Connect with us

Technology

AARP Invests $237,500 in Quick-Action Projects to Make NY Communities More Livable for All Ages

Published

on

Grants aims to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move, and stay connected in their neighborhoods through innovative local projects

NEW YORK, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AARP today announced 23 organizations throughout New York will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.

“Communities across New York are eager for solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Thanks to Community Challenge grants, we’re empowering residents to make a sizeable difference. This program helps local leaders turn practical ideas into action to create visible improvements to strengthen communities for all ages.”

Since 2017, AARP has awarded nearly $1 million through 87 Community Challenge grants supporting projects across New York. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Projects across New York reflect growing demand for practical, local solutions that help residents stay connected, safe and independent, including:

Adirondacks/Capital Region

Capital Streets, Watervliet: $15,000 for signage, paint and other traffic calming measures to address speeding and confusing crossings at a dangerous high-traffic roadway.City of Mechanicville: $15,000 to install ADA-compliant pedestrian signals and crossings between housing for older adults and a local grocery store. These changes will create a direct, safer walking route and reduce reliance on transit for short trips.Southern Saratoga YMCA: $2,500 to create educational sessions to teach residents how to make homes safer and more accessible.Town of Johnsburg: $2,500 for walk audits to align with town infrastructure and beautification projects; $15,000 to expand its HomeFit pilot into a continuing program that provides small home safety improvements for residents age 50-plus.Tupper Lake Public Library: $15,000 to transform its community room into a safer, more accessible, and inviting space for residents age 50-plus.

Central New York/Finger Lakes

Access To Independence of Cortland County: $2,500 to conduct walk audits to examine connections between sidewalks and bus routes used by residents age 50 and older.Downtown Ithaca Alliance: $2,500 for walk audits to examine sidewalk and crossing conditions near Ithaca’s downtown bus stations.Friends of Sandy Bottom Park, Honeoye: $11,100 to add benches along a popular park’s walking trails and provide equipment for new pickleball courts.

Hudson Valley

Finkelstein Library, Spring Valley: $12,000 to convert a van into a mobile library that visits older adults in local housing communities to provide books, media, internet access and programming.Town of Poughkeepsie: $15,000 to install safety features at a popular park, including a speed feedback sign, a flashing pedestrian sign and a clearly marked crosswalk.Village of Croton-on-Hudson: $15,000 to install a rapid-flashing pedestrian beacon on a street with many older residents.Village of Port Chester: $15,000 to improve downtown pedestrian safety by rebuilding sidewalks and curbs, adding accessible ramps and installing a crosswalk, lighting and a bench.

Long Island

Hofstra University, Hempstead: $2,500 for campus-wide intergenerational walk audits to assess safety and access. The findings will produce recommendations that support older adults on campus.The Barry & Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center, Oceanside: $15,000 to create an outdoor social space featuring seating, shade and reading areas.

New York City

Center For Hope Services, Staten Island: $15,000 to install high-visibility crosswalks, turn-calming features and a clearly marked loading zone on a busy residential street.Good Old Lower East Side, Manhattan: $15,000 to conduct disaster preparedness workshops for residents of public housing developments.Jewish Association Serving the Aging Housing Management, Manhattan: $14,900 to transform an unused backyard at a housing site for older adults into an accessible outdoor space.Selfhelp Community Services, Queens: $2,500 to provide disaster preparedness training and leadership instruction to older adults from several buildings.Third Avenue Business Improvement District, Bronx: $15,000 to create street murals, install flex posts and wayfinding signage.The Hilas Foundation, New York City: $2,500 for preparedness trainings and support activities to help adults age 50 plus stay ready for emergencies.

Western New York

Buffalo Niagara YMCA: $2,500 for educational seminars and home assessments to identify safety hazards for older adults. Participants will receive simple products that improve home stability.Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative: $2,500 to conduct walk audits near Niagara Falls State Park. Community meetings will connect residents and lawmakers to implement solutions.Downtown ROCs, Rochester: $12,000 to install ADA-compliant benches and clear transit wayfinding signage along a key transit corridor.

“America is aging, and most older adults want to stay in the communities they know and love. There are a lot of things that localities can do to support residents of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer.

“AARP Community Challenge grants help transform local ideas into real improvements— from safer sidewalks and improved transportation options to public spaces that bring neighbors together and enhance community connections. As we celebrate the program’s 10th year, we’re proud to double our investment so even more communities can become great places to live for people at all stages of life.”

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit aarp.org, aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPLatino and @AARPadvocates on social media.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aarp-invests-237-500-in-quick-action-projects-to-make-ny-communities-more-livable-for-all-ages-302809689.html

SOURCE AARP New York

Continue Reading

Technology

Roborock Reports 27.6% Revenue Growth in H1 2026, Reinforcing Global Market Leadership

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, a global leader in home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, reported revenue of RMB 10.084 billion in the first half of 2026, up 27.6% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 45.6% to RMB 986 million. The company also reached a new global milestone, with Roborock recognized as the world’s No.1 robotic vacuum cleaner brand by both IDC and Euromonitor International.

Global Expansion Continues to Strengthen Growth

Roborock’s international business continued to deliver strong growth in H1 2026 across both mature and high-potential markets. During Amazon Prime Day 2026, Roborock ranked No.1 in the robotic vacuum category in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Canada. In Europe, Roborock reached a 45% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales up 24% year on year, while wet-dry vacuum unit sales grew 112%. In North America, Roborock reached a 33% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales increasing 30% year on year.

Momentum was also strong across key Asia-Pacific markets. Roborock ranked No.1 in both unit shipments and sales value in Australia, Korea, Taiwan region and Türkiye from Q1 2023 to Q1 2026. In Korea, the brand maintained more than 70% share of the premium robotic vacuum segment, while the S10 MaxV Ultra generated approximately KRW 28 billion in sales within ten days of its February 2026 launch. In Japan, Roborock continued to deepen its premium retail presence through cooperation with Yamada Denki, including dedicated brand displays and nationwide availability of flagship products. Across Asia-Pacific, the company continued to combine its global technology platform with localized channel, marketing and service strategies.

Roborock’s global leadership has also been independently recognized by IDC and Euromonitor International. According to IDC, Roborock ranked No.1 globally by both unit shipments and sales value among robotic vacuum brands in H1 2026, while Euromonitor International ranked the brand No.1 globally by retail sales value in 2025. Together, the two rankings reinforce Roborock’s global market leadership and reflect sustained consumer demand worldwide.

Sustained R&D Investment Supports Long-Term Competitiveness

Roborock continued to invest heavily in technology in the first half of 2026, with R&D spending reaching RMB 720 million, up 5.11% year on year and accounting for 7.14% of revenue. The company continues to build capabilities in intelligent navigation, AI-powered environmental perception, cleaning systems and robotic mobility, while increasingly bringing these technologies together at the system level rather than improving individual specifications in isolation. This integrated approach allows technologies proven in flagship products to be brought into a wider range of models and price segments, helping Roborock strengthen its portfolio while making advanced features available to more consumers.

IFA 2026 Highlights the Next Phase of Innovation

At IFA 2026, Roborock is showcasing its latest advances across indoor and outdoor cleaning. Its new robot vacuums and wet-dry vacuums bring advances in steam-powered care, adaptive cleaning and whole-home versatility, while the Roborock Saros Rover introduces a two-wheel-leg architecture designed to expand robotic mobility beyond flat floors. Roborock is also broadening its intelligent cleaning ecosystem with the debut of the RockAqua P1, its first intelligent pool cleaner, alongside the RockNeo Q2 LiDAR robotic mower, extending its autonomous cleaning capabilities across floors, pools and gardens.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/roborock-reports-27-6-revenue-growth-in-h1-2026–reinforcing-global-market-leadership-302868216.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Agoda Unveils South Korean Travelers’ Top Domestic and International Destinations for Chuseok Holiday

Published

on

By

– Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Da Nang, and Nha Trang topped overseas destinations, while Jeju, Busan, Seoul, Sokcho, and Gyeongju led domestic hotspots  

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the Chuseok holiday around the corner, South Korean travelers are already making plans to make the most of the four-day break. According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for international and domestic destinations have increased by 38% and 160%, respectively, compared to two weeks before the holiday period.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers between May to mid-August 2026, Agoda found that Japanese destinations dominated the list of the most-searched overseas destinations for the Chuseok holiday. Fukuoka ranked first, followed by Tokyo and Osaka. Beyond Japan, Vietnamese destinations also proved popular, with Da Nang and Nha Trang rounding out the top five. The findings highlight South Korean travelers’ continued preference for short- and mid-haul destinations, where they can enjoy a combination of cultural experiences and seaside leisure.

Due to its proximity to South Korea with an average flight time of just 1.5 hours from Seoul, Fukuoka is one of the most accessible Japanese destinations for South Korean travelers. The destination is expected to become even more accessible with Eastar Jet’s expanded services on the Incheon–Fukuoka route through October 24, and the Busan–Fukuoka route from August 29 to October 24, covering the Chuseok holiday period.

For those making travel plans closer to home, Jeju ranked as the most-searched domestic destination, with a 131% increase in travel interest, followed by Busan (147%), Seoul (64%), Sokcho (324%), and Gyeongju (222%). Sokcho, which recorded the strongest growth in search interest among the top 5 domestic destinations, saw tourism expenditure by South Korean travelers increase by 8.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The high growth in interest in Sokcho’, driven by its diverse mix of mountains, beaches, lakes, culinary experiences and cultural attractions, suggests that the destination could see continued visitor demand through the second half of the year, including during the Chuseok holiday period.

Gyeongju, which ranked fifth, continues to attract South Korean travelers with its historic sites and rich cultural heritage. The city’s appeal could be further boosted by expanded KTX and KTX-Eum services scheduled to begin in September, offering travelers improved rail connectivity during the autumn travel season.

Alex Park, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda shared, “As the Chuseok holiday approaches, South Korean travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations, with domestic travel seeing particularly strong demand. As a global travel platform, Agoda is committed to supporting travelers with diverse preferences by offering great deals on flights, accommodation, and activities, whether they are looking to explore destinations overseas or closer to home.”

As South Korean travelers finalize their Chuseok holiday plans, Agoda continues to offer a seamless booking experience across more than six million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities worldwide. To find the best deals for autumn travel to Asia and beyond, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app. As part of Agoda’s August Mega Sale, travelers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale through 31 August.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agoda-unveils-south-korean-travelers-top-domestic-and-international-destinations-for-chuseok-holiday-302867025.html

SOURCE Agoda

Continue Reading

Technology

TECNO Wins Two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards for Modular Phone and Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, a global AI-driven innovative technology brand, achieved two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards at IFA 2026:

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS took the Miniaturized Gaming PC Technology Innovation Gold Award, standing out with its Italian aesthetics and exceptional performance in the compact body. The TECNO Modular Phone was honored with the Ultra-Slim Magnetic Modular Technology Innovation Gold Award, praised for its ultra-slim craftsmanship and unique modular magnetic technology.

These awards once again demonstrate TECNO’s sustained breakthroughs in product innovation and industry-leading craftsmanship in design excellence. The Global Product Technology Innovation Awards were established in 2014 by IDG, IFA, and DIHK to celebrate excellence across the global consumer electronics industry. The awards honor products that set new industry benchmarks and drive innovation through intelligent technology and user-centric design.

TECNO Modular Phone: The World’s Thinnest Modular Smartphone

At just 4.9mm, the TECNO Modular Phone is powered by proprietary Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology. It combines a precision magnetic array with pogo-pin connectors, offering a flexible ecosystem for different needs. The host retains a 3000–4000mAh battery, while modules draw power directly for a snap-and-go experience. It also resolves the inherent conflict between rising AI computing demands and limited device space.

The technology has earned over 20 accolades from leading media, with CNET and Yanko Design naming it the Best of MWC 2026, and The Verge recognizing it as the Best Mobile Tech at MWC 2026.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS: One of the World’s Smallest Water-Cooling Gaming Mini-PCs

At around 6.36 liters, the panoramic transparent chassis of the Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS fuses iconic Italian design with raw engineering. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 (614 AI TOPS, 145W TGP, DLSS 4), it achieves the pinnacle of performance, providing a high-fidelity gaming experience and high-efficiency AI workstation. The water-cooling system sustains peak frequencies, while 15 ports and WiFi 6E deliver connectivity. It was recognized with Yanko Design’s Best of MWC award.

In addition, TECNO made waves at IFA with the Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone featuring a revolutionary 0mm screen bezel, and the convertible laptop MEGABOOK T15 360 Pro. Relentlessly pushing the boundaries of design, performance, and AI innovation, TECNO is pioneering limitless possibilities for futuristic technology.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tecno-wins-two-ifa-global-product-technology-innovation-awards-for-modular-phone-and-tonino-lamborghini-tecno-taurus-302870739.html

Continue Reading

Trending