Match report as England secure qualification to Euro 2024 with a come-from-behind win over Italy; Harry Kane scored twice and Marcus Rashford was also on target after Gianluca Scamacca's opener; England are now guaranteed top spot in Group C


England produced a scintillating comeback to beat Italy 3-1 at Wembley and secure their place at Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate's side, needing only a point to qualify from Group C, fell behind to Gianluca Scamacca's early opener, but Harry Kane led the response, converting a penalty then scoring a clinical second after a breakaway strike from Marcus Rashford.

England were again indebted to Kane's goalscoring heroics as he took his international tally to 61, but Jude Bellingham was similarly impressive, winning the penalty for the equaliser then producing a sensational burst of pace to set up Rashford for the second.

The victory puts England on 16 points in Group C, three ahead of second-placed Ukraine, and guarantees their advance to next summer's tournament in Germany in top spot.

Luciano Spalletti's Italy, meanwhile, now risk missing out on a second consecutive major tournament, the defeat leaving them on 10 points, three behind Ukraine, albeit having played one game less.

England return to action next month to play their final two Euro 2024 qualifiers as they host Malta at Wembley on November 17; kick-off 7.45pm.

Gareth Southgate's side then finish their Group C campaign with an away game against North Macedonia on November 20; kick-off 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Italy's final two qualifiers in November are against North Macedonia at home and Ukraine away.

Gareth Southgate selects Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire; Eddie Nketiah and Levi Colwill receive first senior call-ups; Raheem Sterling, Nick Pope and James Ward-Prowse omitted; Jarrod Bowen, Solly March, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Gibbs-White overlooked despite good starts to the season


What would your England starting XI look like to face Ukraine? Use our interactive team selector to choose your team...

They face Ukraine in Poland for their Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday September 9 before taking on Scotland at Hampden Park three days later - to mark the 150th anniversary since the two teams first faced each other.

England boss Gareth Southgate selected Harry Maguire in his latest squad - despite the centre-back failing to start a league game for Manchester United this season - and also stuck with Jordan Henderson after the 33-year-old completed a transfer from Liverpool to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea defender Levi Colwill both earned their first senior call-ups.

England favourite Raheem Sterling was also omitted, with Southgate revealing the Chelsea forward was not "particularly happy about it". Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope also lost his place with Crystal Palace stopper Sam Johnstone getting the nod with regulars Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was listed as a midfielder but withdrew from the squad with a hamstring injury, while forward Jack Grealish also pulled out with a thigh strain.

How does it work? 

What players should you watch for? 

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the final, including the greater battle at stake; watch live on Sky Sports Cricket from 12.25pm on Wednesday

Last year's Disability Premier League runners-up Pirates will look to go one step further this year against the Hawks - but the final is about more than cricket.

The Hawks and Pirates are not just battling each other but battling to be seen by a world that often makes disabled people feel invisible.

This T20 tournament is a symbol of equality, providing a platform that simultaneously allows disabled cricketers to showcase entertaining, elite cricket and offers a clear pathway to progress.

The DPL has had a direct impact on player recruitment across the country and at the top level. In 2022, eight players were spotted and selected to work with their impairment-specific national squads.

It is crucial to combat the ableist stereotypes and assumptions that reinforce negative perceptions of disability and create inspirational role models for the many disabled cricket lovers who have grown up without one.

The four teams - Black Cats, Pirates, Tridents and Hawks - have demonstrated that cricket is for all.

Three thrilling weekends of cricket have culminated in an unmissable final, live on Sky Sports on Wednesday (1pm start) at The Incora County Ground in Derby.

How does it work?

The competition is the first in the world to feature squads of 16 players with roughly six from each of the three disability groups (Physical Disability (PD), Learning Disability (LD), and Deaf (Deaf or Hearing Impaired) competing together on the pitch. They are also tiered to ensure each team is as evenly balanced as possible.

The format, entering its second year, sees each team playing two games per weekend with a minimum of four overs bowled by one PD, LD and Deaf player.

Look out for the 'explosion over' added this year which allows the batting side to enforce powerplay rules any time between the sixth and 20th overs.
Players to watch out for in the final

After losing to reigning champions Tridents last year, the Pirates have successfully fought their way back to their second final. But this time they face new opponents, the Hawks who have won five out of six matches in the competition.

Here's who may help their sides take the DPL trophy home...

Hawks' Callum Flynn: From opening the batting for the England Physical Disability team at the age of 16 to winning the inaugural World Cup title in 2015, and now captaining England PD, Flynn is a true legend of the game.

As a bone cancer survivor who fundraises alongside his cricket, the Hawks all-rounder sits second in the highest run scorers out of the final two teams, with a total of 162 and and best innings 62 not out from 36 balls. He's also incredibly handy as a right-arm seamer with best figures of 3-14.

Hawks' Owen Morris: The up-and-coming all-rounder made a memorable captaincy debut for the Yorkshire D40 development side earlier this year, with an accomplished knock of 75 not out.

While he's had little chance to shine with the bat in the competition so far, he has excelled with the ball. The off-spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 10 and has the potential to represent England one day.


Pirates' Brendon Parr: The Devon-bred batter is a new addition to the DPL, following appearances for England PD in friendlies this year after impressing in county league cricket.

Parr has emerged as one of the top batters in the tournament boasting the third-highest run total of the competition (192), which included 59 not out off 40 balls against the Black Cats.

Pirates' Monty McKenzie: McKenzie is a Trident turned Pirate and product of Hampshire cricket who hopes to play for England one day. After taking a wicket in Trident's DPL final-winning performance in 2022, he will be looking to add a second DPL title to his name.

His off-spin has proven vital to the Pirates' campaign - nine wickets and competition-best figures of 3-11.

If you've had a Facebook longer than the time you didn't, you may be able to earn some money right now.

Facebook users in the United States between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, inclusive, are eligible for a cash payment from a Class Action Settlement. The deadline to file a claim online is 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2023.

Here's how to file Facebook class action lawsuit.

How to file Facebook class action lawsuit

Submitting your claim online is the easiest way to file, just go to this link here.

Step 1) Fill out your contact information.

Step 2) Answer the three following questions.Did you reside in the United States at any time between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022, inclusive?

Were you a Facebook user at any time between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022?

Are you filing a claim for a current account, a deleted account or a combination of both?

Step 3) Add a method for receiving payment. Options include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Mastercard, and Direct Deposit.

Step 4) Sign.

How much money will I get?

According to the Settlement's FAQ, it depends on how many Settlement Class Members submit valid claims and how long you were a user on Facebook during the Class Period.

For each month that you had an activated Facebook account, you'll receive one point, and those points will be multiplied to add up to your settlement amount. $750 million is a lot of money, but Facebook also has a lot of users.

It could be less than $1 or it could be $100. We just don't know right now.
What happens if I do nothing? Something

If you do not take part in this claim, and effectively "Do Nothing," you are still automatically part of the Settlement. But if you do nothing, you won't receive a payment and you give up the right to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Facebook that's related to this suit.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told a colourful tale about taking various routes into work every morning to illustrate his belief that every game tells a different story.

The Gunners' 3-1 win over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium had several plot twists in stoppage time alone, but one central character deserved his top billing as this chaotic game's headline act.

Arteta was reacting to suggestions he had started to over-complicate the strategies that had made Arsenal such impressive title challengers and long-time Premier League leaders last season before they cracked under relentless pressure from Manchester City at the final fences.

What is beyond dispute it that Declan Rice, at £105m from West Ham United, is the game-changing signing Arteta had in mind when he put such time and effort into the pursuit of his top summer transfer priority.

Rice was signed for games like this, moments like this, when Arsenal had been largely frustrated by Manchester United. They even thought they might suffer defeat until the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled substitute Alejandro Garnacho had started his run just too early before scoring what he thought might be the winning goal in the 88th minute.

The 24-year-old Rice had been the game's outstanding performer, bringing composure and order to a game in which both sides seemed riddled with tension, falling short of the standards Arteta and United counterpart Erik ten Hag would normally expect.

Rice then made the decisive contribution deep into added time, lurking unattended at the far post at a corner and beating United keeper Andre Onana at the near one, via a slight but crucial deflection off substitute Jonny Evans.

Gabriel Jesus' solo goal - as a stunned United pushed for an equaliser - was a flourish that eased any late nerves.

But the Arsenal fans knew who was the driving force behind this win.

Big players deliver the big moments to decide the big games. Rice delivered on every level.

A thunderous roar swept around Emirates Stadium before it echoed to the new Rice anthem - a predictably re-worded rendition of Vanilla Ice's hit 'Ice Ice Baby'.

Rice took in the acclaim at the final whistle and once more when he appeared for post-match media duties. No-one has doubted the England man's playing ability or mental strength to deal with his huge price tag and greater expectations. This performance and victory provided the proof.

He could barely remove the beam from his face when he said: "Arsenal is a massive club and you feel the pressure but I try to put in performances.

"I am eager to learn and improve and we want to push to the next level. Everyone's been amazing. I like to have a laugh and speak to people and I've settled in well."

Arsenal certainly needed Rice to make the difference here because, for much of this game, they missed the fluency and pace that saw them set the pace for so long last season before that late collapse.

There were questions about Arteta's tinkering - especially the introduction and role of new signing Kai Havertz.

So this win not only settled nerves but sent Arsenal into the international break on a high when it looked like it could all be so different as they waited for the VAR verdict on Garnacho's strike.

Havertz does have his doubters among Arsenal's fanbase who question why Arteta felt the need to pay Chelsea £65m for a player who is talented but inconsistent, arguably an excessive luxury item in what had been a settled system.

None of those doubts went away here, though, as Havertz was anonymous apart from a horrendous early fresh air shot with the goal at his mercy.

Then when he went down under a challenge from Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the second half only to see a penalty, initially awarded by referee Anthony Taylor, chalked off by VAR.

Arterta has no such doubt, but it is fair to ask what Havertz's best role is in this Arsenal team and what he adds to the potent combinations of last season.

There is not a single question surrounding Rice.

Few players are a guarantee at £105m - an excessive fee admittedly but the result of market forces - but Rice is one and he has been demonstrating how significant he will be even as Arsenal's early-season form was tentative.

As for Manchester United, this was a chastening experience after Marcus Rashford gave them a 27th-minute lead only for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to equalise seconds later.

There was some hope in a bustling cameo from £72m striker Rasmus Hojlund on his debut, the 20-year-old putting himself about to good effect and suggesting he could be the physical presence and focal point United have sorely missed.

And there was a brutal reminder of their current reduced circumstances when injuries to Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez saw them end up with Harry Maguire, effectively an unwanted outcast under Ten Hag, and the 35-year-old emergency signing Jonny Evans manning the defensive barricades in those crucial closing phases.

The outburst of relief and celebration from Arsenal's fans at the conclusion was in sharp contrast to the despair in the corner of United supporters.

But Rice had shown why the Gunners paid the big bucks and it is certain there will be more instalments in future.

Nothing’s existence is proof that consumer tech is getting stale

The Nothing phone (2) is on the way, and the hype machine is going full bore ahead of its imminent launch in July. But in a different world, this phone wouldn’t exist.

No, I'm not talking about the potential existence of a multiverse (I really liked the new Spider-Man film), but rather that Nothing’s existence demonstrates one key thing: gadgets are boring.

Cast your minds back a couple of years to when Carl Pei started Nothing. From the concept earbuds that look a little like a pipe rather than something you stuck in your lug holes, the company has been going from strength to strength.

The ear (1) were quite the event, flipping the table on what people expected from true wireless earbuds, which was weird because, tech-wise, they didn’t bring anything new to the table. It was the transparent aesthetic that got people talking.

The phone (1) took the same see-through mantra, but the big selling point here was a light system. The attention to design once again made it a big seller despite its mid-tier performance.

Of course, we’ve moved onto the 5-star ear (2), and have the phone (2) coming up soon. This is a company that has made its name on design, not spec sheets. And regardless of all the top tier spec chasers out there, Nothing has made a killing.

Elsewhere, smartphones and earbuds have stagnated. It’s as if companies are playing it safe. The iPhone 14 line looks identical to the iPhones of the past few years, and based on recent rumors, the iPhone 15 is going to be more of the same (give or take a slightly curved body).

Google’s Pixel phones are going to stick religiously to its camera bar. Apple’s AirPods Pro are basically the earbuds equivalent of the two Spider-Men pointing at each other, and the leaked images of the Sony WF-1000 XM5 suggest something similar there too.

Everything slows to a crawl when people are screaming the loudest for something new and interesting. The people voted with their wallet — they love the transparent look of the phone (1) and ear (2) (also helps that they’re really good products).

 
Nothing at all…

But what do they actually bring to the table? Fundamentally, it’s all the same technology inside. In some respects, the offering of these devices could be seen as a little weaker than the competition (the phone (2) is set to have two cameras rather than the full three, and last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset). So what is the secret sauce here?

Easy: Nothing is making devices that are interesting to look at and hold. Going transparent and adding flashing lights doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is. That’s because of all the above. The fact that companies aren’t willing to break the norm is why even the smallest of innovations feel far bigger than they are.

So what am I trying to say here? It’s certainly not that Nothing shouldn’t exist. Its meteoric rise over the past couple of years based on a single-minded aesthetic has been a joy to cover.

But let’s be honest — if iPhones (and smartphones as a whole) took more risks in their design language and capabilities, we wouldn’t be jumping on the oncoming hype train for a product that is merely transparent and lights up.

Nothing is a reaction to the stale nature of consumer technology, and it will continue to ride this wave until someone, anyone, decides enough is enough with the status quo. It’s time for companies to remember that smartphones and headphones are not utilities like a washing machine. They’re supposed to be desirable devices that excite us.

Diabetes management

I have type 1 diabetes and I wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that measures my blood sugar levels. If my blood sugar gets dangerously low, I can pass out or go into a diabetic coma. Luckily, my CGM connects to my watch and sends notifications before it's too late. This feature saved my life a few months ago.

High glucose alert via the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor app.

I woke up to a dangerously low blood sugar warning on my Apple Watch. I ran to the fridge, grabbed some orange juice, drank it and then passed out. I woke up a few minutes later because my sugar levels went back to normal. That was one of the scariest moments of my life, and thanks to my Apple Watch alerts, I was able to address the low blood sugar before it was too late.

In addition to blood sugar warnings, the Apple Watch can help keep people safe in other ways, too. Here are a few other life-saving features to take advantage of:

Fall detection

The Apple Watch can detect if you've endured a bad fall. The wearable combines two tools: an accelerometer, which detects velocity, and a gyroscope, which detects the Earth's gravity. Together, the two can alert the watch of a bad fall and activate a warning on the watch face asking if you want to call emergency services.

If the watch detects you're moving, it waits for you to respond to the alert and won't automatically call for help. If it detects you haven't moved for about a minute, it will make the call automatically. It will also send a message to your emergency contacts with your location, letting them know your watch detected a hard fall and called for emergency services. Emergency contacts are retrieved from Medical ID, which is programmed on the iPhone.

Medical ID on Apple Watch.

Medical ID can come in handy in situations where you are around strangers and incoherent and in need of help or the other way around.

It displays information such as a name, date of birth, health conditions, medications and emergency contacts.

Anyone can access this information on the Apple Watch by holding down the button until it pops up on the watch face. Slide the tab over and you will have access to Medical ID information and can call the emergency contact right from that screen. Medical ID can also be opened on an iPhone by holding down on the power button and up volume button at the same time.

Programming Medical ID is easy. On an iPhone go to Settings > Health > Medical ID.

 
Emergency SOS

Emergency SOS activation screen on Apple Watch.

Emergency SOS is a powerful feature that could rescue you from a scary situation. This feature allows you to quickly and easily call for emergency services if you are in danger.

There are a couple ways to activate this on Apple Watch. You can activate it the same way as Medical ID by holding the button and swiping over on "Emergency SOS" or you can continue to hold the button longer and it will automatically activate. Once activated, the watch will count down from five and let out a loud siren sound effect. You can cancel the request by letting go of the button before the countdown ends.

To activate Emergency SOS on the iPhone, hold down the power button and up volume button at the same time and swipe over or hold down the buttons longer and it will count down from 8 and begin to let out a siren. Alternatively, you can set up Emergency SOS to activate by pressing the power button five times quickly. These activation settings can be programmed in Settings > Emergency SOS.

Meditations are located in the Mindfulness app and require an Apple Fitness Plus account.

Mental health is another important aspect of our health and the Apple Watch seeks to help free our minds with guided meditations included in their Apple Fitness Plus program.

Meditation has a plethora of health benefits, including the possibility to reduce the risk of being hospitalized for coronary disease by 87%.

With an Apple Fitness Plus account, you can access a list of guided meditations on the Apple Watch from the pre-installed Meditations app. Meditations last anywhere from five to 20 minutes. An Apple Fitness Plus membership costs $10 per month or $80 per year.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

The 2023 iX xDrive50 is one of two new electric vehicles BMW launched this year, alongside the i4 sedan. Of the pair, the iX xDrive50 is the bolder play: a completely new vehicle from the ground up, rather than a battery-powered version of an existing model. It also takes much larger risks. Many of those risks pay off in the form of excellent driving dynamics, comfort and range, but some of them don't. The electric SUV is plagued by some strange and interesting design decisions, and I'm not just talking about its polarizing exterior.

2023 BMW iX xDrive50

MSRP
$84,100

View Local Inventory

LIKEPowerful and responsive electric motors
IRL range easily meets EPA estimates
Gorgeous interior design
DON'T LIKEIt's kind of weird looking
Steep tech learning curve
One of the priciest in this class

xDrive50 electric powertrain

The iX comes standard with all-wheel drive, pairing a 190-kilowatt electric motor on the front axle with a more powerful 230-kW rear unit. Combined output peaks at 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque, enough oomph to silently launch the iX from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The surge of g forces under hard acceleration is impressive, but the benefits of instant, precise electric torque can also be felt when merging on the highway or just casually pulling away from a traffic light. It's a well-rounded, confidence-inspiring powertrain.

The xDrive50 feels more than potent enough for driving on public roads, but if you need more power (or just have money burning a hole in your pocket), BMW added the 610-hp iX M60 to the lineup for the 2023 model year. That'll pull off the 0-to-60 sprint in just 3.6 seconds -- not quick enough to wipe the smirk off of a Tesla Model X Plaid, but it'll run neck-and-neck with a Model Y Performance or a Mustang Mach-E GT.

2023 BMW IX xDrive50:Anything but Conventional

The driver has two tools to customize the iX's performance to their liking: My Modes and regenerative braking. The three My Modes -- Personal, Sport and Efficient -- primarily control accelerator responsiveness (and by extension, how much energy is used), but they also affect the steering and other vehicle systems. For example, when equipped with the optional Dynamic Handling package, Sport mode can lower the suspension by 0.4 inches for, well, more dynamic handling.

The selected My Mode also affects the optional Iconic Sounds generated by the iX's speakers. Designed by German film score composer Hans Zimmer, this artificial powertrain noise fills the cabin as the EV accelerates, making use of Shepard tones -- an illusion of overlapping sound that seems to infinitely rise in pitch -- to create a sci-fi feeling of increasing speed. Sport mode sounds a bit deeper and louder than the other two settings. Alternatively, Iconic Sounds can be disabled altogether for those who prefer silent cruising.

There are four regenerative braking levels with the default being what BMW calls Adaptive Recuperation. This mode uses navigation data, battery level and the distance to the car ahead to determine how much regeneration to apply when lifting off the accelerator. This should net you the most efficient energy recapture but, in practice, it just makes deceleration feel inconsistent, difficult to predict and, at times, jerky. I prefer to choose one of the more consistent static regen modes: low, medium or high. Also, tapping the transmission from D to B mode with high regen enables one-pedal driving, where the iX can slow to a stop without touching the brake pedal -- my favorite EV braking method overall.

Sport is the only customizable My Mode -- neither Efficient nor, ironically, Personal can be personalized.

The iX is powered by a 111.5-kilowatt-hour battery, of which a net 105.2 kWh is usable. Interestingly, the EPA breaks out separate range estimates based on the size of the wheels equipped. The smallest 20-inch wheels earn the best 324-mile rating. Range drops to 305 miles with the 21-inch wheels, but oddly climbs again to 315 miles for the larger 22s. My best guess as to why is the 275/40R22 tire's stiffer sidewall reduces rolling resistance just enough to make up for the additional rim mass.

Starting with an 80% charge, I cruised for 209 miles before stopping to recharging with 17% remaining. That's about 10 miles better than I should have based on the EPA's numbers -- still within the margin of error, but even more impressive given my testing including a good chunk of Sport mode driving up twisty mountain roads. Not too bad.

This is about as open as the iX's hood gets unless you're a BMW service technician.

When it comes time to recharge, the iX pulls up to 195 kW at an appropriately powerful DC fast-charging station. That's not as fast as a 250-kW Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the 270-kW Porsche Taycan, but it's quick enough to add 90 miles of range with just a 10-minute session, or to go from a 10% to 80% state of charge in 40 minutes. BMW partnered with EVgo, providing buyers and lessees $100 of charging credit at its stations.

The most cost effective place to charge is at home during off-peak evening hours. On a Level 2 plug, the iX can pull 11 kW, meaning it will charge from flat to full in around 11 hours.

Ride and handling

Extensive use of lightweight materials -- like the aluminum and carbon-fiber composite chassis (which are visible when you open the doors or rear hatch) and aluminum suspension components -- help keep weight down. Still, the iX is a very heavy machine, tipping the scales at 5,769 pounds as optioned here. Fortunately, much of the weight is beneath the floor in the battery pack. This low center of mass helps the iX stay nice and flat around corners, which means BMW's engineers could tune the double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension to be a bit softer for comfort. The SUV soaks up bumps well even on the optional 22s, and this is likely thanks to BMW's lift-related dampers -- hydraulic shock absorbers that progressively vary their damping force as the wheels travel up and down.

This example is equipped with the optional Dynamic Handling package, which adds an auto-leveling air suspension good for preventing sag when towing a braked trailer up to 5,500 pounds -- though who knows what havoc that will wreak on your range. As mentioned before, the air suspension automatically lowers to improve stability at high speeds and in sport mode and can be manually raised for 0.8 inches of additional ground clearance at very low speeds. Additionally, this package adds rear-wheel steering that both helps with low-speed agility and highway stability.

The seats could use more lateral support, but the heated and ventilated buckets are quite comfortable for long hauls and commutes.

Polarizing design

I'm willing to concede that the eye of another beholder may find beauty somewhere in the iX's tall wagon proportions, but I don't find the design very cohesive. For example, the severe L-shaped trim on the front bumper doesn't seem to line up with any other element of the fascia and feels tacked on in a way that annoys me even more than BMW's new corporate grille. Most days, I simply don't enjoy looking at the iX, but sometimes I catch an odd angle and it's not so bad. (Some of my colleagues have more positive opinions about BMW's styling.)

I do like that the buck-toothed grille hides a very cool technology: It's made of a self-healing polymer. Pick up a rock chip or a scratch on its glossy finish and the surface will gradually work its way back to shiny and flush again. Heat accelerates the process, so on a hot summer day (or with some coaxing from a hair dryer), you can watch it heal before your eyes. The BMW roundel just above the grille pops open to reveal a hidden washer fluid reservoir, which would be neat if it weren't necessary because the iX's hood requires a service technician to open -- a double bummer because it means there's no frunk. Still, this a more elegant solution than Mercedes-Benz's weird washer fluid fender slot on the EQS and EQE.

The iX's cabin, on the contrary, is absolutely gorgeous. It makes great use of materials that look fantastic and are tactilely interesting to touch, from the crystal cut glass iDrive control knob and seat adjustment controls to the unique wood veneer capacitive buttons on the center console -- all optional. The bucket seats are quite comfy with an upright position that offers great visibility in all directions around the airy greenhouse. Also optional is this model's electrochromic glass roof that boosts the feeling of spaciousness and goes opaque at the touch of a button to keep the sun off of your head.

The iX's cabin looks so good I'm willing to forgive the awkward exterior.

But all is not well in this aesthetic paradise and a few ergonomic nitpicks stand out. There's the electronic door release, which is positioned too far forward and high on the door to get good opening leverage. I had to elbow and shoulder the door open awkwardly to get out, while my smaller copilot needed to shove with both hands to muscle it open.

BMW also simplified the iX's steering wheel controls significantly, using glossy capacitive touch pads surrounding a thumb wheel instead of discrete physical buttons for the cruise control, infotainment and whatnot. Additionally, there doesn't appear to be a toggle to disable cruise control; the system is always armed and ready for one tap to set or resume your cruising speed. So far so good, but twice when chucking the iX around a corner, my palm contacted the pad while turning the steering wheel 90 degrees, causing the cruise control to unexpectedly resume mid-turn, lurching forward while I scrambled for the brakes. I was able to catch it both times, but it left a sketchy mark on an otherwise exemplary driving experience.

Aside from this ergonomic gripe, the rest of the iX's optional and standard driver aid features work pretty well. Optional adaptive cruise works in stop-and-go traffic and integrates nicely with the lane-keeping steering assist and the hands-off Traffic Jam Steering Assist that works at speeds below 40 mph. Parking Assistant Professional is also available and can automatically guide the SUV into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces at the touch of a button. There's standard forward-collision avoidance that can be upgraded to add optional side collision avoidance, too.

Keep scrolling; there are dozens more nigh-identical looking icons on just this menu screen.
iDrive 8

The iDrive 8 multimedia software is a step forward from the previous generation, but also two steps backward. The system is still built around a pair of huge displays that now seem to float above the dashboard on struts. The left screen is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster while the right is a larger, 14.9-inch main touchscreen. iDrive 8 is a responsive system and, like the rest of the iX's cabin, the high-resolution screens look fantastic and are customizable with themes featuring nature-inspired imagery.

Unfortunately, the menu is a mess of tiny icons. I counted nearly 30 of them on the main screen in no particular order and with extremely flat organization. Rather than, for example, combining FM and Sirius XM radio into one audio sources menu, they both have separate buttons on the home screen that must be found amongst dozens of others at highway speeds. My colleagues reminded me that I could organize the menu myself by dragging the icons around and eight shortcuts can be saved to a favorites menu for quick access, so most users will be able to customize their way around the problem with a bit of tinkering, but it's a steep learning curve and I think the curated organization of iDrive 7 was a better out-of-the-box experience.

Back in the pros column, there's standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with wireless connectivity for both. The iX even supports the latest quick pairing tech for either, so you don't even need to fiddle with the menus to get paired up and running. There are also six USB type-C charging ports scattered around the cabin (two in the front and four for second-row passengers) and neat little slots perfectly sized to hold mobile phones on the center console and in the doors.

One of the iX's coolest features is its self-healing grille. What? I didn't say it was the best looking feature.

Price, competition and final thoughts

The 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 starts at $85,095 including the required $995 destination charge. This example rolled into my driveway wearing a $101,075 sticker thanks mostly to $3,500 worth of premium leather upholstery on $1,600 upgraded seats, plus $1,900 for the 22-inch wheels. I've also got the $7,700 Ultimate package that rolls nearly every bell and whistle left to get -- including the Dynamic Handling upgrades, Iconic Sounds, the glass and wood interior trim, the iX's complete driver aid suite and more -- into one line item.

At that price range, the BMW iX skews more premium than most of its electric SUV competitors. The BMW is significantly more expensive than an Audi E-Tron SUV and Sportback, but it's also more powerful with nearly 100 miles of additional range. The iX also slots somewhere between Tesla Models X and Y.

Judged solely on the driving experience, range and handling, the all-new iX is a spectacular new entry in BMW's electric car portfolio. However, BMW then went and made so many weird little design decisions -- from the steering wheel controls to the weird door openers, the complicated menus and, yes, my aesthetic hang ups -- that it doesn't quite stick the landing as one of my favorites in this class.

Trying to find a match? Here's your official glossary of the phrases to avoid on dating apps.

It took only three swipes on Bumble to find a profile bio including the sentence, "I'm an open book, just ask."

That might be the least surprising lede I've ever written for an article. If you've spent any time on The Apps, you've likely noticed there's a sameness of language that pervades many bios. There are phrases that pop up over and over again: "Just say hi." "Quotes way too much from The Office." "Fluent in sarcasm."

There's a corner of my brain that keeps inconsequential conspiracy theories stored away like that one tin can of French-cut green beans you're never in the mood for. And it's there that I imagine a global meeting of online daters where it was decided that the only way to snarkily address height-related inquiries was to write, "[Height] because apparently that matters."

Over dinner with friends a few weeks ago, I brought up this topic, and one of them admitted he'd had that exact phrase about height in his Tinder bio. Feeling like maybe this was the first step in unraveling a mystery, I asked where he'd gotten it. He said a friend told him to put it in his bio. And when I got him to ask his friend where he'd heard it, the friend wasn't sure and thought maybe there was no point of origin, but rather that the whole thing was a convergent evolution.

Sigh.

Poring over Google results from years past also failed to turn up some first golden instance of the phrase.

So there likely was no meeting, or at least I wasn't invited. Nevertheless, the same language occurs across the genders, and, according to my international colleagues, across the bodies of water that used to provide much more effective barriers to the spread of trends.

Granted, dating app profiles can be challenging to write. You're trying to figure out how to distill your personality -- all those intangible qualities that might actually endear you to someone -- into a few hundred characters. All the while, you're trying to find a certain economy, leaning on details that signal something deeper about your lifestyle.

So after chatting up friends, co-workers and strangers on the internet, I'm here to offer you The Love Syncs Guide to Online Dating's Most Annoying Phrases.
Fluent in sarcasm

It's quite possible that "sarcasm" has become shorthand for having a sense of humor. Ask yourself this, though: What exactly is appealing about constantly saying things you don't mean? And in that tone.
I'm an open book, just ask

Though it's a positive to signal an openness to share about yourself with a potential match, this phrase is most often a lazy-sounding stand-in for writing a bio. Don't forget, the point of a bio is to help others figure out if they want to talk to you. Don't invite them to go on a fishing expedition in hopes you both happen to enjoy Norwegian Slow TV.
[Height] because apparently that matters

Will I go ahead and blame societal hang-ups about gender and height on the patriarchy? Of course. In the meantime, adding this to your bio is like taking a snitty little (unneeded) swipe at future matches who actually might not care how tall you are.
A string of emoji

While it might seem cute to fill your bio with emoji representing the activities and interests you like-- a beer glass, a dog, a person doing yoga-- you're better off sticking to words and sentences that actually illustrate your personality. Though many have tried, a football is not a personality in and of itself. Also, please don't make your potential matches decode your emoji like hieroglyphics. Words are handy. Use them.

I'm bad at replying Maybe you should work on that skill, given that's how most of these sites work.

I'm bad at bios

Self-improvement is a wonderful thing. Seize the opportunity. Moreover, instead of making a self-conscious comment, or an excuse for why you left your bio blank, take five minutes to put something down. Half of these apps have a 500 character limit. You will overcome this hardship.

Please be interesting

The implication here is that you are fabulously interesting. Or, at least interesting enough to pass judgment on others. But unless you're swiping from the top of Mount Everest with your best friend, a dancing bear, you're probably just like most other people on The Apps -- a human who works, pays bills, and has some shred of hope that enough swipes will yield what you're looking for.

Looking for a partner in crime

You better have a '66 Thunderbird we can drive off a cliff.

 
Not looking for a pen pal

Admittedly, if you talk to online daters, there's a common problem with chats that go on too long without either party making a move to meet in person. But preemptively scolding would-be matches is off-putting. Instead, maybe be more intentional about steering the conversation toward making plans, or better yet -- just ask.

 
Here for a good time, not a long time

If nothing else, at least you're being up front about what you're looking for. And hey, if someone else out there is also not looking for the whole white picket fence deal, it may not matter you're not Shakespeare. Consider once again, though, that even if you're trying to lock down a Friday night and nothing more, there are still tons of profiles competing against yours using the same verbiage.

 
Quotes way too much from The Office

It's totally reasonable to think that common interests will attract a potential match. Here's the thing, though: Pick an interest that's more unique to you than, say, liking one of the most popular television shows in recent memory. (Nielsen found The Office was the most watched show on Netflix in 2018.) At one point in time, perhaps liking The Office meant being the kind of person who likes cringe humor, pranks and heart-tugging will-they-won't-they romantic tension. These days, it just means you like a popular show. That's akin to hoping someone likes you because you're such a big fan of french fries.

Much like puppies and sunshine, these aren't controversial interests.

Also ask yourself this: Do you really quote from The Office that much? How much is "way too much?"

Does it border on annoying?

Just remember, quoting from The Office isn't a personality.

Looking for the Jim to my Pam (or vice versa)

On one hand, this could be a supereconomic line to have in your bio -- you're signaling that you're looking for something serious while also nodding to a piece of pop culture you're into. But to refer to the above entry, IT'S THE OFFICE. It's not unique. You might be better off picking characters from a show, movie or book that are more unusual (but not so obscure no one is going to know what you're talking about). OR you could forgo the cliche altogether and write something else.

 
If my dog doesn't like you, it's not going to work

Pet owners can get pretty wrapped up in their furry buddies. I, for one, have essentially surrendered the entire guest bathroom of my condo to my cat, Salsa. If you talk to dating coaches, though, they generally advise staying away from negative language in your profile. Just think: You haven't even met and you're already laying out a condition for how the relationship is going to fail. But at least you'll have your dog to cuddle with!

I'm just here for the dog pics

Genuinely, I have no idea what this is trying to communicate other than maybe a sense of humor? Or the ability to copy and paste on a mobile device?

Just moved here, show me around!

Being new to town is definitely a relevant detail to disclose. It can lead to some starter conversation about what prompted the move, or even chatting about places you've lived. The "show me around" part leaves the other person with those vague thoughts of "why?" and "surely Thrillist has several articles on this."

I've got my shit together. You should too.

Should they? Good for you for knowing what you want, but maybe be less abrasive about it? YIKES.

 
General references to having fun and laughing

Again, file this under "noncontroversial interests." You know what would be interesting? The person who hates laughing. Show me that human. I have questions.

 
Just say hi

No.

Recently wed? Recently divorced? Recently on the run from a dangerous cartel? We've all been there before. Whatever your reasons you have for changing your name on Facebook, we're here to help you figure out how.

There are a number of ways you can change your name on Facebook, including via the app or desktop site. However, we're going to focus on the fastest way of changing your name on Facebook with the least amount of navigation possible.

Let's get to it with our guide on how to change your name on Facebook.

1. Open the Accounts Center

In your browser of choice, head to the Facebook Accounts Center by clicking HERE, or typing accountscenter.facebook.com into your address bar and hitting enter.

Once there, log in to your Facebook account, and on the panel to the right, select your Facebook profile.

2. Choose what to edit

In the pop-up window that appears, you'll have three options: "Name," "Username," and "Profile Picture."

Select "Name"

 
3. Enter your new name

In the next window, you'll be presented with three text boxes to choose your new first, middle, and last name.

Enter the name you want others to see you by, double-check for typos (as you wont be allowed to change your name for 60 days,) and click the "Review Change" button at the bottom of the pop-up.

4. Preview your new name

The next screen will allow you to preview your name and decide if you'd like to be known by first name or surname first.

Once you've decided, click "Done" and you're all set!

Your name should now be updated (you may need to re-enter your password as confirmation), and the changes should be visible instantly! Remember, now you've changed your name, you'll be locked in to using this name for 60 days before you can change it again. So, make sure you're not doing something too hasty.