grips; you can even opt for heated seats.

The Tiger 900 has always been the sweet spot in the big ADV segment in India, and this latest update only sweetens that package, especially since it costs just Rs 20,000 more than before. Tigers have also built a great reputation for reliability over the years, and they run fine on regular petrol.

However, there are some cost concerns. The first is that the Tiger 900 GT is a CBU, so the on-road price gets very high in certain states that heavily tax CBUs – it’s nearly Rs 18 lakh in Mumbai. The other disappointment is that spares and service costs for the big bikes actually went up instead of down and are now about 20-30 percent more expensive than before since Bajaj took over Triumph’s operations in India.

Nevertheless, the Triumph Tiger 900 GT is a fantastic all-round motorcycle, and it continues to be my go-to recommendation for the casual adventure rider looking for a premium midsize ADV.

Also See: 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 GT video review

Following a new report that Indians are the most sleep-deprived after the Japanese, the Swedish brand presents a collection designed to help insomniacs

1. iOS 18.2 public beta 2 now available, here’s everything new  9to5Mac
2. iOS 18.2 makes AirPods more powerful than ever, here’s why  9to5Mac
3. Apple Likely Planning to Release iOS 18.2 on December 9  MacRumors
4. iOS 18.2 Public Beta 2 Upgrades Find My and Brings More AI to Some iPhones  CNET
5. iOS 18.2 beta 3: 4 Apple Intelligence features you can test now  Mashable

You already take diligent notes, but now you’re wondering how to up your note-taking game and start taking notes that are better and more useful for you. There are actually all kinds of note-taking methods and strategies you can use to make your notes as effective and clutter-free as possible, and we’ll show you how! We’ve also included some tips on the best ways to review your notes so you get the most out of them. Check out the steps below to get started.

Approximately 32 kilometers from the Goa International Airport in Dabolim, the opulent project will have 62 villas atop Reis Mago, a hill in Goa.  In the second half of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, 62 ultra-luxury villas in Goa, priced between … Continue reading →

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Solar panels between the rails of train tracks is a new idea being tested in Switzerland by start-up Sun-Ways.

The post Swiss Experiment Will Place Solar Panels Between Train Tracks appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Apple has sought to maintain its run of record iPhone sales with a series of new models that boost battery life and feature advanced cameras.