I think FiiO's engineers may have been on the Red Bull: how, other than if you're absurdly over-caffeinated, do you decide to put 26 speaker drivers into a single pair of IEMs?
They don't look like they've got 13 drivers apiece, but the FiiO FX17 do – and they're there because FiiO wants to get the full benefit of their different sonic powers.
That means mixing up electrostatic, balanced armature and dynamic drivers to deliver what FiiO says is a "generational step forward in IEM design".
It looks like a weird motorcycle engine but we're assured this is the inside of FiiO's new flagship IEMs. (Image credit: FiiO) Drive, baby, driveThe FX17 have eight electrostatic drivers, four custom Knowles balanced armature drivers with extra vents, and a dynamic driver in each bud, made with a lithium-magnesium alloy. That's extremely light and extremely rigid, delivering very precise audio with significantly reduced vibration and resonance.
Those drivers are packed into good-looking titanium shells milled from a single block and polished by hand, and they're connected via a three-metal cable – gold, silver and copper – that comes with three swappable terminators: 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced and USB-C.
That latter connection includes a built-in DSP audio decoding chip that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz high-resolution PCM. And it also enables you to customize the frequency curve of your FX17s via its eight-band high-precision PEQ, which you can control via the companion app or web interface.
The FiiO FX17 will be priced at £1,399 / $1,499 / about AU$2,873 which is a major high-end price to match the specs – we usually rate Fiio for the amazing value its products offer, such as the Fiio M11S or the Fiio FT5. These might still be good value, just at a totally different end of the market… we look forward to comparing them to the best wired earbuds after they’re available from April 14th.
You might also likeExperts have warned there is a critical severity flaw in the Next.js open source web development framework which allows threat actors to bypass authorization checks.
Security researcher Rachid.A from Zhero Web Security posted an in-depth analysis of the findings, with the vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-29927, and receiving a severity score of 9.1/10 (critical).
Prior to versions 14.2.25, and 15.2.3, it was possible to bypass authorization checks in Next.js, if they happen in middleware.
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Patching or mitigatingNext.js is a popular React framework for building web applications, offering features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes.
It’s widely used for SEO-friendly and high-performance websites, including ecommerce platforms and dashboards.
Next.js is backed by Vercel and is used by major companies like Netflix, TikTok, and GitHub, making it one of the most adopted frameworks for modern web development. It counts more than 9 million weekly downloads on npm.
Middleware in Next.js is a function that runs before a request is completed, allowing developers to modify requests and responses, handle authentication, or implement redirects. The function is useful for tasks like user authentication, A/B testing, and localization without affecting page load speed.
It was also stated that just self-hosted versions, using ‘next start’ with ‘output:standalone’. Apps hosted on Vercel or Nerlify, or deployed as static exports, are not affected.
Ideally, users should patch to the above-mentioned versions to mitigate any chances of exploits. However, those that cannot apply the patch so fast are advised to prevent external user requests which contain the x-middleware-subrequest header from reaching the Next.js application.
“This vulnerability has been present for several years in the next.js source code, evolving with the middleware and its changes over the versions,” the researcher concluded, before stressing that Next.js is “widely used across critical sectors, from banking services to blockchain”.
Via BleepingComputer
You might also likeMicrosoft is likely switching to work on the next big update for Windows 11, which would be 25H2, based on rumors and what’s going on with the latest preview build.
Microsoft itself has told us that the new builds in the 26200 range, which are now in the Dev channel for testing, are still based on 24H2 – the current version of Windows 11 – but that it’ll be “making behind-the-scenes platform changes in these builds” which might mean they have different issues to the 24H2 builds in the Beta channel (a later branch of testing).
According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, who regularly shares rumors relating to what’s going on at Microsoft, those Dev builds are “likely” to be about laying the “early groundwork for version 25H2” which is, of course, due to land later in 2025.
So, in other words, the Beta channel will continue to get builds based purely on 24H2, whereas the Dev channel is now going to get changes under the hood to set the stage for 25H2 (most probably).
Bowden further notes that the changes to the underlying platform Windows 11 is built on – the sprawling mass of code you never see, but is the glue that holds together all the bits that you do interact with – will incorporate the changes needed for Qualcomm’s incoming Snapdragon X2 chip.
Those changes have already been put in place in the Canary channel, apparently – which is the earliest test channel, before Dev – and now they’re coming to the Dev channel, this indicates that Microsoft is progressing towards making the finished version of Windows 11 compatible with devices powered by the Snapdragon X2 CPU.
Those devices, which are expected to usher in a new Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 processor, should arrive later in 2025, alongside this new version of Windows 11, in theory.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: Sticking with Germanium?You may recall that Windows 11 24H2 was built on an all-new underlying platform, dubbed Germanium by Microsoft. That major switch with the very foundations of Windows 11 was made to ensure compatibility with Arm chips (and to improve the performance and overall security of the OS), and the first generation of Snapdragon X processors.
However, that was a huge move, whereas the work now rumored to be underway is seemingly about fine-tuning Germanium for Snapdragon X2 – that isn’t a total change of platform, but a refinement of what was put in place last year. Or at least this is what Bowden feels is the most probable scenario, although it’s still possible Microsoft could switch to a different platform with 25H2, the leaker acknowledges.
If it’s true Microsoft is sticking with Germanium, this is important, because one of the reasons why Windows 11 24H2 has been so buggy is due to that migration to the all-new (at the time) Germanium, which I believe caused quite a commotion in the inner workings of Microsoft’s OS. And that’s the reason why some of the many glitches we’ve seen with the 24H2 update have been so odd (again, in my opinion – take it with caution, of course).
Because Windows 11 25H2 isn’t going to be such a big move, it should be much more smoothly implemented and less buggy overall – at least in theory, and that’s a hope I reckon a lot of folks will be holding onto for now.
At the same time, we have to face the fear that the bad run of bugs might continue, either because there are just that many to stamp out, this firefighting won’t have run its course – or that Microsoft will be switching away from Germanium, which again could mean more than the usual share of bugs winging our way.
Given how 24H2 has panned out – pretty terribly for bugs – hopefully Microsoft will be in a risk-averse frame of mind here.
You might also like...ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode just got even better with an upgrade to the voice assistant that makes chatting to AI more natural than ever before.
The free update, which has already started rolling out, has a more engaging, natural tone of voice and will interrupt you less, allowing for conversations to flow better.
The update was announced by Manuka Stratta, an OpenAI post-training researcher, who revealed the upgrade in a demo on the company's social media.
She says "The model interrupts you less, so you'll have more time to gather your thoughts and not feel like you have to fill in all the gaps and silences all the time."
In the demo, she started a conversation with Advanced Voice Mode and talked slowly with intentional awkward silences. Impressively, ChatGPT was able to listen and respond at the end of her speech, rather than interrupt during one of the lengthy pauses.
The update showcases another step forward for AI chatbots that allows for even more natural conversation and allows you to spend less time thinking about how to communicate with AI and just letting you chat like you would with a friend.
The new version of Advanced Voice Mode with less interrupting is available to all free users and ChatGPT Plus subscribers will get the same upgrade as well as access to the improved voice assistant personality.
Phone a friendIf you've ever wanted to chat with AI, now might be the perfect time to try. AI voice assistants are getting better by the day, and companies like ChatGPT and Google are constantly improving their offerings to enhance the user experience.
While I haven't tested this upgraded version of ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode yet, I was already impressed with the previous iterations. Chatting with AI can often feel less robotic and more engaging.
OpenAI also offers a version of Advanced Voice Mode that you can give camera access to, allowing the AI to essentially see and respond to queries based on what you show it. ChatGPT continues to improve at a rapid rate, and these additions to its voice mode only further that trend.
You might also likeSeveral H3C Magic router models are vulnerable to command injection attacks that can be launched remotely, according to several new critical CVE listings on the NIST National Vulnerability Database.
A total of 8 vulnerabilities have been listed across 5 different models of H3C Magic router, with all currently scoring an 8.8 on the severity score.
The affected models in question are the H3C Magic NX15, Magic NX30 Pro, Magic NX400, Magic R3010, and Magic BE18000.
Routers vulnerable to command injectionThe vulnerabilities are tracked as CVE-2025-2725-through-2732 and allow an attacker to send a specially crafted POST packet or request without authorization to vulnerable APIs in order to obtain the highest privileges available on the device.
The POST packets and requests are designed to trigger specific handler functions within the API files, allowing an attacker to use the backtick (`) - which isn’t filtered as a dangerous character - for command injection with the highest privileges.
Several of the vulnerable routes contain functions to check for dangerous characters such as semicolons, but it appears that the backtick was not included as a dangerous character allowing the attack to bypass these functions.
For the H3C Magic NX15, CVE-2025-2725 allows an attacker to use the body of a POST request to trigger the FCGI_UserLogin function, starting a cascade of functions that results in the attacker being able to remotely execute commands, again using the unfiltered backtick. The attacker can then log in as the root user without using a password and access a root shell.
NVD contacted H3C prior to listing the CVE disclosures, but received no response. Currently, no patch has been issued to address the vulnerabilities. The full list of vulnerabilities can be found here.
Gaming or streaming movies on an OLED monitor is arguably still king in terms of immersive at-home viewing experiences, but it's no secret that they're expensive. However, that could be about to change thanks to Samsung's new plans.
In a press release, Samsung announced that it will enter the 'mid-to-low price range' for its OLED offerings, by introducing cheaper options to help accelerate the transition from LCD displays. Its current lineup of high-end OLED monitors has already proved successful: Samsung claims it now holds 71.2% of the OLED market share when it comes to PC monitors, and it's now time to capitalize on that success with greater accessibility for consumers.
Besides mini-LED monitors that offer high brightness and great contrast, OLED is one of the best options for contrast ratio and black levels - ultimately, OLED panels are often found in the best monitors on the market, providing the ideal picture quality for games and entertainment. The problem is that most of these displays are simply too expensive for the average consumer, meaning most are forced to choose weaker display types - fortunately, cheaper models could change that.
It isn't exactly clear what kind of prices Samsung determines as mid-to-low: many OLED monitors have seen significant price drops recently (based on Amazon's sales), a long way down from price tags over $900, and sub-$600 might be Samsung's starting point.
(Image credit: Andreas Theodorou) OLED is quite literally about to become the new standard for monitorsIt's been a long time coming, but Samsung's plans look like a catalyst for making OLED panels the new standard for monitors, finally sending LCD displays to the scrapheap. Pricing has been a major dealbreaker for most, and with that now set to change, things are about to get very interesting.
While there are still some stipulations involved with using an OLED monitor - notably having to ensure it doesn't suffer from burn-in - the benefits that come from the infinite contrast ratio and excellent color reproduction are truly exceptional. As I've said before, it can literally elevate gaming experiences and go a long way toward making sequences look true to life.
After using an OLED display for years now, I can't go back to regular LCD displays. Mini-LED is the closest you'll get, but it still doesn't quite match up to OLED quality.
I couldn't be happier that Samsung is finally considering dropping prices for its OLED monitors, and I hope that other companies follow suit. Fortunately, Samsung's QD-OLED panels are widely used for other third-party monitors, so I'd be surprised if this doesn't have an impact on the market.
You may also like...All the best Apple Watch models will get an upgrade when watchOS 11.4 rolls out, likely in early April, and the final beta has revealed a major upgrade to the Wake Up Alarm function we've been waiting years for.
With the release of the new software, Apple Watch users will soon be able to select an option that lets their alarm break through silent mode.
The setting toggle, spotted by 9to5Mac, will ensure that users wearing their watch for sleep tracking and as a friendly morning alarm will be able to hear the audible chime of the Apple Watch alarm, even if they've left their Watch in Silent Mode.
It's a feature so simple, yet so vital, that it begs the question why it wasn't added years ago.
Don't sleep on this Apple Watch upgrade (Image credit: Future)As a tenured Apple Watch user, I'm one of many who only ever uses their watch in Silent Mode.
While Haptic feedback and notifications on your wrist can be helpful, the noise your Apple Watch makes when it gets an alert in loud mode is extremely annoying.
It's why Silent Mode is one of the 5 settings I change right out of the box every time I get a new Apple Watch, and I know I'm not the only one.
As mentioned, the upshot for sleep tracking – until now – is that you can only feel the haptic vibration of your watch alarm, not the audible sound, unless you're happy toggling Silent Mode on your Watch every night before you go to bed.
The haptic wakeup option is perfect if you don't want to wake up anyone else in the house, but watchOS 11.4's tweak is a much-needed upgrade for those who want to hear their Apple Watch's alarm without having to toggle silent mode every night.
Other watchOS 11.4 upgrades include support for controlling Matter-compatible robot vacuums directly from your wrist, as well as the usual slew of bug fixes and tweaks. With the release candidate now out in the wild, we'd expect the full watchOS 11.4 release to land in early April.
You may also likeThe Nikon Z5 is the company’s cheapest full-frame camera, but even fans would admit it’s grown a little long in the tooth. Now five years old, it remains a capable performer (and particularly tempting if you can generally pick it up at a big discount) but it’s definitely overdue an update.
It’s long been believed that Nikon will be unveiling a Nikon Z5 II this year. And the latest rumblings suggest the camera could be announced as soon as next week. Nikon Rumors has published a story claiming as much (although the timing doesn’t get more specific than ‘next week’), along with the interesting detail that their source describes the Z5 II as a ‘mini Z6 III’ – i.e. will come with some technology seen on the superb Z6 III, which launched in the summer of 2024.
Nikon Rumors doesn’t have any other details on what to expect from the Nikon Z5 II. But we can take a few educated guesses as to what upgrades might be present.
What shape might the Nikon Z5 II take?Upgrades-wise, we expect a similar approach to how the crop-sensor Z50 II built on the Z50, which would mean no change in resolution. In the case of the Z5 II, that means another 24MP full-frame sensor and no major image quality improvements for stills-focused users.
That being said, the Z5 II could come with Nikon's latest Expeed 7 processor and autofocus system, as seen in the crop-sensor Z50 II. If that’s the case, users can expect much better all-round speed, subject detection autofocus, quicker burst shooting speeds and powerful video performance.
There could also be a Picture Control button for direct access to color profiles, together with app compatibility and the option to download Creator Recipes for different looks. So, overall, we’d expect to see some timely and meaningful improvements arrive with any Z5 II.
As for the price, we think a Z5 II would likely split the difference between the Z5 and Z6 III. Currently, the Z5 with 24-50mm lens is around $1,300 / £1,200 at leading retailers, while the Nikon Z6 III, the next model up in the firm’s full-frame line-up, is around $2,200 / £2,200 for the body only. That means the Z5 II could launch for something like $1,700 / £1,600 with a basic kit lens.
Whether the camera is even en route at all is all speculation for now. If rumors are true, though, we won’t have much longer to wait for Nikon to deliver the news officially. Stay tuned for more.
Do you use the Nikon Z5? What upgrades would you hope for in a potential Z5 II? Let us know in the comments below.
You might also likeIf your Google Pixel Watch has recently started giving you delayed notifications, crashing, and slowing down, you're not alone, and the recent Wear OS 5.1 update could be to blame.
Google rolled out Wear OS 5.1 to all of its Pixel Watch models, including the best Android smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, at the start of March.
Promised upgrades include the Loss of Pulse Detection feature in the US, as well as upgrades to menstrual health support, step counts, and sleep tracking.
However, there are now numerous reports from users who are saying the update appears to be causing serious performance issues, delayed notifications, and more.
As reported by Android Police, multiple Pixel Watch 3 owners on Reddit are reporting problems, some of which are also occurring on older models.
Wear OS 5.1 issues on Pixel Watch – what we know (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)"Has anyone else had sluggish connection issues from the app to the watch since the March update? I am not able to edit watch faces, syncing with Fitbit is very slow and there are delayed notifications," one poster noted in the Pixel Watch subreddit.
"Delayed notifications issue is definitely affecting me," one commenter replied. "My landlord had called me today and the watch didn't even react once," another added.
Delayed notifications seem to be the most prevalent issue, however. Users are also reporting crashing when trying to edit Watch faces, a frozen or unresponsive touchscreen, Fitbit syncing issues, and more.
TechRadar has also seen similar reports in Google's Pixel Watch Help Community.
It's a blow for Google, which recently moved to a quarterly software update cycle for Wear OS. Whether that precludes more frequent patches for serious issues like this remains to be seen, and we've reached out to Google for comment on these issues.
We'll be sure to update you if anything changes. If the company sticks to the quarterly cycle, even for security and performance, it could be a long few months for users who've upgraded.
If you haven't yet downloaded Wear OS 5.1, we'd recommend swerving the update until these issues get fixed.
Last year, Google had to pause the rollout of Wear OS 5 to older Pixel Watch models because of issues with crashing and even bricking, so it looks like the company is yet to get a handle on pushing stable software updates to its users.
You may also likeAI is a game-changer, no doubt. But the reality is a part of your employees are already using it in ways you don't control.
Remember the early days of cloud storage? Employees, eager to share and collaborate, started using services like Google Drive and iCloud without IT oversight. With new technologies like AI becoming widely available, we’re starting to see history repeating itself. Instead of files, we now see AI tools being deployed across unauthorized company channels, creating risks like data leaks and compliance issues.
While these unauthorized tools may seem like a quick fix for solving daily tasks, they introduce significant risks that businesses can't afford to ignore. The key is to ensure proactive management and equipping your employees with secure alternatives.
The rise of Shadow AIThe increased accessibility of consumer-facing AI tools has made it easier than ever for employees to adopt solutions outside official company channels. Many of these tools require minimal technical expertise, making them attractive options for workers looking to solve everyday challenges quickly. Meanwhile, the lack of robust AI governance within organizations has created a vacuum, encouraging employees to seek unvetted alternatives.
Just like those early cloud adopters, employees are embracing generative AI at an explosive rate. A survey from early 2024 shows a near doubling in adoption in just ten months. However, this rapid adoption is also fueling a surge in "Shadow AI," with usage up 250% year-over-year in some industries. Therefore, it is very crucial to understand why employees are turning to these unauthorized tools and address those underlying needs.
The risks of unauthorized actionsWith growing pressure to deliver faster responses and streamline workflows, Shadow AI can feel like the best option when official tools fall short. However, this lack of oversight exposes companies to significant risks across several areas.
Cybersecurity is a major concern, as poorly managed AI usage can lead to serious data breaches. For instance, uploading customer data into an unencrypted third-party AI tool could expose thousands of sensitive records, resulting in GDPR violations.
A recent survey of 250 British Chief Information Officers revealed that 1 in 5 companies experienced data leakage due to generative AI use, with many CISOs identifying internal threats, such as unauthorized AI, as a bigger risk than external attacks.
Regulatory compliance is another critical issue. Industries like finance and healthcare operate under strict frameworks, and Shadow AI creates gaps by lacking audit trails, accountability, and proper data agreements. This can lead to regulatory violations, hefty fines, and reputational damage.
Additionally, inconsistent quality is also a growing challenge. Unauthorized AI tools often rely on unverified datasets, leading to biased or inaccurate output. The lack of transparency in how these tools process and store data makes it difficult for businesses to maintain control over their most valuable asset: information.
How can companies regain control?For businesses, banning AI outright isn’t practical, and ignoring it isn’t an option either. To combat the rise of Shadow AI, organizations must take several proactive steps:
1. Develop clear AI governance policies: A formal AI usage policy is essential to define which tools are approved, how they should be used, and who is responsible for oversight. This policy should also set rules for data usage, compliance, and outline consequences for unauthorized AI use. Communicating these policies early and often ensures employees understand and follow them, reducing confusion and misuse.
2. Implement guardrails: Establishing guardrails helps employees use AI responsibly without compromising company data. These can include workshops, webinars, or e-learning courses to train employees on proper AI usage. Additionally, sandbox environments, firewalls, or policies restricting external AI platforms can help mitigate risks while guiding employees toward approved solutions.
3. Integrate secure AI copilots: Organizations should prioritize implementing secure AI copilots that align with both employee needs and expectations. These tools must meet strong security standards and integrate smoothly into existing workflows. By doing so, businesses can protect privacy, maintain service quality, and prepare their workforce for a future shaped by automation. Establishing clear AI usage guidelines and providing user-friendly, approved tools will also encourage responsible AI adoption across teams.
4. Strengthen IT and security protocols: Stronger security protocols are critical to preventing unauthorized AI from slipping through the cracks. Businesses should ensure AI tools meet cybersecurity standards, such as encryption and secure API connections. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust security models can further limit access to sensitive data, creating a more secure environment for AI adoption.
The stakes have never been higher. As AI evolves, organizations must prioritize clear governance and adopt secure tools to drive responsible use. This not only empowers employees but also protects privacy, strengthens security, and positions businesses to confidently navigate an AI-driven future while unlocking its full potential
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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
Who's ready for more Daredevil: Born Again? If you've been engrossed by Marvel's latest TV Original since its March 4 debut, I'm certain you'll be eagerly awaiting its next chapter.
There won't just be one new episode of the Disney+ show this week, either. Thanks to an unusual quirk in Born Again's release schedule, we're getting a double helping of Daredevil, so you'll be able to enjoy episodes 5 and 6 when they're released. Here, then, is when you can stream that double-header in the US, UK, and Australia.
What is the Disney+ release time for Daredevil: Born Again episodes 5 and 6 in the US? Matt Murdock returns with two episodes this week (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 will be released on Tuesday, March 25 at 6PM PT / 9PM ET in the US. That's the same time that the last four episodes have aired on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services.
As I mentioned earlier, episode 6 will be released alongside this season's fifth entry. So, once the end credits have rolled on episode 5, don't exit Disney+ straight away.
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Daredevil: Born Again season 1's fifth and sixth episodes will launch in the UK on Wednesday, March 26 at 1AM GMT.
It's worth noting that this is the final time that new episodes of this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series will be released at 1AM GMT. The clocks go forward in the UK on Sunday, March 30, which means those on British shores will be eight hours behind the US' Pacific Timezone, rather than seven, in the near future.
Long story short, the final three episodes of Born Again will be released at 2AM GMT on Disney+ UK throughout April.
When can I watch Daredevil: Born Again episodes 5 and 6 on Disney+ in Australia? Kristen McDuffie will return in Born Again's first season very soon (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)Australian viewers can tune into Born Again's next two installments on Wednesday, March 26 at 12PM AEDT.
Like the UK, the clocks will change Down Under soon, but Aussies don't have to worry about any time alteration until Sunday, April 6.
What are the launch dates for new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+? Frank's back! (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)There'll only be three more episodes of this Marvel Phase 5 TV show to enjoy after this week's dual release. Read on to find out when new chapters will make their Disney+ debuts in the US, UK, and Australia:
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How do you extract value from the rapidly growing complexity of today’s cloud computing environments? It’s one of the most pressing questions facing modern enterprises.
While the promise of cloud computing has always been centered on flexibility, scalability, and efficiency, the reality for many businesses paints a more challenging picture – one where unexpected complexities make managing multi-cloud and hybrid environments feel like navigating uncharted waters.
The truth is, cloud value stagnates when businesses take a "cloud-first, ask-questions-later" approach – the challenges often outweigh the return. To succeed, modern IT leaders need a forward-thinking cloud strategy.
The hidden complexity of cloud computingCloud technology has transformed how businesses operate, but it is not without complications. The disconnect between the promise of streamlined operations and the burden of diverse IT infrastructure is glaring. Today, 89% of organizations operate using multi-cloud frameworks – but this popularity comes at a cost. Here’s why:
Legacy IT constraints
Many enterprises still rely on legacy systems that weren’t designed to integrate with modern cloud technologies. While the benefits of migrating fully to the cloud are obvious, constraints surrounding outdated architectures often prevent this transition from happening smoothly – or in some cases, from happening at all.
Hyperscaler limitations
Cloud giants like AWS, Azure or Google Cloud provide exceptional tools for managing their own platforms, but they rarely address the needs of multi-cloud operations. This inevitably leads organizations to cobble together fragmented tools (e.g. FinOps) to manage governance, security, and visibility across providers, resulting in inefficiencies.
Lack of visibility & control
Hybrid or multi-cloud environments inherently bring layers of complexity to workload management. Tracking resources, monitoring network performance, and ensuring cost efficiency are monumental tasks without a unified strategy in place.
The result? IT teams across industries find themselves trapped, trying to balance rapid technological innovation with the limitations of their existing infrastructure.
Why "true" multi-cloud thinking is the solutionWhen a standard “cloud-first” mindset no longer reflects the reality of enterprise cloud strategies, what’s next? Organizations distribute workloads more flexibly, whether on-premises, in the cloud, or across public and private cloud environments. But now, they must deal with disparate tools, governance models, and security frameworks, leading to a fundamentally fragmented system that limits visibility and control – and again, the value they get from their cloud infrastructure.
Different cloud environments have traditionally required multiple tools to govern and optimize operations. Solutions offered by hyperscalers are designed primarily for their environments, and FinOps tools often fail to account for multicloud setups. This creates a major challenge for IT leaders, especially when making strategic and value-focused decisions such as seeking differentiated services their current provider may not be able to deliver.
Without proper optimization, data can go unprotected, workloads could be poorly distributed and managing the entire system becomes an uphill battle. The solution lies in a true multi-cloud thinking. Organizations that fail to adopt such thinking risk falling behind their competitors who can pivot swiftly in today’s dynamic market environments.
So, what are the core pillars?Unified control
Look for foundational architecture that enables the seamless movement of workloads across cloud providers and environments. This control ensures performance is prioritized alongside cost-efficiency and compliance.
Agility
Vendor lock-in creates bottlenecks. A good multi-cloud approach avoids relying too heavily on any single provider, enabling businesses to scale or pivot as operational challenges arise.
Visibility
Centralized governance frameworks, as opposed to disparate tools, offer transparency across clouds, making it easier to track costs, performance, and data security. Better information equals better decisions.
Unified management
Efficient multi-cloud operations require more than just tools; they need coherent strategies built around real-time resource management and overarching visibility.
How centralized management unlocks new potentialThe solution isn’t just about adopting diverse tools; it’s about orchestra-like synchronization under a single conductor, a unified platform. This allows businesses to simplify operations, cut redundancy, and even eliminate the silos that form when multi-cloud environments get out of hand.
Think of it as providing IT teams with bird’s-eye visibility. With clear insights into governance, capacity planning, workloads, and security threats, teams can collaborate more effectively and channel resources where they matter most.
Multi-cloud isn’t the future – it’s already here. The challenge is whether organizations can rise to meet it with confidence.
IT leaders must focus on more than just tools and technology. They need to rethink their approach entirely. For example: Invest in agile frameworks. Deploy centralized governance strategies. Empower IT and non-IT personnel to act decisively with intelligent insights on resource performance and cost.
Cloud-based innovation is just the starting line – it’s those who manage that innovation best who will win.
Bold leadership is necessaryThose at the helm of enterprises hold the key to managing complexity to get value from their cloud investments. IT infrastructure choices today won't just dictate cost-savings; they’ll define your competitive edge for years to come.
Your next business breakthrough lies in cutting through the complexity of cloud systems. It’s about replacing fragmented tools with centralized intelligence. Find ways to simplify operations and maximize potential.
If that sounds daunting, remember – you don’t have to go it alone. Partner with experts who know the nuances of enterprise IT, or invest in intelligent platforms that can deliver clarity amidst complexity.
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That is what I found after collecting data across 24 AMD CPUs I could get prices and availability for and crunched the numbers at the time of writing.
The 9900X is AMD’s fourth fastest desktop processor on CPUBenchmark but also the one that got the bigger price cut - nearly 25% - after the launch of the 9900X3D on March 12th.
A price reduction of almost a quarter is nothing to be sniffed at for a CPU near the top performers.
This model is popular with anyone looking for high performance, without a premium price tag, across various workloads like video editing or game development, like in Scan’s 3XS GWP A1-R24 workstation PC.
It sold at Amazon at the time of writing for $374.72 down from $499, its lowest price ever
This Zen 5 part, launched in August 2024, has 12 cores, a base speed of 4.4GHz, 12MB L3 cache as well as a 120W TDP.
It reached 54,836 on CPUBenchmark, my default benchmark for processors.
That’s a jaw-dropping 146 marks per dollar, almost 10x better than the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX (15) and 26% better than its bigger sibling, the 9950X.
It also has the cheapest cost per core at just $31.23, the third fastest maximum speed (5.6GHz) and, as for all Ryzen CPUs, it has 1MB of L3 cache per core (in this case, 12MB for 12 cores).
This is the third of several articles based on data I’ve compiled on 41 AMD Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPUs (socketed, OEM). In the rest of the series, I will be looking at the cost per core, performance per core, AMD CPUs that are getting more expensive, all this with the new Ryzen 9 9900/9950 X3D CPUs in the backdrop.
In other words, no processor from AMD delivers more performance per unit dollar than the Ryzen 9 9900X.
The Ryzen 5 9600X is the second model in the pecking order on the value-for-money-meter at 131 marks per dollar or 5000 marks per core, the highest of any AMD processors ever tested on CPUBenchmark - there are still 19 that haven’t been benchmarked on it yet.
The mysterious Ryzen 5 9600Check out my previous articles in this series
Keep an eye on the Ryzen 5 9600, a CPU that has been released recently and didn’t get as much attention as the bigger models.
It has a slightly lower base speed but I expect it to be the cheapest socketed Zen 5 CPU in AMD’s roster.
A sub $200 retail price and a slightly lower CPUBenchmark score than the 9600X would allow it to breeze past the Ryzen 9 9900X to the top of the leaderboard.
Surprisingly though, neither the Ryzen 9900X nor the Ryzen 9600X have cracked the top 10 best-selling CPU leaderboard on Amazon.com.
You might also likeMobile accessory maker Ugreen has announced a new partnership with Genshin Impact to launch an exclusive collection of co-branded charging products inspired by the hugely popular playable character Kinich.
The Ugreen x Genshin Impact line is available now via the Ugreen website and Amazon in a wide range of countries including the US and UK. It features four new special edition products, each with a unique and adorable design.
(Image credit: Ugreen)First, there's the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank Genshin Impact Edition, which packs a massive 20,000mAh battery into a portable charger with two USB Type-C ports that can be used at the same time on top of a USB-A output. One Type-C port supports 100W fast charging, which tops up compatible devices in impressive times. According to the manufacturer, this can take an iPhone 15 Pro from zero to 55% in just 30 minutes.
It also has a smart display, with a crisp TFT LCD panel that shows the power bank's current battery level and charging status. It's a very practical addition and, in this special edition, even comes with its own exclusive animations starring Kinich's pixel art companion Ajaw.
The front of the power bank is adorned with bright artwork showing Kinich and Ajaw too, while the sides feature a more subtle pattern plus some Ugreen x Genshin Impact branding.
The Ugreen Nexode Power Bank Genshin Impact Edition costs $89.99 / £74.99 - only about $10 / £5 more than the current going price of the standard version which seems like a great deal for fans given the much cooler design here.
(Image credit: Ugreen)Next is the Ugreen Magflow Wireless Charger Genshin Impact Edition, a folding 2-in-1 wireless charger that might be the perfect fit for your next trip if you're an iPhone user.
It's compact, so can easily be folded and stashed in a bag, and delivers 15W fast charging with Qi2 certification. There's a MagSafe-compatible magnetic charging pad to hold your phone with 75 degrees of adjustment and, when unfolded, a small charging dock for compatible earbuds (such as recent AirPods).
You also get a USB-C port for charging smartwatches or other accessories, conveniently covering all of your devices while occupying just one socket.
This special edition version has a unique black and neon green design that draws on everything from the Yumkasaurus enemies in the Natlan region in Genshin Impact to Kinich's Constellation and Element Skill.
The Ugreen Magflow Wireless Charger Genshin Impact Edition costs $59.99 / £44.99.
(Image credit: Ugreen)If you're after powerful charging, then the Ugreen Nexode Charger Genshin Impact Edition should have you covered.
It's small, coming in at 2.59 x 1.57 x 1.22in / 66 x 40 x 31mm in its US variant, but boasts 65W fast charging ideal for everything from laptops to mobile phones and tablets.
It has three separate USB ports: two 65W USB Type-C ports and one 22.5W USB Type-A port (though bear in mind that power distribution varies if multiple cables are connected). As a flagship-level charger, it also boasts the company's 'GaNInfinity' chip, which it claims improves efficiency and keeps temperatures cool.
On the design front, you get more artwork featuring Kinich and Ajaw on one side. On the other, you can find a neat pattern inspired by Ajaw. This is on top of the expected Ugreen x Genshin Impact branding.
The Ugreen Nexode Charger Genshin Impact Edition costs $39.99 / £37.99.
(Image credit: Ugreen.)Last but not least is the Ugreen USB-C to USB-C Cable Genshin Impact Edition. As the name would suggest, this is a simple 3.28ft / 1m long USB cable with some extra Genshin Impact flair.
In addition to sturdy aluminum connectors, it's braided with neon green nylon and even comes equipped with a cute Ajaw cable tidy. It supports up to 100W charging, making it a good fit for any of the other collab products, plus USB 2.0 compatibility for transfer speeds up to 480Mbps.
The Ugreen USB-C to USB-C Cable Genshin Impact Edition is the cheapest item in the collection, coming in at $9.99 / £7.49.
Hands-on impressions (Image credit: Ugreen)I've had the chance to go hands-on with the entire collection over the last month thanks to a collectible gift box provided by Ugreen.
I've definitely been most impressed with the Nexode Power Bank thanks to its eye-catching bright print and very strong performance. It feels very robust and charges my Porsche Design Honor Magic 6 RSR phone to almost 80% in just half an hour, which is more than enough juice to play hours of Genshin Impact on the train and leaves previous power banks that I've owned in the dust.
The animations of this special edition are cute too, and demonstrate a high level of attention to detail from Ugreen.
Although I'm less of an Apple user now, having made the leap from an iPhone 15 Plus just a few months ago, the Ugreen Magflow Wireless Charger was good in my testing. It's a tad fiddly to unfold, but once set up doesn't take up much space and would be very convenient to have on a desk or bedside table - especially on a trip.
As for the Nexode Charger and the cable, they're not the most exciting parts of the collection aside from the unique look. Having multiple ports accessible from one socket is very convenient though and I haven't had any issues charging anything from my work laptop to a Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck OLED.
The gift box came packed with exclusive merch, including an adorable acrylic standee showing Kinich and little Ajaw. This was on top of a themed magnetic phone kickstand grip, power bank pouch, fridge magnet, phone lanyard, and transparent photo frame. All in all, it's a lovely little bundle that fans of the character would certainly enjoy.
This gift box is not available to buy, but if you want to get your hands on one there will be opportunities to win it in giveaways via Ugreen's official X / Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Not yet tried Genshin Impact? The free-to-play game is available now on PC and mobile in addition to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
You might also like...We're getting in on the action at Zendesk's annual convention, Relate 2025, to hear from company execs and global influencers about how AI can revolutionize customer service and sales.
The keynotes kick off on March 25, so be sure to check back here for live coverage as the days go on.
Get ready to join us as we cover Zendesk's exciting updates at Relate 2025. We're expecting plenty of AI announcements over the coming days.
Google's Gemini Live is finally getting the gift of sight. The tech giant has quietly begun rolling out features that transform your humble smartphone into an all-seeing eye for its AI assistant.
The new abilities were uncovered by a Reddit user who later shared a video of the features in action. The upgrade lets Gemini peer through your screen or camera lens and process what it sees. The rollout marks the debut of Google's much-discussed and much-anticipated Project Astra.
Based on the video, Gemini's 'eyes' can analyze your screen in real-time through a "Share screen with Live" button. Gemini has long been able to digest static screenshots, but the update maintains a continuous gaze on your screen, looking at whatever you are on your phone for better or for worse.
The other tool makes your phone's camera Gemini's eye. Google has demonstrated that the AI can precisely discern colors and objects. Whether the final product matches the platonic ideal of the demos isn't clear just yet.
A short demo of Project Astra (Share screen with Live) from r/Bard Astra eyesThe new feature is arriving first for Gemini Advanced subscribers paying $20 a month for the Google One plan with extra AI. The rollout is notably democratic in where the feature appears, though, judging from the Xiaomi phone shown by the Reddit user. Google had previously hinted that Pixel and Galaxy S25 owners would have faster or better access to Project Astra.
Other AI assistants with similar seeing tools exist, but they are mostly tied to third-party apps like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Grok, and even Hugging Face's new HuggingSnap app. Having a real-time screen and camera-connect AI built into Android would certainly help entice users interested in an AI assistant to at least try Gemini.
And Google's timing in releasing the feature is notable as it tries to carve out a lead among AI assistants. Though Amazon has been hyping its new “Alexa Plus” update, it has yet to arrive.
Meanwhile, Apple's upgraded Siri has been delayed multiple times. That leaves Google with a temporary but very real lead in the AI assistant race. Gemini, for all its early hiccups and rebranding drama (RIP Bard), is now doing things that neither Alexa nor Siri can match for the moment.
Google has promised that Project Astra will be the "next-generation assistant" everyone wants to use all day. So keep your (and Gemini's) eyes peeled for new features to arrive in the weeks ahead.
You might also likeAt this point, you'd be forgiven for thinking iFi Audio, (the excellent sister company to Abbingdon Music Research, headquartered in Southport, UK) has been around for decades.
Actually, iFi was only formed in 2012, but in its short 13-year tenure this likable audio outfit has already brought us some of the best portable headphone DACs we've ever tried. Even a quick glance at our most recent iFi reviews is proof that this plucky specialist firm isn't resting on its laurels.
So what new and affordable piece of hi-res audio excellence has it got for you today? Well, (how to put this?) this newest offering isn't like your sub-$100 iFi Go Link Max.
No, this is a solid step up – towards the heavens, if you will. If the word 'Valkyrie' calls to mind both magic and the idea of rubbing shoulders with gods in the great halls of Valhalla, that's what iFi wants you to think. Because although iFi's iDSD Diablo 2 was, ahem, devilishly expensive, this is far north of that.
iFi iDSD Valkrie: what lifts it up high above the rest?The chief piece of tech you need to know about in iFi's iDSD Valkyrie is K2HD. This is JVCKENWOOD’s renowned coding solution that aims to restore the warmth and emotion of analog recordings to digital music (often considered a colder, or more clinical listen). The Valkyrie offers this tech in two flavors: ‘K2’ mode and ‘K2HD’ mode, where the former preserves the files’ original resolution.
Next up is iFi's DSD 1024 remastering algorithm, powered by a custom-coded FPGA (which stands for 'field programmable gate array'). Here, you can choose between the ‘Normal’ setting, in which DSD signals pass directly to the DAC and PCM signals go through a user-selected digital filter, or ‘Remastering’, with options to remaster to DSD512 or DSD1024 – aka seriously hi-res audio.
On to the main digital-to-analog conversion then, and the Valkyrie sports a quad DAC architecture – fewer than four interleaved Burr-Brown DACs. You also get six digital filters to pick from, including Apodising, GTO, Bit Perfect, Standard, Minimum, and Transient Aligned, giving you more ways to explore the nuance in your music
Valkyrie also features processing perks unique to iFi, such as XBassII (to amp up the low end), XPresence, and XSpace. It also houses a 20,000mAh battery for portability, boasting 18 hours of continuous playtime, with fast charging via USB-C in just 2.5 hours.
(Image credit: iFi)iFi tells us that, unlike other products, Valkyrie uses switchable analog circuitry for its EQ modes, rather than Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Why? It's a further bid to preserve audio quality and allow for more natural frequency adjustment, with less phase shift and distortion.
And arguably the biggest deal here? Power. The iFi iDSD boasts 5,700mW peak output for driving the most power-hungry headphones. And for clarity, that's approximately 44% more power than iFi's aforementioned flagship iDSD Diablo 2.
Oh, and if you're not using wired headphones, the absolute best quality in Bluetooth codecs are all supported, including LDAC, aptX Lossless, and aptX Adaptive.
Pricing? Yes, but brace yourselves. iFi iDSD is available from today (March 25) priced $1,699 / £1,699, so around AU$2,704, taking that US figure as an estimate – and knowing as we do that the Diablo 2 launched with a $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,199 asking fee.
How good is the iFi iDSD Valkyrie? We're working on that, we promise you.
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