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City of Oakland Kicks Off Second Annual Oakland Tech Week

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The Mayor’s Office joins Kapor Foundation, HiiiWAV, and Northeastern University Oakland to kick off a week of 80+ events spanning education, innovation, arts, and community across Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The City of Oakland today kicked off Oakland Tech Week 2026 at “Responsible Innovation: A Vision for Oakland’s Future,” the opening event of a citywide week of 80+ events hosted by a coalition of 30+ Oakland organizations. The opening featured a keynote address from Lisa D. Cook, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Held at the Kapor Center, the gathering brought together the Mayor’s Office and Kapor Foundation, alongside philanthropy leaders, investors, founders, and community partners to connect national trends with Oakland’s local context setting the tone for a week built on a single premise: that Oakland can chart a path forward for responsible and equitable innovation that is built with intention to benefit Oaklanders.

Produced by HiiiWAV, the Oakland artist-led nonprofit, Oakland Tech Week runs September 27 through October 3 under the theme “Culture, Code, and Community.” Alongside partners including the City of Oakland and Northeastern University Oakland, Oakland Tech Week will be spotlighting leaders and initiatives developing talent, mobilizing advocacy groups, supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs, and driving economic development and well-being for Oakland families. In its first year, Oakland Tech Week drew more than 4,200 participants to 40+ events with 70+ speakers, and was recognized by a Mayor’s Proclamation. This year roughly doubles the programming, with attendance expected to surpass the inaugural event.

This week comes at a moment of rapid change in how technology is built and who benefits from it. Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, the workforce, the economy, and civil and human rights, and the choices made today about how it is designed and deployed will determine who benefits tomorrow. This gives Oakland a timely opportunity to lead the nation in responsible, equity-centered AI, building on Oakland’s legacy of resistance, fights for equity and justice, and deep community and cultural ties advanced here for years.

“Oakland has always been a place where community and creativity drive progress,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “Opening Oakland Tech Week reflects our belief that a thriving innovation economy and strong, healthy communities are built together and result in good paying, local jobs. We’re proud to open this week alongside partners who are making sure the benefits of technology reach the people who call Oakland home.”

“AI is dominating headlines and promising either life-changing breakthroughs or massive disruption and destruction,” said Allison Scott, CEO of the Kapor Foundation. “We believe that we will only see the benefits of this technological advancement when responsible AI innovation is driven by community voice and participation – not dictated to them. Oakland has a real opportunity to demonstrate what responsible and equity-centered AI looks like, and we look forward to advancing this work together.”

“Oakland Tech Week is different from other tech weeks because we put creatives and impact organizations at the center,” said Bosko Kante, Founder and Executive Director of HiiiWAV. “It is a way to lift up responsible uses of AI and give this community real access, education, and investment around technology. Oakland’s culture, its civic life, and its technology are the same story, and for one week we tell it in one place.”

“Preparing the next generation to build technology responsibly starts in the classroom,” said Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships at Northeastern University’s Oakland campus. “We’re proud to host Oakland Tech Week’s convening on ethical computer science and AI education, because the students learning these tools today are the ones who will decide how AI serves communities tomorrow.”

Monday’s opening leads into more than 80 events across the week, largely produced by community partners throughout the city. Highlights include an education-focused convening on ethical computer science and AI education across the state of California with place-based examples at Northeastern University Oakland (Tuesday, September 29); the Beyond Big Tech panel on movement-building and grassroots organizing led by Media Justice featuring leading AI experts such as Dr. Timnit Gebru and Alex Park at the Kapor Center (Wednesday, September 30); Oakland Ballers Founder’s Day at Raimondi Field bringing 100+ investors and founders including Oakland Ballers’ Paul Freedman (Friday, October 2), and a discussion on shifting power of the AI ecosystem featuring renowned scholar and author Dr. Safiya Noble (Friday, October 2). Additional notable events include Omidyar Network’s Oak x Tech featuring discussions on young people and AI, the future of work, and tech policy featuring Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (Thursday, October 1) and San Francisco Foundation’s For Us, By Us: Funding Community-driven Tech initiatives (Saturday, October 3). 

The citywide closing celebration will bring a family-friendly finale featuring HiiiWAV Fest at the Henry J. Kaiser Center with multi-disciplinary hackathons, a community tech fair, and a headlining performance by Bay Area artist-entrepreneur E-40 with The Soul Slappers, the NPR Tiny Desk band (Saturday, October 3). A full schedule is available at oaklandtechweek.com.

About Oakland Tech Week
Oakland Tech Week is a seven-day citywide festival of music, art, and technology, produced by HiiiWAV and dedicated to advancing responsible, equity-centered AI and public-interest technology in Oakland. It connects founders, investors, technologists, artists, and residents to show Oakland as a place to build, invest, and create, on the premise that technology gets built with communities, not on top of them. As AI reshapes the economy, the week positions Oakland and the broader region as a hub for innovation that centers the well-being and dignity of its communities. Oakland Tech Week 2026 is supported by sponsors including Google for Startups, the Center for AI Safety, the San Francisco Foundation, Gerbode Foundation, Alameda County, Kaiser Permanente, Omidyar Network, the University of California Office of the President, and the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. A full list of partners and sponsors is available at oaklandtechweek.com.

About Kapor Foundation
The Kapor Foundation works at the intersection of racial equity and technology to build a more equitable technology sector that benefits all of society. The Kapor Foundation’s core focus areas include: expanding access to computer science/AI education pathways, deploying capital to launch and scale responsible, ethical, and gap-closing AI/tech solutions, and advancing policies that mitigate technology’s harm and enable equitable opportunity. For more information on the Kapor Foundation and the Kapor Center family of organizations, SMASH and Kapor Capital, visit KaporFoundation.org.

About HiiiWAV
HiiiWAV is an artist-led 501(c)(3) music organization in Oakland, founded by artists, for artists. Its mission is to help creatives build profitable, culturally rich, and socially impactful companies that create generational wealth and timeless music in their communities. Since 2020, HiiiWAV has supported 220+ artists and helped them raise $4.15M in capital. hiiiwav.org

About Northeastern University Oakland
Northeastern University Oakland is the Bay Area campus of a global research university, bridging learners, industry, and community through education, workforce programming, and applied AI research. Through experiential learning, partnerships with local organizations, and a 14-campus global network, Northeastern Oakland creates pathways for students, entrepreneurs, and community members to address pressing challenges and build thriving ventures. It is a proud co-steward of Oakland Tech Week.

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Church of Scientology International’s Scientology Network Marks World Mental Health Day with CCHR Documentary Marathon

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On World Mental Health Day, October 10, Scientology Network presents a marathon event spotlighting the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The program features CCHR’s mission to expose psychiatric industry corruption and combat human rights abuses.

The World Mental Health Day Marathon on Scientology Network features three CCHR documentaries and Voices for Humanity.

This focus comes at a critical moment, as concerns over the potential links between psychiatric drugs, suicide, aggression and violence have thrust the issue of psychiatric drugging into the public eye.

Founded in 1969, CCHR is a nonprofit mental health watchdog responsible for helping to enact nearly 400 laws protecting individuals from abusive or coercive practices.

The World Mental Health Day Marathon will feature:

CCHR documentaries—an ongoing investigative series confronting powerful psychiatric groups to reveal corruption and the alarming history of abuses. The films included are:Psychiatry: An Industry of Death —An investigation of psychiatry’s dark past.Making a Killing —Examining the “unholy alliance” between the psychiatric industry, Big Pharma and government regulators.Prescription for Violence: Psychiatry’s Deadly Side Effects — Examining the potential link between rising psychiatric drug prescriptions and acts of violence and suicide.Voices for Humanity—the only ongoing television series dedicated to showcasing everyday people leading grassroots efforts to promote human rights, educate youth on the dangers of drugs and combat psychiatric abuse.Documentary Showcase: Letters from Generation Rx—An Award-winning documentary that exposes the dangerous and devastating effects of antidepressants, antipsychotics and other drugs marketed by pharmaceutical companies as “safe and effective.”

The World Mental Health Day Marathon starts October 10 at 8 a.m. ET.

Learn the truth about the psychiatric industry. Visit cchr.org for more information, and see the full marathon schedule at scientology.tv/schedule.

Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network’s innovative content has been recognized with more than 175 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

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Emdoor Information Marks 18 Years of Rugged Computing Excellence with Vertically Integrated Capabilities

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SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and field operations increasingly depend on mission-critical mobile computing, global demand for reliable rugged tablets, rugged laptops, and rugged handhelds continues to accelerate. Emdoor Information, a publicly listed company on China’s A-share main board since 2023 and an 18-year veteran in rugged computing, has established itself as a rugged computing solutions provider for industrial customers worldwide. Founded in 2008, the company delivers sustained growth, world-class manufacturing, resilient supply chains, full-stack R&D, and comprehensive lifecycle services. Its rugged computing products and industrial customers now span North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, serving sectors such as public utilities, intelligent manufacturing, warehouse management, transportation, energy industry.

Financial Strength & Governance: Listed and Well Governed

Emdoor Information’s financial performance reflects the durability of its business model. Listed on China’s A-share main board in 2023, the company reported 2025 revenue of RMB 4.583 billion (approximately USD 640 million), up 44.15% year over year. This growth is driven by disciplined governance and sustained innovation: R&D staff account for over 40% of the workforce, and cumulative R&D investment over the past five years reached RMB 964 million, a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%. As a publicly listed company with transparent reporting, Emdoor Information offers industrial customers and channel partners the governance stability needed for long-term cooperation.

Integrated Manufacturing & Quality: Own Lines, 7.8M Units

Emdoor Information owns its self-built Emdoor Building, which includes corporate offices and a 20,000-square-meter intelligent manufacturing base. The base has four production floors, 15 integrated assembly and testing lines, and an annual capacity of 7.8 million units. Co-locating manufacturing and R&D within the headquarters enables rapid design validation and faster time-to-market. The facility holds ISO five-system certification and uses advanced automation, including AI-powered visual inspection and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for full-process traceability.

The Emdoor Building also houses a reliability testing base backed by tens of millions of RMB in investment, with dedicated labs for waterproofing, drop testing, environmental simulation, and mechanical durability. All rugged tablets, laptops, and handheld terminals undergo rigorous validation against IP ratings and MIL-STD-810 standards, ensuring reliable operation under extreme field conditions.

Supply Chain Resilience: Steady Supply, Controlled Costs

Emdoor Information’s supply chain is anchored by long term partnerships with global semiconductor and technology leaders, including Intel, Qualcomm, and Rockchip. These relationships, recognized by honors such as Intel Premium Partner and Microsoft ODM Strategic Champion, provide early access to platform level technical resources and prioritized supply allocation.

The company centralizes component procurement through its group supply chain management center. With annual procurement in the hundreds of millions of RMB, this approach optimizes hardware Bill of Materials (BOM) costs while maintaining tier one supplier quality. To mitigate volatility, especially in memory and storage, Emdoor maintains strategic bulk inventory and dynamic safety stock across critical materials. This discipline is supported by a rolling finished goods inventory valued at RMB 120 million, enabling delivery of standard configurations in one to three days and customized units in seven to thirty days. As a result, the company ensures stable pricing, controlled cost fluctuations, and protection of customer project margins.

Full Stack R&D & Product Innovation: 100 Models, 5 Platforms, 3 OS

Emdoor Information offers a broad product portfolio: rugged tablets and laptops, rugged handhelds, vehicle mounted computers, and industrial panel PCs from 4 to 21.5 inches. It supports five platforms, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Rockchip, across Windows, Android, and Linux. With nearly 100 models in active production, the company matches precise configurations to industrial scenarios such as quality inspection, intelligent patrol, and edge computing.

These platforms are often specified among the best rugged tablet, laptop, vehicle mount tablet, and industrial panel PC solutions for mission critical operations. A key strength is full stack internal development, covering industrial design, structural engineering, hardware architecture, software integration, and validation testing. All products carry international certifications including CCC, CE, FCC, RoHS, GMS, and UN38.3, plus specialized certifications for hazardous environments and automotive deployments.

On software, devices ship with pre-installed productivity tools such as physical key remapping, kiosk mode, and granular system controls. The integrated Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform enables fleet wide deployment, batch configuration, and remote control. Open SDK and API access for modules like barcode scanning facilitates rapid secondary development and enterprise integration, eliminating the need to build adapter frameworks from scratch. Beyond standard configurations, Emdoor provides rugged devices customization across hardware, software, and structural redesign for specialized operational needs.

Lifecycle Service Excellence: Worldwide Reach, Lasting Alliances

Recognizing that enterprise and industrial computing deployments often operate on lifecycles of five to ten years, Emdoor Information has built a service architecture for long term reliability. It provides repair services in Hong Kong. Technical support is available through a dedicated hotline, official social media, email, and an online support system with full lifecycle traceability from issue submission to resolution.

The company offers structured maintenance training to help customer engineering teams manage devices autonomously. It also operates a continuous feedback mechanism with after sales follow up and annual satisfaction surveys. Insights from frontline customers are integrated into product development, keeping device capabilities and service delivery aligned with field needs. For channel and distribution partners, Emdoor provides market development support including marketing collateral, agent training, industry salons, and trade show facilitation. Sales enablement includes project registration, territorial protection, and flexible inventory allocation, creating a full spectrum collaboration framework from pre sales consultation to long term after sales engagement.

Conclusion

Backed by financial strength & governance, integrated manufacturing & quality, supply chain resilience, full-stack R&D & product innovation and lifecycle service excellence, Emdoor Information has built a global partner network across multiple continents and earned recognition from customers in industrial automation, logistics, transportation, and field service. “Our growth reflects not only market demand but also the strength of our vertically integrated model, from manufacturing and supply chain to R&D and lifecycle services,” said a company spokesperson. Looking ahead, Emdoor Information remains committed to deepening its rugged computing expertise, optimizing product performance and service delivery, and expanding worldwide. Its vision is to become a leading global provider of rugged computing solutions, delivering reliable, mission critical devices for the most demanding environments.

About Emdoor Information

Emdoor Information (SZ: 001314) specializes in providing high-quality rugged mobile computing devices and customized solutions for industry clients worldwide. Its portfolio includes rugged handhelds, rugged tablets, rugged notebooks, vehicle PCs, and industrial panel PCs. For more information, visit www.emdoorrugged.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.

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Arrvel Expands Thermal Label Printer Portfolio for Businesses and Everyday Use

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SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Arrvel is expanding its label printing portfolio with thermal printing solutions designed to support e-commerce sellers, small businesses, and everyday labeling needs. Combining compact designs with practical functionality, Arrvel’s label printers provide convenient solutions for shipping, inventory management, product identification, and household organization.

As online retail and home-based businesses continue to develop, efficient labeling has become an important part of daily operations. Arrvel’s expanded portfolio addresses these needs with dedicated printing solutions that help users manage labeling tasks across business and personal environments without relying on traditional ink-based printers.

Arrvel A42BT: Wireless Thermal Printing for Modern Workflows

A key product in Arrvel’s portfolio is the A42BT, a 4×6 Bluetooth thermal shipping label printer designed for online sellers, small businesses, and home offices. Supporting both Bluetooth and USB connectivity, the printer enables users to print from compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers. The FlashLabel Pro app also supports mobile printing, offering greater flexibility for users managing orders and other labeling tasks.

The A42BT delivers print speeds of up to 150 mm/s at 203 DPI resolution. It supports both roll and fanfold labels and accommodates label widths from approximately 1.57 to 4.3 inches, with support for the widely used 4×6-inch shipping label format. These capabilities make the printer suitable for shipping labels, inventory identification, barcodes, and other labeling applications.

Designed for multi-channel sellers, the A42BT is compatible with major e-commerce and shipping platforms, including Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy, and USPS. This compatibility helps users incorporate label printing into their existing order fulfillment workflows.

To learn more about our thermal label printers or make a purchase, explore our thermal label printers on Amazon.

Streamlining Shipping and E-Commerce Operations

Shipping label printing is a fundamental part of order fulfillment for online sellers. As businesses process orders across multiple sales channels, having a dedicated printing solution can help simplify daily workflows, particularly for those operating from home or managing limited workspace.

Arrvel’s shipping label printer solutions are designed to integrate into packing stations, home offices, retail counters, and small business environments. By providing a dedicated device for shipping labels, these printers help users organize packaging tasks and prepare orders for dispatch more efficiently.

Their applications extend beyond shipping. Businesses can also use label printers to identify products, track inventory, print barcodes, display pricing information, and organize supplies. These capabilities make label printing a practical part of routine business operations.

Direct Thermal Printing Without Ink Cartridges

Arrvel’s thermal printers use direct thermal technology, which produces printed content through heat rather than conventional ink or toner. This method is particularly suitable for labels containing shipping addresses, text, barcodes, and other frequently used information.

Because direct thermal printing does not require ink cartridges or ribbons, it can simplify printer maintenance and reduce the need to replenish traditional printing supplies. For users who regularly produce labels, this offers a straightforward approach to everyday printing.

Arrvel’s thermal printing solutions support a variety of applications, from e-commerce fulfillment and logistics to retail operations, office organization, and household labeling. By focusing on dedicated label printing, the company aims to provide practical options for users with different printing requirements.

Beyond Shipping: Supporting Everyday Labeling Needs

Although shipping is a major application for label printers, their functionality extends to many other business and personal tasks. Arrvel’s solutions can help users organize information, identify products, and maintain more structured work and living spaces.

Small businesses can use labels for inventory tracking, product identification, packaging, and storage management. At home, users can label boxes, folders, shelves, and containers to make everyday organization easier. Independent sellers and creators can also incorporate printed labels into product packaging and order preparation.

This versatility allows a single label printer to serve multiple purposes, making it a useful tool for businesses and individuals who need a convenient way to create clear, consistent labels for different applications.

Compact Solutions for Modern Workspaces

The growth of remote work, independent businesses, and home-based e-commerce has increased demand for equipment that fits into smaller, more flexible work environments. For many users, printing devices need to occupy minimal space while remaining accessible for routine tasks.

Arrvel develops compact, practical printing solutions that can be integrated into desks, packing stations, retail counters, and home offices. The A42BT reflects this approach, measuring approximately 7.2 × 3.15 × 2.56 inches and weighing about 0.86 lb. Its compact footprint makes it suitable for space-conscious workspaces, including home-based businesses and small-scale shipping operations.

Through its label printing portfolio, Arrvel continues to address everyday labeling requirements with solutions designed around practical functionality, flexible connectivity, and convenient use.

About Arrvel

Arrvel is a brand of Emdoor Information and a global provider of industrial technology solutions, specializing in rugged tablets and label printers for small businesses. Backed by a publicly listed parent company with over ten years of experience, Arrvel integrates advanced R&D, in-house manufacturing, and global logistics to deliver efficient, reliable products to customers worldwide.

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