The 2026 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid promises an appealing blend of performance, efficiency, and three-row versatility, with 323 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and an EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric range. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I share my real-world impressions of its ride quality, outward visibility, cargo capacity, and practical features. I also examine the shortcomings that hold the CX-90 PHEV back—and whether Mazda has done enough to compete in the fiercely contested $40,000-to-$60,000 near-luxury SUV market. 

 A mobile driver’s license promises convenience—until your phone dies, your device is stolen, or your account becomes inaccessible when you need to prove your identity. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine the real-world rollout of mobile driver’s licenses in the United States, from Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet integration to separate state-issued apps. I also explore the security, reliability, and accessibility questions surrounding digital identification. If TSA officials and motor vehicle agencies still recommend carrying the physical card, are mobile licenses solving a genuine problem—or simply creating new ones? 

 What if your electric vehicle could do more than consume electricity—and actually earn money by supplying it? In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explore vehicle-to-grid technology and bidirectional charging programs that compensate EV owners for returning stored energy to the power grid during periods of high demand. From PG&E pilot programs to incentives offered by National Grid and Eversource, we examine how EVs could function as mobile microgrids, strengthen energy resilience, and reduce strain on utilities. We also consider who can benefit today—and why renters and drivers without access to private charging may be left behind. 

 MIT researchers have developed a potentially lower-cost method for extracting lithium from hard rock—an advance that could strengthen domestic battery production and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains. For this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explain how the new process works, why conventional lithium extraction can be expensive and resource-intensive, and how Rock Zero plans to move the technology from the laboratory toward commercial deployment. The breakthrough could help lower EV battery costs while making America’s clean-energy supply chain more resilient. 

 Mailing a paper check may feel routine, but rising mail theft and check fraud have made this familiar habit increasingly risky. During this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explain how criminals steal and “wash” checks using common chemicals, alter the payee and dollar amounts, and drain money from victims’ accounts. I also examine why quickly discovering and reporting fraudulent activity matters—and share practical steps you can take to protect yourself when paying rent, contractors, or household bills by check. 

 BYD’s Denza Z9S reportedly delivers roughly 570 miles of range—an achievement that should command the attention of every automaker competing in the global EV market. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine what we know about this Chinese luxury electric sedan, its performance and range claims, and why its lithium iron phosphate battery technology may be the most disruptive part of the story. If BYD can combine long range, strong performance and competitive pricing without relying on an extraordinarily large battery pack, the Denza Z9S could offer an important preview of where electric vehicles are headed next. 

The question is no longer how the United States can keep Chinese automakers out, but how it should manage their quiet—and growing—presence in the American marketplace. During this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine China-built vehicles already sold here, BYD’s U.S. bus manufacturing operations, and the complicated debate surrounding tariffs, government subsidies, national security, and fair competition. Chinese automotive influence has already reached American roads and factories. The challenge now is to develop a strategy that protects domestic interests without insulating U.S. automakers from the competition driving the global industry forward. 

 A new blood test could help identify apparently healthy older adults who may develop Alzheimer’s symptoms five to ten years later, potentially giving researchers a valuable head start against the disease. For this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine how the test works, why scientists caution that it is not yet ready for routine screening, and the difficult questions early detection may create when effective treatment options remain limited. For millions of families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia—including Lewy body dementia—this research represents meaningful, if still preliminary, progress. 

 The 2026 Honda Pilot Elite combines generous passenger space, thoughtful packaging, and useful technology in a three-row SUV designed for everyday family life. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine its larger digital instrument cluster, updated interface software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and added sound insulation that produces a quieter cabin. But one concern overshadows those improvements: transmission hesitation and unpredictable responses during merging and mid-throttle acceleration. The Pilot Elite is comfortable, capable, and easy to live with—but can drivers trust it to respond confidently when it matters most? 

 Paying to bypass traffic sounds worthwhile—until the express lane returns drivers to the same congestion they paid to avoid. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I take a firsthand look at the pay-to-use HOV lanes on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis, including trip costs, dynamic pricing, plate readers, and roadway sensors. I also examine how the location and design of a bottleneck determine whether congestion pricing produces meaningful time savings or simply generates additional revenue. For commuters, the real choice may be less about paying for speed and more about changing when they travel.