AirTag 2 Expected to Debut in September with Significant Upgrades

Apple’s highly anticipated fall event is scheduled for September 9, when the new iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are expected to be unveiled. On top of these, all signs point to the AirTag 2 making its debut at the same event—a long-awaited successor to the current model. 

Industry insider Mark Gurman recently shared that the new AirTag has been nearly ready for launch for several months, and sources now indicate Apple is targeting the fall event for its debut, likely alongside the iPhone 17. Given that the AirTag is widely seen as an iPhone accessory, unveiling it alongside makes strategic sense. 

While it’s expected to bear a strong resemblance to the current AirTag, the next iteration is likely to include several meaningful upgrades:
    •    Introduction of a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, similar to the one used in the iPhone 15, promising significantly greater range and precision in locating items.   
    •    Enhanced Precision Finding capabilities thanks to improved hardware, ensuring more accurate tracking from a farther distance.   
    •    A redesigned speaker assembly that is more tamper-resistant, aimed at boosting user privacy and discouraging misuse—an effort to address stalking concerns. 

Beyond these core features, no major design changes are expected, so the new model will likely retain the familiar compact, circular form factor. 

Facing Shutdown, Cannabis Company Achieves Rapid Compliance with TEKLYNX

TEKLYNX International, the developer of barcode labeling solutions that are backed by outstanding customer support, announced the successful implementation of its CODESOFT label design software and API integration at Green Aloha, a Hawaii-based medical cannabis company. The collaboration helped Green Aloha achieve 100% labeling accuracy and full compliance with state regulations in time to avoid a costly shutdown.

Green Aloha, which grows all its medical cannabis on the island of Kauai, faced a critical compliance challenge when the Hawaii State Department of Health introduced revised labeling regulations. Now, their products require more information—that was previously included on package inserts—to be incorporated directly on their small package labels. To bring their labels into compliance quickly, Green Aloha turned to TEKLYNX.

The new label templates had 18 – 24 variable data fields—such as net weight, percentage of each cannabinoid, and dosage—and a QR code linking to lab test results, so everything that needed to be on their package labels could be. By using API integration, TEKLYNX connected Green Aloha's laboratory information management system to CODESOFT, eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors.

TEKLYNX is committed to empowering small businesses and emerging industries like cannabis. By expanding its integration capabilities and offering user-friendly label design software, TEKLYNX continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Rescue Retriever Launches Kickstarter for FireTag Revolutionizing Pet Safety in Home Fires

Rescue Retriever, the company behind the first-ever smoke detector specifically designed to save pets in house fires, launches a Kickstarter campaign for its groundbreaking new product: FireTag. This innovative collar attachment is designed to help firefighters quickly and easily locate pets during the chaos of house fires, significantly improving the chances pets are rescued safely.

Every year, more than 40,000 pets are tragically lost in house fires, primarily because animals instinctively hide during emergencies. While traditional smoke detectors effectively alert residents, pets remain vulnerable, hidden in hard-to-find places, compounded by heavy smoke and confusion.

FireTag addresses this critical gap. When paired wirelessly with the Rescue Retriever Gen 2 smoke detector, the FireTag activates a high-intensity strobe light attached to your pet's collar as soon as smoke is detected, increasing visibility on the exact location of your pet during rescue operations.

FireTag is a lightweight, low-profile design compatible with most standard pet collars. The waterproof, chew-resistant, and durable construction make it sustainable for everyday wear. In the event of a fire the wireless activation is triggered by the Rescue Retriever making a high-intensity strobe visible through dense smoke. It also features an optional GPS slot compatible with Apple AirTag or Android trackers. No apps, WiFi, or regular charging required. It's built specifically for real emergencies.

The Kickstarter campaign launched today, aiming to raise funds necessary to bring FireTag to pet owners across the country and enhance home pet safety nationwide. Backers will receive a Rescue Retriever Fire Safety Kit which includes (1) Rescue Retriever Gen 2 Smoke Detector, (1) FireTag & (1) Reflective Pet Total Sticker. The Early Bird Special (for the first 250 kits committed) in $99 USD. The Kickstarter campaign will run for 30 days. Expected product delivery date is early November.

Xerafy Debuts Print-Ready TEX TRAK Roll RFID Tags for the Laundry Sector

Xerafy has introduced an addition to its product line: the TEX TRAK Roll, a brand-new style of RFID tag designed specifically for laundry applications.

Unlike conventional RFID tags, which arrive in bulk and typically require off-site encoding or manual processing, these tags are ultra-thin, packaged in rolls, and optimized for on-demand printing with standard industrial RFID printers. Established printer manufacturers—including Zebra, SATO, and TSC—are already compatible with this format.

The roll-based system significantly slashes deployment times, supports automated application, and empowers OEMs and service providers with the flexibility to tag items precisely when needed, eliminating delays tied to custom orders.

The TEX TRAK Roll caters to linen manufacturers and textile service enterprises aiming for large-scale deployment. It offers rapid turnaround without commitment delays and allows for direct printing and encoding in the field.

This tag is the first in the laundry RFID category to embed the Impinj M830 chip, built on the advanced GEN2X RAIN RFID platform. This integration delivers longer read ranges, faster and more reliable bulk scanning, and enhanced data integrity—especially useful in dense laundry environments where traditional tags often underperform.

Built-in tag authentication helps guard against counterfeiting and misreads, bolstering system reliability and inventory accuracy at scale.

Socket Mobile Approved as Official My Number Card Reader Provider in Japan

Socket Mobile, a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions, announced that its SocketScan S370 and S550 readers have been officially approved by the Japanese government as certified My Number Card readers. Both products now appear on Japan's official list of eligible devices for accessing government services through the My Number Card program, an expansive and growing initiative designed to digitize citizen identification and enable secure access to public services.

The My Number Card system is Japan's national identification platform, managed by the Digital Agency of Japan. It serves as a foundational piece of the country's digital infrastructure, enabling citizens to securely access services such as tax filings, social security, health insurance, and more—now even extending to integration with Apple Wallet on iPhone. As a successful example of a national digital identity initiative, the My Number Card program demonstrates how governments can deliver citizen services in a safe, secure, and user-friendly way. With over 100 million cards issued and rising adoption across government and commercial services, the program represents a significant opportunity for Socket Mobile and its partners in Japan.

"Our approval as an official My Number Card reader provider marks a major milestone for our presence in Japan," said Dave Holmes, Chief Business Officer at Socket Mobile. "The scale and reach of the My Number Card program are immense, especially with its recent integration into Apple Wallet on iOS. This designation reinforces our position as a trusted provider of secure, user-friendly data capture tools for businesses and developers integrating My Number Card functionality into their solutions. Being listed as an approved provider not only validates the performance and reliability of our mobile readers, but also opens up exciting opportunities for us in one of the world's most forward-looking digital economies."

Socket Mobile is well positioned in the digital ID and mobile credential reader space, providing readers that are ISO 18013-5 compliant and aligned with international standards for mobile driver's licenses and identity credentials. This ensures broad compatibility and long-term support for evolving global digital ID initiatives.

Socket Mobile's approved readers include the S550, a compact and contactless NFC reader, and the S370, which supports both NFC and 1D/2D barcode scanning. Both are ideal for mobile wallet applications. Designed for identity authentication, payment, and digital credential use cases, the readers pair easily with smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth®.

The S550 and S370 are fully compatible with all existing applications that use the latest version of Socket Mobile's CaptureSDK and can be evaluated immediately. For developers not yet using CaptureSDK, integration provides reliable, consistent data capture performance and gives end-users the flexibility to choose the Socket Mobile reader that best fits their needs.

Socket Mobile remains committed to supporting digital identity adoption and providing flexible, high-performance tools to enable next-generation public and private services.

The company’s 18-inch Flexible OLED was also honored as Best of What’s New 2014 by the science magazine ‘Popular Science’, cementing LG Display’s position as a pioneer of future display technologies.

SuperCard X: New Android Malware Enabling NFC Relay Attacks on ATMs and PoS Systems

A novel Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform called SuperCard X has emerged, enabling cybercriminals to carry out contactless fraud at ATMs and Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals through NFC relay attacks.

The ongoing campaign primarily targets customers of banks and card issuers in Italy, according to the fraud prevention firm Cleafy. The service is reportedly promoted via Telegram channels, using social engineering tactics that combine deceptive SMS or WhatsApp messages (smishing), phone calls, and malicious apps.

SuperCard X uses mutual TLS (mTLS) for C2 infrastructure, and different “Reader” versions feature subtle login screen variations—suggesting affiliate-based custom builds tailored for diverse campaigns.

Google is reportedly developing a new Android feature to block app installations from unknown sources and restrict permission grants to accessibility services during phone calls—specifically to tackle threats like SuperCard X.

Users should remain vigilant: check app descriptions and permissions, avoid suspicious downloads, and keep Google Play Protect enabled to safeguard against emerging threats.

GPS Bug Throws Older Wahoo Computers Into Chaos

A glitch reminiscent of the Y2K issue has disrupted GPS functionality for owners of early-generation Wahoo devices—specifically the V1 Bolt and Roam models—leaving many users puzzled and frustrated. 

These first-generation units rely on a very basic 10-bit system to track GPS time. This limitation has now caused widespread tracking failures, manifesting in inaccurate or completely missing positioning data.

On August 19, Wahoo issued an apology to affected users and confirmed that the root cause—a flaw tied to the limited GPS time system—has been identified. Their engineers are actively testing a firmware update to resolve the issue. Given the age of these older models, that process is proceeding cautiously; Wahoo expects to release the fix soon and urges users to monitor their support page for updates.

Discussion threads in cycling communities, like TrainerRoad, reveal that the problem is indeed limited to older devices—newer models appear unaffected. Many users describe the bug as “a pain in the butt to fix,” while others note it cropped up unexpectedly over the weekend.

Telit Cinterion Enhances deviceWISE AI Visual Inspection with NVIDIA TAO 6.0 Integration to Improve Industrial IoT Automation

Telit Cinterion, an end-to-end IoT solutions enabler, announces the latest enhancement to its deviceWISE AI Visual Inspection platform through integration with NVIDIA TAO 6.0. This integration brings low-code AI capabilities to industrial visual inspection, allowing manufacturers to leverage prompt-based segmentation, in-context annotations, and powerful foundation models for tasks such as object pose estimation. Now, quality control teams, engineers and production managers can develop and deploy custom AI models more rapidly, identifying defects and optimizing processes with greater precision across factories. For more information about deviceWISE AI Visual Inspection with NVIDIA TAO, visit https://www.telit.com/devicewise-ai-consultation/.

Launched in August 2023, deviceWISE AI Visual Inspection delivers a turnkey solution that enables manufacturers in automotive, pharmaceutical, healthcare, energy and other industries to and analyze visual data from their production environments. By uncovering early signs of quality control issues — whether at employee workstations, industrial robots, CNC machines, or other equipment — the platform helps teams take immediate corrective action. This proactive approach reduces rework and unplanned downtime, while boosting product quality, operational efficiency, and on-time delivery across manufacturing lines.

The integration with NVIDIA TAO 6.0 builds on this foundation by incorporating advanced annotation tools, such as prompt segmentation and in-context segmentations, which enable auto-labeling of object detection and segmentation masks using simple text prompts — like "missing bolt on assembly line" or "coating variation on component" — without the need for extensive training or fine-tuning. This reduces annotation costs and effort while improving accuracy for specific industrial objects. Because TAO ships containerized micro‑services with pre‑trained foundation models, it integrates into the existing deviceWISE Visual Inspection pipeline with minimal changes.

Additionally, the integration utilizes foundation models, including FoundationPose for estimating object poses, alongside other models like NV-DINOv2, NV-CLIP, and GroundingDINO. These pretrained models, fine-tuned with minimal custom data via transfer learning, support multi-modal and deliver high-performance inferencing. Deployable on a range of platforms from GPUs to edge devices, NVIDIA TAO 6.0 ensures seamless on-premises operation, maintaining robust security for proprietary data without cloud dependencies.

Telit Cinterion is a global end-to-end IoT enabler providing complete solutions that reduce time to market and costs, delivering custom designed, ready for market connected devices in addition to maintaining the industry's broadest portfolio of enterprise-grade wireless communication and positioning modules, cellular MVNO connectivity plans and management services, edge-cloud software and data orchestration, and IoT and industrial IoT platforms. As the largest western provider pioneering IoT innovation, Telit Cinterion delivers award-winning and highly secure IoT solutions, modules and services for the industry's top brands.

poLight ASA Announces iData Technology Barcode Scanners Leverage TLens Tunable Optics

poLight ASA announced that five new Wuxi iData Technology Co., Ltd. barcode scanning devices will leverage its TLens autofocus tunable optics in their Android-based T1Pro, K3Pro, T3Pro, T5 and K8Pro Series of devices. 

Optimized for industrial, retail and logistics warehouse data collection applications, these barcode scanners utilize TLens ultrafast, ultralow power with constant field-of-view focusing capabilities to greatly improve scanning efficiency. 

poLight ASA received a purchase order worth approximately NOK 200,000 for initial mass production demand and fulfilled the order in June 2025.

RFID Market Set to Reach US$23 Billion by 2036

The global RFID market is set to continue its expansion in 2025. IDTechEx forecasts the RFID market to reach US$15.6 billion, up from US$15 billion in 2024. Looking further ahead, the market is expected to grow to US$23 billion by 2036. This comprises RFID labels, cards, fobs, and any other form factors, as well as tags, readers, and software/services for both passive and active RFID. Market intelligence firm IDTechEx has been researching the RFID industry for two decades. "RFID 2026-2036: Forecasts, Players and Opportunities", their most recent RFID market research study, offers a thorough review of RFID technologies, applications, players, and markets.

Dr Yu-Han Chang is a Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and co-authored the report alongside IDTechEx CEO Raghu Das. Dr Chang advised that in the UHF sector, the adoption of RFID continues to grow strongly within the retail business, which is the largest application sector in terms of tag numbers. According to IDTechEx, retail apparel alone will require over 31 billion RFID tags in 2025 - though there is still some way to go, with RFID accounting for only about 40% of the total addressable market for apparel. Furthermore, IDTechEx anticipates that the general retail market will continue to grow, driven by mandates such as Walmart's on tagging retail items other than apparel. This is expected to continue to generate significant volume growth for the sector.

Contactless card sales remain the most successful in the HF sector, driven primarily by contactless payment, transit, and secure access applications, with 3.14 billion cards anticipated to be demanded in 2025. However, IDTechEx expects a decrease in demand for this as Mobile wallets continue to replace contactless cards.

Animal tagging (such as pigs, sheep, and pets) remains important in the LF sector because it is still a legal requirement in many more areas, with around 930 million tags expected to be used in this sector in 2025.

Overall, IDTechEx forecasts that around 55 billion passive RFID tags will be sold in 2025, up from 50 billion in 2024, indicating a 10% year-on-year increase. The bulk of this growth is due to passive UHF RFID labels.

However, in 2025, UHF (RAIN RFID) tag sales by value will be just 60% of HF tag sales (including NFC), due to the higher price point of HF tags used for security (such as payments, access, etc) against the cheaper, largely disposable UHF (RAIN) tags used for tagging items. The gap between the overall tag sales, however, is shrinking due to increased activity in the UHF market and a decline in the HF market.

The latest edition of the report, "RFID 2026-2036: Forecasts, Players and Opportunities", is the result of over two decades of immersion in the RFID industry. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the industry, covering passive RFID (UHF, HF, and LF), battery assisted passive, active RFID, and chipless RFID technologies. The report provides an independent assessment based on primary data from interviews with key stakeholders across the value chain, many of whom share confidential data under non-disclosure agreements for aggregated analysis, alongside extensive secondary research. Drawing on IDTechEx's long-standing expertise, the report delivers in-depth forecasts and insights unmatched by other sources.

Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market Worth US$751.2 Million by 2030 with 15.2% CAGR

The global Surgical Instrument Tracking Systems Market, valued at US$314.2 Million in 2024 stood at US$371.4 Million in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 15.2% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$751.2 Million by the end of the period. The surgical instrument tracking systems market is primarily driven by the increasing need for patient safety, regulatory compliance, and inventory management in healthcare facilities. Growing surgical volumes, rising cases of retained surgical instruments, and the push for automation to streamline workflow and reduce manual errors are key contributors to market growth. Additionally, technological advancements in RFID and barcode systems further enhance tracking accuracy and efficiency. However, high implementation costs and integration complexities within existing hospital systems pose significant challenges to widespread adoption. Emerging opportunities lie in the integration of tracking systems with AI and data analytics platforms, enabling predictive maintenance, real-time insights, and proactive asset utilization strategies across healthcare institutions.

By technology, the surgical instrument tracking systems market is segmented into barcode and Radiofrequency Identification (RFID). In 2024, the barcode segment accounted for the largest market share. This is due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, and proven reliability across healthcare settings. Hospitals and surgical centers favor barcode technology because it requires minimal infrastructure changes and offers accurate instrument identification with low operational complexity. Barcode systems enable quick scanning for sterilization tracking, inventory management, and surgical tray assembly, significantly reducing manual errors. Additionally, the widespread availability of barcode-compatible devices and software integrations makes it an accessible and scalable solution, especially for facilities aiming to comply with regulatory standards without incurring high capital expenditure.

By component, the surgical instrument tracking systems market is segmented into software, hardware, and services. In 2024, the software segment accounted for the largest market share, owing to its critical role in enabling real-time data management, compliance tracking, and workflow optimization. Advanced software solutions facilitate end-to-end visibility of instrument usage, maintenance, and sterilization history, helping healthcare facilities comply with regulatory mandates and reduce surgical delays. Additionally, software platforms are often sold with recurring licensing or subscription models, contributing to consistent revenue. As hospitals prioritize digital transformation, the need for integrated, scalable, and user-friendly software systems continues to grow, making this segment the cornerstone of modern instrument tracking infrastructure.

By geography, the surgical instrument tracking systems market is segmented into five major regional segments, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America commanded the largest share in 2024 of the global surgical instrument tracking systems market. The region holds the largest share in the surgical instrument tracking systems market due to the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, high surgical volumes, and strict regulatory frameworks such as the FDA's Unique Device Identification (UDI) mandate. US healthcare facilities are early adopters of innovative technologies and prioritize patient safety, driving widespread implementation of instrument tracking solutions. Additionally, major market players and technology providers in the region facilitate faster adoption and integration of RFID, barcode, and AI-driven tracking systems. The rising need to reduce surgical errors, streamline sterile processing workflows, and enhance inventory management further fuels market growth. Moreover, strong reimbursement systems and government initiatives supporting digitization in healthcare create a conducive environment for sustained investments, reinforcing the dominant position of North America in the global market.

Zebra Ventures Invests in Xemelgo to Boost Smart Automation

Zebra Technologies, through its investment arm Zebra Ventures, has made a strategic investment in Xemelgo, a company that develops cloud-based RFID software tailored for manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Xemelgo is already a Zebra Premier ISV Partner, and its software is designed to integrate seamlessly with Zebra’s hardware portfolio—including RFID readers, mobile computers, and printers. Together, they offer customers plug-and-play solutions that provide real-time insights and eliminate manual tracking.

Xemelgo’s software has already been deployed at over 100 manufacturing facilities, serving high-profile customers such as Yamaha and SEKISUI Aerospace. The company’s solutions help track assets, tools, inventory, and work-in-progress in real-time.

Zebra’s own research shows that 92% of manufacturers view digital transformation as a top priority. This investment reflects Zebra’s commitment to providing integrated, intelligent automation tools to meet that need.

Moto Tag gets wide rollout of UWB firmware update

On August 11, 2025, 9to5Google reported that the Moto Tag is finally receiving a large-scale update that brings Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support to Android users.

The companion app has been updated to version 01.00.073.14 via the Google Play Store, prompting users to update the Moto Tag’s firmware.

Firmware is moving from 2.0.69 to 2.0.104, with two notable improvements: a “UWB update” and “Battery monitoring improvement.” The update is small (~0.49 MB), quick to download, and easy to install — but must be applied to each tag device individually.

After installation, the Find Hub app (formerly Find My Device) can display real-time distance to the Moto Tag, provided you’re using a UWB-compatible phone (like the Pixel 6–9 Pro) and have the Google app updated.

In short: This update is a big leap for Moto Tag. UWB support enables far more precise location tracking, and improved battery monitoring adds extra reliability. Together, they make Moto Tag a much stronger option for Android users who value accuracy in their tracking devices.

Soracom Partners With Intelisys to Expand Advanced IoT Cellular Connectivity for Channel Partners

Soracom, a global IoT platform provider with full cellular MVNO capability, announced a strategic partnership with Intelisys, a ScanSource company and a leading provider of technology services and solutions. This collaboration aims to provide channel partners with industry-leading IoT connectivity solutions, enabling them to unlock new revenue streams, reduce complexity, and accelerate time to market for their customers’ IoT deployments.

Soracom's cloud-native platform provides comprehensive cellular IoT connectivity through a single SIM solution that offers multi-carrier LTE/5G and satellite connections and supports eSIM, iSIM, and card-type SIM deployments. With built-in features like IMEI lock for enhanced security, Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) for remote device access, and secure networking options like Virtual Private Networks for secure data transfer, Soracom helps partners simplify IoT deployments and reduce operational overhead.

The partnership with Intelisys continues Soracom’s strategy to be a partner-led organization. The relationship will empower channel partners to leverage Soracom's advanced Connectivity Management Platform (CMP), which grants users unprecedented control of their IoT deployments from a single SIM and APN. Soracom also grants channel partners access to a robust suite of connectivity tools for everything from device management to advanced data routing, to packet capture, to real-time network analytics, and secure traffic management. Soracom enables partners to deliver scalable, cost-effective, and highly secure IoT solutions that address the unique needs of their customers.

Intelisys is known for its commitment to partner success, providing technology advisors with the support, resources and enablement needed to succeed. Soracom offers Intelisys sales partners integrated IoT connectivity solutions and enables partners to address a wide range of use cases, from real-time asset tracking and smart infrastructure to critical communications and industrial automation.

New Skechers Find My Skechers Shoes Let You Hide an AirTag to Track Your Child

AirTag has been around for four years and has long helped track luggage, keys, wallets, and more. Now Skechers has introduced a new way to use it—shoes designed specifically to conceal an AirTag so parents can track their kids’ location.

Skechers’ new “Find My Skechers” collection includes children’s shoes with a discreet compartment built into the insole for an AirTag. The AirTag is entirely hidden and placed so it doesn’t impact comfort—kids won’t feel or notice it.

AirTags have been used for various functions beyond keys or bags—for example, parents tracking bags on children’s school trips. Now Skechers has offered a built-in solution instead of DIY inserts or laces with holders.
 

Mobile Payments Are About to Get Smoother with NFC Release 15

If you’ve ever fumbled at the checkout, waving your phone too close or too far from the payment terminal, relief is on the way. NFC Release 15 is poised to make mobile payments faster, easier, and far more forgiving.

Traditionally, contactless payments via NFC (Near Field Communication) required your phone or card to be extremely close to the terminal—within about half a centimeter. With Release 15, that distance is increasing, giving users more flexibility when tapping to pay. You’ll no longer need to perfectly align your phone or smartwatch with the reader. The result? Smoother, faster checkouts, especially helpful when you’re juggling bags or in a rush.

Beyond convenience, NFC is also becoming more secure. Modern payment systems use tokenization, meaning your actual card number is never transmitted. Instead, a one-time-use token is sent for each transaction, protecting your real data from potential eavesdroppers. This encryption layer helps reduce fraud and boosts trust in mobile wallets.

Biometric authentication—like Face ID or fingerprint recognition—adds another layer of protection. Payments only go through once you’ve verified your identity, making mobile payments not just more efficient, but also more secure than traditional plastic cards.

Support for NFC is also expanding globally. Retailers and transit systems are increasingly adopting contactless payment infrastructure. Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Wallet now support a range of NFC-powered features, including peer-to-peer transfers. Samsung Wallet, for example, is rolling out tap-to-transfer functionality, letting users quickly send money by simply bringing two devices close together.

Fetch partners with SATELLAI to introduce AI-powered Collar for Dogs

Fetch Pet Insurance announced a strategic partnership with pet-tech pioneer SATELLAI to deliver smart collars for dogs —a major leap toward the future of proactive, personalized pet healthSATELLAI's state-of-the-art collar offers insights into a pet's behaviour, energy levels, and rest patterns through real-time GPS tracking and activity monitoring. Just as important, the collar's AI-driven coaching turns those insights into action, offering personalized guidance on training, nutrition, and health. Pet parents can also set up customized virtual fences to define safety zones—no wires, no digging, and uses a non-invasive, positive reinforcement training approach—giving pets more freedom while keeping them protected. 

In an effort to bring next-generation pet health tools to as many families as possible, Fetch's 500,000 pet parents will have access to an exclusive, members-only discount on the SATELLAI Collar.

The partnership marks another key milestone in Fetch's years-long research and development initiative focused on how science and technology can improve pet wellness. Spearheaded by Fetch's Veterinary Advisory Board, the program has helped produce groundbreaking, peer-reviewed studies on a range of critical topics affecting pets and pet parents, particularly the role of data in advancing preventive care and lowering health costs.


 

SMARTLINEN Redefines Luxury Hotel Operations with Intelegente Fine Linens

SMARTLINEN unveils its latest innovation: the Intelegente Fine Linen Collection - a luxurious line of premium linens designed exclusively for four and five-star hotels and resorts. This breakthrough merges refined hospitality aesthetics with state-of-the-art SMARTLINEN RFID tracking, setting a new industry standard for intelligent textile management.

Each piece in the Intelegente Collection is embedded with SMARTLINEN's ultra-durable RFID transponders, enabling real-time tracking, usage monitoring, and data-driven decision-making - all without compromising luxury.

SMARTLINEN is more than a linen supplier - it is a transformative solution that redefines how hoteliers manage, protect, and invest in their most valuable assets: sheets, pillowcases, towels, bathrobes, and pool towels. Through fully automated tracking, operators gain complete visibility into inventory flow, cycle counts, and linen aging - all without disrupting daily operations.

Key Operational Benefits:

    Reduced Linen Loss and Shrinkage: Hotels using SMARTLINEN report a significant drop in misplaced or stolen linens, thanks to automated accountability.
    Elimination of Manual Inventory Counting: Time-consuming and error-prone inventory checks are replaced with instant, app-based reports - freeing staff for higher-value tasks.
    Optimized Purchasing and PAR Level Management: SMARTLINEN helps properties better manage their linen inventory, preventing both overstocking and shortages.
    Extended Linen Lifespan: By tracking wash cycles and usage patterns, hotels can proactively rotate or retire inventory preserving quality and reducing replacement costs.

SMARTLINEN's enhanced mobile app - available on iOS and Android - delivers real-time insights into linen performance, usage trends, and inventory. From the back office to the loading dock, hotel operators can manage their entire linen ecosystem from the palm of their hand.

Already adopted by some of the most prestigious hotel brands across North America and beyond, SMARTLINEN's scalable model includes hardware, software, and support - delivered seamlessly with every purchase of the Intelegente Fine Linen Collection.

NGP VAN Launches Major Upgrades to Mobilize

NGP VAN, the technology provider for Democratic and progressive campaigns, has recently announced a new wave of product updates to its organizing platform, Mobilize. These enhancements are designed to deepen grassroots engagement, streamline event logistics, and expand multilingual access.

Mobilize now offers a fully immersive Spanish-language experience. With this update, supporters using the Spanish-language filter will see an entirely translated search results page, making it easier to:

A redesigned QR check-in flow is now available in beta, enhancing the volunteer experience and improving event logistics. Key updates include:

Early performance data shows that events using the new QR self-check-in process have seen a 1.5x boost in completed volunteer shifts and an 8x increase in captured walk-ins. Notably, 95% of walk-in attendees who used the QR code flow successfully completed check-in, a strong indicator of the feature's effectiveness..

As part of Mobilize’s commitment to meeting supporters where they are, users can now share events directly to BlueSky, the rapidly growing decentralized social network. Events can be posted both before and after signup, helping organizers reach new audiences and drive organic traffic.

Google rolls out redesign of Android’s QR code scanner

Google has now rolled out a refreshed design for Android’s built‑in QR code scanner via an update to Google Play Services (version 25.26.35).

When you launch the QR scanner—whether through the Quick Settings tile or lock‑screen shortcut—you’re greeted with an elegant animation as the square viewfinder appears. The user interface overhaul places all interaction buttons into a new pill‑shaped control near the bottom of the screen, making them far easier to reach with one hand.

Gone are the top‑right flash toggle and close (“×”) icons. The “Scan from photo” button has also been integrated into the lower control area, and the standard “Scan QR code” label is now smaller and positioned above the viewfinder so it doesn’t obscure your view  .

Once a QR code is recognized, the bottom sheet is more useful too: besides the classic “Open” option, you’ll now see “Copy text” and “Share,” all styled in Material You design  .

The redesign was first previewed back in May in Google Play Services beta v25.19, and began its general rollout today (July 28), with gradual availability depending on your device and Google Play version. A quick restart may help if it’s not showing yet.

Global RFID market is expected to expand further in 2025

The future of RFID is looking bright, the global RFID market is expected to expand further in 2025; according to IDTechEx, the market will be worth US$15.6 billion in 2025, up from US$15 billion in 2024. This comprises RFID labels, cards, fobs, and any other form factors, as well as tags, readers, and software/services for both passive and active RFID.
 
In the UHF sector, the retail business, the largest RFID application sector in terms of tag numbers, adopting RFID continues to grow strongly. According to IDTechEx study, retail apparel alone will require over 31 billion RFID tags in 2025 - though there is still some way to go, with RFID accounting for only about 40% of the total addressable market for apparel. Furthermore, IDTechEx anticipates that the general retail market will continue to grow driven by mandates such as Walmart's on tagging retail items other than apparel. This is anticipated to continue to generate significant volume growth for the sector.
 
Contactless card sales remain the most successful in the HF sector, driven primarily by contactless payment, transit, and secure access applications, with 3.14 billion cards anticipated to be demanded in 2025. However IDTechEx expects a decrease in demand for this as mobile wallets continue to replace contactless cards.
 
Animal tagging (such as pigs, sheep, and pets) remains important in the LF sector because it is still a legal requirement in many more areas, with around 930 million tags expected to be used in this sector in 2025.

Overall, IDTechEx forecasts that around 55 billion passive RFID tags will be sold in 2025, up from 50 billion in 2024, indicating a 10% year on year increase. The bulk of this growth is due to passive UHF RFID labels.

However, in 2025, UHF (RAIN RFID) tag sales by value will be just 60% of HF tag sales (including NFC), due to the higher price point of HF tags used for security (such as payments, access, etc) against the cheaper, largely disposable UHF (RAIN) tags used for tagging items. However, the gap between the overall tag sales is shrinking due to increased activity in UHF market and decline of HF market.