A CarMax superstore in Colma, CaliforniaGetty ImagesCarMax, the largest used vehicle retailer in the United States, generates more than $26.5 billion in annual revenue and has long pushed the boundaries of digital transformation in the automotive industry. A great foundation that was laid prior to the pandemic ensured that the company was able to successfully ride a remarkable digital acceleration that society experienced during that multi-year period. Given new car shortages due to supply chain issues among other factors, this led to remarkable growth for the company. The executive who oversaw the building of this remarkable foundation is the companys Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer Shamim Mohammad. Over the past 12 and a half years, including nearly 11 as CIO and six and a half as CTO, Mohammad has played a pivotal role in evolving CarMax into a digital-first, data-driven company."We became a digital-first technology company and the most comprehensive omnichannel retailer in our industry," he said. "Our customers can buy or sell a car 100% online, 100% in-store or anywhere in between."Evolving Leadership and Team StructureMohammad's dual role as CIO and CTO has expanded the breadth and depth of his responsibilities. As CIO, he focused on execution, security and efficiency. He still does, but now as CTO, his role increasingly emphasizes innovation, customer experience and differentiation. "I had to play both roles very well," he said. "It's about driving execution effectively and also driving innovation to help the company grow."To support this expanded remit, CarMax significantly scaled its digital, engineering and AI talent.Building a Digital BackboneA crucial step in becoming a digital-first business was modernizing CarMax's core technology foundation. The company transitioned much of its technology to cloud-based platforms, enabling speed, agility and scalability. "You need a robust, scalable andCarMax Chief Information and Technology Officer Shamim MohammadCarMaxadaptable foundation," said Mohammad. "We also adopted startup-like digital practices, emphasizing experimentation, rapid iteration and a product mindset."This shift enabled CarMax to build digital experiences that simplify car buying and selling for customers while empowering associates with better tools and insights.Data as a Strategic AssetMohammad described data as CarMax's second most valuable asset after its people. Early on, his team prioritized data governance, quality and accessibility across the organization. "We had great data, but it wasnt organized in a way we could leverage," he said. "We established strong governance, ownership and built a robust cloud-based data platform."CarMax also invested in master data management, analytics tools and a deep bench of data scientists, engineers and architects. This foundation has proven critical to the companys success with artificial intelligence.Institutionalizing AI and Embracing GenAICarMax began using AI and machine learning to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. From product recommendation engines to AI-enhanced vehicle imagery, the company has pioneered creative applications of AI. "We created a patented 'digital sweeper' to clean the background of car images without altering the [images of the] car itself," he said. "Its just one example of how were using AI to improve customer experience."Mohammad noted that CarMax was also an early adopter of generative AI, using tools like ChatGPT before they became mainstream. One internal tool, Rhodes, simplifies access to company knowledge for associates. Another, Skye, enhances customer experience during vehicle transactions.Looking Ahead to Agentic AIMohammad is especially enthusiastic about Agentic AI, which he sees as the next frontier. These AI agents will automate and optimize specific tasks or workflows across the business. "Agents will operate independently with guardrails, whether assisting a mechanic in the shop or a customer buying a car," he said. "Thats where I see the most practical value coming from AI."Agentic AI has the potential to elevate both customer and employee experiences by simplifying tasks and delivering personalized insights in real time.Optimizing the Partner EcosystemManaging an increasingly complex partner ecosystem is another critical part of Mohammad's role. He emphasized the importance of investing in strategic relationships with partners who can co-innovate and evolve alongside CarMax. "You have to identify your most strategic partners and engage with their product and engineering teams," he underscored. "Also, stay close to startups and venture-backed innovators who are pushing boundaries." He noted that this provides early insights into topic areas such as agentic AI where the company needs to develop a perspective on its potential uses to a company like CarMax. He also noted the importance of flexibility, recommending that companies build architectures that allow them to swap partners in and out based on innovation performance.The Enduring Power of the Product Operating ModelCarMax was one of the earliest adopters of the product operating model, defining product areas to staff cross-functionally to innovate in the areas defined on a perpetual basis. These days, the model is widely believed to be a better way to align resources with business outcomes. That model remains core to CarMaxs culture and strategy. The product organization has grown in size and strategic influence, with over 70 product teams now driving innovation across retail, supply and platform functions.Mohammad marveled at the scalability and resilience of the model. "Those foundational principles remain unchanged," he said. "We just evolved how we organize around retail, supply and shared platforms. The model enables our digital-first strategy."Staying the CourseMohammad attributes much of his success and longevity at CarMax to the companys culture of collaboration and mission-driven innovation. "It doesnt feel like Ive been here 13 years," he said. "Im more excited now than when I started because the opportunities ahead are immense."He believes that staying with one organization has allowed him to see transformation cycles through, creating long-term value and sustainable innovation. Also, as his responsibilities have grown, the opportunities for his team have grown with it, providing exceptional careers for many team members.A Nimble MindsetAs he looks to the future, Mohammad remains focused on one core principle: positioning the organization for rapid change."Thats what I said nine years ago, and its even more true today," he said. "If you stay nimble and invest in Agentic AI, youll be ready for whatever comes next."Through his forward leaning leadership and relentless focus on innovation, Shamim Mohammad continues to help CarMax define the future of digital retail in the automotive space.Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.

Why it matters: Vaping has been around for a long time, but its popularity didn't skyrocket until the early 2010s. Since then, it has significantly contributed to the world's e-waste problem, with thousands of disposable devices filling landfills and recycling centers. Not only are e-cigarettes damaging to the environment, but they are also a growing fire hazard. Fire Rover, a company that specializes in automated and semi-automated fire suppression systems, released its annual report noting that waste and recycling fires are steadily rising. In 2024, the company recorded 2,910 fires a 60-percent increase from 2023's 1,809 and a 100-percent jump from 2022's 1,409 incidents. The report also notes that fire crews dispatched to emergencies at trash and recycling facilities hit a record high of 398, a steady growth since Fire Rover began tracking the stat at 275 incidents in 2016.Lithium-ion battery fires are not new, nor are they the only cause of trash and recycling blazes. Fire Rover CEO Ryan Fogelman told Ars Technica things like fireworks, pool chemicals, and hot barbeque briquettes pose just as much risk. However, batteries, particularly those in disposable vaping products, are a rapidly growing cause mainly because of consumer ignorance and a lack of widespread e-waste collection.Many well-meaning customers know not to throw their vapes in the regular trash, so they use the other option recycling bins, which is no better. No matter which facility these devices land in, they can ignite in many ways. Crushing pressure, puncturing, short-circuiting, and vibration from facility operations are common causes. However, battery defects, internal cell failure, and overheating are indirect means of ignition that refuse centers cannot control. Fogelman estimates that about half of the incidents Fire Rover tracks are battery-related, costing facilities approximately $2.5 billion in 2024 alone.The CEO says that a properly functioning e-waste infrastructure could reduce this trend, but that does not currently exist and does not seem to be a high priority. Furthermore, the few facilities offering e-waste collection are abandoning or restricting it, likely because of the associated costs.For example, my local refuse center used to pick up e-waste once a year. It recently discontinued that service. Customers can still bring in their e-waste, but the facility has a long list of items it refuses to accept. The added inconvenience of having to haul in their old electronics and the annoyance of not having anywhere else to dispose of the unaccepted items has likely led many to just chuck the lot into the regular recycle bin or the trash. // Related StoriesVideo of a Fire Rover suppression system identifying fire and then smoke to extinguish a blaze before it spreads.Fire Rover points its finger at the vaping industry, believing it should take more responsibility for helping clean up the mess it has helped create."Not only are their batteries being improperly discarded in waste and recycling bins, but the vape industry has done the bare minimum to invest in the technology needed to address the 1.2 billion vapes entering our waste and recycling streams annually," the report states.Of course, you could always just use them to charge your phone.Image credit: Vaping360

The big picture: Chrome is by far the most popular browser across various platforms and device types, with a market share of over 66 percent. Needless to say, every change Google makes to its proprietary browser inevitably influences all major players in the web ecosystem. Google recently announced two major initiatives aimed at enhancing web security, with the ultimate goal of making encryption and certificate management more reliable and resilient against cybercrime. These new features are part of the Chrome Root Program, which, according to Google, demonstrates the company's commitment to strengthening online security through its Chrome browser.As the world's most popular browser vendor, Google is highly motivated to improve web safety by encouraging industry organizations to adopt its proposed standards. The latest changes from the search and advertising giant involve the CA/Browser Forum, a cross-industry group that establishes baseline requirements for issuing TLS certificates.TLS connections, which enable encrypted HTTPS protocols, are the backbone of modern web security. However, cybercriminals are constantly seeking ways to circumvent these protections. To counter this, Google has proposed two key measures: Multi-Perspective Issuance Corroboration (MPIC) and an automated vetting process known as "linting."Google explained that MPIC enhances existing methods for validating domain legitimacy before a Certificate Authority issues a new TLS certificate. The current process, known as "domain control validation," can be exploited in various ways, potentially leading to fraudulent certificate issuance. MPIC aims to mitigate these risks by introducing additional verification perspectives.The CA/Browser Forum unanimously adopted MPIC in a recent voting session, making it a mandatory requirement for Certificate Authorities during the certificate issuance process. Google also highlighted the Open MPIC Project as a robust implementation of this new validation method.While MPIC helps prevent fraudulent certificates from being issued, linting provides an additional layer of security by analyzing X.509 certificates for potential issues. The X.509 standard defines the format for public key certificates and plays a crucial role in the TLS protocol. With linting, CAs can verify whether a certificate is properly formatted for its intended use, such as website authentication. // Related StoriesLinting also identifies insecure certificates that rely on weak or outdated encryption technologies, thereby enhancing security and ensuring better interoperability between CAs through adherence to industry standards. Google noted that the linting process can be implemented through various open-source projects, including certlint, pkilint, x509lint, and zlint. The company once again secured unanimous support for linting in a recent CA/Browser Forum vote, and the technology officially became a requirement for new public certificates issued by CAs on March 15, 2025.

Google may be upgrading Google Messages with the ability for users to mention other people in group chats and send links and QR codes.According to a report from 9to5Google, a recent APK teardown for the latest beta for the Android messaging app, version 20250331_02_RC00, suggests its planning to implement support for the aforementioned features that not everyone noticed was missing from their group chats before. Youll be able to mention someone in the group chat to get their attention when you need to directly ask or tell them something related to a topic being discussed, and enable notifications for when someone mentions you. You will also have the option to snooze notifications in increments of one, eight and 24 hours, as well as Always. However, you may not be able to snooze notifications for certain group chats.Recommended VideosThe links and QR codes within the group chats will automatically expire after a few days, but the breakdown doesnt give an exact number of days it takes for them to become inactive. The URL can be reset at any time, but theres no mention of a timeframe between when the links are sent and when they expire.RelatedIts unknown when Google will update Google Messages with support for user mentions, links and QR codes. However, the teardown comes nearly two weeks after the company allowed YouTube videos to be played inside chats again following a year of that feature being rolled back quietly. It also comes nearly two months after the app received an update that allows users to unsend texts in RCS chats if they determine that such texts were either too awkward or otherwise regrettable after the fact. That comes with a delete for everyone functionality that allows you to spare everyone in the group chat the embarrassment of the messages content.Editors Recommendations

Even though Amazons Big Spring Sale ended yesterday, that doesnt mean you wont find great discounts on top TVs at other retailers. In fact, we came across this fantastic offer on a big LG TV not too long ago:For a limited time, when you purchase the LG 70-inch UQ7070 Series 4K LED at Walmart, youll only pay $500. Usually, this TV sells for $650.Why you should buy the LG UQ7070 SeriesWhile it may not be one of the more exciting TV deals weve dug up this week, its an excellent buy for anyone looking to score the biggest screen size they can get without spending an arm and a leg. Its also a solid TV for watching movies and shows and even for playing video games. LGs a5 Gen 5 AI Processor does a nice job at enhancing and upscaling all sources, so even older content looks bright, colorful, and polished.RelatedThe UQ7070 only has a native 60Hz refresh rate, but LGs built-in Game Optimizer makes it easy to adjust crucial gameplay settings in a pinch, making the UQ7070 a reliable console and PC gaming display. This LG TV also features LGs webOS 22 for access to streaming apps and casting capabilities.This isnt the most advanced TV on the market, but if youre looking to score a great deal on a 65-inch set or larger, its hard to go wrong with any LG TV.Save $150 when you purchase the LG 70-inch UQ7070 Series 4K LED, and be sure to take a look at our lists of the best LG TV deals and best Walmart dealsfor even more discounts on popular LG sets!Editors Recommendations

Visa, Amex and Mastercard are all competing to be the network for the tech giants credit card.

The German musicians new album is mellower than his earlier outings, but still offers his signature mlange of genres thoughtfully blended into an invigorating whole.

PBSs Nature presentation is a fascinating look at the wildlife of drought-stricken Tanzania.

States sue RFK Jr. RFK Jr. illegally rescinded $11B in public health grants, states lawsuit says RFK Jr. killed grants "with no warning or legally valid explanation," states say. Jon Brodkin Apr 1, 2025 4:37 pm | 0 Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks with President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images | Washington Post Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks with President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images | Washington Post Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreNearly half of US states sued the federal government and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today in a bid to halt the termination of $11 billion in public health grants. The lawsuit was filed by 23 states and the District of Columbia."The grant terminations, which came with no warning or legally valid explanation, have quickly caused chaos for state health agencies that continue to rely on these critical funds for a wide range of urgent public health needs such as infectious disease management, fortifying emergency preparedness, providing mental health and substance abuse services, and modernizing public health infrastructure," said a press release issued by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.The litigation is led by Colorado, California, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Washington. The other plaintiffs are Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.Nearly all of the plaintiffs are represented by a Democratic attorney general. Kentucky and Pennsylvania have Republican attorneys general and are instead represented by their governors, both Democrats.The complaint, filed in US District Court for the District of Rhode Island, is in response to the recent cut of grants that were originally created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The sole stated basis for Defendants' decision is that the funding for these grants or cooperative agreements was appropriated through one or more COVID-19 related laws," the states' lawsuit said.The lawsuit says the US sent notices to states that grants were terminated "for cause" because "the grants and cooperative agreements were issued for a limited purpose: to ameliorate the effects of the pandemic. Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purpose has run out."An HHS public statement last week said, "The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. HHS is prioritizing funding projects that will deliver on President Trump's mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again."Programs will have to be dissolved or disbandedBut the funding approved by Congress was not limited to the period of the COVID-19 emergency, the states' lawsuit said. "And after the pandemic was declared over, Congress reviewed the COVID-19 related laws, rescinded $27 billion in funds, but determined not to rescind any of the funding at issue here," the states told the court.The end of the pandemic is not a lawful basis to end the grants because for-cause terminations may only be "based on the grant recipient's 'material failure' to comply with the agreement," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit asks the court to declare illegal and vacate the grant terminations, and "preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from implementing or enforcing the Public Health Terminations or reinstituting the terminations for the same or similar reasons and without required statutory or regulatory process."The grant terminations raise significant public health risks, the lawsuit said."If the funding is not restored, key public health programs and initiatives that address ongoing and emerging public health needs of Plaintiffs (collectively, 'Plaintiff States') will have to be dissolved or disbanded," the lawsuit said. "Large numbers of state and local public health employees and contractors have been, or may soon be, dismissed from their roles. The result of these massive, unexpected funding terminations is serious harm to public health, leaving Plaintiff States at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease and cutting off vital public health services."We contacted the US Department of Health and Human Services about the lawsuit and will update this article if it provides a response.Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 0 Comments

Not a priority Apple enables RCS messaging for Google Fi subscribers at last Apple only supported RCS on the big three carriers in the first iOS18 releases. Ryan Whitwam Apr 1, 2025 4:22 pm | 3 Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreApple spent years ignoring RCS, allowing iPhones to offer a degraded messaging experience with Android users. This made Android folks unwelcome in many a group chat, but Apple finally started rectifying this issue last year with the addition of RCS support in iOS. It has been a slow rollout, though, with Google's mobile service only now getting support.While Apple supports RCS messaging on iPhones now, it has not exactly been enthusiastic about it. Anyone using Google Fi on an iPhone was left in the lurch even after Apple changed course. The first RCS update rolled out in iOS 18 last fall, but it only supported postpaid plans on the big three carriers. Everyone else was left waiting, including Google Fi, as confirmed to Ars last year. It was a suitably amusing outcome, considering Google is largely responsible for reviving the RCS standard and runs the Jibe back-end servers through which many iPhone RCS messages flow.Slowly but surely, Apple is making good on its promises to enable RCS. The company released iOS 18.4 this week, and hiding amid the control center tweaks and priority notifications is support for RCS on Google Fi and other T-Mobile MVNOs. Some users spotted this feature in the recent beta releases, but the servers that handle RCS for Google's mobile service were not yet connectable. With the final release, Google has confirmed that RCS is ready at last.With RCS, iPhone users can converse with non-Apple users without losing the enhanced features to which they've become accustomed in iMessage. That includes longer messages, HD media, typing indicators, and much more. Google Fi has several different options for data plans, and the company notes that RCS does use mobile data when away from Wi-Fi. Those on the "Flexible" Fi plan pay for blocks of data as they go, and using RCS messaging could inadvertently increase their bill.If that's not a concern, it's a snap for Fi users to enable RCS on the new iOS update. Head to Apps > Messages, and then find the Text Messaging section to toggle on RCS. It may, however, take a few minutes for your phone number to be registered with the Fi RCS server.In hindsight, the way Apple implemented iMessage was clever. By intercepting messages being sent to other iPhone phone numbers, Apple was able to add enhanced features to its phones instantly. It had the possibly intended side effect of reinforcing the perception that Android phones were less capable. This turned Android users into dreaded green bubbles that limited chat features. Users complained, and Google ran ads calling on Apple to support RCS. That, along with some pointed questions from reporters prompted Apple to announce the change in late 2023. It took some time, but you almost don't have to worry about missing messaging features in 2025.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 3 Comments