Category: 4. Technology

The new BMW M2 CS (fuel consumption combined: 10.0 l/100 km; CO2
emissions combined: 226 g/km according to WLTP, CO2 class G)* sets a
new benchmark on the legendary Nordschleife racetrack of the
Nürburgring on 11 April 2025. Driven by BMW M development engineer
Jörg Weidinger, it completed the 20.823-kilometre
Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:25.5 minutes, beating the
previous best time for compact cars by eight seconds. This
record-setting BMW M2 CS not only raises the bar in the compact car
class, but also further solidifies BMW M’s reputation as a
manufacturer of high-performance vehicles that excel both on the road
and on the racetrack.

“The BMW M2 CS has achieved a significant milestone with its lap
time of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nordschleife, showcasing the potential
for combining performance, technology and exceptional driving dynamics
into a single vehicle,” stated Franciscus van Meel, the Managing
Director of BMW M GmbH. ‘We are proud that the M2 CS has once again
set a new benchmark in the compact car class with this lap time.’

The continuation of a success story.

The previous best time for a BMW M2 model was set by Weidinger in
April 2023, when he completed the course in 7:38.7 minutes. Two years
later, he beat this time by 13 seconds, breaking the class record of
7:30 minutes for the first time. With the newly set best time of
7:25.5 minutes, the BMW M2 CS demonstrates its outstanding performance
as well as the innovative power and engineering skills of BMW M GmbH.

Previous record runs on the Nordschleife by the BMW M4 CS, the BMW M4
CSL and the BMW M3 CS, all mid-range vehicles, achieved times under
7:30 minutes. The BMW M4 CSL also holds the best lap time ever
recorded for a BMW Group production car. The official, notarised time
is 7:18.137 minutes.

The “Green Hell” myth: The Nordschleife as a touchstone.

Often referred to as the ‘Green Hell’, the Nordschleife racetrack is
considered one of the most demanding and challenging racetracks in the
world. Measuring 20.832 kilometres in length with over 70 bends, it
places the highest demands on drivers and vehicles alike. A fast lap
on this track proves a vehicle’s performance and handling
capabilities. The Nordschleife lap times are the gold standard for
measuring a vehicle’s sporting performance and driving dynamics.
Record runs are monitored by a neutral testing organisation, and the
vehicles are checked to ensure they are in standard condition. This
detailed inspection ensures that the record runs are carried out using
production vehicles.

The Nürburgring – Home of BMW M.

BMW M and the Nürburgring have been in partnership for over a quarter
of a century. From the BMW M Power Grandstand and BMW M Bridge to the
BMW M Driving Experience and BMW M Test Centre, not to mention test
drives on the Nordschleife for M vehicles en route to series
production, the partnership between BMW M and the Nürburgring has been
a resounding success for over 25 years. The Nordschleife serves as a
test bench for every M model. The BMW M Test Centre is equipped with
cutting-edge workshop facilities that allow BMW M to put vehicles
through rigorous testing on the Nordschleife track even before they
reach production, as well as to develop new models.

BMW M Motorsport racing cars have achieved numerous successes in
various racing series, including 21 overall victories in the
Nürburgring 24-hour race. The M Power showroom, which was redesigned
in 2021, is another flagship of the cooperation. The Nürburgring’s
position as the home of BMW M has been further strengthened since then.

The new BMW M2 CS: More power, improved driving dynamics and
consistent lightweight construction.

The new BMW M2 CS is a testament to BMW M GmbH’s ongoing commitment
to setting the standard in the compact high-performance sports car
segment. Its combination of performance, lightweight construction and
innovative technology makes the BMW M2 CS a vehicle that gets drivers
and enthusiasts’ hearts racing. The BMW M2 CS increases driving
pleasure in the premium segment with its enhanced performance and
outstanding agility. The advanced six-cylinder in-line engine
featuring BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers an impressive
output of 390 kW/530 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. Model-specific
engine mounts, an adaptive M suspension and an M compound brake system
all contribute to its sporty performance. Power is transmitted to the
rear wheels via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.
The BMW M2 CS is the lightest model of the current M2 generation
thanks to targeted lightweight construction, including a large number
of exterior and interior components made of carbon fibre-reinforced
plastic (CFRP), which reduces its weight by around 30 kg. This makes a
decisive contribution to its outstanding driving dynamics. The BMW M2
CS comes with forged M light-alloy wheels as standard. Manufactured at
the BMW Group plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, the BMW M2 CS is a
limited edition model with a market launch planned for late summer
2025, priced at 115,000 euros in Germany.

*Consumption and emission figures:


(Fuel consumption combined: 10.0 l/100 km; CO2
emissions combined: 226 g/km according to WLTP, CO2 class G)

The data on fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, power
consumption and range refer to vehicles on the automotive market in
Germany. All figures have already been calculated based on the new
WLTP test cycle. Consumption and emission data refer to the German
Passenger Car Energy Labelling Regulation (EnVKV).

AMFG, a provider of quoting and workflow automation software for high-mix, low-volume manufacturers, is rolling out Sentinel AI, a new artificial intelligence tool designed to analyse 2D PDF drawings in under three seconds. Officially launching on July 12, Sentinel AI marks a step toward fully automated PDF analysis. Described by AMFG as the most advanced, AI-enhanced 2D drawing analysis solution on the market, the tool automates data extraction to speed quoting cycles without sacrificing accuracy. Manufacturers integrating Sentinel into their operations will be able to process engineering drawings more rapidly.

Sentinel AI integrates seamlessly into the platform, enabling users to upload a 2D drawing alongside a 3D model for integrated analysis. Once files are submitted, the system scans each drawing to extract title-block information and tolerancing data, as well as material specifications, thread details and surface roughness. The integration extends to existing workflow automation features and retains AMFG’s high-level security certification, allowing customers to upgrade their quoting processes without interrupting ongoing operations.

“Customers can now upload a 2D drawing alongside a 3D model, and Sentinel will scan the drawing and extract certain title-block and tolerancing information from the drawing,” said Toby Dukes, product owner at AMFG. “Sentinel AI will revolutionize the way our customers manage their PDF analysis, cutting down estimating time and reducing the possibility of human error.”

Manufacturers worldwide use AMFG’s software to automate quoting and order management processes. Despite prior advances in automation, manual review of 2D drawings remained a time-consuming bottleneck. Sentinel AI directly addresses this challenge by cutting down estimating time and reducing the possibility of human error.

A webinar to support Sentinel’s launch will demonstrate how to use Sentinel AI to accelerate the estimating process and reduce administrative tasks while maintaining accuracy. Scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 15:30 BST (16:30 CET, 10:30 EST, 08:30 MST, 07:30 PST), the session will cover tool operation and registration details. Click here to register.

AI Defect Detection Enhances Additive Manufacturing

AI-driven tools are increasingly being adopted across advanced manufacturing to automate defect detection, streamline quality assurance, and improve production efficiency. GKN Aerospace, a global aerospace components manufacturer, integrated Interspectral’s AM Explorer into its Engine Systems Centre of Excellence in Sweden to enhance metal 3D printing workflows. The system uses artificial intelligence to monitor and analyse over 400 data points from Nikon SLM Solutions printers, detecting anomalies during the build process and reducing material waste associated with traditional manufacturing. According to GKN, this move supports sustainability by minimizing failed builds, cutting emissions, and shortening lead times.

Isar Aerospace has taken a similar path by implementing nebumind software into its LPBF 3D printing operations. Previously reliant on manual inspection of powder bed images, the company now uses automated image and edge detection algorithms to identify recoater defects during every layer. This shift has significantly reduced analysis time and enabled engineers to focus on high-risk anomalies flagged by the system. Future developments aim to transition nebumind’s defect detection to in-process monitoring and integrate it with CT scan data, allowing for real-time process control and corrective interventions.

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Featured image shows screenshot of Sentinel AI in action. Image via AMFG.

Wall’s has crafted a major new partnership with Minecraft, the world’s best-selling video game, with the launch of a co-branded ice cream product set to excite fans and deliver real impact in-store, available exclusively at Morrisons.

The new Wall’s x Minecraft ice cream stick reflects a shared spirit of creativity and play between the two brands. It signals a new era of fast, culturally relevant innovation from Unilever Ice Cream, soon to be known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company following the separation of the division later this year.

The launch is a powerful demonstration of the business’ focus on agility and growth through licensing partnerships and emotional brand connection. The idea was developed in response to Minecraft’s surging cultural relevance and took just four months from concept to shelf.

Leyal Eskin Yilmaz, chief marketing officer for Europe, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and head of global brands Wall’s, Cornetto and Twister at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, “This collaboration is a brilliant example of how the new The Magnum Ice Cream Company can respond quickly to culture, drive relevance and build brand excitement. Minecraft’s global popularity made this a natural fit, and we’re proud to have brought the idea to market at speed and scale.”

Minecraft has become a global cultural force, with over 300 million copies sold and a player base whose average age is 24. Following the record-breaking Minecraft movie launch, which earned over $300 million globally in its opening week, and its weekly active users increased by more than 75% year-over-year the subsequent four weeks, making this moment perfect for a retail-facing activation.

The 75ml ice cream stick is inspired by Minecraft’s iconic mining mechanic. It delivers a layered visual and sensory experience: a green vanilla top layer representing grass blocks, a cocoa middle layer as mud, and a vanilla base with bright blue crunchy inclusions that mimic the game’s hidden gems. At just 73 calories per stick, the product has been crafted to appeal to anyone who loves a sweet treat.

From 1st July, the product will be available exclusively in Morrisons, supported by in-store POS, front-of-store activation, and feature space visibility. The ice cream will also be rolling out across The Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Spain later this year.

Mike Kenny, ice cream buying manager from Morrisons said, “We are excited to be the exclusive UK retailer for this great piece of innovation from Wall’s and Minecraft. It is a great example of how strong licensing and cultural relevance can drive excitement in the category. We expect this product to resonate well with families and younger customers, and it is supported by an engaging activation plan that will bring excitement to our freezers this summer.”

Licensing remains a key growth lever for the new company, enabling it to bring fresh energy and relevance to the category while tapping into fandoms with built-in engagement. By working with beloved, culturally active IP like Minecraft – where videos related to the game have been viewed more than 1.5 trillion times on YouTube – Wall’s is creating the must-try ice cream of the year.

The activation is supported by a TikTok-first influencer campaign, designed to drive natural engagement and desirability across social channels, speaking to Minecraft fans in their own language and sparking conversation around the product, the game and the film, with plans to further expand the campaign in the future.

This is a bold new step for Wall’s, and a clear path for The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s ambition to lead culture with speed, relevance and impact.

The ice cream will come in four-pack multipacks available at Morrisons with a RRP of £3.00.

Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9 that the next version of the iPhone’s operating system will be called iOS 26. The tech giant said that update will bring a transparent glass design to icons and menus, a new Games app and much more to your iPhone this fall. But when Apple released iOS 18.4 in March, the update brought a handful of new controls to the iPhone Control Center, including one that brings Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

When Apple released iOS 18 in September, that update remodeled the Control Center to give you more control over how the feature functions. With iOS 18, you can resize controls, assign some controls to their own dedicated page and adjust the placement of controls to your liking. Apple also introduced more controls to the feature, making it a central hub for all your most-used iPhone features.

Read more: iOS 26 Lets Us Kill the 9-Minute Snooze Once and For All

With iOS 18.4, Apple continues to expand the number of controls you can add to the Control Center. If you have the update on your iPhone, you can add ambient music controls, and Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones get a few AI controls in the menu, too. Here’s what you need to know about the new controls and how to add them to your Control Center.

Ambient Music controls

Apple gave everyone four new controls in the Control Center library under the Ambient Music category. These controls are Sleep, Chill, Productivity and Wellbeing. Each of these controls can activate a playlist filled with music that corresponds to the specific control. Sleep, for instance, plays ambient music to help lull you to bed.

Some studies suggest white noise could help adults learn words and improve learning in environments full of distractions. According to the mental health company Calm, certain kinds of music can help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep. So these new controls can help you learn, fall asleep and more.

Here’s how to find these controls.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center. 
2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Add a Control.

You’ll see a section of controls called Ambient Music. You can also search for “Ambient Music” in the search bar at the top of the control library. Under Ambient Music, you’ll see all four controls. Tap one (or all) of them to add them to your Control Center. Once you’ve added one or all the controls to your Control Center, go back to your Control Center and tap one to start playing music.

Here’s how to change the playlist for each control.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap the Ambient Music control you want to edit.
4. Tap the playlist to the right of Playlist.

A dropdown menu will appear with additional playlists for each control. If you’re in the Sleep control, you’ll see playlists like Restful Notes and Lo-Fi Snooze. If you have playlists in your Music app, then you’ll also see an option From Library, which pulls music from your library. Tap whichever playlist you want and it will be assigned to that control.

Apple already lets you transform your iPhone into a white noise machine with Background Sounds, like ocean and rain. But Ambient Music is actual music as opposed to more static sounds like in that feature.

Both of these features feel like a way for Apple to present itself as the first option for whenever you want some background music to help you fall asleep or be productive. Other services, like Spotify and YouTube, already have ambient music playlists like these, so this could be Apple’s way of taking some of those service’s audience.

Apple Intelligence controls

Only people with an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 lineup can access Apple Intelligence features for now, and those people got three new dedicated Apple Intelligence controls with iOS 18.4. Those controls are Talk to Siri, Type to Siri and Visual Intelligence.

Here’s how to find these controls.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open your Control Center.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Add a Control.

Then you can use the search bar near the top of the screen to search for “Apple Intelligence” or you can scroll through the menu to find the Apple Intelligence & Siri section. Tap any (or all) of these controls to add them to your Control Center. While Talk to Siri and Type to Siri controls can be helpful if you have trouble accessing the digital assistant, the Visual Intelligence control is important because it brings the Apple Intelligence feature to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Visual Intelligence was originally only accessible on the iPhone 16 lineup because those devices have the Camera Control button. With iOS 18.4, Visual Intelligence is now accessible on more devices and people thanks to the titular control in Control Center. But remember, Visual Intelligence is like any other AI tool so it won’t always be accurate. You should double check results and important information it shows you.

For more on iOS 18, here’s what you need to know about iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4, as well as our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You can also check out what you should know about iOS 26.

SAVE $400: As of July 3, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That’s a 50% saving on the list price.

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If a robot vacuum has been on your wishlist for a while, chances are you’ve come across the name Roomba. And with Prime Day around the corner, we’re already seeing discounts on almost every single new Roomba.

As of July 3, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is on sale for $399.99. This deal saves you $400 on list price, and is the lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel. Our robot vacuum expert has hand-picked this deal as one of the best ahead of Prime Day.

And for under $400, you’re getting a lot. It has seriously powerful suction, as well as intense cleaning with its dual mop pads and SmartScrub tech. It even has a rubber brush that works across surfaces alongside an edge-sweeping brush to get right into corners. The dual mop pads also spin and create a downward pressure scrub, so even the hardest of messes are no problem.

And it can map out your home quickly and efficiently with ClearView LiDAR, avoiding stairs and navigating around any obstacles.

Mashable Deals

You can control everything in the Roomba app; just open it up to schedule routines, check filter health, or tell it to focus on certain rooms. You can choose between vacuuming, mopping, combo cleaning, or vacuuming before mopping, and the mop pads lift automatically when your carpet is detected. All from the push of a (smartphone) button.

You can find this incredible deal at Amazon now.

Italian cabling giant Prysmian Group will soon kick off the second phase of cabling works in UK waters for NeuConnect, a high-voltage submarine cable that will create the first direct energy transmission link between the UK and Germany.

The 725-kilometer land and subsea cable system is said to create an “invisible energy highway” capable of transferring 1.4 GW of electricity, enough to power 1.5 million homes, in either direction, with converter stations on the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany.

Construction work at the UK site on the Isle of Grain began in the summer of 2023, with construction in Germany following in May 2024.

Prysmian completed the first phase of cabling works in UK waters in November 2024, installing 56 kilometers of onshore and subsea cables.

The Italian company will on July 7 recommence cable installation operations using its cable laying vessel (CLV) Leonardo da Vinci. This second campaign is expected to be completed in September.

The third phase of cabling works is planned to begin mid-November, with completion slated for January 2026.

NeuConnect is expected to be operational by 2028.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞?

𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟓𝟎% 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬!

It took time, but Apple has now joined Meta’s social media platform, Threads, nearly two years post-launch. Threads. Over 4.8 million people followed the verified @apple account right away. This resulted from Meta’s Instagram auto-follow function. All of the company’s Instagram followers were instantly added to the Threads account. The same strategy boosted Threads at its launch.

Threads is still considered a growing alternative to X, formerly Twitter. However, its long-term engagement remains to be seen. Apple’s new account has not yet shared any posts. Its function and potential applications are currently unknown. However, as was done on X in the past, the business may employ Threads for promotional content.

There, the company has over 9.8 million followers, though it does not engage in regular posting on that platform. However, Apple actively posts to its 34 million+ Instagram followers as part of its “Shot on iPhone” campaign. Now, threads could be used as a placeholder or as a new home for upcoming announcements or campaigns.