RTimages - stock.adobe.comNewsIR35 reforms: HMRCs assessment of private sector impacts called into questionHM Revenue & Customs recently published figures that show it generated 1.8bn more than expected from private sector roll-out of IR35 reforms, but those figures are being called into questionByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 13 Mar 2025 11:04 The news that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has collected 1bn more in tax than expected from the 2021 private sector roll-out of the IR35 reforms should not be considered a sign of the initiatives success, IT contractor market stakeholders claim.The government tax collection agency published figures in late February 2025 about the impact caused by extending the IR35 reforms to the private sector in April 2021, in terms of how many workers were affected by the changes and how much additional tax HMRC raised by introducing them.The reforms, introduced as part of HMRCs ongoing clampdown on disguised employment, were originally rolled out to the public sector from April 2017, and saw contractors cede responsibility to the end-client organisations engaging them for determining whether their work means they should be taxed like an employee (inside IR35) or in the same way as an off-payroll worker (outside IR35).Several years later, the government announced plans to extend the reforms to medium to large private sector businesses, which following a 12-month delay due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic occurred in April 2021.According to HMRCs figures, around 120,000 individuals who were providing services through their own limited companies or person service companies (PSCs) were likely to have been affected by extending the reforms to the private sector in April 2021.This includes contractors who may have had their engagements classified as inside IR35 as a result of the changes, and individuals who may have opted to provide their services through an umbrella company since April 2021, confirmed HMRC.It is worth noting that HMRC originally forecast that the reforms would affect 170,000 individuals, according to a document published on 3 April 2020 that outlined the governments rationale for rolling out the reforms and the projected benefits the move would generate.That same 2020 document also predicted the reforms would generate an additional 2.395bn in unpaid tax, generated over the course of three tax years spanning 2020/21 to 2022/23.However, HMRCs February 2025 impact assessment data shows the reforms generated 1.8bn more than projected across the three tax years spanning 2021-2023, despite 50,000 people fewer than expected finding themselves in-scope of the private sector reforms.The discrepancies in the figures have raised eyebrows among contracting market stakeholders, including Dave Chaplin, CEO of contracting authority ContractorCalculator, who told Computer Weekly that HMRCs calculations simply do not add up.Its implausible that 50,000 fewer people could generate 75% more tax revenue. The 120,000 figure seems significantly underestimated, he said.If the original projection of 2.4bn was based on 170,000 people, that equals 14,088 per person. Using this same rate, achieving the new projection of 4.2bn would require 298,121 people not 120,000. Its implausible that 50,000 fewer people could generate 75% more tax revenue. The 120,000 figure seems significantly underestimated Dave Chaplin, ContractorCalculatorChaplin continued: The only reasonable conclusion is that HMRCs figure of 120,000 affected individuals is incorrect. Our calculations indicate 58% of the original PSC population (510,000) was affected not the claimed 23%, which is more than double HMRCs estimate.Speaking to Computer Weekly, Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), said there were a couple of different ways that HMRCs figures could be interpreted.For one, the fact the reforms have raised 1bn more than expected suggests that in its quest to improve the private sectors IR35 compliance, what it has actually achieved appears to be a sizeable overcompliance with the rules.[This is] where individuals were forced onto payroll even though they were genuinely in-business and in outside IR35 roles, he said.In the lead-up to both the public and private sector IR35 reforms being rolled out,Computer Weekly reported on numerous instances whereby organisations tried to fast-track their compliance with the reforms in several ways.Some sought to reduce the additional administrative burden the reforms put on them by declaring all the contractors they engaged as working inside IR35.Other organisations side-stepped the reforms by issuing blanket hiring bans on off-payroll workers. This led to many insisting the contractors they engaged could only continue to provide services to them if they did so through an umbrella company, as the IR35 rules do not apply to umbrella employees.Some that were forced into umbrellas were able to put their rates up, so the gross pay, and therefore the tax take, was higher, continued Chamberlain.Computer Weekly contacted HMRC to ask if it could give an account as to why more tax has been generated than expected from fewer than anticipated affected individuals, but the government department did not directly answer the question.It is an issue, however, that HMRC appears to address in its February 2025 impact report with the acknowledgment that there has been a small change in its initial estimates of the numbers of workers affected and the additional tax revenues generated due to newer data becoming available and improvements in [HMRCs] methodology.Either way, Chaplin described the HMRC data discrepancies as concerning because it shows its data is unreliable and yet these numbers are what the department is holding up as proof the reforms have had the desired result.[This data] further undermines confidence in the official narrative and suggests policy decisions were based on flawed information rather than accurate assessments of the freelance markets reality, he said.HMRC further revealed in its private sector IR35 impact assessment that the reforms may have partly contributed to a downturn in the number of new PSCs being created, which suggests the reforms may have put some people off becoming self-employed.We estimate around 45,000 fewer new PSCs formed around the time of the reform, up until the end of March 2022, compared to what we might have expected to happen based on historical trends, said HMRC.These workers may have instead chosen to work in a different way, and we expect they will have remained, or started, working as employees.The way Chaplin sees it, HMRCs data suggests the reforms have stripped a quarter of legitimate freelancers of their self-employment status and have unnecessarily restricted the flexible workforce precisely when economic growth demands their contributions most.He added: I think we can rightfully conclude that HMRCs models and research should be taken with the annual output of a salt refinery that is, with extreme scepticism.Read more about IR35IT contractors urged to act now, as details emerge about how HMRC is drawing on some IR35-adjacent legislation to send out five-figure tax bills to individuals who engage with contractor-focused accountants.As the countdown to the IR35 reforms being rolled out to the private sector continues apace, HMRCustoms issues compliance guidance for firms in-scope of the new rules.In The Current Issue:Digital twins map the world and guide strategic decisionsLiverpool reinvents customer service through digital platformDownload Current IssueSecuring Your Crown Jewels Networks GenerationSUSECON 2025: An evolved portfolio of 'validated' infrastructure tools Open Source InsiderView All Blogs

Adam Breeden/ZDNETAmazon has had a busy last few weeks. After a smashing Devices and Services event last month, at which the company unveiled new Alexa upgrades and teased Alexa+ companion devices on the horizon soon, the retail giant is looking to get back to its roots: e-commerce. With President's Day behind us, ZDNET's team of experts is gearing up for the second annual Amazon Big Spring Sale. Last year, the retail giant announced its first-ever Big Spring Sale event, which ran from March 20-25. Amazon slashed prices and offered near-holiday-priced deals on tablets, TVs, headphones, robot vacuums, home goods, as well as popular flagship Amazon products. I expect the sale to return this year with many similar deals.As ZDNET's deal connoisseur, I'm using my extensive hands-on tech experience and seasoned commerce skills to cover all-things sales and deals. I break down everything you need to know to shop like a pro any time of the year -- plus all of the currently unconfirmed details about Amazon's first major sale event of 2025.Amazon has not officially confirmed a spring sale for 2025, nor has the brand publicized specific sale dates or verbiage. However, my research points to a second Big Spring Sale in bloom soon. Towards the end of February, moderators of Amazon's Seller Central (a public forum for third-party merchants)announcedthe sale internally and called for deals submissions. The forum detailed that deals can be submitted for the "Big Spring Sale" through March 17, while Prime-exclusive offers can be submitted until March 31. Last year, Amazon's first public announcement of a spring sale came on March 14, only six days before last year's sale kicked off.When is Amazon's Spring Sale?I don't work for Amazon, but my instincts (and these facts) tell me that a spring sale is coming soon, will be called the Big Spring Sale for the second year, and won't start before March 18. Since Amazon is a sucker for scheduling, I fully expect the retail giant to run this year's sale on the same cadence as last. In 2024, the sale kicked off on Wednesday, March 20, and ended Monday, March 25. As Prime-exclusive offers are being accepted until March 31, I think this year's Big Spring Sale could run from Wednesday, March 26 to Monday, March 31. Of course, I won't know for sure until you do, so until then, I'll keep you posted with everything there is to know about Amazon's likely incoming Big Spring Sale. What is Amazon's Big Spring Sale? Amazon frequently runs sales several times during the year, and I saw tons of products discounted ahead of President's Day last month. The company's most popular Prime Day sales occur in October and July.Last year, Amazon introduced the Big Spring Sale, signaling a new annual sale event on the retail giant's calendar. It was not a Prime-exclusive event. However, expect to see select exclusive Prime member offers.Also: Everything you need to know about Alexa+, Amazon's new generative AI assistantEssentially, what you can expect from Amazon is tons of deals across almost every product category, all available for a limited time. Show more What are the dates of Amazon's Big Spring Sale? Amazon has not confirmed 2025's Big Spring Sale dates, but based on my research, I expect the seasonal savings event to return sometime between March 17 and March 31. Our best estimates place the sale starting sometime around Wednesday, March 26. In 2024, the Big Spring sale ran from Wednesday, March 20 to Monday, March 25. Show more Do I have to be a Prime member to shop Amazon's Big Spring Sale? No, you don't have to be a Prime member to shop this sale event. All customers can shop the Amazon Big Spring Sale, although, like last year, Prime members will presumably have special access to select exclusive deals.If you're not a Prime member yet, you canjoinbefore the Big Spring Sale kickoff to receivemember benefitslike free shipping, entertainment, exclusive savings, and more. Show more How much is an Amazon Prime membership? Amazon Prime costs $15 per month, or you can purchase an annual membership for $139, saving several dollars.College students and those aged 18-24can get a discount and pay nearly $8 per month or $69 per year. In addition, those with qualified government assistance (which may include select seniors) canreceive a Prime membershipfor just $7 per month after their free trial. Show more How can I maximize the Big Spring Sale to save? As a commerce and advice editor, I can recommend a few things to help you maximize Amazon's sales. If you want to shop the sale, you'll want to access a Prime account, even if the Big Spring Sale is not a Prime-exclusive event. In addition to free two-day shipping, membership is easy to set up and gives you access to exclusive offers on the site. Plus, you canuse a free trialto shop for the best savings without spending a dime on a membership.If you end up starting a free trial (or already have Prime), ensure your payment options (like one-click settings and your default delivery address) are correct. This way, you can check out quickly if you need to during the sale.Also:7 exciting AI features coming with Alexa+ (and what Amazon devices support it)Other ways to prepare for spring savings include researching and planning potential purchases, listing want and need items, and setting a budget before sales. Show more When is the next Prime Day? October Prime Day returned Oct. 8-9, 2024. If Amazon sticks to its typical sale calendar, the next Prime Day sale (and the first of 2025) will likely be in July. However, there are still a few more chances to save until then, including during the Big Spring Sale. Show more What types of deals can I find during the Amazon Big Spring Sale? Last year, Amazon offered customers 50% (or sometimes more) off products across multiple categories, such as beauty, sports and outdoor, home, apparel, and electronics. This year, I'm expecting much of the same, but we will know more when Amazon eventually announces the dates of the Big Spring Sale, plus some extra info on what we can expect. Show more How long will Amazon's Spring Sale deals last? Last year, Amazon's Big Spring Sale ran March 20-25, so expect multiple days of deals and plenty of opportunities to save this year. However, as with all sale events, there will be lingering offers from Amazon and competing retailers after the official sale ends. The ZDNET team will cover the best deals on top-tested tech before, during, and after the Big Spring Sale, so I'll keep you posted. Show more Are there already Amazon Big Spring Sale deals I can shop right now? Although the Big Spring Sale likely doesn't officially kick off for a few weeks, the retail giant always has many discounted products. We spend time shopping for the best Amazon deals available daily, no matter the time of year, to bring serious savings to ZDNET readers. Show more Are other retailers participating in Amazon's Spring Sale? Last year, several retailers jumped on the spring sale train and offered seasonal savings that overlapped with, preceded, or followed Amazon's Big Spring Sale. This year, we expect similar concurrent sales again, likely from other major competitors like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more. At the very least, expect many retailers to drop their prices to match Amazon's and give customers like you a choice of where to buy from. Show more Why trust ZDNET to help you shop? As a member of the ZDNET staff, I only write about deals myself or a team member would want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. I look for deals where products are at least 20% off (or hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is on sale and how frequently it drops.I also look over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use products in the deals I recommend. These recommendations may also be based on my testing (or testing by another ZDNET expert), plus extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best tech.Plus, in 2025, ZDNET refined its approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor's deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision. Show more Amazon Spring Sale 2025

While its compact design comes with some trade-offs, the Xgimi Horizon S Max stands out as one of the brightest and most powerful projectors I've reviewed.

The FBI issues mitigation advice as Medusa ransomware attacks continue.Getty ImagesThe Federal Bureau of Investigation has recently warned of weird ransomware attack threats delivered by the United States Postal Service, yes really, alongside a dangerous ransowmare campaign from so-called Ghost attackers, and some of the most sophisticated threats against Gmail users ever. Having previously also advised users to use two-factor authentication to mitigate such attacks, a newly published FBI industry alert has rolled the mitigation advice into one as ongoing attacks by the Medusa ransomware gang continue. Enable 2FA for webmail services such as Gmail and Outlook, as well as for VPNs, the FBI has warned. And enable it now. Heres what you need to know.FBI And CISA Issue Medusa Ransomware Industry Joint AlertMedusa, a highly dangerous ransomware-as-a-service provider, known to have impacted at least 300 victims from the critical infrastructure sector since the campaign was first observed in June 2021, is known to employ both social engineering and unpatched software vulnerability exploitation during attacks. FBI investigations as recently as February have enabled intelligence agencies to assemble a dossier of tactics, techniques, and procedures, indicators of compromise, and detection methods associated with the threat actors.In partnership with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI has issued a joint March 12 cybersecurity advisory against the backdrop of attacks by the Medusa ransomware group. The full FBI alert, AA25-071A, goes into great depth regarding the technicalities of the Medusa operation. As such, it is of importance that this should be read by all cyber-defenders. However, for the purposes of this article I am going to focus on the attack mitigation advice offered by the FBI.Mitigating MedusaFBI Says Enable 2FA For Webmail And VPNs NowWhen it comes to the immediate, as in right now, actions that all organizations should be taking in order to mitigate the Medusa ransomware attack campaigns, the FBI has recommended the following:Require two-factor authentication for all services where possible, but in particular for webmail such as Gmail, Outlook and others, along with virtual private networks and any accounts that can access critical systems.Require all accounts with password logins to use long passwords and consider not requiring frequently recurring password changes, as these can weaken security.Retain multiple copies of sensitive or proprietary data and servers in a physically separate, segmented, and secure location.Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up to date. Prioritize patching known exploited vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems.Identify, detect, and investigate abnormal activity and potential traversal of the indicated ransomware with a networking monitoring tool.Monitor for unauthorized scanning and access attempts.Filter network traffic by preventing unknown or untrusted origins from accessing remote services on internal systems.Audit user accounts with administrative privileges and configure access controls according to the principle of least privilege.Disable command-line and scripting activities and permissions.Disable unused ports.Despite FBI And CISA Advice, The Hackers Must Be LaughingNot everyone is happy with the advice that has been given by the FBI and CISA with regard to the Medusa ransomware group threat. Take Roger Grimes, a data-driven defence evangelist at KnowBe4, who said that it continues a long tradition of warning people about ransomware that spreads using social engineering, that then does not suggest security awareness training as a primary way to defeat it. Grimes said that, in the experience of KnowBe4, social engineering is involved in 70% - 90% of all successful hacking attacks. Yet, despite the official alert noting that social engineering is one of the primary methods of distributing the ransomware threats, awareness isnt mentioned in the 15 recommended mitigations. It's like learning that criminals are breaking into your house all the time through the windows and then recommending more locks for the doors, Grimes said. Warning that such a continued misalignment between the ways we are most often attacked by threat actors and their malware programs and how we are told to defend ourselves enables hackers to continue to be successful, Grimes concluded that the hackers must be laughing."

Costly cyberattacks against various elements of the auto industry rose sharply last year as hackers ... [+] become more sophisticated, according to a new report from cybersecurity company Upstream.gettyThe rolling computers our cars and trucks have become, the companies that produce them and dealers who sell them have come under a sharp increase in costly cyberattacks according to a new report from cybersecurity company Upstream Security Inc.In 2024, 60% of cybersecurity incidents in the automotive and smart mobility sectors affected thousands to millions of mobility assets, including vehicles, EV charging stations, smart mobility apps, and connected devices, the 2025 Global Automotive and Smart Mobility Cybersecurity Report by Upstream revealed.In particular, massive-scale incidents, each impacting millions of vehicles, more than tripled, rising from 5% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, according to the report.Chart from Upstream report showing sharp increase in "high-massive" impact cybersecurity attacks ... [+] against the auto industry in 2024.UpstreamIndeed, massive-scale incidents continued to increase between 2023 and 2024, accounting for nearly 60% of all incidents, the report revealed.Jason Masker, director of solutions architecture at cybersecurity company Upstream Security Inc. Ed GarstenThese threat actors are looking for, what's the best leverage I have to get you to pay me. If that's now, I can impact millions of vehicles. I can impact your reputation. I can impact your I'm going to get you to pay me, to keep this quiet, said Jason Masker, director of solutions architecture at Upstream, in an interview on the sidelines of a cybersecurity conference in Dearborn, Michigan this week.The attacks have grown far beyond simply hacking into a vehicles controls, although thats still a threat.The report cites a discovery by Duke University researchers that radar used to adjust proper separation of vehicles when adaptive cruise control is in use can be attacked with potentially disastrous results.This type of attack can be used to fool adaptive cruise control systems that use radar, into thinking the car in front of it is speeding up, when it is not, resulting in a frontal collision, the report warned.Other types of cyberattacks cited included:The U.S. division of a Japanese automaker hit with ransomware attack resulting in data theft of 22GB of sensitive vehicle and customer information.Chinese tier-two supplier hit by a ransomware attack leading to a major breach of 1.2TB of data, impacting Chinese and global manufacturers.Italian branch of a German automaker experienced a data breach compromising customer personal identifiable information.Chart from Upstream report on breakdown of auto-related cybersecurity attacks in 2024. UpstreamAuto dealers were especially vulnerable to costly cyberattacks. In one incident cited by the report, a major ransomware attack against a major dealership management software provider affecting 15,000 dealerships, led to a three-week service outage, over $1 billion in economic damage and a $25 million ransom demand.The Anderson Economic Group-AEG, estimated that total direct losses to franchised auto dealers reached $1.02 billion, according to the report.AEGs figure includes lost earnings from the approximately 56,000 new unit sales the company estimated were lost during the three-week period, lost earnings on used car sales, lost earnings on parts and service, additional staffing and IT service costs and additional floor plan interest costs on inventory.The breadth of effort by so-called black hat attackers continues to grow, including invading or disabling the computer systems that track commercial truck drivers legally-mandated service logs until a ransom is paid, basically shutting down operations.They're learning from every interaction, from every impact, noted Masker. If we didn't get paid out enough that time, maybe we'll go a little further next time.Its all evidence malicious cyberattackers have turned their attention from individual drivers to targets with much deeper pocketsnamely automakers and suppliers that would take huge financial hits should their computer systems be disabled for an extended time.If I'm talking about hundreds of millions or billions, even, of dollars a year, what's a month, right? If you're shut down for 30 days, yeah, that money's not coming in, noted Masker.Indeed, cyberattackers have changed their tactics from merely disabling a system to extract ransom payments.Traditional ransomware extortion tactics, where attackers encrypt critical data, shutdown the victim's operation, and extort them with the threat of releasing sensitive data (e.g., double extortion) have proven less effective for attackersdata encryption is resource-intensive and many organizations can restore their data from backups, the report noted.The sharp increase in cyberattacks has revealed what the report terms a widening gap between regulations designed to minimize such attacks and companies efforts to stay ahead of attackers, due to a false sense of security.The report urges automakers and mobility stakeholders to go beyond regulations to address the threats causing serious implications for safety, operational availability and data privacy.Upstream takes a multi-level approach to defending against cyberattacks. Most notably, it monitors activities in more than 25 million vehicles, ingesting what Masker describes as dozens of billions of transactions, giving its clients fair warning about possible attacks.The company also employs individuals to join and lurk on certain websites where they might catch discussions planning attacks.There's all kinds of auto enthusiasts out there, said Masker. Sometimes they're just trying to make their cars go fast. Wouldn't hurt anyone. Theyre working on their own car, but they discover something that somebody goes, ah, I can take this and apply it and do something kind of malicious. So we have people in those forums.Upstream CEO Yoav Levy expects artificial intelligence to play a much greater role in helping to detect such attacks, predicting in the report, an acceleration in AI adoption, integrating it across detection, investigation, and mitigation processes.Experts quoted in the report all expect the incidences of cyberattacks against the auto industry to increase this year affecting everything from connected electric vehicle battery charging networks to manufacturing operations.The motivation for the attacks remains simple, according to Masker.Its all about the payday.

What just happened? The first step in Meta's attempts to have a tell-all book by a former employee blocked has succeeded. An arbitrator has decided in favor of the company, ruling that Sarah Wynn-Williams is prohibited from promoting Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. Wynn-Williams' book includes several damning revelations and allegations against Meta. There are further details about the concessions the company offered to the Chinese government in the hope of launching a censored version of the platform in the country. The book also includes claims of sexual harassment by chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan while he was a vice president for global public policy and Wynn-Williams' boss. Further allegations include Facebook ignoring internal warnings about its potential damage to human rights and democracy.The book also alleges that Chinese president Xi Jinping once used a human wall of security personnel to block any potential eye contact between himself and Mark Zuckerberg.Yesterday, Meta won an emergency arbitration ruling to temporarily stop promotion of the book. The arbitrator, Nicholas Gowen, said Meta would suffer "immediate and irreparable loss" in the absence of emergency relief.Sarah Wynn-Williams pictured with Mark Zuckerberg and Joel KaplanGowen said that Wynn-Williams must stop making disparaging, critical, or otherwise detrimental remarks against Meta and its employees and retract all such previous comments from all forums, including online, where they appear to the extent she can control. // Related StoriesFurthermore, Wynn-Williams cannot promote the book via a book tour or other means, or further publish or distribute it. Again, the order comes with the "to the extent she can control" caveat.Meta alleges that Wynn-Williams violated the non-disparagement terms of her September 2017 severance agreement. Book publisher Macmillan argues it was not bound by this agreement.It's unclear if the arbitrator can stop the book from being published. It remains on sale at retailers such as Amazon, where it is the number one best-seller in its category.Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the ruling confirms that Wynn-Williams' "false and defamatory book" should never have been published."This urgent legal action was made necessary by Williams, who more than eight years after being terminated by the company, deliberately concealed the existence of her book project and avoided the industry's standard fact-checking process in order to rush it to shelves after waiting for eight years," Stone said.Meta previously said that Wynn-Williams' comments were out-of-date and that she was fired in 2017 for poor performance and toxic behavior. The international lawyer and a former New Zealand diplomat joined Facebook in 2011 and eventually became its director of global public policy.

What just happened? Texas Instruments has made a significant leap in the field of microelectronics with the unveiling of the world's smallest microcontroller unit, the MSPM0C1104. This diminutive device measures a mere 1.38 mm about the size of a black pepper flake. As consumers increasingly demand more features in smaller devices, the need for compact components like this MCU has become paramount. This trend is particularly pronounced in the medical and consumer electronics fields, where wearables and smart home devices are gaining popularity.The MSPM0C1104 MCU is part of Texas Instruments' Arm Cortex-M0+ MSPM0 MCU portfolio and leverages the advantages of wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP) technology, making it 38 percent smaller than competing devices. This technological advancement allows engineers to maintain high computing performance without increasing board size, which is crucial for devices such as earbuds and medical probes. The MCU features a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with three channels, six general-purpose input/output pins, and compatibility with standard communication interfaces like UART, SPI, and I2C.Built on the enhanced Arm Cortex-M0+ core, the MSPM0C1104 operates at frequencies of up to 24 MHz. It includes up to 16 KB of embedded flash memory and 1 KB of SRAM. It also incorporates a high-speed on-chip oscillator with an accuracy of -2 percent to +1.2 percent, eliminating the need for an external crystal.Other notable features include a single-channel DMA, a CRC-16 accelerator, and a variety of high-performance analog peripherals such as an on-chip temperature sensor. The device also offers intelligent digital peripherals, including one 16-bit advanced timer, two 16-bit general-purpose timers, and a windowed watchdog timer.The MSPM0C1104 MCU operates within a wide temperature range of -40C to 125C and supports supply voltages from 1.62V to 3.6V. Its power efficiency is remarkable, consuming only 87A/MHz when active and 5A in standby mode with SRAM retention. This efficiency and compact size make it particularly suitable for battery-powered devices where extended battery life is essential.Texas Instruments' MSPM0 MCU portfolio features over 100 MCUs with pin-to-pin compatible package options, starting at $0.16 per unit in quantities of 1,000. The ecosystem is supported by a software development kit, hardware development kits, reference designs, subsystems, and tools like Zero Code Studio, enabling users to configure and develop MCU applications without extensive coding.Furthermore, the MSPM0C1104 MCU is supported by online collateral, training with MSP Academy, and online support through the TI E2E support forums. Texas Instruments offers a LaunchPad development kit for the MSPM0C1104, including an onboard debug probe for programming and debugging. // Related Stories

When it comes to streaming devices, one of the O.G. brands behind these Netflix and Disney+ gadgets is Roku. For close to two decades, Rokus plug-and-play dongles, set-top boxes, and smart TVs have dominated the AV marketplace. And while these devices are often inexpensive to begin with, much of the Roku lineup gets weekly sales treatment, too!As a matter of fact, right now you can get the Roku Express 4K+ at Amazon and Walmart for only $25. The full MSRP on this model is $40. We tested this Roku back in 2022 and reviewer Simon Cohen said, Roku does it again with a tiny streamer thats huge on features and value.Slightly bigger than a USB flash drive, the Roku Express 4K+ delivers an exceptional streaming experience, complete with fast Wi-Fi connectivity, excellent picture quality, and support for many of the leading home theater picture and sound formats, including HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. Once hooked up to the internet, the Express 4K+ becomes your instant gateway to hundreds of apps, games, and hours upon hours of free live TV content, including local news and weather!RelatedThe Express 4K+ also comes with a remote that has a built-in microphone, allowing you to search for movies, open and close apps, and more, all with simple voice commands. Youll even be able to control most TVs, including volume and power. While the Express 4K+ isnt Rokus most powerful streaming device (that honor goes to the Roku Ultra), this simple and intuitive streaming device is still a great purchase, especially for $25!Were not sure how long the sale will last, though, so if youre interested in scooping up a Roku device for a reasonable price, today might be your last shot. Take $15 off the Roku Express 4K+ when you purchase today, and be sure to take a look at our lists of the best Amazon deals, best Walmart deals, and best TV deals for even more discounts on top AV tech.Editors Recommendations

Love crossword puzzles but dont have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? Thats what The Mini is for!A bite-sized version of the New York Times well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isnt always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt.Recommended VideosJust like ourWordle hints and Connections hints, were here to help with The Mini today if youre stuck and need a little help.Please enable Javascript to view this contentBelow are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today.New York TimesAcrossThe slightest bit ATADLike a crossword clue about crossword clues METASports shocker with a hint to the circled letters UPSETSign of life PULSESmall arguments SPATSDownMake excited AMPUPAutomaker with a Cybertruck TESLAThis is ___ (disclaimer accompanying an alarm) ATESTFirst ones might be awkward DATESFedEx competitor UPSEditors Recommendations

A veteran of the semiconductor industry, Lip-Bu Tan has an even longer track record as a technology investor, particularly in Chinese companies.