Robert Walters’ data suggests that microshifting could be the next evolution of flexible working.

The global pandemic and AI wave have in many ways altered how modern-day employees approach working life. Remote and hybrid opportunities have given professionals greater control over their hours, creating a stronger sense of work-life balance. 

New research from recruitment platform Robert Walters indicates that there may now be a new working trend impacting the professional space: microshifting. This is defined as an approach to hours which sees the traditional working day split into shorter blocks of time, based around a professional’s personal obligations or energy peaks.

Robert Walters collected data from 850 white-collar, full-time, permanent professionals based in Ireland between December of 2025 and January of this year. What the report discovered is that more than half (59pc) of contributing Irish employees want their place of employment to adopt a microshifting schedule. 

Some respondents have noted that available flexible working models are not operating as efficiently or effectively as they could. Only 36pc of Irish workers stated that their company’s current policy is fit for purpose.

“Despite years of debate around flexible working, many organisations still measure commitment by visibility rather than results,” said Suzanne Feeney, the country manager at Robert Walters Ireland. “Trends like microshifting will continue to emerge as professionals seek flexibility that actually works, instead of policies that look progressive on paper but fail in practice.”

Shifting values

Despite concerns that flexible working results in lower engagement, Robert Walters’ report highlights that flexibility in hours can lead to increased office attendance. Of those who contributed their data, 42pc responded that switching to a microshifting approach would encourage them to increase the number of days they spend in the office each week.

Feeney said: “Offering flexible hours may feel counterproductive for employers looking to increase office attendance. Yet, a more adaptable schedule, without the pressure of rush hour commutes or staying at their desk all day, could motivate professionals to attend the office more frequently.”

More than a third of line managers (37pc) surveyed by Robert Walters thought microshifting could help improve engagement within their teams, while a further 44pc said they were open to testing it out.

Feeney added: “Microshifting is a more transparent version of the unofficial flexible working arrangements that already exist in many organisations. For managers and senior leaders, the question is whether it should be governed by trust and outcomes or quietly negotiated between colleagues.”

According to the data, however, worries persist, as nearly 50pc of surveyed managers expressed concerns that microshifting could result in higher instances of “quiet quitting“ and “slacking”. 

Feeney said: “While fears of microshifting fuelling disengagement are justified, the reality is that rigid working patterns are already pushing professionals to seek workarounds.

“Our findings suggest that when expectations are clear and performance is measured by results rather than visibility, microshifting has the potential to increase engagement, accountability and even time spent in the office.”

Additional research published today (26 February) by CPL also explored how organisations have to do more to encourage key talent loyalty. CPL’s Salary Guide for Ireland 2026 found that while compensation and benefits continue to be the top priority for 35pc of contributing employees, 24pc of professionals said that leadership and culture are the most important factors to consider when choosing an employer.

CPL’s research also found that flexible working has evolved from a perk to a critical component of employee packages, ranking as the second most important benefit overall among contributing participants. 

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

Honor has confirmed an expanded version of its Honor Share file transfer system ahead of MWC 2026 in Barcelona, with new cross-OS capabilities that allow its latest Android devices to exchange files and share screens directly with iPhone, iPad, and Mac hardware.

The update builds on a cross-platform push Honor first introduced at MWC 2025, when the company announced its AI Alpha Plan and teased what it called an all-ecosystem exchange capability that would reduce the friction of moving files between Android and iOS devices.

The 2026 iteration goes further by expanding the scope of what Honor Share can do, moving beyond basic file transfer to include real-time display extension and a single-tap transfer method that Honor states no other Android manufacturer currently offers for Mac.

The Magic V6 foldable gains OneTap transfer to Mac, a feature that sends photos, videos, and documents from the phone directly to an Apple desktop without requiring a cable, a shared cloud account, or any third-party application running in between.

Google API keys for services like Maps embedded in accessible client-side code could be used to authenticate to the Gemini AI assistant and access private data.

Researchers found nearly 3,000 such keys while scanning internet pages from organizations in various sectors, and even from Google.

The problem occurred when Google introduced its Gemini assistant, and developers started enabling the LLM API in projects. Before this, Google Cloud API keys were not considered sensitive data and could be exposed online without risk.

Developers can use API keys to extend functionality in a project, such as loading Maps on a website to share a location, for YouTube embeds, usage tracking, or Firebase services.

When Gemini was introduced, Google Cloud API keys also acted as authentication credentials for Google’s AI assistant.

Researchers at TruffleSecurity discovered the issue and warned that attackers could copy the API key from a website’s page source and access private data available through the Gemini API service.

Since using the Gemini API is not free, an attacker could leverage the access and make API calls for their benefit.

“Depending on the model and context window, a threat actor maxing out API calls could generate thousands of dollars in charges per day on a single victim account,” Truffle Security says.

The researchers warn that these API keys have been sitting exposed in public JavaScript code for years, and now they have suddenly gained more dangerous privileges without anyone noticing.

TruffleSecurity scanned the November 2025 Common Crawl dataset, a representative snapshot of a large swath of the most popular sites, and found more than 2,800 live Google API keys publicly exposed in their code.

According to the researchers, some of the keys were used by major financial institutions, security companies, and recruiting firms. They reported the problem to Google, providing samples from its infrastructure.

In one case, an API key acting just as an identifier was deployed since at least February 2023 and was embedded in the page source of a Google product’s public-facing website.

Truffle Security tested the key by calling the Gemini API’s /models endpoint and listing available models.

The researchers informed Google of the problem last year on November 21.  After a long exchange, Google classified the flaw as “single-service privilege escalation” on January 13, 2026.

In a statement for BleepingComputer, Google says that it is aware of the report and has “worked with the researchers to address the issue.”

“We have already implemented proactive measures to detect and block leaked API keys that attempt to access the Gemini API,” a Google spokesperson told BleepingComputer.

Google stated that new AI Studio keys will default to Gemini-only scope, leaked API keys will be blocked from accessing Gemini, and proactive notifications will be sent when leaks are detected.

Developers should check whether Gemini (Generative Language API) is enabled on their projects and audit all API keys in their environment to determine if any are publicly exposed, and rotate them immediately.

The researchers also suggest using the TruffleHog open-source tool to detect live, exposed keys in code and repositories.

Modern IT infrastructure moves faster than manual workflows can handle.

In this new Tines guide, learn how your team can reduce hidden manual delays, improve reliability through automated response, and build and scale intelligent workflows on top of tools you already use.

Get the guide

While Panasonic has recently moved its TV production over to Skyworth, it is taking the opposite approach with Technics. Instead of scaling back, the company is reinforcing its in-house engineering and manufacturing commitment to a brand that remains central to its premium audio business. The new Technics SL-1500CS turntable makes that strategy clear. It replaces the widely adopted SL-1500C (without the ‘s”) and introduces Delta Sigma Drive motor control technology to its direct-drive platform, aiming to further reduce motor vibration and improve rotational accuracy.

Technics continues to produce some of the best-selling turntables in the world, supported by a growing lineup of wireless speakers, network amplifiers, and receivers that compete on measurable performance and build quality, not just brand recognition.

At a time when parts of Panasonic’s business are being outsourced, Technics is being strengthened. That tells you exactly where the company believes the long-term value, and the quality still resides.

Delta Sigma Drive Motor Technology

Delta Sigma Drive first appeared in 2023 with the Technics SL-1200GR2 and Technics SL-1210GR2, marking a meaningful refinement in Technics’ coreless direct-drive architecture. The technology was expanded in 2024 with the Technics SL-1300G, where it was paired with a higher-grade twin-rotor, single-stator motor design. It also found its way into the limited-edition Technics SL-1200GME, elevating the SL-1200G platform with a collector-focused release that quickly drew strong demand.

Now, Technics is bringing Delta Sigma Drive to a more accessible price tier. By adding the technology to the SL-1500 platform, the new Technics SL-1500CS extends motor-control refinements previously reserved for higher-end models into one of the company’s most popular turntable lines.

According to Technics, Delta Sigma Drive represents one of its most significant proprietary developments since the brand returned to the market:

“Delta Sigma Drive technology is one of our most innovative proprietary technological achievements since Technics’ reintroduction to the market. The rotational accuracy of our direct drive turntables, widely enhancing their faithful, audiophile vinyl sound reproduction, is something very special and instantly noticeable. By adding this unique technology to the SL-1500 platform, our range of turntables will be enriched by a truly audiophile new model toward the entry level of our lineup. We are confident the SL-1500CS will mark a new ‘best in its class’ standard.”

SL-1500CS Motor Construction and Control Technology

The SL-1500C’s iron-coreless, direct-drive motor with a single-rotor/single-stator design already minimizes vibration and effectively eliminates cogging. With the addition of Delta Sigma Drive technology, the Technics SL-1500CS takes that refinement further by optimizing the motor’s sine-wave drive signal for greater rotational precision. The result is even smoother operation, with motor vibration components reduced to an absolute minimum.

Mechanical Design

The overall mechanical design of the SL-1500CS closely follows the SL-1500C. Its aluminum die-cast chassis is bonded to a second layer made from ABS resin reinforced with glass fiber, creating a two-layer construction that improves rigidity while enhancing vibration damping.

The feet use a spring-and-rubber insulator system tuned for optimal frequency control. This design helps maintain sound quality by resisting acoustic feedback and reducing the impact of external vibrations, even at higher playback levels.

Tonearm 

The SL-1500CS features a static-balance, universal S-shaped tonearm. The tonearm tube is constructed from lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum to maintain strength without adding unnecessary mass.

Its gimbal suspension uses a precision-machined housing and high-tolerance bearings to deliver high initial sensitivity and stable tracking performance. The S-shaped aluminum arm maintains balanced mass on either side of the pivot point, supporting accurate groove tracing and consistent playback.

SL-1500CS Features Automatic Lift and Built-In Phono Stage

Like the SL-1500C, the Technics SL-1500CS includes a practical feature set designed to simplify setup and everyday use.

Phono Equalizer: The built-in phono stage supports MM cartridges, allowing the SL-1500CS to connect directly to amplifiers or powered speakers that do not offer a dedicated phono input. Both Line-level and traditional phono outputs are provided, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of audio systems.

Phono Cartridge: The SL-1500CS ships with a pre-mounted MM cartridge for immediate use. The included universal headshell comes fitted with an Ortofon 2M Red ($109 at Amazon), allowing for straightforward plug-and-play setup right out of the box.

Auto Tonearm Lift: The SL-1500CS provides automatic tonearm lift. When the tonearm reaches the end of the record, the auto lifter automatically raises the tonearm. This prevents unnecessary wear on your valuable vinyl records and stylus.

New Finish: The SL-1500CS is offered in a distinctive metallic grey finish that sets it apart from the standard SL-1500C. The clean, minimal industrial design gives it a technically refined appearance that integrates easily with both black and silver audio components.

Packaging

To reduce environmental impact, the new packaging for the SL-1500CS is free of Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS). Instead, it is made of smartly shaped cardboard, maintaining safe protection of the product, also including a cardboard box for the accessories, allowing ease of removal and storage. 

Comparison

The Bottom Line 

By bringing Delta Sigma Drive to the SL-1500 platform, Technics is adding measurable motor-control refinement to one of its most accessible direct-drive models. The SL-1500CS stands out because it pairs advanced rotational accuracy with a proven iron-coreless motor design that already minimizes vibration and eliminates cogging.

It’s built for listeners who want precision without moving into the price tier of the G or GR series. The static-balance S-shaped tonearm and built-in MM phono stage make it easy to get started with the included Ortofon 2M Red, which is a solid entry-level performer. From there, upgrading is straightforward to something like a 2M Blue, 2M Bronze, or a more ambitious cartridge is an easy swap.

And if you prefer to run the line output into a higher-end external phono preamp, the platform is more than capable of supporting that move. The Technics SL-1500CS doesn’t just replace the SL-1500C, it refines it, giving serious vinyl listeners a clear path to better performance without complicating the experience.

Price & Availability

The Technics SL-1500CS turntable is expected to be available for $1,499 in March 2026 via Authorized Technics Retailers.

The Technics SL-1500C seems to be in limited supply, but is currently available for $1,499 at Audio Advice while supplies last.

For more information: us.technics.com

Related Reading:

Block is the latest business to announce layoffs, with the operator of payment platforms Square and Cash App opting to cut jobs in favor of using more AI tools. The financial tech company, helmed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, is slashing its current staff of 10,000 to “just under 6,000.” CNBC highlighted a letter Block sent to shareholders announcing the decision to nearly halve its workforce. According to the message from Dorsey:

“The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company. We’re already seeing it internally. A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better. And intelligence tool capabilities are compounding faster every week.”

We learned last year that Block had developed an AI agent called “codename goose” for interacting with LLMs. Leadership is clearly putting high expectations on that project and any other in-house tools to fill the shoes of thousands. “intelligence will be at the core of how the entire company works. How we make decisions, how we build trust and manage risk, how we build products, and how we serve customers,” the shareholder letter states.

Block also reported its latest financial results today. It finished the 2025 financial year with operating income (profit after expenses) of $1.71 billion.

This isn’t the first time the fintech company has made deep cuts in its employee count. Layoffs numbering about 1,000 were rumored both in 2024 and 2025.

PayPal may not be pursuing an acquisition, Semafor reported, citing people familiar with the matter. 

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Stripe expressed interest in buying some or all of PayPal Holdings, which includes the flagship product PayPal and its services, as well as other companies like Venmo. Stripe declined to comment on the news. 

But unnamed sources tell Semafor that the company has been working with bankers in preparation for a possible activist investor campaign or a hostile takeover. The bankers were working with Alex Chriss, PayPal’s now-ousted CEO, the outlet reported. The company’s new CEO starts next week, PayPal has said. 

PayPal did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Most VPN providers offer a VPN app for Mac computers, but it can be difficult to choose the right provider with so many options available. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN: 

Privacy

The primary consideration for any VPN — including a Mac VPN — should be privacy. If your Mac VPN is unable to sufficiently protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN should employ industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption (with the OpenVPN or IKEv2 VPN protocols) or ChaCha20 (with the WireGuard or IKEv2 VPN protocol), along with offering basic privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and a no-logs policy. If you need to use a VPN in situations where they’re frowned upon — like on school Wi-Fi — you may want a provider that offers obfuscated servers or obfuscation-focused VPN protocols, such as Proton VPN’s Stealth or NordVPN’s NordWhisper. Obfuscation tries to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, making your connection look like standard web traffic instead.

For critical privacy needs, you’ll also want a VPN provider that’s based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections. Also, look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security audits, as audits can help bolster trust in the VPN’s ability to protect its users’ privacy. 

Speed

Mac computers are generally known to be pretty fast, so you’ll probably want a fast VPN that can deliver excellent speeds. The speed of your VPN can have a major effect on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing. All VPNs lower your connection speed somewhat, so to keep things running as smoothly as possible, you’ll want to look for a VPN that will have as minimal an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible. Generally, the best VPNs only drop your download speed by an average of 25% or less, with the best performers — NordVPN, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN — staying under 20% speed loss.  

Usability

MacOS is designed to be clean and intuitive, so if you’re used to the feel of the operating system, you’d probably want a similar experience with the VPN software you use. A good Mac VPN should run smoothly and have a decluttered user interface that’s easy to use regardless of your technical expertise. It should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions. You should also consider advanced features, like specialty servers (such as Tor over VPN and obfuscated servers), double hop/multi-hop, a dedicated IP address and split tunneling (which lets you use a VPN connection for some VPN apps but not others).

Cost

VPN pricing varies greatly from provider to provider, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your MacOS VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend about $5 to $15 a month for a monthly VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from roughly $50 to $150 a year. Be careful with free VPNs, though, because you may end up putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it if you go with a free option. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN that CNET recommends. However, most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial with many VPNs if you sign up through Apple’s App Store. So you’ll most likely have options to try various Mac VPNs risk-free before you decide whether to fully invest in one. 

Device support

You’ll want a VPN that works well on your Mac devices, like your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro. Additionally, if you’re heavily ingrained in the Apple ecosystem, you may want to consider a VPN that works well on your iPhone, iPad and even Apple TV. Thankfully, most VPNs support MacOS and iOS/iPadOS, and Apple TV compatibility is increasingly common. With the majority of VPN providers, you can install a VPN on all of your Mac devices, from MacBooks and Mac desktops to iPhones, iPads and Apple TV streaming boxes.

Streaming

VPNs can elevate your streaming experience thanks to their ability to hide your IP address, thereby making apps and websites think you’re in a different geographical location. For instance, you can use a VPN to unblock region-restricted content, like watching HBO Max while traveling outside the US, or watching BBC iPlayer while vacationing outside the UK. Alternatively, you can access foreign Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video libraries. Think about the streaming services you want to use with a VPN, and make sure those apps work with your desired VPN service. If you want to install a VPN on your smart TV, Android TV device, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, make sure your VPN provider has a compatible app for that device. Using a VPN for streaming may even help you save money on streaming service subscriptions.

from the snot-nosed-punks dept

I’ll take my joy where I can. And this iteration of the Trump DOJ continues to provide bright bursts of schadenfreude-tinted sunshine.

Any competent DOJ can close cases. Any barely competent prosecutor can push a case past a grand jury. Any sufficiently slippery solicitor (mixing in some British for the sheer alliteration of it all) can convince a judge that the lies told by officers were merely good faith blunders not worthy of anything more than a judicial “no one’s perfect” shrug.

This DOJ fails at every single level. It can’t secure indictments. It can’t convince grand juries that vindictive prosecutions are legitimate prosecutions. And its prosecutors are constantly undermined by (1) prejudicial, fact-free social media posts and public statements by administration officials, (2) the illegal actions of federal officers, (3) their own ineptitude, (4) the lies told by federal officers, and (5) any or all of the above.

High-level prosecutors keep getting sidelined because they’ve been illegally appointed. Other prosecutors have refused to engage with the administration’s vindictive plans, resulting in most of them retiring or being fired. Consequently, there’s a shortage of qualified, experienced prosecutors. The void is being constantly refilled by some of the emptiest people ever to leverage MAGA loyalty into federal employment.

It took less than a year for the Trump DOJ to almost completely destroy the “presumption of regularity” — the legal concept that the government is acting in good faith, even if its legal arguments aren’t the best. It took less than a year for the Trump DOJ to turn grand juries into coin flips.

I mean, this is how it went for years prior to Trump 2.0:

In 2016, the most recent year for which the Justice Department has published data, federal prosecutors concluded more than 155,000 prosecutions and declined over 25,000 cases presented by investigators. In only six instances was a grand jury’s refusal to indict listed as the reason for dropping the matter.

Six times in a one year over 25,000 declined cases. Trump’s loyalist US Attorney pick, Lindsey Halligan, put her insurance law background to work and… managed to do this twice during a single (attempted) prosecution.

When prosecutors aren’t shooting themselves in the foot (or being shot in the foot by their employer), they’re losing cases because the people they expect to back up their cases — the federal officers claiming to have been assaulted, etc. — can’t even back up their own narratives when testifying in court.

This was already a problem by late summer of last year. The Guardian reports that things appear to have gotten even worse.

The most recent significant fumble came from Minneapolis prosecutors, who last week dismissed felony assault charges they had filed against two Venezuelan men accused of “violently beating” an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer “with weapons” on 14 January.

According to the early government narrative, federal officers were assaulted by “violent criminal illegal aliens” during a stop of an undocumented Venezuelan. The officers claimed two other men came out of a nearby apartment and attacked an officer with a “snow shovel and broom handle.” That case is now dead because… well, the testifying officers lied.

[O]n 12 February, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss both men’s cases, saying: “Newly discovered evidence in this matter is materially inconsistent with the allegations in the complaint affidavit.”

[…]

ICE director Todd Lyons said ICE and the DoJ had opened an investigation into the case after videos revealed “sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements”, marking a rare acknowledgement of possible wrongdoing by DHS officials.

Advertisement

It’s extremely rare for the government to dismiss its own prosecution with prejudice, meaning it can’t ever seek to refile these criminal charges against the alleged perpetrators. And I don’t know if Todd Lyons just misspoke or if he actually tried to use the exonerative tense while simultaneously stating these officers lied. “Sworn testimony… appears to have made untruthful statements” sounds like the courtroom version of a government official discussing a shooting by an officer with the phrase “the officer’s weapon discharged,” suggesting no one actually pulled the trigger.

Whatever the case, there’s definitely a trend here.

In Chicago, of 92 people arrested for assaulting or impeding officers last fall, 74 cases have resulted in no charges; in 13 cases, charges were filed and dismissed; and five charged cases were still pending, a recent investigation by Fox 9, a Minneapolis-based station, showed. As of the end of January, there have been no convictions.

In LA, the federal public defenders have won all six cases filed against ICE protesters that have gone to trial since June, the LA Times recently reported. Fewer than 1% of federal criminal defendants were acquitted across the US in fiscal year 2024, with US prosecutors traditionally having a roughly 90% conviction rate, the paper noted.

Juries have also issued not guilty verdicts for people accused of assaulting ICE or similar charges in Louisville, Kentucky, Seattle and Washington DC.

Advertisement

I assume the DOJ bloodshed will continue. Trump hates losing and he hates people who lose in his name even more. But replacing talent with loyalists isn’t going to end this losing streak. If nothing else, this iteration of the DOJ has the chance to go down in history as one of the worst ever assembled, even if we consider nothing else but its win-loss record.

It doesn’t mean the DOJ is harmless, however. It’s still more than willing to engage in vindictive prosecutions, ignore court orders, and take bite after bite of the apple (so to speak) until it finally manages to at least pierce the skin. And that means a lot of people are going to have their lives upended, even if only temporarily, just to please a tyrant who thinks anything or anyone presenting even the most minimal of opposition should be subjected to punishment.

Filed Under: cbp, dhs, doj, failure, grand juries, ice, mass deportation, trump administration