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The year 2025 will not be a revolutionary one, it will be evolutionary, with developments coming into effect that were necessitated by events and happenings in 2024, and solutions to address these events reaching maturity levels that allow an appropriate, comprehensive response. With threats like ransomware certain to continue, identity resilience is going to become more important in the year ahead and, as such, identity will become the critical component of security.

This shift in emphasis started to take place in 2024, but there will be a greater focus on it among business leaders in the year ahead as they start to understand that identity is one of the biggest threats to any organization as it is a key vector for attackers.

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While making much of the end of support for Windows 10, practically begging users to move on to Windows 11, Microsoft is sending out some confusing signals. The company has announced that the new Outlook for Windows will be forcibly installed on the aging operating system.

Somewhat unusually, the app will be pushed out as part of February’s security updates. This is likely to lead to mixed reactions; some people will be unhappy at having software installed against their will, while others will be pleased to get something new and more secure.

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VLC Media Player remains one of the most popular video players, having just hit a staggering 6 billion downloads. But VideoLAN, the company behind the software, is not one to rest on its laurels as an exciting demonstration at CES shows.

One of the biggest features in the pipeline for the media player is automatic subtitles generation and translation based on local, open-source AI models. With subtitles being vital for a lot of people, and highly preferable for many, this use of artificial intelligence plugs an important gap in media accessibility.

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Linux Mint fans, rejoice! The BETA phase for Linux Mint 22.1 has officially concluded. According to the development team, a total of 115 bug reports were submitted during the testing period, leading to the resolution of many issues. This collaborative effort highlights the power of open-source communities, where user feedback plays a central role in creating polished and reliable software.

Now that the BETA testing phase is over, the team has moved on to a rigorous QA (Quality Assurance) process. Once this testing phase wraps up, the stable release of Linux Mint 22.1 will be rolled out. This means users won’t have to wait long to experience the enhanced features and bug fixes firsthand.

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Data-driven organizations are increasingly struggling with the limitations of passive metadata practices. These traditional approaches quickly become outdated, leading to inaccurate insights and poor decision-making. Passive metadata often remains siloed, making it challenging to integrate and understand relationships between datasets. As a result, organizations face significant hurdles in achieving data agility -- the ability to adapt how information is interpreted and rapidly acted upon.

Active metadata management solves these challenges by providing a dynamic, intelligent layer that enables businesses to improve their decision-making processes and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly data-centric environment.

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Even though it’s only been two years since the public demo of ChatGPT launched, popularizing the technology for the masses, generative AI technology has already had a profound and transformative effect on the world. In the years since the platform’s launch, critics have regularly pointed out the risks of generative AI and called for increased regulation to mitigate them. Once these risks are addressed, companies will be more free to use AI in ways that help their bottom line and the world as a whole.

We must remember that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, and as the adage goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Although we have seen AI make a positive impact on society in several ways -- from boosting productivity in industrial settings to contributing to life-saving discoveries in the medical field -- we have also seen wrongdoers abuse the technology to cause harm.

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As we head further into 2025, the global economic landscape remains a mix of challenges and potential shifts that will shape markets and industries worldwide. From high interest rates to the evolving impact of AI, there are several key factors that will define the year ahead. While there will be friction in some areas, persistence, agility and out-of-the-box thinking will ensure a competitive edge.

The economic slowdown in the European Union (EU) and the UK will likely persist into 2025, with high interest rates continuing to weigh on consumer spending and business investment. Central banks’ inflation-control measures are dampening growth, making a swift recovery unlikely. Governments will be under pressure to boost the economy through fiscal policies, increasing social program spending and infrastructure investments. The success of these efforts will depend on how quickly businesses adjust to a more cost-conscious climate and how consumers respond to rising financial pressures. The balancing act between controlling inflation and sustaining growth will be the key to success in 2025.

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The RISC-V development ecosystem is expanding with the introduction of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on the HiFive Premier P550, a collaboration between SiFive, ESWIN Computing, and Canonical. This integration brings the power of Linux to developers using the HiFive Premier P550, offering a seamless development experience within the RISC-V ecosystem.

The HiFive Premier P550, initially announced in 2024, now ships with Ubuntu pre-installed. At the heart of the system is the ESWIN-designed EIC7700X SoC, which features a quad-core SiFive P550 Core Complex running at 1.4GHz, currently the highest-performing commercially available RISC-V CPU. The board offers a robust set of features, including up to 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, PCIe expansion slots, dual Gigabit Ethernet, SATA3, five USB 3 ports, and an onboard GPU, making it an attractive option for developers.

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Lenovo has unveiled three forward-thinking retail solutions powered by artificial intelligence and robotics at NRF 2025 in New York City. These innovations aim to help businesses overcome modern challenges while enhancing efficiency, improving customer experiences, and minimizing costs. It’s refreshing to see AI and robotics applied in ways that deliver tangible, positive impacts. Lenovo deserves credit for focusing on practical solutions rather than hype.

One standout offering is Lenovo Retail Content Management Services, which enables retailers to create, schedule, and update multimedia content across in-store screens. This service allows real-time adjustments and targeted messaging, making it easier for businesses to connect with customers while reducing waste from paper-based materials. A major food and beverage chain that adopted the platform across 100 stores saw significant cost savings and improved campaign efficiency.

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Despite being an effective tool for safeguarding sensitive information, encryption remains underutilized by many organizations, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats.

Many companies still rely on perimeter security measures, viewing encryption as optional rather than essential. Misconceptions about the complexity and cost of encryption further hinder its adoption, leading to a reactive approach that often waits for a data breach before taking action.

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For two months or more, users of Microsoft Outlook have been hit by a bug that results in the email client freezing. Unfortunately, the bug is triggered by performing a very common action -- using Ctrl + C to copy text.

Having finally acknowledged the issue in November, Microsoft has now been able to address the problem. Here is what Microsoft 365 users need to know.

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v-color has introduced its DDR5 OC RDIMM modules, which it describes as the first overclockable registered DIMMs. With individual module sizes of 128GB and 256GB, these RDIMMs support configurations reaching up to 2,048GB (2TB) when paired with compatible hardware. Designed to work with GIGABYTE’s AI Top Series TRX50 and W790 motherboards, the modules are intended for tasks like artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and enterprise applications requiring substantial memory resources.

According to v-color, the DDR5 OC RDIMM modules are engineered to address the growing needs of AI and data-focused workloads. The company highlights their compatibility with AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro and Intel Xeon platforms, facilitated by GIGABYTE motherboards. These modules are said to reach speeds of up to 6000MT/s with timings as low as CL38, potentially providing enhanced performance for memory-demanding applications.

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Petcube has announced the launch of its first pet hydration product, the Petcube Water Fountain. Designed for cats and small dog breeds, this new smart device focuses on promoting urinary and kidney health by providing clean, filtered water.

The Petcube Water Fountain uses a UV-C antibacterial light and a 4-layer filtration system to purify water by removing particles, chlorine, and other contaminants. The device also features a cordless magnetic pump, which operates at less than 30 decibels, ensuring quiet performance. Its food-grade plastic tank holds 1.7 liters of water, providing over a week’s supply, and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

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PNY has introduced its latest DDR5 notebook memory kits, offering improved performance and efficiency for laptops. Available in 64GB (2x32GB) and 32GB (2x16GB) configurations, these memory modules are designed for users seeking faster speeds and smoother multitasking.

Built on the DDR5 standard, this next-generation memory technology offers higher-density modules and faster base frequencies compared to DDR4. PNY’s DDR5 memory operates at 5600MHz, making it well-suited for tasks like gaming, content creation, and other performance-intensive applications.

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SOUNDPEATS has introduced its latest audio product, the PearlClip Pro wireless earbuds. Designed to blend comfort, performance, and affordability, these earbuds aim to enhance daily activities like travel and workouts while delivering exceptional sound quality. With advanced features like a 12mm dual-magnet driver and Bluetooth 5.4, the PearlClip Pro promises a high-quality listening experience at a competitive price.

Each earbud weighs just 5.85g, ensuring lightweight comfort for long periods of use. The unique cuff-like design provides a snug yet pressure-free fit, eliminating the need for traditional ear hooks. Currently available in black, additional colors, including white, purple, and beige, will be released soon.

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