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Silicon Labs Enables SONOFF Micro Zigbee USB Smart Adaptor to Elevate Smart Home Connectivity

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EFR32MG21 SoC Tailored for Zigbee Applications Offers Several Advantages for ZBMicro

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world, today announced that its MG21 2.4 GHz wireless SoC had been selected by SONOFF for its new  ZBMicro smart switch, SONOFF’s Micro Zigbee USB Smart Adaptor. ZBMicro is a groundbreaking addition to the realm of smart home technology. From its role as a smart switch for USB devices to its capabilities as a Zigbee router and support for fast charging, the ZBMicro delivers an unparalleled user experience that elevates the connectivity and convenience of modern smart homes.

“Silicon Labs is an ideal partner for SONOFF, providing industry-leading wireless connectivity products and solutions that meet our needs for RF performance, intelligence, security, reliability, and low-power consumption, to help us create smart home products with diverse features,” said Jerry Shi, COO of SONOFF. “In the future, we will continue to work with excellent partners like Silicon Labs to create more market-leading smart home products.”

Silicon Labs’ MG21 SoC is tailored for Zigbee applications, and offers a number of advantages for ZBMicro, including remarkable output power, robust RF performance, heightened processing capability and more. MG21 is a multi-protocol SoC in Silicon Labs’ Series 2, and supports multiple IoT protocols such as Zigbee, Thread and Bluetooth Mesh. In terms of performance, the MG21 SoC offers advantages that enhance processing power, RF performance and power efficiency. In terms of security, MG21 SoC comes with Silicon Labs’ Secure Vault™ IoT security, which meets PSA Level 3 certification, to greatly reduce IoT security vulnerabilities and ensure safe and stable operation of devices.

“We are pleased to see ZBMicro utilizing our MG21 SoC to deliver significant progress in device connectivity, convenience and style, simplifying and enhancing the smart home experience for users,” said Colin Cureton, Vice President, Home Business, at Silicon Labs. “Smart home is not only an important application area of IoT, but also a key focus area for Silicon Labs. Silicon Labs has utilized our deep experience and technological advantages in the IoT to launch multiple SoCs to help smart home manufacturers create better products that are popular in the market.”

ZBMicro introduces a sleek design coupled with advanced features aimed at enhancing user convenience and connectivity. Serving as both a smart switch for USB devices and a Zigbee router, ZBMicro empowers users to remotely control USB devices via a dedicated app while extending the capabilities of their Zigbee network. USB 2.0 data transfer capabilities ensure seamless data transmission, boosting efficiency. Additionally, when paired with a fast-charging adapter and power cable, it supports fast charging for mobile devices, adding further utility to its functionality.

Incorporating Silicon Labs’ MG21 SoC, ZBMicro emerges as a powerhouse in smart technology. This cutting-edge SoC boasts impressive features, including a remarkable output power of up to +20 dBm, ensuring enhanced signal transmission. With robust RF link performance of MG21 at its core, ZBMicro guarantees seamless connectivity, while fast data processing capabilities ensure swift transmission of information. 

As a semiconductor company focusing on IoT, Silicon Labs offers multiple products for smart home. Most recently, Silicon Labs announced the MG26 multi-protocol wireless SoC, which integrates Silicon Labs’ proprietary AI/ML Matrix Math accelerator with dedicated core optimized for machine learning. MG26 can process ML operations up to 8x faster using as little as 1/6th the energy as a traditional embedded CPU. The MG26 SoCs are ideal for mesh IoT wireless connectivity using Zigbee, Matter, and OpenThread for smart home, lighting, and building automation products.

More information about Silicon Labs products and solutions for smart home, visit here.

More details about ZBMicro, visit here.

About Silicon Labs

Silicon Labs is a trailblazer in wireless connectivity for the Internet of Things. The corporate values and vision to be a sustainable leader in the semiconductor Industry are the foundation of Silicon Labs’ sustainability strategy. Its integrated hardware and software platform, intuitive development tools, and unmatched ecosystem support make Silicon Labs the ideal long-term partner in building advanced industrial, commercial, and home and life applications. Silicon Labs leads the industry in high performance, low power, and security, supporting the broadest set of multi-protocol solutions.

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SOURCE Silicon Labs

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OMNICOM TO PRESENT AT THE GOLDMAN SACHS COMMUNACOPIA + TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

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NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) today announced that it will present at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference 2026 in San Francisco, California on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:10 a.m. Pacific Time.  Live and archived webcasts will be available at the investor relations section of omc.com.

About Omnicom
Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) is the world’s leading marketing and sales company, built for intelligent growth in the next era. Powered by Omni and its proprietary data and identity, Omnicom’s Connected Capabilities unite the company’s world‑class agency brands, exceptional talent, and deep domain expertise across media, commerce, consulting, precision marketing, advertising, production, health, public relations, branding, and experiential to address clients’ most critical growth priorities. For more information, visit omc.com

 

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SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc.

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Minister Hodgson highlights Western Canada’s role in Canada’s energy and economic future

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PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, concluded a five-day tour across Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, highlighting how provinces, workers, Indigenous partners, researchers and industry are positioning Canada as a global energy superpower with the strongest economy in the G7. Across Western Canada, Canadians are turning global volatility into opportunities for strength: building a more prosperous economy; enhancing our national security; creating good-paying jobs; and unlocking Canadian resources and connecting them to global markets.

In Alberta, Minister Hodgson spent time with Todd Loewen, Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, visiting forest sector workers in the Grande Prairie region and meeting firefighters who have kept Albertans safe through wildfire seasons. They discussed supporting the forest products sector in the face of unjustified U.S. tariffs, pivoting Canadian industry to domestic and non-U.S. markets, and how Canada and Alberta can work together to keep communities in Alberta safe from wildfire.

The Minister also visited Suncor’s oil sands operations in Fort McMurray, meeting the people whose hard work powers Canada and reinforces our role as a reliable energy supplier amidst volatile global energy markets. Our government is working hard with our Albertan, industry and Indigenous partners to support our energy sector and build Canada into a prosperous, sovereign and sustainable energy superpower, including through the Canada–Alberta Memorandum of Understanding.

In Saskatchewan, discussions focused on the infrastructure, innovation and resources that will help power Canada’s future. Meetings with provincial counterparts, including Minister Chris Beaudry; municipal leaders; industry; and researchers at the University of Saskatchewan highlighted opportunities to strengthen electricity grids, unlock Saskatchewan’s critical minerals advantage and advance major projects. Visits to the Jansen Mine and the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Rare Earth Processing Facility demonstrated Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s growing strength across the critical minerals and nuclear energy sectors, from resource extraction and processing to advanced technologies and exports.

Minister Hodgson also joined the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, to announce nearly $12 million for businesses in Saskatoon, which are standing up against American tariffs by investing, growing and innovating in Canada, creating jobs, diversifying our supply chains and helping our nation become more economically independent.

The tour also featured two landmark moments that underscored Canada’s ambition to build major projects and strengthen long-term economic prosperity, national security and sustainability. In Saskatchewan, Minister Hodgson announced progress achieved at the McIlvenna Bay copper and zine mine since its referral to the Major Projects Office one year ago. In British Columbia, he joined federal, provincial and Indigenous partners for the groundbreaking ceremony of the North Coast Transmission Line, a transformative infrastructure project that will more than double the availability of clean, low-cost electricity on the West Coast; unlock natural resources projects like the Ksi Lisims LNG facility and critical minerals developments in the Golden Triangle; and create $10 billion in new economic activity and nearly 10,000 jobs.

Western Canada is helping drive a new era of Canadian prosperity, sovereignty and sustainability through responsible resource development, made-in-Canada innovation and a world-class workforce. By advancing projects of national interest, the region is unlocking Canada’s full potential and helping us build Canada Strong.

Quote

“In many ways, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are the beating heart of our energy and natural resource sectors. This week, I saw first-hand the people, projects and partnerships that are building Canada Strong amidst the unjustified trade war we are experiencing. From responsible resource development and world-class research to critical infrastructure and energy innovation, Canadians are creating the conditions for long-term prosperity, security, sustainability and sovereignty.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

Minister Hodgson toured Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia from August 30 to September 3, 2026.Canada’s natural resources sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing $459 billion (16 percent) to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supporting 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs across the country.Western Canada is the powerhouse of Canada’s natural resources economy. In 2022, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan together accounted for approximately 62 percent of Canada’s natural resources GDP.

Related Products

Canada celebrates progress on the McIlvenna Bay mine: production underway, jobs created, supply chains strengthenedCanada breaks ground on North Coast Transmission Line to deliver clean power and reduce emissions

Associated Links

Canada’s Critical Minerals StrategyNuclear Energy Strategy for Canada

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Surfshark launches beta tester program, inviting users to shape the future of cybersecurity

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Users can now gain exclusive early access to unreleased features and communicate directly with Surfshark’s development team via a dedicated Discord hub.

VILNIUS, Lithuania, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Surfshark, a cybersecurity company, has officially announced the launch of its updated beta tester program, offering users early access to new features, design changes, and updates before they are released to the general public. Currently available for Windows and Android app users, the program invites community members to play a direct role in testing, refining, and shaping the future of Surfshark’s services.

The importance of user feedback

“Our mission is to build the most beloved security product for everyone – but for that, we need input from our community. Surfshark’s development team and I are genuinely excited to always receive feedback from our users. Oftentimes, we are buried so deep into our product that we don’t see the small details or inconveniences – and that’s why we need users’ input to be a part of how Surfshark services are being shaped,” says Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark.

The beta tester program creates a collaborative environment where users worldwide can test unreleased tools, report bugs or quirks, and provide real-time feedback. Participant feedback will directly influence feature improvements and the development of new products based on user needs.

Initiative works through a closed Discord group designed for direct, two-way communication between beta testers and Surfshark’s product developers.

“Our updated beta tester program allows us to build features aligned with what our community actually needs,” Sinkeviciute continues. “While early versions may occasionally contain bugs, the insight provided by our beta community is invaluable in helping us fine-tune tools before public releases.”

How to join Surfshark’s beta tester program

Any active Surfshark subscriber on Windows or Android can join the program today:

On Windows: Open the Surfshark app, navigate to Settings > App settings, scroll to Beta Testing, and click Join Beta.On Android: Visit the Surfshark app page in the Google Play Store, scroll to the Join the beta section, and tap Join.

Enrolled participants will be invited to join the private Discord hub to connect with developers and fellow beta testers.

To learn more or sign up today, visit: https://surfshark.com/beta-tester-program

ABOUT SURFSHARK

Surfshark is a cybersecurity company offering products including an audited VPN, certified antivirus, data leak warning system, and a tool for generating an online identity. Recognized as a leading VPN by CNET and TechRadar, Surfshark has also been featured on the FT1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies ranking. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Surfshark has offices in Lithuania and Poland. For information on Surfshark’s operations and highlights, read our Annual Wrap-up. For more research projects, visit our research hub.

Contact: media@surfshark.com 

 

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SOURCE Surfshark B.V.

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