VW's I.D. Buzz EV Microbus tapped for possible 2022 release

Volkswagen's I.D. Buzz concept for an eletric microbus could be put in mass production by 2022. According to a report from Automotive News Europe which notes, "Volkswagen brand CEO Herbert Diess is expected to announce on Saturday details regarding the production of the battery-powered I.D. Buzz microbus slated to debut in 2022."

I got to see the I.D. Buzz at the Detroit Auto Show early this year and was impressed at the mix of retro flavour and innovative EV and driverless features the concept proposed. A futuristic successor to the nostalgic Microbuses, Vanagons and Eurovans of decades past, the I.D. Buzz is one of three EVs VW plans to build and a unique concept in a world of EV sedans and SUVs.

Diess will likely be joined by Eckhard Scholz, the head of Volkswagen's light commercial vehicle business, which manufactures the Transporter in Hanover, Germany, where all six generations of the van have been produced since 1956.

Coming off the Dieselgate scandal, a tangible entry into the EV market could set VW up for future success as EVs become more mainstream.

Source: Automotive News Europe

Unofficial 'iPhone 8' design leaked by McDonald's promo

Apple's upcoming 'iPhone 8,' is perhaps the most leaked unreleased product in recent times. Not only did Apple's own HomePod firmware yield various hints at the device's new design as well as its features, there's been no shortage of part, cases and renders that give us a good idea of what Apple's most important product looks like. 

McDonald's is the latest to jump into the leak bandwagon with their bizarre use of an iPhone 8 mockup to showcase their mobile app. Circulating the above mockup images in emails sent to customers, McDonald's Australia may have jumped the gun on the iPhone. The image shows a new edge-to-edge display and a slim ribbon for cameras and sensors.             

Source:9to5Mac

Breaking: Google Home now offers multiple user support and voice calling in Canada

Google Home, the AI-powered speaker and assistant is finally getting multiple user support today which means that various users in a household or office can get tailored responses based on voice recognition. Google Home will also be able to be used for voice calling to millions of phone numbers in US and Canada. 

"You can also make calls to your own personal contacts, as well as millions of businesses across Canada and the U.S..* Calling the bakery around the corner, ordering flowers from the nearest florist, and wishing grandma a happy birthday, are now as easy as “Hey Google.” Google explains.

*Google Home by default can call businesses and your Google Contacts. Learn more at our Help Center about how your other contacts stored on your phone can also be used on Google Home. Calls to 911, premium rate numbers as well as international numbers are not supported.

Learn more about Hands-Free Calling here, and multiple user support here.

Fujifilm’s Annex Photo brand experience store turns one

FUJIFILM Canada will celebrate the one year anniversary of Annex Photo, Concept by Fujifilm, Store in Toronto’s trendy Annex district on Saturday, August 19 with an all day event planned in store.

As part of the one year anniversary celebration of the Annex Photo Concept Store, Fujifilm will give away one Instax® Mini 9 instant film camera every hour on August 19 at the store. To enter for a chance to win, visitors can come to the store, enter their contact information on a ballot and a winner will be randomly selected each hour. There will also be an instagram contest for an additional Instax Mini 9 camera when customers post a photo with a special hashtag and tag the @annexphotostore instagram account. There will be free gourmet ice-pops from @thepopstand, caricature sketches (1-4pm) and door crasher specials.

Click to read more ...