Tech Republic

Recover Your Deleted Data Even If You’ve Emptied Your Trash Bin

TL;DR: Recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional for just $89.99 (50% off) Losing important files can be a costly, time-consuming nightmare, especially if they contain critical business data, sensitive client information, or essential work documents. Instead of scrambling for a solution after the fact, having a reliable recovery tool on hand can save you time and stress. Stellar Data Recovery Professional can help restore a single lost file or a whole hard drive, and right now, you can get a 10-year license for just $89.99 (reg. $199). A Trusted Tool for Business & IT Use Stellar Data Recovery has earned its reputation as one of the most powerful and user-friendly data recovery solutions available. With support for both Windows and macOS, it recovers lost data from hard drives, external storage, memory cards, and even optical media like CDs and DVDs. It can even retrieve data from non-bootable and encrypted drives — making it an essential tool for IT professionals handling critical system failures. TechRadar called Stellar Data Recovery a “great file retrieval tool with powerful advanced options for business,” noting its ability to recover 80% of missing files from a corrupted drive and its efficient scanning options that save time when searching for lost data. Unlike basic file recovery tools, Stellar offers tailored scan options so you don’t waste time scanning an entire system when you only need to restore a specific file type. It also includes SMART drive monitoring to detect potential hardware failures before they happen, RAID and virtual drive recovery, and even email restoration for Outlook and Exchange files. Users will appreciate its disk imaging and cloning features, which allow you to create a backup before a drive completely fails, potentially saving crucial business data. Don’t wait until data loss happens — Stellar Data Recovery Professional’s 10-year license is for just $89.99 (50% off) while this deal lasts. StackSocial prices subject to change. source

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Achieving Cost Efficiency in Cloud Storage: The Role of Western Digital's Hard Drive Portfolio

Cloud storage is a key component of modern data infrastructure. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics drives the need for scalable, high-performance storage solutions. To meet this demand, cloud service providers must efficiently expand their infrastructure while remaining cost-effective. However, balancing affordability, performance, and dependability is a significant challenge. One of cloud providers’ most important financial concerns is managing capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx). Increasing drive capacity is one of the most effective ways to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Western Digital helps cloud providers achieve cost-effective scalability and operational efficiency by leveraging high-capacity hard disk drives (HDDs) and advanced storage technologies like Ultra Shingled Magnetic Recording (UltraSMR), Energy-Assisted Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (ePMR), and HelioSeal® technology. This article explores cloud storage providers’ financial challenges and how Western Digital’s hard drive portfolio addresses these issues. It discusses data center CapEx and OpEx, the cost-saving effects of high-capacity HDDs, and Western Digital’s storage solutions’ real-world benefits. The article also discusses cloud storage’s future, including Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), which will increase storage density and cost efficiency. The Financial Challenges of Cloud Storage The expense of cloud storage goes beyond just hardware acquisition. Providers must effectively manage capital expenses, operational costs, and scalability issues to support cost-effective growth. Capital Expenditures (CapEx): The Cost of Growth Building a cloud storage infrastructure requires significant upfront investment. The need for high-capacity storage drives, data center racks, and cooling systems drives up CapEx, making it important to optimize storage density to maximize cost efficiency. Increasing drive capacity helps reduce costs by lowering the cost per terabyte. By integrating more disks into each drive and increasing data density, storage providers can store more data per device while reducing the number of drives needed. This reduces hardware expenses and improves power efficiency, lowering the total infrastructure investment. Despite advancements in storage technology, cloud providers must carefully balance performance and cost. High-performance storage solutions ensure smooth operations, but overprovisioning can lead to wasted resources. Investing in scalable, high-capacity HDD-based solutions enables providers to expand efficiently without excessive spending. Operational Expenditures (OpEx): Managing Long-Term Costs Once infrastructure is in place, cloud providers must manage ongoing operational costs, including power consumption, cooling, and regular maintenance. The cost of keeping storage devices running efficiently can add up quickly, making energy-efficient solutions critical for cost management. Higher-capacity drives reduce energy consumption per terabyte, optimizing power usage across data centers. By increasing storage density, cloud providers use less energy to power and cool their storage systems, lowering their overall OpEx. Additionally, reducing the number of physical drives minimizes maintenance requirements and reduces operational costs. Effective data management also plays a key role in OpEx reduction. Implementing automated firmware updates, proactive drive monitoring, and advanced storage technologies helps cloud providers optimize resource allocation and improve long-term system performance. Scalability: Expanding Without Overspending Scalability is an important factor for cloud providers, who must continuously expand their storage infrastructure to meet the increasing data demands. However, inefficiently scaling storage can result in unnecessary costs. To minimize expenses, moving to the highest capacity HDD can help reduce the number of drives required. This approach reduces the number of physical devices required, decreasing the need for additional racks, cooling systems, and energy resources. Cloud providers can enhance their infrastructure by utilizing high-capacity drives and advanced storage technologies like UltraSMR while maintaining cost efficiency. Implementing smart scaling strategies ensures that storage solutions grow alongside demand, preventing both overprovisioning and underutilization. Western Digital’s Cost-Effective Storage Solutions Western Digital offers cloud providers a suite of high-capacity storage solutions designed to reduce costs while improving efficiency. Cloud providers can scale effectively by integrating advanced storage technologies while minimizing CapEx and OpEx. High-Capacity Hard Drives: Powering the Future of Cloud Storage Western Digital’s Ultrastar® DC HC600 Series drives offer up to 32TB1 of storage, providing an effective solution for cloud providers seeking to maximize efficiency without incurring excessive costs. These high-density drives allow providers to store more data on each drive, reducing the number of drives needed and enhancing data center efficiency. The following table represents the features and associated benefits of Ultrastar DC HC600 Series drives: Feature Benefit Higher Storage Density Maximizes space utilization while reducing the number of physical drives Lower Power Consumption Fewer drives lead to reduced energy costs and cooling requirements Improved Cost Efficiency Helps cloud providers optimize CapEx and OpEx by consolidating storage capacity Advanced Storage Technologies: Driving Efficiency Through Innovation Western Digital uses advanced storage technologies to drive efficiency. These technologies include: Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR): Maximizing Data Density Western Digital’s Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology enhances storage density by overlapping data tracks, enabling cloud providers to store more information in the same physical space. UltraSMR improves upon this by offering even higher capacity, which boosts dollar-per-terabyte ratios and enhances operational efficiency. With greater storage capacity per drive, providers can reduce costs while maintaining system performance. Energy-Assisted Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (ePMR): Enhancing Performance Western Digital’s Energy-Assisted Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (ePMR) technology improves write performance and efficiency, helping cloud providers optimize their data storage solutions. By increasing data densities, ePMR enables greater storage capacity without needing additional physical space. This makes it an effective tool for cloud providers aiming to scale efficiently while managing costs. HelioSeal Technology: Reducing Power Consumption and Increasing Capacity In 2013, Western Digital introduced HelioSeal technology, which replaced air-filled drives with helium-sealed environments. This innovation reduces internal turbulence and drag and allows up to 11 disks per drive, increasing storage capacity while maintaining energy efficiency. In the table below, you can see the benefits of HelioSeal for cloud providers. HelioSeal Benefits Impact on Cloud Providers 30% Energy Savings Reduces data center power consumption, lowering OpEx Lower Mechanical Wear Enhances drive longevity and reliability Optimized Performance Ensures stability in high-demand environments The Quantifiable Financial Benefits Cloud providers can reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency by utilizing advanced storage technologies. The financial benefits of these innovations result in substantial savings, making them essential for

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Will Musk's Ties to Trump & DOGE Lead to Long-Term Problems for Tesla?

President Donald Trump getting out of the Tesla he purchased. He is accompanied by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Image: Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump   On March 10, Tesla shares dropped more than 15%, hitting their lowest point since late October. On March 11, Trump gave a speech on the White House driveway to declare his support for the “great patriot” Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Trump’s endorsement and subsequent Tesla purchase gave the electric automaker’s stock a much-needed boost – it rebounded that day, closing nearly 4% higher. Musk was announced as the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency on January 10, a move that quickly sparked controversy. Critics argued that his deep involvement in private enterprises including Tesla and SpaceX posed significant conflicts of interest. Some fear his influence could lead to reduced oversight on Tesla’s self-driving technology or bias in awarding lucrative government contracts to his own companies. In Trump’s speech about Musk earlier this week posted to Truth Social, the president declared that “he’s been treated very unfairly” and claimed, “our country’s going to be very strong very soon because of a lot of the things that he’s done” within DOGE. However, not everyone agrees. More about Innovation Protests escalate as Tesla faces public backlash Since mid-February, Tesla showrooms across the U.S. have been targeted by protests aimed at disrupting sales in response to Musk’s political activities. While mostly peaceful, some demonstrations have turned violent, with reports of vandalism, fires, and Molotov cocktails. On March 8 alone, 50 protests were scheduled, according to the group Tesla Takedown. Additional demonstrations are planned across the U.S. and internationally, including in England, Spain, and Portugal. Possible long-term impact to Tesla While this week’s stock bump suggests Tesla’s indirect ties to Trump can bring short-term gains, the relationship could ultimately damage the brand’s long-term prospects. If protesters succeed at denting the automaker’s bottomline — on top of it being outpaced by competitors in China and elsewhere — it seems Tesla’s market value will decline. A low stock price reduces the value of the discounted shares that Tesla offers its employees as an incentive, potentially leading to problems attracting and retaining staff. It also reduces the funds the company can raise from share sales, limiting its ability to invest in research and expansion. Given Tesla’s current sales figures in both the U.S. and Europe, further expansion seems unlikely — shares have plummeted by 45% so far this year. source

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Intel Foundry Shake-Up: TSMC Proposes Shared Takeover with Chip Giants

Intel foundry. Image: Intel Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has offered a share in its proposed acquisition of Intel’s chip foundries to NVIDIA, Broadcom, and AMD, sources told Reuters. The Taiwanese chipmaker intends to oversee the operations of Intel’s fab division, but aims to retain less than 50% ownership and is seeking multiple partners for the deal. Intel’s reluctance and internal divisions According to the anonymous sources, Intel does not want to sell its chip design house separately from the foundry division, which manufactures custom chips for its customers. Intel executives are also divided on whether striking any deal is a good idea. Last month, it was reported that TSMC and Broadcom were considering splitting the U.S. company’s manufacturing and design arms between them. Intel’s factories already operate somewhat independently; since 2022, they have taken orders from outside customers and in-house at equal priority. More about data centers Challenges in potential TSMC-Intel partnership TSMC has its own demands when it comes to the joint venture, as it wants any potential investors to also be Intel advanced-manufacturing customers. It did pitch to Qualcomm in the early stages, but the company has since exited discussions, sources said. SEE: Qualcomm, Intel, and Others Form Ambient IoT Coalition The sources added that any manufacturing partnership between TSMC and Intel would be difficult and costly in practice, as they use very different processes, materials, and tool setups when making their chips. Managing trade secrets between the two companies would pose another significant hurdle. Intel, TSMC, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm declined Reuters’ requests for comment, while the White House and Broadcom did not respond. The pitch to NVIDIA, Broadcom, and AMD was reportedly made before TSMC announced earlier this month that it would invest an additional $100 billion building data centres in the U.S., bringing total spending to $160 billion. It dubbed this the “largest single foreign direct investment in U.S. history.” Trump is at the helm of the joint venture U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged TSMC to assist in pulling Intel out of its slump, according to the Reuters sources, by taking over some of Intel’s U.S. chipmaking factories. He is keen to revive the former U.S. manufacturing icon while strengthening domestic production, so he does not want any part of Intel to be fully foreign-owned, the sources added. SEE: Trump Calls for CHIPS Act Repeal, Slams ‘Horrible’ Subsidies Intel’s decline amid industry shift Intel used to be a giant in the CPU industry, but the AI boom and a failure to strategize in a way that benefits from current trends have led to struggles. Intel is unusual among its rivals in that it has not focused solely on either manufacturing or designing chips; as a result, it has seen its chip-making endeavors eclipsed by TSMC. The U.S. manufacturing icon also had some struggles with quality in 2024, leading to it reporting its first net loss since 1986 and dropping from first to second on Gartner’s list of top global semiconductor vendors by revenue growth. source

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Who is Intel’s New CEO? 5 Key Things to Know

Image: Intel Intel has named chip industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, effective March 18. The 65-year-old spent 12 years as the CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a company specializing in software and hardware solutions for chip design, during which he doubled its revenue. Tan also founded a venture capital firm that has backed numerous successful tech startups and served on the boards of major tech companies, including Intel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Schneider Electric. “Together, we will work hard to restore Intel’s position as a world-class products company, establish ourselves as a world-class foundry and delight our customers like never before,” Tan said in a letter to Intel employees on Wednesday. TechRepublic breaks down key details about the Malaysian-born executive as he takes charge of the U.S. tech giant. 1. Tan was on Intel’s board of directors As CEO of Cadence Design Systems, Tan oversaw the company’s supply of design solutions and IP to Intel. He also served on Intel’s board of directors from 2022 to 2024. This was a significant era for the company as it was shifting towards its IDM 2.0 strategy, an effort aimed to modernize its manufacturing capabilities. Tan resigned from the board in August, citing a “personal decision based on a need to reprioritize various commitments.” His departure signaled his independence. According to Reuters, he was frustrated with the company’s large workforce and its bureaucratic, risk-averse culture. 2. Tan is replacing ousted CEO Gelsinger He is replacing Pat Gelsinger, who was removed by Intel’s board in December 2024 following more than 30 years at the company. Gelsinger’s ambitious turnaround plan — which involved funnelling money into new fabs — failed to provide notable market share growth or profitability. Following Tan’s appointment, Intel’s shares surged by 12%, reflecting investor optimism. Unlike an ex-financier who might push for immediate gains through divestitures, Tan is expected to take a more strategic, long-term approach rather than adhering to legacy processes. What’s hot at TechRepublic 3. Tan will try to revive Intel’s chip business Once a dominant force in the CPU industry, Intel has struggled amid the AI boom and shifting industry dynamics. Unlike rivals who specialize in either chip design or manufacturing, Intel continues to operate in both sectors — a strategy that has left its fabrication efforts lagging behind TSMC. In 2024, Intel’s stock declined by 60%, and the company fell from first to second place on Gartner’s list of top global semiconductor vendors by revenue growth. With a background in both chip design and manufacturing, Tan is well-positioned to lead Intel’s turnaround. SEE: Qualcomm, Intel, and Others Form Ambient IoT Coalition 4. Tan will have to negotiate with U.S. chipmakers Intel faces pressure from competitors circling its custom chip foundries. In recent weeks, TSMC, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and AMD have been considering a joint takeover of Intel’s custom chip foundries, with NVIDIA and Broadcom initiating manufacturing testing. TSMC and Broadcom were also considering splitting Intel’s manufacturing and design arms, a move Intel execs are reportedly pushing back against. Tan’s leadership will be critical in determining how these negotiations unfold. SEE: TSMC’s $100B Investment in US Data Centers Sets Foreign Investment Record 5. Tan has Trump’s support According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged TSMC to help revive Intel by taking over some of its U.S. chipmaking factories. Trump, who has prioritized strengthening domestic chip production, opposes any plan that would result in full foreign ownership of Intel’s assets. As a result, TSMC is reportedly limiting its stake in Intel to under 50% to ensure regulatory approval under a potential Trump administration. source

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Get Pro-Level Microsoft Office Training for $29.99

Image: StackCommerce TL;DR: The 2025 Microsoft Office Pro Bundle includes eight expert-led courses (30 hours) on Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Office 365 — and for a limited time, it’s just $29.99 (reg. $160). For professionals, students, and business users, Microsoft Office isn’t just a tool — it’s an essential skillset. Whether you’re crafting polished reports in Word, analyzing data in Excel, or delivering standout presentations in PowerPoint, knowing how to use these programs effectively can make or break your workflow. Now, for a limited time, you can access The 2025 Microsoft Office Pro Bundle for just $29.99 (regularly $160). This eight-course, 30-hour training package from StackSkills covers everything from basic Office functions to advanced data analysis and automation techniques. If you’ve ever struggled with Excel formulas, PowerPoint animations, or Word formatting, this bundle will teach you how to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently across Microsoft’s most powerful productivity tools. No matter your industry, proficiency in Microsoft Office is a valuable asset. This bundle includes top-rated courses like Microsoft Excel: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced, which covers everything from PivotTables and VBA automation to data analysis and macros. For those who want a well-rounded mastery of Office applications, the Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint & 365 course walks you through essential document creation, spreadsheet management, presentation design, and collaboration tools. This bundle is designed for students, professionals, business owners, and job seekers who want to: Improve productivity and streamline workflow in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Master advanced Excel functions like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, PivotTables, and VBA automation. Enhance presentation skills with professional PowerPoint design techniques. Understand Office 365 collaboration tools for working across teams and platforms. Boost their resume with in-demand Microsoft Office expertise. With lifetime access to all courses, you can learn at your own pace and revisit lessons anytime to sharpen your skills. Get the 2025 Microsoft Office Pro Bundle for just $29.99 (reg. $160) while you can. The 2025 Microsoft Office Pro Bundle – $29.99   Get It Here StackSocial prices subject to change. source

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Stock Price Downturn for Tech's ‘Magnificent 7’

The tech sector faced a significant setback on Monday, March 10, 2025, as the so-called “Magnificent 7” – Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Tesla, NVIDIA, Meta, and Amazon – contributed to a sweeping stock market decline. Stock prices overview: A Monday washout for tech According to an article from Yahoo Finance, shares of NVIDIA, Tesla, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft all dipped, with Tesla plunging 15% to spearhead the losses. Of the seven megacap tech stocks, five fell by more than 4%, while Microsoft and Amazon recorded smaller declines of 3.3% and 2.3%, respectively. More about Innovation Investor concerns and future outlook Investors were startled by the rapid slide in stock prices from these powerhouse tech companies, which have long been considered symbols of market resilience and innovation. While some see this as a temporary correction in an otherwise buoyant market, others worry the current climate could signal deeper, structural issues within the tech sector. As Yahoo Finance reported, market analysts are now closely examining trends and risk factors that could affect these influential companies and the broader market ecosystem. The tech companies’ stock price slumps on Monday also reflect concerns about supply chain challenges, regulatory pressures, and the shifting dynamics of global trade. Industry leaders and financial experts will be monitoring the situation closely to assess whether these stock price drops are an isolated event or a harbinger of more significant market adjustments. The performance of the Magnificent 7 will continue to be a focal point for market analysts. source

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A Triple-Screen Setup without the Bulk

Image: StackCommerce TL;DR: The Trio 2.0 Tri-Screen Display adds two full HD 1080p screens to your 13″-14″ laptop for just $379.99 (reg. $699.99) until March 30 with code DISPLAY50. A single laptop screen can only take you so far before it starts slowing you down. Whether you’re a developer, financial analyst, designer, or business professional, the ability to work across multiple screens can significantly enhance productivity. With the Trio 2.0 Tri-Screen Display, you can seamlessly expand your workspace with two additional full HD screens, turning your laptop into a multi-monitor workstation. For a limited time, you can grab the Trio 2.0 for just $379.99 (regularly $699.99) by using code DISPLAY50 at checkout. This upgraded version is 20% thinner and 1lb (0.45 kg) lighter, making it easier to take your triple-screen setup wherever you go. When your work involves juggling multiple tabs, spreadsheets, research documents, or coding environments, constantly switching between windows slows down your workflow. The Trio 2.0 eliminates that frustration by giving you two additional screens, allowing you to work more efficiently without losing momentum. Designed for 13″-14″ laptops, it features built-in sliding 1080p FHD displays that extend outward, instantly giving you a wider, more functional workspace. Professionals across industries will appreciate this setup’s versatility. Stock traders can monitor multiple charts and financial reports simultaneously. Programmers can keep code on one screen while testing on another. Business professionals can host virtual meetings while taking notes and working on presentations — all without tabbing between applications. With more screen real estate, productivity naturally increases. This system adapts to your needs, whether you need an extended display for multitasking, a mirrored setup for presentations, or a flipped orientation for collaboration. It supports landscape mode for an expanded workspace, collaboration mode for sharing with colleagues, portrait mode for reading or editing large documents, and presentation mode for client meetings. Don’t miss grabbing the Trio 2.0 while it’s just $379.99 (reg. $699.99) until March 30 with code DISPLAY50. Trio 2.0 Tri-Screen Display for 13″ -14″ Laptops – $429.99 Use Code Here StackSocial prices subject to change. source

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March 2025 TIOBE Index: Legacy ‘Dinosaur’ Languages Are Making a Comeback

Image: Envato/TonyTheTigersSon Legacy programming languages, once thought to be relics of the past, are having a surprising comeback. This month, Fortran, Ada, COBOL, and Delphi all vying for positions in the TIOBE Index top 20. Takeaways from the March TIOBE rankings: Python: Recently named “TIOBE’s programming language of the year 2024” in January by TIOBE CEO Paul Jansen continues its meteoric rise. C++: Maintains its stronghold at second place on the leaderboard. Fortran and Delphi: Both legacy languages, are fighting for a spot in the top 10. COBOL and Ada: Both re-entered the top 20 this month. Ada, notably, was the third highest ranking language back in 1985. “I think that it (comeback) has to do with the many vital legacy systems that keep the world running,” Jansen said in the TIOBE Programming Community Index in March. “Most of them are developed with the aid of these dinosaur languages.” A shift in priorities: February vs. March This marks a noticeable shift from February’s rankings, which were dominated by speed-focused languages like C+ +, Go, and Rust. Jansen attributed that trend to the growing need for computational efficiency. Jansen said this was because the “the world needs to crunch more and more numbers per second,” and because hardware doesn’t evolve fast enough, programs must be faster. However, March’s rankings highlight a different reality — many organizations prioritize stability over speed. Image: TIOBE Software Why the older programming languages are still popular Organisations that handle critical infrastructure are well-known for harbouring legacy devices, as replacing outdated technology while maintaining normal operations is both difficult and expensive. Jansen explained that this is why “new and promising languages” aren’t seeing a similar uptrend to older ones. SEE: 80% of Critical Infrastructure Companies Experienced an Email Security Breach in 2024 “Now that the last of the core developers of these systems are about to retire, companies avoid any risk and choose to keep the existing systems and even extend them rather than replacing them by newer systems based on more modern languages,” he said. Despite being referred to as “dinosaurs,” these legacy languages have not remained static. To stay relevant, many have received significant updates in recent years. New language definitions have been published for Fortran, Delphi, Ada, and COBOL in just the past two years. “We might frown to see these languages being in the TIOBE index top 20, but they definitely serve a purpose and deserve credit,” Jansen said. Python remains the most talked-about programming language Yet again, Python is the number one language on the TIOBE Index, meaning it receives the most attention in search engine queries, job postings, and educational resources. Its popularity and usage have been rising steadily since 2017, but really boomed from June 2024 onwards. This trend is believed to be closely tied to the growing availability and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. As more companies hire early-career programmers for AI-related roles, such as prompt engineering, Python — known for its simplicity and intuitiveness — has become their language of choice. “This is why Python is here to stay,” Jansen wrote last month. While newer languages continue to emerge, it is clear that legacy languages still play a crucial role in modern computing. Their adaptability and deep-rooted presence in critical systems suggest that these so-called ‘dinosaurs’ are far from extinct. source

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Pressure Mounts for Apple as Brazilian Court Demands iOS Sideloading

A Brazilian court has dealt a major blow to Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, ordering the tech giant to allow sideloading on iOS within 90 days. The ruling follows similar mandates in the EU, signaling a global push for more open digital marketplaces. With Apple commanding nearly 60% of the U.S. mobile market and over 62% in Japan, the decision could set off a domino effect worldwide. How does sideloading affect iOS users? Sideloading occurs when a mobile smartphone user downloads an app from a source other than the official App Store. In this case, the App Store remains the sole distribution channel — a model that Apple is determined to protect. It’s clear why Apple wants to restrict third-party apps. According to StatCounter, the tech giant accounts for less than 30% of the global OS market share as of February 2025. Forcing users to download apps from the App Store is a surefire way to keep them in the iOS ecosystem. However, users do receive some benefit from downloading apps exclusively from the App Store. Since all apps undergo a screening process, users know they’re receiving authentic software that isn’t going to harm their device. If they ever do experience an issue, technical support is usually available. These safeguards don’t necessarily extend to apps that are downloaded from developer websites or other sources, but many users still want the freedom to choose. Despite already making similar accommodations in other regions, Apple insists that sideloading will have a negative impact on all iOS users. Judge Pablo Zuniga, who overturned an injunction that would have given Apple more time to consider their next move, said that Apple “has already complied with similar obligations in other countries, without demonstrating a significant impact or irreparable damage to its business model.” What does this mean for other countries? If the ruling stands, similar legal battles could emerge worldwide. With the European Union already setting a precedent, and Brazil potentially following suit, other countries may soon join the movement. While the case in Brazil could be a major catalyst for a future disruption in the iOS ecosystem, it’s still too early to tell. Following the latest ruling, Apple now has 90 days to remove all restrictions on sideloading for all Brazilian iOS users. As expected, the company plans to appeal the decision. source

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