2025 Mercedes G-Wagen AMG G 63 Review: The Classic SUV Finally Hits Its Peak

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Product Reviews, Transportation,

You don’t buy a G-Wagen to blend in. It’s a billboard for every era it’s survived: the 70s military truck, the 90s Wall Street icon, the 2020s social media flex. Now, for 2025, it finally drives like it looks - commanding, calm, a little ridiculous, and extremely, intentionally cool. There’s a V8 with more tech inside than some laptops. There’s chassis wizardry that erases its worst habits. The price is high, the attitude is higher. If you want a quiet luxury SUV, shop elsewhere. If you want a machine that turns every Starbucks run into a photo op, start counting options.

Mercedes Remixed Its Icon (But Didn’t Dare Change the Shape)

Under the hood, the old-school hand-built V8 is now paired with a 48-volt starter-generator - a mild-hybrid system, but don’t call it eco. It’s here for instant response, not planet-saving. AMG Active Ride Control means the anti-roll bars are out, and a hydraulic network is in. The G-Wagen doesn’t tip and sway anymore. It leans into corners with a kind of dignity it never had. MBUX gets smarter, the Transparent Hood camera now makes off-roading (or curb-hopping) easier, and there are subtle tweaks to the A-pillars and roof for less wind noise. All the DNA, with a few evolutionary tricks.

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Mercedes Finally Nailed the Plug-In SUV: 2025 GLC 350e Tested

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Product Reviews, Transportation,

The GLC 350e is the rare plug‑in hybrid that feels like a real electric car for most of your week. Mercedes quotes 54 miles of EV range and the number finally lines up with how people actually drive a compact luxury SUV. School runs. Grocery loops. A commute that looks the same Monday through Thursday. Add the comfort and polish this generation of GLC already nailed, then give it DC fast charging for the days you push too far on battery. It ends up calm, capable, and surprisingly efficient. If you have a place to plug in, this is the GLC you want.

The test car at a glance

My test vehicle is the spec you actually see in showrooms when someone checks every box that makes the design pop: MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic paint, AMG Line with the sportier bumpers, Night Package for the dark trim, and 20‑inch AMG multispoke wheels finished in black. Inside, Exclusive Trim with Metal Weave accents, ventilated front seats, the panorama roof, and the Advanced USB package. It starts at $59,900 and lands at $73,450 as tested including destination.

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3 New Shows Prove Apple TV+ is Just Getting Started…

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Videos,

If you're anything like me, finishing a show like Severance leaves a void. It’s unsettling, thought-provoking, and so visually distinctive that it’s hard to imagine anything else filling that slot. But what if I told you Apple TV+ quietly launched three series that might not only fill that gap but stretch your viewing appetite in entirely new directions? They’re not front-page banner material (yet), but they’re packed with big names, sharp scripts, and a clear sense of ambition.

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Long-Term Review: Still Worth It?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Product Reviews, Videos,

Imagine a phone so thin it rivals the latest iPad Pro, yet it's packed with Google's AI smarts and folds seamlessly in half. That’s the Pixel 9 Pro Fold—a cutting-edge device that redefines elegance and functionality in the foldable smartphone market. But does its second iteration live up to expectations? Let’s dive in and explore everything that makes this device stand out, from its impossibly slim design to its powerful AI integration.

Ultra-Slim Hardware That’s a Marvel of Engineering

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. At just 0.2 inches thick when opened, it’s one of the slimmest smartphones ever created, rivaling the thinness of the iPad Pro. Google achieved this feat with ingenious engineering, particularly the hinge mechanism. This hinge folds completely flat, ensuring smooth transitions between phone and tablet modes. It’s a small but impactful detail that enhances everyday usability.

Weighing in at 9.1 ounces, the device strikes a perfect balance between portability and durability. While it’s not the lightest foldable on the market, the weight distribution makes it feel sturdy and premium in hand. If you’ve ever struggled with a clunky foldable, you’ll appreciate the sleekness that Google has achieved here.

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Apple’s HUGE Siri Apple Intelligence Fumble w/ John Gruber - Geared Up 205

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software, Videos,

Tech legend John Gruber joins Andru Edwards and Jon Rettinger to unravel the story behind Apple Intelligence and its delayed features in this episode of Geared Up. From early WWDC promises to today's reality, they dissect how Apple got comfortable showcasing features it didn't hav eready, and what that says about their internal culture, marketing strategy, and the future of Siri.

Required reading for this episode: Something is Rotten in the State of Cupertino

Gruber shares rare behind-the-scenes insights, including his personal evolution in covering Apple and the moment he realized the company had broken a decades-long precedent. The trio also explores the rocky launch of Vision Pro, Apple's approach to foldables, and why Apple Maps is a cautionary tale for Apple Intelligence.

Head to the Geared Up YouTube channel to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

Mercedes Got the Formula Right with the 2024 GLC 43

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Product Reviews, Transportation,

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe is an interesting proposition. It sits neatly in a category that often tries (and sometimes struggles) to blend performance and practicality, wrapped in that distinctive coupe silhouette that's suddenly everywhere. On paper, Mercedes promises both sporty handling and everyday usability - but how does this translate in real life?

First, let's talk numbers. Under the hood, you'll find AMG’s tuned 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. With 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger, acceleration is brisk—Mercedes claims 0-60 mph in roughly 4.7 seconds. It's paired with a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT automatic transmission that delivers fast, crisp gear changes, and all-wheel drive comes standard via Mercedes' 4MATIC system. It's quick enough to entertain, though not exactly thrilling if you've spent time in higher-powered AMGs.

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The Dreame X50 Ultra Is Be the Smartest Robot Vacuum You Can Buy

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smart Home, Product Reviews, Videos,

Most robot vacuums promise convenience. Fewer deliver on that promise. The Dreame X50 Ultra, though, doesn’t just show up with fancy tech specs. It works in the real world. It climbs. It ducks under furniture. It avoids cables. It might actually be one of the most thoughtful smart home devices I’ve ever tested.

Let’s start with navigation. The VersaLift system sounds like marketing fluff, but it’s not. The vacuum has a LiDAR sensor that physically drops lower to let the unit slide under couches and cabinets. This isn’t something you see in typical robot vacuums, which usually treat low-clearance spaces as off-limits. Add in 3D structured light and AI-powered cameras that identify over 200 types of obstacles, and you get a vacuum that’s actually aware of its environment. It moves with a sense of purpose.

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iPhone 16e Review: Apple Just Killed the Budget iPhone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Product Reviews, Videos,

The days of a truly budget-friendly iPhone are over. With the launch of the iPhone 16E, Apple has redefined its entry-level iPhone lineup - but at a higher starting price of $599. The question is, does this new model deliver enough value to justify the cost, or are there better options available? Let’s break it all down.

Unboxing the iPhone 16e: What’s Inside?

If you’re familiar with Apple’s minimalist approach, you already know what to expect. The iPhone 16e comes in a slim box containing the phone itself, a braided USB-C cable (marking the end of the Lightning port), and eSIM setup instructions - no SIM ejector tool, charger, or wired headphones included.

Apple also introduced five silicone case options for the iPhone 16e: lake green, fuchsia, winter blue, white, and black. While the cases add some flair to the otherwise basic black and white phone options, neither the cases nor the phone support MagSafe, which is a notable omission.

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Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Videos,

Every iPhone launch brings the usual fanfare - new cameras, brighter screens, and the inevitable comparison charts. But this year, Apple made a quiet yet monumental move: introducing the C1 modem inside the iPhone 16e. This is Apple’s first in-house modem chip, a shift that could redefine how iPhones connect to the world, just as Apple Silicon did for processing power.

Why Modems Matter More Than You Think

The modem is one of the most crucial components in any smartphone. It’s the bridge between your phone and the world, translating signals from cell towers into the data that powers your web browsing, video streaming, and even your voice calls. A great modem means faster speeds, better battery efficiency, and a smoother experience when networks get congested. Apple knows this, which is why the move to develop its own modem is such a big deal.

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Apple Vision Pro Just Got a Big AI Upgrade! What’s New in visionOS 2.4

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Wearables, Software, Videos,

Apple Vision Pro users, your headset is finally getting the update you've been waiting for. visionOS 2.4 is here in beta, and while it’s not a revolutionary overhaul, it’s a significant step toward making the device feel more polished, more useful, and less like a prototype with potential.

Let’s start with the biggest news: Apple Intelligence is finally coming to the Vision Pro. But before you get too excited, this is mostly Apple playing catch-up with the AI features already available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You can now rewrite, proofread, and summarize text anywhere in the system, which is great if you’re composing an email or drafting notes on the go. Smart Reply makes an appearance in Messages and Mail, which is particularly useful on a device where typing can be cumbersome. And then there’s Genmoji—Apple’s AI-generated emoji tool—which lets you create custom emojis on the fly. It’s a fun addition, even if it feels more like a novelty than a game-changer.

Click to continue reading Apple Vision Pro Just Got a Big AI Upgrade! What’s New in visionOS 2.4