Technology

AR Optics: IDTechEx Explores Insights from IDTechEx at CES 2024

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Apple’s Vision Pro has recently grabbed all the headlines in the spatial computing world, following years of hype and rumors of Apple bringing a headset to market. The Vision Pro is thought to be merely the opening salvo of the tech giant’s strategy, with see-through augmented reality (AR) devices expected to be the endgame. Compared to the camera passthrough used in headsets like the Vision Pro and Meta’s Quest 3, this would vastly improve the view of the real world while helping to make devices much more like normal glasses – not to mention aiding social acceptability by making the wearer’s eyes visible to those around them.

As outlined in IDTechEx’s report, “Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Technologies, Players and Markets“, the development of optical combiners, specialized optical components which project virtual information on top of the real world, is a key hurdle holding back see-through AR from primetime. However, startling progress is being made to solve this, with CES 2024 giving a great overview of recent developments in AR optics and spatial computing overall.

Contrasting approaches to AR

The two biggest AR headset announcements at this year’s CES took very different approaches. TCL’s upcoming RayNeo X2 Lite headset fell under the banner of “lite AR”. These devices are lightweight with a glasses form factor, focusing on being minimally intrusive while displaying simple contextual information like directions or sports statistics to the wearer. In contrast, XReal’s Air 2 Ultra is more of a spiritual successor to the HoloLens, focusing on adding emphasis on mixed reality features like spatial localization and mapping, and hand tracking to XReal’s device lineup. While no heavyweight at 80g, it is not designed to be worn as an accessory in the same vein as “lite AR” devices.

Polymer waveguides showed impressive performance

Optics for lite AR were a fruitful space for innovation at this year’s CES. Chinese player Mojie, also known as Meta-Bounds, supplies Oppo its AR optics. It showed IDTechEx its newest resin surface relief diffractive waveguides at the event. Compared to the optical glass substrates more commonly used in AR waveguides, polymers can increase durability while reducing weight due to their lower density and potential elimination of the requirement for cover glass. They could also cut the cost of these specialized optical components. A major downside is that their lower refractive index limits the field of view of the waveguide, but this is not an issue for lite AR. Critically, Mojie’s waveguides can be bonded directly to ophthalmic lenses, meaning AR glasses can become viable prescription eyewear without clunky solutions like prescription inserts.

Shenzhen-based Optiark’s pre-production LHASA-5 resin waveguides could make lite AR even lighter: one waveguide, weighing only 4g, uses a single display to project images to both eyes. This could solve the comfort issues some face while wearing glasses with a monocular display without adding significant weight or cost. Optiark said it expects the image quality to surpass others already producing resin waveguides: this could be due to the multi-level diffraction gratings it employs, or it may be able to achieve higher new levels of surface flatness than are typical in polymer AR optics.

A new challenger to birdbath optics

Innovation was not limited to the lite AR space, with Korean player LetinAR’s latest optics looking like strong competitors to the birdbath optics used in lower-cost, wide field-of-view AR devices like those from XReal. This special class of reflective waveguide uses the proprietary PinTILT™ architecture, which allows a relatively affordable and high-resolution micro-OLED display to be used, just like with birdbath optics but unlike with most other waveguides. Although the design makes them thicker than other waveguides, it also allows these injection-molded plastic optics to have a wide FoV, making them suitable for immersive applications. Crucially, the wearer’s view of the real world and the view of the user’s eyes are vastly better than with birdbath optics. LetinAR’s optics are close to mass production readiness and were shown at CES in devices from Jorjin, Sharp, and Nimo.

Optics are taking AR headsets close to primetime readiness

Compared to previous years, AR felt significantly closer to mass-market viability at this year’s CES, with the contribution of optics being hard to understate here. Improved optical designs, in conjunction with the wider availability of emerging display technologies like micro-LED, are shrinking AR glasses down, with more efficient optical systems reducing demands on batteries and thermal management systems. Vuzix’s Z100 lite AR glasses, announced at CES, weigh less than many prescription glasses and quote a battery life of over 48 hours, with a Jade Bird Display micro-LED screen and advancement in waveguide design being key here. More immersive devices might not be quite so unobtrusive, but XReal’s Air 2 Ultra offers true MR features at $2,800 cheaper than the Vision Pro (although you will need to pair them with a high-end smartphone). Overall, the future for AR looks bright.

Further insight

The stories presented here provide only a small portion of IDTechEx’s insights from CES 2024, which are available to their subscribers, amongst much more timely information on emerging technologies on their portal. Events like CES help shape IDTechEx’s coverage of spatial computing with its recent reports, “Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Technologies, Players and Markets” and “Displays for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets“, giving comprehensive intelligence including 10 year granular adoption forecasts into these two critical technology markets.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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press@IDTechEx.com
+44(0)1223 812300

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Technology

Yalla Group Releases 2025 ESG Report

Published

32 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

DUBAI, UAE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yalla Group Limited (“Yalla” or the “Company”) (NYSE: YALA), the largest Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-based online social networking and gaming company, today published its 2025 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The report outlines the Company’s 2025 ESG performance and future strategy across five key pillars: responsible governance, environmental stewardship, trust, people, and community engagement, underscoring its enduring commitment to sustainable development.

Tao Yang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Yalla, stated, “In 2025, we made tangible progress across our ESG priorities. We expanded our use of renewable energy, integrated energy-efficient technologies and deepened AI applications across daily operations, advancing toward our carbon neutrality goal while strengthening business performance. We also invested in building a more diverse and inclusive workplace where our people can thrive and deliver their best, supporting our sustainable growth. True to our mission of connecting our users and enriching lives across the MENA region through our social and gaming ecosystem, we will continue to innovate with purpose, leading responsibly to create positive, enduring impact and lasting value for all stakeholders.”

Mr. Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla, added, “Our fifth annual ESG report highlights our dedication to promoting sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth. Cultural respect and community engagement remain central to how we operate, enabling us to foster a sense of belonging in our digital entertainment community across the MENA region. This year, we also strengthened our cybersecurity infrastructure, building greater user trust in our platforms. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in ESG initiatives and leverage advanced technologies to cultivate a safe, engaging and innovative digital ecosystem, driving progress toward a more sustainable future.”

For more information on the Company’s ESG initiatives and to access the complete ESG report in English and Arabic, please visit the ESG section of the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.yalla.com/esg.

About Yalla Group Limited

Yalla Group Limited is the largest MENA-based online social networking and gaming company, in terms of revenues in 2022. The Company operates two flagship mobile applications, Yalla, a voice-centric group chat platform, and Yalla Ludo, a casual gaming application featuring online versions of board games, popular in MENA, with in-game voice chat and localized Majlis functionality. Building on the success of Yalla and Yalla Ludo, the Company continues to add engaging new content, creating a regionally-focused, integrated ecosystem dedicated to fulfilling MENA users’ evolving online social networking and gaming needs. Through its holding subsidiary, Yalla Game Limited, the Company has expanded its capabilities in mid-core and hard-core games in the MENA region, leveraging its local expertise to bring innovative gaming content to its users. In addition, the growing Yalla ecosystem includes YallaChat, an IM product tailored for Arabic users, WeMuslim, a product that supports Arabic users in observing their customs, and casual games such as Yalla Baloot and 101 Okey Yalla, developed to sustain vibrant local gaming communities in MENA. Yalla is also actively exploring outside of MENA with Yalla Parchis, a Ludo game designed for the South American markets. Yalla’s mobile applications deliver a seamless experience that fosters a sense of loyalty and belonging, establishing highly devoted and engaged user communities through close attention to detail and localized appeal that profoundly resonates with users.

For more information, please visit: https://ir.yalla.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Yalla Group Limited’s beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Yalla Group Limited’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Yalla Group Limited does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Yalla Group Limited
Investor Relations
Kerry Gao – IR Director
Tel: +86-571-8980-7962
Email: ir@yalla.com

Piacente Financial Communications
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:

Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: yalla@tpg-ir.com

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SOURCE Yalla Group Limited

Technology

Citizens Bank Data Breach: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Launches Investigation Into Exposure of Personal Information

Published

32 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

National class action firm offering free case evaluations to individuals impacted by the Citizens Bank cybersecurity incident

NEWTOWN, Pa., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Edelson Lechtzin LLP, a national class action law firm, is investigating data privacy claims arising from the Citizens Bank, N.A. data breach. Citizens Bank appeared on the Everest gang’s dark web ransomware leak site on or about April 20, 2026.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating data privacy claims arising from the Citizens Bank, N.A. data breach.

What Happened

On or about April 20, 2026, samples of sensitive financial data from Texas-based Frost Bank and Citizens Financial Group showed up on Everest’s dark web site. The Everest gang has reportedly given the banks six days before it publicly releases the stolen data. This is a common tactic used by hackers to extort large payments. The Everest gang claims to have approximately 3.4 million records belonging to Citizens Bank

Information Exposed

Affected personal data includes names, home addresses, and account numbers.

Who May Be Impacted

Individuals who received a data breach notification from Citizens Bank may face an increased risk of identity theft and fraud.

Your Legal Options

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a potential class action to pursue legal remedies on behalf of individuals whose sensitive personal data may have been compromised in the Citizens Bank breach. The firm will evaluate your rights and potential claims at no cost.

Recommended Protective Steps

Review account statements and credit reports regularly and remain vigilant for suspicious activity. Confirm whether your information was involved in the Citizens Bank incident and preserve any letters or emails you received about the breach. Consider placing fraud alerts and credit monitoring.

Speak confidentially with a data privacy attorney today: Marc Edelson, Esq., Edelson Lechtzin LLP, 411 S. State Street, Suite N-300, Newtown, PA 18940; Phone: 844-696-7492 ext. 2; Email: medelson@edelson-law.com; Web: www.edelson-law.com. Or click HERE to request a free consultation.

About Citizens Bank

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is an American bank holding company headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. The company owns the bank Citizens Bank, N.A., which operates in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, as well as Washington, DC.

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to data breach litigation, the firm handles class and collective actions involving securities and investment fraud, federal antitrust violations, ERISA employee benefit plans, wage theft, and consumer fraud

Media and Partnership Inquiries: Use the contact information above to connect with our team regarding interviews, co-counsel opportunities, and referral partnerships.

Legal Notice: This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

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SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Technology

Registration for the 2026 National Summit in San Diego, CA is Officially Open!

Published

32 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Leading independent technology distributor Sandler Partners opens registration for their 3-day National Summit, an event dedicated to helping empower Partners to grow their business.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sandler Partners announces that registration is now open for the 2026 Sandler Partners National Summit, taking place October 26–29 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, CA.

The National Summit is the largest event of the year for the Sandler Partners community—bringing together 600+ Partners, Sandler leadership, and 75+ Providers for three days of insight, collaboration, and opportunity. The event is designed to equip attendees with the knowledge, connections, and strategies needed to navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape and drive business growth.

Partners, potential Partners, and sponsoring technology Providers can register today by clicking HERE.

“I had the opportunity to connect with the Sandler team, delve into the latest technologies and Partner programs, and build relationships that will help expand the services we deliver to our clients,” states a West Coast Partner and 2025 attendee. “I’m coming back inspired and ready to put some of these new partnerships and ideas into action.”

Shaped by Partner feedback, the Summit focuses on what matters most—delivering practical insights, relevant education, and meaningful connections. Attendees will engage in Growth, Sales, and Technology sessions, explore emerging solutions, and collaborate with peers to exchange ideas, discover new approaches, and strengthen relationships across the community.

TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS, PLEASE NOTE: Only sponsoring Providers are allowed to attend this event. Those interested in participating as a sponsor can learn more by contacting Tina S. Dyksterhouse, Vice President of Marketing at Tina@SandlerPartners.com.

About Sandler Partners and Their Community Approach
Sandler Partners helps empower their network of leading independent Sales Partners to bring organizations around the world a comprehensive range of technology solutions, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connectivity, Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Internet of Things, and Continuity. Their community focus helps support Partners to identify solutions swiftly and unbiasedly from a diverse Provider portfolio of 250+ suppliers. Partner sales agents, VARs, and MSPs gain access to a robust support network, Sales Engineering expertise, marketing resources, and powerful sales tools like SCOUT, Solutions Finder, Scout for Solutions, and the Marketing Center within the Sandler Portal. This helps give their Partners what they need to do what they do best – deliver quality, value, performance, features, unparalleled expertise, and service to their clients. Members of the Sandler Partner community can rely on the industry’s strongest negotiated agreements and a team dedicated to ensuring all their commissions are found, tracked, and paid.

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SOURCE Sandler Partners