It’s like a weird robotic dinosaur that can mow your lawn. Plenty of autonomous lawnmowers have been showcased or introduced at this year’s IFA event in Berlin, but only one of them comes equipped with a robotic arm. NexLawn, a sub-brand of MOVA that sits under its Dreame parent company, has announced the Master X Series Concept, which it describes as “the first robotic mower with a fully functional mechanical arm.”That arm is designed to help reduce the amount of manual maintenance that’s required for people who own and run robot lawnmowers, such as picking up any fallen sticks or debris that could damage the bot or force it to navigate around the obstacle. The arm folds down to 44.5 cm (about 17.5 inches) in length, extends up to 77 cm (a little over 30 inches), and can reach as far as one meter away when performing outdoor tasks. NexLawn says it features multiple interchangeable arm attachments, including a multi-gripper, a trimmer head, and an edging disc head, with more in development.The Master X Series Concept is capable of “trimming, weeding, fruit picking, and even pet interaction,” according to NexLawn’s press release. A 3D animated video demo shows the mower throwing a ball for a dog, for example, though it’s hard to picture a pooch that would engage positively with such a visibly not human-looking device.The inclusion of “Concept” in its name indicates that this isn’t a consumer-ready product you can actually go out and buy, but some concept products do eventually evolve into something tangible. NexLawn hasn’t mentioned a price or release timeline, however, so any potential launch will likely be a ways off.

Qualcomm is joining forces with BMW on a new driver-assist system that will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel on approved roads.Qualcomm, which supplies infotainment, driver-assist, and telematics systems to a variety of automakers, is looking to raise its portfolio in the auto industry, as more car companies turn to advanced processors and chips to power high-tech features. The San Diego-based chipmaker says it currently has $45 billion in future revenue in its automotive pipeline right now.Now it’s teaming up with BMW to bring hands-free driving and more advanced autonomous features to more vehicles. The two companies jointly developed the new software system, which signals a growing role for automakers in the development of their autonomous systems. It’s built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip using this jointly developed software stack. And Qualcomm says it was built “to meet the highest safety standards,” citing the European Union’s New Car Assessment Programme for Level 2 Plus systems.The San Diego-based chipmaker says it currently has $45 billion in future revenue in its automotive pipeline right nowThese systems are similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, GM’s Super Cruise, and Ford’s BlueCruise, insofar as they allow drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel and feet from the pedals on approved roads. (Different auto brands have different rules about when this is allowed, and for how long.)The system, which Qualcomm calls its Snapdragon Ride Pilot, made its debut at the Munich auto show today in the BMW iX3, which is the German automaker’s first “Neue Klasse” next-gen electric vehicle. Qualcomm says the system has been validated for use in more than 60 countries, with plans to expand to over 100 in 2026. Snapdragon Ride Pilot will be made available to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers. While most hands-free systems are marketed as convenience features, Qualcomm says its new driver-assist features should also help improve safety. “That’s why we believe at Qualcomm that ADAS [advanced driver-assist systems] and automated driving should be as prevalent as seatbelts,” Qualcomm VP for product marketing Ignacio Contreras said in a recent briefing, “not only for the safety benefits that it brings to the car, but also for the convenience and productivity improvements that technology brings to users worldwide.”With more cars equipped with partial automation hitting the road, safety researchers are growing increasingly worried about driver attention and the potential for these systems to cause crashes. There is compelling evidence that, regardless of the company, most driver-assist systems are less safe than normal human driving. Drivers tend to develop an overreliance on these systems to drive the car for them — even after a short period of use. And when it’s time to take back control of the vehicle, their reaction times are slower than what’s considered safe.Qualcomm says the new software will ensure that the driver stays engaged with the road using the vehicle’s monitoring system. “The system has the built-in redundancy from that perspective,” said Dheeraj Ahuja, the company’s head of autonomous driving. “It has multiple algorithms trying to make these decisions as safe as possible. However, life on the road is quite chaotic at times, and this is where the driver engagement is very important.”

The OnePlus 13 will likely be the last OnePlus phone to feature a Hasselblad logo. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau announced on the company’s user forums today that its five-year partnership with camera company Hasselblad has come to an end. From now on, OnePlus will develop its own imaging engine instead.OnePlus first teamed up with Hasselblad for the 9 and 9 Pro flagships, and a Hasselblad logo has featured on the camera of all of its top-tier phones since. That’s now set to change with the upcoming OnePlus 14 (which may actually be the OnePlus 15 to avoid the unlucky number “4” in China).Hasselblad didn’t just provide its logo though. It worked with OnePlus (and parent company Oppo) for years to develop imaging algorithms to improve its photography, once a weak point for the brand and now considered a bit of a strength. OnePlus is now taking that work in-house, developing the OnePlus DetailMax Engine. It’ll be interesting to see how close that ends up being to the Oppo Lumo engine, launched this April alongside the Find X8 Ultra (which, for what it’s worth, has a truly excellent camera).Making things a little weirder, Oppo just extended its partnership with Hasselblad in July, promising a new mobile imaging system to come later this year. I’m still struggling to square that circle.

For years, BMW has been teasing its forthcoming next-generation “Neue Klasse” electric vehicle platform, complete with better batteries, better range, and an all-new “superbrain” with enhanced computing power. Today, the German automaker finally revealed the first Neue Klasse vehicle: the iX3. And at first glance, it has a lot to take in.The iX3, which made its debut today at the Munich auto show, represents the 109-year-old company’s attempt at reinventing itself as a future-focused automaker that understands the growing importance of software in the automotive world. It’s also the tip of the spear in BMW’s effort to challenge the growing influence of China, which has become the world’s number one exporter of high-tech electric vehicles. And the iX3 will soon be joined by 40 more Neue Klasse models over the next two years as BMW radically changes the way it designs, builds, and sells what it calls “the ultimate driving machine.”Of course, all that will be for naught if the iX3 isn’t a compelling EV with killer specs that’s fun to drive. And from the first look, it seems like BMW may have hit it out of the park. Charging speed and rangeThe iX3 will be BMW’s first EV built on an 800-volt architecture, which the automaker says will enable lightning-fast charging speeds of up to 400kW, adding as much as 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes. (Most DC fast chargers in the US offer speeds in the range of 150–350kW.) The iX3 is also the first EV to receive BMW’s in-house-developed Gen6 cylindrical battery cells, which offer 30 percent more range, up to 30 percent faster charging speeds, and 20 percent more energy density, and they are 50 percent cheaper to build.BMW wasn’t ready to disclose the exact energy content of the iX3’s new battery pack, but did say it will power the sports activity vehicle (SAV) for over 400 miles of EPA-estimated range. That’s less than the 600 miles of range the automaker was predicting in 2022, but still would place the iX3 among the top tier of current EVs in terms of range.The first variant to roll off the assembly line at BMW’s newly constructed factory in Hungary will be the iX3 50 xDrive, with an all-wheel drive motor setup capable of spitting out 463 horsepower and 476lb-ft of torque. That version will hit US dealerships by mid-2026, starting at $60,000, with rear-wheel drive models to follow soon after. ‘Superbrains’The iX3 will be the first model from BMW to feature the automaker’s oddly named “Heart of Joy” computer, which is one of the Neue Klasse’s touted four “superbrains.” This unassuming black box aggregates all the traction, stability, and electric motor management functions that are typically handled by a dozen different processors sourced from a dozen different suppliers and scattered throughout the car. In unifying those functions, the iX3 is sure to be a blast to drive, as experienced by Verge contributor Tim Stevens earlier this year.The collection of displays — the instrument cluster, heads-up display, and central display — combines to form the Panoramic iDrive, which runs on the automaker’s Android-based Operating System X. BMW says it is elevating the experience with the iX3 to ensure that drivers keep their eyes on the road and avoid distractions. As such, the automaker has included physical knobs and buttons for the most important controls, including HVAC, audio volume, mirror control, and warning lights.The ‘Heart of Joy’ computer helps optimize drive quality.(BMW doesn’t mention its suppliers in its press release, but the automaker also announced today a new automated driving pilot for Level 2 Plus driving, which it has developed with Qualcomm.)The iX3 is BMW’s first foray into the buzzy world of software-defined vehicles. So there’s a lot of digital features that the automaker says will improve over time through over-the-air updates. At launch, BMW claims it has achieved “superior intelligence” in the form of interior lights that come on automatically if the vehicle’s sensors detect that the driver is searching for something, or a charging port flap that opens automatically when it detects an approaching plug. Other examples include app notifications if the vehicle detects something moving inside while its locked. Digital keys on smartphones or smartwatches will be the “preferred” way to unlock and start the iX3, BMW says, while noting that it supports all the major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Google. And the vehicle supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. How does iX3 stack up?The first thing you notice about the iX3 is the slimmer, more vertically aligned kidney grille, which sets it apart from some of its EV predecessors. Some could argue that BMW’s signature design feature has gotten a little out of control in the EV era, spreading lewdly across the iX’s front end, for example. So it may come as a bit of a shock that the automaker would tone down its aggressiveness for its new flagship battery-powered vehicle. In place of a wider grille, we get a new horizontal lightning design that presents as more sophisticated.In terms of size, the iX3 is about the same length as an i4, while also a little taller (64.4 inches) and a little wider (74.6 inches). And at 188.3 inches, it’s not as long as an iX, but is longer than most versions of the gas-powered X3.BMW is racing to keep up with Tesla and a new generation of Chinese manufacturers, like Xiaomi and Xpeng, that intuitively understand software and have for years been building vehicles with delightful digital experiences. And the German automaker has been making a lot of progress, with its EVs and plug-in hybrids seeing double-digit sales growth year over year.As governments around the world phase out their EV incentives, BMW will face a new challenge around affordability. The luxury and premium EV space is packed to the gills, with legacy players like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi competing against newcomers like Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian. The iX3 isn’t going to upset the balance too much, but it is an important piece in BMW’s mission to convince buyers that when it comes to EVs with the perfect balance of range, power, and software, it’s the ultimate choice.

Windows Mixed Reality headsets in 2018. | Image: Getty Images Windows Mixed Reality headsets were left in a non-functional state last year, after Microsoft suddenly discontinued the platform with its 24H2 update to Windows 11. Now, an Xbox engineer at Microsoft is bringing these headsets back to life, thanks to a new driver that enables SteamVR support.Matthieu Bucchianeri, a software engineer that worked on Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality headsets, has released a free “Oasis Driver for Windows Mixed Reality” on Steam. It’s named Oasis as that’s the codename Microsoft used for its Windows Mixed Reality efforts. The driver, spotted by UploadVR, requires an Nvidia GPU, simply because it relies on features “missing in the AMD and Intel graphics driver,” according to Bucchianeri.This Oasis driver doesn’t require the Mixed Reality Portal application, and it can run OpenVR and OpenXR applications through SteamVR. “The driver offers full headset and motion controller tracking as well as a native SteamVR rendering pipeline,” says Bucchianeri.While Microsoft should have delivered this type of driver to ensure Windows Mixed Reality headsets weren’t useless with the latest Windows 11 updates, Bucchianeri — who is now an Xbox engineer at Microsoft — has created this independently by reverse-engineering Nvidia and SteamVR code. He’s not releasing the source code as a result, and the Oasis driver will remain free to use.If you’re interested in trying out the Oasis driver, you can download it from Steam. Make sure you also follow the quick start steps in the documentation for the driver, too.

Oh my! | Image: Honda Honda is bringing back the sporty Prelude as a technology-packed 200-horsepower hybrid to tug at nostalgia strings. It’s the first new Prelude in 25 years and the front-wheel-drive-coup antidote to crossover SUVs. Pricing hasn’t been announced but in Japan it starts at just under 6.18 million yen (around $41,600), according to Nikkei. It will arrive at US dealerships in late autumnPitched as “fun-to-drive,” the 2026 Prelude features 232 pound-feet of torque and a direct-drive transmission that pairs two electric motors with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, just like Honda’s Civic Hybrid. It also features paddle shifters and a new S+ Shift drive mode that “simulates a performance transmission experience” of a real sports car. Here’s how Honda describes it:With the innovative new Honda S+ Shift system, Prelude delivers the ultimate electrified Honda driving experience with a responsive and engaging shifting simulation, featuring virtual rev-matched downshifts in S+ mode and enhanced engine sounds to increase driver feel and connection with the vehicle.In other words, S+ Shift lets you aggressively mimic traditional gear changes to make the Prelude go vroom vroom. Fortunately, you don’t have to use it. Honda Japan gives us an idea of what S+ Shift looks and sounds like in the following video — and honestly, I don’t hate it:Inside the 2+2 coupe you’ll find a 10.2-inch instrument cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a wireless charger for your phone and Google built-in, which includes things like Google Assistant and Google Maps for a personalized and connected driving experience. It all comes standard with three years of unlimited data and a Wi-Fi hotspot. For sound, the 8-speaker Bose Centerpoint premium audio system includes 6.5-inch, wide-range speakers in the doors and a large subwoofer located in the cargo area. Nikkei says the car is meant to win over a generation of Prelude fans who are now in their 50s and 60s — I’ve never felt so seen:Back in the 1980s, the Prelude was available for around 1.5 million yen, making it a popular choice for young men for going on dates. Roughly a quarter century after the previous Prelude was discontinued, many are now empty nesters looking to choose cars for themselves again.See, I drove a Honda Prelude as a young man in the late ‘80s and did, indeed, use it for dates. Last weekend I dropped my youngest off at college and returned to a house that never felt so empty.I need this car.

Like many people, I enjoy tracking my reading history and my thoughts on those books. For years, I've turned to Goodreads to do just that. It served as a centralized platform where I could compare my reading lists with friends', discover new titles I might be interested in, etc. But as more and more people leave Goodreads for other platforms like Fable or StoryGraph, I find my use of the social aspect dwindling.

IFA 2025 officially starts today, and Lenovo is kicking things off with a wide range of announcements, as the company usually does. From the Think brand, we're getting a new ThinkBook concept and a few new ThinkPads.

Microsoft is giving away Microsoft 365 Personal subscriptions to all US college students. This subscription gives students free access to Microsoft’s Office apps and the Copilot AI assistant integration for a year, after which the students are eligible for a 50 percent discount to continue the subscription.While most students have access to education versions of Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, Microsoft’s offer is for student’s own personal Microsoft accounts, and is available to claim until October 31st. Microsoft 365 Personal is usually $99.99 a year, or $9.99 a month, and includes 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage.Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed the free offer as part of the White House’s AI Education Task Force meeting yesterday, and announced other commitments to meet the Presidential AI Challenge and the AI Education Executive Order. Microsoft is funding $1.25 million in educator grants, offering free LinkedIn AI courses for job seekers, students, and teachers, and expanding access to its AI tools in schools.

Generally, the stack of apps that the average self-host enthusiast has going will aim to reduce cloud dependency and those monthly subscription fees that add up all too quickly. Or you might be running local LLMs to keep your queries and training models local and private, or any number of other, ostensibly useful tasks.

Smart-home upgrades don’t always need to come with a hefty price tag or a long shipping wait. With a 3D printer at home, you can turn out practical and stylish accessories that enhance your connected devices in just a couple of days. These quick projects not only improve the look and functionality of your setup but also provide the satisfaction of having built them yourself.

Google has announced a pretty major upgrade to the convenience of the translation built into Circle to Search on Android, which will now continue translating as the content on-screen changes.Google has slightly undersold the feature with the name “Scroll and translate.” In fact, it will now continue to translate as you swipe through screens, scroll down pages, or even switch apps entirely, saving you from triggering a new translation every time new text appears.Google says the update is rolling out across Android from this week, starting with select Samsung Galaxy phones.