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Commodore Gets Transparent on Callback Flip Phone Pricing, Drops $100 Ahead of June 30 Pre-Orders

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Tiered pricing brings base price on select models to $399, putting the smarter flip phone in more hands for less

DOVER, Del., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following last week’s reveal of the Commodore Callback 8020, the first flip phone to balance the modern needs of smartphone users with the anti-doomscrolling ethos of dumbphones, Commodore has announced that a tiered pricing plan will be in place that will reduce the starting price for four of Callback’s five models down by $100. BASIC Beige, ProtoPET White, SX Silver, and the translucent blue Starlight Edition, will now have a launch price of $399. Due to the physical 24 karat gold applied to the device, and several other extras bundled with it, the collectible Founders Edition pricing will remain unchanged.

“Commodore’s founder, Jack Tramiel, built our brand’s legacy on a singular promise: technology for the masses, not the classes,” said Peri Fractic, CEO and President, Commodore International. “The worldwide response to the Commodore Callback has been an incredible endorsement of our vision. Alongside that excitement, many of you told us you wanted a more accessible entry point. We listened. Over the past week, we’ve worked tirelessly with our partners to find ways to lower the price while staying true to the product we’ve set out to build. We believe in being transparent with our community, so we’re sharing not only what’s changing, but why.”

The Commodore Callback 8020 is a premium, privacy-first, digital detox device built to block social media apps at the hardware level using patent pending technology, while still running 99% of essential Android apps, playing studio-quality Hi-Def music, and shooting with a premium Sony 48MP camera. To preserve all of this while reducing price, Commodore has completely re-engineered its component sourcing and packaging model.

The Behind-the-Scenes Realities

As part of Commodore’s effort to lower the price while preserving the quality and features that define the Callback, they examined three of the largest cost drivers behind modern mobile devices like this:

Privacy by Design: Most modern smartphone giants artificially lower their hardware prices by tracking your habits, harvesting your personal information, and selling your user data to advertisers. (Commodore understands that the customer is not the product, and does not monetize your data. It doesn’t even use tracking cookies on its website.)
 The RAM Crisis: Memory is one of the most expensive components inside any modern mobile device. The global tech industry is facing a massive silicon bottleneck. The explosion of new technologies has forced microchip factories to shift production to heavy enterprise hardware. As a result, pristine, factory-fresh mobile memory components have become incredibly expensive for consumer products. This factor was a significant contributor to the Commodore Callback’s original $499 pre-order launch price point.
 Accessory Bundling: Standard smartphone packaging often asks every buyer to pay for accessories, like earphones and chargers, that they may already own. Whilst on one hand appealing, it does add cost to the final box.

Introducing Tiered Callback Pricing

To address these challenges while reducing the launch price by $100, Commodore is introducing new options that give customers greater flexibility in how they configure their device at checkout.

Audiophile quality Hi-Def IEM earphones: Consumers can now choose whether to add Commodore’s custom-designed Hi-Def IEM earphones during checkout, rather than needing to pay for them when they may already own a pair they love. This allows the customer to save money, and reduce e-waste.
 Premium memory will be available as an option, with Callback defaulting to rigorously stress-tested “post consumer” high speed memory chips, backed by Commodore’s identical, comprehensive 1-Year warranty.

“By being transparent about component costs, market realities, and our refusal to sell user data, we are hoping to empower consumers to make the choices that are right for them,” added Fractic. “If you want a lower price that also reduces e-waste, you can do exactly that, and Commodore is absorbing some additional costs to help you get there. And if you want a private, distraction-free life without social media apps hijacking your attention, we’ve built the exact tool to do it. Consumers should have choice – whether that’s choice in pricing, or choice in how they engage with technology. Commodore is staying true to its roots, by delivering both.”

Commodore Callback 8020 pre-orders will begin on June 30. Buyers can save an additional $50 only on June 30 (effectively bringing the day one price on most models down to $349) by signing up to receive a launch day discount code at commodore.net/callback.

About Commodore International Corporation

Commodore International Corporation is the sole official steward of the original Commodore brand, carrying forward the legacy of the company founded in 1958. Originally established by Jack Tramiel and later known for pioneering the home computer revolution, the company entered a new chapter under refreshed leadership in 2025, maintaining continuous stewardship of the original brand and trademarks.  The company’s advisors include key veterans from the original Commodore team, such as Leonard Tramiel (son of Founder, Jack), and lead creators of iconic original systems such as the Commodore 128 and the bestselling desktop computer of all time, the Commodore 64. The company is focused on honoring Commodore’s legacy while bringing its pioneering spirit forward through modern computing experiences.

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SOURCE Commodore International Corporation

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Timekettle Showcases Its AI Cross-Language Communication Portfolio at IFA 2026

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From W Series translation earbuds to X1 Meeting and Babel OS 3.0, Timekettle highlights a comprehensive AI ecosystem built for seamless multilingual communication across everyday and professional scenarios.

BERLIN, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Timekettle, a global AI cross-language communication company, today showcased its expanded product and technology portfolio at IFA 2026 (Hall 3.2, Booth 163), bringing together solutions designed for different multilingual communication scenarios, from one-on-one conversations and voice calls to multimedia content and international business meetings.

Rather than focusing on a single translation device, Timekettle’s IFA 2026 showcase demonstrates a broader portfolio of specialized hardware and AI technologies designed around the way people communicate in different situations.

The showcase is led by W4 Plus, W4 Pro, and X1 Meeting, supported by Babel OS 3.0, Timekettle’s proprietary end-cloud AI cross-language technology platform.

W4 Plus: AI Interpreter Earbuds for Natural One-on-One Communication

At the center of Timekettle’s IFA 2026 showcase is W4 Plus, the latest addition to the company’s flagship W Series of AI Interpreter Earbuds.

Designed around a hands-free interaction model, W4 Plus allows two people speaking different languages to each wear one earbud and communicate without passing a smartphone back and forth or relying on a handheld translator.

W4 Plus combines upgraded voice capture with AI-powered translation capabilities for demanding real-world communication environments. Its bone-conduction voice pickup and dual microphones are designed to improve capture of the wearer’s voice, reduce interference from surrounding speech, and support recognition of softer speech.

Its use cases also extend beyond face-to-face conversations. W4 Plus supports Voice Calls, Listen & Play, and Multi-Media, bringing cross-language communication into additional everyday scenarios.

The earbuds also introduce four AI-powered capabilities designed to support more natural and useful communication: AI Specialized Translation, AI Translation Refinement, AI Conversation Memory, and AI Live Summary.

Together, these capabilities position W4 Plus not simply as a translation device, but as a hands-free AI communication tool for users moving between different languages and communication formats.

Alongside W4 Plus, W4 Pro remains part of Timekettle’s W Series portfolio, providing a solution for natural face-to-face professional communication.

X1 Meeting: Extending Multilingual Communication to Professional Meetings

While the W Series is primarily designed for individual and one-on-one communication, X1 Meeting addresses a different challenge: multilingual communication among larger groups.

Launched in June 2026, X1 Meeting is designed for structured international meetings, presentations, training sessions, and cross-border team collaboration.

A single X1 Meeting hub can create a multilingual meeting environment in which up to 50 participants can join via smartphone or computer. Within one meeting, up to 10 X1 Meeting devices can connect, supporting up to five languages simultaneously.

This expands Timekettle’s product portfolio from individual conversations to larger-scale professional collaboration, where participants may need to communicate across multiple languages within the same session.

Meeting records and transcripts are stored locally on the device, helping organizations retain greater control over sensitive meeting information.

Babel OS 3.0: The AI Technology Behind the Portfolio

Connecting Timekettle’s hardware portfolio is Babel OS 3.0, the company’s proprietary end-cloud AI cross-language technology platform.

Babel OS 3.0 integrates technologies including speech recognition, semantic understanding, neural machine translation, Large Language Models (LLMs), and real-time communication technologies to support Timekettle’s cross-language communication products.

The platform also extends beyond Timekettle-branded hardware. In August 2026, Timekettle announced that Babel OS 3.0 powers the Live Translation feature on RayNeo iO Smart Glasses, demonstrating its application across different intelligent hardware platforms.

Together, Timekettle’s products and technology platform address different layers of cross-language communication—from spontaneous face-to-face conversations and calls to multimedia content and structured multilingual meetings.

“Language barriers appear differently depending on the scenario,” said Leal Tian, Founder and CEO of Timekettle. “A spontaneous one-on-one conversation and an international business meeting demand fundamentally different interaction models. Our goal is not simply to build translation tools, but to integrate AI directly into communication workflows so professionals can interact and collaborate more naturally across languages.”

Timekettle at IFA 2026

IFA 2026 runs from September 4–8 in Berlin. Visitors and media can experience hands-on demonstrations of W4 Plus, W4 Pro, and X1 Meeting at Hall 3.2, Booth 163.

Timekettle’s product and communications teams are available on site for live demonstrations, technical discussions, and media inquiries.

About Timekettle

Timekettle is a global technology company specializing in AI-powered cross-language communication. The company develops AI translation earbuds, professional communication systems, and Babel OS, its proprietary AI cross-language technology platform for intelligent hardware applications.

Through its products and technology platform, Timekettle is focused on breaking language barriers and enabling more natural, seamless communication across languages.

Media Contact:

Timekettle PR Team

Livy Li
+86 15714057287
422079@email4pr.com
www.timekettle.co

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SOURCE Shenzhen Timekettle Technologies Co., Ltd.

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Verdafero Joins Green Key Global Vendor Program

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Verdafero, a leading provider of cloud-based utility analytics solutions, sustainability reporting, and professional consulting services, is proud to announce its approval as a Preferred Vendor in the Green Key Global Vendor Program. This recognition reinforces Verdafero’s commitment to helping organizations achieve measurable environmental performance improvements through data-driven insights and sustainable resource management.

Green Key Global is a recognized sustainability certification body that empowers hospitality organizations across North America to advance their environmental stewardship and operational excellence. Through its Vendor Program, Green Key Global connects certified properties with trusted providers that support responsible business practices and sustainability goals.

As a Preferred Vendor, Verdafero will deliver utility analytics, benchmarking, energy & water audits, and environmental reporting solutions to Green Key Global members, enabling hospitality organizations to identify efficiencies, reduce resource consumption, and strengthen sustainability performance, all while reporting up-to-date greenhouse gas emissions. By transforming utility and operational data into actionable intelligence, Verdafero helps organizations make informed decisions that drive both environmental and financial benefits.

This milestone further demonstrates Verdafero’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative solutions that empower organizations to measure, manage, and improve their environmental performance while contributing to a more sustainable future.

“Hospitality organizations need utility data they can trust, not another spreadsheet scramble,” said Alastair Hood, CEO and Founder of Verdafero. “Through the Green Key Global Vendor Program, Verdafero can help members monitor utilities across their properties, produce faster and more accurate cost, usage and emissions reporting, and identify practical opportunities to reduce waste, improve efficiency, strengthen sustainability performance and meet corporate customer environmental reporting requirements.”

“We are excited to welcome Verdafero to the Green Key Global Vendor Program,” stated Anick Levesque, Managing Director of Green Key Global. “Having them as part of the vendor program underscores a joint commitment to empowering our members with tools and resources to achieve meaningful sustainability goals.”

About Verdafero

Founded in 2009, Verdafero is a market leader in cloud-based utility analytics tools and environmental consulting services. As a top 75 US Department of Energy Portfolio Manager users in North America Verdafero is a recognized leader in sustainability and energy efficiency for major clients across the commercial property space.

The Verdafero InSights cloud-based software platform provides data insights to help you to make better informed decisions across your business while providing the data and analytics for your environmental reporting requirements. For more information, visit www.verdafero.com 

Media Contact:
Nels Henderson
805-252-8924
422011@email4pr.com 

About Green Key Global

Green Key Global, owned by the Hotel Association of Canada (HC) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), is a leading certification body empowering hospitality businesses in North America to achieve excellence in sustainability. Our globally recognized Best-in-Class solutions ensure that our members meet high international standards, leveraging corporate social responsibility and environmental social governance, gaining a competitive edge in the eco-conscious market. By aligning with all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Green Key Global sets a comprehensive standard for sustainability practices. Join us as we lead the way towards a more sustainable future for the hospitality industry: http://www.greenkeyglobal.com/home 

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SOURCE Verdafero, Inc.

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AllyGPO Named to Fast Company’s 2026 List of Best Workplaces for Innovators

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Ranked #40 on Fast Company’s eighth annual list, AllyGPO recognized for a culture where employee-driven ideas shape its technology and innovation initiatives

FRISCO, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AllyGPO®, a leading innovator and next-generation specialty group purchasing organization (GPO), today announced it has been named to Fast Company’s 2026 list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators, a prestigious list recognizing the companies that most effectively foster a culture of innovation, and encourage employees to discover, explore, and invent.

“This recognition is a direct reflection of the culture we’ve collectively built as an organization, and one that celebrates the curiosity, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking of our teams,” said Brian Ansay, CEO of AllyGPO. “Our employees are solving real-world problems and are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to help community-based oncology and retina clinics across the country improve practice operations and deliver better care for their patients.”

AllyGPO’s global technology team operates with full authority over their product areas rather than routing decisions through a central approval process. This approach is evident in the expanding AllyIQ® portfolio of AI-enabled products that are purpose-built to optimize specialty drug management. The comprehensive platform combines smart inventory and contract management with on-demand, predictive practice intelligence — simplifying the complexity of buy-and-bill to help independent practices improve drug utilization and economics. AllyIQ integrates with practices’ core operational systems, synchronizing patient demographics, appointments, and purchasing, utilization, and claims data to provide timely, accurate analytics that drive greater efficiency, long-term sustainability, and continued independence.

The organization treats technology as a core product rather than a support function and pairs frontline observation with the authority to act on it. VisionIQ, an AI-enabled computer vision tool that is able to see, process, and understand visual data to automate drug receiving and audit reconciliation, was built after an AllyGPO engineer witnessed a pharmacy technician spend nearly an hour twice a day manually checking in drug vials, lot numbers, and expiration dates against purchase orders. He brought the observation to AllyGPO’s weekly innovation meeting — a regularly standing open forum where any member of the technology team can pitch ideas regardless of title or department — and within two weeks, a proof of concept was underway. VisionIQ moved from field observation to production deployment in under six months and helped reduce clinical staff audit time by approximately 95%.

“The Fast Company award embodies our belief that the best ideas come from the people closest to the problem, and where a developer or an architect, wherever they sit, has an equal voice in the room,” said Ravi Seshadri, Chief Technology Officer of AllyGPO. “This transformative computer vision innovation started because one engineer spent an afternoon watching a pharmacy technician reconcile an incoming daily shipment by hand and thought there had to be a better way.”

AllyGPO is a company where real-world experience guides technology direction, rather than a product roadmap alone. Working closely with member practices, the organization intentionally creates the space for teams to build innovative tools and solutions that help practices improve their drug management capabilities and enhance their practice economics to survive and thrive in today’s complex and consolidating healthcare marketplace.

The 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list recognizes 100 companies across industries such as entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, and healthcare. To be considered, applicants detailed their investment in innovation, internal programs, and company culture. Fast Company’s editors evaluated each application and conducted extensive research to develop a score for each company. A distinguished panel of judges then reviewed the top-rated companies to determine the final honorees. To view Fast Company’s complete 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list, click here

About AllyGPO
AllyGPO® is a leading innovator and next-generation specialty group purchasing organization (GPO) equipping independent, community-based practices with advanced, technology-driven solutions and proprietary tools to navigate the complex specialty drug market. By combining comprehensive drug contracting services with intelligent inventory management, predictive analytics, and hands-on operational support, AllyGPO delivers actionable insights and operational workflow solutions that enhance practice sustainability and performance for our members.

Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, AllyGPO partners with community-based specialty practices and pharmaceutical manufacturers across the U.S. Learn more at www.AllyGPO.com.

About Fast Company
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com. 

Media Contact:
Supreme Communications
AllyGPO-BioCareSDpr@SupremeComms.ai 

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SOURCE AllyGPO

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