If youre in the market for a new Mac (or Apple display), theres a lot of choice ahead of you. Maybe youre interested in a lightweight MacBook Air from the selection of the best MacBooks or maybe one of the desktop Macs. Either way, theres a wide variety of Apple products on offer, including some external desktop monitors.Below youll find the latest information on each model, including if its a good time to buy and when the next one up is coming.Recommended VideosChris Hagan / Digital TrendsThe MacBook Pro represents the high-end of Apples MacBook lineup, and it was updated it in October 2024. This revamp brought the M4 chip series to the flagship laptop, including the M4, the M4 Pro, and the M4 Max.RelatedHowever, it was much more than just a chip update, as Apple increased the memory capacity at every level (including double the starting RAM of the previous MacBook Pro). Theres a black color option for the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro, a brighter display with a nano-texture option, an improved webcam, more ports with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, plus longer battery life. And lets not forget the mini-LED display that can range up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 of SDR brightness.Given the recent update, we wouldnt expect a new MacBook Pro until at least fall 2025, which would fit in with Apples rumored plans to update this laptop on a regular, annual basis. This new model is likely to be a modest upgrade, with a much larger refresh rumored for 2026. This could get an OLED display and a thinner chassis, while Apple also is expected to bring out a foldable MacBook at some point in the coming years.Luke Larsen / Digital TrendsApples slimmest laptop received its most recent changes in March 2024 when Apple launched the M3 MacBook Air. The M3 chip brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing and better performance compared to the previous MacBook Air, as well as better microphones and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Thats wrapped up in Apples thinnest and lightest laptop chassis, along with a 500-nit display and comfortable keyboard.The MacBook Air is the next Mac in line for an update, with a new version expected to launch in spring 2025. While we can be certain that this will come with the M4 chip, theres not a lot else we know for sure about it. There are murmurings that Apple is working on an OLED MacBook Air, but this isnt due to launch for a few years.Chris Hagan / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, Apple gave the Mac mini its most significant overhaul in 14 years. The devices case was completely redesigned to take on the appearance of a downsized Mac Studio, with a footprint about half the size of the previous model. Apple skipped the M3 chip entirely and upgraded the Mac mini from the M2 to the M4 and M4 Pro chips, which has resulted in an impressive performance leap. Elsewhere, the memory capacity has been increased at every tier, theres support for up to three external displays, theres a new port arrangement that features Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro model, and you get two USB-C ports on the front of the computer (the USB-A ports have been removed).Apple wont bring out another Mac mini until fall 2025 at the earliest. Theres not much in the way of rumors for future Mac mini models, but well update this page as soon as we hear more.Caleb Denison / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, the iMac became the first Apple computer to get the M4 chip (following the iPad Pro in May 2024). Aside from the speedy new chip, you can now buy it in a new range of colors, with increased memory bandwidth, more starting memory, an improved webcam, as well as Apples nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare (this was previously only available on the Pro Display XDR and the iPad Pro).As with several other M4 Macs, the iMacs next update is likely to arrive around fall 2025. There is talk that Apple is working on a larger iMac, perhaps with a 30-inch or 32-inch display and mini-LED tech, and this might debut alongside the next iMac in 2025. That said, this project has reportedly been delayed many times, so dont bet the house on it arriving any time soon.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe latest update to the Mac Studio arrived in June 2023. Today, it comes with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, huge amounts of memory, wide support for its external displays, as well as compatibility with high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its a highly capable computer inside a very compact chassis, making it ideal for high-end workloads even if you dont have a lot of desk space.Apple has skipped the M3 generation in the Mac Studio, so its next update should bring the M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips alongside a significant increase in performance. Reports have suggested that the M4 Ultra will have 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, double the core counts you can find in the MacBook Pros M4 Max chip.Brittany Hose-Small / AFP via Getty ImagesLike the Mac Studio, the Mac Pro received its most recent update in June 2023. This was a sizable change for Apples most powerful Mac, as it was the first time it came outfitted with Apple silicon chips (in this case, the M2 Ultra). Buying this model today gets you the most modular (and expensive) Mac on the market, including support for PCIe expansion, huge amounts of memory, massive support for external displays, and high-end CPU and GPU performance.Looking ahead, the M4 Ultra is a certainty, and this is expected to arrive in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. There are rumors that this might result in the Mac Pro getting a maximum memory capacity of 512GB, up from the current 192GB.Theres also the question of the Mac Pros design. The current chassis was designed for the 2019 model, which featured Intel chips that ran hot, as well as expandable, discrete graphics cards. Thats no longer the case, and its arguable that the Mac Pro doesnt need to be as large or as focused on cooling as it currently is now that it uses Apple silicon chips. There arent many rumors that Apple will soon redesign the Mac Pros chassis, so dont expect that to come next year, but dont be surprised if its somewhere on the horizon.AppleThe 27-inch Studio Display is Apples more accessible monitor (at least compared to the Pro Display XDR, anyway). It comes with a 5K resolution and 600 nits of brightness, an internal A13 Bionic chip that handles Center Stage and Spatial Audio, a nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare, one Thunderbolt 3 slot and three USB-C ports, plus two different stand options.Theres a bit of confusion surrounding the date we can expect a new version of the Studio Display. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we could see it in 2025 or 2024 (the latter date being very unlikely now), whereas display industry expert Ross Young thinks Apple has suspended its plans for a Studio Display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Aside from that, not much else is known about what we might see in the next Studio Display.Julian Chokkattu / Digital TrendsWe first saw the Pro Display XDR in 2019, when it launched alongside the then-redesigned Mac Pro. Its Apples most capable monitor, and it comes with a 32-inch 6K screen, up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness (for HDR content only), 576 local dimming zones, a nano-texture glass option, one Thunderbolt 3 and three USB-C ports, and two stand options.Out of all the products in this article, the Pro Display XDR has gone the longest without an update, as it hasnt been changed since it launched in 2019. Seeing as it was released in tandem with the Mac Pro, wed expect the same to happen this time around, and with the Mac Pro slated for a 2025 refresh, the Pro Display XDR might be updated at the same time. Rumors have suggested that it will get an onboard chip just like the Studio Display, which should bring a few more software features to the table. Other than that, not much else is known at this point.Editors Recommendations

Todays viewers have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a streaming platform. Whether youre in the market for new exclusive shows, access to live TV, or a library that has your comfort shows available, you no longer have to compromise. Of course, with so many excellent options available, narrowing things down to just one streaming provider can be a difficult task.If youve managed to narrow it down to Disney+ or Hulu, weve got all the details you need to make an informed choice. Both of these services are super popular and deliver a wide VOD library, along with excellent exclusive programs you can only get from them. Disney+ has access to all things Marvel, and Star Wars, along with all the movies from the Disney vault. Alternatively, Hulu has focused more on beefing up the TV programs in their VOD library and has released amazing original shows like Only Murders in the Building.Recommended VideosSo which one is right for you Disney+ or Hulu? We can help.RelatedA streaming service can have a gigantic library, but if it doesnt have the shows youwant to watch, then its not the right service for you, is it? That means the first challenge is figuring out whether Hulu or Disney+ has more content that you want to watch.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsHulus library puts a significant emphasis on TV, meaning youll be able to find tons of great shows from familiar favorites, to new exclusives. Networks and cable channels like NBC, FOX, ABC, and others put new episodes of many of their shows on Hulu the day after they air. Hulu has also been making big gains in original content, thanks to critically acclaimed projects likeThe Handmaids Tale,Shogun, andThe Bear.Alternatively, Disney+ is the streaming home of all things Disney. This includes the likes of Star Wars, National Geographic, Pixar, and Marvel, along with the vault of movies from Disney itself. Its the best place for new Disney movies, along with exclusive shows like Agatha All Along, andStar Wars: Ahsoka. If you have kids, there is also a wealth of kid-friendly content here, including favorites from years ago.Its also worth remembering that Disney owns both Hulu and Disney+, which means your best option is to bundle these services together and get access to everything at once. In fact, if you do this youll be able to access Hulu content on Disney+, making it easy to install just one app and access twice the content. Bundling Hulu with Disney+ is also the best way to access Hulu + Live TV and ensure you never miss an episode of your favorite programs.Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsDisney+s pricing structure is pretty easy if youre only interested in one service. It costs $16 a month, or $160 a year to stream without ads. If ads dont bug you, you can snag the service for just $10 a month.Hulu is a little bit trickier, but only because they have more options. Their ad-supported tier is $10 a month, or $100 per year, while the ad-free tier will run you $19 each month. However, its worth remembering that there are still a few programs that will run ads before or after programs, even if youre on the ad-free plan. There is also Hulu + Live TV. If you dont care about streaming anything from the VOD library at all, you can snag Hulu + Live TV for $82 per month. If you want Hulus VOD library and live streaming, thats where the bundles comes in.Hulu is now fully owned by Disney, which means there are all kinds of sweet deals for bundling the two services together. A bundle is also the only way to get Hulu + Live TV and access to the VOD library.DisneyWhether you bundle the services through Hulu or Disney+ is definitely dependent on what you actually want. If you definitely want Hulu + Live TV, then youll need to bundle on the Hulu side of things. You can get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ (with ads) and ESPN+(with ads) for $83 each month. You can remove ads on just Disney+ for $88 per month, or on Disney+ and Hulu for $96 per month.If Hulu + Live TV isnt a priority for you, then youll want to bundle through Disney+. The Disney Duo Basic Bundle will run you $11 per month, and gets you access to the ad-supported tier of both Hulu and Disney. For $20 per month, you can bundle the two services without ads on the Disney Duo Premium Bundle. Disney also offers several bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, as well as bundle options that include the Max streaming service (formerly HBO Max). Its all about knowing what you want, and picking the bundle that works best for you.While picking one service or the other might be hard, we suggest bundling Disney+ and Hulu. If you opt for the ad-free tier of the Disney Duo Bundle, youre only paying an additional $1 each month for a second streaming service. If you dont want to deal with ads then its only $4 more each month to access the entire VOD libraries of both Hulu and Disney+. As far as deals go, they dont get much better than that. Its also worth noting that the Disney Duo Premium Bundle is the only plan from Disney+ that didnt go up in October.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsWeve got good news when it comes to supported devices. If you have a phone, tablet, computer, streaming box, or video game console, you should be able to watch both Hulu and Disney+ without any issues. Both services are very popular, which means theyre supported by almost every video-streaming device. Its worth checking each services compatibility list before signing up (Hulus is here, and Disney+s is here), but unless your hardware is extremely old or significantly outdated, you should be good to go.Screenshot Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsBoth Disney+ and Hulu look great, and are fairly intuitive to use. They both use categories, with tiles for each program, making it easy to scroll through the options when youre looking for something to watch. Youll find featured shows and movies at the top of the screen, and filtering by category is a breeze. Both providers also have hubs for specific content, to try and make it easier to find the shows you want to watch. However, with both streamers, you can also expect to find obscure treasures if you go scrolling through the entire library.When it comes to accessibility, both streamers are about even. They both have limited compatibility with screen readers, audio description tracks, and access to subtitles. While Hulu hasnt rolled out subtitles across the board, Disney+ has put an emphasis on delivering subtitles on as many programs as possible. You can find details on which accessibility features are compatible with Hulu on its website, and with Disney+ on its website.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsDisney+ and Hulu both have access to 4K Ultra HD resolution programming. The caveat here, is that youll need a TV or streaming box capable of displaying in 4K. On Hulu, 4K is mostly limited to their Hulu Originals, but it can be spotted by the 4K badge on shows and movies. Disney+, on the other hand, offers 4K Ultra HD with HDR on a bunch of content including some older movies, like the original Star Wars trilogy. In both cases, youll be able to see the video quality of any program on its associated tile.As for audio quality, Hulu has limited stereo sound for the vast majority of its content, although the same shows are available in 5.1 surround sound elsewhere. Disney+ takes the win again with a growing library of content in 5.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and, on certain devices, IMAX Enhanced sound with DTS:X. Once again, its dependent entirely on the program youre looking at, and youll be able to see the audio quality in the program tile.Disney hasnt made picking between Hulu and Disney+ an easy proposition. Both of these streaming platforms are super popular, available for a similar price, and have great libraries to go scrolling through. Disney+ has access to all things Disney, plus blockbuster movies like Marvel, and exclusive new shows in the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile Hulu has all the great TV you might be missing from cutting the cord, from old favorites to new exclusive like The Bear. Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsWhile choosing between the two might be difficult, its ultimately unnecessary. With a bundle you can snag access to both Disney+ and Hulu for just $20. Thats only $4 more per month than the ad-free tier of Disney+ alone, and its well worth the small bump in price. Whichever way you decide to go, theres plenty here to watch.Editors Recommendations

The prediction-market startup accused the Biden administration of retaliation for calling the election for Donald Trump.

The worlds richest man has been pushing for allies to get roles in new administration.

Inching toward usefulness IBM boosts the amount of computation you can get done on quantum hardware Incremental improvements across the hardware and software stacks add up. John Timmer Nov 13, 2024 5:42 pm | 5 Credit: IBM Credit: IBM Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThere's a general consensus that we won't be able to consistently perform sophisticated quantum calculations without the development of error-corrected quantum computing, which is unlikely to arrive until the end of the decade. It's still an open question, however, whether we could perform limited but useful calculations at an earlier point. IBM is one of the companies that's betting the answer is yes, and on Wednesday, it announced a series of developments aimed at making that possible.On their own, none of the changes being announced are revolutionary. But collectively, changes across the hardware and software stacks have produced much more efficient and less error-prone operations. The net result is a system that supports the most complicated calculations yet on IBM's hardware, leaving the company optimistic that its users will find some calculations where quantum hardware provides an advantage.Better hardware and softwareIBM's early efforts in the quantum computing space saw it ramp up the qubit count rapidly, being one of the first companies to reach the 1,000 qubit count. However, each of those qubits had an error rate that ensured that any algorithms that tried to use all of these qubits in a single calculation would inevitably trigger one. Since then, the company's focus has been on improving the performance of smaller processors. Wednesday's announcement was based on the introduction of the second version of its Heron processor, which has 133 qubits. That's still beyond the capability of simulations on classical computers, should it be able to operate with sufficiently low errors.IBM VP Jay Gambetta told Ars that Revision 2 of Heron focused on getting rid of what are called TLS (two-level system) errors. "If you see this sort of defect, which can be a dipole or just some electronic structure that is caught on the surface, that is what we believe is limiting the coherence of our devices," Gambetta said. This happens because the defects can resonate at a frequency that interacts with a nearby qubit, causing the qubit to drop out of the quantum state needed to participate in calculations (called a loss of coherence).By making small adjustments to the frequency that the qubits are operating at, it's possible to avoid these problems. This can be done when the Heron chip is being calibrated before it's opened for general use.Separately, the company has done a rewrite of the software that controls the system during operations. "After learning from the community, seeing how to run larger circuits, [we were able to] almost better define what it should be and rewrite the whole stack towards that," Gambetta said. The result is a dramatic speed-up. "Something that took 122 hours now is down to a couple of hours," he told Ars.Since people are paying for time on this hardware, that's good for customers now. However, it could also pay off in the longer run, as some errors can occur randomly, so less time spent on a calculation can mean fewer errors.Deeper computationsDespite all those improvements, errors are still likely during any significant calculations. While it continues to work toward developing error-corrected qubits, IBM is focusing on what it calls error mitigation, which it first detailed last year. As we described it then:"The researchers turned to a method where they intentionally amplified and then measured the processor's noise at different levels. These measurements are used to estimate a function that produces similar output to the actual measurements. That function can then have its noise set to zero to produce an estimate of what the processor would do without any noise at all."The problem here is that using the function is computationally difficult, and the difficulty increases with the qubit count. So, while it's still easier to do error mitigation calculations than simulate the quantum computer's behavior on the same hardware, there's still the risk of it becoming computationally intractable. But IBM has also taken the time to optimize that, too. "They've got algorithmic improvements, and the method that uses tensor methods [now] uses the GPU," Gambetta told Ars. "So I think it's a combination of both."That doesn't mean the computational challenge of error mitigation goes away, but it does allow the method to be used with somewhat larger quantum circuits before things become unworkable.Combining all these techniques, IBM has used this setup to model a simple quantum system called an Ising model. And it produced reasonable results after performing 5,000 individual quantum operations called gates. "I think the official metric is something like if you want to estimate an observable with 10 percent accuracy, we've shown that we can get all the techniques working to 5,000 gates now," Gambetta told Ars.That's good enough that researchers are starting to use the hardware to simulate the electronic structure of some simple chemicals, such as iron-sulfur compounds. And Gambetta viewed that as an indication that quantum computing is becoming a viable scientific tool.But he was quick to say that this doesn't mean we're at the point where quantum computers can clearly and consistently outperform classical hardware. "The question of advantagewhich is when is the method of running it with quantum circuits is the best method, over all possible classical methodsis a very hard scientific question that we need to get algorithmic researchers and domain experts to answer," Gambetta said. "When quantum's going to replace classical, you've got to beat the best possible classical method with the quantum method, and that [needs] an iteration in science. You try a different quantum method, [then] you advance the classical method. And we're not there yet. I think that will happen in the next couple of years, but that's an iterative process."John TimmerSenior Science EditorJohn TimmerSenior Science Editor John is Ars Technica's science editor. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. When physically separated from his keyboard, he tends to seek out a bicycle, or a scenic location for communing with his hiking boots. 5 Comments Prev story

Farewell, Freevee Amazon ends free ad-supported streaming service after Prime Video with ads debuts Selling subscriptions to Prime Video with ads is more lucrative for Amazon. Scharon Harding Nov 13, 2024 3:56 pm | 15 A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAmazon is shutting down Freevee, its free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, as it heightens focus on selling ads on its Prime Video subscription service.Amazon, which has owned IMDb since 1998, launched Freevee as IMDb Freedive in 2019. The service let people watch movies and shows, including Freevee originals, on demand without a subscription fee. Amazon's streaming offering was also previously known as IMDb TV and rebranded to Amazon Freevee in 2022.According to a report from Deadline this week, Freevee is being phased out over the coming weeks, but a firm closing date hasnt been shared publicly.Explaining the move to Deadline, an Amazon spokesperson said:To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding. There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels all available on Prime Video.The shutdown also means that producers can no longer pitch shows to Freevee as Freevee originals, and any pending deals for such projects have been cancelled, Deadline reported.Freevee shows still available for freeFreevee original shows include Jury Duty, with James Marsden, Judy Justice, with Judge Judy Sheindlin, and Bosch:Legacy, a continuation of the Prime Video original series Bosch. The Freevee originals are expected to be available to watch on Prime Video after Freevee closes. People won't need a Prime Video or Prime subscription in order to watch these shows. As of this writing, I was also able to play some Freevee original movies without logging in to a Prime Video or Prime account. Prime Video has also made some Prime Video originals, like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, available under a Freevee section in Prime Video where people can watch for free if they log in to an Amazon (Prime Video or Prime subscriptions not required) account. Before this week's announcement, Prime Video and Freevee were already sharing some content.Bloomberg reported this week that some Freevee shows will remain free to watch due to contractual prohibitions. Its unclear what might happen to such Freevee original content after said contractual obligations conclude.Freevee became redundant, confusingAmazon's FAST service seemed redundant after Amazon launched the Prime Video ad tier in January. With the subscription tier making money from subscription fees and ads shown on Prime Video with ads, it made little sense for Amazon to continue with Freevee, which only has the latter revenue stream.Pushing people from streaming off of Freevee to Prime Video could help Amazon attract people to Prime Video or Amazon's e-commerce site and simplify tracking what people are streaming. Meanwhile, Amazon plans to show more ads on Prime Video in 2025 than it did this year.Two anonymous sources told advertising trade publication Adweek in February that the two services were confusing subscribers and ad buyers. At the time, the publication claimed that Amazon was laying the groundwork" to kill Freevee "for months. It cited two anonymous people familiar with the matter who pointed to moves like Amazon shifting Freevee technical workers to working on the Prime Video ads infrastructure and Amazon laying off Freevee marketing and strategy employees. In February, Amazon denied that it was ending Freevee, saying it was "an important streaming offering providing both Prime and non-Prime customers thousands of hit movies, shows, and originals, all for free, per Adweek.Freevees demise comes as streaming providers try navigating a booming market where profits remain elusive and ad businesses are still developing. Some industry stakeholders and analysts are expecting more consolidation in the streaming industry as competition intensifies and streamers get increasingly picky about constantly rising subscription fees.The end of Freevee also marks another product in the Amazon graveyard. Other products that Amazon has killed since 2023 includeAstro for Business robots, Amazon Halo fitness trackers, theAlexa Built-in smartphone app, and the Amazon Drive file storage service.Scharon HardingSenior Product ReviewerScharon HardingSenior Product Reviewer Scharon is Ars Technicas Senior Product Reviewer writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer technology, including laptops, mechanical keyboards, and monitors. Shes based in Brooklyn. 15 Comments Prev story

Hiren Hasmukh, CEO of TeqtivityNovember 13, 20244 Min ReadKanawatTH via Alamy StockEvery week, I meet CIOs who tell me the same story: Environmental sustainability has moved from their wish list to their priority list. Regulatory pressures demand they track carbon emissions. Boards expect detailed reports on energy usage. Customers scrutinize their sustainability practices. This puts leaders in a tough position -- in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, we must continue to keep up with advancing technology. But how do we stay sustainable in doing so?The New Reality of Sustainable TechnologyGreen technology isn't just about reducing environmental impact -- it's about rethinking how we deliver IT services. Instead of asking ourselves how to save energy, we must ask ourselves larger questions. How can sustainable IT drive innovation? How can it create a competitive advantage? The challenge isn't whether to act, but how to begin.The Value of Green ITMany executives believe that green IT is only about saving money. However, cost savings are only one aspect of sustainable technological practices. Let's break down the real business impact:Immediate cost reduction. Energy costs typically represent 40-60% of a data center's operating expenses. Organizations implementing efficient power management often see utility bills drop within the first quarter. But that's just the beginning.Related:Extended asset value. Smart lifecycle asset management reduces e-waste and impacts the balance sheet. When organizations move from reactive to proactive maintenance, they often discover their technology investments can deliver value for years longer than expected.Risk mitigation. With environmental regulations tightening globally, companies investing in sustainable technology are now better positioned to avoid future penalties and compliance costs.Competitive advantage. The Business of Sustainability study reported 78% of consumers want to buy from environmentally friendly organizations. Companies that commit to strong environmental practices will attract both more clients and talent.Moving from Vision to ActionThe business case for sustainable technology is clear. Here are a few ways your team can get started with building a more sustainable IT infrastructure:Start with data center efficiency: Heres a startling fact: Research shows that almost a third of data center servers are considered zombies --meaning they consume power while serving no purpose. Why does that happen? Poor documentation means nobody knows what to turn off. IT teams should implement automated tracking systems to map every asset's purpose and usage. An automated process will help further eliminate these zombies and optimize remaining systems.Embrace the cloud strategically: Major cloud providers have invested billions in renewable energy and efficient data centers, making them an attractive option for sustainable IT. However, using cloud solutions requires strategy. Teams should map their workloads carefully -- some applications deliver better environmental and business outcomes on-premises or in hybrid environments.Rethink device lifecycles: Many organizations default to replacing devices every three years, regardless of whether they need to or not. Companies can significantly extend the lifecycles of their devices through proactive maintenance and matching device capabilities to user requirements. This reduces e-waste while delivering substantial cost savings.Related:Building a Culture of SustainabilityOrganizations should also create a culture that embraces these practices wholeheartedly. Here's what works:Start with why: Help employees understand the environmental impact of technology choices. When teams understand how their daily decisions within the company affect the environment, they become partners in the solution.Related:Make it measurable: Set achievable energy reduction and sustainable practices goals. Track and share progress regularly. What gets measured gets managed.Celebrate progress: Recognize teams and individuals who champion sustainable practices. Success stories inspire others and build momentum for broader changes.The Path ForwardAs technology leaders, we stand at a crucial intersection. The decisions we make today about our IT infrastructure will impact our planet for years to come.Most importantly, our teams are ready for change. Theyre looking to us for leadership on sustainability. Every day we wait is a missed opportunity to drive value, reduce costs, and make a meaningful environmental impact.The question isn't whether to embrace sustainable technology -- it's how quickly we can make it happen. The tools exist. The business case is clear. The time for CIOs to lead this charge is now.About the AuthorHiren HasmukhCEO of TeqtivityHiren Hasmukh is the CEO and founder of Teqtivity, a leading IT Asset Management solutions provider. With over two decades of experience in the technology sector, Hiren has been at the forefront of developing innovative ITAM strategies for businesses navigating the complexities of digital transformation. Under his leadership, Teqtivity has evolved from a smart locker concept to a comprehensive ITAM solution serving companies of all sizes.See more from Hiren HasmukhNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Measuring the massive coralInigo San Felix/National Geographic SocietyIn the south-west Pacific, off the coast of one of the tropical Solomon Islands, a giant structure beneath the waters surface has just been identified as the worlds largest known coral.Visiting the remote site in mid-October, a team of scientists and film-makers from National Geographic thought the object was so large, it must be the remains of a shipwreck.But when underwater cinematographer Manu San Flix jumped into the water to take a closer look, he was astonished by what he saw.AdvertisementI remember perfectly just jumping and looking down, and I was surprised, he told reporters during a briefing. Instead of a shipwreck, San Flix had stumbled upon the largest coral ever discovered. It is enormous, he said. The size is close to the size of a cathedral.The coral, which lies a few hundred metres off the eastern coast of Malaulalo Island, has been identified as the species Pavona clavus. It measures 34 metres wide by 32 metres long, making it larger than a blue whale, and is thought to be 300 years old. A monthly celebration of the biodiversity of our planets animals, plants and other organisms.Sign up to newsletterThe discovery was a happy accident, says Enric Sala of National Geographics Pristine Seas project, whichaims to inspire governments to protect ocean ecosystems through exploration andresearch. It is by far the largest single coral colony ever discovered, easily beating the previous record holder a giant Porites colony found in American Samoa in 2019, which was 22.4 metres in diameter and 8 metres in height.Over the past two years, record-breaking ocean temperatures have triggered a wave of coral bleaching events across the world. But while other reefs around the Solomon Islands are showing signs of bleaching, Sala says the huge P. clavus coral is looking healthy. It is a vital habitat for ocean life, he says, providing shelter and food for fish, shrimp, worms and crabs. Its like a big patch of old growth forest.But the coral isnt immune from ecological threats, from local pollution and overfishing to global climate change. Sala says he would like to see more marine protected areas (MPAs) established to shield marine life from local pollution, alongside global action to tackle climate change. Protecting the reef cannot make the water cooler, cannot prevent the warming of the ocean, he says. We need to fix that, we need to reduce carbon emissions. But MPAs can help us buy time by making the reefs more resilient.Topics:

Air pollution is hard to avoid, particularly for city dwellersRon Adar/AlamyAir pollution is increasingly being linked to a raised risk of eczema, with the latest study showing a clear relationship between the exposure and the skin condition.Vehicles and power plants release pollutant particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, called PM2.5. These have previously been linked to a higher risk of eczema, which is thought to be the result of an over-active immune system causing inflammation that makes skin dry and itchy. AdvertisementTo gather more evidence, Jeffrey Cohen at the Yale School of Medicine and his colleagues analysed the medical records of more than 280,000 people, who were mostly in their 50s and took part in the All of Us Research Program. This collects health data from a diverse group of people in the US, with an emphasis on those who are usually underrepresented in research, such as ethnic minorities.The researchers also looked at average PM2.5 levels where these people lived, using data collected in 2015 by the Centre for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions in Virginia.They then compared PM2.5 levels in 788 locations across the US against eczema cases, which were diagnosed up until mid-2022. They found that for every 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5, eczema rates more than doubled. In more polluted areas of the country, there was more eczema, says Cohen. Get the most essential health and fitness news in your inbox every Saturday.Sign up to newsletterThe team accounted for factors that could affect the results, such as ethnicity and whether people smoked or had food allergies.The study brings forward the science by nicely showing a clear correlation in a large population, says Giuseppe Valacchi at North Carolina State University. PM2.5 may trigger the immune system to cause inflammation when it comes into contact with skin, like pollen or dust mites can, says Valacchi. Inhaling it may also play a role, as this can ramp up inflammation around the body, he says.This research should give governments another reason to enforce policies that reduce air pollution, says Cohen. Meanwhile, people living in polluted areas can reduce their risk by wearing long sleeves or staying indoors when pollution levels are particularly high, says Valacchi.Journal reference:PLoS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310498 Topics:

Trump said on Wednesday that he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as US Attorney General.But there's reason to believe his confirmation will be difficult.Gaetz spearheaded the ouster of Kevin McCarthy and faces an ongoing ethics probe. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he would nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as United States Attorney General.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Gaetz would "root out the systemic corruption" at the Department of Justice.Gaetz quickly replied on X: "It will be an honor to serve as President Trump's Attorney General!"Hours after the announcement, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that Gaetz had already resigned from Congress."I think out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter, effective immediately, of Congress. That caught us by surprise a little bit," Johnson said, adding that by resigning now Congress may be able to fill Gaetz's seat by January 3.A spokesperson for Gaetz did not respond to a request for comment.The Attorney General is the country's top law enforcement official overseeing the Department of Justice and serving as a key legal advisor to the president.Gaetz's appointment will have to be confirmed by the US Senate, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it will be controversial.In more recent times, Gaetz has drawn backlash from fellow Republicans over his role in spearheading the ousting of Kevin McCarthy from the speakership last year, which led to weeks of chaos in the lower chamber.He is also likely to face renewed questions over sex-trafficking allegations, which arose after the Department of Justice opened an investigation into Gaetz in April 2021. Though the agency ultimately decline to pursue charges, the Florida congressman has continued to face a probe from the House Ethics Committee.A staunch Trump loyalist, Gaetz has been a relatively unusual figure in Washington.He's expressed admiration for Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, telling NOTUS earlier this year that he hopes "her work continues in the Trump administration." He also supports banning lawmakers from trading stocks and has touted his agreement with Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the issue.