TechRadar News

• Adobe’s preparing for the next generation of AI agents
• More autonomy will unlock more creative time
• 75% of Photoshop users now use AI

Adobe has spilled the beans on exactly where it sees agentic AI playing a role in the workforce, and spoiler alert, humans won’t be displaced by the tech despite our concerns.

Described as “tech that’s capable of conversing, acting and solving complex problems,” agentic AI marks the next stage of the artificial intelligence wave, promising more autonomy to free up workers’ time for more productive and creative tasks.

In a blog post, Adobe’s Digital Media business CTO Ely Greenfield noted some of the areas that Adobe’s suite of apps have already seen major improvements with AI and AI agents, but the message remains clear – humans are at the center of creativity.

Adobe wants AI agents to help… not replace… human workers

“We’ve always believed that the single most powerful creative force in the world is the human imagination,” Greenfield commented.

In Acrobat, for example, AI Assistant can understand and interact with documents to help workers process huge amounts of data more efficiently, and custom agents are already on the way for role-specific tasks like research or sales assistants.

Maybe one of the most impressive use cases for Adobe’s AI is for enhancing the existing work of creatives – in Photoshop, users can use the models for context-aware edits like blurring backgrounds and removing people, while the tech also facilities with rough cuts, color adjustment and audio mixing in Premiere Pro.

Boating the generation of “more than 20 billion commercially safe, production-ready assets globally” since Firefly’s launch around two years ago, Adobe claims that more than three in four Photoshop users now use generative AI.

Greenfield also referenced another blog post highlighting Adobe’s creative-friendly approach to artificial intelligence, stressing that user data is “never” used to train Firefly.

Concluding, the CTO highlighted the company’s plans to “help every creator, at every skill level, work across every medium.”

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 10 (game #669).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #670) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CITRUS
• CITY
• RED CARPET
• ALL OUT
• AMERICAN
• FLAG
• KART
• BETWEEN
• SUNSHINE
• GALAXY
• LEAFY GREENS
• WORLD
• UBER RATING
• LAND
• STEADY
• SUPPLEMENTS
• TOWN

NYT Connections today (game #670) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Nutrients
• GREEN: Mall names 
• BLUE: Shine on
• PURPLE: Start with something that rhymes with “no”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #670) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SOURCES OF VITAMINS 
• GREEN: PLACES USED IN RETAIL SUFFIXES 
• BLUE: PLACES TO FIND STARS 
• PURPLE: WORDS AFTER "GO" 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #670) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #670, are…

• YELLOW: SOURCES OF VITAMINS CITRUS, LEAFY GREENS, SUNSHINE, SUPPLEMENTS
• GREEN: PLACES USED IN RETAIL SUFFIXES CITY, LAND, TOWN, WORLD
• BLUE: PLACES TO FIND STARS AMERICAN FLAG, GALAXY, RED CARPET, UBER RATING
• PURPLE: WORDS AFTER "GO" ALL OUT, BETWEEN, KART, STEADY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

My mistake today came, as for many others I am sure, in thinking that Mario game titles was a common thread. Wrong!

After my bad start I got the four groups in order – I’m on a two-day streak doing this and it’s quite satisfying.

For PLACES TO FIND STARS the giveaway was UBER RATING. Having never thrown up in a car, canceled a ride a minute before they arrived, or given unwanted route instructions I’d consider myself to be a model passenger but I’m still under the magical 4.8 that supposedly results in a better service.

I have no idea what I did wrong to get the score drop – well, apart from insisting I Bluetooth my Polish ambient jazz mix. I get it, everyone has their own music taste, but everyone needs a little Sneaky Jesus, Krzysztof Komeda, and Klawo in their lives.

Plus, I find it makes the journeys go really quickly – the drivers can’t wait for me to leave!

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 10 April, game #669)

• YELLOW: SHADES OF YELLOW CANARY, GOLD, LEMON, MUSTARD
• GREEN: SUPPLY MINE, RESERVE, STORE, WELL
• BLUE: ANTI-SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS BAH, COAL, GRINCH, NAUGHTY
• PURPLE: SPANISH WORDS ELLA, GUSTO, MAYO, SOY

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• A new PS Portal update will be released today with new features aimed at improving the user experience
• Players will be able to capture gameplay during cloud streaming and sort their games
• A new queue function has been added when a streaming server is full, among other features

A new PlayStation Portal update arrives today, bringing a ton of new features aimed at improving the user experience while using Cloud Game Streaming Beta.

As detailed in a new PlayStation Blog post, the first new feature players can expect is a sort function on the catalog screen, allowing users to sort games by recently added to PS Plus (the default), name, and release date.

Probably the most exciting new feature of the update is the ability to capture gameplay during cloud streaming.

By pressing the Create button once, the Create menu will be displayed; pressing and holding will take a screenshot, and pressing twice will start or finish recording a video clip.

Like the PlayStation 5, images and videos captured will automatically be uploaded to the cloud server and can then be accessed via the PlayStation App. It's noted that "captures will be stored for 14 days after they were created".

Another improvement allows players to queue when a streaming server is full. An estimated wait time will be displayed on the screen, and when a spot opens up, the game session will automatically start.

(Image credit: Sony)

Gameplay will also now pause depending on the situation, including when the player opens the PS Portal quick menu, when they press the power button once to enter rest mode, or if a system error message is displayed.

Finally, users will receive a system notification when their streaming session is about to end due to inactivity of over 10 minutes, and a user feedback screen has been added at the end of sessions to rate the quality of the experience.

The new PS Portal update should be rolling out today, but TechRadar Gaming found that a 92.26MB download is currently available to download as of 12PM BST today.

Sony added that since Cloud Streaming (Beta) is still an experimental offering, "the features available during the beta period may change over time and may not reflect the final experience".

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It's that time again; there's a new episode of the TechRadar podcast, where we're asking if the Nintendo Switch 2 has the moxy to take on some of the biggest names in handheld gaming like the Steam Deck and the Asus Rog Ally X.

The short answer is "yes", but the long answer is much more fun and interesting, so make sure to join us as we dive into the biggest stories in tech, including newly leaked images of Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air, Microsoft's 50th Birthday celebrations and Copilot's new tricks.

To take us through all this and more, I'm joined as always by Hamish Hector and Lance Ulanoff, as well as TechRadar's Hardware Writer Dash Wood and Computing Editor Christian Guyton.

You can catch the episode in the video player above, or you can stream it directly via our YouTube channel, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

While you’re there, you can also catch up on all our previous episodes, including our CES and gaming specials, and if you’re on YouTube you can watch all of our fun and informative video reviews of the latest tech.

Our next episode is set to feature some interesting behind-the-scenes insights from one of the best-known names in mobile tech, as well as a celebration of 10 years of the Apple Watch. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it, and let us know in the comments below if you have any topics you want us to cover!

• JLab GO Pods deliver hybrid ANC for just $36.99
• JLab JBuds Pods are $64.99 with spatial audio
• $114.99 Epic Open Sport are JLab's "best sounding and most advanced headphones"

JLab has carved out an impressive niche as a high-quality, low-cost headphone maker: its Go Pop ANC earbuds are some of the best ultra-cheap noise cancelling earbuds on the market. And now the firm has announced three new sets of headphones: new ANC earbuds, new spatial audio buds, and new open earbuds.

There are three new models: the entry-level GO Pods with hybrid ANC; the JBuds Pods with spatial audio; and JLab's highest-end open-ear model to date, the Epic Open Sport.

These are all priced aggressively: $36.99 for the GO Pods, $64.99 for the JBuds Pods and $114.99 for the Epic Open Sport.

The GO Pods are extremely cheap for ANC earbuds (Image credit: JLab) JLab GO Pods, JBuds Pods and Epic Open Sport: key features

The GO Pods are compact earbuds with hybrid ANC and around 26 hours of playtime. There's no wireless charging at this price – there's a USB-C cable built into the case, in fact – but you do get three ANC modes: on, off and Be Aware, which is JLab's take on transparency mode. You can also adjust the ANC strength via the JLab app – all pretty impressive compared to the best budget earbuds.

The JBuds Pods also come with ANC, and there are six microphones for in-call clarity. The drivers are 11mm with JLab's spatial audio for a 3D audio experience. Battery life is a very long 56-plus hours in total, and you can charge wirelessly or via USB-C. If the quality is there, they could be a wallet-friendly candidate among the best noise cancelling earbuds.

The JBuds Pods deliver spatial audio and have 11mm drivers for punchy performance (Image credit: JLab)

The most impressive of the three new models is the JLab Epic Open Sport. Inside there are enormous 14.2mm custom-tuned drivers and the headphones are certified for Hi-Res Audio. Frequency range goes up to an airy 50kHz and higher-res audio is delivered via LDAC. We're increasingly seeing the best open earbuds focus on sound quality, and JLab could deliver great bang for buck here.

The Epic Open Sport earbuds will be available from 22 April 2025 from JLab.com. The other buds will be available from 13 May.

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• WordPress.com’s AI site builder offers 30 free prompts – you can buy more
• It’s designed for SMBs, solopreneurs and freelancers
• Automattic claims it’ll build your site “in minutes”

Keen to support solopreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses with their efforts to boost their online presences, WordPress.com has added a new AI-powered feature to its website builder for quicker development.

The system works via a chat-style interface where users can describe what they want and WordPress.com gets to work building this in real-time.

Neel Shivdasani, AI Product Lead, noted that users only need a vision for the AI to bring to life, complete with text, layouts and images.

WordPress.com gets a new AI website builder

WordPress.com’s parent company, Automattic, envisions entrepreneurs, SMB owners, freelancers, creators, bloggers, side hustlers and developers all being able to benefit from the considerable speed improvements, building themselves sites and portfolios “in minutes.”

“Rather than piecing everything together yourself, like picking a theme, adjusting colors, adding text, and finding images, the builder streamlines the process for you,” Shivdasani added.

Although singing up for a WordPress.com account is free, anyone wanting to share their creations online will need to pick a WordPress hosting provider to publish their site.

In the announcement, Shivdasani gave first-time users some helpful advice to be as effective as they can, including highlighting that they should be as specific as possible. Although users can tweak things later on down the line, getting that solid baseline can help massively.

Users will have access to 30 free prompts, so getting as much out of them as possible is key. Beyond that, WordPress.com offers hosting plans that unlock unlimited prompts.

Shivdasani noted that “it’s still WordPress,” so anyone familiar with the user-friendly interface can still go back in and edit their sit to customize it to their own preferences.

WordPress.com’s new AI website builder is available to try now, though the ‘Early Access’ banner suggests that some features may still be in development. No word has been given on general availability as yet.

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• The OnePlus Watch 3 is now available to buy
• You can score a discount if you buy before April 30
• It follows a two-month delay to the Watch 3's release date

After a two-month delay to the initial February release date, the OnePlus Watch 3 is now available to buy around the world.

Unveiled earlier this year, the OnePlus Watch 3 is one of the best Android smartwatches of the year so far, thanks to industry-leading 120-hour battery life and excellent Wear OS features.

We had been anticipating its launch in February, but that was delayed due to an unfortunate typo on the back that read 'Meda in China'. With that issue resolved, customers can now buy one starting April 10.

There's some good news as a result of the delay: Depending on your location, you can score a range of excellent discounts and some deals on free extras. Here's everything you need to know.

OnePlus Watch 3 launches

The OnePlus Watch 3 is priced at $329 USD / £319, with no Australia availability as yet. With the release date now here, customers who order before April 30 will also get access to a slew of incentives.

UK customers will instantly get £50 off their order, while US customers will save $30 (plus an extra $50 with trade-in).

Lucky customers in the UK and elsewhere can also choose from a free gift, notably including a set of Nord Buds 3 Pro worth £79.99, a charging base, or an extra strap.

There are also multi-buy bundle discounts available, with up to 50% off certain OnePlus devices when you buy a Watch 3. There are also discounts for students and options to pay in installments with Klarna in the UK.

Available in one size and two colors, OnePlus has also confirmed that there should be a smaller size and an LTE model available later this year. It has also confirmed there will be three years of software and security updates for the Watch 3 through 2027, ensuring Wear OS 5, 6, and 7 should be supported.

You can buy the OnePlus Watch 3 now at OnePlus.com.

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• Trump has introduced a 90-day pause on tariffs excluding China
• There is still a 10% base tariff and a 25% tariff on semiconductor goods
• Nvidia and fellow companies partnered with TSMC are in the clear for now

Nvidia and its fierce rival AMD have had their third-party GPU prices hike to unprecedented levels in recent months, due to a mixture of scalping, high demand with limited availability, and tariffs - however, a new measure may halt GPU inflation from worsening.

As reported by CNBC, Trump has implemented a 90-day pause on tariffs, excluding China. However, a 10% tariff on imports to the US and a 25% tariff on semiconductor goods (which includes our beloved GPUs) are still active - so we’re not out of the woods yet.

While it doesn't exactly change much for consumers looking to buy new GPUs, what it does mean is that the new tariffs that could have been imposed on products like GPUs won’t have a terrible impact (at least, for the next 90 days).

As previously reported by PCMag, GPUs were fortunately left untouched in terms of additional tariffs: it's something worth noting, as many GPU manufacturers are either headquartered or manufacture in tariffed regions.

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), which is Nvidia's main outsource for manufacturing its GPU chips, was previously warned that it would pay 100% tax if it didn't move at least part of its manufacturing arm to the US: TSMC's pledge to do so and the new 90-day pause have put Team Green and others using the TSMC foundries in the clear for now.

Companies like Razer also paused laptop sales, alongside others like Nintendo, which stopped pre-order plans for the Switch 2 in the US. Now, there's a better chance of sales proceeding as normal - but I must say I doubt this will happen anytime soon.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Top Vector Studio / klyaksun) This is good news, but it's not going to change anything regarding ridiculous GPU prices

Essentially, the biggest takeaway here is that Nvidia, AMD, and many other companies who rely on the TSMC process have dodged a bullet: what that means for us consumers, is the chances of PC hardware (especially GPUs) pricing suddenly ballooning to even more extreme amounts is less likely with no immediate threat of more tariffs.

However, this doesn't mean new price hikes are impossible - and we've seen this occur recently with AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series partner cards. Long before tariffs were a major talking point, GPUs were already consistently retailing for more than their launch price, likely stemming from high demand and limited availability - caused by a combination of the factors I listed above, and the fresh hunger for hardware for AI enterprises.

PC gamers have already shown that they will buy GPUs regardless of how much they are upcharged: it's evident across multiple online retailers, with GPUs way above their launch price, and they're still sold out.

Most importantly, don't expect any significant shift in a positive direction GPU market's current landscape of inflation - but the 90-day pause will certainly cool tensions, so that’s something.

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• An independent audit confirmed that IPVanish never stores user data as indicated in its privacy policy
• IPVanish also unveiled its latest Transparency Report, a quarterly update on government requests
• A Trust Center page has also been launched to group all reports, IPvanish policies, and initiatives in one place

An independent audit has just confirmed that IPVanish doesn't log your data.

Cybersecurity firm Schellman Compliance carried out a series of tests to determine that IPVanish's data-handling practices adhere to its privacy policy.

As of today, April 10, 2025, you can find all IPVanish no-log audits, quarterly transparency reports, policies, and ongoing initiatives grouped on the newly launched Trust Center page.

A boost of transparency

This was the second time that IPVanish successfully put its privacy policy claims under scrutiny. The popular provider already aced an independent privacy audit in 2022.

The team at Schellman inspected all of IPVanish's server configurations and relevant IT systems in February 2025 to determine whether user activity was being collected or stored on its VPN servers.

The verdict? "No logs were retained by IPVanish," concluded auditors.

Commenting on the findings, IPVanish's Chief Commercial Officer, Subbu Sthanu, told TechRadar: "People shouldn’t have to just take a VPN’s word for it when it comes to data handling."

All the best VPN services boast, in fact, a regularly audited no-log privacy policy and infrastructure as a guarantee that no personal information or usage data can ever be collected and then linked to you or your online activities.

It's worth remembering, however, that most no-log VPNs collect some basic data like your email address and the number of users connected to a server, for example. Yet, these details won't be enough to identify you or your activities when using the VPN.

In a further attempt to boost transparency, IPVanish has also unveiled its new Trust Center.

"The Trust Center gives users the receipts – proof of our no-log stance, independent audits, and infrastructure transparency – all in one place," said Stanu.

There, you can find all past no-log audit results alongside the provider's quarterly transparency reports. The latter are regular updates of all the data requests the VPN receives from governments, as well as attempts at malicious activities.

Nothing to worry about, though, as IPVanish explains, this data doesn’t exist, so the provider cannot provide it – no matter who requests it or why.

"By sharing more details about the requests we receive, we strive to offer greater transparency into the steps we take to protect our users," noted IPVanish.

You can also head to the Trust Center to get more information on IPVanish's data-handling practices, all its available tools, and ongoing initiatives. You'll also find a similar resource directly on your iOS and Android VPN app.

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• Reddit Answers is getting Google Gemini integration
• The upcoming Reddit AI platform will pull results from Google AI
• Currently in beta in the United States, Reddit Answers does not have a release date as of yet

Reddit Answers, the upcoming AI platform, is getting a major update that adds integration with Google Gemini.

Reddit Answers uses AI and Reddit's almost endless community-driven knowledge to provide quick responses to any question you ask it. Think AI Quora or Yahoo Answers from back in the day.

The new AI platform is currently in beta, and now it's getting even better before its official release to the wider public.

"By integrating Google Cloud's Vertex AI Search along with Reddit-built technology into Reddit Answers, we are bringing the same innovation that powers Google to our users," said Matt Snelham, SVP of Infrastructure, Reddit.

"Users are seeing improved search relevance and as a result, we've seen a growth in users directly navigating to the Reddit homepage through Reddit Answers, increasing platform engagement."

Reddit Answers is currently available for beta testers on the web and iOS devices in the United States, the service initially launched in December 2024, and we're yet to get an official release date.

Adding Gemini to the mix gives Reddit Answers an added credibility thanks to Google's impressive AI models. Although it's yet to be seen whether or not Reddit users will take to the new AI abilities.

One Reddit user, Panxma, said three months ago in a thread, "I feel like the Answers thing takes away the community aspect of Reddit. I probably won’t ever use the thing since I just Google what I need and find a Reddit post rather than asking the AI itself."

Now that Reddit Answers has Google Gemini integration, perhaps those who flock to Google to find Reddit posts will be more inclined to use Reddit's AI.

I'm excited by Reddit Answers

As an avid Reddit user who flocks to the platform to answer the majority of random questions that pop into my brain, I'm pretty intrigued by an AI chatbot that pulls from the community aspect of Reddit and merges it with Google Gemini.

Reddit is yet to confirm when, or if, a beta of Answers will launch in the UK, but I'm patiently waiting to give the AI chatbot a go.

I do, however, share the same sentiment as the Reddit user above. One of the best things about the website to begin with is the ability to get information from a wide variety of people from all walks of life.

Bringing AI into the mix kind of feels like the antithesis of Reddit, and I'm interested to see how it works without losing what makes Reddit great in the first place.

Google Gemini integration is a huge upgrade for Reddit Answers, now just launch the platform so we can all give it a try.

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• The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller is seemingly only compatible with GameCube games
• Small print featured in a trailer reads, "The controller is only compatible with Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics"
• Similar disclaimers have been shared for previous retro controllers that have turned out to work with Switch games

It seems that the new Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller is only compatible with GameCube games in the Online Classics library.

After months of rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct finally unveiled its new GameCube controller and GameCube collection for Switch Online, which will arrive alongside the new console on June 5, 2025.

The playable classics include the likes of Wind Waker and Soul Caliber 2, but if you were expecting to be able to use the new GameCube controller with new games like Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza, it looks like that won't be possible.

As reported by VGC, the small print featured at the end of the Switch 2 GameCube trailer reads, "The controller is only compatible with Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics," seemingly confirming that the gamepad won't work with any other Switch 2 games.

Although retro Nintendo controllers were designed to be used for games in their corresponding Switch Online library, some can be used to play ordinary Switch games, like the NES, SNES, and N64 controllers. However, they can be limited due to their buttons.

It's important to note that Nintendo has offered similar disclaimers about their previous retro controllers, like the SNES, but they have turned out to be playable with other Switch games.

We'll have to wait and see if this will be the case when the GameCube controller releases this summer.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canada pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration.

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Whether it’s in hospitals, financial institutions, blue light services, or hybrid work environments, the network is the backbone of operations – keeping critical systems running and connecting people and information. It’s the glue that holds everything together and although networks have evolved to support digital transformation, sustainability is often overlooked as part of the networking strategy. Much of the focus on green IT concentrates on data centers and cloud computing but network infrastructure presents a significant opportunity to drive sustainability.

It isn’t just about reducing energy consumption, it extends to how cables and hardware are manufactured, how power is distributed across devices, and how automation can minimize waste. For leaders looking to embed sustainable practices into their IT infrastructure and contribute to sustainability goals, there are several practical steps that can be taken to optimize power usage, enhance efficiency, and minimize waste.

Implementing Power over Ethernet (PoE) policies

One of the simplest and most effective ways to embed sustainability into networking is by defining Power over Ethernet (PoE) policies on switches. PoE allows network switches to deliver power efficiently to connected devices, but if left unchecked, can lead to unnecessary energy consumption. Many organizations over provision power supplies in switches, often exceeding the actual power demand. For example, if a switch only draws 900 watts, there is no need to install a 1500-watt power supply. Configuring switches to deliver only the required amount of power to endpoints can reduce excess energy use.

Additionally, optimizing power sharing between devices can further enhance efficiency. Many modern Cisco switches, for instance, have power stack capabilities, allowing multiple switches to share power. Instead of equipping each switch with a higher power supply, IT teams can configure them to distribute power dynamically, ensuring backup power while minimizing excess consumption.

Using automation to enhance energy efficiency

Beyond PoE policies, organizations can integrate building automation management systems and smart sensors to create a more energy efficient network. Automation plays a crucial role in reducing unnecessary power consumption by dynamically adjusting network and building infrastructure, based on real-time usage patterns.

For example, IT management can implement automated scripts that power down switch ports during non-business hours and reactivate them in the morning. The same approach can be used to shut down unnecessary cooling and lighting in unoccupied meeting rooms. This prevents unnecessary power draw outside critical hours, leading to tangible energy savings and a reduction in environmental impact.

Data driven insights can also enhance sustainability efforts. Platforms like Cisco Spaces gather real-time data from temperature sensors, motion detectors, and power control systems to provide actionable insights into building usage.

If footfall data shows that a particular meeting room remains unused on Mondays, IT teams can program building management systems to automatically disable lighting, air conditioning, and networking equipment in that space on those days. By integrating automation with network intelligence, organizations can reduce energy waste, lower costs, and minimize their environmental footprint, all while maintaining an optimized and responsive IT infrastructure.

Optimizing power sources with DC and renewables

One of the biggest inefficiencies in networking power consumption comes from how energy is delivered to equipment. While most networking hardware operates on DC power internally, the majority of power feeds come in AC format, requiring conversion. This process leads to significant energy loss, as excess power is wasted during conversion from AC to DC. By transitioning to direct DC power sources, organizations can eliminate these inefficiencies, reducing overall power loss and improving energy efficiency.

Although direct DC power infrastructure is not yet widely adopted, IT leaders have the opportunity to explore emerging power solutions that reduce reliance on AC conversion. This transition can result in long-term energy savings and a lower carbon footprint, especially when combined with renewable energy sources.

Many organizations are already incorporating renewable energy into their networking infrastructure. Solar panels, window-integrated smart blinds that generate energy, and ceiling-mounted solar power cells are being deployed to offset network power consumption and reduce reliance on traditional power grids.

Some companies are integrating these off-grid solutions to power on-premise data banks and reduce their environmental footprint. By optimizing power delivery and embracing renewable energy, organizations can build a more sustainable, energy-efficient networking infrastructure which lowers costs and supporting sustainability goals.

A strategic shift toward sustainable networking

As technology continues to evolve, networking solutions will increasingly integrate sustainability features, making it easier for organizations to build greener, more efficient IT infrastructures. The key for IT leaders is to start small, make incremental changes, and continuously explore new technologies that drive both sustainability and operational efficiency. By doing so, they can ensure that their organizations remain ahead of both innovation and environmental practices.

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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

The technology industry is advancing at an extraordinary rate. The emergence of new AI models such as agentic AI and the rise of IoT has ushered in a new era of connected devices, putting immense pressure on connectivity. This is felt especially within stadiums as they become multi-purpose venues, hosting concerts, festivals, and large-scale events that demand adaptable and cost-effective IT infrastructure.

Private 5G networks promise to revolutionize global internet connectivity, presenting real benefits to what stadiums have to offer. The recent plans for Manchester United to build a new £2 billion, 100,000-seater-stadium is a stark reminder of the need for high-speed connectivity to support the various new retail stores and restaurants that will surround the stadium.

Private 5G networks offer a powerful solution to support diverse connectivity needs whilst improving the overall event experiences for fans. Private 5G provides dedicated bandwidth, enhanced security and complete control over network resources and performance, unlike public networks which are overloaded and shared by thousands of users. They can ensure that critical operations run smoothly, decrease network congestion, and support innovative services, such as more interactive alternatives for broadcasters to provide their audiences.

Why stadiums are turning to private 5G for smarter operations

Stadiums should be prioritizing deploying private 5G to maximize operational efficiencies. Leveraging these advanced technologies, despite various factors including changing crowd flows, event needs, and vendor placements, creates a more engaging, convenient, and safe environment for both fans and stakeholders attending stadium events.

By decreasing the need for extensive cabling, which can be expensive to install, maintain, and adapt, these networks can significantly lower connectivity costs and implementation time. The deployment of IoT devices, cameras, and sensors becomes considerably more flexible when physical wire limits are removed. This "cut the wire" approach lowers the overall cost of constantly changing connectivity equipment whilst also making the venue reconfiguration for various events faster and easier.

Just as importantly, private 5G elevates security. Real-time video analytics can quickly detect potential issues, while 5G-connected drones and robots enhance coverage in areas that are difficult or costly to monitor with personnel alone. This ensures a safer environment for everyone, protecting visitors, staff, and assets.

Unlocking new revenue streams through private 5G

For sports teams, concert organizers, stadium stakeholders, and other event planners to offer state-of-the-art services and differentiate themselves, a high capacity, dependable connection is necessary. Private 5G’s network slicing and specialized bandwidth provide uninterrupted, high-quality streaming for broadcasters, secure channel coordination among staff, and ensure seamless support for vendors’ point-of-sale systems.

Real-world examples, like London's StoneX Stadium, demonstrate the possibility of private 5G in action. By deploying AR applications that provide in-depth analytics, multiple camera angles, and interactive features, StoneX Stadium keeps fans more engaged, both onsite and at home, boosting satisfaction and driving commercial growth. As the global private cellular market expands, forward-thinking stadiums that embrace private 5G benefit from greater operational efficiency and more substantial revenue potential.

Beyond improved operations, private 5G paves the way for entirely new revenue streams. Stadiums can offer premium connectivity packages to broadcasters, VIP guests, and other partners. According to industry estimates, the global private cellular market may reach £78 billion by 2030, indicating a more robust trend towards the use of private networks in industries such as entertainment and sports. This technological edge not only attracts more events but also increases their profitability.

Connecting fans with the game

Stadium operators can collect vast quantities of data to create more engaging content thanks to private 5G's low latency, high bandwidth, and reliable performance. Organizers can deliver a more engaging fan experience and create more useful insights by supporting multiple streams from several high-definition camera angles and utilizing real-time data.

For example, Crystal Palace FC is using a private 5G network at its Selhurst Park stadium to enable a vision enhancement system for fans with sight loss, allowing them to watch live match footage directly to customized headsets.

How stadiums are embracing private 5G

Fortunately, private 5G networks can now be installed and maintained with remarkable ease after years of research and development. Often, these networks can be set up within hours, without the requirement for miles of physical infrastructure. For stadiums lacking in-house expertise, managed service providers can handle the deployment and maintenance, making the technology accessible to organizations of all sizes.

The latest private 5G solutions are also more IT-friendly, meaning stadium IT staff can manage the network without needing specific cellular training. This easy integration helps lower the barrier for adoption and makes it easier for stadiums to maintain their networks over time.

The first stadiums to adopt private 5G networks have taught us some valuable lessons. One key takeaway is the importance of starting with specific, focused use cases. By targeting immediate needs, like improving point-of-sale systems or boosting security, stadiums can quickly see the benefits, which paves the way for expanding to other uses later.

This approach is demonstrated by Stade Velodrome in Marseille, which started using a private 5G network to support a push to talk solution called Team Connect to keep workers connected. It has since started experimenting with food and beverage deliveries to people’s seats, and monitoring stocks within stores at the stadium.

 Scalability is another vital factor. Private 5G networks are intended to grow alongside a stadium's needs, and planning for this from the start ensures that the network will continue to be a long-term asset.

Looking ahead to the connected stadium

To attract a new generation of fans, it’s crucial that stadiums continue to evolve. The excitement won’t just come from watching the action, it will stem from being fully immersed in it, through real-time stats, personalized content, and interactive AR/VR options. The deployment of private 5G technology has the potential to be transformative for stadiums. Through greater connectivity, sophisticated surveillance systems, smarter crowd management tools, and automated services will keep stadiums safer and more efficient.

But private 5G networks do more than improve operations; they also boost revenue through new services and enhanced event appeal and experiences. This shift towards seeing connectivity as a utility means it's becoming as vital as electricity and water. As essential as those utilities are, dependable connection is fast becoming a must for managing contemporary stadiums.

Investing in a private 5G network is more than simply improving internet speed—it's about setting the stage for a future where technology and entertainment co-exist seamlessly. It's about transforming live events into experiences that are richer, more engaging, and truly memorable for fans.

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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

• BYD’s sales continue to grow at a rapid rate in Europe
• Mercedes-Benz helped establish Denza, and now it is expanding
• The Denza Z9 GT could take on the likes of Porsche, BMW, and more

In the past four years, BYD has steadily increased sales outside of China, namely in Europe and parts of Southeast Asia. But in recent months, those figures have been ramping up at an impressive rate.

Now, the company says it is so confident in European buyers making the switch to electric that it is set to introduce its premium brand, Denza, into markets that are more typically dominated by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and BMW.

During a glitzy unveiling during Milan’s Design Week, BYD’s special adviser for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, said that Denza would act as the “technological forerunner for the group,” according to Reuters.

This means that its range-topping all-electric Z9 GT sport wagon could well be heading to European shores, complete with 1,000hp on tap, five interior screens, dual refrigerators, and, in some variants, the ability to ‘crab walk’ (drive diagonally) and perform tank-turns on the spot.

BYD revealed this week that in the UK alone, it has sold more cars in the first quarter of 2025 than it did in all of 2024, rapidly becoming Britain’s fastest-growing car brand.

Similarly, its European sales are set to double this year.

(Image credit: BYD/Denza)

Globally, the company sold over 4.2 million vehicles last year, becoming the first true contender to take on Tesla. It also eclipsed Musk’s sales in the last quarter of 2024 by some 100,000 units.

To rub salt in the wounds, it also unveiled its 1MW charging network, which can add 249 miles of range to its EVs in just five minutes – blowing Tesla's V3 Superchargers out of the water.

Denza, which was once a 50:50 joint venture with Mercedes-Benz but is now wholly owned by BYD, accounted for just 3% of the group’s overall sales in China. However, as it targets a more profligate consumer, it has the potential to bring in a fresh revenue stream for the company.

According to Reuters, the marque hasn’t revealed its commercial strategy for Europe but says the first Denza model will be more expensive than the current range-topping BYD model, which is €72,000 euros (or $78,790/AU$130,596).

The line-up could also include the D9 minivan, several SUVs, and off-road vehicles.

The luxury market is a tough nut to crack

(Image credit: BYD/Denza)

BYD’s recent success has chiefly been down to the fact that the Chinese company has been able to offer good quality EVs at a very competitive price, often sporting an increased range and more interior technology than many of its closest rivals.

Buyers in this market typically shop with a budget in mind rather than proving particularly brand loyal. It is a sentiment recently echoed by Dacia’s CEO, Denis Le Vot, who has noticed his value brand has been attracting buyers from more established brands in recent years.

The premium end of the market is very different, as those customers tend to want an established brand name for their hard-earned money.

Just look at South Korea’s Genesis, for example. The premium badge of the Hyundai Motor Group is popular in its domestic market (and the US) and even racked up one million global sales in 2023, but it sold just 1,210 cars in the UK in 2024 - a market share of just 0.06%.

Compare this to BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, all of whom enjoy a 5% or 6% share of the same market and sold more than 100,000 cars last year.

Of course, their model range is wider and covers a variety of price points. Even so, it’s not easy being a niche premium EV brand. French marque DS, a subsidiary of Citroen, also sold a similarly diminutive 1,152 cars in the UK in 2024.

While BYD is experiencing astronomical sales success outside of China, its premium brand, Denza, might have a slightly more difficult time finding an audience.

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• Alphabet and Google CEO pledges major spending spree
• Sundar Pichai reaffirms plans for $75 billion investment
• "We are excited about the possibilities, and we can't wait to see what you'll build," Pichai says

Google's parent company Alphabet has reaffirmed its plans to spend billions on infrastructure capacity to boost the capabilities of AI and cloud computing.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, took to the stage at Google Cloud Next 25 in Las Vegas to praise the company's work in the space, and double down on its plans to spend big in the future.

The company is set to spend around $75 billion in 2025 alone to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI, despite worldwide concerns over the global economy.

Alphabet AI investment

"The chance to improve lives and reimagine things is why Google has been investing in AI for more than a decade," Pichai declared.

"We see it as the most important way we can advance our mission to organize the world's information, make it universally accessible and useful with Google Cloud...the opportunity with AI is as big as it gets," he notes.

"That's why we are investing in the full stack of AI innovation."

This includes the infrastructure powering AI, Pichai added, unveiling plans to spend $75 billion, covering servers and data centers, including powering its AI computer cloud business.

"We need our infrastructure to move at Google speed," he added, "with near zero latency, supporting services like search, Gmail and (Google) Photos) for billions of users worldwide."

Pichai revealed Google's network now spans more than 200 countries and territories, powered by over two million miles of fiber - and to boost that even further, he revealed Google is making its Cloud Wide Area Network open to businesses which are Google Cloud customers across the globe.

"We are excited about the possibilities, and we can't wait to see what you'll build," Pichai concluded.

"Our goal is to always bring out latest AI advances into the full layer of our stack, across products and platforms...getting advances into the hands of both consumers and enterprises is something we are really focused on - this is why we are able to innovate at the cutting edge and push the boundaries of what's possible for us and for you - the result: better, faster, and more innovation for everyone."

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• Google unveils Ironwood, its 7th-generation TPU
• Ironwood is designed for inference, the new big challenge for AI
• It offers huge advances in power and efficiency, and even outperforms El Capitain supercomputer

Google has revealed its most powerful AI training hardware to date as it looks to take another major step forward in inference.

Ironwood is the company's 7th-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) - the hardware powering both Google Cloud and its customers AI training and workload handling.

The hardware was revealed at the company's Google Cloud Next 25 event in Las Vegas, where it was keen to highlight the great strides forward in efficiency which should also mean workloads can run more cost-effectively.

Google Ironwood TPU

The company says Ironwood marks "a significant shift" in the development of AI, making part of the move from responsive AI models which simply present real-time information for the users to process, towards proactive models which can interpret and infer by themselves.

This is essentially the next generation of AI computing, Google Cloud believes, allowing its most demanding customers to set up and establish ever greater workloads.

At its top-end Ironwood can scale up to 9,216 chips per pod, for a total of 42.5 exaflops - more than 24x the compute power of El Capitan, the world's current largest supercomputer.

Each individual chip offers peak compute of 4,614 TFLOPs, what the company says is a huge leap forward in capacity and capability - even at its slightly less grand configuration of "only" 256 chips.

However the scale can get even greater, as Ironwood allows developers to utilize the company's DeepMind-designed Pathways software stack to harness the combined computing power of tens of thousands of Ironwood TPUs.

Ironwood also offers a major increase in high bandwidth memory capacity (192GB per chip, up to 6x greater than the previous Trillium sixth-generation TPU) and bandwidth - able to reach 7.2TBps, 4.5x greater than Trillium.

"For more than a decade, TPUs have powered Google’s most demanding AI training and serving workloads, and have enabled our Cloud customers to do the same," noted Amin Vahdat, VP/GM, ML, Systems & Cloud AI.

"Ironwood is our most powerful, capable and energy efficient TPU yet. And it's purpose-built to power thinking, inferential AI models at scale."

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• Google is testing a new “Power Up” button in its Gemini app that upgrades your typed prompt
• The button will produce a clearer, more detailed prompt without multiple attempts
• The aim is to get better responses from Gemini immediately without needing to write perfect prompts

If you've ever used an AI chatbot, you know that figuring out how to phrase your prompts can make all the difference in getting a useful answer or gibberish. You can spend a long time fiddling with phrasing, word order, and detail level before stumbling upon the right way to ask the AI a question. Google is testing a new button for its Gemini AI assistant to help you get to that ideal prompt immediately. The upcoming “Power Up” button, found by Android Authority, gives your first attempt at a prompt a glow-up before you submit it to Gemini.

The idea is that instead of sweating over how to phrase your prompt to Gemini perfectly, you tap this button and let Gemini polish or 'power up' your initial attempt into something more detailed, more specific, and more likely to convey what you want to the AI model.

Gemini power

This matters a lot when you think about how much of the AI experience hinges on you and your ability to craft a prompt. You have to be specific but not too detailed, thorough but not so much as to distract from your main point. Sometimes, you even have to psychoanalyze the AI, figuring out weird quirks that may affect the result, like being polite or telling the AI not to be lazy.

I've often found it helpful to straight-up ask an AI chatbot for help crafting a prompt if I'm not sure what the best phrasing is to coax the information I want from the model. There are also some cases where the AI will automatically, but invisibly, reshape your prompt before answering. That can be helpful, but it might also be the culprit behind some of the more erratic responses you have seen.

The Power Up button would make it faster to get the right prompt and more transparent than just doing a behind-the-scenes polish. You write your prompt as usual, even if it's only half-formed, then hit Power Up and let Gemini heat up your scattered thoughts into a sharp inquiry worth submitting to the AI. The improved prompt then gets sent, and voilà, your AI assistant has a much better idea of how to help.

In some ways, this just expands on the suggestions for prompts you see from Gemini when you first open the chatbot. Those are much more generic than what the Power Up button might produce. It would also fit well into the other features providing variations on Gemini's output, like Deep Research, Canvas, and image creation with Imagen 3.

The Power Up button would be a relatively quiet kind of upgrade, but one that might serve Google's interests in preventing frustration among Google Gemini users who feel like they can't get the AI to fulfill their requests properly. It might also encourage those using other AI chatbots facing similar annoyances to come check out Gemini and its powered-up prompts.

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• Pico just debuted waist trackers that work just like its feet trackers
• It's out now for £39.99 (around $50 / AU$85)
• When we reviewed the Pico 4 Ultra, its motion trackers were the headset's best feature

Pico has just announced an upgrade to its best VR headset feature: a new motion tracker for your waist, and yet again, I’m left wishing my Meta Quest 3 could get this upgrade, too.

When I tested the Pico 4 Ultra last year, its best feature was the pair of motion trackers you could buy as an add-on. These often came included for free as part of a bundle during sales of the VR headset.

You’d attach them to your feet, and you could bring surprisingly accurate foot tracking to supported games. Combined with hand tracking, this led to supremely immersive experiences, as you could interact with your whole body as if you were really in virtual space.

(Image credit: Pico)

Now, that simple yet effective solution is coming to a brand new Pico Motion Tracker for your waist. In fact, the device is launching today (April 9, 2025) for £39.99 (around $50 / AU$85).

We haven’t been able to test the tracker for ourselves, but given how impressive the foot trackers are, we expect Pico’s new waist trackers will be solid, too, when used in supported titles such as VRChat and compatible PCVR titles through the Pico Connect feature.

I can see this waist tracker being perfect for VR exercising, dancing games, and allowing players to use new VR props like a hula hoop, but we’ll have to wait and see how it’s implemented.

(Image credit: Pico) Meta needs better body tracking

Meta does offer its own basic body tracking via your headset’s downward-facing cameras but it’s not the most robust solution. The AI it relies on is fairly good at predicting where your legs and body should be, but it isn’t always perfect. Further, it hasn’t been implemented into many VR apps in the way that Pico’s sophisticated solution has been.

While Pico’s motion tracking is superb, I’m still not convinced it’s the best headset option for most people.

It doesn’t have the same impressive software catalog you’ll find on Meta’s Quests, and it’s pricier than the Meta Quest 3S and Meta Quest 3 without offering a significant performance bump.

That coupled with it not being available to buy in every region the Meta Quest 3 is including the United States, and that it's a device that has struggled to build a name for itself except amongst VR enthusiasts who are staunchly anti-Meta.

Meta has yet to announce physical motion trackers for Quest – with its CTO shooting the idea down last year (via UplaodVR) – but I seriously hope that changes. They’re easily the best Pico feature, and the Meta Quest 3 would be much more versatile if it had access to the same tools.

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• Framework Laptop 12’s upgradable storage and modular design make it perfect for tech enthusiasts
• Offers a fully upgradeable device, a practical option for long-term use
• Originally designed for students, but every adult wants one

Framework Laptop 12 pre-orders are now live, and while originally designed for students, the company claims every adult who tried the device has shown interest in owning one.

This business laptop features a 12-inch touchscreen with a 1920x1200 resolution, over 400 nits of brightness, and both touch and stylus input capabilities.

Unlike most budget-friendly notebooks, the Framework Laptop 12 is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, coupled with up to 48GB of DDR5-5200 RAM and 2TB of NVMe storage. It exceeds expectations given its size, making it a good laptop for programming.

A practical solution for long-term use

The device is easily repairable and upgradeable. Its metal structure is wrapped with an overmolded, shock-absorbing TPU over rigid PC/ABS plastic.

You don’t have to worry about breaking it, as every component, from the battery to the display, is easily replaceable, with QR codes linking to repair guides.

Framework’s founder and CEO, Nirav Patel, said that the Framework Laptop 12 is, “the purest manifestation of our vision and product philosophy at Framework, and is in many ways the product I started the company to create.”

The Laptop 12 comes in five pastel color options with a color-matched stylus, supports Wi-Fi 6E, and includes four modular expansion slots, including USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI, all of which are user-upgradeable.

Taking cues from modular concepts like Lego, the Laptop 12 replaces internal cables with POGO pin connectors, simplifying repairs. The 360-degree hinge prioritizes laptop mode for everyday use, while enabling tablet functionality for note-taking.

This is likely to be a good laptop for engineering students or anyone who enjoys disassembling and reassembling devices, as the Framework Laptop 12 offers plenty of room for hands-on tinkering.

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• Malicious apps are being disguised to gather data for China
• Uighur, Tibetan and Taiwanese communities are being targeted
• The apps look like religious and cultural applications

The UKs National Cyber Security Center, alongside compatriots in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the US, are warning apps loaded with spyware are being used to target Uighur, Tibetan and Taiwanese communities.

The spyware, named BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE, is likely being used to gather information “of use to China” on individuals who could pose a threat to China’s security.

Many of the apps loaded with spyware are designed to mimic religious or cultural applications.

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Gathering location, audio and photo data

The apps in question include “Audio Quran”, a religious app used to target Uighur communities, and “TibetOne” which appears at first glance to be an application used to share images, videos, music, and articles celebrating Tibetan culture.

There have been attempts to share the applications through legitimate channels such as the Google Play Store, but these attempts have largely been unsuccessful thanks to the security controls in place on the Play Store.

As a result, the apps were instead shared on forums frequented by the target communities, and relied on users installing the apps through .apk files.

According to the NCSC report [PDF], the apps aren’t just being used to target individuals, but are also being used to monitor civil society groups to track their activities.

The BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE spyware would be able to access real time location and gps data, live audio and video capture, files stored on the device, SMS and call logs, and device information, as well as being able to play audio through the device.

The joint statement says, “Although BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE have been observed targeting Uighur, Tibetan and Taiwanese individuals, there are other malware that target other minority groups in China. Citizens from co-sealing nations, in China and abroad, who are perceived to be supporting causes that threaten regime stability are almost certainly under threat from mobile malware such as BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE.”

“The capability to capture location, audio and photo data almost certainly provides the opportunity to inform future surveillance and harassment operations by providing real-time information on the target’s activity.”

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