The eternal city that changes forever is the slogan coined by the mayor of Rome for the 2025 Jubilee. Every 25 years, believers from around the world flock to the city to step through one of its four holy doors and have their sins forgiven. But it seems that Rome itself is hoping for some forgiveness, too. In Italys capital, public works are often slow to be decided, even slower to begin, and nearly impossible to finish on time. As Marco DEramo writes, the city is governed by four key forces: public administration, the church, the real estate sector, and the tourism industry. This quadriga makes processes, competitions, and decisions anything but agile. A prime example of how long things take can be seen in the development of the citys metro network. Work on Metro B began in the 1930s but was halted by World War II. It resumed in 1948, with the first section inaugurated in 1955. A few more stops were added in 1990, and the project was finally completed 64 years later, in 2012. Metro A was a bit faster: It took 36 years to finish after starting in 1964, with the final section being completed in 2000. Currently, Metro C is under construction. Its initial plan ran from 2007 to 2013, with the first station opening in 2015 and a second station following in 2018. Its full completion, promised in time for the Jubilee, remains uncertain.Although mass transit might be one of the more utilitarian projects planned for the Jubilee (and certainly no easy task given Romes rich archaeological history), the Metro project is an example of how things often work in the city. Presently, over 300 urban renewal projects are underway, with a total investment of around 3.5 billion euros. Romans have watched the construction sites pop up at nearly every corner of the city with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, wondering how many projects will actually be finished. Large banners and scaffolding havent gone unnoticed by tourists either, with humorous videos circulating on social media that showcase impaired sightseeing experiences. Meanwhile, the citys mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, is running his own social media campaign to promote the works. One of the most ambitious projects is the redevelopment of Piazza Pia into a pedestrian zone, which was inaugurated on December 23, 2024, just in time for the start of the Holy Year. An existing underpass was extended to create a large public square to directly connect Castel SantAngelo and both sides of the Tiber River to St. Peters Basilica. The redesign offers a new walkway and, perhaps more importantly, new sightlines. Its now possible to view the papal basilica head-on from before the start of Via della Conciliazione, a street designed in 1936 by Marcello Piacentini following Pope Pius XIs request to Mussolini for a triumphal avenue highlighting Michelangelos dome. And indeed, its a triumph to experience the view, the proximity to the river and city, and most notably, the absence of carsRomes main handicapon such a vast stretch of land.Its nearly all right, at least. What also stands in view are two circular fountains that appear to have been designed without any particular criteria other than not interfering with the surrounding culture. Unfortunately, their meaningless slanted lines detract from the rich historical context around them. Theres no clear architectural signature on this or other interventions, a condition that reflects the growing trend of anonymous Italian infrastructure that emerges from the need to efficiently spend European recovery funds, whether in Piazza Pia or the tourist harbor of Palermo. As one Roman notes, even if one were to praise these works, it would be unclear to whom those compliments should go. Faced with tight deadlines, the city planner evidently took no time for considerations of authorship. Many of the projects underway feel more like cosmetic changes rather than genuine progress. On Via Nomentana, bike lanes have been painted in red, but the potholes that cyclists risk falling into remain untouched. Parking islands in the middle of the road have been tidied up with a tree here and there, but no attempt has been made to rethink traffic and transportation as a whole. What, then, is the radical vision for Rome in 2050? If the metro system cannot be built successfully, why not invest in the best bike lanes in Europe? If traditional basalt stones are no longer availablemore on that in a momentwhy not replace paved squares with gardens and green spaces? Whats at stakeor what should be at stakeis nothing less than Romes identity today and in the next 25 years. An illustrious urban research lab, Laboratorio Roma050, led by Stefano Boeri, has been commissioned by the municipality to consult on Romes future, but the opportunity for renewal and forward-thinking urban design and policymaking that this Jubilee presents has largely gone unrealized. Despite the allusions toor illusions ofthe Eternal City, 92 percent of Rome is modern. The historic center is but a small drop of water in a vast urban lake. Yet, Romes complexity and enormous urban sprawl are seldom considered in the broader narrative of the city, as though Le Corbusiers drawing from 1932 is the only image Rome could ever aspire to.It is this outdated notion of identity that holds Italys capital captive. The aforementioned basalt stones are a key example. Heritage authorities have insisted that certain roads and squares be paved with traditional sampietrini, Romes iconic square pavement stones, first used in the 16th century and given their name in 1725, when they were used to replace pavement in St. Peters Square. Even though the quarries and labor conditions that once produced them no longer exist in the Lazio region and the few remaining stones are prohibitively expensive, the authorities have opted to import similar-looking stones from Vietnam. Of course, Italys heritage authorities are known for their rigid, arbitrarily conservative approach, and issues like transport emissions, labor ethics, and resource scarcity are unlikely to be considered anytime soon. This, perhaps, is Romes real problem: What standard should this eternal, yet eternally changing, city be held to?Izabela Anna Moren is a researcher, writer, and curator, as well as a PhD candidate at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome and a lecturer in architecture and environment at Syracuse University in Florence.

In the age of AI and fake news hysteria, companies and brands consistently come out flexing every April 1 with pranks and jokes that sometimes make us laugh in ridicule and also pause to say but wait, actually, what if?As in past years, AN editors searched the internet and social media for urbanism- and architecture-related jokes. From Wrights original design for a glass elevator at the Guggenheim to a fast lane for New York City residents who travel by foot, here are some of the jokes that circulated online today.And ICYMI, did you fall for ANs prank? Guggenheim New YorkThe Guggenheim always pulls out all the stops on April Fools Day. This year the Fifth Avenue museum playfully posted about a proposal to add a glass elevator to the exterior of the spiraling Frank Lloyd Wright building. If real, it would envision the architects original design intent.Chicago Architecture CenterChicago Architecture Center shared its love for Chicago architects in its joke. On its Instagram the CAC shared that its docents are now tattoo artists too and can emblazon your skin with your favorite building designers.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chicago Architecture Center (@chiarchitecture)Harry Potter Shop on Chicagos Michigan AvenueI solemnly swear Im up to no good rings true in the Chicago River where larger-than-life jelly beans sporting fun colors are floating along. The installation stunt is timely, part April Fools but really a marketing ploy for the new Harry Potter shop opening on April 10.View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Harry Potter Shop (@harrypottershop) Secret NYCOnline publication Secret NYC pulled a fast one with its prank, poking fun at slow-walking tourists. The joke is that a new locals only sidewalk lane would fast track residents just trying to get on with their day.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Secret NYC (@secret_nyc)New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT)In the spirit of walking, the New York City Department of Transportation announced its launch of a new hotline for when map apps GPS you directions on busy roadways. In the comments section the general consensus was: this may actually be a good idea?Downtown OrlandoIn Orlando, the City also has plans to keep pedestrians moving. It shared detailed, rather convincing renderings on its Instagram of moving walkways instead of sidewalk along Orange Avenue and Church Street.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Downtown Orlando (@dwntwn_orlando)Hudson YardsHudson Yards imagined a go-karting track outside the Vessel. Congestion pricing, is that you?View this post on InstagramA post shared by Hudson Yards New York (@hudsonyards) Rice UniversityFor fans of more jerky flavors than you can count and beaver nuggets, Rice University shared a cunning jest that it plans to add a Buc-ees inside Lovett Hall. In the post the Texas-based university joked construction would start as early as this summer.View this post on InstagramA post shared by @riceuniversityEmbassy of France in the U.S.The Embassy of France in the U.S. made fun of the Louvre-like pyramid building in Memphis, Tennessee that houses a Bass Pro Shop, in a post on Instagram that the French art institution would also be a one-stop-shop for all your fishing, hunting, and boating gear.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Embassy of France in the U.S. (@franceintheus)Bryant ParkFor those seeking summertime temperatures and beach fun Bryant Park shared a pool-themed prank that would turn its fountain into a lazy river where visitors can float around in tubes while soaking in the Midtown skyline.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Bryant Park (@bryantparknyc) Virginia Beach Magazine and Shore Drive ShuffleSimilarly, Virginia Beach Magazine and Shore Drive Shuffle also have the crazy idea to turn the Virginia Beach Boardwalk into a lazy river. According to the pranksters, if realized it would be the second-longest lazy river in the country.View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Virginia Beach Magazine (@vabeachmag)

Hypnos. All images courtesy of Clara Lacy, shared with permissionOtherworldly Flowers Emerge from Darkness in Clara Lacys Meticulous Graphite DrawingsApril 1, 2025ArtNatureKate MothesNature has always been a subject of fascination for Clara Lacy, who roamed the fields and streams around her home in Hampshire when she was young, spurring an interest in studying biology. Art also emerged as a way for her to channel her interest in animals and plants, tapping into the long-held tradition of artists documenting flora and fauna for science.As she moved around to different parts of the world, with stints in Hong Kong and Sydney before returning to the U.K., Lacy absorbed each places variations in botanical life, weather, and light, inspiring a body of work that reflects on climate change, species loss, and the need to find balance between humans and nature, she says.ThanatosThe World Has Dropped Its Petals is a series of elaborately detailed graphite drawings illuminating the world of flowers. In heavily contrasted grayscale, the blooms are devoid of the bright colors we typically associate with their petals and foliage, instead highlighted by an array of textures and naturally occurring patterns.Ive always been drawn to monotone work for its subtle tonal variations, offering a contrast to the bombardment of colour and light around us, all vying for our attention, Lacy tells Colossal. She was drawn to graphite because its limited palette helps the subject to stand out through contrasts like delicate lines or deep blacks. Shes also interested in how graphite is often overlooked in fine art, classified typically as a sketching material rather than a standalone medium.Lacy titles her pieces after characters in Greek myth like Thanatos, the personification of death, and twin brothers Nyx (Night) and Hypnos (Sleep). She uses her own photos for reference, collaging and layering components in Photoshop until she finds an overall composition that resonates. The World Has Dropped Its Petals draws inspiration from stills lifes of the Dutch Golden Age, too, characterized by dark backgrounds from which flowers or fruit appear to pop in brilliance.The series is on view through April 13 at James Gorst Architects in London. Lacy has also started working on a new project exploring time and aging, which emphasizes zoomed-in views of flower fragments. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.HeimarmeneHeliosNepheleSeleneElpisNyxNext article

ZDNET's key takeaways The OnePlus 12 typically sells for a starting price of $799. It was the company's most complete handset in 2024, with the fastest charging speeds on the market (both wired and wireless), a flagship camera system, premium build quality, and reliable performance. The lack of generative AI features is felt, but for many, that may not be a problem. more buying choices OnePlus is holding a new promotion for its old flagship phone. By entering the promo code "SPRING25" at checkout, you shave $150 off the OnePlus 12'sprice tag. Be aware that this deal only applies to the $900 model, which has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.While last year's focus for smartphone makers was unquestionably onAI-- it was themobile trend of the year-- theOnePlus 12is unabashedly a phone first, AI companion second kind of device. Instead of prematurely jumping onto the AI bandwagon, promoting its phones with features that aren't readily available, the Shenzhen manufacturer prioritized aspects that mattered more, such as charging tech, battery life, and performance.Also: Amazon's Spring Sale is over, but this Google Pixel 9 offer at Target is still my favorite spring phone deal live nowThe result? A smartphone that excels at the things you actually want and need. I find it very difficult to recommend any other mobile device in 2025.My fondness for the OnePlus 12 is part of a bigger story. The device is the most complete handset from a company notorious for settling in small but invaluable areas -- whether it's the omission of wireless charging, a better low-light camera, or an official IP rating. The OnePlus 12 has all three of those features and a very competitive price, especially in today's market. Prices start at $799 (sans deals). details View at OnePlus While that price is a $100 jump from the olderOnePlus 11, the difference in user experience isverynoticeable, from the feel and polish of the marble-like Flowy Emerald finish to the way the device optimizes its RAM, of which it has plenty of (up to 16GB). The OnePlus 12 looks and feels better to me than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro, for example. The device's edges are curved to make it sit smoothly in my hand, and I don't struggle to press any of the buttons.Also: 12 Android phone settings you should change to dramatically increase battery lifeCorrection: I don't struggle to press any of the buttonsexceptfor the alert slider, which has now been moved to the upper left side of the phone. For something that requires a toggle instead of a press, physically switching from "Ring" to "Vibrate" to "Silent" feels more cumbersome than it should. Otherwise, I'm a fan of OnePlus' industrial design, which is a little more distinct now that both Samsung and Google have officially ditched the curved glass form factor. The OnePlus 12 is powered by aQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which brings improved day-to-day performance and better efficiency of on-device AI applications. I've had no problem putting the phone through its paces, whether it's editing videos on Premiere Rush, playing demanding games likeFortniteandGenshin Impact, or multitasking with a PiP (Picture-in-Picture) video playing. While the marketed peak brightness of 4,500 nits puts even theGalaxy S24's 2,600 valueto shame, I only found it to be slightly brighter when outdoors. Here is the OnePlus 12 (left) next to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus (right). Kerry Wan/ZDNETAside from Google's stock AI features, such as Magic Compose and Photomoji, this model has no killer generative AI service, as I alluded to in the introduction. That's not a bad thing, especially if you don't factor generative AI into your lifestyle anyway. Having cycled between the OnePlus and Samsung's AI-heavy Galaxy S24 series, I haven't found myself missing the assisted features much. Also: 5 tools I trust to keep my online conversations private and anonymousThat said, the latest Android 15 update for the OnePlus 12 introduces some familiar generative AI tools that put the device closer to its competitors, such as Circle to Search, AI Unblur, AI Assistant for Notes, and more. The new software version also brings Open Canvas to the phone, a multitasking feature that deploys floating windows for quicker navigation between apps. The OnePlus 12 features a 50MP wide camera, a 64MP 3x periscope telephoto, and a 48MP ultra-wide. Kerry Wan/ZDNETOne area that I do wish OnePlus flexed its machine-learning muscles more is with the cameras -- specifically, the telephoto lens. While the Sony LYT-808-backed, 50MP main camera does a fantastic (and reliable) job of reproducing lighting and colors in a very natural tone, the telephoto lens falls short for me in two ways: distance and edge detection.Also: This Anker power bank is on sale and it's my everyday carry - Here's whyBecause the telephoto lens is capped to 3x optical zoom, shooting subjects that are further away tends to produce pictures that appear more washed out and lacking in detail. You can view some of my camera samples here.For images captured with Hasselblad Portrait Mode, the phone can struggle to apply a bokeh effect behind people with fuzzy and springy hairstyles. In both cases, a visual engine that can help amplify or better detect subjects would be immensely helpful. Kerry Wan/ZDNETUltimately, one of the most compelling reasons to buy a OnePlus phone is its battery life and charging speed. For the former, the OnePlus fields a 5,400mAh battery, the biggest on a mainstream smartphone. I've comfortably gotten a good day and a half's worth of usage before needing to charge the device.Also: I finally found the ultimate car charger for my iPhone - and it's on sale for $25For the latter, the OnePlus 12 is the fastest in its class, both wired and wireless. The 80W charger that's included in the box has spoiled me, and the 50W wireless charging support -- which only works with OnePlus' first-party dock, to be clear -- outpaces the wired charging rate of competing flagship phones.ZDNET's buying adviceAt a starting price of $550, the OnePlus 12 is the best phone at its price point. It has the most well-rounded feature set ever, 5G support for every major carrier (Verizon included), the fastest charging on the market, and an industrial design that screams premium. It's also a great phone for users who aren't fully bought into the AI craze.The trade-offs are more of a blur this time around, but from my months of usage, I'd still list the subpar telephoto lens and IP65 rating -- whichjust misses the mark for the industry standard for water and dust resistance -- as the most notable reasons to think twice about the device. If you can shoulder the compromises, which are more subtle than ever, then I have no problem recommending the latest phone from OnePlus, especially at its Black Friday price. When will this deal expire? As per OnePlus, this deal will end on April 13, 2025.Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on a deal, but don't fret -- we constantly find new chances to save and share them with you onZDNET.com. Show more Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends.Featured reviews

Here's the inside scoop on what ZDNET readers snagged this past month (including during Amazon's Spring Sale) from handy tools to USB-C accessories. And some of these products are on sale, too.

Some species in the animal kingdom will eat just about anything. Others have much stricter diets. This arctic predator falls into the latter category, subsisting on a single, protein-rich food source.

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