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The BMW XM’s Boldest And Brightest New Options, Ranked

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Thank heavens BMW resisted the urge to grab the new XM with eye-searing paint colors. Instead, it has the typical blacks, whites, and grays, but it does have a bright red (Toronto Red Metallic) and a deep blue (Marina Bay Blue metallic) hue at no extra cost. The eccentric madness of options starts with the wheels — the XM’s 23-inch M Light alloys in gold (pictured above), which is a unique touch for a large SUV. Thankfully, you can have the same wheels in a more subdued steel gray option, and the standard 22-inch rollers are not that bad.

The BMW XM gets a standard Merino cowhide upholstery with a black-on-black theme, but the $1,500 Sakhir Orange leather option is worth every penny, standing out even more with a combined black accent. For $1,000 more, however, the Silverstone gray leather with a vintage coffee ceiling and door panels is a refreshing aesthetic. However, BMW’s vintage coffee interior theme looks best with the Deep Lagoon teal leather upholstery (pictured above), which costs the same at $2,500.

BMW wants XM buyers to go crazier with its NightGold Metallic exterior trim, a no-cost styling option that matches well with the gold wheels. The package includes a gold-metallic accent band that runs from ahead of the A-pillars and wraps around the side windows (pictured above), the outer border of the front kidney grilles, and the rear diffuser. Another no-cost option is M Sport Brakes with blue or red calipers, and exclusive M logos.

With base prices starting at $160,00, the all-new BMW XM is a big, bold, powerful SUV that screams money and privilege. It exists in a world littered with Lambos, Aston Martins, Maybachs, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces, but none feels more forward-looking as the XM.

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Major Espresso Machine Brands Ranked Worst To Best

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Made in Italy, Lelit holds a prominent position among top-tier espresso machine manufacturers. While it may be one of the smaller Italian brands, Lelit has made a name for itself by crafting high-caliber machines. The company takes pride in its Italian roots and every Lelit machine is designed and manufactured in Italy.

Given the quality Lelit upholds, their machines come with a premium price tag. They fit the needs of businesses and quaint cafes. However, their cost might place them beyond the reach of the average household unless they have considerable disposable income or have been saving up for one. The Victoria, Lelit’s entry-level model, costs about $1,000, while their flagship, the Bianca, can be priced upward of $3,000. For such an investment, owners receive a café-grade espresso machine laden with top-notch features. Lelit’s machines are known for their precision in temperature regulation via electronic sensors, strong stainless steel construction, and sleek design.

They’re not as large as industrial-designed espresso machines, but they produce the same quality in a compact and aesthetically pleasing design. The higher-end model comes with carved wooden handles and knobs while their entry-level products use plastic in their design.

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It Sure Looks Like Microsoft Will Get To Buy Activision After All

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Although consultation on this new proposal doesn’t end until next month, the government body said this new plan overall “makes important changes that substantially address the concerns it set out” when the first proposal was submitted. It noted that it would quell the concerns that big franchises such as “Overwatch,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Call of Duty” would be under the sole control of Microsoft for cloud gaming.

However, the CMA still worries that certain aspects of the deal might not be fully upheld. It noted that Microsoft has assured that this would not be the case, as the terms will be enforceable by the CMA. Colin Raftery, senior director of mergers and Phase 1 decision maker, said, “With additional protections to make sure that the deal is properly implemented, this will maintain the structure of the market, enabling open competition to continue….”

If the CMA finds this proposal to be acceptable, Microsoft is still not in the clear. Another ongoing consultation about the acquisition determines if Microsoft can purchase any part of Activision, excluding the previously mentioned cloud services. Both consultations will be open until October 6. With the FTC’s go-ahead and the CMA’s acknowledgment that Microsoft is headed in the right direction, this deal could be getting off the ground sooner rather than later.

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Why The iPhone 15 Pro Max Might Just Win You Over Even Before You Turn It On

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The recent downside to that, though, came with the switch in Apple’s design language to squared-off edges. That transition, on the iPhone 12, wasn’t exactly new — in fact, it was heralded as a welcome nod back to one of the most popular designs in the Cupertino firm’s back catalog, the iPhone 5 — but it was the first time we’d seen that crisp aesthetic with such big screens on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

As anybody who has used any of the Max-scale models since then will probably have discovered, there can be a downside when it comes to your fingers.

To be blunt, the iPhone is sharp. Whether using the iPhone 14 Pro Max one- or two-handed, I’d typically support the bottom edge with the little finger on my right hand. 240 grams may not sound like a lot, but when it’s all pressing down on one narrow edge, on the sensitive skin of your weakest finger, after a while you notice it.

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