Connect with us

Technology

ICANN Opens Application Window for New Generic Top-Level Domains

Published

on

The New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round offers organizations the opportunity to fortify security, enhance brand identity, build community, and gain a competitive edge in an evolving digital landscape.

News Summary:

ICANN is now accepting applications for its New gTLD Program: 2026 Round through 12 August, providing businesses, communities, governments, and other organizations the opportunity to operate their own global presence online as part of their digital strategy.Operating a gTLD creates an opportunity to have control and flexibility over your own digital presence, increased security against cyber threats, and a competitive edge. In a recent study, 92 percent of marketers recognized the opportunities for differentiation, enhanced trust, and improved search engine optimization.The 2026 Round creates an opportunity to expand the number of languages available for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) by accepting top-level domain (TLD) applications in 27 different scripts, representing hundreds of languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Devanagari, and Thai.

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit organization that coordinates the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS), today announced that its New gTLD Program: 2026 Round application window is now open. Generic top-level domains, or gTLDs, are the part of a web address after the last dot. For the first time in over a decade businesses, communities, governments, and other organizations have the opportunity to operate unique digital assets, such as .brand, .city, or .industry, for the use of their business, customers, or constituents.

A Strategic Tool for the Digital Era
A gTLD is a global digital identifier that can anchor businesses in the digital arena, providing control over the left and right of the dot. The previous application round in 2012 resulted in the introduction of more than 1,200 new gTLDs, including those for brands like .microsoft and .sky, geographic locations such as .africa and .berlin, and general terms like .bank and .eco. New gTLDs have demonstrated their benefits in building brand trust, creating vibrant local digital ecosystems, and providing more intuitive navigation for users.

Key Benefits of Operating a gTLD
A gTLD is a unique digital home that provides:

Control and Flexibility: Define your own digital ecosystem by determining who can register under your domain name.Security: Strengthen online transactions and build robust defenses against cyber threats, protecting both your brand and your customers.Competitive Edge: Marketers overwhelmingly agree, with 92 percent recognizing gTLD benefits like differentiation, enhanced trust, and improved SEO.

“gTLDs are unique digital tools that can be used in meaningful and innovative ways to help achieve long-term goals,” said Kurtis Lindqvist, President and CEO, ICANN. “Whether building a brand for a company, spotlighting a geographic region or city, strengthening a community, or launching a business to offer domain names under a new registry, a new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce, security, and communication.”

The 2026 Round will expand the number of languages available for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) by accepting gTLD applications in 27 different scripts, representing hundreds of languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Devanagari, and Thai. This expansion will make the Internet more accessible and user-friendly for billions of people who use non-Latin-based scripts.

How To Apply
The application submission window will close on 12 August 2026. Applicants must submit their applications through the online TLD Application Management System (TAMS) here.

Applicant Resources
The Applicant Guidebook is the authoritative roadmap for any entity interested in applying for a gTLD. It includes the application questions, requirements, and processes to lead applicants through the submission and evaluation processes.

Applicants are strongly advised to carefully review the TAMS resources prior to submitting an application. These resources include a system User Guide, demonstration videos, and other helpful tools, all available here. Additional resources, including Frequently Asked Questions, topic overviews, webinar recordings, and more are available on the 2026 Round Resources webpage.

About ICANN
ICANN’s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

 

SOURCE ICANN

Continue Reading

Technology

Amwell Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 United States Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition for Technology-Enabled Care Platforms

Published

on

By

Amwell® is transforming virtual care delivery through its unified Amwell Platform, combining interoperability, clinical integration, and intelligent orchestration to improve access, efficiency, and outcomes.

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As healthcare organizations move beyond fragmented telehealth solutions toward connected virtual care models, Amwell is helping redefine how digital care is delivered at scale. Frost & Sullivan is pleased to recognize Amwell with the 2026 United States Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition in the Technology-Enabled Care Platforms industry for its ability to address healthcare fragmentation through a unified platform that connects patients, health plan members, clinicians, and partner ecosystems across the care continuum.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Amwell excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to align strategic initiatives with evolving healthcare needs while executing with flexibility, scalability, and measurable customer impact. “The combination of reliability, flexibility, and clinically integrated workflows positions the Amwell Platform as a strategic enabler for organizations seeking to reduce fragmentation, improve member engagement with covered programs, expand access to care, and create more connected healthcare experiences,” said Sagar Mukhekar, Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a strategy centered on connected care, interoperability, and continuous, digital innovation, Amwell has positioned the Amwell Platform as an operating layer for next-generation healthcare delivery. Rather than relying on disconnected point solutions, the platform integrates technology, services, and clinical intelligence to orchestrate personalized care experiences across virtual primary care, urgent care, behavioral health, chronic condition management, and specialized digital programs.

Backed by 20 years of technology-enabled care innovation, more than 90 million covered lives, and over 38.7 million virtual visits, Amwell continues to help health plans and healthcare organizations modernize digital care delivery at scale.

“As healthcare becomes more digital, it risks becoming more fragmented. Health plans need more than point solutions. They need enterprise infrastructure, clinical integration, and an open platform that brings partners and programs together. Our vision at Amwell is that technology creates value when it improves access, engagement, quality, and efficiency, and produces measurable clinical and business outcomes. We’re honored by this recognition from Frost & Sullivan,” said Dan Zamansky, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amwell.

Amwell’s enterprise scale includes supporting the digital transformation of the Defense Health Agency’s Military Health System, serving approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries. The company’s commitment to measurable outcomes is also reflected in a landmark National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded study, published in Nature Human Behaviour and among the largest studies of its kind. The study found that students offered SilverCloud® by Amwell® engaged in mental healthcare at more than double the rate of traditional care, experienced lower rates of mental health disorders, and generated an estimated $1.18 million in avoided costs for the study population.

The company further differentiates its platform through intelligent orchestration and navigation, helping guide members to appropriate programs while giving clinicians visibility across care plans. Amwell also evaluates integrated third-party programs for clinical effectiveness, scalability, and enterprise readiness.

Frost & Sullivan commends Amwell for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and technological innovation. The company’s unified approach to digital care is helping reduce fragmentation, improve access, strengthen operational efficiency, and support more equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The recognition identifies forward-thinking organizations that are reshaping their industries through innovation and growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:
Ashley Shreve
E: ashley.weinkauf@frost.com 

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Continue Reading

Technology

MiniTool Released MovieMaker 8.9 with Advanced Keyframe Animation

Published

on

By

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MiniTool Software Limited has released MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9, a significant update to its video editing software. The latest version focuses on empowering creators with advanced keyframe animation controls, a more streamlined installation experience, and an optimized export button for a smoother experience.

Precise Control with Keyframe Animation

The hallmark of MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 is the introduction of keyframe animation for video, images, and elements. Users can now set keyframes for position, scale, and rotation at different points. As a result, they can easily generate smooth, cinematic motion effects.

The position parameter supports accurate X- and Y-axis adjustments, allowing flexible horizontal and vertical movement of clips to achieve natural screen scrolling and displacement effects. The scale feature allows for seamless zoom-in and zoom-out transitions, enabling users to zoom in on a clip and highlight key visual elements. Coupled with rotation control, which supports precise angle adjustments, the three tools work together to deliver smooth, dynamic visual effects.

Designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind, this update brings intuitive keyframe animation tools without complex settings. It balances powerful editing capabilities and ease of use, allowing users to easily bring static photos to life and create custom movements for high-quality visual content.

Installation Package Optimization for Faster Setup

MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 places a strong emphasis on the installation package. In this latest release, the development team has reduced the overall installation package size, enabling a faster, more streamlined download and setup experience. This enhancement not only saves disk space but also improves application launch speeds. As a result, creators can quickly run the software and start working on their projects with minimal delay.

Enhanced Export UI for a Seamless Final Step

The final export stage is crucial to the editing workflow. This time, MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 brings a new export button with a redesigned interface. This update optimizes the export button and provides intuitive guidance. Therefore, users can quickly locate the button for exporting their projects, whether they are absolute beginners or experienced editors.

About MiniTool MovieMaker

MiniTool MovieMaker is an easy-to-use video editing program designed for beginners, featuring a clean interface and a variety of effects, text templates, stickers, filters, and transitions for quick video creation.

The software offers a flexible multi-track timeline where users can layer and independently manage video tracks and audio tracks to create complex compositions, such as picture-in-picture (PiP) effects and video collages. Users can also place visual elements on different layers and lock tracks to prevent accidental edits.

More importantly, this editing tool can export videos in 1080P or 4K for free and without watermarks, ensuring high-quality, professional-looking results.

About MiniTool® Software Ltd.

MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a software development company specializing in providing software services across multiple fields, including video editing, screen recording, video conversion and compression, video enhancement, as well as disk partition management.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minitool-released-moviemaker-8-9-with-advanced-keyframe-animation-302869995.html

SOURCE MiniTool® Software Limited

Continue Reading

Technology

From Trust to Value: Miles Group Signs Bo Jin and Isaac Lam, Launching into the Athlete Representation Track

Published

on

By

HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Miles Group, specializing in international sports marketing, announced today the signing of two outstanding professional golfers, Bo Jin and Isaac Lam. This milestone concurrently marks the official launch of the company’s athlete representation business.

Founded in 2012, Miles Group has spent over a decade providing Asian market marketing services for premier global golf brands, including Major Championships, the LPGA Tour, and the United States Golf Association (USGA). In 2026, the group’s domestic arm, Miles Shanghai, launched its proprietary tournament IP—the Junior Charity Classic—which offers top Asian junior golfers a direct pathway to elite junior tournaments in the United States.

“I have always believed that elite athletes are among the rarest and most valuable brand assets, yet their commercial potential remains vastly underestimated. Miles Group is entering the talent representation arena not simply to sign established names, but to leverage our 15 years of international sports marketing expertise. Our mission is to build a dedicated value-amplification system for Asia’s athletes, empowering them to command top-tier commercial influence far beyond the field of play.” said Smile Xu, founder of Miles Group and a top-tier marketing strategist.

“Having known Smile for ten years, I’ve watched her grow from an industry rising star into someone who drives real change. I have absolute faith in her capabilities, but what I admire most is her vision—helping more players use innovative methods to unlock true, long-term value, and even rewrite the rules of the industry,” said 24-year-old Bo Jin, who currently competes on the China Tour. “Entering my second year as a professional, I chose Miles Group because I believe in the future she sees, and it’s a future I want to be part of.”

Bo is the first Chinese player to reach the finals of the U.S. Junior Amateur, a member of the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup International Team, the individual runner-up at the 2021 NCAA D1 Championship, and the runner-up at the 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2022. Turning professional in 2025, Bo delivered a remarkable rookie year, capturing two runner-up finishes on the China Tour and placing in the top 20 during his DP World Tour debut.

Isaac Lam, 27, hails from Hong Kong, China, and turned professional in 2024. Now an active competitor on the China Tour, he boasts the title of a two-time Tour champion. Following his maiden China Tour victory at the 2025 Wuyishan International Open, Lam lifted his second trophy this past August at the Fanling Golf Classic in front of his home crowds.

“On the course, I am a champion, but in the business world, I am a complete novice. Two China Tour titles didn’t bring the commercial breakthrough I had anticipated,” Lam shared. “Since my amateur days, Smile has always given me unconditional advice. Joining Miles Group now is a choice born from seeing her selfless dedication to young players. She brings both the wisdom to sharpen my direction and the resources and capability to translate a championship title into real commercial value.”

Play Beyond • More than just the game—from amateur to professional, from trust to value! In launching its talent representative agency business, Miles Group is dedicated to systematically developing athletes’ multidimensional commercial value off the course. Moving forward, Miles Group will leverage precise resource matching and long-term strategic planning to create sustainable growth opportunities for players, while introducing high-value sports IPs to partners for mutual empowerment.

About Miles Group

Miles Group is a marketing agency headquartered in Hong Kong that has been deeply rooted in the Asian market for 15 years. With teams across Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Thailand, it focuses on the sports and lifestyle sectors. The group provides one-stop services covering public relations, digital media, content creation, KOL management, and event management for top global clients. Its client portfolio includes industry benchmarks such as USGA, LPGA, LIV Golf, BLAST and more. Since 2025, the group has focused on developing its own tournament IPs and content; its inaugural Junior Charity Classic immediately became an industry market benchmark. 思迈超牛 is the affiliated operating company of Miles Group in Mainland China.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/from-trust-to-value-miles-group-signs-bo-jin-and-isaac-lam-launching-into-the-athlete-representation-track-302870107.html

SOURCE Miles Group

Continue Reading

Trending