Technological advances continue to move at breakneck speeds. While companies struggle through their digital transformation journeys, even more new technologies emerge, with promises of opportunity, cost savingsand added complexity. Many companies have yet to fully adopt AI and ML technologies, let alone figure out how newer technologies like generative AI might fit into their programs.A 2024 IDC survey revealed 22% of tech leaders said their organizations havent yet reached full digital maturity, and 41% of respondents said the complexity of integrating new technologies and approaches with existing tech stacks is the biggest challenge for tech adoption.To fuel successful technology adoption and maximize outcomes, companies need to focus on simplifying infrastructure architecture rather than how to make new technologies fit into existing stacks. When it comes to digital transformation, choosing an architectural approach over a purely technology-driven one is about seeing the bigger picture, says Rajarshi Purkayastha, the VP of solutions at Tata Communications. Instead of focusing on isolated tools or systems, an architectural approach connects the dotslinking silos rather than simply trying to eliminate them.Establishing the robust global network most companies need to connect these dots and link their silos requires more capability and bandwidth than traditional networks like multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits can typically provide in a cost-effective way. To keep pace with innovation, consumer demands, and market competition, todays wide area networks (WANs) need to support flexible, anywhere connectivity for multi-cloud based services, remote locations and users, and edge data centers.Understanding hybrid WANTraditional MPLS became the gold standard for most WAN architectures in the early 2000s to address the mounting challenges brought by the rapid growth of the internet and subsequent rapid expansions of enterprise networks. Today, as technological advances continue to accelerate, however, the limitations of MPLS are becoming apparent: MPLS networking is expensive; hard-wired connectivity is difficult to scale; and on its own, it doesnt fit well with cloud computing adoption strategies.In 2014, Gartner predicted hybrid WANs would be the future of networking. Hybrid WANs differ from traditional WANs in that the hybrid architecture facilitates multiple connection points: private network connections for mission-critical business, usually via the legacy MPLS circuits; and public network connections, typically utilizing internet connections such as 5G, LTE, or VPN, for less critical data traffic; and dedicated internet access (DIA) for somewhat critical traffic.In 2025, we are seeing signs Gartners hybrid WAN prediction might be coming to fruition. At Tata Communications, for example, hybrid WAN is a key component of its network fabricone facet of its digital fabric architecture, which weaves together networking, interaction, cloud, and IoT technologies.Our digital fabric simplifies the complexity of managing diverse technologies, breaks down silos, and provides a secure, unified platform for hyper-connected ecosystems, explains Purkayastha. By doing so, it ensures businesses have the agility, visibility, and scalability to succeed in their digital transformation journeyturning challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.Hybrid WAN provides the flexible, real-time data traffic channeling an architectural approach requires to create a programmable, performant, and secure network that can reduce complexities and ease adoption of emerging technologies. Its not just about solving todays challengesit lays the groundwork for a resilient, scalable future, says Purkayastha.Benefits of hybrid WANHybrid networking architectures support digital transformation journeys and emerging tech adoption in several ways.More efficient, even intelligent, data trafficking. A hybrid architecture brings together multiple avenues of data flow from MPLS and internet connectivity, which provides highly flexible, resilient architecture along with increased bandwidth to decrease network congestion. It also allows companies to prioritize critical data traffic. Hybrid WANs can also combine the hyper-secure connectivity of MPLS with software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) technology, which allows for intelligent switching across a companys information highways. If, for instance, one route encounters latency or malfunctions, that traffic will be automatically re-routed, helping to maintain continuous connectivity and reduce downtime.Increased scalability. The agility and flexibility of a hybrid WAN allows companies to dynamically scale bandwidth up or down as application needs change. An agile WAN architecture also paves the way for scaling business operations.Less complex cloud migration and easier adoption of new technologies. Adding internet connectivity to MPLS circuits allows for seamless data trafficking to the cloud, providing a more direct way for companies to transition to cloud-first strategies. Easing cloud migration also opens doors for emerging technologies like AI, generative AI, and machine learning, enabling companies to innovate to remain relevant in their markets.Improved productivity. The internet speed and connectivity of a hybrid WAN keeps geographically separated company locations and remote workers connected, increasing efficiency and collaboration.Easier integration with legacy systems. A hybrid approach allows legacy MPLS connections to remain, while offloading less sensitive data traffic to the internet. The ability to incorporate legacy applications and processes into a hybrid architecture not only eases integration and adoption, but helps to maximize returns on network investments.Network cost savings. Many of the benefits on this list translate into cost savings, as internet bandwidth is considerably cheaper than MPLS networking. A reduction in downtime reduces expenses companywide, and the ability to customize bandwidth usage at scale gives companies more control over network expenses while maximizing connectivity.Deploying a hybrid WAN A recent collaboration between Air France-KLM Group and Tata Communications highlights the benefits a hybrid WAN can bring to a global enterprise.Air France looked to increase its network and application performance threefold without incurring additional costsand while ensuring the security and integrity of their network. A hybrid WAN solutionspecifically, using MPLS and internet services from Tata Communications and other third-party providersafforded the flexibility, resilience, and continuous connectivity they needed.According to Tata Communications, the hybrid architecture increased Air Frances network availability to more than 99.94%, supporting its global office locations as well as their customer-facing applications, including passenger and cargo bookings and operating service centers.However, which connectivity to choose based on location type and application is complex, given the fact that networks vary by region, and one has to also take into account regulations, for e.g., in China, says Purkayastha. This is what Tata Communications helps customers withchoosing the right type of network, resulting in both cost savings and a better user experience.Enabling business for successInnovating and expanding enterprise operations in todays era of increasingly complex technology evolutions requires businesses to find agile and cost-effective avenues to stay connected and competitive.As emerging machine learning and AI technologies arent likely to slow, hybrid network architectures likely are going to become necessary infrastructure components for companies of all sizes. The flexibility, resiliency, and configurability of a hybrid WAN provides a relatively straightforward, lightweight network upgrade to allow companies to focus on business objectives with less time and expense worrying about network reliability and reach. At the end of the day, it isnt just about technologyits about enabling your business to stay agile, competitive, and ready to innovate, no matter how the landscape shifts, says Purkayastha.

Apple will be introducing iOS 19 at the WWDC in June, and will ship it to users in September 2025. Here's what's rumored for the next generation of the iPhone operating system.iOS 19 is due this fallEach year, Apple updates iOS alongside its iPhone. For 2025, to go with the iPhone 17, that means the release of iOS 19.With iOS 18 starting off the rollout of features under Apple Intelligence, iOS 19 is expected to continue to follow the trend with its own set of new functions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Warner Bros. has revealed in a recent letter to its shareholders that, while 2024 was quite disappointing for its games division, the company has plans to be more successful in the gaming market in 2025. Part of this plan is for WB Games to refocus our resources and capital on proven IP and games from proven, world class studios.The company describes its games business as a strategic differentiator, since studios under the WB Games banner can tap into the various IPs owned by the media company to make games. It also says that the gaming market is one of the fastest growing media segments, thanks to its over three billion global gamers.As we have previously said, 2024 was a disappointing year for our Games business and we have recently announced a restructuring plan to refocus our resources and capital on proven IP and games from proven, world class studios, said the studio in the letter. We are focusing our Games business around four tentpole franchises that have each generated over $1 billion in consumer sales in past years: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC particularly top tier characters like Batman.Hogwarts Legacy was one of the big video game releases namedropped in the letter. Thanks to the open-world games massive success, Warner Bros. has described it as being one of only three of its franchises in the last 15 years to have become one of the best-selling games of the year.Just two years ago, our Games team broke through with Hogwarts Legacy and created a completely new gaming franchise that was the best-selling game of the year a result that only three other franchises in the last 15 years have achieved, the letter continues. That gives us confidence that with our re-focused strategy we can get back to producing high-quality games built for long term consumer engagement, which we expect to propel our Games division back to profit in 2025 and emerge as a more significant contributor to growth in the years ahead.The letter reiterates what Warner Bros. Discover CEO David Zaslav had said to shareholders back in November 2024. Acknowledging the companys stumbles in the gaming business, Zaslav said that studios under the WB Games banner would focus on its four major IPs.We have four strong and profitable game franchises with loyal, global fans: Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, in particular Batman, said Zaslav. We are focusing our development efforts on those core franchises, with proven studios to improve our success ratio.More recently, in a bid to refocus its efforts, Warner Bros. closed down a trio of studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB Games San Diego. Along with the closure of the studios, the company also cancelled the long-in-development video game adaptation of Wonder Woman.This is a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent within them, said the studio in a statement.For more on the current state of Warner Bros. Games, here are our thoughts on what has been happening with the company.

Square Enix has revealed through an updated list of its executives that Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida is no longer a member of the companys board of directors. While Yoshida is still present in one of Square Enixs official websites pages as one of its executives, his departure from the board of directors is still recent enough that not all pages have been updated yet, as caught by Automaton Media.Having originally joined Square Enix back in 2005, Yoshida became an executive officer in the company back in 2015, shortly after the success of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. Since then, Yoshida has worked as producer on the MMORPG, and most recently, was also the producer on Final Fantasy 16.Square Enix itself hasnt yet released a statement about Yoshida leaving the board of directors. An interview he had with Dutch publication NRC indicates that the decision to leave the position might have been at least partially his. I dont want to be on the board, its much more fun to just make games, said Yoshida in the 2023 interview (translation via Dot Esports).Yoshida hasnt yet made any statements about his departure from the board of directors either, and it looks like he will continue heading up Square Enixs Creative Business Unit 3 as producer.Final Fantasy 14 itself has still been quite successful for Square Enix; the MMORPG got its most recent expansion, Dawntrail, last year. Dawntrail also saw quite a rise in player numbers for the game, with Yoshida himself announcing that the expansion saw the highest number of concurrent players across all platforms since the release of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn all the way back in 2013.Yoshida has been notable in the history of Final Fantasy thanks in large part to his leadership of the team that was able to successfully turn Final Fantasy 14 around from its originally-failing release into a decent MMORPG with A Realm Reborn. Since then, the game has seen several expansions along the way, with Heavensward and Shadowbringers being especially praised by critics thanks to their stories.Final Fantasy 16, on the other hand, while still critically acclaimed, had seemingly disappointed Square Enix in terms of sales figures for its original PS5-exclusive release. Since then, the game has also been released on PC. Yoshida himself also said that future titles by Square Enix would be getting multiplatform releases.The sentiment was echoed by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth producer Yoshinori Kitase back in December, when he said that while Square Enix was satisfied with the sales of the title, its clear that we cant be exclusive to a single platform.I think we need to offer the game to as many players as possible, he said.In its recent earnings repot, Square Enix reported a rise in operating profits. Among the games credited for this increase in revenue was Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, which was released on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch back in November 2024. Check out our review for more details.

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TechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.Secret Mode splits from Sumo to become independent publisherSecret Mode splits from Sumo to become independent publisherEmona Capital and Secret Mode leaders James Schall and Ed Blincoe led the buyout.Chris Kerr, News EditorMarch 3, 20251 Min ReadImage via Secret ModeSecret Mode, the publisher founded by Sumo Group in 2020, has been sold to Emona Capital for an undisclosed fee.The deal was overseen by some familiar faces, with Secret Mode co-founder James Schall and VP of publishing Ed Blincoe partnering with Emona to lead the buyout.The publisherknown for working on titles like Still Wakes the Deep, Eternal Threads, and Wobbledogs under the Sumo bannerwill now focus on uncovering indie gems for PC and console as an independent entity.Secret Mode will remain under the leadership of Schall and Blincoe, who said they have the "full backing" of Emona."By becoming independent, we can now put all our efforts into uncovering the indie gems that gamers never knew they needed in their lives," said Schall."We are committed to bringing our players the very best indie titles; not just of the future, but also by helping them discover existing indie masterpieces that have undeservedly flown under the radar in years gone by. We are working hard to empower independent developers across the globe, and hope to make some exciting announcements on this front in the coming months."The deal was announced shortly after Sumo outlined plans to move away from internal development to focus exclusively on co-development work. The UK company, which is owned by Tencent, said the pivot will help it adapt to shifting "commercial realities."The decision followed widespread layoffs at the company.Emona has previously invested in studios such as Relic Entertainment and Amber Studio, although Secret Mode represents its first foray into the world of publishing.Read more about:M&AAbout the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, andPocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

EV maker BYD unveiled Lingyuan, a vehicle-mounted drone launching system developed in collaboration with DJI that is available for all of the companys vehicles, reports Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. The system is only available in China, like BYDs vehicles, and costs 16,000 yuan (or about $2,197).BYDs video below, reposted by YouTube channel ShanghaiEye, has some real science fiction vibes: the driver taps a button on their vehicles touch screen, and doors slide open on the top of the car, revealing a rising landing platform with a drone on it. The drone is shown lifting off while the EV is in motion in some shots, then following the car down the road.A CnEVPost story says the drones can take off and land at speeds up to 25 km/h and that they can return automatically as long as theyre within two kilometers of the vehicle. The story also says the drone can follow at up to 54 kilometers per hour. The hangar charges the drone when its docked. The Lingyuan purchase price includes a DJI drone reports dont seem to say which, but the video shows a DJI Air 3S as well as the roof-mounted drone hangar, and apps that work with the system, according to South China Morning Post. The apps include one for video editing (possibly one of DJIs existing apps) as well as one for AI recognition, whose function isnt specified by SCMP. Google-translated text from BYDs demo video revealing the system mentions AI Posture recognition, Lingyuan takes photos around the car. Its not clear whether BYD owners can install the system on a vehicle themselves.Screenshot: YouTubeBYD and DJI collaborated in developing a fully integrated system from the ground up, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu said at a launch event in Chinese tech hub Shenzhen on Sunday, writes SCMP. The automaker also reportedly introduced a version of its Bao 8 SUV that comes pre-equipped with the Lingyuan system.Its not BYDs first venture into drone launchers. Its luxury brand, Yangwang, launched an off-road variant of its U8 SUV with one attached to its roof rails, but that looks much larger than the Lingyuan featured in BYDs video.Lingyuan sounds a lot like DJIs Dock 3 drone-in-a-box solution meant for use in tasks like power line inspections or emergency response. The Dock 3 was the first verson of the DJI Dock to let you launch the drones from a moving vehicle, but it costs quite a bit more than the Lingyuan system: it starts at $21,059, a price that doesnt include installation, for a bundle with a DJI Matrice 4D drone.See More:

Apple CEO Tim Cook just teased the launch of a new device coming to its Air lineup this week. In a post on X, Cook posted a short video with the text, Theres something in the air alongside a caption saying this week.Though Cook doesnt specify which device Apple plans to launch, its likely a new MacBook Air, as Bloombergs Mark Gurman has said the company is getting ready to reveal an M4-equipped MacBook Air. Apple revealed its M3 MacBook Air in March last year.This week. pic.twitter.com/uXqQaGNkSk Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 3, 2025Additionally, Gurman has also reported that Apple is working on new iPad Air models that the company aims to release around the same time as the iPhone 16E, which just launched last month. Recently, there have been rumors about a new iPhone Air model as well, although its probably a little early for that to get announced.Developing

Call of Duty cheat provider, Phantom Overlay, is reportedly shutting down.In a statement posted to Telegram, the cheat provider declined to comment on why it was closing down "immediately," adding: "This is not an exit scam and no external entity could ever compel me to exit scam my customers. I'll keep everything updated, safe, and online for 32 days longer."The reason Phantom Overlay is committed to staying online for 32 days is to ensure people with a 30-day key "get their full money's worth." The cheat creator also said they would partially refund lifetime keys, too. Crucially, many other cheat providers piggyback off Phantom Overlay's systems, so this shock closure could have a broader impact on the cheating ecosystem."I can't believe it!!" commented one gamer on X, formerly known as Twitter (thanks, Dexerto). "Does this mean the Season 3 cheat update is really gonna work?!"Other commenters were less convinced, with one stating: "They're just rebranding. They have the same provider under multiple names/brands. The cheaters won't stop."Activision recently admitted its Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 anti-cheat efforts "did not hit the mark" at the Launch of Season 1, particularly for Ranked Play after initially pledging to kick cheaters out of the game within one hour of them being in their first match.It did, however, assure players it now routinely bans cheaters due to increased "velocity" from several Ricochet Anti-Cheat systems, in addition to the over 19,000 accounts it recently removed.The apparent prevalence of cheaters is considered by some to be ruining competitive multiplayer, and Activision had come under fire for failing to address the problem. Things got so bad that last month, with the release of Season 2, Activision let console Ranked players disable crossplay with PC players.Cheating is not unique to Call of Duty, of course, but it has become more problematic for Activision ever since it released free-to-download battle royale Warzone in 2020. But despite investing millions of dollars developing its anti-cheat technology as well as pursuing cheat makers in the courts, with a number of recent high-profile successes fans remain sceptical of the Ricochet system.In related news, earlier today, we reported it looks like we'll finally find out more about the return of Call of Duty Warzone's much-loved Verdansk map on March 10.Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.