LG Electronics is betting on robotics as its next big growth driver. The South Korean electronics company said on Friday that it has agreed to acquire an additional 30% stake in Bear Robotics, a California-based startup it previously backed that is building AI-powered server robots for restaurants. The deal gives LG a majority ownership of 51% in the startup, which will now become a subsidiary of the larger company. LG declined to comment on the value of its latest stake; a local outlet in Korea say its around $180 million. If accurate, that would give Bear an overall valuation of $600 million. A company spokesperson added that the exact figure would be disclosed once the deal closes.Bear is known for its expertise in AI technology that is capable of controlling multiple robots, specifically the management of fleets remotely, LG said in its statement. The tech giant intends to integrate Bear with its commercial robot unit, which has developed LG CLOi Robots, to reinforce its home robot and industrial robot divisions.The tech behemoth says it is working on developing a comprehensive software platform for commercial, industrial, and home robots using Bears technology. With the robotics industry moving more towards AI-focused solutions, this investment and deal is expected to improve LGs robotics software capabilities, LG said.The news comes less than a year after the electronics company poured $60 million into Bear Robotics in March 2024. That deal already made LG into Bears largest shareholder. Bears previous funding in 2022 valued it at over $490 million, per PitchBook data.CEO and founder John Ha and the Bear management team will remain and continue to help create synergies with LGs robotics unit. Ha, a former Google software engineer turned restaurateur, founded Bear in 2017 after witnessing the challenges of running a restaurant, which motivated him to develop serving robots. The SoftBank-backed startup operates indoor delivery robots in the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. Its robots are designed to help deliver food to restaurant customers.A man dressed in a baristas outfit watches as an LG CLOi CoBot Barista robot makes pour-over coffee, at the LG booth, January 8, 2020 at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES is one of the largest tech shows on the planet, showcasing more than 4,500 exhibiting companies representing the entire consumer technology ecosystem. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)Image Credits:Robyn Beck (opens in a new window) / Getty ImagesThis additional investment underscores our dedication to positioning robots as a pivotal growth engine for the company, reflecting our belief in their inevitable role in the future, Lee Sam-soo, chief strategy officer at LG Electronics, said in a statement. We will persist in driving innovation across all sectors of robotics, encompassing commercial, industrial and home applications.Robots and robotics were a bit theme this year at CES 2025, and LG made itself a part of that story. with LG CEO William Cho emphasizing the potential for robots to broaden their applications beyond their current roles in sectors like hospitality and delivery logistics.LGs interest in the tech goes back well before this year and the recent vogue of AI in everything, with both Korea and Japan being early commercial adopters of some of the earliest iterations in the field. The Korean electronics company has been researching and developing robot software and hardware more than a decade. In 2017, LG deployed guide robots at South Koreas largest airport, Incheon International Airport.LGs home and industrial robotsLG also has a substantial home robotics business by way of its LG Home Appliance Solution Division. Its home robots are designed to work with home appliances and other domestic scenarios. One example the self-driving AI home hub, a project named Q9, which is scheduled for release later this year. It has autonomous driving technology and can sense voices, sounds, and images. The Q9 has Microsofts voice recognition and synthesis technology, so users can have easy and natural conversations with it.Its industrial robot, the Autonomous Vertical Articulated Robot, uses sensors to navigate, move, and carry out tasks with its robotic arm.Samsung, LGs rival in the electronics sector, said earlier this month that it will roll out its home robot in the first half of this year.Bear Robotics, a robot waiter startup, just picked up $60M from LG

Apple announced on Thursday a new API called the AdvancedCommerceAPI to support more in-app purchase formats, such as subscriptions and content add-ons. The company added that it is not changing the commission structure to support these use cases.The AppStore facilitates billions of transactions annually to help developers grow their businesses and provide a world-class customer experience. To further support developers evolving business models such as exceptionally large content catalogs, creator experiences, and subscriptions with optional add-ons were introducing the AdvancedCommerceAPI, the company said in an announcement.Image Credits: AppleIn an accompanying support document, Apple expanded on the use cases and the eligibility of apps and developers to apply for this program across three broad categories. Apple said the first use case is apps that have a big library of one-time purchases with frequent updates, such as audiobooks or courses; the second use case is apps adding creator-led content where users can purchase access to that content as a one-time or renewable subscription; and the third use case is users buying add-ons within a subscription service, such as additional channels, sports, or regional content, sold as renewable purchase.Last year, Apple asked creator platform Patreon to switch to the App Store billing system for creator content or risk being booted out. In response, the company said it will start slowly migrating to Apples payment system for its iOS app and will complete the process by November 2025. Apples decision to debut a new API could be to support use cases like Patreons better. After the EU forced Apple to allow alternative payment processing and third-party app stores on the platform, the company has been trying to create more value for developers to stay within Apples ecosystem. The company started allowing retro game emulators across the world. Plus, it launched a way for developers to offer discounts to customers with lapsed subscriptions.

3D software specialist and authorized Stratasys reseller GoEngineer has acquired CAD MicroSolutions, a Canadian engineering software, and 3D printing technologies reseller.By bringing CAD MicroSolutions into its fold, GoEngineer seeks to strengthen its presence across North America, aiming to offer broader resources and support to an expanding customer base.Operating within Canada, CAD MicroSolutions focuses on Dassault Systmes products like SOLIDWORKS, 3DEXPERIENCE, and DraftSight, along with additional engineering tools. Its work has catered to various industries, delivering solutions tailored to modern engineering challenges, says the software specialist.This move is beneficial for the Canadian reseller because joining forces with GoEngineer will provide it with access to greater resources and expertise, which is expected to enhance offerings for customers in Canada and beyond.While the full financial and operational implications of the acquisition are not disclosed, customers stand to benefit from a wider range of tools and services supported by the combined expertise of both companies.We are excited to welcome CAD Micro into the GoEngineer family, said Ken Coburn, President and CEO of GoEngineer. Their dedication to customer success and technical expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to empower innovators. Together, we will continue to deliver industry-leading solutions and unparalleled support to engineers and designers across North America.GoEngineer logo. Image via GoEngineer.What makes GoEngineer a trusted partnerFounded in 1984, GoEngineer provides software and engineering solutions to support innovation and product development. With over 30 years of experience, it has served industries including high tech, medical, machine design, and energy, offering tools from SOLIDWORKS, Stratasys, Formlabs, CAMWorks, and PLM.Joining forces with GoEngineer marks an exciting chapter for CAD Micro, said Darren Gornall, President of CAD MicroSolutions. Our shared values and commitment to customer success ensure a seamless transition and a stronger future for our customers and employees.Few years ago, FATHOM partnered with GoEngineer to advance the adoption of additive manufacturing across industries. This collaboration combined FATHOMs expertise in prototyping, manufacturing services, and digital manufacturing technologies with GoEngineers CAD/CAM solutions and 3D printer sales.As part of the partnership, GoEngineer managed FATHOMs machine sales and customer support, while FATHOM addressed GoEngineers prototyping and manufacturing inquiries. Both companies worked together to help businesses adopt advanced tools and technologies to enhance product development and production processes.In 2021, powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printer manufacturer Xact Metal partnered with the 3D software specialist in an exclusive sales and service agreement. Covering the western United States, the deal brought Xact Metals cost-efficient metal 3D printers into GoEngineers product offerings, expanding its range of additive manufacturing solutions.Coburn expressed that this move was intended to make high-quality metal 3D printing accessible in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. He highlighted that Xact Metals integration of PBF technology with advanced technologies could provide businesses with tools to excel in AM and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.GoEngineers 3D printing division. Photo via GoEngineer.Acquisitions for increased AM adoptionAdding to the list of AM industry acquisitions, U.S.-based manufacturing company Wall Colmonoy acquired Canadian hard-facing solutions provider Indurate Alloys last year to boost its presence in the North American market.In doing so, the deal brought Indurate Alloys expertise in advanced coating technologies, including HVOF, Plasma Spray, and Laser applications, into Wall Colmonoys portfolio. By integrating Indurates thermal spray products, vendor relationships, and established customer base, Wall Colmonoy aims to expand its offerings in wear resistance and corrosion protection solutions.In other news, German large-format 3D printer manufacturer BigRep acquired HAGE3D to enhance its range of 3D printing solutions, covering low-to-high-temperature applications, and to expand its global presence. By combining their expertise, the two companies have increased their installed base to over 1,000 printers while advancing Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology.While financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, the acquisition is intended to deliver versatile, large-scale 3D printing options and capitalize on trends such as digitalization and decentralized manufacturing.Who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?All the news fromFormnext 2024.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows GoEngineers 3D printing division. Photo via GoEngineer.

Few buildings in Boston showcase the evolution of its neighborhood (or bring out the architectural critics) quite as well as the Lincoln Street Garage in the Leather District of Boston. This Post-WWII mixed use building was originally constructed in 1956, on the former site of theUnited States Hotel(1839), one of the first major hotels in the nation, which was razed in 1930. The original building was designed by architect Archie Riskin, and stood three stories high with parking on half of the second floor and on the 3rd floor and roof. A fifth floor of office space was designed and constructed by 1959 also by Riskin. Due to its site at the edge of a historic commercial/industrial district and adjacent to theCentral Artery, a raised highway that snaked its way through Downtown Boston, the building was minimally visible and faded away to obscurity until the late 1990s when the highway was buried under the city as part of the Big Dig. The open scar and subsequent re-greening of much of the former highway spaces necessitated the owners to re-work the building, due to its newfound gateway presence into the neighborhood.Brian Healey Architects renovated the building, adding an additional floor of offices and reworked facades.The result is a Post-war mixed-use hodgepodge of a buildingthat expresses its use visually on each floor in a no-nonsense way, making it a unique urban building. Additionallythe buildinghas long been rented to small businesses, almost all Asian-owned with direct ties to the Chinatown and Leather District neighborhoods.Recent plans have been approvedfor a new office tower on the site and supported bypreservation groups statingthat the existing garage is historically significant or beneficial to the neighborhood, but to me, the further erasure of quirky buildings for more out-of-context developments is not the way to go.

All images Jennifer Esseiva, shared with permissionDazzling Lights to Bursting Geysers, Jennifer Esseiva Photographs Southern Icelands Diverse SceneryJanuary 24, 2025NaturePhotographyJackie AndresNicknamed The Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is home to an exceptionally diverse array of landscapes teeming with topographical gems and majestic skies. For these reasons, its no surprise the destination is considered a haven for photographers all over the world. After dreaming of visiting the scenic country for years, 2024 finally presented an opportunity for Swiss photographerJennifer Esseiva (previously).Esseiva devoted a 10-day trip across southern Iceland entirely to the regions vast surroundings, from the black sand beaches, towering glaciers, and impressive waterfalls to the moss-covered formations and striking displays of the Northern Lights.Where many prefer to travel in sunshine, Im more interested in clouds and rain, she says. Ive always found that photographing landscapes in different weather conditions gives them another dimension, a unique grandeur.The photographer is planning a forthcoming trip in March, this time to Finnish Lapland. Keep an eye on her Instagram for more, and check out her website for past projects and prints for purchase. Next article

Tech Robotic dog helps those facing mental health and cognitive challenges Jennie: The AI-powered robotic puppy providing much-needed companionship Published January 24, 2025 6:00am EST close Robotic dog helps those facing mental health and cognitive challenges Jennie the artificial intelligence-powered robotic dog is designed to provide comfort and companionship to those with mental health challenges. U.S. robotics company Tombot has introduced Jennie, an innovative AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide comfort and companionship to those facing cognitive health challenges.This groundbreaking creation is set to transform the lives of millions struggling with dementia, mild cognitive impairment and various mental health issues. AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)The birth of JennieJennie's inception stems from a personal tragedy experienced by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens. When his mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to rehome her beloved dog, Golden Bear.This difficult choice led to increased loneliness and depression for Nancy. Recognizing the widespread need for a solution, Stevens founded Tombot with the mission to create a robotic companion that could provide the emotional benefits of pet ownership without the associated challenges. AI-powered robotic dog with its companion. (Tombot)Cutting-edge design and technologyJennie's lifelike appearance is the result of a collaboration with Jim Henson's Creature Shop, renowned for creating the iconic Muppets. This artistic partnership has resulted in a hyperrealistic Labrador retriever puppy that captures the essence of a real dog.Jennie features an impressive array of interactive technologies designed to create a lifelike and engaging companion experience. The robotic puppy features sophisticated interactive touch sensors strategically placed across its body, allowing it to respond authentically to human touch and interaction. When a user pets or touches Jennie, the advanced sensor technology enables nuanced, realistic reactions that mimic a real puppy's behavior.Voice command recognition technology allows Jennie to understand and respond to verbal instructions, creating an incredibly realistic puppy-like interaction. Users can give commands like "speak" or "sit," and Jennie will react accordingly, providing a sense of genuine companionship and responsiveness.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?To enhance its authenticity, Jennie's sounds are meticulously crafted from actual recordings of 8- to 10-week-old Labrador puppies. These genuine puppy sounds create an incredibly immersive experience, making interactions feel remarkably true to life and emotionally engaging.The robotic puppy is engineered for practical, everyday use with an impressive all-day battery life. Users can simply plug Jennie in overnight, similar to charging a smartphone, ensuring the companion is ready for full daily interaction without interruption.A dedicated smartphone app provides users with extensive customization options. Through this digital interface, owners can name their Jennie, personalize its functionality and track daily interactions, adding another layer of personal connection to the robotic pet experience.Tombot is committed to continuous improvement, offering regular software updates that will introduce new behaviors and commands. This approach ensures that Jennie remains dynamic and evolving, with the potential for expanding capabilities over time through simple app-based upgrades. AI-powered robotic dog specs. (Tombot)The impact of Jennie on mental healthJennie was specifically designed to address the needs of individuals facing various health challenges:Dementia and mild cognitive impairment: Peer-reviewed studies suggest that robotic animals can help ease symptoms such as hallucinations and aggressive outbursts.Anxiety and depression: Jennie provides comfort and support for those struggling with mental health issues.Loneliness: The robotic puppy offers companionship to seniors and others experiencing isolation.Stress: Jennie can help alleviate psychological stress in long-term hospital patients.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)Future prospectsTombot aims to register Jennie as an FDA-regulated medical device, potentially expanding its use in hospitals and care facilities. With over 7,500 preorders from homes, hospitals and care centers, Jennie is poised to make a significant impact in the field of robotic companionship. AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)A cost-effective alternativePriced at $449, Jennie offers an affordable and accessible alternative to live pet ownership. This is particularly beneficial for those who cannot safely or practically care for a real animal due to health or living conditions. To join the Jennie waitlist, prospective owners can click the link on Tombot's website, and the company will directly contact you with specific pricing details and shipping availability as the next production batch approaches. Companion with AI-powered robotic dog with its companion. (Tombot)Kurts key takeawaysJennie represents a significant step forward in addressing the emotional and companionship needs of those facing cognitive and mental health challenges. By combining cutting-edge technology with a compassionate approach, Tombot has created a solution that could improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.Do you think AI robotic companions like Jennie could provide genuine comfort and emotional support in your life or the life of a loved one? Why or why not? Let us know what you think by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterFollow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

There are few events more likely to induce a sense of dj vu among weathered UK technology observers than the launch of a new government digital strategy.During 14 years of Conservative-led governments, there were four: in 2010, overseen by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude and written by entrepreneur and digital advisor Martha Lane Fox; in 2015, when the Coalition government was replaced by a fully Tory administration; in 2017, for no obvious reason; and most recently in 2022, after a reorganisation of digital delivery teams the year before.So, when the Labour government announced that its first digital strategy was to be unveiled at a London event hosted by Martha Lane Fox the phrase here we go again inevitably sprang to mind.But what if anything was different this time?Perhaps the clearest indication that maybe, just maybe, this would not be the same as all the past, variously failed or thwarted attempts to bring public services fully into the digital age, was the fact it was announced by a secretary of state for technology.Peter Kyle may not be the first to have that job title that fell to Michelle Donelan, when the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was established by then prime minister Rishi Sunak in 2023. And Kyle is not the first minister to front a new digital strategy but he is the first with full secretary of state credentials to do so.A flurry of tech announcements had built anticipation for the launch. Last week, prime minister Keir Starmer unveiled his AI action plan, putting artificial intelligence at the heart of economic growth and public service delivery.Earlier in launch week, DSIT revealed a report by consultants at Bain & Company that analysed the ills of digital government in great detail and clarity highlighting 45bn of lost productivity through old, inefficient or just plain rubbish IT systems, processes and procedures.And the day before Kyles set-piece launch, hosted in the Whitechapel headquarters of the Government Digital Service (GDS), DSIT added an expansion of GDSs remit and a first look at the Gov.uk app and digital wallet, including a new digital driving licence that can be used for identity and age verification on a smartphone.As guests gathered for Kyles speech, one difference straight away was the level of interest from the mainstream and political media Computer Weekly can attest how unusual it is for the likes of Sky News, the Independent, Press Association, The Times, the Financial Times and Politics Home to show up for a press conference about digital government. Even The Sun was there. Times have changed in technology.When Kyle initially described the plan as aiming to transform the relationship between citizen and state it didnt bode well. That exact phrase was used by former Cabinet Office minister Ben Gummer to launch his 2017 strategy.But the opportunity for Computer Weekly to put the big question to a secretary of state for technology was certainly novel. So, according to Peter Kyle, whats going to be different this time?Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, joking about turning up to a meeting of tech founders dressed the same way alongside a suit-wearing Starmer, Kyle was keen to put clear air between the Labour digital strategy and what went before.Quite simply, Ive been learning from those experiences. Ive gone to [former GDS chief] Mike Bracken and sat with him and learned from him. Weve had Martha on tap. That 2010 drive from GDS was inspirational. They did deliver changes to government and then it just stopped, it petered out, the political drive behind it disappeared. That has changed, he said.I learned in opposition to go back and understand what the barriers to delivery have been and where things have gone wrong. When we came into power, we had a programme of government, we had a whole series of implementation plans ready to go. And a lot of the work you see today wasnt part of the implementation plans, but when I got a sense of the scale of what the capacity was, what can be created, then we started at it.I learned in opposition to go back and understand what the barriers to delivery have been and where things have gone wrong. When we came into power, we had a series of implementation plans ready to goPeter Kyle, secretary of state for technologyIts certainly true that few of Kyles predecessors with ministerial oversight of digital government would have taken the time to listen to techies first. The Tory minister who launched the 2022 strategy cheerfully jumped on stage, admitted she knew nothing about technology, and proceeded to insult Birmingham and Blackpool. Its fair to say Kyle was different on that, too.Ive been working the phone, because this is what Keir demanded of me, he continued.So, where there are barriers, Ive been speaking [for example] to government lawyers because there are legal issues. When it came to the digital driving licence, I was told it couldnt happen in five years in one Parliament. But when you start working the phone, and you have very strong relationships around the Cabinet table that all formed in opposition and have carried on into government, we as secretaries of state are talking an awful lot about this.Keir has been absolutely steadfast in demanding openness to the possibilities that the digital centre of government is making available. I cant do this to government departments. I can only do it in partnership. We just battered away at all of those different things.Kyles observation that he cant force his strategy onto other departments is notable one of the frequent failings of previous plans came when big digital teams such as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) basically snubbed their noses at GDS and did their own thing. Whether deliberate or not, the presence of DWP secretary of state Liz Kendall in the front row of the launch event sent a strong signal that those old enmities will no longer be tolerated.Kyle highlighted how Kendall sees a jobcentre in peoples pockets as one of the opportunities of the Gov.uk app. And for Kyle, that app in itself is a sign of how things have changed.The other big difference, which Im sure people have noticed, is Ive pre-announced a whole set of very specific products and services government has never done that before, he said.It [typically] says in general terms, were going to transform, were going to deliver it doesnt actually give a preview of what the product is going to look like and give a date for which it will land. Again, learning from the tech sector so that we reflect and respond.Why is it we [used to have] all these amazing things that are in train and then either it sort of drips out, or it gets out in the wrong place or we wait until everythings so battened down and over-tested before its released and nobody notices. Why cant we just be honest with the public about what were doing behind the scenes? I thought everyone would be going, No, no, no, dont do it. Nobody held me back from doing this.Not everybody is happy with this approach. Computer Weekly has heard from leaders in the digital identity sector, many of whom are furious that the government has announced a product for age verification on a mobile phone through the digital driving licence. Kyle demonstrated prototypes of using this for online shopping functionality that many firms have been encouraged by DSIT to develop at great cost, and to certify against new government standards for digital IDs.When asked about this potential conflict, a government official read out a pre-prepared statement suggesting DSIT was aware of the likely reaction from the private sector which basically said, Were exploring all the options. More controversy could yet emerge.But the success or failure of past digital government strategies has rarely been down to the technologies in place, or the political intent, or the amount of money available. The core problems have come in the way Whitehall works or, more specifically, the way policymaking is conducted and the way technology budgets are spent.Critics have long pointed out the lack of digital expertise involved when policies are being discussed, and how tech teams typically end up presented with a fait accompli heres the policy, can you build us some digital stuff? Politicians and officials often have little idea of how technology could create alternative ways of designing and delivering better policy outcomes Jerry Fishenden & Cassian YoungAs digital government experts Jerry Fishenden and Cassian Young wrote in a recent article for Computer Weekly, the process of deciding policy runs completely counter to the ways that digital approaches can improve those policies.Governments linear approach to policymaking inevitably locks in questionable assumptions and constraints long before policy ever makes contact with the real world. Its an approach that generates huge missed opportunities generalist politicians and officials often have little idea of how technology could create alternative ways of designing and delivering better policy outcomes, they wrote.Here, DSIT officials have been looking at international best practices to see how other governments have dealt with similar challenges, and are taking particular interest in Denmarks approach of digital-ready legislation.In Denmark, policymakers are told to acknowledge a need for increased awareness of whether the legislation can be managed digitally and on whether the implementation impacts have been clarified sufficiently. In effect, it requires civil servants to tell politicians when their desired policies could end up costing more money or introduce greater risk if they do not consider the digital implications up front.DSIT officials cited DWP and the Ministry of Justice as departments keen to pilot a new approach based on learning from Denmarks example.The way government spending and budgeting works is another area anathema to the agile approach that digital enables and requires. HM Treasury expects projects to have a fixed cost and timescale up front, with agreed benefits and timescales. Spending is classified as either resource expenditure for ongoing costs, or capital expenditure for investments. In a digital world of prototypes and test and learn, of beta versions and continuous improvements, its a round, digital peg being forced into a square, bureaucratic hole.Both these issues were highlighted in the study commissioned by DSIT from consultants at Bain & Company into the state of digital government. The report is a thorough, open and honest read that acknowledges the failings that have led to multiple incomplete or failed strategies over the years.Funding models do not reflect modern digital practice, it said. Existing governance and controls processes are not seen as well suited to digital programmes as they prioritise predictable returns over longer-term resilience and continuous improvement, and do not allow for the flexible nature of digital delivery.Feryal Clark, minister for AI and digital government in DSIT, told Computer Weekly this is going to change.Were changing how we procure and make the case for digital investment because currently you spend 18 months to two years building a business case to convince the Treasury to be able to invest, and by the time you go out to market, whats in there is too old and you cant change it because of all the checks and balances, she said.The way we procure is not agile, its not quick. And so we are completely overhauling that as well.DSIT announced that the Treasury will experiment with a new approach that reflects the realities of digital delivery. DSIT officials said the Treasury has agreed to small-scale trials of new funding models in a few departments. Anyone with past experience of persuading the Treasury to try new, agile spending models might suspect such cautious language reflects the fact that Treasury mandarins remain less than keen.Nonetheless, Kyle has another ministerial supporter in chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones a former technology lawyer who worked for BT, and known to be a big digital advocate.Jones, Kyle and Pat McFadden minister for intergovernmental relations and seen as Starmers fixer and right-hand man form a new interministerial group that oversees governance for digital services. When Labour came into power, this group issued a moratorium on all major government spending projects worth over 1m in the digital area, to get a grip in Kyles words on digital transformation across government.McFadden has already announced a 100m fund to deploy test and learn approaches across the country. Jones, it appears, will be responsible for getting a grip on the Treasurys objections.Another historic barrier to digital progress has been data sharing, and here, too, Labour envisages changes, promising to mandate the publication of application programming interfaces (APIs) for digital systems ironically, an idea first mooted by Lane Fox in her 2010 review.Exposing APIs will also help another plank of the new DSIT approach the use of generative AI (GenAI) to support the work of civil servants. As part of DSITs reorganisation of digital delivery, GDS has absorbed what was Number 10s AI incubator team, a group of young and eager AI experts primarily recruited from outside the civil service to identify opportunities where GenAI could improve productivity.The AI team has so far identified 57 potential applications for GenAI, of which 11 have reached prototype stage, with several being put into active use as part of a set of tools labelled Humphrey after the character from the BBC comedy Yes, Minister.Online wags have already asked whether this means the GenAI apps will be supercilious, arrogant and think they know better than everyone, in line with the fictional Sir Humphrey Appleby they are named after. But the developers of the apps are far more evangelical. Since their move into DSIT, they have already been asked to focus on how GenAI can improve citizen experience as well as cutting costs within the civil service.GenAI tools being introduced focus on summarising large bodies of information, such as public consultations, Hansard records of Parliamentary debates, and ministerial meetings the sort of low-hanging fruit that private sector digital leaders would say are a sensible place to start.There are changes outside of Whitehall too. In the past, central government has largely declined to work with local authorities on digital transformation previous iterations of GDS were expressly told not to engage with local government. The new plans involve reaching out to councils, to the extent that the Mayor of Londons chief digital officer, Theo Blackwell, has been seconded into GDS to work on engagement with councils.The prize on offer for Kyle and the Labour government is the 45bn estimated savings that could be made through increased productivity if they get their digital strategy right. Its clear that Kyle knows things not only need to be different, but need to be seen to be different.I could not have done any of the announcements I did today if digital services were constructed in the way they were when I came in as secretary of state, he said.It is just a better way of doing government and that is part of the change that people have experienced and should be now noticing the difference of, in the change of government.So, is he right? Is this time different?Labour has taken the time to learn the lessons of the past. Its plans hit most of the buttons that critics would have hoped to be addressed. The intent, the enthusiasm, the detail of the strategy suggests that things are changing for the better.But only when if this digital government strategy genuinely delivers on its promises, can it be said to be truly different.Read more about Labour and digital governmentTech secretary pledges to rewire Whitehall and plug the digital gap: Secretary of state for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, promises to drive innovation through the NHS, champion AI safety and ensure government harnesses the power of digital.Labour will use AI to grow the economy by 0.5%, says shadow tech secretary Peter Kyle: The Labour Party plans to promote the use of artificial intelligence in small businesses and across government to grow the economy, but transparency and building trust with the public will be key.Weak supplier management hinders digital government: Procurement, legacy systems, data fragmentation and the changing IT market are among the issues highlighted in a review of digital services.

A recovering gambling addict has won his case against Sky Betting & Gaming (SBG) in the UK High Court, which ruled the online gambling provider acted unlawfully in its use of his personal data for profiling and targeted advertising.On 23 January 2023, the Court found that Sky Betting operated by Bonne Terre Limited and Hestview Limited did not have a lawful basis to collect the anonymised claimants personal data through cookies or to then profile him for the purposes of serving direct marketing online.Thejudgment which described the profiling practices in this case as parasitic recognised that online gambling is a particularly risky environment in which users discernment and autonomy can be undermined, and that data controllers therefore have heightened obligations to ensure they obtain valid consent.It noted the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is clear that consent for data processing must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous, a standard that Sky Betting failed to meet given the degree to which the claimants decision-making was impaired to a real degree by his gambling addiction.The judgement added that there is an obviously enhanced risk of defective consent in such a cohort, and that it is not necessary for online gambling providers to market to their customers in order to allow them to gamble. It is something they choose to do for their own commercial reasons.It further noted that consent cannot be freely given where, in cases like this, there is a clear imbalance between data controller and data subject.According to legal firm AWO, which represented the claimant, the ruling marks a legal first for the UKs multibillion-pound online gambling sector, and could have major implications for all gambling companies that may have also been illegally profiling thousands if not tens of thousands of their vulnerable customers for years.AWO legal director Ravi Naik said: My client is pleased to be vindicated. The High Court judgment is an unalloyed victory, recognising what our client has always maintained: he did not and could not have consented to being relentlessly tracked and intimately profiled by SBG in order to encourage him to gamble sums which he could not afford. He was and remains shocked and dismayed at the extent of SBGs data collection and profiling.As part of his recovery, one of my clients aims has been to draw attention to these unlawful practices and reduce their impact on others. It took great courage for him to stand up for that cause and seek to improve the lot of those impacted by such practices. Hopefully this judgment will reduce harm to vulnerable people by serving as a warning to online gambling companies and others involved in the online advertising system that they must comply with the law in their marketing practices.The case was brought after the claimant submitted a number of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) to Sky Betting, which revealed it had collected a vast amount of very detailed and intimate data about him.However, AWO noted this represented only a small portion of the data ultimately disclosed to him through legal proceedings, which made it clear to the claimant he had been extensively tracked and profiled as a prolific gambler of potentially very high business value to Sky Betting.The evidence in the case showed that at any one time, each individual being tracked by Sky Betting is assigned around 500 behavioural data points that are continuously updated by real-time data. This is in addition todata received from third partieslike Signal (83 different data points) or Iovation (19,000 data points), as reported by the BBC in March 2021.The judgement said the firms marketing team uses customer behaviour data, and analytical and propensity modelling to monitor the effects of their marketing campaigns, meaning there is something of a continuous feedback loop using customers responses to the adverts they are served.It added that Sky Bettings witnesses accepted that some of the marketing teams most attractive high-value customers might, looked at through the safer gambling lens and with a complete set of information, also be its customers most at risk of harm or actually harming.Read more about online tracking and targeted advertising Invasive tracking endemic on sensitive support websites: Websites set up by police, charities and universities to help people get support for sensitive issues like addiction and sexual harassment are deploying tracking technologies that harvest information without proper consent.ICO launches major review of cookies on UK websites: ICO sets out 2025 goals, including a review of cookie compliance across the UKs top 1,000 websites, as it seeks to achieve its ultimate goal of giving the public meaningful control over how their data is used.EU judgment sinks Metas argument for targeted ads: The EU Court of Justice has issued a significant judgment against Meta, ruling that national anti-trust bodies can investigate GDPR breaches, disrupting the platforms entire basis for carrying out targeted advertising.However, the court found that while the modelling in place had identified the claimant as a high-value customer and marketed to him as such, it never identified him as at high enough risk for [its] marketing suppression measures.The financial triggers for suppression were set at levels beyond the realistically possible reach of a man of the claimants modest means, even when he was spending all the money he could get his hands on and more, said the judgment.While Sky Betting argued that the claimant cannot have failed to notice the highly tailored nature of the marketing being directed at him, the judge disagreed: I accept the claimants evidence that he was genuinely astounded by the revelation of the scale and sophistication and even the fact of the operation to play his own behaviour back to him as targeted marketing.The ruling added that in the claimants case, the raw data comprised the cumulative fine detail of behaviour he had himself recognised at the time as harmful and out of control. And it was being used to enable and encourage him to do more.Sky Betting was previously reprimanded by the Information Commissioners Officein September 2024 for unlawfully sharing customers information with advertising companies.The data regulator found that while there was no evidence that Sky Betting had deliberately targeted vulnerable gamblers, it did find that the company had processed peoples data through the use of advertising cookies without consent over a seven-week period between January and March 2023.Computer Weekly approached Sky Betting for comment but received no response by time of publication.

The Coway Airmega IconS is a dust-busting, retro-looking air purifier that gets the job done during winter times.

There is no doubt that SSDs (solid-state drives) are the speed demons and rock-solid champions of reliability when it comes to storage, leaving HDDs (hard disk drives) in the dust. However, not all SSDs are cut from the same cloth.Also:The best network-attached storage devices you can buyTraditional SSDs and HDDs rely on the tried-and-true SATA (Serial AT Attachment) port when connecting to a PC. But hold on tight because modern motherboards are bringing massive upgrades with a lightning-fast M.2 port on the motherboard itself. This turbocharged connection sets the stage for a mind-blowing performance that will have tech enthusiasts reachiung for their wallets and purses. Say goodbye to sluggish loading times and hello to a whole new level of speed and efficiency.What is the best M.2 SSD right now?When you visit your favorite online retailer, you'll find numerous brands offering a wide variety of M.2 storage drives. So, which one should you choose? Don't worry: I've simplified the process by selecting the best M.2 SSDs for you. My top recommendation is still the Crucial P2 1TB 3D M.2 SSD, a drive that makes it to the top of the list because of its affordable price, excellent performance, and high reliability. Sort by All The best M.2 SSDs of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon This is my default drive that I turn to. It's solid, reliable, and reasonably priced. I've bought and used dozens of these in PCs and external storage enclosures and I've not had one fail on me.You can definitely find cheaper M.2 drives out there, but I wouldn't want to trust them with my data, and you can find faster M.2 drives, but they are going to cost you a lot more.For a middle of the road drive, you can't beat this one, and all the online reviews support this conclusion.Crucial P2 1TB 3D M.2 SSD features:Interface: NVMe PCIe |Sequential read speeds: Up to 2400MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 1900MB/s Pros Cheap Great performance High reliability Cons Not the fastest drive by far This is my default drive that I turn to. It's solid, reliable, and reasonably priced. I've bought and used dozens of these in PCs and external storage enclosures and I've not had one fail on me.You can definitely find cheaper M.2 drives out there, but I wouldn't want to trust them with my data, and you can find faster M.2 drives, but they are going to cost you a lot more.For a middle of the road drive, you can't beat this one, and all the online reviews support this conclusion.Crucial P2 1TB 3D M.2 SSD features:Interface: NVMe PCIe |Sequential read speeds: Up to 2400MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 1900MB/s Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Put simply, the Crucial T705 Series SSD is one of the fastest drives that you can currently buy.This is the drive that I turn to when I want the fastest gaming performance or to put in systems that work with large photo/video/3D files. Yes, it's expensive, but if you want the speed, it's going to cost you.Review: Crucial T705Just as I'd expect, this drive has very positive reviews, with 80% giving it five stars. There are some concerns about heat, but I'm convinced this is normal, and the heat sinks are doing their job of shifting the heat away from the chips.Crucial T705 Series SSD features:Interface: NVMe PCIe Gen5|Sequential read speeds: Up to 14,500MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 12,700MB/s Pros Blazing fast Option for version with and without heatsinks Cons Expensive Put simply, the Crucial T705 Series SSD is one of the fastest drives that you can currently buy.This is the drive that I turn to when I want the fastest gaming performance or to put in systems that work with large photo/video/3D files. Yes, it's expensive, but if you want the speed, it's going to cost you.Review: Crucial T705Just as I'd expect, this drive has very positive reviews, with 80% giving it five stars. There are some concerns about heat, but I'm convinced this is normal, and the heat sinks are doing their job of shifting the heat away from the chips.Crucial T705 Series SSD features:Interface: NVMe PCIe Gen5|Sequential read speeds: Up to 14,500MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 12,700MB/s Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon I've been putting WD_BLACK storage into high-end gaming PCs for years now, and they never disappoint. This M.2 drive is no exception. It's fast, reliable, and built from quality components to offer the best lifespan possible. I've used quite a few of these and never had one fail.There are two versions, one with a heat sink and one without. I recommend the one with the heat sink because it will dissipate heat better, which in turn makes it more reliable and gives you a longer product lifespan.These drives have consistently drawn favorable reviews, with owners commenting on performance and reliability.WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X Gaming M.2 SSD features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 |Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,300MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,350MB/s Pros High performance Great reliability Cons The price Can get quite hot in use I've been putting WD_BLACK storage into high-end gaming PCs for years now, and they never disappoint. This M.2 drive is no exception. It's fast, reliable, and built from quality components to offer the best lifespan possible. I've used quite a few of these and never had one fail.There are two versions, one with a heat sink and one without. I recommend the one with the heat sink because it will dissipate heat better, which in turn makes it more reliable and gives you a longer product lifespan.These drives have consistently drawn favorable reviews, with owners commenting on performance and reliability.WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X Gaming M.2 SSD features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 |Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,300MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,350MB/s Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less One of the biggest killers of storage drives is heat. The faster the drive, the more waste heat it generates. And the CS3150 is a fast drive. Clocking sequential read and write speeds of 11,500MB/s and 8,500MB/s, respectively.To keep the temperatures at a manageable level, the CS3150 not only features a massive heat sink, but also dual cooling fans.Review: PNY CS3150I stress-tested the drive usingCrystalDiskMarkand monitored the temperatures usingCrystalDiskInfo, and -- despite my relentless thrashing of the CS3150 -- I could not get the temperatures to exceed the 70C/158F maximum operating temperatures.Note that the fans do require a free set of 4-pin fan header pins on the motherboard. This drive is quite new, so there aren't many reviews for it yet, but those I've seen suggest this drive lives up to expectations.PNY CS3150 features:Interface: PCIe Gen5x4 |Sequential read speeds: Up to 11,500MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 8,500MB/s Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Samsung is a big name in storage, and the PRO series has consistently offered the best performance, reliability, fantastic power efficiency, and life possible -- but at a price.When I need something that is going to be bombproof, then the 990 PRo is the drive that I turn to. This drive is fast and is about as reliable as it gets. Yes, I'm definitely paying extra for a bit more peace of mind, but there are times when it's worth it!This drive gets close to five stars on Amazon -- which is quite something for a storage drive -- with review after review commenting on its incredible performance and high levels of reliability.Samsung 990 Pro features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 |Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,450MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,900MB/s Pros The very best M.2 drive you can buy Extreme reliability Cons The price Can get pretty hot in use Samsung is a big name in storage, and the PRO series has consistently offered the best performance, reliability, fantastic power efficiency, and life possible -- but at a price.When I need something that is going to be bombproof, then the 990 PRo is the drive that I turn to. This drive is fast and is about as reliable as it gets. Yes, I'm definitely paying extra for a bit more peace of mind, but there are times when it's worth it!This drive gets close to five stars on Amazon -- which is quite something for a storage drive -- with review after review commenting on its incredible performance and high levels of reliability.Samsung 990 Pro features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 |Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,450MB/s |Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,900MB/s Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less This Satechi enclosure is the best way to build your own M.2 external storage drive.You buy the drive, pick the M.2 drive you need (if you're like me, you probably have some lying about), slip the drive into the enclosure, and away you go. Yes, it's that easy!Review: Assemble your own portable storage with this Satechi SSD enclosureI think this is a great alternative to buying a ready-made external drive. With this setup, if you ever need to replace or upgrade the drive, you can do it quickly and easily. Pros Build your own fast portable storage Pick the drive and storage capacity you need Allows you to upgrade drives or swap between drives easily Dissipates heat really well No tools needed to assemble Cons Need to be comfortable handling components to assemble it This Satechi enclosure is the best way to build your own M.2 external storage drive.You buy the drive, pick the M.2 drive you need (if you're like me, you probably have some lying about), slip the drive into the enclosure, and away you go. Yes, it's that easy!Review: Assemble your own portable storage with this Satechi SSD enclosureI think this is a great alternative to buying a ready-made external drive. With this setup, if you ever need to replace or upgrade the drive, you can do it quickly and easily. Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best M.2 SSD storage? ZDNET's pick for the best M.2 SSD is theCrucial P2 500GB 3D M.2 SSD, which offers a great balance of affordability, performance, and reliability. It's not the fastest drive on the market, but it's a solid choice for those looking for a cost-effective M.2 SSD, with capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB.Thankfully, there are numerous options that can offer a range of price points and performance. Best M.2 SSDPriceFeaturesCrucial P2 3D M.2 1TB SSD Around $85Interface: NVMe PCIeSequential read speeds: Up to 2,400 MB/sSequential write speeds: Up to 1,900 MB/sCrucial T705 Series 1TB SSD Around $185Interface: NVMe PCIe Gen5Sequential read speeds: Up to 14,500 MB/sSequential write speeds: Up to 12,700 MB/sWD_BLACK SN850X Gaming M.2 2TB SSD Around $150 Interface: PCIe Gen4x4Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,300 MB/sSequential write speeds: Up to 6,350 MB/sPNY CS3150 M.2 1TB SSD Around $130 Interface: PCIe Gen5x4Sequential read speeds: Up to 11,500 MB/sSequential write speeds: Up to 8,500 MB/sSamsung 990 PRO w/ Heatsink 2TB SSD Around $170Interface: PCIe Gen4x4Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,450 MB/sSequential write speeds: Up to 6,900 MB/sSatechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIE NVME and SATA SSD Around $50 Tool-free Enclosure for M.2 PCIE NVME and SATA SSDNVMe supports PCIE Gen3x2 protocol with read & write speeds up to 10Gbps. SATA supports Gen3 protocol with read & write speeds up to 6GbpsSupports both SATA and NVMe M.2 drives in sizes 2242/2260/2280macOS, Windows, and Linux support*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons. Show more What's the right M.2 storage drive for you? Two things are going to add to the price of your M.2 purchase -- speed and capacity. The more of either one of these you need, the more it's going to cost. Choose this M.2 SSDIf you wantCrucial P2 3DA budget drive that's perfect for a basic PC. This is my default choice for a general M.2 upgrade.Crucial T705 SeriesOne of the highest performance drives you can buy. If you want performance, this is the drive for you, but you better have the hardware to back it up to get the most out of it.WD_BLACK 4TB SN850XTo give a gaming PC a performance boost. A good choice for those wanting high performance without breaking the bank.PNY CS3150To give a slowing PC an upgrade. Between the blazing fast storage chips and extreme cooling, this is a perfect performance upgrade.Samsung 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSDA high performance drive with decent capacity and, and long life. If you want extreme reliability, this is the drive for you. It's also perfect for upgrading your PS5.Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIE NVME and SATA SSD To build your own M.2 portable storage drive. A great way to make yourself a fast external storage drive. Show more How did we choose these M.2 SSD storage drives? I only recommend products that I've tested or used personally, and while there are many M.2 SSDs on the market, not every one is built the same. Here are some other factors I considered when testing and curating my top selections.Real-world use:When I test M.2 SSDs, I use them in a variety of systems, from basic PCs to high-end workstations, gaming systems, and drones, to CCTV systems under both easy and harsh conditions, to get a feel for how they actually work in the real world.Benchmarks: I'm also quite a nerd, and have carried out both real world and synthetic benchmarks on these M.2 SSDs. The tests included stress tests and performance tests (carried out using CrystalDisk and AJA System Test).User reviews:I'm one person, so there's a limit to how much testing I can do, which is why I like to keep an eye out on what users are saying on social media, Reddit, Amazon, and other online retailers. Show more FAQs on M.2 SSDs What is an M.2 SSD storage drive? M.2 is a type of solid-state drive (SSD) that is small and used for data storage. It connects directly to the motherboard of a computer, rather than using a traditional SATA III connection. This allows for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance compared to traditional SATA-based SSDs. Show more How do you pronounce M.2? In terms of pronunciation, "M.2" is typically pronounced "M-dot-two." Show more Do M.2 drives have sizes? Yes.You'll see sizes like 2242, 2260, and 2280.The first two numbers are the width in millimeters -- 22mm is the width of commercially available M.2 drives -- and the next two (or sometimes three) numbers are the length, again in millimeters.Check the manual for your computer's motherboard or enclosure to know the size restrictions for the M.2 drive you can use. Show more I've heard that M.2 drives have a "key." What's this? M.2 slots come in two "keyings" that prevent the drive being inserted the wrong way. Older systems used a B key, and newer systems use an M key.Modern drives come in two flavors -- M key or B+M, which will fit into both the newer and older slots. Show more Are U.2 drives the same as M.2? No.A U.2 SSD is a high-performance drive that uses Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface, The drives themselves come in a 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors (with the smaller being the more common), and they have a greater capacity, greater endurance, and higher capacities (up to 30TB). Show more How do you fit an M.2 drive? Fitting an M.2 drive is easy!Find the M.2 connector on your motherboard (consult your manual if you are unsure). The contacts on the drive slots into the connector at an angle of 30 degrees from the motherboard. Not vertically. Not horizontal. At a shallow angle.Insert the connector all the way into the slot, and then gently push it down flat to the motherboard, and finally affix it to the board using the retaining screw.Done! Show more Other M.2 SSDs we've tested Show less This Lexar M.2 SSD offers up to 7,500MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write in an 2280 form factor package, and it is compatible with the PlayStation 5, making it the perfect upgrade. Full Review Read Full Review Lexar Professional 2TB NM800 PRO This Lexar M.2 SSD offers up to 7,500MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write in an 2280 form factor package, and it is compatible with the PlayStation 5, making it the perfect upgrade. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less This affordable NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 SSD offering sequential read/write speed can reach up to 5,000MB/s and 4,500MB/s, respectively. Full Review Read Full Review TeamGroup MP44L 1TB This affordable NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 SSD offering sequential read/write speed can reach up to 5,000MB/s and 4,500MB/s, respectively. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends