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I Asked Ring Home Security and Nextdoor About Tracking Ice Raids With Their Tech: Is It Legal?

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 06:00
People are using Ring Neighbors and other apps to warn neighbors about law enforcement. Police are pushing back. I asked security companies where they stand.
Categories: Technology

The Google Pixel 10 Pro series might barely be an upgrade

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 05:30
  • A detailed specs leak suggests the Pixel 10 Pro series could have bigger batteries
  • They might also have a new chipset and slightly faster charging
  • But the other core specs could remain largely unchanged

Going by the latest leak, the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL could be two of the more disappointing smartphone launches of the year, as it sounds like not much might be changing.

According to Android Headlines, the main upgrade might simply be to their batteries, with the Pixel 10 Pro said to have a 4,870mAh one (up from 4,700mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro), and the Pixel 10 Pro XL apparently set to have a 5,200mAh one (up from 5,060mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro XL).

To go along with that, both phones will apparently have marginally higher wired charging power, at 29W in the case of the Pixel 10 Pro and 39W in the case of the Pixel 10 Pro XL – but that’s only a 2W increase over last year in both cases. Wireless charging could deliver up to 3W more power, reaching 15W.

Beyond that, the specs mentioned in this leak are largely identical to those of the current models. That includes the screens, which will apparently be 6.3-inch in the case of the Pixel 10 Pro and 6.8 inches for the Pro XL, with both having 1-120Hz refresh rates, both having a 3,000-nit peak brightness, and both using Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The cameras will also apparently be largely unchanged, with both phones said to sport a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto, with 5x optical zoom. There’s also once again said to be a 42MP front-facing camera.

However, both the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras might be able to take macro photos this year, while the current models can only use the ultra-wide for macro shots.

More power and a higher price

The Pixel 10 Pro XL could cost more than the 9 Pro XL (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

These phones should at least get a power upgrade too, with this leak echoing others in saying they’ll have a new Tensor G5 chipset, as expected, but adding that they’ll once again have 16GB of RAM.

Finally, there’s a mention of storage, with the Google Pixel 10 Pro said to have the same configurations as its predecessor – namely 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. There’s a slight change mentioned for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, as this phone will apparently lack a 128GB option, but the site speculates that this will just be used as a way for Google to justify a price increase, so it’s not necessarily a good change.

We’ve previously heard that the Pixel 10 Pro XL might cost more than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, so this fits with that, but many of the other details in this leak are new, so we’d take these specs with a pinch of salt.

We should find out exactly what the Pixel 10 Pro series has to offer in under two months, with August 20 being tipped as the announcement date. Hopefully by then we’ll have heard some more exciting leaks, because based on the above, the Pixel 10 Pro line might not be worth upgrading to.

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Categories: Technology

Top tech conferences: The ultimate tech events guide for July 2025

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 05:28

2025 is set to be a big year for Tech conferences around the world.

If you need help deciding which to attend, or if you'd just like to check out the conferences on offer, TechRadar Pro has put together a list of the most anticipated festivals and events to keep you up to date!

Reuters Events: Momentum AI San Jose 2025

July 15th-16th | San Jose, CA

This two day conference will explore AI and looks to help improve the way that companies operate and can deliver products and services. Join industry experts to discuss the insights into AI.

Why attend? Hear from Seth Cohen Chief Information Officer at Procter & Gamble, and Yao Morin Chief Technology Officer, at JLL.

ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) Conference

July 5th-9th | Madeira, Portugal

The ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference will have five areas of focus; Critical Computing and Design Theory, Design Methods and Processes, Artifacts and Systems, Research Through Design, and AI and Design - join industry experts to find out more.

Why attend? Hear keynotes from the brightest minds with and gain invaluable insights into all things design.

Women Impact Tech West Regional Accelerate Conference 

July 24th| Virtual

Over 1,000 women and leaders in tech to discuss AI, development, and engineering. Network and strategise with the best in your sector!

Why attend?

CompTIA ChannelCon 2025

July 29th-31st | Nashville, TN

Global Technology Industry Association's (GTIA) ChannelCon is one of the biggest IT events in 2025. Meet with tech experts, vendors and providers to take your business to the next level.

Why attend? Hear from experts such as Noelle Russell, Keynote Speaker, Leading AI Innovator & Practitioner, and Dan Wensley, CEO, GTIA.

  • For information about adding your event to this list, please contact ellen.jennings-trace@futurenet.com
Categories: Technology

Google just gave Apple Watch fans a Calendar app, but simultaneously removed an even more useful one

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 05:27
  • Google Calendar finally has a native app for watchOS
  • However, Google has also just pulled Google Keep for the Apple Watch
  • There are now only three Google apps for watchOS

It's fair to say Google app support for the Apple Watch isn't the most comprehensive, so the arrival of a new Google Calendar app for Apple's wearables would normally be something to celebrate – only the Google Keep app has disappeared at the same time.

The arrival of Google Calendar was spotted by the team at 9to5Google. It's a pretty basic app, but it does the job: you get a week's worth of events, plus current Google Tasks, and the color coding is carried over from the main app.

You can't create new events or reminders from the Apple Watch, but there are two complications available, for showing the next appointment and the current date. In fact, it seems to be almost an exact match for Google Calendar on Wear OS.

The news of Google Keep getting pulled from watchOS was also reported by 9to5Google. That takes the number of official Google apps on the Apple Watch back down to three – with Google Maps and YouTube Music the other two.

Users are losing out, again

Google Calendar for the Apple Watch (Image credit: Google)

It's disappointing to see that Google Keep is no longer available for the Apple Watch, because it's just the kind of app you want at-a-glance access to. It's perhaps not a surprise, though: the watchOS version of the app hadn't been updated for years.

And it's a shame that Google is so reluctant to put its apps on Apple's wearable. No doubt it would rather people went with Android and Wear OS, but Google's apps for the iPhone are some of the best in the business, and constantly updated.

That means the millions of users with an iPhone and an Apple Watch are missing out when it comes to getting their Google app info on their wrists. That's more likely to push the masses towards Apple's own native apps, rather than Android.

Perhaps the arrival of Google Calendar for watchOS is an indication that Google Keep will soon return in a new and improved form – perhaps to coincide with the rollout of watchOS 26 later in the year – but we're not going to be holding our breath.

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Categories: Technology

Amazon now has a million robots on its floors - and they're now close to outnumbering human workers

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 05:11
  • Amazon just deployed its millionth robot – nearly as many human workers as it has
  • New roles are being created and existing workers are being upskilled
  • AI and ML will continue to improve robotics, Amazon says

Amazon has revealed it now has nearly as many robots as humans in its workforce after deploying its millionth robot across its warehouses and operations, a WSJ report has claimed.

Helping to pick, sort, package and transport goods, robots now assist with around three in four global deliveries, however the effects on the workforce might not be as bad as it first sounds, and plenty of human jobs remain.

The company says it has gone from around 175 packages per employee to around 3,870 in the space of a decade, having seen considerable growth across its businesses.

Amazon's workforce is nearly half robots

One of the areas robots have proven their worth is in smaller, same-day delivery facilities that have fewer employees, where they can increase output. Products typically move around 25% faster in heavily automated facilities compared with traditional warehouses, it's reported.

Besides launching new robots (Amazon is the world's largest manufacturer and operator of mobile robots), the company also recently introduced DeepFleet, a foundation model built on AWS tools designed to coordinate robot movements.

Already, Amazon says it has see robot fleet travel efficiency improve by 10% using the AI, reducing congestion in its warehouses.

Among its current fleet are Hercules, which can lift up to 1,250lbs, Pegasus, which handles packages via a conveyor belt, and Proteus, Amazon's first fully autonomous robot operating alongside humans.

However, at the same time, Amazon Robotics VP Scott Dresser boasted that more than 700,000 employees have been upskilled since 2019 through training in robotics, engineering and maintenance, suggesting that human roles at Amazon could be evolving rather than disappearing.

Dresser also noted that new fulfillment centers, including Shreveport, LA, require 30% more technical roles to look after the tech.

Looking ahead, Amazon plans to continue using AI and ML to create more intelligent and responsive robots. Dresser envisions them improving employee safety, creating new career opportunities and boosting customer satisfaction.

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Categories: Technology

Best Yoga Mats for 2025

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 05:00
Whether you're at home or in class, having the right yoga mat will improve all your favorite poses.
Categories: Technology

Oracle signs a mystery huge cloud contract - one which could net it $30bn in revenue

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:48
  • Oracle CEO Safra Catz confirms a new, mystery cloud contract worth $30 billion
  • Last year's total cloud revenue stood at $24.4 billion, so it's a big increase
  • Oracle says it will spend big on infrastructure soon

Oracle has signed a mystery cloud contract worth over $30 billion annually, which would effectively more than double the company's current cloud revenue.

CEO Safra Catz explained that the company had gotten off to a "strong start" this fiscal year, having signed multiple large cloud agreements already.

However, among those agreements is a mystery contract, according to a new SEC filing, said to be worth "more than $30 billion," leading investors speculating who the deal could be with.

Oracle's huge mystery cloud contract

Although the contract was signed in the company's 2026 fiscal year, it won't come into play until 2028 – it's unclear whether further details could be shared before then.

Among the most common suggestions for partners include OpenAI, which is working together with Oracle on Project Stargate, Temu, which recently became an Oracle customer, and TikTok, which uses Oracle Cloud in the US.

Nevertheless, $30 billion in extra annual revenue is big news for Oracle. As of fiscal year 2025, Oracle's total cloud revenue was just $24.4 billion – less than this single mystery contract. Total company revenue was up 8% year-over-year to $57.4 billion.

In other news, Oracle has also confirmed plans to build a $40 billion AI data center campus near Dallas for Project Stargate, supplying 400,000 Nvidia GB200 GPUs for the project. The company also plans to spend up to $500 billion in infrastructure by 2029 to meet demand.

However, while the $30 billion contract will provide some stability for Oracle, capital expenditure increased threefold from $7 billion to $21 billion in just the space of one year.

Looking ahead, Oracle predicts cloud infrastructure revenue growth of 70% by the end of this fiscal year, with company revenue climbing to an estimated $104 billion by fiscal 2029.

TechRadar Pro has asked Oracle for more information on the contract, but we don't expect to get an answer.

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Categories: Technology

As light pollution increases, West Texas works to protect the world's largest 'dark sky reserve'

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:45

While recent research shows the night sky is getting brighter every year across North America, the Big Bend area in Texas has fended off the light glow that washes out starry nights.

(Image credit: Paul Ratje/Paul Ratje for NPR)

Categories: News

Nintendo and Amazon deny claims that the Switch 2 maker pulled console stock from the online retailer over third-party resellers

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:44
  • Nintendo and Amazon have denied a report that Switch 2 stock was pulled from the online retailer due to a third-party reseller dispute
  • Bloomberg has claimed that Nintendo opted to pull its products from Amazon in the US since third-party sales were undercutting the Switch creator
  • Nintendo has said that "there is no such fact" in regards to Bloomberg's report

Nintendo has denied claims that it pulled Nintendo Switch 2 stock from Amazon US during the console's launch period due to a dispute over third-party sellers.

In a new report from Bloomberg, it was claimed that the two companies have been caught up in a disagreement regarding unauthorized, third-party sales of Nintendo games that were undercutting the Switch creator.

Due to this, Nintendo reportedly pulled its products from Amazon as people were buying cheaper stock in bulk from Southeast Asia and exporting and reselling them in the US at a cheaper price.

As a result, no first-party Nintendo Switch games, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Mario Kart World, have been unavailable for purchase, although Amazon US did recently add a listing for Donkey Kong Bananza (via IGN).

It's said that Amazon attempted to settle the matter by offering Nintendo authenticity labels on its products, but according to Bloomberg, "Nintendo ultimately opted to pull its products from Amazon in the US", which resulted in a lack of Switch 2 stock during its pre-order and release period.

However, Nintendo has denied Bloomberg's claims.

"There is no such fact," a Nintendo spokesperson said in a statement to Tom's Hardware. "We do not disclose details of negotiations or contracts with retailers."

Amazon has also come forward to deny the report, saying the claims about its relationship with Nintendo were "inaccurate" and that it is "pleased to offer Nintendo products directly to our customers as part of our commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience with the widest selection possible."

Despite this latest development, Nintendo Switch 2 stock is still not available on Amazon US.

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Categories: Technology

New Xbox Series X games 2025 - the most anticipated Xbox release dates

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:40
What's the next big game on Xbox?

(Image credit: Activision)

Xbox players can look forward to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake in July. Beyond that there's Borderlands 4, expected to be a next-gen sequel to 2019's third entry. Then, we'll hopefully get some news as to when we can expect Gears of War: E-Day, which serves as a prequel to the very first game.

New Xbox Series X games will start arriving thick and fast once over the next few months, with new exclusives launching on Microsoft's most powerful consoles. There's certainly a lot to look forward to for Xbox fans.

From Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 +4 remake to Borderlands 4, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S players will have plenty of new Xbox games to keep them busy for the rest of the year, and beyond – and we're here to tell you exactly when you'll get your hands on them.

Below, we've rounded up all the release dates and windows for the biggest confirmed Xbox Series X games of 2025 and beyond. So, it's time to get your calendar out and start taking down some dates. As always, these release dates are subject to delays. If any games are pushed back, this page will be updated.

New Xbox games 2025: this year’s most anticipated releases

(Image credit: Konami)

Below, you'll find a brief list of the biggest video game releases on the horizon, all for Xbox Series X|S.

  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 - July 11 (PC, PlayStation, Xbox,(Switch)
  • Gears of War: Reloaded - August 26 (XSX|S, PS5, PC)
  • Metal Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23 (XSX|S, PS5, PC)
  • The Outer Worlds 2 - October 29, 2025 (XSX|S, PC, PS5)
July

(Image credit: Activision)
  • Mecha Break - July 1, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 - July 11 (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch)
  • Wuchang Fallen Feathers - July 24, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Tales of the Shire - July 29, 2025 (Switch 2, Switch, PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ninja Gaiden Ragebound - July 31, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
August

(Image credit: 2K Games)
  • Mafia: The Old Country - August 8 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Dying Light The Beast - August 22, 2025
  • Gears of War Reloaded - August 26, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Metal Solid Delta: Snake Eater - August 28 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - August 29 (PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, Switch, PC)
September

(Image credit: Nacon)
  • Hell Is Us - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC - September 4, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Everybody's Golf Hot Shots - September 5, 2025 (PS5, Switch 2, PC)
  • Borderlands 4 - September 23, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Silent Hill f - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Sonic Racing Crossworlds - September 25, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - September 30, 2025 (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC)
October

(Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment)
  • Directive 8020 - October 2, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Digimon Story Time Stranger - October 3, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Ninja Gaiden 4 - October 21, 2025 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • Jurassic World Evolution 3 - October 21 (PS5, XSX|S, PC)
  • The Outer Worlds 2 - October 29, 2025 (XSX|S, PC, PS5)
2025 and TBC

(Image credit: Xbox)

Finally, here's a list of Xbox games that have been announced, but either don't have more than a release year attached to them yet, or are much further out. For now, they're simply TBC, but once each game does receive a release date, this page will be updated.

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Categories: Technology

Best Internet Providers in Little Rock, Arkansas

CNET News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:14
Little Rock offers plenty of reliable broadband service options. These are CNET's top picks for fast speeds and incredible value.
Categories: Technology

If you're nostalgic for classic Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, you'll probably want to keep an eye on this modular guitar controller

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:02
  • Drakong and Fender are set to launch a new guitar controller in 2026
  • It's compatible with Fortnite Festival, as well as classic Rock Band and Guitar Hero games
  • No price or concrete release date have been announced just yet

Hyperkin's Drakong brand has teamed up with legend guitar maker Fender to create the Infinakore Telecaster Edition.

Much like the PDP Riffmaster, this is a guitar controller primarily designed for use with Fortnite Festival. However, a major selling point of the Infinakore is its broad compatibility with consoles both old and new. That means you'll be able to use it with most Guitar Hero and Rock Band games - as well as fan games such as Clone Hero on PC.

The Infinakore Telecaster Edition will have two versions - one for Xbox consoles, and another for multiplatform compatibility. The latter will work with PlayStation and Nintendo Switch consoles including PS5 and Switch 2, but not Xbox. However, both models will be compatible with PC and mobile devices.

What's looking particularly unique about the Infinakore Telecaster Edition is its modularity. The controller can be broken down into individual parts, including the head, fretboard and body. These parts can then be swapped out for your own, if you're into customization.

No price has been announced for the controller just yet, but it's due to release sometime in 2026, according to Drakong's website. It'll support both wired and wireless connections, via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. Supposedly, it'll also sport a battery life of around 36 hours, which will definitely be impressive if true - pushing Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller numbers there.

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Categories: Technology

Dyson's next-gen Airwrap is smaller, lighter, and more powerful, but it's the new straightening attachment that really turned my head

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:00
  • New Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x is smaller and lighter but more powerful
  • Introduces attachment memory and a cool new straightener attachment
  • On sale on 8 July in the US, and 'September' in the UK

Dyson has launched a new version of its Airwrap, and it looks better than ever. The new Airwrap Co-anda 2x is smaller and lighter, but offers more air pressure and more power. The accessories have also been upgraded to amp up the styler's versatility.

There's now attachment recognition, and an all-new AirSmooth attachment that looks particularly interesting for those looking to create sleek, straight styles.

I reviewed the Dyson Airwrap i.d. and rated it the best hair styler on the market. I haven't tested this one yet, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say Dyson is about to dethrone its own styler with the upgraded version.

To create that smaller and lighter build, the Airwrap Co-anda 2x has had its internal mechanics completely redesigned, with a new Hyperdymium 2 motor. Two cool facts about this motor are that it can spin nine times faster than an F1 car engine, and that the wire powering the motor is just 90 microns wide – which is as thin as a strand of human hair. It can apparently deliver twice the air pressure and 30% more power than the Airwrap i.d., without increasing noise levels, which should mean faster drying, more efficient hair wrapping, and sleeker straightening.

(Image credit: Dyson)

You're still getting the i.d.curl feature, which was such a game-changer on the Airwrap i.d. It enables you to launch a personalized curl sequence with the flick of a button. Here, the barrels can also apparently detect when hair is fully wrapped, and it's time to start the i.d. curl sequence.

Overall, it looks like the gap between Dyson and other Airwrap-alikes is widening – today's best Airwrap dupes can't even offer clockwise and anti-clockwise curls on the same barrel, let alone automating the entire process for you. However, I am slightly perturbed to see that Dyson seems to have redesigned the buttons here, swapping the Airwrap i.d.'s chunky, easy-to-use buttons for the fiddly, unnecessarily small switches found on the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer.

It's all in the accessories

As I said up top, the accessories are where it's really at, so let's take a closer look at them. Previous versions of the Airwrap were mainly geared towards curling, but this latest iteration amps up the versatility and acts more like a true 'multi-styler'.

Firstly, the attachments now contain RFID sensors that enable the dryer part to recognize which one is clipped on. Then it'll automatically adjust to the optimal temperature and windspeed settings (the first time) or your last-used settings (thereafter) with each attachment. It's precisely the same as on the Supersonic Nural and Supersonic r hair dryers, where I found it massively helped to streamline the styling process, making it easier than ever to swap between tools.

Second, there's a new attachment geared specifically towards straightening: the AirSmooth2x, which looks like it's been inspired by the wet-to-dry Dyson Airstrait. Two unheated plates clamp together and blast the hair between them with air, with the tension helping smooth and straighten the strands as they dry. The plates will automatically unclamp once you reach the bottom of the hair.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Dyson)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Dyson)

Dyson says the Airwrap Co-anda 2x is the only multi-styler on the market to come with six attachments included with purchase. I'm not sure that's true, but there is certainly a more comprehensive range than you'd usually get.

There are two bundles to choose from, with different attachments to suit different hair types:

Straight + Wavy bundle:

  • 30mm curling barrel
  • 40mm curling barrel
  • Anti-snag loop brush
  • Round volumizing brush
  • AirSmooth attachment
  • Fast dryer

Curly + Coily bundle:

  • 40mm Co-anda curling barrel
  • Anti-snag loop brush
  • Round volumizing brush
  • Tension comb
  • Wave+Curl diffuser
  • Fast dryer

You can pick up most of the attachments individually if the one you want isn't included in your chosen bundle. Also available individually is a 20mm barrel for tighter curls (interestingly, Dyson seems to have already done away with the tapering barrel it introduced with the Airwrap i.d.).

“Traditional stylers can damage hair, but we have always focused on developing tools that protect hair health whilst enhancing without compromising precision and/or performance," comments brand founder James Dyson. "We harness our expertise in motors, fluid dynamics, and materials to continually improve... It’s about creating exciting long-lasting styles using smarter, more efficient technology."

(Image credit: Dyson)Price & availability

The Co-anda 2x is actually already available in some international markets, including Korea. However, it was unveiled in the US and UK today (July 1). Both markets will offer the styler in Ceramic Pink or Jasper Plum, and the option of Straight+Wavy or Curly+Coily bundles (priced the same).

It will go on sale in the US from July 8 at Dyson.com and Sephora.com for $699.99. For comparison, the i.d. has a list price of $599.99.

UK shoppers will have a bit longer to wait: the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x will go on sale in September with a list price of £579.99 (compared to £479.99 for the i.d.).

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Categories: Technology

Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:00

Seventy-six percent of Americans think that democracy is under a serious threat, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. And their faith in political leadership in the White House and Congress is low.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

Categories: News

Doctors don't get much menopause training. State lawmakers are trying to change that

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:00

The California legislature wants doctors to get more educated about menopause symptoms and treatment. It's one of a number of states passing menopause-related legislation.

(Image credit: Rich Pedroncelli)

Categories: News

Mail-in voting rates dropped but early in-person voting is a hit, federal report shows

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:00

A new federal survey - taken after every major election - shows in 2024, mail-in voting was down but early, in-person voting was up. And, a shortage of poll workers is a looming problem.

(Image credit: Robyn Beck)

Categories: News

Zohran Mamdani on his run for NYC mayor, taxing the rich and tackling hate head-on

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 04:00

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani discusses his vision for the city and his surprise win in last week's Democratic primary on Morning Edition.

Categories: News

Accelerating live sports broadcasting to the speed of light with All-Photonics Networks (APNs)

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 03:53

There’s nothing quite like live sport. Globally, over half a billion (571 million) people tuned in to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Demand for live sports is showing no signs of slowing. But throughout the entire sporting industry, from the field of play to the IT infrastructure beaming the events live to your living room, nothing stands still for long. For athletes and behind-the-scenes technicians alike, innovation is king.

In live sports broadcasting, the next innovation on the horizon revolves around photons and transmitting data at the speed of light. As data demand grows exponentially and current network infrastructure struggles under growing pressure and increasing demand, the broadcast industry must look toward All-Photonics Networks (APNs) to deliver the future of live broadcast.

The challenges facing the future of live broadcasting

The industry’s current infrastructure is struggling to deal with the increasing demand for media production. While technology has developed at an electrifying rate, the infrastructure we rely on to deliver media has not. Take, for example, the ongoing AI boom. There’s no doubt that AI will significantly add to video production network loads, but our current networks were not built with AI in mind. This isn’t sustainable.

As such, producing high-quality live broadcasts is becoming increasingly challenging. Couple this with skilled media professionals typically residing in urban areas and it quickly becomes apparent that delivering live content, like sports, that takes place in remote locations is not only becoming trickier, but more expensive.

So, the live broadcast industry, including live sports, is faced with a challenging question. How can the growing demand for engaging, live content be delivered without escalating costs or compromising on quality? The answer is All-Photonics Networks. Rather than using electrons, APNs utilize photons to transmit data. In doing so, APNs consume less power, facilitate higher quality and capacity data transfers, all with less delay.

The future is remote

As the demand for high-quality, live content continues to grow and the traditional broadcasting infrastructure struggles to keep up, the next step in overcoming these challenges lies in transforming how media production is managed, remotely and with greater efficiency.

Currently, live broadcasting requires a significant in-person presence. Even for the world’s largest events, bringing the world’s best talent to remote locations can be a challenge. Not to mention expensive. But the need to be there, in person, is only dictated by technological restraints. APNs break free of this restraint.

Rather than needing to be in a broadcast van in or outside the venue, media operators can work remotely. APNs enable media production operators to access and control production resources as if they are on-site. This also allows broadcasters to stream more events from lower leagues or remote locations, increasing choice and accessibility for fans.

APNs offer low-latency, high-bandwidth connections that utilize photonics. By using photons, rather than electrons, to transmit data, this infrastructure supports the remote control of production resources, enabling seamless, real-time editing and switching. The technology equally supports resource sharing across networks, allowing broadcasters to access and allocate production assets efficiently.

By enabling remote work, All-Photonics Networks (APNs) can help address the growing skills gap in live sports broadcasting. Research shows that over half of professionals in the TV industry believe skills-related challenges have worsened in recent years. APNs provide a solution by allowing technicians to work from anywhere, breaking geographic barriers and tapping into a global talent pool.

This flexibility not only eases the skills shortage but also promotes diversity and inclusion, as it opens up opportunities for professionals from different regions and backgrounds to contribute to high-profile events.

The financial and environmental case for APNs

Not only does the shift to remote work bring operational advantages, but it also presents significant financial and environmental benefits, which are crucial as the sports industry looks for ways to optimize costs and reduce its environmental impact. Expanded coverage doesn't require extra travel or personnel, removing cost barriers that have long limited what fans can watch.

In elite-level sports, money talks. Whether it's signing top talent for a football team or developing a race-winning car in motorsport, the power of the dollar is evident throughout the industry. And the same is true when assessing the value of updating or overhauling infrastructure. There must be a financial benefit.

APNs will revolutionize cost efficiency. Compared to electron-based infrastructure, APNs will reduce both CapEx and OpEx by minimizing on-site infrastructure and personnel needs. Furthermore, APNs will be more resilient than current systems, not only will they facilitate uninterrupted broadcasts, it will also mean less is spent on repairs and fixes. This is because Photonics Networks are more durable and reliable, making them ideal for even the most challenging conditions.

And equally, like many other industries, the live broadcast sector is undergoing sustainable transitions. Through APNs, broadcasters will have access to more energy-efficient infrastructure that optimizes networking usage and ultimately reduces the broadcasters' carbon footprint.

While viewers may be more familiar with innovation on the pitch, racetrack, or field of play, APNs highlight that it is equally within the infrastructure and behind the scenes of live sports broadcasting that innovative new technologies are set to be revolutionary. Now, as broadcasters question how the growing demand for engaging, live content can be delivered without escalating costs or compromising on quality, it’s increasingly apparent that the answer is racing toward them, at the speed of light.

We list the best TVs for sport for all budgets. We've also listed the best sports streaming sites and services.

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

Categories: Technology

How business leaders can manage integration of AI

TechRadar News - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 03:00

2023 was the breakout year of AI and since then it’s been going from strength to strength. It’s seen as the solution to everything from productivity and a skills gap to fixing the NHS, with Tony Blair calling for AI doctors and chatbots to ‘save’ the health service.

There has been an explosive growth of generative AI with most companies using it in at least one of their business functions. It’s gone from being a subject discussed by tech teams to something regularly mentioned in the boardroom.

According to a survey of C-suite executives, 40 percent say their companies will increase their investment in AI tools overall.

And whilst there is no doubt AI is developing in accuracy, I do not believe it can replace humans in every single area and one in particular – emotional intelligence.

Over-reliance on AI in business

Over-reliance on AI in business risks removing that vital input from key decision making and team building and runs the risk of making some areas of leadership redundant – at significant cost.

The costs might not immediately show up on a PNL spreadsheet, but they will be felt in other areas where it might not be so easy to quantify.

AI is a useful tool, but it's just that - a tool and it cannot replace that ‘gut feeling’ or connection that a great leader of any team has. That’s the magic which turns a group of disparate people into a team – the sum of which is greater than its parts.

My concern is that we need to strike the right balance between our use of technology and building and developing our own skills. If all we do is put resources into AI at the expense of other training and development, or replace people with machines, we will be the worse for it.

In short, I worry that people will become reliant on AI and could lose that innate human element that we bring to leadership and team building.

Leaders have understanding and insights

Leaders have understanding and insights built over many years which cannot be replaced by data or machines. If AI cannot find the answers to a question, it can make things up. Look at the infamous court case in America which made headlines in May 2023 when a law firm, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman got caught citing fake cases generated by ChatGPT.

The ‘soft skills’ which good leaders at all levels have make the difference between a good leader and a great leader can’t be replaced by software. These personal qualities enable people to interact effectively and successfully with others: communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability – not to mention empathy.

These should be highly valued in the workplace, and especially by leaders, as they contribute to improved teamwork, productivity and overall job satisfaction.

My experience of working in elite sports has shown me that humans cannot just be replaced by technology, no matter how smart.

AI has a role to play

AI has a role to play in any team, particularly with more basic tasks of information gathering or data analysis, but it cannot replace the power of a human connection.

An emotionally intelligent leader goes beyond the numbers and knows their team. AI can’t pick up that real emotional response, and it can't read people like humans do.

It’s ‘machine learning’ for a reason – it uses whatever data you pump into it but there are just some cues and traits which cannot be quantified and that’s what cannot be replaced.

We've used technology and data in sport for a long time; elite sports is incredibly data driven. We've got all the information that says the players should train at this point because they are due to pull a hamstring or develop another injury or over train.

And whilst it's useful to have that information, it should be used as a guide.

I've seen many top-level coaches when the sports scientists are running over, saying ‘we need to stop training now.’

But the coach looks at the players and can see that the players can continue for another ten minutes, and he’s pushed the players through.

The data could also get it wrong and put players at risk by pushing them too much whereas a coach will see if his players look physically fatigued and need to stop training early.

Costs of bad investment

The costs of misreading that at elite sports level go beyond the investment in a machine: we’re talking millions of pounds worth of players or the opportunity to achieve a lifetime goal of a medal on the world stage.

And even when Olympic golds aren’t in the picture, the impact of a toxic working environment is felt not only in the lower productivity or staff turnover but in more personal impacts on someone’s health and sense of value.

This knowledge and consequent decision making comes from the human understanding of people. In my 25 years’ of working in both a team and in a leadership role in sports I have yet to see a coach who has got that wrong.

Because we’ve used data in sports for so many years I think it provides a lesson for other areas on how we can use AI: as a way of gathering data, of making predictions or analysing patterns but only as a tool to help inform our own human-driven intelligence.

To rely on AI wholly would be a mistake: nothing can replace that human intelligence.

We've compiled a list of the best data visualization tools and the best business intelligence platforms.

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

Categories: Technology

Court suspends Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 07/01/2025 - 02:33

Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the latest border dispute with Cambodia, involving an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed.

(Image credit: Sakchai Lalit)

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