Basket, The Tech, Sports News
- Dimitris Schoen
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
At Basket, we are committed to technology that improves daily life. We focus on high-quality, affordable, and accessible tech, and we support the visionaries behind startups. For example, we would to introduce with SmartHomePath, a company making energy-saving smart plugs for apartments, and EcoTrack, a startup developing easy-to-use air quality sensors for schools. Our support also extends to innovative products like the PocketSafe wearable for seniors and BrightBox, a solar-powered battery pack designed for students. By backing these projects, we help turn unique ideas into reality and make a real impact in local communities.
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Today’s coverage includes our first impressions of the MacBook Neo, a promising new breast cancer drug, and the Top 5 Swiss innovations. Our main feature examines whether investing in an EV is worthwhile as gas prices rise. In sports, we highlight Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 pole and Marco Odermatt’s Downhill Globe victory, making him one of the most successful Swiss skiers. We conclude with a podcast on Ebiking.
We are excited about the new MacBook Neo. After hands-on testing with resellers, our initial impressions are positive: it is colourful, reminiscent of the iBook, and features excellent build quality. The Neo features a 12-inch Retina display (2560x1600), weighs 2.3 pounds, and offers up to 12 hours of battery life. It comes with the latest M3 chip, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. (Say hello to MacBook Neo, 2026) The screen is smaller than the MacBook Air's 13.6-inch display, and it shows different reflections. Performance appears adequate for daily use, though further testing is required. Pricing starts at $899, making it more affordable than the Air, which starts at $1099, but slightly higher than some Windows ultrabooks with similar specs. (Hill, 2024) Compared to the Air, the Neo is lighter and more compact but may offer slightly lower peak performance. For in-depth reviews, we recommend checking YouTube. At Basket, we remain enthusiastic about the MacBook Neo.
Scientists from EPFL are testing a promising new breast cancer drug, PXS-5505, which has shown positive results in early trials. (A promising new drug for an invasive type of breast cancer, 2026) Their research into Invasive Lobular Carcinoma offers hope, and initial outcomes are encouraging. This development is particularly significant for technologically oriented readers, as breakthroughs in biotechnology and data-driven research are exemplified by advances like the rapid analysis of mass spectrometry data, which have direct implications for personalized healthcare (Pinge et al., 2023).
Here are the Top 5 latest innovations from Swiss startups and Tech
Our Long overage: Is it worth it now to own an EV to save money while gas bills are going up?
Trendy in the news, at Basket, we were very interested in an article from TechRadar that asked whether owning an EV would save you money, especially during a fuel crisis. With fuel prices rising due to recent geopolitical events, many are considering switching to electric vehicles (EVs). Let’s look at some cost factors and the pros and cons to help inform your decision.
Key cost factors include the upfront cost of the car, incentives and tax credits, fuel savings, maintenance costs (which are typically lower with EVs) (Electric Vehicle Analysis Press Release, 2025), and the availability of charging infrastructure. While EVs can help you avoid high fuel costs, electricity rates, and local charging network availability, battery replacement costs should also be considered. (EV battery replacement cost index 2025, 2025)
Pros of owning an EV:
- Lower day-to-day running costs compared to gas vehicles (Lekach, 2025)
- Fewer maintenance needs, - Reduced emissions and environmental impact: In 2024, a small electric SUV with a range of 300 miles produces 52% fewer life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to a similar gasoline vehicle (Energy, 2024).S. and Europe, 2025)
- Longer refuelling (charging) time compared to gasoline fill-ups (Zeng et al., 2022)
For some, especially those who can charge at home and drive mostly within city limits, owning an EV can result in significant long-term savings. (U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces More Than $2 Billion in Upfront Savings for Consumers on Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Sales Under Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, 2024)
However, if you frequently drive long distances or live in areas with limited charging infrastructure, you might face challenges.
At Basket, we believe the choice depends on your specific needs, driving habits, and local charging options. If rising fuel costs affect you and public or alternative transportation is not practical, an EV might make financial sense in the long term. For others, keeping your current vehicle or choosing public transport, biking, or walking could be more suitable. We recommend reviewing local incentives and calculating your own potential savings before deciding.
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We turn now to sports. At Basket, we would like to congratulate Kimi Antonelli on Mercedes for his pole position in the China in Formula 1 Grand Prix. He is one of the youngest drivers to reach a pole position.
On Basket too, we would like to congratulate Marco Odermatt for becoming one of the most successful skiers in the Swiss Ski history. Marco Odermatt was third in the downhill race in Courchevel and won the Globe of Downhill.
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Basket will end this Tech, sports, coverage with a Podcast about E-Bikes
References
(March 7, 2026). Say hello to MacBook Neo. Apple Newsroom. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/say-hello-to-macbook-neo/
Hill, A. (November 17, 2024). The Apple MacBook Air M2 laptop is now only $749 at Amazon. Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/macbooks/apple-macbook-air-m2-laptop-is-now-only-usd749-at-amazon
(April 23, 2025). Electric Vehicle Analysis Press Release. Vincentric. https://vincentric.com/Home/Industry-Reports/US-Industry-Reports/2025-EV-Analysis-Press-Release
(March 1, 2025). EV battery replacement cost index 2025. Compare the Market. https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/energy/features/battery-replacement-cost/
Lekach, S. (September 16, 2025). EVs Cheaper To Operate Than Gas Cars, Per AAA, But Ownership Costs Remain High. Forbes.
Garratt, E. (2026). Electric Car Maintenance Guide: Costs & Servicing 2026. The Electric Car Scheme. https://www.electriccarscheme.com/blog/electric-car-maintenance-servicing
(November 5, 2024). Climate report shows the largest annual drop in EU greenhouse gas emissions for decades. European Commission.
Phoon, M. (February 6, 2025). EV Prices Drop 25% Since 2018: Shrinking The Gap With Gas Cars.
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September 4, 2025). EV Infrastructure Growth Slows as Consumers Cite Charging Access as Top Barrier to Adoption across the U.S. and Europe. HERE Technologies.
(February 26, 2026). A promising new drug for an invasive type of breast cancer. EPFL. https://actu.epfl.ch/news/a-promising-new-drug-for-an-invasive-type-of-breast-cancer-3