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xTool Serves as Diamond Partner of FAB26 Boston, Advancing Distributed Production Across the Global Fab Lab Network

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The company debuted the O1 Omni Printer, launched the 1% Maker Challenge with MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms and the Fab Foundation, and outlined how community-level fabrication can move from prototyping to real production.

BOSTON, Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — xTool, a global maker technology company, served as Diamond Partner of FAB26 Boston, the Fab Lab Global Conference, held July 27–31 across the MIT campus and Fab Hub Kendall. The company used the conference to make the case that digital fabrication has passed a threshold: local workshops, classrooms, and community spaces can now produce finished goods, not only prototypes.

That argument sits at the center of both organizations’ work. The Fab Lab network, convened by the Fab Foundation and originating at MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, has spent 25 years building distributed fabrication capacity in communities worldwide. xTool’s presentation in the conference’s Tools & Tech program, titled “From Prototyping to Distributed Production,” addressed what it takes for that capacity to support actual production.

Driving the Shift From Prototyping to Distributed Production

xTool brought its iconic xTool Truck to FAB26 Boston as part of the company’s ongoing 2026 MakerFest Tour. Beyond the tour stop, xTool elevated its presence at this year’s event as a FAB Diamond Partner, demonstrating that the company is far more than a hardware supplier or merely a sponsor of the event —it is a deeply committed partner in driving maker culture forward. Highlighting this mission in his FAB26 keynote, Stein Shi, U.S. General Manager at xTool, stated that xTool devices are built not only as everyday appliances, but as robust instruments that put real manufacturing power in makers’ hands.

“At xTool, our belief is simple: creation is a fundamental human instinct. Our job is to remove the friction between a spark in your mind and a finished object in your hands. We don’t think of our tools as appliances. We think of them as instruments that put real production capability into more people’s hands, in more places. And to do that well, the tools have to actually be good — not “good enough for a hobbyist,” but good enough to run a business on.”

—Stein Shi, xTool U.S. General Manager

Bringing this belief to life, xTool introduced the groundbreaking xTool O1 Omni Printer to the FAB26 community. As the world’s first all-in-one desktop printer capable of working on virtually any material, the O1 integrates UV, DTG, DTF, and UV DTF printing technologies into a single platform. By uniting multi-ink technology with robust mechanical innovation, the xTool O1 breaks past traditional single-material limits—empowering everyone from hobbyist creators to small business owners to scale their operations and unlock massive business potential from a single setup.

Empowering the Fab Lab System with xTool Squad

xTool is extending its mission beyond personal productivity tools for individual creators to embrace the broader community. This aligns directly with the Fab Foundation’s conviction that technology achieves its true purpose when it serves communities.

By pairing Fab Lab’s global infrastructure with xTool Squad’s hyper-local network, xTool is helping turn “making almost anything” into “making almost anywhere.” Where the Fab Foundation’s 2,710+ Fab Labs across 160 countries answer how to make almost anything, xTool Squad bridges the final mile by bringing making directly into every neighborhood. A growing network of 1,327+ hosts across 106 cities has transformed local studios and garages into neighborhood demo hubs, hosting more than 13,000 creator interactions so far. Serving as the accessible entry point—or the embryo—of a full Fab Lab, these xTool Squad spaces ensure that anyone, anywhere can take their first step into creation just minutes from their doorstep.

Sparking Tangible Impact through the 1% for the Makers Donation Program

Translating this community-first philosophy into action, xTool has joined forces with the Fab Foundation and MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) to launch the “1% Maker Challenge.”

The challenge expands upon xTool’s “1% for the Makers” initiative, which has donated over $860,000 in equipment across 100+ global partners to empower schools, community makerspaces, and artists worldwide. Born alongside the Fab Foundation and MIT’s CBA, the “1% Maker Challenge” inspires creators to harness technology for real-world impact. The initiative recognized three standout projects: the wildlife cloche set earned the MIT CBA Choice Award for inspiring wildlife conservation through endangered species artwork; the Community Choice Award celebrated the most-downloaded project, an intricate woodworking piece designed to warm shared spaces; and the Social Spotlight Award went to DahoraKit, demonstrating how xTool machinery and open-source designs break down technical barriers to make STEM and robotics truly universal.

Igniting the Future of Making through Immersive Workshops

Throughout the five-day conference, xTool engaged the FAB26 community with 10 immersive, hands-on workshops in partnership with MIT. The workshops spanned advanced fields like materials science, precision optics, industrial calibration, and project-based learning (PBL), while also focusing on practical creator applications such as custom streetwear design. Attendees got hands-on experience with the F2 Ultra, P3 CO2 laser, Apparel Printer, MetalFab, WonderPress and the newly introduced xTool O1 Omni Printer.  High levels of engagement underscored xTool’s leadership within the maker ecosystem, leaving attendees inspired and equipped to make futures that matter.

The achievements at FAB26 mark another milestone in xTool’s long-term mission to empower maker communities worldwide. Looking ahead, xTool leadership and technical experts will join the MIT Tech Talk in early October, while the 2026 MakerFest Tour continues rolling forward to connect with new communities and inspire the future of making.

About xTool

xTool is a global premium consumer-tech brand dedicated to empowering digital-to-physical creation. As the world’s largest and fastest-growing laser engraver innovator, xTool provides a comprehensive ecosystem of laser-based personal creative tools, material printers, user-friendly software, accessories, and consumables. Through these innovations, xTool empowers creators to turn imagination into meaningful creations that deliver emotional fulfillment, commercial success, and personal achievement. Discover more at xtool.com.

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SOURCE xTool

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Cosign Launches in San Jose as Silicon Valley Rental Competition Hits a Decade High

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The Platform Offers a Cosigner Alternative Amid Tightening Vacancy

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cosign, a cosigner and third-party lease guarantor platform designed to expand renter access while protecting property owners, has launched in San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, where rental competition has reached levels not seen in more than a decade.

According to CoStar data, average rent in San Jose is up roughly 7% in the last year, meaning income requirements are rising far faster than most renters’ paychecks. Average asking rent currently sits around $3,432 a month, behind only New York and San Francisco. Renters with steady income and years of local employment, teachers, service workers and contractors among them, are getting stuck at the apartment approval stage simply because they don’t have a cosigner to fall back on. The issue isn’t a lack of qualified renters. It’s approval standards that require applicants to clear roughly a $124,000 annual income threshold or provide a cosigner.

At Vasona Management, that squeeze has become a daily leasing challenge. Management adopted Cosign as a cosigner alternative to solve exactly that problem. As a San Jose apartment guarantor, Cosign steps in when renters fall just short of standard qualification criteria and have no cosigner to rely on, allowing Vasona’s properties to approve more residents, reduce vacancy rate and maintain financial protections.

“At Vasona Management, providing a seamless leasing experience while maintaining strong qualification standards is a top priority,” said Samantha Woehl, director of training and management at Vasona Management. “Cosign, as a third-party guarantor, has given us greater flexibility when working with applicants who fall just short of our traditional screening criteria and don’t have a cosigner. It allows us to confidently approve more qualified residents while keeping the leasing process efficient for both our team and our communities.”

Founded by real estate owners and operators, Cosign’s dynamic risk model evaluates payment behavior and recency rather than relying on a credit score alone, an approach that gives the San Jose MSA’s non-tech workforce, the people who keep the region running but don’t carry tech salaries, a real path to apartment approval.

“This market shows what happens when a decade of undersupply finally catches up with a market,” said Zach Schofel, co-founder and CEO of Cosign. “Cosign works with thousands of units in the MSA and over 30,000 units across the state, and we’re excited to expand our presence in the area. Reception from local managers and residents has been amazing. The renters getting left behind aren’t the ones who can’t afford it. They’re the ones without a backup plan on paper. Cosign gives owners in Silicon Valley a way to say yes to them anyway.”

For more information, visit www.rentwithcosign.com and follow on social media @rentwithcosign.

About Cosign
Cosign is a real estate technology company and lease guarantor service that bridges the gap between qualified renters and landlords. Founded by real estate professionals, Cosign’s mission is to expand housing access through data-driven underwriting that considers payment behavior, not just credit scores. Active in more than 500,000 units across 3,000+ communities nationwide, Cosign is helping modern operators approve more qualified renters in both tight and oversupplied markets. For more information, visit www.rentwithcosign.com

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SOURCE Cosign

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bioMérieux Highlights Positive Impacts of Rapid, Accurate Diagnostics for Patients and Accepts Industry Awards at ADLM 2026

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SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, leveraged this year’s 2026 Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) Annual Conference & Clinical Lab Expo for an important conversation about the impact of access to diagnostics while also accepting multiple IMV ServiceTrak™ awards.

PRESS CONFERENCE
The company hosted a press panel, The Power of Diagnostics: How Delays Impact Patients and Providers, to discuss the real-world impacts of delayed or inaccurate diagnostic answers for patients, providers, communities, and the healthcare system. Dr. Charles K. Cooper, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at bioMérieux, moderated the panel with:

Dr. Omai Garner, Clinical Professor and Director of Clinical Microbiology, UCLA;Dr. Michael Astion, PhD, Medical Director, Regional Laboratories and Point of Care, Medical Director, Reference Laboratories and PLUGS (Patient-Centered Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services), Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington;Helaine Bader, MPH Vice President of Education, HealthyWomen; andDr. John Hurst, Senior Director, Field Medical Affairs at bioMérieux.

Dr. Cooper noted that the panel discussed the “tremendous amount of pressure health care systems face and how access to rapid diagnostics at the point of care often alleviates some of this stress by getting health care clinicians and their patients answers while they wait.”

“Delay in getting a diagnosis may result in patients not receiving treatment at all because they may not come back for follow-up,” said Ms. Bader. “Faster time to diagnosis during a single visit not only provides the patient with immediate answers but also builds trust between the patient and provider and reduces patient frustration, potential complications from the infection and the need for repeat visits.”

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
During the show, bioMérieux also accepted seven 2026 IMV ServiceTrak™ Clinical Laboratory Awards. These awards highlight bioMérieux’s continued commitment to delivering industry-leading diagnostic solutions and exceptional customer support to clinical laboratories.

2026 ServiceTrak Awards: ID/AST Systems

Best Customer SatisfactionBest System PerformanceBest Service

2026 ServiceTrak Awards: Blood Culture Systems

Best Customer SatisfactionBest System PerformanceBest Service

2026 Best System Performance

Immunoassay Analyzers

“We are thrilled that IMV and the Science and Medicine Group has recognized bioMérieux for the ninth consecutive year for the continued dedication and excellence of our product management, operations, and customer support teams,” said Randy Pritchard, General Manager and Sr. Vice President of Clinical Operations, bioMérieux. “This recognition, across our immunoassay, ID/AST Systems, and Blood Culture Systems offerings, highlights our commitment to pioneering diagnostics in the fight against sepsis and antimicrobial resistance.”

ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX
Pioneering Diagnostics

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics since 1963, bioMérieux is present in 46 countries and serves more than 160 countries with the support of a large network of distributors. In 2025, revenues reached €4.1 billion, with over 94% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
www.biomerieux.com.

bioMérieux is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market.
Symbol: BIM – ISIN Code: FR0013280286
Reuters: BIOX.PA/Bloomberg: BIM.FP

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SOURCE bioMérieux

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CNO Financial Group to Host Virtual Investor Briefing on Tuesday, September 1, 2026

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CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced it will host a virtual investor briefing focused on its Worksite Division and Medicare business on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time.

The briefing will feature presentations on market opportunities, growth strategies and business fundamentals, along with interactive Q&A sessions with Worksite Division President Karen DeToro, Consumer Division President Scott Goldberg, Chief Actuary Jeremy Williams and other members of senior management.

CNO is committed to engaging with investors and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of our business, strategy and long-term opportunities. This briefing represents the third installment in our investor briefing series, with prior sessions covering the Consumer Division and Investments function, which are available here.

Participate by Webcast
To participate, please register here. The event will also be accessible through the Investors section of our website at ir.CNOinc.com. Participants should register on the website at least 15 minutes before the event begins.

Participate by Replay
A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investors section of our website at ir.CNOinc.com.

About CNO Financial Group
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) secures the future of middle-income America. CNO provides life and health insurance, annuities and financial services through our family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National. Our customers work hard to save for the future, and we help protect their health, income and retirement needs with 3.3 million policies and $39.9 billion in total assets. Our 3,200 associates, 5,100 exclusive agents and more than 6,500 independent partner agents guide individuals, families and businesses through a lifetime of financial decisions. For more information, visit CNOinc.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cno-financial-group-to-host-virtual-investor-briefing-on-tuesday-september-1-2026-302846212.html

SOURCE CNO Financial Group

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