Tag Archives: focus

Smartphones

How To Set Up Quiet Hours On Your iPhone (And Why You Should)

relaxing in hammock with smartphone Stefanikolic/Getty Images

The iPhone characteristic goes by many names, from “Focus Mode” to “Do Not Disturb,” however functionally all of it comes all the way down to giving your self some (doubtless a lot wanted) quiet time. With a little bit of setup you possibly can inform your iPhone to mute all — or an assortment of — incoming calls, texts, and different notifications with the intention of lowering attainable phone-based distractions to be able to give attention to different duties or simply get a while to your self for resting or stress-free.

What units this aside from one thing like Airplane Mode is that it does not minimize your cellphone off from exterior communication. Your iPhone will nonetheless be linked to Wi-Fi or your community, and all of your communications like emails and calls and so forth will nonetheless come by. It’s simply that your cellphone will not overtly inform you about it with a ding and a pop-up notification.

That mentioned, you’ll nonetheless be capable to examine your apps and messages and whatnot if you need — although that kind of goes in opposition to the purpose of setting all of this up for your self within the first place. Point is, the choice is there and might be fine-tuned to be able to silence all or particular notifications from any and all apps and different types of communication tied to your iPhone, and you may inform it to show itself on at particular instances, days, places, and so forth.

Getting every little thing prepped

Do Not Disturb iPhone menus Rob Rich/SlashGear

Once you have determined in your days and instances, this is the way you go about setting all of it up:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gears icon) and faucet the Focus possibility.
  2. Select Do Not Disturb, then scroll down and faucet the Add Schedule button.
  3. Choose the Time menu possibility, then choose the beginning (From) and ending (To) instances for whenever you need to quiet your cellphone. You may also faucet any of the times alongside the underside of the menu to show off Do Not Disturb for particular days of the week (all days are usually on by default).
  4. Additionally, you possibly can choose Location and enter an deal with to have Do Not Disturb activate whenever you attain a selected place, or have it activate whenever you open sure apps (by selecting App).
  5. You may also return to the primary Do Not Disturb menu and choose Options to fine-tune your quiet time. This lets you nonetheless see notifications on the lock display, conceal the quantity badges you usually see on app icons, solely silence notifications when the cellphone is locked, or darken the lock display throughout quiet hours.
  6. Use the Allow Notifications choices for People or Apps on the high of the Do Not Disturb menu to permit notifications from particular contacts and apps.

After setup, Do Not Disturb might be manually turned on or off by opening Control Center (swipe down from the top-right nook of the display) and tapping the crescent moon icon.

Motorsport

The Original Ford Focus Was Designed In Europe To Global Success

The first-generation Ford Focus debuted on the 1998 Geneva Motor Show and shortly turned one of many firm’s most essential fashions. While the way forward for the nameplate seems very uncertain, towards the tail finish of the Nineteen Nineties, it set the stage for a brand new period in compact automotive manufacturing with its distinctive design and superior options. Ford’s UK and German groups labored collectively to create a automotive that was the envy of the world.

Welcome to Timeless European Treasures, our weekly look again at automobiles from the European market that outlined a motoring era.

Why Do We Love It?

Good query. The Ford Focus has earned a particular place within the hearts of automotive lovers and on a regular basis drivers for a lot of causes. Its attraction is multifaceted, beginning with its groundbreaking design. The unique Focus departed from conventional compact automotive aesthetics, embracing the New Edge styling philosophy launched within the late Nineteen Nineties. The outcome was a polarizing but fascinating exterior that caught the attention and set the mannequin aside from its opponents.

One of the important thing causes for the Focus’s widespread admiration is its engineering prowess. The introduction of the Control Blade rear suspension system, for instance, marked a leap ahead in dealing with and journey consolation for a compact automotive. The engineers, led by Richard Parry-Jones, crafted a class-leading, space-saving unbiased multi-link rear suspension that delivered distinctive elasto-kinematic efficiency. This innovation contributed to the Focus’s sharp steering, superior physique management, and clean journey over numerous terrains.

Of course, Ford lovers will at all times bear in mind the first-gen Focus for its efficiency variations. From the extra delicate US-market SVT fashions to the Focus RS with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, the compact automotive delivered an honest efficiency for rookie and semi-pro drivers. And after all, the Focus RS WRC was a profitable rally automotive with plenty of prestigious triumphs within the World Rally Championship.


BMW

2023 MotoGP™ finale: Francesco Bagnaia wins the BMW M Award again – Presentation of the new BMW XM Label Red Safety Car.

Valencia. The finale of the 2023 MotoGP™ season in the Spanish city of Valencia showcased the BMW XM Label Red twice on Saturday. First, the winner of the 2023 BMW M Award, Francesco Bagnaia, was presented with the top-of-the-range variant of the first BMW M high-performance car with an electric drive system. Later, the new BMW XM Label Red Safety Car for the 2024 MotoGP™ season was unveiled by BMW M GmbH.

BMW M Award: The most powerful BMW M car for the fastest qualifier.

BMW M GmbH celebrated the 25th year as the “Official Car of MotoGP™” by presenting the BMW XM Label Red as the prize car for the BMW M Award. It combines a performance-enhanced M HYBRID system and individual design accents. Francesco Bagnaia, the Ducati rider, claimed the 2023 BMW M Award for the second time in a row, after consistently securing top results in qualifying throughout the season. With seven pole positions and eight front row starts, Bagnaia accumulated 369 points in the BMW M Award, 93 more than his closest rival Jorge Martín.

Bagnaia expressed his excitement for winning the award again and thanked BMW M for the recognition. He also promised to strive for another win next year.

High-performance for the racetrack: the BMW XM Label Red Safety Car.

The BMW XM Label Red will make its debut as the new MotoGP™ Safety Car in the upcoming 2024 season, marking the first time an electric high-performance car will lead the field in motorcycle racing. The BMW XM Label Red Safety Car was officially unveiled at the Valencia season finale and will be seen on the track for the first time at the opening round of the 2024 season in Qatar in March.

The CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, and CEO of BMW M, Franciscus van Meel, expressed their anticipation for the new safety car, emphasizing its powerful drive system and exceptional driving dynamics for MotoGP™ safety purposes.

The new BMW XM Label Red MotoGP™ Safety Car features a V8 engine, an e-motor integrated in the 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox, and various safety car elements, including additional flashing lights, safety car roof bar, front splitter, Recaro seats, six-point racing harness, and a fire extinguisher.

For more information about BMW M GmbH and the involvement as the ‘Official Car of MotoGP™’, see: www.bmw-m.com

* BMW XM Label Red: combined fuel consumption: 2.0 – 1.6 l/ 100 km; combined electricity consumption: 33.5 – 32.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 45 – 35 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC cycle: –

ToyotaUk

Toyota Expands Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Research with San Diego Gas & Electric Company Collaboration

The collaboration between Toyota and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) will focus on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using a Toyota bZ4X. The V2G research will explore bidirectional power flow technology that enables BEV owners to both charge their vehicle’s batteries from the electric grid and discharge electricity from the batteries back to the grid.

The partnership aims to understand the needs of BEV owners and how they use their vehicles to drive widespread adoption of V2G. By leveraging bidirectional capabilities, these vehicles could send power back to the grid during peak demand hours or at critical times, such as during shortages in electricity supplies.

SDG&E’s service territory, representing one of the largest Toyota BEV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ownership regions in California, provides an excellent area for this research. Through this collaboration, SDG&E and Toyota aim to identify customer benefits that can be achieved through new products and services, as well as to understand the infrastructure needed to enable the rapid growth of EV charging infrastructure and further stabilize the power grid during peak hours.

Currently, Toyota offers two mass-market BEVs in the U.S. and Canada – the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e. Toyota’s plans for the future include offering 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and producing up to 3.5 million BEVs annually by 2030.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com. For Toyota customer inquiries, please call 800-331-4331.

SDG&E is committed to creating a sustainable future by increasing energy delivered from low or zero-carbon sources, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, and investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. For more information about SDG&E, visit www.sdgenews.com or on social media platforms.

News

New 2023 Polestar 4 is brand’s lowest-carbon car

According to Maximilian Missoni, head of Polestar design, the design of the new 2023 Polestar 4 was influenced by the focus on maximum range. One notable design choice is the absence of a rear window, which is usually located in the rear roof area to provide structural strength. The positioning of the header rail, which adds rigidity to the vehicle, was a crucial factor in shaping the design.

The challenge was to find the optimal position for the rail. Lowering it too much would impede headroom, while keeping it high would affect aerodynamics and performance. The solution Polestar came up with for the Polestar 4 is to lower the header and move it behind the rear passengers’ heads. This positions the header rail where the rear window would typically be, and a roof-mounted camera replaces the rear glass for rear visibility. The Polestar 4 has a drag coefficient of 0.269, whereas the Tesla Model S, for comparison, has a drag coefficient of 0.208.

Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar and former design head at Volvo, played a significant role in influencing the design of the Polestar 4. Ingenlath humorously mentioned that more conservative car makers would still be testing the idea with customer clinics. He emphasized that true design leaders do not need to seek approval through market testing.

Polestar 4 side

The Polestar 4 crossover measures just under five meters in length and features a 102kWh battery pack (with 94kWh of usable capacity). It is available with either a single-motor configuration offering 268bhp or a dual-motor model with 537bhp. Ingenlath expressed his satisfaction with the Polestar 4, stating that it complements the Polestar 3 and covers the premium SUV segment effectively.

News

Government to delay introduction of 2030 ICE ban

Ford UK chair Lisa Brankin has called for the government to focus on supporting the electric vehicle (EV) market and consumers while facing challenges such as infrastructure limitations, potential tariffs, and high living costs.

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest car manufacturer, has expressed support for the delay in the ban, stating that it brings the UK in line with other European nations. The company remains committed to becoming net-zero by 2039 and helping individuals transition to an electric future.

The head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Mike Hawes, has emphasized the importance of government initiatives to encourage consumers to switch to EVs. He emphasizes the need for a clear and consistent message, attractive incentives, and reliable charging infrastructure to build consumer confidence.

Government’s earlier indecision on 2030 ban

This is not the first time the government has shown uncertainty regarding the introduction of the 2030 ban. Doubts arose after the Uxbridge by-election, where opposition to the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone played a significant role in the Conservative victory. In July, cabinet member Michael Gove denied any plan to alter the ban, stating that the policy remains unchanged.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has previously hinted at potential revisions to climate change policies that he deems unfairly burden the public. He has emphasized the need for a proportionate and pragmatic approach towards achieving net-zero, avoiding unnecessary hassle and costs for individuals. Sunak’s comments came after right-wing Conservative MPs called for a reassessment of certain green policies.

Cars, News

Burned By Its Heated Seat Subscription Plan, BMW Changes Paywall Strategy

In 2020, BMW introduced the BMW Operating System 7, which included the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. This online store allowed BMW owners to download and activate additional features and capabilities for their cars. However, BMW limited certain features, such as heated seats, to specific countries, which caused controversy.

BMW’s approach of using microtransactions and paywalled features as a revenue stream is not unique to the company. Tesla also faced criticism for initially limiting battery capacity and requiring customers to pay extra to unlock full performance through a software update. Volkswagen has also hinted at potentially placing its driverless car feature behind a subscription paywall. While recent events suggest that customer backlash may deter automakers from continuing such practices, the industry may still move towards a future where microtransactions for “connected” cars become common.

VolvoCars

Volvo Cars Tech Fund invests in power electronics start-up Leadrive

Volvo Cars is making significant technology investments and focusing on research and development in order to become a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. One key area of focus is the improvement of e-motors, inverters, and overall electric drivetrain optimization.

To achieve this goal and create pure electric Volvo cars that meet customer demands for longer range, faster charging, and a superior driving experience, Volvo aims to gain control over its electrification technology stack through a process called vertical integration.

The recent investment made by Volvo Cars Tech Fund, the company’s corporate venture capital arm, reflects this ambition. Leadrive, a Shanghai-based start-up founded in 2017, is a promising player in the field of power electronics and control units for fully electric cars.

Leadrive specializes in designing and building power modules that utilize silicon carbide (SiC) technology. SiC is a semiconductor material that enables highly efficient and flexible electric propulsion systems.

Alexander Petrofski, CEO of Volvo Cars Tech Fund, believes Leadrive’s technology shows great potential for developing more efficient electric drivetrains. He expressed excitement about investing in the company and supporting its growth.

Both Volvo Cars and Leadrive have collaborated closely on the development of next-generation SiC technologies, leading to a strategic partnership. Jie Shen, founder and CEO of Leadrive, considers this investment to be a significant milestone in their global strategy and a testament to their collaboration in advanced electrification technology.

Firmly focused on vertical integration

Volvo Cars’ investment in Leadrive aligns with their electrification roadmap, which emphasizes vertical integration while also seeking collaborations with relevant partners. The company has made critical technology investments, bringing the development and manufacturing of e-motors and inverters in-house. They are also developing their own battery management software and investing in the production of battery packs through their joint venture with Northvolt, Novo Energy, to optimize battery chemistry and integration in their cars.

These investments enable Volvo Cars to have full control over the entire electrical propulsion system in their fully electric vehicles. Partnering with companies like Leadrive expands their knowledge base and allows them to explore new and exciting technologies.

Accelerating the transformation

Volvo Cars Tech Fund was established in 2018 to invest in companies and technology areas that drive transformation in the automotive industry, including artificial intelligence, electrification, autonomous driving, sustainability, and digital commerce. The fund strategically invests to help start-ups thrive and contribute to the rapid transformation of the global mobility industry.

This latest investment by the Tech Fund is part of Leadrive’s new funding round, securing the fund a minority stake in the company. Financial details of the investment have not been disclosed.

Cars

Is There A Best Time Of Year To Buy A New Car?

When it comes to buying a new car, timing is everything. The optimal time to make your purchase or apply for a new car lease is at the end of the month, on Mondays, or during three-day weekends like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day. This is because sales agents have monthly quotas to meet, and you are likely to find the best deals at the end of each month.

Mondays tend to be the least busy days for most dealerships, meaning there is less foot traffic and the salespeople are more motivated to sell you a car. It is advisable to avoid visiting dealerships on Fridays or regular weekends as these are typically their busiest times. On the other hand, three-day weekend holidays like Labor Day or the Fourth of July provide great opportunities to take advantage of rebates, incentives, and special financing deals.

The Labor Day weekend marks the beginning of the fall season, when automakers introduce new car models for the upcoming year. This makes it a perfect time to get a good deal on the outgoing models. Additionally, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season and is when dealerships start offering new car deals.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 28th August 2023

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“Over the past weekend, the focus was clearly on the IMSA race weekend in Virginia. It’s incredible how successful the BMW M Motorsport teams presented themselves in all the racing series there. Congratulations to Paul Miller Racing and Turner Motorsport for their one-two result in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3! This marks the fifth class win for Paul Miller Racing in this IMSA season, which is a fantastic record that all team members can be very proud of. Now, in the final two races, the goal is to clinch the well-deserved championship title. I wish them the best of luck for that! I was also greatly pleased with the wins and podium finishes for the BMW M4 GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. Congratulations to Turner Motorsport and Stephen Cameron Racing!”

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IMSA Series: Paul Miller Racing and Turner Motorsport celebrate double victory.

 

During the past weekend, as part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series), the GT3 cars exclusively took the stage for the second time this season at Virginia International Raceway (USA). In the GTD class, the BMW M4 GT3 was clearly dominant. Paul Miller Racing, with Madison Snow and Bryan Sellers (both USA), impressively secured their fifth class win of the season, setting a new IMSA record in the process. At the end of the 2-hour and 40-minute race, the #1 BMW M4 GT3 finished third overall and as the class winner, more than twelve seconds ahead of Turner Motorsport’s #96 BMW M4 GT3. Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA) showcased their fuel-saving skills and sealed the one-two result for the BMW M Motorsport teams as the second-placed finishers. Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA) were positioned third in Turner Motorsport’s #97 BMW M4 GT3 until shortly before the finish but had to concede one position, narrowly missing the GTD podium. With two races left in the season, Paul Miller Racing is on the verge of defending their title in the IMSA Sprint Cup and leads the GTD class driver and team standings significantly. BMW holds the top spot in the manufacturer standings. The next IMSA race is scheduled for 17th September at Indianapolis (USA), where BMW M Team RLL with the BMW M Hybrid V8 will rejoin the action.

 

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IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge: Podium for Turner Motorsport.

 

During the race weekend at Virginia International Raceway (USA), the BMW M4 GT4 participated in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC). Notably, Turner Motorsport caught attention with strong results. Initially, Cameron Lawrence and Robert Megennis (both USA) secured the pole position with the #95 BMW M4 GT4. However, the duo encountered misfortune during the race and dropped to eleventh place. Their teammates Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta (both USA) had a much better outcome. Starting from eleventh, they managed to claim second place and secure a spot on the podium. That second place also reflects in the overall standings. The BMW M Motorsport teams Random Vandals Racing, Stephen Cameron Racing, and Fast Track Racing also participated with the BMW M4 GT4, although they missed out on top-ten results.

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VP Racing SportsCar Challenge: Five out of six podiums for BMW Teams.

 

Also taking place at Virginia International Raceway (USA), the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge featured two races where the BMW M4 GT4 dominated. The BMW M Motorsport teams Turner Motorsport and Stephen Cameron Racing achieved five out of six possible podium positions with the car. In the Saturday race, Turner driver Francis Selldorff (USA) triumphed in the GSX class, followed by Gregory Liefooghe (USA, Stephen Cameron Racing) and Turner teammate Vincent Barletta (USA). On Sunday, Liefooghe reversed the order and secured victory ahead of Selldorff. Sean Quinlan (USA) in the second BMW M4 GT4 from Stephen Cameron Racing narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. In the overall standings of the racing series, Selldorff and Turner Motorsport hold a significant lead in the driver and team rankings. BMW leads among the manufacturers.

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Japanese Super GT Series: Bruno Spengler supports BMW M Team Studie.

 

During the past weekend, the Japanese Super GT Series held its fifth round of the season at Suzuka (JPN). For BMW M Team Studie, BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Seiji Ara (JPN) competed in the 450km race with the #7 BMW M4 GT3. However, the duo struggled with the maximum success ballast of 100 kilograms and missed a top-ten result. Starting from 13th place, they could only manage a 16th position after 70 laps.

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Super Series: Jesse Krohn successfully supports AAI Motorsports Team.

 

BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN) travelled to Malaysia to support BMW M Motorsport Team AAI Motorsports in the Thailand Super Series last weekend and achieved great success in this endeavour. Krohn shared the cockpit of the #91 BMW M4 GT3 with Chun Hua Chen (TPE) at Sepang and together, they secured a victory and a third-place finish in the two races.

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BTCC: BMW Teams secure three podiums at Donington Park.

 

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) held its eighth round at Donington Park (GBR). BMW teams celebrated a podium finish in all three races. In races one and two, Jake Hill (GBR) of Team Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport secured second and third places in the BMW 330e M Sport. In the third race, Hill managed only an eighth-place finish, while Adam Morgan (GBR) of Team BMW celebrated third place. Morgan had achieved twelfth and ninth positions in the first two races. Colin Turkington (GBR) consistently gave strong performances with fifth, fourth, and sixth places, even without a podium. Stephen Jelley (GBR) driving the fourth BMW 330e M Sport finished in 19th, 13th, and tenth positions.

In the driver standings, with two race weekends remaining, Hill holds third place, closely followed by Turkington in fourth. In the manufacturer standings, BMW maintains a narrow lead.

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GT4 Scandinavia: Podium for M-Bilar Racing in Anderstorp.

The BMW M4 GT4 of M-Bilar Racing team secured another podium during the GT4 Scandinavia race weekend in Anderstorp (SWE). Victor Bouveng and Joakim Walde (both SWE) clinched third place in the second race, following their fourth-place finish in the first race. In the overall standings, the duo currently holds the third position.