CNETThe world’s largest consumer tech conference, Consumer Electronics Shows (CES), is just a few days away. At the show, you can expect to see the most innovative technology from leading companies and startups worldwide, and this year, ZDNET will help the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) identify and award the most breakthrough tech. Also: CES 2025: What is it, what to expect, and how to tune inThe CTA recognizes the best technology at the trade show every year with a Best of CES designation across all consumer tech categories. This year, the CNET Group, which consists of ZDNET, CNET, PCMag, Mashable, and Lifehacker, all owned by Ziff Davis, is teaming up with the CTA to select the winners as the official media partner of the Best of CES Awards. The top products and services will be determined exclusively by the CNET Group’s editors and experts on the ground, including ZDNET’s on-site team, and awarded the official distinction of Best of CES. The designation goes to CES 2025 exhibitors whose product offers a compelling new concept or idea, solves a major consumer problem, or sets a new bar in performance or quality. There will be one winner in each of the following categories: AITransportation and mobilityPC/laptopTV/home theaterSmart home/home techSustainabilityGamingWellness/fitness techMobilePrivacy and securityWeirdest/most unexpectedBest overallIf you are interested in having your product considered for the award and meet the criteria above, you can fill out this submission form. Although there is no guarantee that each submission will be reviewed, we would love to hear about your product. Ultimately, the winners will be decided by the experts and editors’ on-site demos, experiences, and findings, informed by their subject-area expertise. The Best of CES Awards winners, presented by CNET Group, will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 9, on all CNET Group sites and social media platforms. You can stay updated on all things CES on ZDNET’s site, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Innovation More

Getty Images/Nitat Termmee The shift to remote work and cloud-computing services has made it harder to secure businesses from attack, especially in the face of ongoing shortages of skilled security staff, according to Gartner. But that’s just part of the change the tech analyst firm foresees in the security landscape. Special Feature “Organizations worldwide are […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways Pixel 10 series adds new AI tools, including Camera Coach.It generates sample images to guide perfect composition.Camera Coach suggests tips to improve your photo shots.Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source More

Europol has seized €13 million in drugs being illegal peddled to consumers concerned about contracting coronavirus.  On Monday, the European law enforcement agency said a worldwide investigation, dubbed Operation Pangea, has brought together police from over 90 countries in a bid to stem a rising flood of criminal enterprises relating to COVID-19.  The pandemic has […] More

The growth in employees forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has led to a huge spike in people using business virtual private networks (VPN) to secure their remote working. Figures released by VPN provider NordVPN revealed that global use of its virtual private network technology had increased by 165% since 11 March. […] More