Matrix Recruitment’s latest Workforce Trends Report found that multiple factors, such as pay transparency and workplace flexibility, are impacting the recruitment landscape.

Hiring platform Matrix Recruitment has published its hiring data for the first half of 2026 and what it found is that so far this year, employers are placing far greater emphasis on sourcing the ‘right kind’ of long-term talent. This involves a more structured recruitment process with more efficient hiring decision-making, the company said. 

The Workforce Trends Report also found that recent recruitment activity has been resilient, as the number of job advertisements is  consistent with the same period last year,  particularly across sectors experiencing ongoing skills shortages, such as manufacturing, engineering and financial services.

In line with the figures showing a change in employer hiring behaviour, there was a decline in the number of roles being filled after a single interview. Matrix’s report said that the proportion of positions filled after just one interview fell from 31pc in the first half of 2025 to 21pc during the same period in 2026.

Despite the more rigorous recruitment processes, however, Matrix also found that the average time to fill a permanent role has fallen from roughly 59 days to around 54, year-on-year. 

Commenting on the findings, Breda Dooley, the head of recruitment at Matrix, said, “Employers are taking a more strategic approach to recruitment. They’re looking beyond immediate skills and experience to find candidates who will add long-term value to their organisations.

“As a result, we’re seeing more structured, multi-stage interview processes, particularly for permanent roles.”

She added: “Although interview processes have become more thorough, employers are moving faster once they identify the right candidate. Better workforce planning and greater clarity around hiring needs are helping organisations reduce the hiring process without compromising on the quality of their recruitment decisions.”

So far in 2026, a number of reports and experts have explored the growing demand for contract and temporary employees. Matrix’s research continues that trend, recording a 12pc increase in temporary vacancies during the first six months of 2026, while temporary payroll placements increased by almost 10pc.

“While permanent hiring decisions are becoming more deliberate, many organisations are simultaneously using temporary and contract talent to maintain agility in an uncertain economic environment,” said Dooley. 

A tempting offer

Prospective employees, too, are becoming more selective about their work-based decision-making. Workplace flexibility, for example, was found to be a key priority for applicants. 

Candidates are now raising salary concerns much sooner in the hiring process, which Matrix found to be reflective of a greater demand for pay transparency and the opportunity to fully assess a role’s potential early on. 

Dooley said, “Candidates are evaluating employers just as carefully as employers are evaluating them. This is why clear communication, transparency around job responsibilities, salaries and benefits, and an efficient recruitment process have become critical to securing top talent.”

The demand for hybrid working is also continuing to shape recruitment outcomes. According to Matrix’s data, full-time, office-based roles are receiving up to 40pc fewer applications than comparable positions offering hybrid working arrangements.

“Hybrid working is no longer considered a perk – it has become a core component of a competitive employment offering. Employers that fail to recognise this shift in candidate expectations are likely to face increasing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals,” said Dooley. 

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Most people do not need a phone that can render complex games at max settings or shoot cinematic video. They need something that answers calls without lag, holds a charge through a full day of texts and maps, and costs little enough that losing or breaking it does not ruin the month. The Moto G Play 2024, priced at $99.99 (was $150), aims squarely at that reality.

The frame and back are entirely made of plastic, finished in a stunning Sapphire Blue with a smooth matte surface that resists fingerprints far better than a glossy finish. The phone weighs 185 grams and is roughly 8 millimeters thick, so it feels sturdy in the hand but isn’t too heavy to carry in your pocket. The rounded edges and modest curvature to the sides make it fit comfortably even after scrolling for a while. The water-repellent coating provides some protection against light rain or accidental spills, while the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the front protects it from scratches.

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Motorola Moto G Play LTE | Unlocked | Made for US 4/64GB | 50MP Camera | Sapphire Blue

• Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
• Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5″ 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos…
• 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.

A 6.5-inch IPS LCD display makes up the most of the front. It has a resolution of 1600 by 720 pixels, which is sufficient to make text readable for messages, online pages, and navigation apps without using up all of the processing power. The 90 Hz refresh rate makes everyday swipes and scrolling feel silky smooth when compared to 60 Hz panels commonly seen at this price tier. It gets nice and bright at around 500 nits in normal settings, making it suitable for most everyday use and even most days while you’re out and about. There are two stereo speakers on the ends, which are Dolby Atmos compatible, giving the music and movie that extra bit of presence that most inexpensive gadgets with a single speaker lack.

The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 CPU developed on a 6-nanometer technology. So it has four high-performance cores at 2.4 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.9 GHz. It comes with 4 GB of RAM, but it also includes a software capability that can extract extra RAM from storage as needed, which is useful if you’re running many apps at the same time. You get 64 GB of internal storage for programs and media, as well as a dedicated microSD slot that can accept a 1 TB card. It easily handles regular operations including as messaging, surfing, and video streaming, as well as light photo editing. Of course, if you start pushing it with heavy multitasking or demanding games, it will exhibit some limitations, but the phone does not struggle with regular use.

The camera is quite minimalist, with a single 50-megapixel rear sensor, an f/1.8 aperture, and phase-detection autofocus. They also employ Quad Pixel technology, which combines data from four pixels into one to improve low-light performance. When there is a lot of natural light, the camera takes good clear photographs with firm detail and natural-looking colours. Nighttime photos are fine for sharing with friends or documenting something, but they lack the clarity of a more expensive camera. The 8-megapixel front camera is adequate for video calls and selfies. Both cameras can record video at 1080p and 30 frames per second.

Battery life has increased dramatically compared to its predecessor, reaching 5000 milliamp hours. Motorola claims you can get up to 46 hours of mixed use out of it, provided you utilize it in ideal settings. In truth, if you’re fairly active during the day, this device will last till the end of the day without requiring a recharge, and then some. If you use it sparingly, you might be able to get away with a second day. You may charge it via USB-C, but keep in mind that it only has a maximum power output of 15 watts, so the recharge period will be lengthier than with some other systems. However, because of the phone’s capacity, you will need to charge it less frequently.

The phone ships with Android 13 pre-installed, with the normal Motorola interface that adds a few good features like gesture controls and family space without cluttering it up. Motorola promises one big OS update to Android 14 and a restricted security patch update after that, but I’m guessing they’ll still keep it patched enough to keep you secure. This phone lacks 5G and NFC because they kept costs down and simplified the hardware, which fits well with what this phone is all about: being a dependable everyday runner or a solid backup phone.

These locally operated networks allow enterprises to take fuller advantage of the 5G spectrum.

UK technology service provider Logicalis is launching a private 5G service for enterprises in Ireland, following an €8m investment from the company to support the roll-out.

New regulatory changes introduced by ComReg have enabled access to private 5G spectrums in Ireland, which, according to Logicalis, represented “one of the most significant advances” in digital infrastructure in recent years.

These locally operated networks can be adapted to specific requirements and allow enterprises to take fuller advantage of the 5G spectrum, with lower latency connectivity across large operational sites.

Access to private 5G is a “transformational development” for Ireland, Logicalis said, adding that the technology supports a new generation connected operations such as robotics, industrial AI, autonomous vehicles, IoT devices and edge computing.

Irish businesses can use the technology to accelerate digital automation, AI and Industry 4.0 initiatives, the company said, while strengthening its competitiveness as a destination for global investment.

Logicalis believes private 5G will become a foundational technology supporting the next generation of connected enterprise operations. The company is offering its private 5G services in partnership with technology vendors, including Cisco, Nokia and Neutral Wireless.

It said that the solution encompasses network design, radio planning, deployment, security and integration, alongside fully managed services. It already offers private 5G spectrum across the UK, Europe and North America.

“Historically, enterprises wishing to deploy private 5G have had to rely on mobile operators as the spectrum was unavailable directly to industry,” said Frank Rubotham, the head of specialists and propositions at Logicalis’ UK and Irish operations.

“This framework created complexity and cost barriers to accessing this technology. Now, with industry access to private 5G spectrum, the technology has moved from pilot phase to production deployment at scale.

“At Logicalis, we have been investing and researching heavily into this technology for over 10 years, while deploying large scale private 5G networks in markets such as the UK, Germany and the US, ensuring we have the expertise to deliver truly transformative technology.”

The company is a division of Datatec and has operations across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa. It last reported annualised revenues of $1.7bn.

“This advancement, in real terms, means that we can build and provide private 5G networks for enterprises in Ireland supporting greater automation, edge computing, industrial AI, robotics and real-time data analytics,” added Rubotham.

“This, in turn, helps to position Ireland as one of the world’s leading markets to deliver advanced interconnected technologies for business.”

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If you own an LG smart TV, there’s a chance one of your harmless-looking apps has been moonlighting as an internet relay for someone else’s traffic. According to a report from KrebsOnSecurity, LG says it’s finally stepping in to stop this menace. This week, the company confirmed it plans to suspend any webOS app that turns a TV into what’s called a residential proxy node.

The move follows a report from security firm Spur, which found that more than 42 percent of apps on LG’s webOS store include SDKs that quietly reroute internet traffic through your TV, indefinitely. Samsung isn’t spared either, with over a quarter of Tizen apps carrying similar code.

What is a residential proxy, and why should you care?

It’s like renting out your TV’s internet connection without fully realizing it. Companies pay app developers to bundle these SDKs into their software, and in return, your TV’s IP address gets used by paying customers elsewhere. Spur found this hidden in everything from simple games to screensavers and file utilities, not just obscure or sketchy apps.

What is LG doing about it?

LG Senior Vice President John Taylor told KrebsOnSecurity that developers who don’t strip out the proxy feature will have their apps pulled entirely. He added that LG’s review of its app catalog is already underway, and the company plans to tighten how it evaluates submissions going forward.

Bright Data, the proxy network behind most of the SDKs in the report, defended its practices, saying users opt in through a dedicated screen and that customers go through a vetting process. Spur isn’t convinced, arguing that a single consent prompt buried inside a TV app isn’t real transparency, especially when anyone in the household, including kids, could be the one tapping agree.

LG cleaning house is a welcome move, though it comes right after the company faced backlash for bundling McAfee promotions into its monitor drivers through Windows Update, with zero warning.

Apple receives a lot of criticism for taking too long to approve apps on its App Store, a problem significantly exacerbated by the deluge of video-coded app submissions. And while some of the criticisms are warranted and Apple has let some shady apps on its App Store, I would rather have a secure App Store than something like what LG’s offering.

After selling out the entire stock in 11 minutes in March, the US Mint’s commemorative Steve Jobs coin was briefly back on sale on Thursday.

It still only vaguely looks like Steve Jobs, but it’s intended to be him and to commemorate American innovation. But stop us if you’ve heard this one before, as the coin was released in May 2026.

The US Mint’s listing at the time said that it was a limited pressing, and the release schedule page still says that. It’s conceivable that part of the initial pressing was held back for some reason, but that would be the first time that was done in the American innovation line.

The original US Mint listing from May 2026, showing the coin as a limited edition – image credit: US Mint

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Regardless of how it’s happened, it was briefly possible to buy the Steve Jobs commemorative $1 coin. You had to be quick though.

The coins were initially being offered in 25-coin rolls and 100-coin bags. The rolls sold out in around ten minutes, the bags took about 20.

Those rolls were again priced at $61, while the bags are $154.40, both plus shipping. While stocks lasted, the coins were on sale through the US Mint’s online store.

The coins still feature “a young Steve Jobs sitting in front of a quintessentially northern California landscape of oak-covered rolling hills.”

“Captured in a moment of reflection,” continues the US Mint listing, “his posture and expression reflect how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself.”

This $1 coin is inscribed with “United States of America,” “California,” and also both “Steve Jobs” and “Make Something Wonderful.” On the opposite side to Jobs, the coin has a stylized Statue of Liberty.

How limited the offer really is

The US Mint did not publicize the number of coins being pressed when they were first released, it only marked the offering as limited. The CoinNews collectors’ site, however, said that a total of 1,233,750 were being produced between the Denver and Philadelphia minting facilities.

If correct, then regardless of whether the new offering represents a second pressing or not, more Steve Jobs coins are being produced than for any previous American Innovation releases. According to Coin Mintages, the program’s previous largest pressing was in 2019 when between Denver and Philadelphia, a total of 952,725 coins were made to commemorate the first US patent.

Clearly, then, the US Mint expected the Steve Jobs coin to sell more than previous ones. It remains correct on that matter, based on how quickly they sold out to the walls the first time and now, how the rolls of them have sold out.

But a greater number of coins, coupled with how the limited release now appears to not have been limited, will reduce the appeal to numismatists.

While any stocks remain, though, it is possible to specify that you want coins from the Denver or Philadelphia pressing plants. According to Coin Week, the Denver press is more precise, while the Philadelphia plant produces coins with more errors than Denver does, which may appeal to a certain type of collector.

We reached out to the US Mint to find out if this is a second pressing, or remnants from the first. A representative from the mint got back to us, and while there was some confusion on if the coins were available or not, they did confirm that there was not nor will there be a second stamping.

However, the coin will be included in the Reverse Proof Set that will go on sale later in 2026, which will be the only remaining unreleased product to feature the coin.

Before you ship your college kid back to campus, you might consider the quality of water coming out of their dorm or apartment taps. In partnership with ZeroWater, Culligan has released the first-ever ranking of US college towns based on tap water quality, grading the largest college towns in each state on a scale of A to F for lead and PFAS (“forever chemicals”). The timing is notable with back-to-school season approaching and water quality a growing concern for college-aged adults.

The Best Water Filter Pitchers, Tested by CNET

This year’s incoming class is shaping up to be the most health-conscious yet — nearly 30% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed say wellness matters more to them now than it did a year ago.

Results suggest most college towns have work to do

PFAS concerns: Roughly one-third of towns scored a “C” or worse on PFAS contamination.

Widespread water contamination: Nearly all college towns evaluated by Culligan — 92% — showed at least one harmful contaminant in their water supply. New York City was the sole town to receive an “F” for lead levels.

Alarming lead levels: Just 8 of the 50 college towns had water quality meeting EPA lead standards.

College towns with the best water (Overall)

• Albuquerque, NM — University of New Mexico
• Blacksburg, VA — Virginia Tech
• Boise, ID — Boise State
• Durham, NH — University of New Hampshire
• Morgantown, WV — West Virginia University

College towns with the worst water (Overall)

• Columbia, SC — University of South Carolina
• Tempe, AZ — Arizona State
• Newark, DE — University of Delaware
• New York City, NY — NYU
• New Brunswick, NJ — Rutgers

See the full list here.

Why it matters

Nearly 30% of Gen Z and millennials noted that wellness matters more to them this year than last, including water quality. The ranking gives incoming students a simple way to check what’s really coming out of the tap in their new college town and decide if some form of filtration is necessary.

Why testing is important

CNET spoke to a water-quality expert while testing countertop filters earlier this year. Dr. Eric Roy explained that the most harmful contaminants, including lead and PFAS, rarely affect the taste or smell of water, underscoring the importance of having your local water tested, especially if it comes from a well. TapScore is one of the leading at-home water quality services with lab testing for around $299.

Testing methodology

Culligan ZeroWater analyzed public water quality data for the largest university’s water system in each state (per 2024 IPEDS enrollment data), grading lead levels against the EPA’s 10 ppb action threshold and five PFAS chemicals (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, GenX) against UCMR5 monitoring data collected from 2023 to 2025.

David Watsky

Managing Editor / Home and Kitchen

David lives in Brooklyn where he’s spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.

Right now he’s likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.

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Jensen Huang travelled to Monterey this week to give the US Navy a machine that most defence contractors would have had to sell it.

Nvidia’s founder helped commission a DGX GB300 AI supercomputer at the Naval Postgraduate School, the first system of its kind installed anywhere in the American military, and the company donated it rather than route it through a procurement contract.

The hardware is a single liquid-cooled rack that packs 72 Blackwell Ultra GPUs alongside 36 Grace CPUs, wired together as one memory domain and running Nvidia’s Mission Control orchestration software.

It is the rack-scale configuration Nvidia sells for inference and reasoning workloads, and by the standards of the DGX line it is the top of the range. NPS now runs what is, for the moment, the most powerful supercomputer the Pentagon has.

One estimate put the value of the system at roughly $15m, though neither Nvidia nor the school confirmed a figure publicly.

The donation went to the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation rather than through a defence procurement contract, a route that sidesteps the usual competitive-bid machinery.

DDN, VAST Data, and Vertiv supplied the storage, data infrastructure, and cooling wrapped around the rack.

NPS is the Navy’s graduate research university, and the machine is meant for teaching and research rather than live operations.

Faculty and students plan to point it at weather prediction, ocean modelling, cybersecurity, and disaster-response planning, and to build maritime digital twins through Nvidia’s Omniverse platform.

The school also wants to train its own foundation models, including an internal system it is reportedly calling NPS GPT for handling sensitive data.

The rack lands on a campus that stood up a dedicated AI research centre the previous year, so the compute arrives with somewhere to go.

The pull is partly in the resolution. Owen has described being able to forecast conditions for very localised operations rather than working from the coarse grids, roughly 50km across, that most models settle for.

For a Navy that plans amphibious landings and small-boat movements around weather it cannot control, tighter prediction is not an abstraction.

“The question is not whether these technologies will exist,” said Captain Michael Owen, the school’s vice provost for warfare studies.

“The question is whether future military leaders understand them well enough to evaluate their limitations, apply them ethically and employ them responsibly.”

That framing matters, because unlike the Department of Defense’s existing supercomputing centres, which run operational workloads, the NPS system is pitched at research and innovation.

The idea is to let the school refine the models that the wider joint force might one day depend on, rather than to fold the rack into day-to-day command.

Huang, who attended the commissioning alongside Admiral Samuel Paparo, the head of US Pacific Command, described AI as a coming “backbone of America’s defense.”

It is not an entirely neutral observation from the man whose company now supplies much of that backbone.

The event caps an arrangement that started quietly in December 2024, when NPS and Nvidia signed a cooperative research and development agreement.

The Pentagon’s appetite for Nvidia silicon has grown conspicuously over the past year, and the company has spent much of that time selling similar systems to national governments.

The Monterey donation lands the hardware inside a military institution for the first time, which is a different kind of foothold.

A school full of serving officers is also, in effect, a training ground for the customers who will one day write the requirements.

Paparo told the audience that officers would increasingly command in settings where response times compress and advantage goes to whoever can act faster than an adversary.

Vice Admiral Ann Rondeau, the school’s president, put the pitch more plainly. “Education remains our greatest strategic advantage,” she said.

Whether a rack of GPUs counts as education or as infrastructure is, for now, a question the Navy seems content to leave open.