Tech News

2026 Fortune 500 Europe List Revealed

2026-09-16T14:54:42.091+02:00

Fortune unveiled the Fortune 500 Europe ranking for 2026, highlighting the continent's top companies. The launch will be marked at the bell opening of the London Stock Exchange. Volkswagen maintains its lead position, with revenues up 3%, widening the gap with Shell, whose revenues fell 5%.

For the first time in the list's four-year history, Germany no longer contributes the most companies to the list. The UK takes the lead with 76 companies, followed by Germany with 73 and France with 66.

Profit growth returned to the Fortune 500 Europe companies after a 5% decline the previous year, with profits increasing by 3% to just over $1 trillion. Overall, revenues grew by 4% to $15.5 trillion, equivalent to half of the region's GDP and 13% of world GDP. The overall profit margin shrank again, to 6.5%, down from the high of 7.1% for the 2024 list. Cost control is reflected in the combined employment figure for the 500, which shrank by 1% to 34.6 million, pushing up revenue per employee by 5% and profit per employee by 4%.

At the top, Volkswagen reported $363 billion in revenue, while FMS Wertmanagement Group closes the list at #500 with $7.4 billion, pushing the list's lower threshold to over $7 billion for the first time. HSBC again tops profits, with over $22 billion in 2025 – one of only 25 firms over $10 billion.

The number of women CEOs has risen further to 43, the highest for Fortune 500 Europe, and total revenues for women-led firms increased by 24% to $1.2 billion. Some 8.6% of companies are led by women – fewer than one in ten and below the 11% representation in the U.S.-based Fortune 500. BP (#4), led by Meg O'Neill, is the only woman-led company in the top 10, and with Engie (#39), one of two in the top 50.

The Fortune 500 Europe Top 10 List:

Volkswagen (Germany)
Shell (UK)
Glencore (Switzerland)
BP (UK)
TotalEnergies (France)
Stellantis (Netherlands)
BMW Group (Germany)
Mercedes-Benz Group (Germany)
Banco Santander (Spain)
BNP Paribas (France)

Search here by country, sector, industry, and more, and for further analysis, see here.

Financial services is the largest sector in the list, responsible for 24% of revenue, 40% of profits, and 14% of employees. Financial services, energy, and motor vehicles & parts together account for over half of all revenues and profits on the list, and dominate the top 10. Shell, Glencore, BP, and TotalEnergies claim four of the top five spots. Germany's industrial strength is reflected via Volkswagen (#1), BMW (#7), and Mercedes-Benz (#8). The UK's strong energy presence secures two of the top five spots, and France leads with the most workers across its 66 companies.

Wael Sawan, Chief Executive Officer at Shell, commented: "We want to become the world's leading integrated energy company, providing the energy our societies need for growth, and economic and human development today, while supporting a balanced energy transition. We continue to drive the transformation of Shell into a more focused and competitive business, with a clear strategy to deliver more value with less emissions and an exciting vision for the future. We are pleased to be recognised by Fortune."

Grethe Schepers, Lists Director Europe at Fortune, said: "The Fortune 500 Europe is more than a numerical ranking; it is the definitive benchmark of European business scale and a live indicator of macroeconomic transformation. When analyzed strategically, this list reflects current corporate success just as much as it maps where Europe is heading next."

Also today, C-suite leaders from across Europe and the Middle East will be gathering in London at the Fortune CEO Forum to discuss the list and growth opportunities across Europe. Leaders from Anthropic, Ferrari, Mastercard, Société Générale, Shell, EDF, Google, Nat West, Open AI, Palantir, Honeywell, Microsoft, Tech Mahindra and many others will take part in a series of discussions moderated by Fortune editors.

For the Fortune 500 Europe list, companies are ranked by total revenues for their latest available respective fiscal years. All companies on the list must publish financial data and report part or all of their figures to a government agency. The latest figures in the list are as reported by the companies; any comparisons are with the prior year's figures as originally reported. Fortune does not restate the prior year's figures for changes in accounting. The full methodology is available here.

For more information, visit fortune.com.

IK Multimedia Launches TONEX Board

2026-09-16T14:43:30.515+02:00

IK Multimedia launches TONEX Board, its most advanced TONEX hardware platform to date and the centerpiece of the expanding TONEX ecosystem. Combining IK's award-winning AI Machine Modeling™ technology with AmpliTube studio-grade effects, dual signal paths, advanced routing, extensive connectivity, and intuitive touchscreen control, TONEX Board puts one of the most advanced and best-sounding complete guitar and bass rigs into an extremely powerful, ultra-low-latency compact pedalboard.

At its heart, TONEX Board delivers the sound, feel, and response of real amps, cabinets, and pedals, with the flexibility to run up to four Tone Models simultaneously across two independent signal paths. Players can combine these with 76 effects from AmpliTube and TONEX, plus all-new processors, using up to 12 effect slots to create everything from streamlined traditional rigs to sophisticated dual-amp, parallel, stereo, and wet/dry setups.

A 5-inch high-resolution color touchscreen and six hands-on controls make building and editing complete rigs fast and intuitive, while flexible performance modes, independent stereo outputs, an assignable stereo effects loop, MIDI, and expression control provide the connectivity and control needed for recording, rehearsal, and the stage.

Key Features

Incredible amp sound - The sound, feel, and response of real amps, cabinets, and distortion pedals, powered by AI Machine Modeling™
Studio-grade effects - 76 total effects, including 51 derived directly from AmpliTube 5, 15 from TONEX, and 10 brand-new studio-grade guitar and bass effects, with more to come
Complete rig building - Combine up to four Tone Models across flexible dual signal paths with 12 slots and flexible routing
Effortless control - Intuitive touchscreen editing and flexible performance modes keep everything immediately accessible
Connect to any rig - Professional routing and comprehensive I/O for amps, FRFR, front of house, studio setups, and more
A universe of tone - 2,000 Premium Tone Models included, plus tens of thousands more to discover on ToneNET
A complete, evolving ecosystem - Capture, create, edit, record, perform, share, and expand your sound across TONEX hardware and software.

One Board. A Complete Rig.

TONEX Board takes the core technology behind TONEX further with a dual-signal-chain architecture capable of running up to four Tone Models simultaneously, combined with 76 studio-grade effects across nine categories. The effects collection includes 51 processors derived from AmpliTube, 15 from TONEX, 10 all-new effects, and more to come. Up to 12 Tone Model and effect slots can be freely positioned and routed across flexible signal paths to create dual-amp stereo rigs, wet/dry setups, two-instrument configurations, sophisticated parallel chains, and more.

From authentic captured amps, cabinets, and pedals to drives, dynamics, modulation, delay, reverb, and creative processing, TONEX Board gives players the freedom to build the exact rig their music requires - all on a single pedalboard.

Control Without Complexity

TONEX Board combines the depth and connectivity of a professional rig with fast, intuitive hands-on control. Its large 5-inch high-resolution color touchscreen provides immediate visual feedback, while six precision push-rotary controls make building and editing complete presets fast and direct.

Preset, Scene, and Stomp modes provide flexible control onstage, from recalling complete rigs and changing multiple settings at once to controlling individual effects directly from the footswitches.

TONEX Board also adapts to virtually any rig or performance environment. Players can split and merge signal paths, integrate external pedals with the movable stereo effects loop, or divide the loop into two independent mono paths. Two independent stereo output pairs (one with balanced XLR connectors), individual output EQ, MIDI, expression control, and four-cable method support provide the flexibility to connect to traditional amplifiers, FRFR systems, recording setups, or directly to front of house (4-in/2-out USB audio interface functionality with configurable routing and direct monitoring will be available October 1, 2026, via a free firmware update). Whether recording, rehearsing, or performing live, TONEX Board keeps the focus on playing rather than programming.

A Universe of Tone

TONEX Board includes 2,000 Premium Tone Models, spanning sought-after vintage amplifiers and essential classics to modern high-gain rigs, pedals, and more. The collection combines the original TONEX MAX library, a selection from the latest TONEX ONE+ Signature Collection, and new TONEX content made exclusively for TONEX Board.

Nearly 200 of the included captures were contributed by a curated group of leading TONEX Tone Partners, including, in alphabetical order: Amalgam Audio, Big Hairy Guitars, Core Tone Captures, Drums And Tones, Gitarrenlehreronline, Jason Sadites, Juca Nery, Live Ready Sound, Mad Steex, Massimo Varini, Matt Fig, Passion For Tone, Signal Theory, The Studio Rats, The Tone Shepherd, Tone Factor, Tone Junkie TV, Tone Wars, and XOG.

And the included library is only the beginning. Through ToneNET, TONEX Board users can explore more than 60,000 additional Tone Models and presets from IK, Tone Partners, artists, brands, and a growing worldwide TONEX community.

A Full Software Ecosystem

TONEX Board is the centerpiece of the complete, connected TONEX ecosystem. Capture gear with TONEX Modeler, discover sounds through ToneNET, shape and organize them with TONEX software, transfer Tone Models and presets with the dedicated TONEX Board Editor, and record with the TONEX plug-in.

Existing TONEX users can import their presets into TONEX Board and pick up where they left off, providing a seamless path from other TONEX hardware and software. And with new content, effects, and capabilities planned through future updates, TONEX Board is built to evolve along with the TONEX ecosystem.

TONEX Board at release includes the following software:

TONEX Modeler to capture amps, pedals, cabinets, and full rigs
TONEX software to import, download, and play Tone Models as a standalone or plug-in version
TONEX Board Editor to transfer existing Tone Models and presets to TONEX Board

Additionally, TONEX Board users will have exclusive access to TONEX Player 2.0 Beta (version 2.0.3), which will offer complete dual-rig editing with all 76 included effects, TONEX Board preset saving, and full bidirectional transfer of Tone Models and presets between Mac or PC and TONEX Board using TONEX Board Editor.

Presets created with TONEX Board will be available to share with the community on ToneNET beginning October 1, when TONEX Player 2.1 is officially released. Full real-time editing in TONEX Board Editor will be implemented in Q4 2026.

Pricing & Availability

The TONEX Board is now available for $/€999.99 (tax excluded) from the IK Multimedia online store and authorized IK dealers worldwide.

For more information, audio demos, videos, and availability, visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/tonexboard

ICEYE US Selected Under NOAA Contract to Provide SAR Imagery for Environmental Monitoring

2026-09-15T22:29:24.889+02:00

ICEYE US, a U.S. leader in commercial remote sensing and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology, today announced it has been selected as an awardee under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, a key part in the agency's effort to expand its use of commercial satellite data for environmental monitoring and weather forecasting.

Under the program's Active Sensors category, ICEYE US will provide NOAA access to commercial SAR imagery of land, coastal, and ocean conditions. ICEYE US's radar satellites can collect imagery through cloud cover and darkness, supporting applications including flood and inundation monitoring, sea ice tracking, marine surveillance, disaster management, and resource mapping. That capability gives NOAA another way to observe conditions during hurricanes, floods, and other fast-moving events when adverse conditions can reduce optical visibility.

ICEYE US operates as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. In practical terms for NOAA, that means:

Faster answers when it matters most: more satellites in orbit means more frequent revisits over any given location, and imagery can be delivered in hours, not days, from order acceptance.
All-weather, day-or-night visibility: SAR imaging works through cloud cover and darkness, filling the gap left by optical satellites during active storms or overnight events.
Direct applicability to NOAA's mission: NOAA has identified SAR as useful for flood and inundation monitoring, sea ice characterization, marine surveillance, disaster management, and resource mapping, all areas where speed and reliability of data determine how fast responders can act.

Ann Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of ICEYE US, said: "NOAA sees the value commercial SAR provides during environmental emergencies, and this award creates a long-term pathway to build on that experience. Across government, agencies recognize that commercial SAR can fill critical observation gaps by seeing through cloud cover and darkness and delivering intelligence at the speed of need. We're proud to support NOAA's mission and help protect lives, infrastructure, and assets."

This selection adds to a growing list of U.S. government agencies relying on ICEYE US SAR data. In August 2026, the National Reconnaissance Office selected ICEYE US for its operational Radar Commercial Augmentation program, following a multi-year evaluation of commercial SAR capabilities. ICEYE US also provides commercial SAR data through NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program for Earth science and research. Taken together, these selections reflect an accelerating shift toward commercial SAR as a standard tool in U.S. government environmental and national security missions.

SOURCE ICEYE US

Sony Electronics Announces New 400 mm and 600 mm G Master Super-Telephoto Prime Lenses

2026-09-15T16:41:40.996+02:00

Sony Electronics introduces two G Master™ super-telephoto prime lenses for the Alpha™ full-frame E-mount system: the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS, the world's lightest1 lenses in their respective categories.

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS weighs approximately 994 g2 and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS approximately 995 g2, a weight suitable for active, handheld shooting styles that involve exploring one's environment for photo opportunities. Carefully optimized weight distribution positions the center of gravity closer to the camera body, near the tripod mount, rather than toward the front of the lens. This balance improves control and comfort when holding framing or tracking unpredictable, fast-moving subjects, while reducing strain during handheld shooting of birds, wildlife, and sports.

Both lenses deliver the resolution and bokeh that define the G Master series across the super-telephoto range, capturing distant subjects in fine detail. Fast, precise, and quiet Auto Focus (AF) lets you capture fast-moving subjects.

"With the needs of wildlife and sports photographers in mind, from birders on a dawn hike to pros on the sideline, we applied our G Master expertise to create the world's lightest1 400mm and 600mm primes in their class, combining outstanding optical performance with a design that's comfortable to carry all day," said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics.

Pricing and Availability:

Both lenses will be available from October 2026. The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS will retail for MSRP $2,699.99 USD and $3,579.99 CAD and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS for MSRP $3,699.99 USD and $4,999.99 CAD.

Key Features of the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS

Lightweight, Compact Design with Excellent Handling for Super-Telephoto Shooting

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS measures approximately 108 mm in maximum diameter and 242 mm in length; the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS measures approximately 108 mm in maximum diameter and 263 mm in length. Those compact dimensions aid portability and give you comfortable handling and control during handheld shooting.

A weight balance that shifts the center of gravity closer to the camera body makes it easier to hold framing on a subject, track moving subjects, and pan. The lightweight design adds flexibility to super-telephoto work, particularly when searching for subjects handheld in environments where a tripod or monopod is difficult to use, and during long handheld sessions.

High Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh Characteristics of G Master

The latest optical design incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and one ED glass element, suppressing chromatic aberration and other aberrations that commonly occur at super-telephoto focal lengths and delivering high resolution from the center of the image to the edges.

Sony's proprietary Nano AR Coating II reduces ghosting and flare in backlit conditions for clear, crisp imagery.

An 11-blade circular aperture and optimization of spherical aberration during both design and manufacturing achieve the smooth bokeh characteristics of G Master.

Fast, Precise, and Quiet Auto Focus Performance and Optical Image Stabilization for Stable Super-Telephoto Shooting

Two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors and a control algorithm optimized specifically for these lenses deliver fast, precise, and quiet AF, for reliable tracking of fast-moving subjects such as birds, wildlife, and sports. Both lenses are fully compatible with α9 III continuous shooting at up to 120 fps with AF/AE tracking.3

Built-in optical image stabilization reduces camera shake during handheld shooting at super-telephoto focal lengths.

The lenses also support the camera body's Active Mode image stabilization and coordinated image stabilization control,4 for high-quality stills and movies with reduced blur when shooting handheld. They support the camera body's breathing compensation function,5 which corrects changes in angle of view caused by shifts in focus position during movie recording.

Operability, Reliability, and Expandability for Super-Telephoto Photography

Four customizable focus hold buttons sit around the lens barrel.

A function ring, focus range limiter, Full-time DMF switch, focus mode switch, and image stabilization mode switch support intuitive operation across shooting styles.

With Sony's optional teleconverters, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS reaches focal lengths up to 800 mm and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS up to 1200 mm.

A dust and moisture resistant design and a fluorine coating on the front element that resists contaminants support use in a range of outdoor environments.

For more information, visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/all-e-mount/p/sel400F45GM and https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/all-e-mount/p/sel600F63GM

SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.

Yamaha Introduces its Most Compact Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer

2026-09-15T16:32:19.831+02:00

Yamaha today announced the B200A, its most compact Dolby Atmos sound bar. Engineered to make the most of its 23.5-inch space-saving design, the B200A combines Dolby Atmos with Yamaha Hi-Fi-inspired engineering to deliver rich, expansive sound. Proprietary acoustic design and advanced sound processing create an immersive entertainment experience that transforms movies, TV shows and gaming.

Ideal for bedrooms, apartments, home offices and gaming spaces, the B200A enhances everyday entertainment with room-filling audio. Dolby Atmos places listeners inside an audio field, creating a richer and more immersive listening experience, while the built-in subwoofer and Bass Extension mode add impactful low-frequency performance.

"The B200A was designed for people who want better sound without giving up valuable space," said Alex Sadeghian, director of consumer audio at Yamaha. "Whether it's a bedroom, apartment, home office or gaming setup, the B200A delivers clear, immersive sound in a compact design that's simple to live with every day."

This sound bar also features Clear Voice technology for enhanced dialogue clarity and four optimized sound modes: Movie, Standard, Stereo and Game, so users can set the stage for a personalized listening experience.

Building on the success of the popular SR-C20A, the B200A marks the next evolution in the Yamaha compact sound bar lineup. The B200A sound bar supports HDMI eARC/ARC, optical, 3.5 mm AUX and Bluetooth wireless streaming, making it easy to connect to a wide range of devices. Its versatile design fits neatly beneath a television or monitor, on a media console or desk, or can be wall-mounted using the built-in keyholes, making it an ideal solution for space-conscious environments.

Key Features

Dolby Atmos for 3D immersive sound
Built-in subwoofer with Bass Extension mode
Dialogue clarity with Clear Voice technology
Convenient streaming with Bluetooth®
Simple setup with HDMI eARC, optical or AUX connections
Variety of optimized sound profile options
Space-saving audio for bedrooms, offices and gaming setups

Pricing & Availability
The Yamaha B200A sound bar ($249.95) will be available in November 2026. For more information, visit: yamaha.io/B200APR.

SOURCE Yamaha

A Civilian Legend Reimagined: Jeep Brand Introduces 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A

2026-09-13T13:03:02.861+02:00

More than 80 years after the Willys CJ-2A brought Jeep® capability to civilian life for the first time, the Jeep brand is going back to where it all began with the debut of the 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A, the 11th drop in the yearlong Twelve 4 Twelve series.

"The original CJ-2A represents a defining chapter in Jeep brand history. It is the moment the Jeep vehicle found a new purpose in communities across America," said Branden Coté, Jeep brand CEO. "More than eight decades later, the 2027 Wrangler JL-2A brings that story full circle, carrying forward an iconic silhouette shaped by 85 years of continuous 4x4 leadership while honoring the original through unmistakable design details and delivering the freedom, adventure and legendary capability that will take a new generation wherever the trail leads."

From Battlefield to Back Forty
In July 1945, the battle-proven formula of the military Willys MB was adapted for civilian life with the introduction of the Willys CJ-2A, the first Jeep vehicle designed specifically for civilian use and the beginning of the "CJ," or Civilian Jeep, legacy. Built by Willys-Overland in Toledo, Ohio, the CJ-2A brought proven Jeep capability to farms, ranches and industry, adding practical features, including a tailgate and rear power takeoff, along with larger headlights and the now-iconic seven-slot grille. Bold postwar color combinations, including Harvest Tan with Sunset Red wheels and Pasture Green with Autumn Yellow wheels, brought personality to the purpose-built workhorse and directly inspired its modern-day namesake.

Classic Cues, Modern Capability
The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A reaches back to 1945 for inspiration, reimagining the original's bold colors and iconic design cues with a modern Wrangler attitude.

Exterior highlights include:

A modern salute to the original CJ-2A's color palette, led by Gobi on the two-door and '41 on the four-door, with Bright White, Sting Gray, Ghost and Joose also available; Gobi draws inspiration from the original's Harvest Tan finish
Exclusive 17-inch retro wheels painted Joose, a nod to the original Sunset Red wheels, paired with standard 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires
Body-color fender flares and three-piece hardtop create a clean, cohesive exterior
Front and rear orange tow hooks add bold pops of color and unmistakable Jeep character
Dark Metallic Grey grille accents give the iconic seven slot grille a distinctive modern look

Willys Woven In
Inside, the JL-2A's Willys roots come to life through a newly developed, first-ever Wrangler interior color and material combination that goes beyond unique accents, bringing together premium materials, bold color and exclusive details inspired by the original.

Exclusive interior highlights include:

Nappa Heritage Tan leather wraps the seats, along with Nappa PUR instrument-panel mid-bolster, bringing warmth and premium craftsmanship to the cabin
Rich Bison Brown door panels, lower instrument panel and center console create a rich striking environment
Bold Desert Orange accent stitching is featured throughout the cabin, creating a vibrant visual connection to the Joose-painted wheels
Exclusive Willys-Overland satin chrome shifter medallion and heritage-inspired HVAC vent graphics pay tribute to Jeep brand's Willys roots, featuring the iconic seven-slot grille on one side and a Willys silhouette on the other
Exclusive rear swing gate plaque recreates original CJ-2A dashboard data plate artwork, with farm and factory scenes recalling the vehicle's original agricultural and industrial mission
Standard Convenience Group with remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirror and universal garage door opener
Standard front TrailCam with integrated washer

The 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A will be available to order in October, with a package of MSRP of $4,995, delivering its unique content for $115 more than a similarly equipped Rubicon.

SOURCE Stellantis

Inversion Selected by NASA to Advance Aerocapture Technology for Future Interplanetary Missions

2026-09-13T12:37:34.003+02:00

Inversion today announced it has received a contract from NASA to study the use of the company's Arc spacecraft for an aerocapture demonstration, expanding the potential of Inversion's advanced reentry technologies beyond Earth.

Arc is a highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft being developed for the rapid delivery of cargo from space, hypersonic testing, and national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. The NASA study will explore how this capability could be applied to future interplanetary missions.

Aerocapture is a simple but powerful idea: use a planet's atmosphere to slow down instead of fuel.

Spacecraft arriving at another planet are traveling at tremendous speeds and traditionally must carry significant propellant to slow down and enter orbit. Aerocapture instead uses aerodynamic forces during a single controlled pass through the atmosphere to shed velocity and achieve orbital capture. Less fuel means mass savings that can enable greater flexibility in launch vehicle selection, increased science payload, and significantly shorter trip times.

Despite decades of research, aerocapture has never been demonstrated in flight. NASA is working toward an Earth demonstration to mature the technology and provide the flight data needed to enable its use on potential future interplanetary missions – from Mars telecommunications satellites to exploration of Uranus and Neptune.

Under the contract, Inversion will study how Arc could support the demonstration through mission design, aerodynamics, trajectory analysis, and vehicle definition.

"Our Arc spacecraft was designed to precisely control the transition from space through an atmosphere at hypersonic velocities," said Justin Fiaschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Inversion. "Aerocapture applies many of those same fundamental capabilities to an entirely new class of missions. We're excited to work with NASA to demonstrate what advanced reentry technologies can enable, both at Earth and across the solar system."

The study represents a new frontier for Arc and highlights the growing range of missions enabled by advanced reentry.

SOURCE Inversion

Lorex Connect Expands V Series Lineup with Professional-Grade 4K Security Solutions for Homes and Businesses

2026-09-13T12:31:52.827+02:00

Lorex Technology, a generational leader in privacy-first security, announced today the release of the V7 4K PoE Camera and VF 16-Channel NVR while spotlighting the V Series connected ecosystem. The new side-by-side releases take another bold step in shaping the Connect V Series around premium hardware and powerful software control.

Designed for both residential and commercial properties, every V Series camera leverages Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology to carry power and high-definition video over a single cable. Building on this reliable, simplified practicality, the V7 camera introduces a new upper tier of video performance, backed by the VF NVR's upgraded capacity, channel count, and feature support to enable robust, commercial-grade video security in a wide variety of settings.

V7 4K PoE Camera: Premium Video Capture Headlining a Dynamic Lineup

The new V7 camera introduces the V Series' best low-light performance and wide-area coverage yet. Able to capture clear, vivid color footage in dark environments without relying on bright spotlights, it ensures crucial details remain visible any time of day or night. An ultra-wide viewing angle allows a single unit to monitor expansive spaces like long driveways, commercial storefronts, or large parking lots that would normally require multiple cameras.

When paired with the new VF NVR channel, the V7 delivers premium license plate and facial recognition capabilities, providing actionable updates when familiar people and vehicles enter the property, regardless of lighting or weather conditions. The V7 also features Lens Distortion Correction, which is enabled when paired with a compatible NVR and reduces the curvature caused by wide-angle footage, helping keep straight lines straight for a clearer, more true-to-life view.

Designed with an IP67-rated all-weather housing, the V7 delivers reliable, high performance outdoor security built to last, whether monitoring your home or business.

Supporting the Lorex Connect V Series' versatile utility are the existing V3 and V5 cameras. The foundational V3 provides essential high-definition protection through clear video in light and dark scenes, smart alerts based on person and vehicle detection, and a warning light and siren for active deterrence. The V5 raises the bar by implementing intrusion, line-crossing, and tampering detection to protect both an extended area of a property and the security system itself. It also upgrades low-light performance using AI-supported image processing for better color accuracy while adding custom deterrence lighting colors, which provide benefits such as improved visibility and stronger deterrence.

With the release of the V7, these high-level detection and low-light processing features are now offered at the highest tier of Lorex Connect V Series cameras. Together, the tiered options let homeowners and businesses craft the ideal security system tailored to specific needs across entire properties.

VF 16-Channel NVR: Centralized Control with Expanded Onboard Storage

For straightforward, continuous recording and scalable system capacity, the new VF NVR serves as a central hub for larger residential or commercial spaces. It manages up to 16 active camera channels and wields the processing power required to support the V7's face and license plate recognition capabilities. Generous, expandable local storage lets users enjoy the flexibility of retaining weeks of secure footage directly on device with no mandatory cloud subscription fees.

Despite its professional-grade storage and performance, the VF NVR operates quietly in the background utilizing QuietTek fanless cooling technology, maintaining pristine living spaces and quiet work environments.

The new 16-channel VF joins the existing VC NVR and its 8-channel configuration, ideal for smaller security deployments. Along with comparable, subscription-free local storage and quiet operation, the VC NVR implements smart search tools that can easily locate specific events to avoid hours of poring over stored video.

Lorex Connect V Series: Top-Tier Home and Business Security with User-Friendly Control

Lorex Connect V Series cameras and NVRs are quick and easy to install and manage. Every step, from connecting the NVR to mounting and angling the cameras, can be completed with ease. Through the Lorex Connect app, users can also just as easily configure detection zones, enable and customize deterrence features, and set up quick response messages and two-way talk.

"With the Lorex Connect V Series, we set out to close the gap between premium security hardware and everyday usability," said Steve Hong, VP, Global Sales and Marketing at Lorex Technology. "The addition of the V7 camera and VF NVR gives properties the advanced capture and scalable storage they need to build a comprehensive, wired system tailored to their specific environment."

The Lorex Connect V Series includes the V3, V5 and V7 4K PoE Cameras, offering options to meet a range of security needs, along with 8- and 16-channel NVRs for flexible system configurations.

For more information about Lorex Connect V Series and how its professional-grade security solutions can help protect homes and businesses, please visit https://www.lorex.ca/collections/v-series.

SOURCE Lorex Technology

REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G Arrives with a 9,210mAh Battery That Is Built for Years

2026-09-13T12:18:14.689+02:00

Xiaomi unveiled REDMI Note 17 Series, expanding its best-selling lineup with four new models, including the first-ever Pro Max variant. Featuring larger batteries, fast charging, REDMI Titan Quality, flagship-grade experience, and a bold new design, the series offers a new level of mid-range reliability.

"REDMI Note Series has continually made premium products more accessible, and delivered premium quality across every product we make," says Anne Wang, REDMI marketing director at Xiaomi International. "Guided by that focus, it has earned the trust of users around the globe throughout its 12-year history, with more than a dozen generations and over 500 million shipments worldwide."

REDMI Note 17 Series builds on that foundation with a six-year "built for years" commitment. Designed to REDMI Titan Quality standards, the Pro models are the industry's first to earn TÜV SÜD 5-star Titan Quality Certification across battery performance, drop and water resistance.

REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G is equipped with a 9,210mAh Silicon-Carbon Battery that delivers up to three days of use on a single charge and a full day of power in just 20 minutes of charging under Boost Mode, backed by 100W HyperCharge and 27W reverse charging. Its smart battery management system helps maintain battery health for up to 6 years.

For durability, it features REDMI Titan Structure with IP66/IP68 dust and water resistance, 2-meter water resistance tested for 72 hours, and Wet Touch Technology 2.0. Certified for 3-meter drop resistance by SGS with Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 and reinforced internal architecture, it handles accidental drops and daily wear with ease.

The series features a refreshed design with a comfortable grip, while the Pro Max model stands out with a photochromic Cloud Blush finish. REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G also packs a 6.83-inch 1.5K display with 3,500 nits peak brightness, Xiaomi HyperAI, and a camera system with true-to-life portrait capture, dual‑video, and 4K recording, alongside AI Creativity Assistant.

QIVIKA to Launch Smart Scope on Kickstarter, Bringing a Professional Long-Range Experience to Day-and-Night Exploration

2026-09-13T12:12:55.109+02:00

QIVIKA, a consumer technology company developing smartphone-based optical imaging solutions, today announced that its QIVIKA Smart Scope is set to launch on Kickstarter on September 15, 2026, bringing a portable optical system designed to help smartphone users observe and capture distant subjects.

Following its debut at IFA 2026 in Berlin, QIVIKA is bringing its Smart Scope to Kickstarter as the company works to make long-range observation more accessible to smartphone users. The campaign is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026.

A Smarter Exploration Experience

See → Capture → Recognize → Remember → Share

QIVIKA brings optics and software together to support the full journey from discovering a distant subject to capturing, identifying, recording and sharing it.

Key Product Highlights:

Professional long-range optics in a compact form

24× optical magnification, up to 3000mm equivalent focal length, ED glass and multi-coated optics bring powerful reach into a portable design.

Built for both day and night exploration

From birding and wildlife observation to lunar viewing and stargazing, QIVIKA is designed for a wide range of outdoor exploration scenarios.

Smart guidance and discovery

The app adds AR sky guidance, 10,000+ bird species identification, personal observation records and community discovery.

Lightweight with two ways to explore

At approximately 300g, QIVIKA supports both handheld and tripod modes, giving users the flexibility to capture spontaneous moments or settle in for longer observation sessions.

Designed as a smartphone-connected optical device, QIVIKA combines a precision periscope optical system with a dedicated mobile application. The system provides up to 24× optical magnification and up to 3000mm equivalent focal length, allowing users to explore subjects that are difficult to capture with conventional smartphone cameras, from the Moon and stars to distant birds and wildlife.

Unlike digital zoom, which enlarges an image through software, QIVIKA uses a dedicated optical path to bring distant subjects closer before the image reaches the smartphone camera. The optical system incorporates multi-coated optics and ED glass to support image clarity and contrast.

The device weighs approximately 300 grams and can be used in different configurations for observation and capture. It can be operated handheld for more mobile use or mounted on a tripod for longer observation sessions.

QIVIKA also combines its optical hardware with software features designed to guide users through different observation scenarios. The mobile application includes tools for exploring the night sky, with on-screen guidance designed to help users locate and align with celestial targets. For daytime observation, the system is also designed to support birdwatching, including AI-assisted bird identification and tools for recording observations.

The product experience is built around a cycle of observing, capturing, identifying, remembering and exploring. Rather than positioning the Smart Scope solely as an astronomy device, QIVIKA is developing it for a broader range of outdoor observation activities, including stargazing, lunar observation, birdwatching and long-distance photography.

QIVIKA's IFA 2026 debut has already drawn attention from technology media. Frandroid reported on the company's smartphone-connected optical system after experiencing the product at IFA 2026, highlighting its long-range optical approach and dedicated application for sky and bird observation. Yanko Design also featured QIVIKA in its IFA 2026 technology roundup, highlighting the product's portable optical architecture, smartphone integration and AI-assisted observation features.

The QIVIKA Kickstarter campaign will officially open on September 15, 2026. For more information about QIVIKA and the Kickstarter campaign, visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qivika/turn-your-phone-into-a-smart-scope

SOURCE QIVIKA

IK Multimedia Announces Sinphonica: The Italian Orchestra, Reimagined

2026-09-13T11:47:05.910+02:00

IK Multimedia today announced Sinphonica®, a new family of Italian orchestral instruments designed for modern composers and created entirely in Italy. The first release, Sinphonica Maestosa Strings, combines a 60-piece Italian string orchestra with innovative performance technologies designed for natural musical expression.

Seven years in the making and recorded in Milan at the legendary Officine Meccaniche Studios, Sinphonica brings together exceptional Italian musicians, meticulous sampling, and a new generation of expressive performance technologies.

Inspired by Italy's unmatched artistic tradition, Sinphonica approaches the virtual orchestra not as a collection of samples, but as a musical instrument designed to preserve the humanity, movement, and expression of a living orchestra.

Rather than simply reproducing orchestral sounds, Sinphonica gives composers the freedom to shape every performance with remarkable realism and expression.

Introducing Maestosa Strings

The first chapter of the Sinphonica platform is Maestosa Strings, a complete 60-piece symphonic string orchestra featuring 16 First Violins, 14 Second Violins, 12 Violas, 10 Cellos, and 8 Double Basses.

Recorded at Officine Meccaniche Studios with a carefully assembled ensemble of outstanding Italian orchestral musicians, Maestosa captures not only the sound of an orchestra, but also the interaction, movement, and emotion that make every performance unique.

Available as either the complete collection or as individual string sections, Maestosa Strings gives composers the flexibility to start with the instruments they need today while providing a seamless path to build a complete orchestral collection over time.

Key Features

60-piece Italian string orchestra recorded at Milan's historic Officine Meccaniche Studios
Five responsive True Legato styles
Over 40 articulations with perfectly calibrated dynamic layers, vibrato and round robins
Keyswitch presets tailored to composers needs
Eight microphone perspectives with world-class setup to capture every nuance
PALCO Virtual Stage Positioning for fully customizable orchestra seating
Articulation Morphing for seamless transitions between playing techniques
Ensemble instruments ready for instant orchestral sketching
Cinematic textures across all sections, from drones to tension stabs
Smooth and intuitive workflow with clean interface and streamlined controls

Sculpt Performance, Not Programming

Some instruments reproduce an orchestra. Sinphonica lets composers shape one. Modern orchestral libraries often ask composers to spend as much time programming as making music. Sinphonica takes a different approach.

Responsive True Legato styles, Articulation Morphing, customizable articulation mapping, Dynamic Curve control, the PALCO™ virtual stage positioning system, eight microphone perspectives, cinematic textures, and integrated ensemble patches combine to deliver a fluid, expressive playing experience that keeps creativity flowing from the first sketch to the final score.

From the expression of a single note to the placement of an entire orchestra, Sinphonica gives composers the freedom to sculpt every aspect of a performance rather than simply selecting articulations.

As additional orchestral families are introduced, they will become part of the expanding Sinphonica ecosystem, sharing the same expressive philosophy and performance-driven workflow.

Pricing & Availability

Sinphonica Maestosa Strings is available for pre-order now through the IK Multimedia online store and authorized IK dealers worldwide as the complete collection or as five individual string sections:

Sinphonica Maestosa Strings (Complete Collection): $/€499.99 regular price; $/€399.99 introductory price
Sinphonica Maestosa Violins I: $/€199.99
Sinphonica Maestosa Violins II: $/€149.99
Sinphonica Maestosa Violas: $/€149.99
Sinphonica Maestosa Cellos: $/€199.99
Sinphonica Maestosa Double Basses: $/€149.99

As a special introductory offer, registered Miroslav Philharmonik 2 owners can purchase Sinphonica Maestosa Strings for just $/€299.99, an additional $/€100 off the introductory price. The discount is applied automatically at checkout.

Customers who start with individual string sections can later upgrade to the complete Maestosa Strings collection at special upgrade pricing, making it easy to expand their collection over time. Sinphonica Maestosa Strings will be available on October 8, 2026.
Pre-orders are open now.

For more information, audio demos, and pre-orders, visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/sinphonica

Apple unveils iPhone Duo

2026-09-11T04:20:41.912+02:00

Apple today introduced iPhone Duo, the first foldable iPhone. Opened, it is the thinnest iPhone ever, with a 7.6-inch inner display that provides a large canvas for viewing content, gaming, and multitasking, and a special nano-texture finish that minimizes glare for an unparalleled viewing experience. Closed, the 5.4-inch outer display delivers 90 percent of the screen area of iPhone 18 Pro in a compact, pocketable design.1 Both displays share the same aspect ratio, so content scales proportionally, ensuring visual continuity. iPhone Duo is built to last with an innovative hardware design and a precision hinge that offers a smooth, satisfying feel with every use. Powered by the new A20 Pro, iPhone Duo features an advanced thermal management system with a custom-designed vapor chamber and a dual-battery architecture, delivering pro performance and impressive all-day battery life. The advanced camera system takes stunning photos and videos, with the folding design unlocking fun new ways to use the camera that aren’t possible on any other iPhone. iOS 27 is reimagined, remaining familiar and intuitive while adapting to the versatile ways users can interact with iPhone Duo. And with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, iPhone Duo brings powerful AI capabilities together with a user’s personal context.

iPhone Duo is available in two refined colors: star white and night sky. Pre-orders begin Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23.

“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original. With an entirely new design and intuitive experiences, it shows what’s possible when hardware and software are engineered together and redefines what it means to use a foldable phone,” said John Ternus, Apple’s CEO. “With the largest display ever on iPhone that still fits easily in your pocket, combined with the power of A20 Pro, iPhone Duo helps you stay more immersed and productive wherever you go, whether you’re enjoying content, multitasking across apps, or gaming.”

Two Displays, One Breakthrough Design

iPhone Duo delivers Apple’s largest iPhone display in an entirely new design. Closed, iPhone Duo is comfortable to use one-handed and fits easily in a pocket, with a 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display that provides 90 percent of the screen area of iPhone 18 Pro. Opened, the 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display is 50 percent larger than iPhone 18 Pro Max, offering an immersive canvas for everything users do. A premium nano-texture finish reduces glare and reflections, creating a matte surface that minimizes crease visibility and feels great to touch. Beneath the inner display, a new FaceTime camera stays hidden when not in use to keep the screen uninterrupted. Both displays share the same aspect ratio, designed for how people use their iPhone, so the experience feels continuous whether iPhone Duo is open or closed. The displays also feature ProMotion, Always On, and 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. Later this year, iPhone Duo will support Apple Pencil with USB-C, allowing users to take notes, sketch, or mark up documents on either display.

Pricing and Availability

iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky, and starts at $1,999 (U.S.), or $83.29 (U.S.) per month for 24 months, in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities.

Apple Upgrade, a leasing program provided by Klarna and available in the U.S., gives eligible customers monthly payment options for iPhone Duo, with 12- and 24-month leasing terms starting as low as $57.99 (U.S.) per month for 24 months. For more information, visit apple.com/shop/apple-upgrade.

Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

2026-09-11T04:13:04.254+02:00

Apple today announced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, delivering the most advanced pro camera system in an iPhone, and huge leaps in battery life and performance. The new 48MP Fusion Main camera, now with variable aperture, brings creative control that wasn’t possible before, and new Pro controls let users customize their experience in the Camera app. Both models feature a smaller and even more useful Dynamic Island, as well as A20 Pro and a next-generation vapor chamber that together deliver the highest sustained performance in iPhone history. iPhone 18 Pro Max also delivers the largest increase in battery life ever on iPhone, thanks to advancements in Apple silicon and a larger battery.1 Featuring iOS 27 with Apple Intelligence2 and Siri AI,3 iPhone 18 Pro models bring powerful AI capabilities together with personal context to become an intelligent personal hub with privacy and security at its core.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are available in four elegant finishes: black, silver, glacier, and an all-new burgundy. Pre-orders begin Saturday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 18.

“With iPhone 18 Pro, we’ve made advancements to the areas our users care about most: camera, performance, battery, and intelligence. And we didn’t just make incremental improvements in these areas — we took huge leaps forward to create the best Pro iPhone we’ve ever made,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 18 Pro makes it easy for anyone to capture stunning photos and videos using variable aperture, while providing more versatility for creators and more control for pros. Paired with impactful upgrades to Photographic Styles and powerful video capabilities, iPhone 18 Pro unlocks entirely new ways for users to express themselves.”

Pricing and Availability

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities. Available in burgundy, glacier, silver, and black, iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 (U.S.) or $49.95 (U.S.) per month, and iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 (U.S.) or $54.12 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.13
Apple offers great ways to save and upgrade to the latest iPhone models. With Apple Trade In, customers trading in iPhone 13 or later can get $175 to $885 (U.S.) in credit instantly.14 Apple also partners with select carriers to offer incredible deals, and customers can get up to $1,200 (U.S.) in credits when they trade in iPhone 14 or later — in any condition — to put toward iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. Customers can take advantage of carrier deals by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location. For carrier deal eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers. To see what their device is worth and for trade-in terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.

Apple introduces AirPods 5

2026-09-11T04:06:39.633+02:00

Apple today announced AirPods 5, delivering the industry’s best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in an open-ear design and even better sound quality, at an outstanding value.1 AirPods 5 feature an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ for even more immersive sound. Their breakthrough open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a more natural Transparency mode. Combined with Siri AI and iPhone, AirPods enable users to draw on their personal context and get answers with broad world knowledge, entirely hands-free.2 Users can also respond to Siri using head gestures, or use Live Translation to help connect across languages.

AirPods 5 offer the most affordable way to experience some of the most powerful AirPods features — along with greater durability with improved dust, sweat, and water resistance — at $129. For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and on-stem volume control for $149.3 Customers can pre-order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, we’re able to bring Active Noise Cancellation — one of our most beloved features — to our most affordable AirPods,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people. Paired with Siri AI, AirPods are a game changer for unlocking powerful hands-free capabilities.”

Pricing and Availability

Customers in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions can pre-order AirPods 5 today for $129 (U.S.), with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

Customers in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions can pre-order AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case today for $149 (U.S.), with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

Introducing Apple Watch Series 12, with the all-new Health Sensing System

2026-09-11T04:00:50.828+02:00

Apple today introduced Apple Watch Series 12, engineered with advanced health sensors and all-new Apple silicon to deliver the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable,1 and advanced health and fitness features.

With the new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, Apple Watch Series 12 delivers higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, which power an enhanced suite of health and fitness features including a new readiness score. A redesigned Health app on iPhone arrives later this year, including a new Longevity tab with a Health Age feature showing how metrics are tracking relative to a user’s age. In addition to powering the Health Sensing System, the S11 chip — Apple’s most powerful wearable chip — also enables new Audio Intelligence features arriving later this year, to help users remember key moments from their conversations and stay alert to important sounds, built with privacy, security, and accessibility innovations at the core.2 With watchOS 27, Apple Intelligence powers Siri AI on Apple Watch, bringing personal context understanding and broad world knowledge to the wrist.

These features add to the many ways Apple Watch already helps users stay active, better understand their health, and get help when they need it, with advanced workout tracking, sleep tracking, heart health notifications, the ECG app,3 sleep apnea notifications,4 Fall Detection, Emergency SOS,5 and more. Apple Watch Series 12 is the most comprehensive wearable across health, fitness, and safety.

Pricing and Availability

Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the UK, the U.S., and more than 50 other countries and regions can pre-order Apple Watch Series 12 today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 (U.S.).

New Apple Watch bands will be available to order today from apple.com/store and on the Apple Store app, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

watchOS 27 will be available for Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later on Monday, September 14, and requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 27 or later. Not all features are available on all devices or in all regions. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 4

2026-09-11T03:44:57.709+02:00

Apple introduced Apple Watch Ultra 4 — the ultimate sports and adventure watch — now including new, advanced health and fitness features, and longer battery life.

Engineered with the new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, Apple Watch Ultra 4 delivers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable,1 higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, and a new readiness score to support athletes of all kinds. Apple Watch Ultra 4 also offers extended battery life to track outdoor workouts for up to 45 hours and the most accurate on-device GPS in a sports watch.2 A redesigned Health app on iPhone arrives later this year, including a new Longevity tab with a Health Age feature showing how metrics are tracking relative to a user’s age. In addition to powering the Health Sensing System, the S11 chip — Apple’s most powerful wearable chip — enables new Audio Intelligence features arriving later this year, to help users remember key moments from their conversations and stay alert to important sounds, built with privacy, security, and accessibility innovations at the core.3 With watchOS 27, Apple Intelligence powers Siri AI on Apple Watch, bringing personal context understanding and broad world knowledge to the wrist.

These features add to the many ways Apple Watch Ultra already supports users with advanced workout tracking across activities, sleep tracking, powerful health features like heart health notifications and the ECG app,4 and game-changing safety capabilities like satellite communications.5 Apple Watch Ultra 4 is the most comprehensive wearable across health, fitness, and safety.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 comes in sleek and durable natural and black titanium options. It is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning Friday, September 18.

“The new Health Sensing System and S11 chip take Apple Watch Ultra 4 — our most rugged and capable Apple Watch — to the next level, delivering longer battery life, faster charging, and the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Apple Watch Product Marketing. “With powerful health and fitness insights including readiness, new intelligent features, and its large, bright display, Apple Watch Ultra 4 is designed to support you wherever you go, from your workouts, to adventures, to everything you tackle in a day.”

The Most Accurate Heart Rate Sensing in a Wearable

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is re-architected to provide continuous high-fidelity health monitoring using the Health Sensing System, featuring new optical and electrical heart sensors. Using this system and the S11 chip, Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable. A scientifically rigorous study on a diverse population of over 1,000 participants compared the new heart rate sensing accuracy on Apple Watch against leading wearables, with Apple Watch showing the highest accuracy across devices.

With larger, power-efficient green LEDs on the optical heart sensor, Apple Watch Ultra 4 now measures heart rate every five seconds, all day long. This continuous passive measurement delivers deeper insight into a user’s fitness and physiological state while making Exercise and Move Activity rings even more accurate. Users can view their real-time heart rate at a glance throughout their day on a new heart rate watch face complication.

Pricing and Availability

Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the UK, the U.S., and more than 50 other countries and regions can pre-order Apple Watch Ultra 4 today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 (U.S.).
New Apple Watch bands will be available to order today from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
watchOS 27 will be available for Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later on Monday, September 14, and requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 27. Not all features are available on all devices or in all regions. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

Pony.ai and Verne Kick Off Fully Driverless Robotaxi Test Rides in Zagreb

2026-09-11T00:51:22.784+02:00

Pony AI Inc., a global leader in the large-scale commercialization of autonomous driving technology, and Verne today announced the start of fully driverless Robotaxi test rides with passengers on public roads in Zagreb, marking a European first. The milestone represents a significant step toward fully driverless commercial operations.

The test rides take place along a 22-kilometer route linking Verne's headquarters and one of Zagreb's main business districts with Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb. The fully driverless routes will be further expanded in the next few months, with the aim to cover the whole operating area in Zagreb.

The milestone comes just over five months after Pony.ai, Verne and Uber announced their partnership to launch Europe's first commercial Robotaxi service. Under the joint deployment model, Pony.ai provides the autonomous driving technology, Verne leads the service operations, and Uber offers access to the service through its platform. Since the service operated by Verne was launched in early April, the fleet has logged more than 200,000 kilometers in operations, completed several thousand customer rides and achieved an average passenger rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Moving from commercial operations with an onboard AV operator to fully driverless testing represents an important step for both Pony.ai and Verne. It demonstrates Pony.ai's ability to apply technology and operational experience from its fully driverless commercial services in China to real-world deployment in Europe, supported by Verne's operational readiness and work to meet regulatory requirements.

"Fully driverless passenger rides in Zagreb mark an important step in Pony.ai's international growth," said Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai. "Together with Verne, we are demonstrating how Pony.ai's Virtual Driver can combine with Verne's local operating and passenger-service capabilities to support a scalable path to commercialization. The progress in Zagreb provides a strong foundation for expanding fully driverless mobility across Europe and other international markets."

"Five months ago, we launched Europe's first commercial Robotaxi service. We are now taking the next step, moving from autonomous driving with an onboard AV operator toward fully driverless operations," said Marko Pejković, CEO of Verne. "This is a major milestone on the path to scaling autonomous mobility in Europe."

The test rides use Pony.ai's seventh-generation Robotaxi, powered by a Pony.ai-developed L4 domain controller built on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX, running on the safety-certified DriveOS operating system. The Robotaxi features a safety architecture combining 360-degree sensor coverage with multiple layers of redundancy and fail-operational capabilities. This architecture has been validated through fully driverless commercial operations in major Chinese cities across complex urban traffic and adverse weather conditions. Pony.ai currently operates fully driverless commercial services in four major Chinese cities and has logged more than 100 million kilometers in autonomous operations worldwide, including over 40 million kilometers in fully driverless mode.

The fully driverless rides in Zagreb are being conducted in accordance with applicable Croatian regulations and the approvals required for autonomous vehicle testing with passengers on public roads.

The milestone further advances Pony.ai's "dual-engine" growth strategy, under which the company is scaling its Robotaxi business across both China and international markets. Overseas, Pony.ai is expanding through its joint deployment model, which brings together autonomous driving technology, access to rider demand and day-to-day fleet operations. The mix of partners can vary by market, allowing the model to adapt to local requirements while supporting a more capital-efficient path to scale. Recent partnerships have expanded Pony.ai's overseas deployment pipeline to more than 4,000 Robotaxis, including plans with Uber to deploy more than 2,000 vehicles across Europe. Pony.ai is targeting a global fleet of more than 3,500 Robotaxis by the end of 2026, with operations spanning more than 20 cities worldwide.

SOURCE Pony AI Inc.

Hoymiles Launches 22 kW V2X DC Charger to Complete Its Integrated Home Energy Ecosystem

2026-09-08T13:20:07.409+02:00

Hoymiles has launched the V2X DC Charger that works seamlessly with the HiOne All-in-One BESS, extending its home energy ecosystem into electric mobility. This allows solar, battery storage, EVs and the grid to work as one integrated energy system, giving homeowners greater control over how they generate, store and use energy.

Turning EVs into Flexible Energy Resources

The V2X DC Charger is equipped with bi-directional charging capabilities, allowing an EV to become an active additional energy resource for the home. It can provide backup power when the grid is unavailable through Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), while enabling households to participate in peak shaving and virtual power plant (VPP) dispatch via Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).

Furthermore, it is built with an integrated EU MID-certified meter which provides accurate energy measurement for reliable monitoring and energy management.

Efficient Charging Guaranteed

Unlike an AC-coupled charger that requires the vehicle's OBC for DC/AC conversion, the Hoymiles V2X charger enables direct DC charging from PV and battery storage to the EV. This bypasses OBC and eliminates unnecessary AC/DC conversion, thus reducing energy losses during charging.

With up to 22 kW of DC charging power, the V2X DC Charger significantly cuts charging time compared with traditional AC charging. In one hour, a conventional AC charger can add approximately 35 km of driving range, while Hoymiles' V2X can deliver approximately 110 km.

Hoymiles V2X is designed for broad compatibility as it supports 95% of mainstream EVs.

Flexible Installation, Built for Everyday Use

Designed as a standalone charger, the V2X can be flexibly installed, such as beside the parking space, giving homeowners greater freedom to position the HiOne All-in-One BESS where it best fits their home energy setup.

The charger features IP65 protection and IK10 impact protection, ensuring durability for outdoor use and protection against accidental impacts.

One App for the Entire Energy Ecosystem

The V2X is managed through the same app-based ecosystem as Hoymiles' home energy solutions, giving users a unified view and control of their energy system. Users can choose from green power mode and fast charging mode for different scenarios.

With the addition of the V2X DC Charger, Hoymiles continues to expand its integrated home energy ecosystem—connecting solar generation, energy storage, energy management and electric mobility to help households generate, store, use and share energy more intelligently.

https://www.hoymiles.com/hione.html

GEEKOM Launches A5 2027 Edition Mini PC

2026-09-08T13:14:51.683+02:00

GEEKOM, a leading global Mini PC brand, is redefining the productivity Mini PC with the launch of the A5 2027 Edition. Designed for all-day productivity, the new A5 combines dependable performance, long-term reliability and flexible expansion in a compact form.

Powered by the 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U, the A5 2027 Edition is built for real-world productivity — from running 30+ browser tabs alongside video meetings and large spreadsheets to Photoshop, 2D design and light 4K editing. With up to 64GB of memory, 7TB of storage and four-display support, it gives professionals, creators and small businesses the flexibility to build a workspace around the way they work.

But productivity also depends on how long a PC can be trusted to perform. The A5 2027 Edition uses brand-new SSDs, a reinforced all-metal internal frame and multi-layer motherboard protection, and undergoes 339 validation checks covering durability, aging, thermals and more. Together with flexible memory and storage upgrades, this quality-from-the-inside-out approach gives GEEKOM the confidence to offer a three-year warranty and engineer its PCs for more than five years of service.

Reliability also means being ready when work does not stop. The A5 2027 Edition's IceBlast 3.0 cooling system combines a larger silent fan, copper heat pipe and dedicated copper plate to efficiently move heat away from critical components. Better thermal control reduces throttling and long-term heat stress, enabling stable 24/7 operation for offices, retail systems, digital signage and other always-on environments.

The A5 2027 Edition also brings AI into everyday productivity. It can serve as a personal AI assistant for research, writing, content creation and data analysis, while emerging agentic applications can automate more complex, multi-step workflows. With stable, always-on operation, the A5 2027 Edition can keep these AI workflows running in the background when needed — helping users get more done with less hands-on effort.

The A5 2027 Edition brings GEEKOM's vision of all-day productivity to life: built to do more, built to keep running and built to last. Best All-Day Productivity Mini PC. Cool・Silent・Stable.

The GEEKOM A5 2027 Edition is available now through GEEKOM's official website and Amazon.

Huayan Robotics to Present Chinese Intelligent Manufacturing Solution at IMTS 2026

2026-09-07T18:10:03.767+02:00

From September 14 to 19, Huayan Robotics will participate in IMTS 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, the United States (Booth No.: 236746). Started in 1927 and held biennially, this 99-year-old manufacturing technology show is expected to attract more than 2,000 exhibitors and 90,000 professional visitors from around the world. The 2026 edition will provide a platform for companies to gain insights about the latest trends in global manufacturing technologies.

At IMTS 2026, Huayan Robotics will highlight its flexible and intelligent manufacturing capabilities across welding, palletizing, CNC machine tending, vision inspection, force-controlled grinding, and more.

Featured solutions will include:

The E12-Pro collaborative robot for welding. With a 1.8-meter reach, the E12-Pro is designed to handle large or irregular welding workpieces. It can be configured with integrated force control and AI vision for applications such as visual positioning, inspection, polishing, and grinding.
A palletizing robot for high-throughput material handling. With a payload of up to 60 kg and a palletizing speed of 8–13 cycles per minute, the solution is designed for demanding operations in food and beverage, daily chemicals, logistics, and other high-volume industries.
A collaborative robot solution for CNC machine tending. Optimized motor control and algorithms can increase loading and unloading speed by up to 50%, while internal or external deployment options and high-speed or collaborative operating modes support flexible integration with different CNC machines.
The HY 7 and Echo 5 7-axis humanoid robotic arms for embodied robotic platforms. Their seven-axis configurations provide human-like flexibility and obstacle avoidance in confined spaces, while native ROS 2 support and open communication protocols help simplify integration with humanoid, quadruped, and other embodied robotic systems.

Sony Electronics and Hello Kitty Team Up for Limited-Edition Headphone Collection

2026-09-07T18:06:15.746+02:00

Sony Electronics Inc. today announced a limited-edition collaboration with Hello Kitty, one of Sanrio's most beloved and recognizable characters. Available only through the Sony Store, the collection pairs select Sony headphones with exclusive Hello Kitty collaboration merchandise, bringing together Sony's premium audio experience and Hello Kitty's iconic charm. Pre-orders begin later this holiday season.

Available with select pink/sand pink and black colorways of the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N, and WH-CH530 headphones, each collaboration bundle includes a Sony Store exclusive Hello Kitty carrying case and tote bag2. Designed to hold headphones and added space for everyday essentials, the carrying case blends Hello Kitty's signature charm with Sony's premium, minimalist design aesthetic. Thoughtful details throughout the collaboration celebrate Hello Kitty's world and her connection to music, entertainment, and everyday creativity, while each headphone model is paired with its own uniquely designed tote bag for everyday use.

Bringing together Sony's audio expertise and Hello Kitty's timeless appeal, the limited-edition collection celebrates self-expression, entertainment, and personal style. The exclusive accessories allow fans to enjoy Hello Kitty's iconic world not only while listening to music, but also as part of their everyday routine at home and on the go.

SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.

Tuya Smart Unveils Doova at IFA 2026, an AI Home Companion Robot Designed to Support Independently Living Seniors

2026-09-06T15:34:30.426+02:00

Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA; HKEX: 2391), a global AI cloud platform service provider, today unveiled Doova, its new AI home companion robot, at IFA 2026. Designed for seniors living alone, Doova moves beyond the traditional roles of security devices and household robots, combining proactive safety protection, emotionally intelligent companionship, and seamless smart home coordination to support a safer, more connected, and more comfortable daily life.

For many seniors living independently, the greatest concern is not simply an accident itself, but the time that passes before anyone realizes something is wrong.

Doova is equipped with LDS LiDAR, a four-microphone sound source localization system, and AI vision-based skeletal recognition algorithms. If a user falls or encounters another emergency, they can call out, "Hey Tuya, help," and Doova will quickly locate the user, move to their side, and assess the situation in real time.

If no response is detected within 60 seconds, Doova automatically initiates an emergency response workflow, sending a two-way live video call alert to family members so assistance can be arranged without delay.

An AI Companion for Everyday Life

Doova combines emotional companionship, daily assistance, and wellness support in a single AI-powered home companion designed specifically for older adults. Its conversational ability is powered by a multimodal large language model, allowing it to hold natural, free-flowing conversations rather than respond only to fixed commands.

During quiet moments at home, Doova can hold conversations, offer company, and play entertainment content to ease feelings of loneliness. In day-to-day life, it can help interpret complex bills and letters, identify potential scam risks, and guide users through operating smart appliances. For health and routine management, Doova can provide reminders for medication, weather updates, and schedules, while also engaging users with light interactive games.

Over time, Doova learns user preferences and becomes more personally helpful in everyday areas such as meal suggestions, gardening advice, and outfit recommendations. In the future, Tuya also plans to introduce value-added services including autonomous item-finding throughout the home, helping reduce anxiety around misplaced belongings.

Smarter In-Home Monitoring for Greater Peace of Mind

When users are away from home, Doova helps make home monitoring simpler and less intrusive.

Unlike conventional patrol-style security devices that follow walls in fixed routes and can feel like overt surveillance, Doova uses a node-oriented coverage strategy designed around the center of each room. It can move from space to space on a dual-wheel drive with caster wheels, perform a 360-degree scan at each location, and automatically generate a safety report that is delivered to the user's mobile phone, making it easier to stay informed about conditions throughout the home from anywhere. Doova also supports autonomous docking and recharging, so monitoring continues without day-to-day intervention.

A Gentle Smart Home Hub Built for Daily Living

Powered by Tuya's mature AIoT ecosystem, Doova also serves as a central smart home control hub. With simple voice commands, users can coordinate connected devices across the home, including lighting, curtains, kitchen appliances, and bathroom devices, without complicated setup or operations, lowering the barrier to smart living for seniors.

Doova is also designed to feel like a natural part of the household rather than a piece of equipment. Its soft, curved form moves away from the cold, mechanical look often associated with robots, allowing it to blend more naturally into living spaces. The device height is optimized for interaction whether a user is standing, seated, or reclining, while a 10.1-inch high-definition display and dynamic facial expressions make conversations feel warmer and more engaging.

Doova has drawn strong interest from attendees at IFA 2026, reflecting growing demand for AI solutions that support independent living. With Doova, Tuya continues to extend its AI+IoT ecosystem into new areas of daily life, bringing safety, companionship, and connected living together for seniors who choose to age independently.

Bringing Local AI Home: UGREEN Introduces Privacy-First HomeAgent for Smarter Living

2026-09-06T15:24:49.075+02:00

UGREEN, a leading global consumer technology brand, announced two new product lineups at a European launch event. The unveiling of the UGREEN HomeAgent series of agentic local AI hubs and a new MagFlow lineup marks UGREEN's next stage of growth. Building on its established presence in digital accessories and smart storage, the company is now dedicated to a broader spectrum of intelligent consumer electronics designed to enhance everyday life.

UGREEN HomeAgent: Agentic Local AI Hub for Homes

At the center of UGREEN's broader intelligent consumer electronics vision is UGREEN HomeAgent, a groundbreaking Agentic AI Local Hub unifying local storage, computing, and control into one device. It connects a growing ecosystem of UGREEN AIoT devices, including security cameras, smart speakers, and smart photo frames, as well as third-party devices.

UGOS Pro is UGREEN's in-house operating system built on a Linux architecture, offering professional storage management, robust data security, easy backup and sync, and extensive expandability.

UGREEN HomeAgent is powered by the all-new UGOS Pro, combining NAS-grade storage and data management with integrated home security features, smart home capabilities, and natural voice interaction to deliver a more complete all-in-one experience.

Traditional surveillance cameras usually only document bad news, and their footage is constantly overwritten, so the moments truly worth keeping quietly disappear. That's why UGREEN set out to redefine the home camera system, not as a surveillance tool, but as a camera for life.

"HomeAgent proactively recognizes moments that are truly worth remembering and organizes them into a personalized daily briefing for every family. Moments that might otherwise be forgotten can return. We want to help families preserve the precious time they spend together." – Samuel Zhang, CEO of UGREEN

As an agentic local AI hub integrating on-device intelligence, local storage, AI computing and smart-home control, HomeAgent serves as the AI brain of the connected home. Designed to keep data private and local, it enables intelligent file management, proactive home monitoring, voice-driven automation and unified device control. The ecosystem includes the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro, the NVIDIA® Jetson Thor™-powered MasterAgent MA100, SynCare smart cameras, the UGREEN Smart Speaker for Uliya, and UGREEN Gallery smart frames, while remaining compatible with third-party Matter-enabled devices. Together, they deliver a private, expandable AI platform that helps users preserve memories, monitor their homes and coordinate devices through natural, context-aware interactions.

MagFlow Pro: Active Heat Dissipation and Sustained Fast Charging

Announced alongside HomeAgent, MagFlow Powerbank is the world's first liquid-cooled Qi2 25W magnetic power bank, featuring CryoPulse™ micro-pump liquid cooling, active heat dissipation and sustained fast charging.

The launch complements UGREEN's strong range of charging options, outlining the brand's commitment to true-rated performance and flagship-quality power.

D-Robotics at IFA 2026: The Computing Platform Powering the Next Generation of Home Robots

2026-09-06T15:17:49.969+02:00

When IFA 2026 opens in Berlin this week, some of the show's most talked-about home robots will share a common thread: they all run on Sunrise™ AI chips from D-Robotics, a leading provider of robotics development infrastructure. These include TCL's hey AiMe companion robot, Vbot's SuperDog household quadruped, and the xLean TR1 floor-washing robot.

TCL brings the hey AiMe, billed as the world's first family companion-education robot. It combines guided-play learning with autonomous navigation, expressive 10‑DoF movement, and over 20 sensors. Its debut signals that home companion robots are carving out a category of their own. The hey AiMe is at Hall 21, Booth 101.

Vbot makes its official European debut with the SuperDog. The consumer quadruped is already in mass production and has reached thousands of households since May 2026. It is CE‑certified, and European pre‑orders are now open. The SuperDog is at Hall 25, Booth 167.

Closing the line‑up is the xLean TR1. Fresh from a $2 million (approx. €1.7 million) Kickstarter campaign backed by over 2,000 supporters, it will demonstrate its EvoMate™ AI Agent live at ShowStoppers and at Booth 11.1‑129.

Full-stack infrastructure for robot builders

D-Robotics provides the infrastructure that robot makers build on — from Sunrise™ intelligent computing chips and RDK™ robotics developer kits to operating systems and application software. Spanning 5 to 560 TOPS* (INT8), the portfolio covers the full spectrum of embodied AI: humanoids, quadrupeds, home service and companion robots, and logistics AMRs.

An ecosystem of 100,000+ developers

More than 100,000 developers from 20+ countries, 500+ universities, and 500+ startups and maker teams have created hundreds of robot products on D-Robotics platforms, reaching millions of users worldwide. Its customers and collaborators range from Bosch Sensortec, a leading provider of MEMS sensors, and global brands such as TCL, Midea, Positec (WORX), and Mammotion, to robotics innovators including UBTech, Fourier Intelligence, LimX Dynamics, Booster Robotics, Astribot, AgileX Robotics, Elephant Robotics, Enabot, and RoboParty.

Learn more at en.d-robotics.cc

PrimeBOT Wins Official IFA Innovation Awards as Personal Robotics Moves Closer to the Home

2026-09-06T15:14:37.802+02:00

PrimeBOT made a high-impact debut at IFA 2026, earning official recognition for both PrimeBOT T1 and PrimeBOT Q1 while drawing strong interest from international news outlets, industry professionals, creators, and visitors across Messe Berlin and ShowStoppers.

PrimeBOT T1 was named the winner of the IFA Innovation Award for Content Creation Technology, while PrimeBOT Q1 was selected as an IFA NEXT Honoree.

The IFA Innovation Awards are IFA Berlin's official awards program, recognizing standout innovation at one of the world's largest consumer tech events. The on-stage recognition highlighted two complementary directions in PrimeBOT's personal robotics strategy: T1's transformable, cross-scenario approach to mobility and creative use, and Q1's emphasis on personalized interaction, programmability, movement, and long-term companionship.

The awards were matched by strong engagement throughout the show. Much of it focused on what it would feel like to live with a personal robot. Media participants walked alongside Q1, tested balancing responses, and interacted almost like they would with a child. T1's transformation process drew immediate attention across the show floor, while its reactions to touch and head pats made the experience intimate and personal.

That response reinforced one of PrimeBOT's central ideas: the next breakthrough in consumer robotics will not come from another single-purpose machine, but from robots capable of becoming part of everyday family life.

PrimeBOT International Market CMO Yuan Zou expanded on that idea as a speaker during the IFA Dream Stage panel "Robots in the Kitchen and Home: From Task-Specific Tools to Humanoids," alongside Dr. Glenn Mathijssen of Circus Group, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge, Raghav Gupta of Posha, and Michael Wolf of The Spoon.

"For decades, we have judged robots by an industrial standard: how much work can they replace? But the home operates under a different value system," said Yuan Zou. "A personal robot doesn't have to do everything on day one, but it has to create value. That can begin with interaction, companionship, learning, and creativity, then deepen as the robot better understands the user and the home, and eventually expands into more meaningful physical assistance. Before a robot can become truly useful in the home, it first has to earn its place there."

PrimeBOT will continue live demonstrations throughout IFA 2026 at Booth H25-150. Media, partners, and attendees are invited to experience PrimeBOT T1 and PrimeBOT Q1 in person.