Connect with us

Technology

Los Angeles-Based Creative Studio Boundary Rebrands as Almost Always

Published

on

The founder-led creative studio’s rebrand reflects its belief that human judgment still matters in the AI era.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Boundary, the nine-year-old creative studio based in El Segundo, today announced its rebrand as Almost Always. The new name reflects the studio’s belief that human judgment remains a critical differentiator as the creative industry sprints toward automation.

Boundary, the nine-year-old creative studio based in Los Angeles, today announced its rebrand as Almost Always. The new name reflects the studio’s belief that human judgment remains a critical differentiator as the creative industry sprints toward automation.

The rebrand arrives during a period of rapid transformation across the creative industry as generative AI reshapes how branding, websites, and content are produced. Adobe reported in 2025 that 96% of marketers have seen content demand increase over the last two years, with 71% expecting demand to grow more than fivefold by 2027. Almost Always was named around the studio’s belief that as creative production becomes increasingly automated, judgment and taste will become even more important differentiators.

“Almost Always is a name about how we think,” said George Renfro, co-founder and Creative Director at Almost Always. “The value of a creative partner isn’t just execution – it’s knowing when to question the brief, trust intuition, and make the unexpected call.”

“Creative tools are changing incredibly fast, and a lot of the technical side of the work is becoming more accessible,” said Tyler Leonard, co-founder and CEO at Almost Always. “What still matters is judgment – and we’ve spent the last decade building instincts around what works, what feels right, and what people will actually respond to. Almost Always reflects the belief that taste and intuition still have value in a world where anyone can generate something instantly.”

Founded in 2017 by Tyler Leonard and George Renfro, the creative studio has partnered with brands including Red Bull, MUDWTR, KAST, Whalar, Remedy Place, and Noble 33 across branding, digital experiences, product design, and website development. Almost Always has built a reputation for helping founders and operators navigate high-stakes moments, including rebrands, launches, fundraising milestones, and market shifts.

“What stood out when working with Almost Always was how much senior-level thinking we got from such a small team,” said Shane Heath, MUDWTR, CEO/Co-founder. “They know when something feels generic, when an idea has real potential, or when to push for a stronger direction. And that kind of instinct is hard to find.”

As Almost Always enters its next chapter, the agency will continue helping companies navigate moments that matter, with the belief that creativity is strongest when powered by human judgment.

About Almost Always

Almost Always (formerly Boundary) is a creative agency in Los Angeles, working across brand, product, and development. Founded in 2017 by Tyler Leonard and George Renfro, the agency partners with founders and operators at the moments that matter — rebrands, funding rounds, launches, and market shifts — across fintech, healthcare and wellness, hospitality, and consumer brands. Clients include Red Bull, MUDWTR, Whalar, KAST, Remedy Place, and Noble33. More at almostalways.com.

Media Contact

Shayna Zeigen, Point Blank Public Relations, 1 6196084300, shayna@pointblankpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/los-angeles-based-creative-studio-boundary-rebrands-as-almost-always-302795459.html

SOURCE Almost Always

Continue Reading

Technology

DUVA Introduces DUVA ONE at IFA 2026: Personalized Sleep Earbuds That Respond in Real Time

Published

on

By

The Sleep System That Understands You Best.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DUVA, created by Fitnexa, is introducing DUVA ONE at IFA Berlin 2026. This intelligent in-ear sleep system is designed to sense changes in the user and the bedroom, then personalize audio, noise control, and device behavior throughout the night.

Most sleep wearables explain what happened after users wake up. DUVA ONE is designed to help while the night is still happening. Its low-profile earbuds, environment-sensing charging case, and app work together to determine when and how to respond.

A user might start the night with a podcast over Bluetooth. After they fall asleep, DUVA ONE can introduce locally stored sleep audio and optimize power use. If a partner begins snoring or traffic grows louder, it can adjust ANC or add sound masking. In the morning, a private offline alarm wakes only the wearer, without requiring an active phone connection.

In-ear PPG and motion sensors estimate sleep stages and track heart rate, HRV, sleep position, and movement, while the case monitors noise, light, temperature, and humidity. The AI Agent interprets these signals alongside playback status and personal preferences to select an appropriate response. Users control sleep audio, playback duration, ANC strategy, and nighttime interventions in the DUVA App.

“Sleep does not happen in a static environment, so sleep technology should not remain static either,” said Diego, Founder of Fitnexa. “DUVA ONE is designed to respond while sleep is still happening.”

Key Highlights

Layered noise relief: Passive isolation, Hybrid ANC, and sleep audio provide noise reduction of up to 42 dB, with Transparency Mode and adaptive ANC calibration.Personalized AI sleep guidance: The AI analyzes the user’s real-time sleep state and generates personalized audio guidance to help them gradually fall asleep.Side-sleeping comfort: Each fitted earbud weighs approximately 3.3 grams and has an approximately 9.9 mm low-profile design. Two ear-tip shapes and multiple tip and stabilizing-wing sizes provide more than 40 fit configurations.All-night battery: Up to 16 hours in the most power-efficient configuration, including 13 hours of local audio with ANC off and 9.5 hours with ANC on. The USB-C and wireless charging case provides up to five additional recharges.Private offline alarm: Alarms gradually increase in volume and offer 5, 10, or 15-minute snooze options through the earbud controls.Privacy-first sensing: DUVA ONE does not record conversations, store ambient audio, or upload raw environmental audio. Users can disable individual sensors and delete historical data.

DUVA ONE is planned for release in October 2026 at a target retail price of US$349.99, with target markets including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

Media Contact: essie@duva.com
Learn more: duva.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duva-introduces-duva-one-at-ifa-2026-personalized-sleep-earbuds-that-respond-in-real-time-302870832.html

SOURCE DUVA

Continue Reading

Technology

China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

Published

on

By

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-xplained–the-china-squeeze-or-the-china-opportunity-302870814.html

SOURCE South

Continue Reading

Technology

PUDU D7 Named Honoree in IFA Innovation Awards for Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies

Published

on

By

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, today announced that its PUDU D7 Semi-humanoid Intelligent Robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights PUDU D7’s ability to combine mobile navigation, dexterous manipulation and intelligent sensing to perform a range of tasks in real-world industrial and commercial environments.

The IFA Innovation Awards recognize outstanding innovations across the global technology landscape. Entries are evaluated by an independent international jury based on criteria including technology and functionality, innovation and originality, and the potential to create tangible value for users and the market. The recognition places PUDU D7 among emerging technologies demonstrating new possibilities for the future of robotics.

From Industrial Operations to Guest Interaction

PUDU D7 is designed for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality environments, where it can move through human-oriented spaces and perform tasks that require both mobility and dexterous manipulation.

In industrial and warehouse settings, D7 can handle materials, pick items from shelves, replenish inventory, transport goods between work areas and push carts. With a payload capacity of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and an operating height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), it can work with a range of storage systems and materials.

In retail, D7 can support shelf replenishment, item handling and store organization, moving products between storage areas and shelves and helping maintain product displays.

In hotels and hospitality, PUDU D7 can take on the role of an intelligent front-desk host, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee, interacting with visitors and providing engaging experiences. Its semi-humanoid form and dual-arm capabilities allow it to combine practical service tasks with natural human-robot interaction, bringing a more personable and engaging presence to the guest experience.

Designed for Adaptable Performance

PUDU D7 combines a dual-arm manipulation system, tactile sensing and a 360-degree perception system to support these applications. Front- and rear-facing LiDAR and other sensors enable navigation around people and obstacles, while tactile sensing provides precise control when handling objects.

The robot also features autonomous battery swapping, allowing it to independently replace its battery and reduce downtime during extended operation.

Together, these capabilities enable D7 to support different tasks across a range of environments without being limited to a single application.

PUDU D7 Makes Its European Debut at IFA

IFA 2026 marks the first time PUDU D7 is being showcased in Europe. At the Pudu Robotics booth, visitors can experience live demonstrations highlighting the robot’s capabilities and its potential for human-robot interaction.

D7 interacts directly with visitors through demonstrations including waving, making heart gestures and picking up objects. These demonstrations showcase the robot’s ability to combine movement, manipulation and interaction in a human-oriented environment.

Advancing the Next Generation of Intelligent Robotics

The IFA Innovation Awards recognition marks another step in Pudu Robotics’ expansion from service delivery, commercial cleaning and industrial delivery into embodied intelligent robotics.

PUDU D7 is part of Pudu Robotics’ broader strategy to develop a portfolio of specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, building on its capabilities in embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction. This approach enables the company to address a broader range of applications across commercial and industrial environments.

Pudu Robotics will continue working with customers and partners worldwide to explore new applications for embodied intelligence and bring increasingly capable robots into real-world environments.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in commercial service robotics and the industry’s first company to offer a full portfolio spanning specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest market report, Pudu Robotics ranks No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume. Built on its One Brain, Multiple Embodiments architecture, Pudu offers robots for service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI applications across hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, public services, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 robots to customers across 85+ countries and regions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pudu-d7-named-honoree-in-ifa-innovation-awards-for-best-in-ifa-next–emerging-technologies-302870806.html

SOURCE Pudu Robotics

Continue Reading

Trending