The past year has been crucial for Ukrainian-British tech cooperation. As one of the leading IT service exporters, Ukraines presence in the UK has never been stronger, with business ties growing deeper.Recently, the IT Ukraine ssociation (ITU) published a comprehensive report on the state of the Ukrainian tech ecosystem. According to the report, Digital Tiger 2024, the UK has been the second-leading importer of Ukrainian IT services, accounting for 8.8% of total IT service exports (or 439m).As an ambassador for the ITU in the UK, Id like to highlight the key developments of 2024 and the exciting opportunities ahead for both nations tech communities.Its fitting that exactly a year ago, the Ukrainian Tech Forum took place in London. The event focused on strengthening UK-Ukraine cooperation, with a particular emphasis on the role of governments in driving digital transformation and the opportunities this creates.London also hosted the Ukraine Recovery Conference, during which the UK Department for Business and Trade announced the launch of the UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge initiative. Established in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this initiative aims to connect Ukrainian and British businesses, talent, startups and investors fostering collaboration to develop innovative solutions and accelerate digitisation.This initiative has become a key connector between the British and Ukrainian IT ecosystems, spanning 16 different tech sectors. Throughout 2024, a series of joint workshops were held to develop innovative technological solutions aimed at addressing various industry challenges.In March, the UK-Ukraine Tech Forum, which focused on Bridging British and Ukrainian Tech, took place. The event brought together numerous Ukrainian companies, including IdeaSoft, GeekPay and datrics.ai, to explore new opportunities for collaboration. A good example of such collaboration could be the Ukrainian startup Deus Robotics, which recently secured $3m to expand in the UK market (a seed funding round led by u.ventures and Sigma Software Labs).That same month, a high-level roundtable discussion was held in London, bringing together government officials from both countries alongside business representatives. The discussion focused on cyber security an urgent issue for both Ukraine and the UK, as they rank among the most targeted nations for cyber attacks. The roundtable served as a platform to develop practical strategies for protecting Ukraines critical infrastructure, tackling disinformation and fake news, and highlighting Ukrainian technologies that have the potential to reshape the global cyber security landscape.Last year, Ukraine had a strong presence at London Tech Week 2024. Ukrainian startups, including datrics.ai, Akurateco, Bird, Effy AI, GetOrder, Headway, Metaenga and UGLA ERP, as well as graduates of the 1991 accelerator, were selected to participate in the conference. In total, 20 Ukrainian projects had the opportunity to pitch their products on the London Tech Week stage.Our long-term partner, TechUK, offered all ITU association members the opportunity to join techUK, which in turn boosted the confidence of Ukrainian companies on the British market.Its essential to understand that businesses alone cannot drive trade relations between the two countries; support at the highest levels of government is equally essential. In September 2024, the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement came into effect. This agreement is designed to make trade between our nations faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. For businesses, it offers a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital services.This agreement goes beyond simply facilitating trade. It aims to foster partnerships and drive digital business transformation in both countries. It also seeks to stimulate innovation in sectors like aviation and finance.In October 2024, two major events further highlighted Ukrainian-British collaboration in the tech sector. The first was the UK-Ukraine TechBridge Cybersecurity Roundtable, which brought together cyber security companies from both nations. The level of digitisation in public services continues to garner significant interest, with our Diia project the state in a smartphone earning admiration not only in Britain but worldwide. Additionally, there has been increasing recognition of the growth in Ukraines defence industry, particularly in defence technology. Several UK-Ukrainian defence tech events were held during the year, further strengthening these ties.Thus, in May, the Ukrainian Drone Defence Forum was held in London to enhance collaboration between Ukrainian and British drone manufacturers and technology firms. The forum aimed to scale up drone and electronic warfare production, a top partnership priority. Later that year, the UK-Ukraine Defence Tech Forum was held to bring together key stakeholders government, technology developers and venture capitalists. The second UK-Ukraine Defence Tech Forum will take place in April 2025.A bit later, the IT Ukraine Association hosted the Tech Unity: UK & Ukraine event in London. This event was part of the Good Governance Funds Business Revitalisation for Sustainable Growth project, funded by the UK governments International Development Department. The gathering brought together government and industry representatives to discuss UK-Ukraine cooperation, with a particular focus on financial technology (fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI).According to Maria Shevchuk, CEO of ITA, Ukrainian innovations in AI, cyber security and fintech hold great potential in the UK. She noted that the tech sector will play a crucial role in Ukraines post-war recovery, and support from UK companies can open doors to international markets and help develop digital infrastructure creating the conditions for sustainable growth in both countries.Since relocating to the UK in 2022 due to the war, Ive been deeply involved in the British tech scene. At Sigma Software Group, I focus on building business relationships and enhancing our reputation. I actively participate in international communities such as London Tech Advocates and London Future Founders, speaking at or attending tech events weekly. This helps me stay connected to the local ecosystem, especially projects focused on Ukrainian-British collaboration.I have to admit, weve never seen as many Ukrainian-British tech events as we did last year. However, the ecosystems of both countries have even more ambitious plans for 2025.I want to end this text by quoting Matt Evans from TechUK, who highlighted the potential of UK and Ukrainian companies to tackle real challenges from resilient energy grids to digital public services and robotics. He emphasised that now is the time to build partnerships and networks to drive transformation and economic growth in both countries.So, lets make these plans a reality. As an ambassador for the ITU in the UK, I eagerly look forward to sharing our progress with the Ukrainian and British communities.Alexandra Govorukha is ambassador of the IT Ukraine Association in the UK.

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe TV launch season is upon us, and Samsung is among the first brands to put out its 2025 lineup of visual goodness. I recently had the opportunity to scope out some new TVs at one of Samsung's satellite laboratories in New Jersey, putting every upcoming model through the ringer and seeing just how well they stack up to the company's early-year claims.Also: I spent hours testing Samsung's new flagship soundbar - it gave my Sonos a run for its moneyBelow are my initial takeaways (read: this isn't a review) on the company's Neo QLED 4K and 8K models, which are up for preorder now, as well as the new Vision AI features that underpin the 2025 viewing experience.Samsung's 'Vision AI' is hard to deny Kerry Wan/ZDNETUnsurprisingly, a major emphasis at the workshop was Samsung's latest artificial intelligence tech, Vision AI, which is integrated into all the company's new TVs. While Vision AI's capabilities span the user experience, from browsing and searching to watching foreign movies, the following caught my attention the most.Real-time subtitle translationsAre you a fan of foreign films? Sometimes, the most obscure (and best) international movies lack English subtitles. Vision AI is a near-instant translator for seven different languages on new Samsung TVs. While this isn't necessarily a new feature in tech -- several Android smartphones, including Samsung's own, already support live transcriptions -- the ability to do this from the comfort of your couch or bed is very useful.Also: Having trouble hearing whispery TV dialogue? I found 3 ways to fix thatWe have good reason to believe that number will expand after future updates since Samsung's latest mobile devices already support translation of 13 languages through its "Live Translate" feature.Onscreen 'Click to Search'I often find myself pausing a show to look up information on my iPhone to identify an actor, a set's filming location, or a song playing in the background. Samsung's Vision AI can do all that at the touch of a button, without even pausing what you're watching.But purportedly, it's also doing next-level things, like naming the designers of one of Carrie Bradshaw's outfits or the make and model of James Bond's car in the original Goldfinger. I'll have to further test Click to Search at ZDNET's TV lab to evaluate its reliability. If it can nameThe Dude's rug that tied the room together, I'll be really impressed.Control your TV with 'Universal Gestures'Generative art for slideshow wallpaper and smart home insights are becoming almost standard features in TVs of a certain price point, so I'm just mentioning here that these features are included in all new Samsungs. But how many TVs can you control just by pinching your fingers together or making a fist?Also:How to clear the cache on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference)If you have a Galaxy Watch, then this can be your reality, thanks to the feature known as Universal Gestures, which detects the motions of your fingers, hand, and wrist to perform certain functions. We've seen this kind of thing in futuristic movies and scenes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Is Samsung driving our interactions with devices in that direction?Neo QLED 4K & 8K: What else is new?Both flagship models (QN90F and QN990F) offer Glare-Free technology, which utilizes a matte screen finish that absorbs and scatters light instead of reflecting it. Ideally, this minimizes reflections from windows and overhead lights, and I can attest that this was the case when I moved off-axis during the demo. Until recently, this light-refracting tech was limited to Samsung's top-notch (i.e., most expensive) OLED screens like the S95F.Neo QLED 4K (QN90F) Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Neo QLED 4K (QN90F) has an upgraded NQ4 Gen3 processor, powerful enough to run the TV's "Vision AI" feature, upscale older content into 4K, and improve overall picture and sound quality. Its Neo Quantum HDR+11 is said to boost contrast, color accuracy, and dynamic range, surpassing even that of standard OLED TVs.These enhancements, like the smoother 165Hz refresh rate ideal for console gamers, make the QN90F the premium product we should expect from a Samsung flagship.Also:The best Samsung TVs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedAlso noteworthy is the array of sizes the QN90F comes in -- from a modest 43 inches to a gargantuan 115 inches. And if you go that big, Samsung offers its Supersize Picture Enhancer. This feature aims to mitigate the inherent problems with super-large screens by reducing pixelation, deepening black levels, and tightening noise reduction.While the enhanced crispness was there when I looked at the larger-sized TVs, I also noticed a more intense blooming and motion blur. Some modifications in the settings should greatly alleviate those issues, but they're still worth mentioning if you're planning to splurge on one of these sets.Speaking of which, the Neo QLED 4K QN90F is available now for the following prices:TV sizePrice43-inch$1,39950-inch$1,49955-inch$1,99965-inch$2,69975-inch$3,29985-inch$4,49998-inch$14,999Neo QLED 8K (QN990F) Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Neo QLED 8K (QN990F) essentially comes with the above upgrades on its own graduated scale (for example, an NQ8 Gen2 processor to drive its Vision AI). The major difference is that the Neo QLED 8K can handle the wizardry behind Samsung's Wireless One Connect Box, which allows for cable-free transmission of 8K content at 120Hz.Also:I saw Samsung's 8K TV at CES 2025 - and these 3 new features stole the showSet-top boxes, multiple game consoles, Blu-ray players, soundbars, and all manner of peripherals can run through the One Connect as long as the box is situated within ten feet of the TV. Moving all the IO away from the 8K set gives it a cleaner aesthetic, with minimal cabling required. The big question to answer now is latency and exactly how response times will fare when gaming or requiring quick inputs.At Samsung's workshop, I sampled the Neo QLED 8K by watching videos of vibrant neon signage, firework spectaculars, and entrancing aerial drone cityscapes. Its imaging is superb, almost painfully perfect. Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe new Metal Frame design adds a nice touch of premium, but more practically, the metal frame encases a built-in speaker system with a crazily potent 6.2.4-channel setup that includes Object Tracking Sound.OTS is one of my favorite Samsung inventions because it follows the movement of onscreen objects, creating a convincingly lifelike, three-dimensional soundscape, all without an accompanying soundbar or speaker system. (But if you want to make the most of the visual fidelity of an 8K screen, you absolutely should pair it with expanded audio gear.)The Neo QLED 8K QN990F is available now for $3,299 (65-inch) and $4,299 (75-inch).Stay tuned for our full analysis and breakdown of the new Samsung TVs as we get them into our lab for review.(By the way, it was a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.)Featured reviews

AirTags are great, but they have their limitations. Ugreen's latest SmartFinder tags address some of those flaws and are more affordable.

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In brief: Valve has just posted the results of March's Steam survey, and, as predicted, things have returned to normal after the weirdness we saw during the previous month. This means there's a new top GPU, operating system, and language, while AMD's CPU share has reached a record high. February was one of those months where the Steam survey changed drastically. One of the biggest changes was a new most-popular graphics card, as the RTX 4060 replaced the RTX 3060.These sorts of anomalies can occur for several reasons, including sampling bias, reporting bugs, and hardware driver updates. There's also the problem of shared machines at internet cafes in China inflating hardware specs.But the issue is often down to Valve's algorithms and data processing methods, which can directly impact the survey results, especially when they make back-end changes or adjust how they categorize, interpret, or weight the incoming data.But, as we saw after the last survey shake-up in October 2023, the status quo has now been restored. That includes the RTX 3060 taking back its crown from the RTX 4060, though the Ampere card is only 0.34% ahead of its Lovelace successor in terms of user share.Most popular GPUs among Steam survey participants in March 2025March also saw AMD get back to business in the CPU section. Team Red hit a record 36.19% user share in January before falling 5% as Intel rose by the same amount a month later. In March, AMD reached a new record high of 37.62%, up 6.5%, with Intel dropping by the same margin to 62.3%. // Related StoriesWindows 10 also saw an unlikely resurgence in February, retaking the top spot with a 10% rise in user share. The older OS is now down to 40% and Windows 11 is found on 55% of participants' machines.This is a trend we're seeing globally as Windows 10's October 2025 end-of-support date draws closer. Statcounter reports that while the OS remains the most popular on desktops, its share has declined since the start of the year as Windows 11 climbs rapidly. There is now just 10 percent points separating the two operating systems.Returning to the Steam survey, 16GB has replaced 32GB as the most common amount of system RAM among participants, and English took over from Chinese as the most popular language.

What just happened? Google is celebrating Gmail's 21st birthday by introducing new encryption features for enterprise users. The company's latest security system aims to simplify encryption options for businesses of all sizes while providing IT departments with the tools to maintain information integrity. Other updates from this week improved Google Chrome's encryption and allowed Google Fi subscribers to send encrypted RCS messages to iPhones. Starting today, IT departments participating in Google's beta can use Gmail to send end-to-end encrypted emails to recipients within the same organization. The functionality will expand to all Gmail inboxes in the coming weeks and to non-Gmail inboxes by the end of the year.The new functionality, which is activated in just a few clicks, aims to provide small organizations with email security that typically requires dedicated IT departments. It also circumvents the need for proprietary software and exchanging decryption keys.The animation above from Google's Workspace blog demonstrates the process. To send an encrypted email, simply draft a new message, click the lock icon on the right side of the recipient field, and select "Turn on" under "Additional encryption."Emails are encrypted locally on the sender's device and decrypted in the recipient's inbox. The user experience closely resembles using Gmail normally, and Google's servers can't access the encryption keys. Meanwhile, non-Gmail inboxes that receive Gmail-encrypted messages receive an invitation to view a restricted version of Gmail. The new system also supports S/MIME.IT departments can also tighten security by forcing all recipients, even Gmail inboxes outside an organization, to view messages in Gmail's restricted mode, which presents the content like a Google Drive document. Security managers can set messages to encrypt by default and set rules for automating clearance levels to add extra layers of security without significantly inconveniencing users. // Related StoriesGoogle also introduced new encryption rules for Chrome this week, which should close certain HTTPS protocol loopholes. The tightened standards might significantly improve overall internet security, since Chrome is easily the most popular browser engine.In other Google-related encryption news, Apple's recently released iOS 18.4 update allows iPhones to receive RCS text messages from Google Fi subscribers. Before Apple introduced iOS 18 last year, messages sent between iPhones and Android devices lacked end-to-end encryption and other advanced features. The update that introduced cross-platform RCS initially supported only AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon users, but this week's patch extends support to Google Fi.

Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Split Fiction these are just a few of the titles announced to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Thanks to the consoles improved hardware, loads of games that have been stranded on other platforms are now making their way to the Switch 2, and many will be available the day the console drops.On top of that, some games likeTony Hawk 3 + 4 will be released later in the summer, also on the Nintendo Switch 2.Recommended VideosSeveral of the games are getting special editions for Nintendo Switch 2, although it isnt clear what those changes might look like. For example, Elden Ring is getting the Tarnished Edition, and Street Fighter 6 sees the addition of several new Amiibo. What we do know is that some games are taking a performance hit; Elden Ring is going to be locked at 30 frames per second, according to reports. Image used with permission by copyright holderThe brand-new Split Fiction will also come to Switch 2, and its a fantastic multiplayer experience thats perfect for two people to play together. And believe it or not, Cyberpunk 2077 will also be available as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. CD Projekt Red brought The Witcher 3 to the original Nintendo Switch, and now youll be able to explore Night City on the go. RelatedHeres a few of the titles we know are on the way:Elden RingHades IIStreet Fighter 6Hogwarts LegacyDaemon X Machina: Titanic ScionBravely Default 1 RemasteredHitman: World of AssassinationYakuza 0Borderlands 4Civilization VIIEnter the Gungeon 2Cyberpunk Ultimate EditionFortniteWWE 2KNBA 2KEditors Recommendations

gee, I wonder why? Tesla sales and production slumped heavily in Q1 2025 The numbers are going the wrong way for a company valued on continuing growth. Jonathan M. Gitlin Apr 2, 2025 10:34 am | 0 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 22: Demonstrators gather for a protest against Elon Musk and electric car maker Tesla on February 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Credit: David Ryder/Getty Images SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 22: Demonstrators gather for a protest against Elon Musk and electric car maker Tesla on February 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Credit: David Ryder/Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreTesla posted its production and sales numbers for the first quarter of 2025 this morning, and they continue the bad news streak for the electric automaker. Tesla produced 362,615 vehicles in total between January and the end of March, a 16.3 percent decrease from the same period in 2024.The drop in sales was a little less bad; unlike this time last year, Tesla was able to more closely match production with demand. As a result, the company delivered 336,681 EVs in Q1, a drop of 12.9 percent compared to Q1 2024.The Models 3 and Y make up the vast majority of Tesla's businessit built 345,454 of them in Q1 2025, a 16.2 percent reduction compared to the same period last year. Despite a recent refresh for the Model Y, which comprised the majority of these two EVs, sales declined by 12.4 percent year-over-year, with just 323,800 being sold, compared to 386,810 for Q1 2024.Things look even worse for the even more outdated Models S and X and the often-recalled Cybertruck. Production for these EVs fell by 18.3 percent year-over-year to 17,161 units in Q1 2025, with sales dropping year-over-year by 24.3 percent to just 12,881.Things were slightly rosier for Tesla's energy storage business, which deployed 10.4 GWh, but this part of the business contributes a small fraction to the bottom line; in 2024, automotive sales accounted for 77 percent of revenues.Much of Tesla's sales collapse has occurred in Europe, where customers are displaying even greater revulsion for CEO Elon Musk's political activity than here in the US. But protests at US Tesla stores are becoming a weekly event, as a majority of Americans disapprove of his interference with the federal government. In the US and abroad, Tesla stores and storage lots have been vandalized and cars have been destroyed. The fall in sales is greater than most market analysts were expectingthey had predicted between 360,000 and 370,000 deliveries for the quarter.These sales numbers are the automaker's worst for several years, but we have to wait until April 22 for the full extent to be revealed, when Tesla publishes its first quarter financial results. Its profit marginwhich briefly rivaled that of OEMs like Ferrari and Porschewas barely half the industry average at just 6.2 percent for Q4 2024.However, it seems that Tesla investors aren't too fazed by these details. Although Tesla was trading below yesterday's closing price at the start of trading this morning, that has steadily been reversing itself, leaving a very long way to go for the price to fall into the $114$100 zone, where it's thought that CEO Musk would face a margin call.Jonathan M. GitlinAutomotive EditorJonathan M. GitlinAutomotive Editor Jonathan is the Automotive Editor at Ars Technica. He has a BSc and PhD in Pharmacology. In 2014 he decided to indulge his lifelong passion for the car by leaving the National Human Genome Research Institute and launching Ars Technica's automotive coverage. He lives in Washington, DC. 0 Comments

Magic Unshittification: 3 tech companies that recently made my life better Enshittification is not the only option. Nate Anderson Apr 2, 2025 9:30 am | 0 Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreI've been complaining about tech a lot recently, and I don't apologize for it. Complaining feels great. That feeling of beleaguered, I-against-the-world self-righteousness? Highly underrated.But a little righteous complaint goes a long, long, loooong way. (Just ask my wife.) Too much can be corrosive, it can make you insufferable to others, and it can leave you jaded, as many people, myself included, have become about technology.I had three recent experiences, however, that were each quite small in their way but which reminded me that not everything in the tech world has fallen victim to the forces of "enshittification." Once in a while, technology still feels easy anddare I co-opt the world from Apple's marketing department?even magical.Call it "unshittification."Better DRMArs has complained about DRM since our founding over 25 years ago. As writers and editors ourselves, we certainly get the desire not to have one's work ripped off or repurposed without payment, but even effective DRM imposes annoying costs on those who actually paid the money for the thing.Case in point: I've been teaching myself songwriting, audio production, and mixing for the last 18 months, and part of that process has led me to invest some decent money into Universal Audio products. I bought its stellar and rock-solid-reliable Volt 2 audio interface and then spent much of 2024 snapping up high-quality plugins like Topline Vocal Suite, the Manley Voxbox, and the Electra 88 Rhodes piano. Terrific stuffbut not necessarily cheap.So it was just insulting to find out the hard way that Universal Audio used a variant of the iLok DRM systemitself unfortunately common in the audio industrythat required constant Internet connectivity to function.The iLok ecosystem can be configured in three main ways, authorizing your plugins 1) to a custom iLok USB dongle (which costs $50$70 and requires a USB portplus, you have to remember it at all times), 2) to the local machine you are working on, or 3) to the cloud. Universal Audio allowed only dongle and cloud authorizations, but I figured this wouldn't be a problem because, surely, the system would only need to check in semi-regularly.In fact, the system checked in constantly. Go even a few minutes without Internet access, and all your plugins will disable themselves, leading any mix that uses them to fall apart immediately. Want to work on your laptop during a power outage? Edit some audio on a flight? Use a studio computer thatfor stability, performance, and security reasonsis not generally online? Well, I hope you like dongles.(Some users dothough others have complained that they too can be unstable, they cost extra, and they permanently take up a USB port on your machine.)Universal Audio is a big name in the business, and their users have complained endlessly about this situation, but the response has generally been that machine-based authorization is less secure and therefore not supported.So it was a surprise and delight when, on March 25, Universal Audio saw the light and announced that "by popular demand" it was shifting to local machine or iLok USB authorizations. The cloud option was gone, and a company rep even admitted that cloud monitoring "requires a constant Internet and server connection. [In other words], more resources."In addition, Universal Audio now allows "up to three" simultaneous authorizations of each digital tool, while before you could only have two.The online response appears overwhelmingly positive. As one commenter put it, "Ok, I admit: I thought the 'submit feedback' feature was just there so users would vent without any serious change occurring... I was wrong on that front. Glad to see UA is listening. Good job!"Others stressed just how beneficial the move was for touring musicians who may use various bits of Universal Audio tech on stage or on tour. "For touring musicians and all other people that often work in an offline environment this is awesome!" wrote one commenter. Another added, "iLok dongle on stage is scary and glad that's over with. Power move!"I concur.Better customer serviceLet's stick with the "musical" theme for example No. 2.I purchased Native Instruments' terrific piano library Noire, which sampled the specific grand piano used by Nihls Frahm in both standard and felted formatsand all of it capturing the ambience of Saal 3 in the East Berlin Funkhaus recording facility where Frahm works. The library is one of my favoritesevocative and gorgeous. But I was apparently the victim of fraud.See, I purchased the library secondhand. This is completely legal and explicitly allowed by Native Instruments, though the company needs to get manually involved in the transfer process. I purchased Noire from a UK user who already had a "transfer code" approved by Native Instruments, indicating that the software in question was genuine and available for sale.So I purchased Noire, completed the transfer, and the software showed up in my Native Instruments account. Everything went smoothly, and I was (very gently) rocking out with Noire's felted piano.A few weeks (!) later, I received a note, completely out of the blue, from Native Instruments support. They had removed Noire from my account, they said, because the seller had committed some unspecified fraud, and Native Instruments had transferred my copy of Noire back to the original purchaser.This was extremely uncool. Not only did I have nothing to do with any fraud, nor any reason to think fraud had occurred, but Native Instruments had vetted the software and approved it for transfer, which gave me the confidence to move forward with the purchase. So why was I now the only person to suffer? The original buyer got the plugin restored, the scammer had my money, and Native Instruments hadn't lost anything.There appeared to be little I could do about all this. Sure, I could file a dispute with PayPal and try to claw my money back, but Native Instruments is a German company, andlet's face itI wasn't going to do anything if they decided to screw me out of a purchase they had helped me make. (WellI was going to do something, namely, never purchase from them again. After all, who knew, when they awoke in the morning, if their purchased products would still function?)This may sound like a complaint, but here's the thing: When I made my case to Native Instruments over email, they got back to me in a day or two and agreed to put a free though "not for resale" copy of Noire on my account as a goodwill gesture. This was all conducted politely, in impeccable English, and without undue delay. It felt fair to me, and I'm likely to continue purchasing their excellent sample libraries.Customer service can feel like a lesser priority to most companies, but done right, it actually ensures future sales.Better money-takingFinally, an almost trivial example, but one that worked so smoothly I still remember my feeling of shock. "Where's the catch?" pretty much summed it up.I'm talking, of course, about March Madness, the annual NCAA college basketball tournament. It's a terrific spectacle if you can ignore all the economic questions about overpaid coaches, no-longer-amateur players, recruiting violations, and academic distortions that the big sports programs generate. And my University of North Carolina Tar Heels had juuuust squeaked in this year.Ordinarily, watching the tournament is a nightmare if you don't have a pay-TV package. For years, streaming options were terrible, forcing you to log in with your "TV provider" (i.e., an expensive cable or satellite company) account or otherwise jump through hoops to watch the games, which are generally shown across three or four different TV channels.All I wanted was a simple way to give someone my money. No gimmicks, no intro offers, no "TV provider" BSjust a pure streaming play that puts all the games in one place, for a reasonable fee. When I looked into the situation this year, I was surprised to find that this did now exist, it was easy, and it was cheap.The Max streaming service had all the games, except for those shown on CBS. (You can't have everything, I guess, but I get CBS in HD using an over-the-air antenna.) It was $10 for a month of service. There were no "intro offers," no lock-ins, no "before you go!" pleas, no nothing. Indeed, I didn't even have to create a new account or share a credit card with some new vendor. I just added Max as a "subscription" within Amazon's video app and boomtournament time. It took about four seconds, and it has worked flawlessly.That something this simple could feel revelatory was a good reminder of just how crapified our tech and media ecosystems have become. On my expensive LG OLED TV, for instance, I have to go out of my way to literally prevent my TV from spying on everything that I watch. (Seriously, you should turn this "feature" off. Otherwise, your TV will watch your screen and try to identify everything you watch, then send that data back to whatever group of zombified MBAs thought this was a good idea.) Roku, which provides streaming services to my basement television, is toying with new ads. Every streaming service I've subscribed to has jacked up rates significantly over the last year or so.So just being able to sign up quickly and easily, for 10 bucks, felt frictionless and magical in the way that tech used to do more often. As a bonus, I've been able to watch full episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which I have never seen before.Magic?"Unshittification" is not always the result of "innovation"sometimes it's just about treating people decently. Responding to feedback, personal customer service, and non-gimmicky pricing aren't new or hot technologies, but they are the sort of things that make for satisfied long-term customers.So much tech has fallen victim to algorithms, scale, and monetization that it can be a surprising relief to connect easily with a Real Live Human, one empowered to act on your behalf, or to make a purchase without being part of some constantly upselling "sales funnel." But when it does happen, it feels good. Indeed, in a cynical and atomized age, it feels a tiny bit magical. Listing image: Getty Images Nate AndersonDeputy EditorNate AndersonDeputy Editor Nate is the deputy editor at Ars Technica. His most recent book is In Emergency, Break Glass: What Nietzsche Can Teach Us About Joyful Living in a Tech-Saturated World, which is much funnier than it sounds. 0 Comments

Matthew Jamison, Principal, The Gunter Group April 2, 20254 Min ReadCharlotte Allen via Alamy StockIts never been harder to be a chief information officer. You have the demands of major digital-transformation projects that far too often fail to fully deliver on their promise. You have the give and take between user convenience and IT security in an era when, thanks to ransomware, breaches have never been more costly. You have talent gaps and budget limitations.And, you have unremitting requests from business units amid the emergence of generative AI, which has had the effect of releasing squirrels at a dog show.So, its no surprise that, while infamously short CIO tenures seem to be marginally longer than they were a few years back, their departures are often someone elses idea. How can a CIO avoid that fate?Dont try to be a technical wizard. The CIO job is mostly about communicating. You dont make it to the C-suite without proven technical skills. That background remains indispensable. But the CIOs job is to deeply understand the businesss goals and then guide the selection, implementation, and acceptance of technological solutions that best help the organization achieve those goals.The business environment is in constant flux. Technologies quickly evolve. Knowing the business requires constant dialogue with C-suite peers as well as business-unit leaders. That means taking the initiative to reach out to and drive strategic conversations with leaders across the organization to deeply understand what their functions do; what they hope to do; how theyre using technology; and how all that contributes (or may one day contribute) to the organizations overall strategic goals.Related:However, to grasp the technological state of the art, CIOs must rely on the deep dives of trusted IT architects and other specialists. Only then can CIOs serve as trusted intermediaries between business and technology experts. So, regardless of ones background, a CIOs communication skills and political savvy are vastly more prized than their technical knowledge.Also, a CIOs technical upbringing can color a worldview in unproductive ways. A CIO who came up through data-center management and infrastructure may be prone to invest in performance past the point of economic return. One who grew up in development may pour more money into custom solutions and user experience than pays off. Staying laser-focused on the companys strategy and business goals while understanding -- and communicating at a conceptual level -- how evolving technologies can meet those goals lets CIOs grow beyond their own backgrounds. Thats good for the company, and for the CIO.Related:Focus on strategy. That takes ruthless prioritization. Marketing wants a new automation platform. Finance and operations want a new security app. Product wants custom development for an R&D project. Business development wants IT due diligence for a prospective acquisition. Sales wants a new lead-generation system. Operations wants a new messaging app.Each may be a good idea in isolation. But approving them all would overwhelm the IT group even if one could budget for it all. Yet, so often, the CIO says yes, yes, and yes. Thats overpromising, which is a guaranteed path to underdelivering, disappointing and throwing the CIOs competence into question.A focus on strategy is crucial here. What is technologys role in the business? Unless youre a Spotify or a Netflix, technology is not what the business does, but rather an enabler of what the business does. For example, with a financial advisory firm, finding new customers to advise is the lifeblood, so it makes sense to invest in and support state-of-the-art analytics and lead-generation capabilities for the sales team and to hold off on that new messaging app for operations.Say no, then explain the strategic business reasons why. Vivid explanation must accompany ruthless prioritization. This takes us back to the importance of communication. Failing to deliver on too many yeses can doom a CIO. But saying no (or, with good ideas that rank as lower priorities for the time being, not yet) will disappoint, too. That can sour a business unit or administrative functions relationship with IT. At its worst, it can lead to rogue installations that bring security risks and maintenance nightmares.Related:The way a CIO avoids this is, yet again, by evangelizing the IT organizations alignment with the companys overall strategic goals. That means being firm and factual about where a rejected or waitlisted project sits on the long roster of prospective projects -- and why the ones above it are more important to the businesss success.It may mean describing the need to engage external partners or bring in outside resources. It certainly means explaining that each new system or API represents a long-term commitment of money and attention. And it could even mean reminding people that trying to deliver for everyone runs the real risk of delivering for no one.Failure to deliver due to impaired strategic vision, compounded by poor communication, is bad for the business and everyone involved. By constantly communicating, ruthlessly prioritizing, and focusing on projects that make the most strategic sense for the business, CIOs can make the right moves for their companies and help ensure that, when they do depart, they do so on their own terms.About the AuthorMatthew JamisonPrincipal, The Gunter Group Matthew Jamison is a principal at The Gunter Group, a management consultancy based in Portland, Ore. The former IT solutions architect helps CIOs and technology leaders align their efforts with enterprise strategy with a results-oriented understanding of the intersection between reality and architectural theory. With over 20 years of functional information technology experience, Matt is an expert in mapping technology solutions to business needs, with experience that spans multiple industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, and security and software.See more from Matthew JamisonWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like