Eclectic?One of last year's worst games, and one of the best games of the last five years are your PlayStation Plus games for JanuarySony is kicking off the new year with something of a bang, having just revealed the line-up of games PlayStation Plus members will be getting this month.Image credit: Warner Bros. Games News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Jan. 2, 2025 Welcome to January, 2025, folks. As the new year begins, so too do the monthly updates from Sony about the line-up of games coming to PlayStation Plus various tiers. Weve got the first one of those in 2025, with three core games that are (mostly) quite good.All games will be available starting Tuesday, January 7 for Premium, Extra, and Essential. You have until January 6 to claim Decembers lot.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The January PS Plus line-up consists of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered. Suicide Squad is the highest-profile of the lot, of course, having now ended up on the service less than one month after its release.Paying Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League in February to kick off last year was, by most accounts, a terrible way to begin 2024. Its a little puzzling why Sony believes doing so to kick off 2025 is a good idea, but there you have it. As a current-gen-only release, Suicide Squad is only available on PS5.Things could only get better from there, and boy do they. The excellent, narratively brilliant adventure The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is yours to play on PS4 and/or PS5. Ultra Deluxe is part sequel, part remake, part exercise in creative frustration. It was one of 2022s best games, and is certainly the best one in this line-up.Finally, for something a little more casual and a lot less intellectually stimulating, we have the PS4 version of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (also playable on PS5) to chill out with after surviving the emotional roller coaster the two other games provide. This is a remaster of the 2010 Criterion Games Hot Pursuit, not the 1998 classic. Its a Criterion racing game, so you can count on satisfying arcady car handling, an immense sense of speed, varied activities to get stuck in, and a killer soundtrack.

Cyrodiil You SoonSkyblivion, the huge Oblivion remake mod in Skyrim's engine, is now in its release year and its devs only have one region of Cyrodiil left to completeBy Azura, things currently still look on track to let you hop into the massive mod's Imperial province by the end of 2025.Image credit: The Skyblivion Team News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 2, 2025 Skyblivion, the massive modding project thats remaking The Elder Scrolls IV in Skyrims engine, is now in its currently scheduled release year - 2025.Nice one, right? The modders behind the projecty certainly think so, having released a fresh progress update/roadmap video right as the calendar flipped into the new year.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In this video, the team confirms that as of right now, the mod's still on track to meet the 2025 release target it's had for a good while now. There's still no month or exact date penned in as of yet, but given the fun massive mod Fallout: London had releasing last year (with multiple delays that weren't strictly the fault of its devs), you can understand the Skyblivion lot not wanting to fully commit to a specific date at this juncture. So, where are things at with the project. Well, when it comes to the mod's "largest undertaking", there's only one bit left to finish. "We're finalising the world map, with only the Nibenay region on Cyrodiil's Eastern border to left to complete", says the video's narrator, adding: "Despite Oblivion's map being nearly 1/3 larger than Skyrim's, we've worked to make sure the entire map is bespoke, with handmade details thoughout."Watch on YouTubeWhile eight of the nine regions of the mod's map have been fully landscaped, the team is still working on the likes of navmeshing for these areas, with the video going through the progress on each and outlining some spots the devs have put work in to make extra special, such as exampanding Cloud Ruler Temple.Skyblivion's devs are also still busy with plenty of interiors, and is "prioritising quest locations which require more time and concepting compared to generic interiors" at the moment. They've also completed three realms of Oblivion you'll be able to visit, with the video stating "if time permits, we will add more, to diversify the list of random realms the player may enter when closing an Oblivion gate."I don't know about you, but that sounds like something with plenty of potential for fun hijinks. Finally, there are only six quests the team has yet to start work on, so that bit's coming together nicely too. Plus, the team also alluded to adding DLCs - such as the Shivering isles - stating that it'll look into how this might be handled once the main mod is out.As ever, Skyblivion's modders are still looking for fresh volunteers with relevant skills to help out with the project, and you can head here if interested.How do you think Skyblivion looks in this latest update? Let us know below and make sure to check out our coverage of previous Skyblivion showcases!

Switch UpNintendo patent hints towards a brilliant Switch 2 feature that should make games look, and perform, betterThe wonderful world of legal patents may be pointing to a cool Switch 2 feature.Image credit: VG247/Nintendo News by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Jan. 2, 2025 A US legal patent, filed by Nintendo in July 2023 and made public on December 31 2024, has revealed an interesting new feature that may be used in the Switch 2. The console, which has yet to be officially revealed while remaining a major mystery within the video game industry, could be able to play games at both a higher visual quality and with better performance if the patented tech is implemented.The patent is for "systems and methods for machine learned image conversions", which you may recognise as sounding similar in function to Nvidia's DLSS tech, and the likes of PlayStation's PSSR upscaling tech. This machine learning method allows hardware, in layman's terms, to fill the gaps in video game graphics. It can generate the visuals you see at higher resolutions, without necessarily needing the hardware such visuals would usually demand.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. This increase in visual quality also comes without the sacrifices in performance you'd usually expect. So, all in all, it's a handy bit of tech. Especially for the Switch 2 - which is widely believed to not be as powerful as modern competitor consoles from Microsoft and PlayStation - and could benefit greatly from being able to squeeze more out of the processing power it does have.The patent itself, which you can read here, is quite technical in its descriptions and illustrative diagrams. However, if you take the time to go through it, there are interesting tidbits sprinkled throughout. As accessibility consultant Laura Kate Dale points out on Bluesky, the patent states this tech could reduce the size of games, to better fit on "smaller capacity physical media". Laura correctly makes the connection to Switch carts, which currently have a max capacity of 32GB. machine learning image conversions may allow for "bigger" games to fit natively on smaller capacity physical hardware.This is not the first handy feature we know Nintendo is working with either, as it has previously confirmed that backwards compatability is coming to the console, which makes sense given the Switch's vast library of exclusive titles.All that's really left to do is an official reveal of the Switch 2 at some point. What else are you hoping the Switch 2 comes packed with? Any dream features? Let us know!

Chips ahoy.Well folks, part of us had hoped that 2025 would mark the end of leaks and rumours regarding the upcoming 'Switch 2', but apparently not. Ahead of Nintendo's expected announcement before the end of March, new images have appeared online that seem to reveal the successor's motherboard.Posted on Reddit by MHN1994 (who has since stated that they are not the original leaker and had actually found the images on Facebook), the post's legitimacy is certainly up for debate (though many have rightly pointed out the comparisons to a previous leak showcasing alleged prototype components of the Switch 2), but the internet has gone wild with speculation on what this means for the upcoming console regardless.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Hey all,I was working on this arcane style explosion and would love some feedback on it. Was just making this to test a specific niagara feature. But I think I might be able to clean this up and use it as a portfolio piece. 2 posts - 1 participant Read full topic

Arts/Industry artist-in-residence Shae Bishop in the Kohler Co. pottery. All photos courtesy of Kohler Co.Apply for the 2026 Arts/Industry Residency at the John Michael Kohler Arts CenterJanuary 2, 2025SponsorJohn Michael Kohler Arts CenterThe John Michael Kohler Arts Centers renowned Arts/Industry is accepting applications through February 28, 2025, for 12 residency openings in 2026.For 50 years, this prestigious program has hosted hundreds of artists from 25 countries. Arts/Industry provides the unique opportunity to explore new ideas, processes, and perspectives while creating work using the resources, technology, and materials of the Kohler Co. factory in Kohler, Wisconsin.Arts/Industry artists are given the time and space to pursue their creative process in studios located in Kohler Co.s industrial foundry and pottery. Artists-in-residence receive 24-hour access to studio space, industrial materials, use of equipment, technical assistance, photographic services, housing, round-trip transportation, and a modest weekly stipend.Experience working in metal or clay is not required. Arts/Industry welcomes artists from all disciplines who are curious about how industrial processes and environments can shape their work. Artists-in-residence have access to cutting-edge facilities and technologies that can expand the boundaries of their practice.Four artists are in residence at a time, two in the Kohler Co. pottery and two in the foundry. Residents are expected to commit to a full three-month residency period. The emphasis of the residency is on artists using new materials and processes in a hands-on way while building relationships with the skilled craftspeople who work for Kohler Co.Learn more about the program and watch alumni videos.To apply, visit jmkac.org/applications.Arts/Industry is a unique collaboration between the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Kohler Co. This residency program is administered by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and generously hosted and funded by Kohler Co.Next article

AlienCat - stock.adobe.comNewsGovernment boosts Horizon R&D campaignAs part of its Plan for Change, Labour is ramping up efforts to get more UK businesses to apply for Horizon fundingByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 02 Jan 2025 11:15 The government has started the new year by ramping up its support for Horizon, the European-wide research initiative.Horizon, which involves collaboration with European, Canadian and South Korean researchers, is aligned with Labours Plan for Change. The programme enables researchers and innovators from the UK to access grants to fund projects such as those to support healthcare and green energy, as well as boost productivity with artificial intelligence (AI).Everyone knew what a big job we had on our hands to restore the UKs place as the natural R&D partner to our neighbours, when we associated to Horizon a year ago, said science and technology secretary Peter Kyle. But the brilliance of our scientists and businesses was never in doubt, and the green shoots of recovery are breaking through.In 2025, it really is now or never to truly reap the benefits of Horizon association, he said. This year, we will pull every lever at our disposal to help Britains innovators seize the opportunities for funding and collaboration that are open to them.Only by backing our brightest minds to get their ideas out of the lab and into the economy will we be able to fulfil our mission of national renewal as part of our Plan for Change.The government plans to run Horizon Europe roadshows, which provide a platform for researchers and innovative businesses to present their ideas through the process of bidding for Horizon funding, gain support for their applications, and connect with likeminded innovators.There will also be Horizon Europe Brokerage events, where Innovate UK takes delegations of British businesspeople and researchers to Italy, Germany and Spain to network with potential R&D partners in those countries, and work on how to build the best possible bids for Horizon funding together.Read more about UK R&D initiativesGovernment renews hunt for UKRI CEO: Two senior innovation roles are up for grabs as government looks for a CEO to lead UK Research and Innovation, as well as a new executive chair of Innovate UK.Semiconductor market scaleups to benefit from multimillion-pound investment from Innovate UK: National innovation agency Innovate UK is offering 16 semiconductor scaleups access to millions of pounds of funding to support their continued growth.Along with the events, the government is ramping up marketing activity to encourage UK R&D-focused businesses to apply to the Horizon funding programme.Innovate UK will offer grants of up to 700 for UK innovators to help cover the cost of attending R&D events across Europe aimed at networking with potential Horizon research partners.Among the businesses that have already received funding is Recycleye, which has developed AI-powered robotics to lower the cost of waste-sorting. The company received a grant of 385,000, which is being used to hire more engineers.Horizon funding catalysed the refinement of our machines to meet the unpredictable industrial environment of recycling facilities, helping us as a British business be at the forefront of European waste management innovations, said Victor Dewulf, CEO of Recycleye.Potential applicants can find Horizon Europe funding opportunities, which are open to UK-based applicants using the European Commissions funding and tender opportunities portal. They can apply for Horizon Europe funding through the European Commissions funding and tenders portal.In The Current Issue:What do the home secretarys policing reforms mean for the future of the Police Digital Service?What are the security risks of bring your own AI?Download Current IssueMicrosoft Copilot: A Year of Learning Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsPrint Industry Trends, 2025 Quocirca InsightsView All Blogs

Let's talk USB-C chargers. Not the big, powerful GaN models that can power laptops and charge a multitude of devices simultaneously, but the sort of charger that someone might need for their smartphone or tablet. You know, the sort of thing that once might have been included with a new device, but is often now eliminated to increase profits.So let's take a look at a selection of the best USB-C chargers on the market for your smaller devices.What is the best USB-C charger right now?I've been testing chargers ranging from small USB-Cs up to large portable power stations for years. It's difficult to distill down a shortlist of the best USB-C chargers, but based on my previous testing, research, and user reviews, I've got a roundup of the best. My pick for the best USB-C charger overall is the Anker 313 45W USB-C charger, thanks to its great value and compact size. But if you're in the market for something more powerful, check out the rest of my picks for top USB-C chargers. Sort by All The best USB-C chargers of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon The Anker 313 is a charger that's about as good as they get. This compact 45W charger can output the full 45W to Samsung devices that support Super Fast Charging 2.0 (you will need a compatible 5A/100W E-Marked SUB-C-to-USB-C cable to pull this off).What's more, this charger is 30% smaller than other 45W chargers that don't feature fold-away prongs.This charger has over 5,000 ratings on Amazon and scores an excellent 4.8/5.0, which makes it an easy pick for the best USB-C charger overall.Anker 45W features:1x USB-C | 45W max output| Inputs: 110-240V Pros Great value Compact, with fold-away prongs Reliable Cons Less power than some of the other options available The Anker 313 is a charger that's about as good as they get. This compact 45W charger can output the full 45W to Samsung devices that support Super Fast Charging 2.0 (you will need a compatible 5A/100W E-Marked SUB-C-to-USB-C cable to pull this off).What's more, this charger is 30% smaller than other 45W chargers that don't feature fold-away prongs.This charger has over 5,000 ratings on Amazon and scores an excellent 4.8/5.0, which makes it an easy pick for the best USB-C charger overall.Anker 45W features:1x USB-C | 45W max output| Inputs: 110-240V Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon More power is always better, right? Not so when it comes to chargers. I've included this alongside the Anker 313 because, for most, a 45W is more than enough power. But those who might want to charge a laptop or other power-hungry device will benefit from the extra power offered with the 315 and see the larger size and higher cost as a worthwhile trade-off.If you need that extra power, this charger has it. It can charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro's battery from zero to 50% in 38 minutes.The reviews for this USB-C charger on Amazon are again excellent, with the charger scoring 4.8/5.0.Anker 315 67W features:1x USB-C | 67W max output| Inputs: 110-240V Pros Full 67W of power Fold-away prongs Cons Pricier than others Bulky if you don't need the extra power More power is always better, right? Not so when it comes to chargers. I've included this alongside the Anker 313 because, for most, a 45W is more than enough power. But those who might want to charge a laptop or other power-hungry device will benefit from the extra power offered with the 315 and see the larger size and higher cost as a worthwhile trade-off.If you need that extra power, this charger has it. It can charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro's battery from zero to 50% in 38 minutes.The reviews for this USB-C charger on Amazon are again excellent, with the charger scoring 4.8/5.0.Anker 315 67W features:1x USB-C | 67W max output| Inputs: 110-240V Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Need both USB-C and legacy USB-A? This Ugreen option is a great charger for you, combining the best of both worlds.If you use just the USB-C port, this charger can support a full 35W draw. If you connect two devices, the USB-A port supports up to 7.5W, while the USB-C port's capability drops to a maximum of 25W.The charger is nice and compact, featuring fold-away prongs. It's great for traveling or throwing into a bag for charging while away from the home or office.Ugreen is a premium hardware maker, and the reviews reflect this. Owners highlight how lightweight, durable, and powerful the charger is, and give it a 4.7/5.0.Ugreen Nexode 35W features:1x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 35W max output | Inputs: 100-240V Pros One legacy USB-A port Fold-away prongs Cons The value of USB-A is diminishing Need both USB-C and legacy USB-A? This Ugreen option is a great charger for you, combining the best of both worlds.If you use just the USB-C port, this charger can support a full 35W draw. If you connect two devices, the USB-A port supports up to 7.5W, while the USB-C port's capability drops to a maximum of 25W.The charger is nice and compact, featuring fold-away prongs. It's great for traveling or throwing into a bag for charging while away from the home or office.Ugreen is a premium hardware maker, and the reviews reflect this. Owners highlight how lightweight, durable, and powerful the charger is, and give it a 4.7/5.0.Ugreen Nexode 35W features:1x USB-C + 1x USB-A | 35W max output | Inputs: 100-240V Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Do you need a bunch of chargers for your home or office? Few people want to spend $30+ on a charger if they need to buy a lot of them, but what about spending $12 on four chargers and still getting a decent-quality unit?This is what you get with this CXX pack -- four cheap and cheerful chargers that are on par with what you'd expect from a charger shipped with a mid-tier or budget smartphone.I'm normally wary of cheap chargers, but these have passed all my safety tests, so I'm confident in recommending them. And don't take my word for it -- these scored a strong 4.6/5.0 on Amazon.CXX 20W features:1x USB-C + 1x USB-A| 20W max output | Inputs: 100-240V Pros Price works out at $3 per charger USB-C and USB-A Cons Prongs don't fold Power output drops considerably when using both ports Do you need a bunch of chargers for your home or office? Few people want to spend $30+ on a charger if they need to buy a lot of them, but what about spending $12 on four chargers and still getting a decent-quality unit?This is what you get with this CXX pack -- four cheap and cheerful chargers that are on par with what you'd expect from a charger shipped with a mid-tier or budget smartphone.I'm normally wary of cheap chargers, but these have passed all my safety tests, so I'm confident in recommending them. And don't take my word for it -- these scored a strong 4.6/5.0 on Amazon.CXX 20W features:1x USB-C + 1x USB-A| 20W max output | Inputs: 100-240V Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon There's an impression among the general public that Apple gear is expensive, and on the whole, that's not incorrect. But Apple makes what is probably the best-engineered 20W USB-C charger, and you can pick it up for only $15.Sure, it's only 20W, only has a single port, and the prongs don't fold away, but it's a fantastic charger that will last you years.And with over 218,000 reviews and a rating of 4.8/5.0, it's clear that it's a winner among users.Apple 20W features:1x USB-C | 20W max output | Inputs: 110-240V Pros Apple quality Simple and straightforward A charger that will last years Cons Single USB-C port Only 20W, so only suitable for smaller devices There's an impression among the general public that Apple gear is expensive, and on the whole, that's not incorrect. But Apple makes what is probably the best-engineered 20W USB-C charger, and you can pick it up for only $15.Sure, it's only 20W, only has a single port, and the prongs don't fold away, but it's a fantastic charger that will last you years.And with over 218,000 reviews and a rating of 4.8/5.0, it's clear that it's a winner among users.Apple 20W features:1x USB-C | 20W max output | Inputs: 110-240V Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best USB-C charger? The Anker 313 USB-C charger is my pick for the best USB-C charger overall. It's inexpensive, and the 45W output is enough for most people's needs. I like this one so much that I normally have a few with me to gift people who are in need of a charger for their smartphone or tablet.USB-C ChargerPricePortsMax PowerMax Single Port Power OutputMultiple Port Power OutputAmazon RatingAnker 313 45W$201x USB-C45W45WN/A4.8/5.0Anker 315 67W$251x USB-C67W67WN/A4.8/5.0Ugreen Nexode 35W$171x USA-C & 1x USB-A35W35WUSB-C: up to 25W | USB-A: up to 7.5W4.7/5.0CXX 20W (4-pack)$121x USA-C & 1x USB-20W20W15W max4.6/5.0Apple 20W$151x USB-C20W20N/A4.8/5.0 Show more Which is the right USB-C charger for you? Choose this[topic keyword]If you wantAnker 313 45WA decent all-round USB-C charger. This has enough power for smartphones and tablets.Anker 315 67WAnother great USB-C charger. This one has even more power at its disposal, and will even work for laptops.Ugreen Nexode 35WA charger that's also good for legacy devices. This one has both USB-C and USB-A ports for full flexibility.CXX 20W (4-pack)A bunch of cheap chargers at a decent price. These work out at $3 a unit and are perfect for smartphones and tablets.Apple 20WAn Apple-branded charger. This is a great charger, and you can pick it up for only $15. Show more Factors to consider when choosing the best USB-C charger There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a USB-C charger:Power output: The wattage of the charger determines how quickly it can charge your device. Higher wattage chargers can deliver more power and as such charge devices faster (but only as fast as the device can draw the power). Also, while lower-wattage chargers are perfect for smartphones and tablets, higher wattage chargers (60W and above) are needed for laptops.Ports: Consider how many devices you need to charge simultaneously. Some USB-C chargers come with multiple ports, including USB-A ports, which can be useful for charging older devices. Multi-port chargers can be handy and reduce the need for multiple chargers, but can add unnecessary bulk and cost if you don't need them.Build quality: Choose chargers from reputable brands, as these are going to adhere to safety standards. Poor-quality chargers can bring risks such as overheating, short-circuiting, and even causing fires. It's a good idea to look for certifications such as UL, ETL, CE, or FCC to ensure the charger meets safety regulations (but be aware that these can be fraudulently printed onto poor-quality chargers). Show more How did we choose these USB-C chargers? Every year I test dozens of chargers, both in the test lab and in real-world conditions, and there are certain things I look for in a charger if it is to make it onto my recommended list:First, does it do what it says it will do?This isn't as easy as plugging it in to see if it will work, but I also test the charger under heavy and sustained loads (because even a poor-quality charger might be able to work for a few minutes). I also test single port load and multi-port loads to make sure these are in line with the specs. To get a passing grade, a charger needs to output the rated power for several hours.Is the charger safe?I carry out several electrical safety tests, and also thermal measurements -- because no one wants an overheating charger in the home.Is it robust?Can it handle being plugged and unplugged repeatedly? Are the ports good quality? Can the charger handle being dropped and kicked about, because this is the sort of abuse it's going to get in day-to-day use, especially if it's a travel charger.In addition to that, I've also carried out extensive research into USB-C chargers, taking into consideration user reviews, competitor analysis, and the like. While I can do a good job on testing the charger in front of me, user reviews and ratings can tell me a lot about the quality of a product over time and also how it performs over longer time scales. (For more on our testing process, check out how we test portable power stations.) Show more Can I use my old USB-A cables with a USB-C charger? Yes. To do this you will need a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter likethisorthis. Bear in mind this is yet another thing you need to carry (and potentially lose), and you might be better off upgrading your cables or buying a charger that has both ports. Show more What wattage USB-C charger do I need? As a rule of thumb, I tend to stick with the following:For smartphones and tablets: 18W - 35WLaptops: 60W+ Show more When it comes to chargers, how hot is too hot? When I'm testing devices, I have set 45C/113F as the point at which I start to have concerns. This is the temperature at which things stop feeling hot and people start feeling pain, according to thesafe "no injury" temperature range chart.TheASTM C1055(the Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries) states that the average person can touch objects up to 60C/140F for up to five seconds without sustaining irreversible burn injuries. Show more Are there alternative USB-C chargers worth considering? Need a few more options to choose from? Here are a few that didn't make it to the main list, but are still excellent chargers. Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

Since its founding in 1902, Tbaytel has become the largest independently owned telecommunications provider in Canada. The company is keeping Northern Ontario connected with a wireless network that covers over 300,000 square kilometersa territory the same size as countries like Norway and Poland.As a regional telecommunications provider, Tbaytel must address typical issues faced by customers in rural areas often lacking reliable, high-speed Internet or cellular connectivity. Network outages, slow speed, and inconsistent performance can hinder productivity and daily life.Canada's Tbaytel has made sizable investments in robust network infrastructure and has a sharp focus on proactive maintenance and quick response to service disruptions.gettyOur mission is to ensure connectivity for all communities in order to foster regional growth and help people develop business opportunities, said John Blanchette, director of finance at Tbaytel. He was speaking on a recent panel highlighting how Tbaytel utilized SAP cloud ERPPart of the companys mission is to ensure digital inclusivity and provide an exceptional customer experience through advanced, competitively priced communication solutions. To achieve the mission, Tbaytel has made sizable investments in robust network infrastructure and has a sharp focus on proactive maintenance and quick response to service disruptions. Tbaytel is in the process of expanding infrastructure to provide fiber-optic Internet, LTE, and 5G coverage across the territory it serves.Our goal is to enhance the lives of everyone in our neighborhood, and we take pride in supporting the local economy, Blanchette explained. Were delivering a telecommunications infrastructure that supports economic growth.Businesses in smaller markets often have a hard time finding telecom providers that understand their unique needs. Tbaytel offers tailored solutions such as managed IT services, business Internet, and secure communication tools, along with personal relationships with small business owners. The company offers dedicated support for small and medium-sized enterprises with competitive pricing for mobile, Internet, and flexible packages with bundled services.Modern technologiesBlanchette highlighted some of the challenges regarding technology.Our legacy systems hindered our ability to adopt automation and AI, and we were having difficulty focusing on strategic initiatives due to outdated processes, he explained. Our ERP struggled to communicate with other tools, creating data silos, and our complex workflows were slowing down our ability to make informed decisions in real time. And, due to resource constraints, we were prioritizing network support over ERP maintenance.All these challenges emphasized the need for a modern, integrated financial solution to support Tbaytels goals. The company decided to partner with SAP and NTT DATA to modernize its financial and operational systems through cloud ERP.A long-term SAP partner specializing in midmarket solutions, NTT has supported several Canadian telcos, including Tbaytel, since 1997. NTT specializes in supporting smaller clients in the midmarket that most people aren't familiar with. We help these customers understand how SAP brings tremendous value, and of course we provide the services, the implementation, and long-term support to ensure their success, said Jason Mausberg, managing director of NTT, on the same panel.NTTs expertise spans migration from on-premise systems to cloud ERP for businesses of varying scales, making it the perfect partner for a telco like Tbaytel.Blanchette and Mausberg went on to explain how the transition to SAP cloud ERP solutions are helping Tbaytel stay agile and competitive while addressing financial and operational challenges. They also discussed the broader implications of modernizing financial systems.Need for simplificationTbaytels transformation was driven by the need for simplification. Basically, cloud ERP reduces the complexity of managing IT infrastructure, and standardized solutions enable faster deployments with minimal internal resources.The company can now focus on core operations while shifting resources from ERP maintenance to customer-centric and network-focused initiatives. To keep things even simpler, Tbaytel opted for a greenfield implementation, creating a new system from scratch in the cloud. This approach enabled the company to build a modern, streamlined ERP environment tailored to their evolving needs.Last but not least, cloud ERP is helping the company prepare for the future. It allows for integration of emerging AI technologies for trend prediction, profitability analysis, and enhanced decision-making. The company is now able to explore AI-driven tools for customer support, predictive analytics, and service optimization. It now has access to real-time data and analytics services to improve customer decision-making and operational efficiency.By addressing these challenges, Tbaytel is not only providing reliable telecom services but also empowering communities and businesses in the region to thrive in a digitally connected world.Having streamlined its own operations to improve service delivery, Tbaytel can now better support businesses and customers in migrating to modern platforms, including cloud-based solutions and next-generation telecom services. Its continuous success has enabled Tbaytel to support the City of Thunder Bay, where it is headquartered, with an annual contribution that has increased to $18 million over the years.Our commitment since our inception has been to help the people in the neighborhood connect to the world. After a century of working with our customers to provide technology that delivers the best possible experience, were going stronger than ever, said Blanchette. Stay tunedwere just getting started!Follow me on LinkedIn.

Huge change coming to Play StoreNurPhoto via Getty ImagesGoogles mission to narrow the gap between Android and iPhone will intensify this year, at least as far as the security and privacy of its billions of users is concerned. But you might miss out. And worse, you might find that some of the most important apps you use every day stop working. As 2025 begins, you may need to buy a new phone to ensure you dont get caught out within the next few weeks.This mission is not newbut it has never been as critical as now. Coming not long after the overdue cull of lower quality, higher risk apps on Play Store, Google is also finally clamping down on sideloading. This remains a key difference between Android and iPhone, albeit Play Protect has already been extended to cover apps from any source. SamsungAndroids leading OEM, has gone even further to eradicate sideloading, at least for its mainstream users.But there are two critical updates that take your security even further, which is timely given the worsening threat landscape. The downside is that both mean you need a fairly new phoneand one update confirmed by Google will actually stop apps working on your phone if you dont. That Play Store change is already underway and will be fully deployed within weeks.A many as 750 million Android phones still run obsolete versions of the OSwhich means no security updates. But for the rest, the good news is that Android 15 should be available on devices as far back as Samsungs S21s, Pixel 6s and other devices of a similar age. That will open up new security options, albeit key updates including live threat detection will be restricted to newer devices. This uses on-device AI to flag threats in real-time. Its hard to overstate how important an update this is.MORE FOR YOUEven so, if you are running an older device, the bigger issue youll have is the one confirmed by Google just a few weeks ago. This is a critical change coming to Android as Google actively combats bad actors who try to deceive users or spread malware, and giving you tools to combat abuse.For the first time, Google will encourage developers to restrict their apps depending on the age and update-status of the OS on your phone. Apps that use Play Integrity features have seen 80% less unauthorized usage on average compared to other apps, Google says, as it updates the technology that powers the Play Integrity API on all devices running Android 13 and above to make it faster, more reliable, and more private for users... making greater use of, hardware-backed security signals making it significantly harder and more costly for attackers to bypass.In short, this will give apps with higher security needs, like banking and finance apps, governments, and enterprise apps, more ways to tailor their level of protection for sensitive features, like transferring money. This means if youre running Android 12 or older, you may find your apps stop working.Taken together, all these updates should push all 750 million users running aged and even obsolete versions of Android to upgrade. A line has been drawn in the cyber sand as Android continues its game of iPhone catch-up. And its now getting more serious. We have just seen the same with Samsungs One UI 7 beta, which is all about security and again raises the bar even higher for its own users.My recommendation is to ensure you are running Android 13 at a minimummore than 30% of Android users need to upgrade. And for those concerned about a mobile threat landscape now being fueled by new AI tricks, you should ensure you can move to Android 15 with its new level of defenses.Google has told developers the Play Store change means their apps can respond differently on devices running Android 12 and lower than to the enhanced definition on devices running Android 13 and higher. Remember, its not just whats on your phone thats air riskits everything and every person your phone connects to that might be the wrong side of the line now being drawn.These updates have already started to rollout but will apply universally from May 2025.