Posted by Xiaodao Wu – Developer Relations Engineer
Jetpack WindowManager keeps getting better. WindowManager gives you tools to build adaptive apps that work seamlessly across all kinds of large screen devices. Version 1.4, which is stable now, introduces new features that make multi-window experiences even more powerful and flexible. While Jetpack Compose is still the best way to create app layouts for different screen sizes, 1.4 makes some big improvements to activity embedding, including activity stack spinning, pane expansion, and dialog full-screen dim. Multi-activity apps can easily take advantage of all these great features.
WindowManager 1.4 introduces a range of enhancements. Here are some of the highlights.
WindowSizeClass
We’ve updated the WindowSizeClass API to support custom values. We changed the API shape to make it easy and extensible to support custom values and add new values in the future. The high level changes are as follows:
Opened the constructor to take in minWidthDp and minHeightDp parameters so you can create your own window size classes
Added convenience methods for checking breakpoint validity
Deprecated WindowWidthSizeClass and WindowHeightSizeClass in favor of WindowSizeClass#isWidthAtLeastBreakpoint() and WindowSizeClass#isHeightAtLeastBreakpoint() respectively
Here’s a migration example:
// old val sizeClass = WindowSizeClass.compute(widthDp, heightDp)
when (sizeClass.widthSizeClass) {
COMPACT -> doCompact()
MEDIUM -> doMedium()
EXPANDED -> doExpanded()
else -> doDefault()
}
// newval sizeClass = WindowSizeClass.BREAKPOINTS_V1
.computeWindowSizeClass(widthDp, heightDp)
when {
sizeClass.isWidthAtLeastBreakpoint(WIDTH_DP_EXPANDED_LOWER_BOUND) -> {
doExpanded()
}
sizeClass.isWidthAtLeastBreakpoint(WIDTH_DP_MEDIUM_LOWER_BOUND) -> {
doMedium()
}
else -> {
doCompact()
}
}
Some things to note in the new API:
The order of the when branches should go from largest to smallest to support custom values from developers or new values in the future
The default branch should be treated as the smallest window size class
Activity embedding
Activity stack pinning
Activity stack pinning provides a way to keep an activity stack always on screen, no matter what else is happening in your app. This new feature lets you pin an activity stack to a specific window, so the top activity stays visible even when the user navigates to other parts of the app in a different window. This is perfect for things like live chats or video players that you want to keep on screen while users explore other content.
privatefunpinActivityStackExample(taskId: Int) {
val splitAttributes: SplitAttributes = SplitAttributes.Builder()
.setSplitType(SplitAttributes.SplitType.ratio(0.66f))
.setLayoutDirection(SplitAttributes.LayoutDirection.LEFT_TO_RIGHT)
.build()
val pinSplitRule = SplitPinRule.Builder()
.setDefaultSplitAttributes(splitAttributes)
.build()
SplitController.getInstance(applicationContext).pinTopActivityStack(taskId, pinSplitRule)
}
Pane expansion
The new pane expansion feature, also known as interactive divider, lets you create a visual separation between two activities in split-screen mode. You can make the pane divider draggable so users can resize the panes – and the activities in the panes – on the fly. This gives users control over how they want to view the app’s content.
val splitAttributesBuilder: SplitAttributes.Builder = SplitAttributes.Builder()
.setSplitType(SplitAttributes.SplitType.ratio(0.33f))
.setLayoutDirection(SplitAttributes.LayoutDirection.LEFT_TO_RIGHT)
if (WindowSdkExtensions.getInstance().extensionVersion >= 6) {
splitAttributesBuilder.setDividerAttributes(
DividerAttributes.DraggableDividerAttributes.Builder()
.setColor(getColor(context, R.color.divider_color))
.setWidthDp(4)
.setDragRange(
DividerAttributes.DragRange.DRAG_RANGE_SYSTEM_DEFAULT)
.build()
)
}
val splitAttributes: SplitAttributes = splitAttributesBuilder.build()
Dialog full-screen dim
WindowManager 1.4 gives you more control over how dialogs dim the background. With dialog full-screen dim, you can choose to dim just the container where the dialog appears or the entire task window for a unified UI experience. The entire app window dims by default when a dialog opens (see EmbeddingConfiguration.DimAreaBehavior.ON_TASK).To dim only the container of the activity that opened the dialog, use EmbeddingConfiguration.DimAreaBehavior.ON_ACTIVITY_STACK. This gives you more flexibility in designing dialogs and makes for a smoother, more coherent user experience. Temu is among the first developers to integrate this feature, the full-screen dialog dim has reduced screen invalid touches by about 5%.
Customised shopping cart reminder with dialog full-screen dim in Temu.
Enhanced posture support
WindowManager 1.4 makes building apps that work flawlessly on foldables straightforward by providing more information about the physical capabilities of the device. The new WindowInfoTracker#supportedPostures API lets you know if a device supports tabletop mode, so you can optimize your app’s layout and features accordingly.
val currentSdkVersion = WindowSdkExtensions.getInstance().extensionVersion
val message =
if (currentSdkVersion >= 6) {
val supportedPostures = WindowInfoTracker.getOrCreate(LocalContext.current).supportedPostures
buildString {
append(supportedPostures.isNotEmpty())
if (supportedPostures.isNotEmpty()) {
append(" ")
append(
supportedPostures.joinToString(
separator = ",", prefix = "(", postfix = ")"))
}
}
} else {
"N/A (WindowSDK version 6 is needed, current version is $currentSdkVersion)"
}
Other API changes
WindowManager 1.4 includes several API changes and additions to support the new features. Notable changes include:
API to finish all activities in an activity stack:
ActivityEmbeddingController#finishActivityStack
How to get started
To start using Jetpack WindowManager 1.4 in your Android projects, update your app dependencies in build.gradle.kts to the latest stable version:
dependencies {
implementation("androidx.window:window:1.4.0-rc01")
...
// or, if you're using the WindowManager testing library:
testImplementation("androidx.window:window-testing:1.4.0-rc01")
}
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Apple must loosen its grip on its App Store and stop collecting a commission on some app sales, capping a five-year antitrust case brought by Epic Games that aimed to change the power that Apple wields over a large slice of the digital economy.
The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, rebuked Apple for thwarting a previous ruling in the lawsuit and said the company needed to be stopped from further disobeying the court. She criticized Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, and accused other executives at the company of lying.
In her earlier ruling, Judge Gonzales Rogers ordered Apple to allow apps to provide users with external links to pay developers directly for services. The apps could then avoid the 30 percent commission that Apple charges in its App Store and potentially charge less for services.
Instead, Judge Gonzalez Rogers said on Wednesday, Apple created a new system that forced apps with external sales to pay a 27 percent commission to the company. Apple also created pop-up screens that discouraged customers from paying elsewhere, telling them that payments outside the App Store may not be secure.
“Apple sought to maintain a revenue stream worth billions in direct defiance of this court’s injunction,” Judge Gonzalez Rogers wrote.
In response, she said Apple could no longer take commissions from sales outside the App Store. She also restricted the company from writing rules that would prevent developers from creating buttons or links to pay outside the store and said it could not create messages to discourage users from making purchases. In addition, Judge Gonzalez Rogers asked the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California to investigate the company for criminal contempt.
The ruling — a major victory for Epic and a stinging defeat for Apple — has the potential to change the app economy by increasing the money that developers collect while reducing the fees that flow to Apple. That strikes at one of Apple’s major businesses, with its App Store long the most prominent destination for people to download mobile games, productivity tools and other programs.
“There’s going to be a lot of latitude for developers to get better deals and for consumers to get better deals,” said Tim Sweeney, Epic’s chief executive. “This is a wonderful, wonderful day for everybody.”
An Apple spokeswoman, Olivia Dalton, said in a statement: “We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order, and we will appeal.”
Apple’s shares sank 1.5 percent in after-hours trading.
Epic, the maker of the game Fortnite, brought the antitrust lawsuit against Apple in 2020. In the suit, Epic accused Apple of forcing app makers to use its payment system in exchange for access to the App Store, which is the only way to distribute apps on iPhones. The rules allowed Apple to collect as much as a 30 percent commission on many transactions.
The App Store makes up a large portion of the nearly $100 billion in annual services revenue that Apple collects.
In a ruling two years later, Judge Gonzalez Rogers stopped short of declaring that Apple had a monopoly in the market of mobile games, as Epic had argued. That meant Apple avoided the worst possible outcome of the case. But she found that the company had violated California laws against unfair competition by preventing developers from offering users alternative ways to pay for apps.
Last year, Epic complained to the court that Apple wasn’t complying with the ruling because it had created a new set of fees and rules for developers. The judge ordered Apple to provide the documents explaining how it had come up with its new system.
Apple’s documents showed that it tried to discourage alternative payments and keep as much of its traditional 30 percent commission as possible. At a July 2023 meeting, Phil Schiller, who oversees the App Store, advocated that Apple take no commission, but Luca Maestri, Apple’s finance chief at the time, championed a fee of 27 percent. Mr. Cook sided with Mr. Maestri, according to the documents.
Mr. Cook also asked that when people clicked on links to pay for apps outside the App Store they be shown a “scare” screen saying “that Apple’s privacy and security standards do not apply to purchases made on the web.”
“Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option,” Judge Gonzalez Rogers said.
She said Apple executives had “outright lied under oath” and added, “Cook chose poorly.”
Finding the right executive talent is crucial for any company’s success. When you need specialized recruitment services, turning to experienced headhunters can make a significant difference. This article will guide you through the 10 best headhunters in Spain, offering insight into the top firms that can help you discover the perfect candidates for your organization.
These headhunters have extensive knowledge of the local market and an impressive track record in various industries. Whether you are in technology, finance, or other sectors, these firms will provide the expertise you need to enhance your recruitment process.
1. Yeeply
Yeeply is known for connecting companies with top tech talent. They specialize in IT and digital marketing, making them a great choice if you need experts in these fields. Their process ensures that you get the most suitable professionals for your project.
You can find developers, designers, and marketing experts through Yeeply. Their platform also allows you to manage projects easily and monitor progress in real-time. It’s user-friendly and caters to different business sizes.
Yeeply’s presence in Spain makes it convenient for local companies to find skilled professionals. They have a strong network and a reputation for quality service.
To learn more about Yeeply and their services, visit their official website.
2. Talent Search People
Talent Search People is a well-known recruitment agency based in Barcelona and Madrid. They have been operational since 2006 and focus on bringing talent and opportunities together. Their expertise lies in providing human resources services across various sectors.
They focus on international recruitment and place a strong emphasis on multiculturalism and innovation. The agency is known for its effective communication and action-driven approach. They are dedicated to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers.
You can look at the Talent Search People website to see how they match job seekers with open positions. The agency has a reputation for professionalism and support throughout the recruitment process. They receive positive feedback from candidates who have secured jobs through them.
3. Michael Page
Michael Page is a well-known recruitment agency in Spain. They focus on placing candidates in higher-level positions across various industries. This makes them a top choice for professionals looking to advance their careers.
Michael Page provides personalized services to match the right talent with the right job. They have a strong network and deep market expertise. Their approach ensures both employers and job seekers find ideal matches.
Industries they specialize in include finance, marketing, sales, and engineering. They use a detailed process to understand your career goals and skills. This helps in finding positions that fit your profile perfectly.
Michael Page offers job opportunities across Spain, making it convenient for you to find work in different regions. Their platform is easy to navigate, allowing you to search for jobs that match your criteria.
For more information, you can visit their page. Here, you can explore job listings and find valuable tips on job searching.
By choosing Michael Page, you’re partnering with a leader in the recruitment industry. Their extensive experience and professional approach can significantly boost your job search efforts.
4. Babel Profiles
Babel Profiles is a boutique recruitment agency based in Barcelona. They specialize in finding international and tech talent.
Their team works closely with top brands to match them with ideal candidates. They are known for being people-oriented and focusing on understanding candidates’ skills and competencies.
The company has a reputation for professionalism and flexibility. Clients appreciate how they balance speed and quality in their recruitment process. Babel Profiles emphasizes a collaborative and supportive work environment. Their recruiters are friendly and help each other, ensuring everyone can develop their skills.
For more information on their services, visit Babel Profiles.
5. Catenon
Catenon is a well-regarded talent search and HR company based in Spain. Known for its expertise in sourcing high-quality candidates, Catenon has built a reputation for delivering effective recruitment solutions across various sectors.
In 2020, Catenon received the “Best Talent Search and HR Company” award from the Spanish newspaper, La Razón. This recognition underscores their commitment to excellence in talent acquisition.
They utilize advanced technology to match candidates with job openings, ensuring a high level of fit between the candidate and employer. Their approach combines innovative search methods with a deep understanding of the market.
Whether you are looking for talent in technology, finance, or other industries, Catenon offers tailored services to meet your needs. Their comprehensive approach makes them a top choice for executive recruitment in Spain.
By leveraging a global network, they provide access to a diverse pool of candidates. This ensures that they can meet the specific demands of businesses in Spain and beyond. Learn more about their award and services here.
6. Morgan Philips
Morgan Philips Spain stands out among top headhunters. The company specializes in recruitment, talent consulting, and headhunting. Their team of expert consultants offers tailored career advice to help you secure the best job opportunities.
The executive search team at Morgan Philips combines high-touch consultancy with digital sourcing technologies. They have a global reach, ensuring you can hire the best senior executives and business-critical hires.
Morgan Philips also has a unique Club 5000 community, which connects you to a network of top professionals and industry leaders. This exclusive community gives you access to the best candidates in the market.
Their financial services recruitment practice excels in selecting top talent in banking, insurance, fintech, and investment vehicles. This focus on financial services ensures you find highly skilled professionals in these areas.
The team is led by Alfredo Santos, Managing Director for Morgan Philips Spain. With vast experience in the headhunting business, Santos has successfully managed the Hudson Executive Search area in Spain for 19 years, which was later acquired by Morgan Philips.
7. Approach People Recruitment
Approach People Recruitment is a well-established agency. They have been in the recruitment business since 2000. This agency focuses on global recruitment with a strong presence in Europe.
You can find their offices in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid. They cater to various sectors, including start-ups and SMEs. For larger companies, they provide a dedicated Account Manager.
Their extensive candidate pool includes over 700,000 profiles. This centralised and secure database helps in finding the right talent quickly. Their team of experts are skilled in both local and international recruitment.
Approach People Recruitment offers specialized services. They recruit for all types of positions, from support staff to executive roles. This includes local and international recruitment solutions. Their experience allows them to handle diverse recruitment needs effectively.
For businesses in Spain looking for a reliable recruitment partner, Approach People Recruitment is a solid choice. They bring together strong expertise and a large network to facilitate your hiring process.
8. Antal International
Antal International is a significant player in the global recruitment market. Founded in 1993, it is one of the largest recruiting firms in the world.
The company has a strong presence in Spain, especially in Madrid. It focuses on placing senior-level professionals across various industries.
With offices in 37 countries, Antal offers a wide range of recruitment solutions. These include Permanent, Temporary vacancies, and RPO solutions.
Antal operates with a network of over 800 people. They have successfully placed talent in more than 75 countries.
Hays Recruiting Experts Worldwide is a leading recruitment agency with a strong presence in Spain. They specialize in connecting top talent with organizations in need of skilled professionals.
Hays offers various services to meet your recruitment needs. These include direct search, where they identify exceptional candidates through strategic methods, and advertised search and selection to attract the best fit for your organization.
Their consultants use an extensive network to find candidates who match your specific requirements. Hays also provides supplementary services like outplacement, outsourcing, and interim management.
Working with Hays means accessing a global network and local expertise. They have a proven track record in placing candidates in both permanent and temporary roles.
For more detailed information, you can visit Hays through their website.
10. Robert Walters
Robert Walters is a leader in the recruitment industry. They specialize in search and selection for middle management, managers, and executives. Their services focus on both permanent and interim management positions.
With a presence in major cities like Bilbao, Robert Walters helps businesses find top talent through their extensive network. They are known for providing strategic talent consulting, outsourcing solutions, and payroll services.
In Spain, Robert Walters has earned recognition from the National Federation of Consulting. They are listed among the top 30 consulting and services companies in the country. This highlights their leadership, excellence, and internal talent.
Robert Walters is not only recognized in Spain. They have also been ranked among the best recruiting firms in Switzerland. Their consistent performance over the years showcases their reliability and effectiveness in the recruitment field.
Headhunters play a key role in connecting companies with top talent. They specialize in finding highly qualified candidates for senior-level and executive positions.
What Do Headhunters Do?
Headhunters focus on seeking out and recruiting top talent for organizations. Unlike regular recruiters, they usually work on filling high-level positions. They use their networks, databases, and industry knowledge to identify potential candidates who are not actively looking for jobs.
Key activities include:
Researching and identifying potential candidates
Networking within specific industries
Approaching and persuading passive candidates
Conducting preliminary interviews
Headhunters often focus on specific industries, making them experts in those fields. For example, headhunters in Madrid may work in sectors like financial services, technology, and real estate.
Benefits of Using a Headhunter
Using a headhunter offers several advantages for companies looking to fill executive roles. Headhunters have access to a wider pool of candidates, including those who are not actively job hunting. This can lead to finding better matches for your key positions.
Main benefits include:
Access to top talent: Headhunters have extensive networks and databases.
Time-saving: They handle the initial screening and interviews.
Industry expertise: Specialized headhunters understand the specific needs of your industry.
Confidentiality: They can conduct searches privately, which is crucial for sensitive positions.
For example, headhunters in Spain might focus on industries like renewable energy and technology, ensuring they find the best candidates for these growing fields.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Headhunter
Selecting the right headhunter is crucial for finding the best talent for your company. Important factors include their industry focus, proven track record, and understanding of the local job market.
Industry Specialization
Industry specialization is essential when choosing a headhunter. A recruiter who focuses on your industry will have a deep understanding of the roles, skills, and qualifications needed. They can quickly identify the most suitable candidates, saving you time and effort.
For example, if your company is in tech, you should look for a headhunter with experience in IT or software development. This ensures they are familiar with the specific requirements and challenges in your field. Specialized headhunters typically have a strong network of industry professionals, making your talent search more efficient.
Track Record and Reputation
A headhunter’s track record and reputation are important indicators of their ability to deliver results. Look for headhunters who have successfully placed candidates in similar roles and industries. This demonstrates their expertise and reliability.
Reference checks can be very useful. Ask for testimonials or case studies from previous clients. Positive feedback and success stories can help you gauge the effectiveness of a headhunter. Additionally, consider their experience level. An established headhunter with a solid reputation is more likely to attract top-tier candidates.
Local Market Knowledge
Local market knowledge is critical when selecting a headhunter, especially in a unique market like Spain. A headhunter who understands local employment trends, salary expectations, and cultural nuances can provide valuable insights and advice.
They can help you navigate local regulations and labor laws, ensuring a smoother hiring process. Local knowledge also enables the headhunter to tap into regional talent pools and tailor their search to meet your specific needs. This localized approach often results in a better fit for both the candidate and your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When looking for the best headhunting firms in Spain, it’s crucial to consider those that specialize in different regions and industries. Whether you’re aiming for a role in a specific location or industry, knowing your options can make your search more efficient.
What are the top headhunting firms in Spain for international candidates?
Top firms for international candidates include Yeeply. These agencies have strong global connections and expertise in placing candidates in roles across Europe and beyond.
Which recruitment agencies in Barcelona are best for English-speaking professionals?
In Barcelona, Michael Page and Babel Profiles are well-regarded for their services to English-speaking professionals. They cater to a variety of industries and often have positions requiring English proficiency.
Can you recommend some reputable headhunters in Madrid?
For headhunters in Madrid, Keller Executive Search and Catenon are notable. They offer targeted executive search services across major industries like finance, technology, and hospitality.
What are the high-demand professions in Spain for the year 2024?
High-demand professions in Spain for 2024 include roles in technology, renewable energy, and financial services. Professionals in software development, project management, and sustainable energy solutions are particularly sought after this year.
How do I find a specialized recruitment agency in Spain for my industry?
To find a specialized recruitment agency, consider agencies like Yeeply which focuses on various sectors including technology and development. Look for agencies with a strong presence in your particular field.
Are there any headhunting agencies in Spain that focus on English-speaking roles?
Yes, agencies like Talent Search People and Babel Profiles are known for focusing on English-speaking roles, catering to both local and international markets.
This course introduces you to cloud-based AI services, focusing on text generation, image processing, and audio analysis. You’ll gain hands-on experience with leading platforms such as OpenAI and Google Gemini, learning to leverage these technologies for various AI apps.
In today’s interconnected world, managing digital identity is essential. Android aims to support open standards that ensure seamless interoperability with various identity providers and services. As part of this goal, we are excited to announce that Android, via Credential Manager’s DigitalCredential API, now natively supports OpenID4VP and OpenID4VCI for digital credential presentation and issuance respectively.
What are digital credentials?
Digital credentials are cryptographically verifiable documents. The most common emerging use case for digital credentials is identity documents such as driver’s licenses, passports, or national ID cards. In the coming years, it is anticipated that Android developers will develop innovative applications of this technology for a wider range of personal credentials that users will need to present digitally, including education certifications, insurance policies, memberships, permits, and more.
Digital credentials can be provided by any installed Android app. These apps are known as “credential holders”; typically digital wallet apps such as Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet.
Other apps not necessarily thought of as “wallets” may also have a use for exposing a digital credential. For example an airline app might want to offer their users’ air miles reward program membership as a digital credential to be presented to other apps or websites.
Digital credentials can be presented by the user to any other app or website on the same device, and Android also supports securely presenting Digital Credentials between devices using the same industry standard protocols used by passkeys (CTAP), by establishing encrypted communication tunnels.
Users can store multiple credentials across multiple apps on their device. By leveraging OpenID4VP requests from websites using the W3C Digital Credential API, or from native apps using Android Credential Manager API, a user can select what credential to present from across all available credentials across all installed digital wallet apps.
How digital credentials work
Presentation
To present the credential, the verifier sends an OpenID4VP request to the Digital Credential API, which then prompts the user to select a credential across all the credentials that can satisfy this request. Note that the user is selecting a credential, not a digital wallet app:
Digital credentials selection interface
Once the user chooses a credential to proceed with, Android platform redirects the original OpenID4VP request to the digital wallet app that holds the chosen credential to complete the presentation back to the verifier. When the digital wallet app receives the OpenID4VP request from Android, it can also perform any additional due-diligence steps it needs to perform prior to releasing the credential to the verifier.
Issuance
Android also allows developers to issue their own Digital Credentials to a user’s digital wallet app. This process can be done using an OpenID4VCI request, which prompts the user to choose the digital wallet app that they want to store the credential in. Alternatively, the issuance could be done directly from within the digital wallet app (some apps might not even have an explicit user facing issuance step if they store credentials based on their association to a signed-in user account).
A wallet app holds a single credential
Over time, the user can repeat this process to issue multiple credentials across multiple digital wallet apps:
Multiple wallet apps hold multiple credentials
Note:To ensure that at presentation time Android can appropriately list all the credentials that digital wallet apps hold, digital wallets must register their credentials’ metadata with Credential Manager. Credential Manager uses this metadata to match credentials across available digital wallet apps to the verifier’s request, so that it can only present a list of valid credentials that can satisfy the request for the user to select from.
Early adopters
As Google Wallet announced yesterday, soon users will be able to use digital credentials to recover Amazon accounts, access online health services with CVS and MyChart by Epic, and verify profiles or identity on platforms like Uber and Bumble.
These use cases will take advantage of users’ digital credentials stored in any digital wallet app users have on their Android device. To that end, we’re also happy to share that both Samsung Wallet and 1Password will hold users’ digital credentials as digital wallets and support OpenID standards via Android’s Credential Manager API.
Learn more
Credential Manager API lets every Android app implement credential verification or provide credentials on the Android platform.
Check out our new digital credential documentation on how to become a credential verifier, taking advantage of users’ existing digital credentials using Jetpack Credential Manager, or to become a digital wallet app holding your own credentials for other apps or websites to verify.
When I travel to Asia this summer, I plan to leave my iPhone at home. Instead, I’ll pack a different phone lacking my staple apps, like Instagram, Slack and Signal. It won’t even be logged in to my work email.
No, I’m not planning a digital detox. I’m choosing to travel with what’s known as a burner phone because my personal device contains sensitive data that I don’t want others, particularly U.S. border protection officers, to search.
For over a decade, the federal government has had the authority to conduct border searches of travelers’ personal electronics, including phones, laptops and tablets. In recent years, such inspections have steadily increased, though they happen to only a small portion of people entering the United States.
Last year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reported that it had conducted roughly 43,000 electronics searches, up from about 38,000 in 2023.
To be clear, I may be particularly paranoid as a journalist who is constantly working to protect confidential sources from being outed, so a burner phone is an extreme measure that most people won’t find practical or even necessary.
But in recent incidents, travelers have been denied entry into the United States in part because of phone data, such as photos of guns and social media posts about protests.
“The bigger concern is that the government can single out people it wants to search,” said Esha Bhandari, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union. “We’ve seen anecdotal evidence of more aggressive searches on the border, including lawyers who have attorney-client privileges and people seen as dissidents.”
In other words, while no rules have changed when it comes to entering the United States, a shift in how frequently the policies are enforced may be underway. Vacationers and business travelers alike should be judicious about the data they carry on their devices.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and the approach that works best for you depends on your lifestyle and profession. Here’s what to do.
Assess your risk
First consider who you are, what you do for work and what’s on your phone, laptop or tablet, said Jeremiah Grossman, a cybersecurity expert.
If, for instance, you’re a retired U.S. citizen carrying some vacation photos and text conversations with friends from your book club on your device, you probably don’t have to worry. But if you’re a student on a visa who has been involved in government protests, there may be media on your phone that could create issues.
“If law enforcement had everything on your phone and access to everything, would that be bad for you?” Mr. Grossman said.
From there, assess whether your risk is high or low and pick an approach.
Low risk: Use a passcode, and delete some apps
If you’re only mildly concerned about your data being searched, start with turning off biometrics such as fingerprint and face recognition sensors. Instead, rely only on a passcode for unlocking your device.
To turn off Face ID on an iPhone, open the settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode and toggle off the switch for iPhone Unlock.
For Android phones, the steps depend on the model, but generally in the settings app you can type a search for the Face & Fingerprint Unlock menu and disable the settings there.
Using only a passcode can be an effective measure for U.S. citizens because it is legally more difficult for the government to compel you to share a passcode than it is for an officer to take your phone and hold it up to your face to unlock it, Ms. Bhandari said.
But while citizens can decline to provide a passcode, visa holders and tourists visiting the United States run the risk of being denied entry if they refuse to comply, Ms. Bhandari added. So it’s best to also take the extra step of deleting any apps containing information that could become problematic, such as Instagram, Signal or X.
Medium risk: Back up and purge your data
If you think there’s a modest possibility that the government could search your phone, consider backing up a copy of all your data and purging your device before returning to the United States, Mr. Grossman said.
To make this process simpler, you can back up your data to an online server, such as Apple’s iCloud for iPhones or Google One for Android devices. That way, you can later restore your data over the internet by entering your account credentials.
To back up your data on an iPhone to iCloud, open the settings app, tap your name, tap iCloud and select iCloud Backup. Switch on Back Up This iPhone and tap Back Up Now. Then, to purge your iPhone data, in the settings app go to the General menu, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Erase All Content and Settings and follow the steps.
To back up your data on an Android device to Google One, open the settings app, tap Google, then tap Backup. To purge your Android data, the steps depend on your phone model, but generally you can do a search for the Factory Reset menu in the settings app.
After you cross the border with the wiped device, you will see an option to restore the device from a backup when you go to set it up, at which point you can enter your account credentials to get your data back. (Just make sure to have your password written down somewhere.)
High risk: Carry a burner phone
If you think it’s very likely that U.S. border officials will want to look at your phone, the most robust solution is to leave your personal devices at home and carry a burner phone used exclusively for travel.
Here’s how I plan to do it.
I’ll carry a cheap Android phone with only the software necessary for my trip, including ride-hailing and maps apps.
I’ll log in to one email account I created exclusively for travel to retrieve itineraries and other trip-related information.
When I land, I’ll connect to a temporary cellular plan on a foreign network using an eSIM, a digitized version of a SIM card, which can be activated through an app such as Nomad, Airalo or GigSky. (I wrote a guide to using eSIM technology in a previous column.)
Then, when I return home, I’ll copy all my vacation photos from the vacation phone to my iPhone and put the burner in a drawer until my next trip.
Headhunting is a specialized form of recruitment that focuses on finding top talent for high-level positions within a company. Unlike traditional recruiting, headhunting targets high-level employees who are not actively seeking new roles, making it an essential strategy for filling urgent or hard-to-fill positions.
This method is particularly effective in industries where expertise and experience are crucial. Headhunters often have deep knowledge of the industry and a wide network of contacts, enabling them to identify and approach the best candidates. Advancements in technology have also enhanced the headhunting process, making it easier to match the right candidates to the right roles.
The impact of headhunting on the job market and businesses is significant. By ensuring that top talent is placed in key positions, companies can achieve better performance and innovation. Understanding how headhunting works can help you leverage this strategy to advance your career or improve your organization’s success.
Key Takeaways
Headhunting focuses on finding top talent for high-level positions.
Technology has improved the efficiency of the headhunting process.
Effective headhunting can significantly enhance business performance.
What is Headhunting? Understanding the Concept
Headhunting focuses on finding top talent, especially those not actively seeking jobs, while traditional recruitment often relies on advertising vacancies. This specialized approach involves a proactive and targeted process to secure the best candidates for key positions.
Headhunting vs Traditional Recruitment
Headhunting differs from traditional recruitment primarily in how candidates are sourced. Traditional recruitment generally involves posting job advertisements and waiting for applicants, targeting active candidates who are actively looking for new opportunities.
Headhunting, on the other hand, actively targets passive candidates who are not actively seeking new roles but may be open to the right opportunity. This means reaching out directly to professionals who are currently employed and may not be browsing job boards.
Another difference lies in the level of roles usually targeted. While traditional recruitment can be used for a wide range of positions, headhunting is often reserved for senior-level or highly specialized roles that require specific skills and experience.
The Headhunting Process
The headhunting process involves several steps, each designed to identify and attract the best candidates. Initially, headhunters work closely with the hiring organization to understand the specific requirements of the role and the desired candidate profile.
Next, headhunters conduct market research to identify potential candidates. This involves scanning professional networks, databases, and industry connections. Once suitable candidates are identified, headhunters use strategic and personalized outreach to engage these professionals, often leveraging their industry knowledge and network.
After making initial contact, headhunters assess the candidate’s fit for the role through detailed discussions and interviews. This thorough vetting process ensures that only the most qualified and interested candidates are presented to the hiring organization.
Roles of Headhunters in Recruitment
Headhunters play a critical role in the recruitment process, especially for high-level positions. Their expertise includes deep industry knowledge, extensive networks, and negotiation skills. They work closely with hiring managers to define the role, identify the best approach for outreach, and create a compelling pitch to attract top talent.
They also manage the entire recruitment cycle, from initial contact to final offer negotiation. This includes coordinating interviews, providing feedback, and facilitating communication between candidates and the hiring organization.
In addition, headhunters often act as advisors, helping to align the hiring strategy with the organization’s long-term goals. This strategic partnership can result in more successful hires and a better fit for both the candidate and the organization.
The Role of Technology in Headhunting
Technology has transformed headhunting by utilizing social media platforms and enhancing digital networking. It allows headhunters to connect with top talent more efficiently and personalize the recruitment process.
Leveraging Social Media
Social media platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools for headhunting. They enable recruiters to identify and connect with potential candidates quickly. You can search for professionals based on their skills, experience, and industry.
LinkedIn provides detailed profiles, making it easier to assess a candidate’s fit for a role without initial interviews. Social media also allows headhunters to engage with candidates more informally. Engaging through posts, messages, and comments can build relationships and trust.
Job boards linked to social media also help. They provide a broader audience and quick access to a pool of active job seekers. This combination allows you to reach both passive and active candidates in a targeted manner. Making the most out of these platforms can make your headhunting process more efficient and successful.
Digital Networking and Headhunting
Digital networking has changed how headhunters find and interact with candidates. Online events, webinars, and industry forums are now prevalent, offering new avenues for connecting with professionals. You can attend these events and engage with potential candidates directly.
Specialized recruitment tools also aid in digital networking. These tools analyze data to match candidates with job openings accurately. Advanced analytics can identify trends and predict candidate success, making the process more data-driven.
Additionally, digital platforms can facilitate initial interviews and assessments through video calls and AI-based evaluations. This reduces the need for physical meetings and speeds up the hiring process. Incorporating digital networking into your strategy can help you stay ahead in the competitive field of headhunting.
Steps in the Headhunting Process
This process involves several important steps: identifying suitable candidates, engaging and screening them, conducting interviews and shortlisting, and finally, negotiating and making the job offer.
Identifying Suitable Candidates
To start, you need to create a thorough candidate profile. This profile details the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role. Once you have a clear profile, you can begin your candidate search.
Focus on finding qualified candidates, including passive talent, who aren’t actively looking for new jobs but may be open to opportunities. Utilizing professional networks and databases helps you cast a wide net. You’ll want to look at candidates’ past work, accomplishments, and their fit with your organization’s culture.
Candidate Engagement and Screening
After identifying potential candidates, the next step is to engage and screen them. This begins with an initial outreach, which should be personalized and direct. Provide a compelling reason for why they should consider the position.
Next, collect resumes and conduct preliminary screenings based on the candidate profile. During this stage, verify their qualifications and look for red flags that might disqualify them from the process. Consider conducting brief phone interviews to further assess their suitability before moving forward.
Interviewing and Shortlisting
Once you’ve screened candidates, you can move on to the interview process. Structured interviews help maintain consistency. Develop a set of questions that target key skills and experiences. Multiple rounds of interviews may be necessary, including technical assessments and culture fit evaluations.
After the interviews, create a shortlist of the top candidates. Discuss their performance with relevant team members and gather feedback to decide who progresses through the hiring process. Ensure that you’re comparing candidates fairly and objectively.
Negotiations and Job Offer
When you have your top candidate, begin the negotiation phase. This involves discussing salary, benefits, start date, and any other terms of employment. Be prepared for a dialogue where both sides may need to compromise.
Once terms are agreed upon, make a formal job offer. Ensure the offer letter is clear and includes all relevant details. Follow up promptly and maintain open communication to address any questions or concerns the candidate may have before they accept the position.
The Impact of Headhunting on Businesses
Headhunting can open up opportunities for businesses to attract top talent, improve productivity, and build strong partnerships for long-term growth. The process, however, comes with certain cost considerations.
Strategic Advantages for Companies
Headhunting allows you to target and attract high-level employees who may not be actively seeking new jobs. This means you can bring in executive-level talent with specialized skills and experience, rather than relying solely on candidates who are actively job searching.
A key advantage is the ability to fill critical leadership roles quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending months on the traditional hiring process, you can identify and recruit top-tier talent, ensuring your company remains competitive. This is particularly important for roles requiring unique expertise or experience that are vital for your business operations.
Cost Considerations in Headhunting
While headhunting offers strategic benefits, it is important to consider the cost implications. Engaging a headhunter can be more expensive than traditional recruitment methods. You might incur costs such as headhunter fees, which can range from 20% to 30% of the candidate’s annual salary.
However, these costs can be offset by the long-term value brought by the recruited talent. A strategic hire can significantly impact your company’s productivity, innovation, and success. Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) is crucial, especially when hiring for c-suite positions and other roles that demand high expertise.
Partnership and Long-Term Growth
Forming a partnership with a professional headhunting firm can lead to sustainable long-term growth. These partnerships often result in a better cultural fit between the candidate and your organization, promoting higher retention rates. This is because headhunters develop a deep understanding of your company’s culture, values, and long-term goals.
Additionally, strong headhunting partnerships can enhance your company’s ability to attract and retain top talent over time. By building a relationship with a trusted headhunter, you create a pipeline of potential candidates, ensuring that future vacancies can be filled swiftly and effectively.
Building such relationships with headhunters can yield mutually beneficial outcomes for both your company and the headhunting firm. This constant collaboration can help you adapt to evolving market needs and consistently reinforce your team’s strength and capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exploring headhunting, it is important to understand how it differs from recruiting, the way it’s used today, and its ethical considerations.
What is the difference between headhunting and recruiting?
Headhunting focuses on finding and attracting top talent for specific roles, often from competing companies. Recruiting generally involves filling open positions through job postings and candidate applications.
How is headhunting utilized in modern human resources practices?
In today’s HR practices, headhunting is used to target high-demand, hard-to-fill roles. Companies often partner with specialized firms to find candidates who are not actively looking but are ideal for strategic positions.
What are the key advantages and disadvantages of headhunting for organizations?
Key advantages include accessing a larger talent pool and finding highly qualified candidates quickly. The disadvantages are the higher cost and the possible disruption caused by recruiting employees from competitors.
In what way is the term headhunting used in a modern corporate context?
In the corporate world, headhunting usually means the targeted recruitment of executives or highly specialized professionals. It aims to fill critical organizational roles that require specific expertise or leadership skills.
How have headhunting techniques evolved with the advent of digital technology?
Digital technology has transformed headhunting by enabling the use of data analytics, online professional networks, and AI-powered tools to identify and engage potential candidates effectively.
What are the ethical considerations involved in headhunting practices?
Ethical considerations include respect for candidate confidentiality and honesty in communication. Headhunters must avoid misleading candidates or engaging in poaching tactics that violate non-compete agreements.
figuring out how to balance these points can help you make better decisions about using headhunters in your organization.
Posted by Matthew McCullough – VP of Product Management, Android
We’re stepping up our multiplatform gaming offering with exciting news dropping at this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC). We’re bringing users more games, more ways to play your games across devices, and improved gameplay. You can read all about the updates for users from The Keyword. At GDC, we’ll be diving into all of the latest games coming to Play, plus new developer tools that’ll help improve gameplay across the Android ecosystem.
Today, we’re sharing a closer look at what’s new from Android. We’re making Vulkan the official graphics API on Android, enabling you to build immersive visuals, and we’re enhancing the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) to help you deliver longer, more stable gameplays. Check out the video or keep reading below.
More immersive visuals built on Vulkan, now the official graphics API
These days, games require more processing power for realistic graphics and cutting-edge visuals. Vulkan is an API used for low level graphics that helps developers maximize the performance of modern GPUs, and today we’re making it the official graphics API for Android. This unlocks advanced features like ray tracing and multithreading for realistic and immersive gaming visuals. For example, Diablo Immortal used Vulkan to implement ray tracing, bringing the world of Sanctuary to life with spectacular special effects, from fiery explosions to icy blasts.
Diablo Immortal running on Vulkan
For casual games like Pokémon TCG Pocket, which draws players into the vibrant world of each Pokémon, Vulkan helps optimize graphics across a broad range of devices to ensure a smooth and engaging experience for every player.
Pokémon TCG Pocket running on Vulkan
We’re excited to announce that Android is transitioning to a modern, unified rendering stack with Vulkan at its core. Starting with our next Android release, more devices will use Vulkan to process all graphics commands. If your game is running on OpenGL, it will use ANGLE as a system driver that translates OpenGL to Vulkan. We recommend testing your game on ANGLE today to ensure it’s ready for the Vulkan transition.
We’re also partnering with major game engines to make Vulkan integration easier. With Unity 6, you can configure Vulkan per device while older versions can access this setting through plugins. Over 45% of sessions from new games on Unity* use Vulkan, and we expect this number to grow rapidly.
To simplify workflows further, we’re teaming up with the Samsung Austin Research Center to create an integrated GPU profiler toolchain for Vulkan and AI/ML optimization. Coming later this year, this tool will enable developers to make graphics, memory and compute workloads more efficient.
Longer and smoother gameplay sessions with ADPF
Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) enables developers to adjust between the device and game’s performance in real-time based on the thermal state of the device, and it’s getting a big update today to provide longer and smoother gameplay sessions. ADPF is designed to work across a wide range of devices including models like the Pixel 9 family and the Samsung S25 Series. We’re excited to see MMORPGs like Lineage W integrating ADPF to optimize performance on their core target devices.
Lineage W running on ADPF
Here’s how we’re enhancing ADPF with better performance and simplified integration:
Stronger performance: Our collaboration with MediaTek, a leading chip supplier for Android devices, has brought enhanced stability to ADPF. Devices powered by MediaTek’s MAGT system-on-chip solution can now fully utilize ADPF’s performance optimization capabilities.
Easier integration: Major game engines now offer built-in ADPF support with simple interfaces and default configurations. For advanced controls, developers can customize the ADPF behavior in real time.
Performance optimization with more features in Play Console
Once you’ve launched your game, Play Console offers the tools to monitor and improve your game’s performance. We’re newly including Low Memory Killers (LMK) in Android vitals, giving you insight into memory constraints that can cause your game to crash. Android vitals is your one-stop destination for monitoring metrics that impact your visibility on the Play Store like slow sessions. You can find this information next to reach and devices which provides updates on your game’s user distribution and notifies developers for device-specific issues.
Check your Android vitals regularly to ensure high technical quality
Bringing PC games to mobile, and pushing the boundaries of gaming
We’re launching a pilot program to simplify the process of bringing PC games to mobile. It provides support starting from Android game development all the way through publishing your game on Play. Starting this month, games like DREDGE and TABS Mobile are growing their mobile audience using this program. Many more are following in their footsteps this year, including Disco Elysium. You can express your interest to join the PC to mobile program.
New PC games are coming to mobile
You can learn more about Android game development from our developer site. We can’t wait to see your title join the ranks of these amazing games built for Android. And if you’ll be at GDC next week, we’d love to say hello – stop by at the Moscone Center West Hall!
* Source: Google internal data measuring games on Android 14 or later launched between August 2024 – February 2025.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or budding entrepreneur, it is clear that in today’s turbulent world, instability is not an exception — it’s the norm, and we must have the tools and mindset to navigate this certain uncertainty.
Embrace adaptive decision-making
Market volatility, supply chain disruptions, team turnover and regulatory shifts are happening at a rapid pace in every industry, and these stressors can feel overwhelming, even existential.
But when we learn from leaders who have operated in some of the world’s most fragile environments — conflict zones, post-crisis governments and unstable political systems — we find that such conditions are manageable, and from their experiences, we can draw profound lessons. The leaders who succeed in these environments are the ones who embrace uncertainty, build trust and adapt quickly to rapidly evolving circumstances.
Fragile business ecosystems require sensitive adaptability and fluidity. Rigid leadership styles often crack under pressure. Leaders who cling to certainty are quickly outpaced by complexity, while those who embrace adaptive leadership — rooted in learning, iteration and responsiveness — are better equipped for uncertainty. For entrepreneurs, this means moving away from static business plans and embracing agility. Set short-term priorities that allow for learning cycles. Use weekly retrospectives to evaluate what’s working. Build feedback loops into your decision-making processes.
The ability to pivot quickly, while staying grounded in core values, is what sets resilient leaders apart. In high-risk environments, trust is the foundation for rapid, effective collaboration.
Collaborative leadership thrives on mutual respect, psychological safety and open communication. As evidenced in modern approaches to “soft and hard” workplace leadership skills, do not wait for a crisis to start building trust. Create a culture of transparency today. Invite dissenting opinions. Share the “why” behind hard decisions. Across turbulent business, social and political landscapes, what I have seen time and time again is that when people feel heard and respected, they are far more likely to rally in difficult times. Trust, once established, becomes the invisible glue holding your organization together when external pressures mount.
Leverage diverse ideas to build resilience
In transitional governments and post-crisis rebuilding, effective leaders often rely on broad coalitions — civil society, the private sector, and diaspora communities — not just for representation, but as a strategic advantage. Diverse teams bring fresh perspectives, challenge assumptions and innovate under pressure. Entrepreneurs can apply this by hiring for cognitive and experiential diversity, building cross-functional teams and fostering a culture of ownership, reflection and shared purpose. The most resilient teams I’ve seen weren’t just skilled — they were united by something bigger than their job titles.
In my work with the World Bank’s Collaborative Leadership for Development program, we saw time and again that moments of acute crisis often opened up space for bold reforms — reforms that would have been politically impossible in calmer times. One example that demonstrates how adaptive leadership and collaborative trust can unlock progress under pressure comes from one of our projects in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, easy access to groundwater and informal water markets made it hard for the government to collect tariffs and maintain infrastructure. We ran a workshop in Obudu with 50+ engineers, water commissioners, business and civil society leaders from six states to shift focus from technical fixes — like tariffs and meters — to adaptive challenges: ensuring payment and preventing water theft by addressing behavior change and stakeholder engagement. By the end of the program, teams had set 11-month goals, built action plans and crafted customized stakeholder messages. The success of these cross-functional teams contributed to national legislation reform on stakeholder engagement.
This example underscores how cross-sector collaboration, local buy-in and a shared sense of purpose can unlock large-scale systems change. The lessons here are just as relevant for startup founders as they are for policymakers: Deep listening, shared accountability and stakeholder trust are not optional in today’s fractured landscape — they’re essential.
See crisis as a catalyst
When old systems break down, new ideas can finally take root. Entrepreneurs should view crises not only as threats but as invitations to rethink outdated assumptions. Which processes can be streamlined? What technologies could you adopt now that seemed risky before? Who else needs to be involved in strengthening your team? Crisis forces clarity. Use it to your advantage.
It begins with me
One of the core components of what I teach global leaders is the importance of self-mastery. Leaders working in fragile environments often carry the emotional weight of their teams, communities and constituents. They must find ways to center themselves amid chaos. Similarly, entrepreneurs need practices that build inner resilience. Whether it’s breathwork, meditation or structured time for reflection, grounding yourself enables you to find calm and focus — both of which are essential during times of stress.
Remember: As a leader, your team takes emotional cues from you. The steadier you are, the more stable your organization becomes.
A resilient team begins with each member cultivating self-mastery. Individual transformation is the foundation for systemic change. To foster true collaboration, leaders must empower their teams with the tools to find inner strength and hone leadership skills needed to navigate uncertainty.
Leading under pressure isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the humility to learn, the courage to act and the wisdom to bring others along. The entrepreneurs who can master these skills will not only weather the storm — they will reshape the landscape in its aftermath.
