Category: 4. Technology

  • Golden Goose Reports Strong H1 Growth, Expands Retail Network

    Golden Goose Reports Strong H1 Growth, Expands Retail Network

     MILAN – Golden Goose sneakers continue to sprint ahead.

    An acceleration in the second quarter and a robust performance across all channels and geographies helped the Italian brand, best known for its successful Super–star sneakers and intentionally distressed styles, report a strong set of results for the first half of the year.

    In the six months ended June 30, group revenues rose 13 percent to 342.1 million euros compared with 307.3 million euros in the same period last year.

    In the second quarter, sales rose 14 percent, compared with growth of 12 percent in the first quarter.

    Direct-to-consumer revenues climbed 19 percent to 270 million euros, compared with 226.8 million euros last year, and representing 77 percent of the total, in alignment with the company’s strategy to expand that channel of distribution. DTC sales grew 26 percent year-on-year in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, 15 percent in the Americas and 14 percent  in the Asia Pacific area.

    Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were up 3 percent to 113 million euros, representing a margin of 33 percent on sales. This compares with 109.2 million euros in the first half of 2024.

    Percentage changes were provided at constant currency.

    “Against a difficult macroeconomic context, our resilient performance in the first half of 2025 reflects the continued global resonance of the Golden Goose brand among its communities,” stated Silvio Campara, chief executive officer.

    By geographic markets, the Europe, Middle East and Africa region reported an 18 percent growth; the U.S. were up 8 percent, and the Asia Pacific area registered a 9 percent increase in sales.

    Campara touted the gains in these markets and the expansion of the Golden Goose network of stores with the opening of 10 “innovative retail concepts in key strategic cultural and lifestyle hubs, from Venice to Manila. These results confirm the power of the Golden Goose brand, the strength of our DTC and innovation-led strategy and the co-creation which keeps on reaching new heights.”

    Retail Expansion and New Store Concepts

    As of June 30, the brand’s retail footprint comprised 225 directly operated stores.

    Among others, in the period new stores opened in Hyundai Jungdong department store in South Korea; at the Paragon shopping center in Singapore; in Manila, Ibiza, and at the Venice Airport. A standalone store focusing on kidswear opened in Dubai.

    A new store concept, the Golden “Pescheria,” a seasonal pop-up inspired by Mediterranean fishing towns, debuted in luxury beach resort town Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, last June. It expanded to other holiday destinations, such as the Hamptons.

    The Golden Pescheria in Forte dei Marmi

    Golden Goose opened its third Forward concept store in the U.S. at the NorthPark shopping center in Dallas in June. The Forward concept hinges on the brand’s efforts around product preservation and reinvention as the company works to reduce its environmental impact, offering repair and remake services not only of its own signature sneakers, but also of products from any label. The 5,900-square-foot location followed the opening of the SoHo, NYC Forward store in 2022 and the Miami Design District location in 2023.

    The company also launched a new experiential store concept in New York’s Meatpacking District, also focused on co-creation, the brand’s fourth physical retail space in the city, with other stores located in SoHo, the Upper East Side and a shop-in-shop inside Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship. The new concept features the Con Amore Corner, which provides personalized gift-wrapping options as well as coffee, sweet treats and fresh flowers.

    “As always, I want to thank our passionate and loyal communities around the world, as well as our Golden Family, whose dedication and creativity bring our vision to life every day,” Campara concluded.

    As of June 30, the cash position amounted to 126 million euros.

    Certifications and Cultural Events

    In July, Golden Goose achieved the Gender Equality European & International Standard Certification, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, equity, and responsible workplace practices. This followed the Top Employer 2025 certification the company received in January, marking the fourth consecutive year in Italy, the third year in the United States, the second year in China, and the first time in South Korea.

    The brand continued to develop its connection to art and culture. In May, kicking off the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025, it launched “Altered States” at its Haus headquarters in Marghera , Italy, the industrial port of the lagoon city where the company was founded. Curated by Jérôme Sans, the immersive installation by artist Marco Brambilla transformed the space through a multi-sensory experience blending film, sound, and technology.

    Marco Brambilla’s immersive installation at the Golden Goose Haus

    At the end of April, the company was awarded the Premio Festa di San Marco by the City of Venice in recognition of Golden Goose’s contributions to the Italian city.

    Brand Ambassadors and Campaigns

    Further strengthening its connection with sports, Golden Goose expanded its pool of brand ambassadors by signing tennis champs Jasmine Paolini and Zizou Bergs, and padel aces Marta Ortega and Juan Lebrón.

    The brand celebrated its signature Super-Star sneaker, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, with a campaign fronted by Academy Award-winning actor and activist Jane Fonda and Paolini. Two-time Olympic gold medalist for skateboarding Keegan Palmer; Italy’s Paralympic athlete Alessandro Ossola; American restaurateur and entrepreneur Joe Bastianich, and fashion stylist Cristina Ehrlich joined Fonda in the campaign.

    In the Asia Pacific region, Golden Goose launched two special limited editions of the Super-Star designed by global brand ambassador Jackson Yee.

    Jackson Yee wearing Golden Goose

    Investors’ Support

    As reported, at the end of January, Blue Pool Capital, a Hong Kong-based investment firm and family office, acquired a 12 percent stake in Golden Goose. The Hong Kong-based family office was set up by Joe Tsai, cofounder and chairman of the Alibaba Group. Funds advised by Permira  retained a majority investment.

    Permira acquired a majority stake in the brand in 2020 to accelerate its growth through direct-to-consumer channels, in particular online and retail, and diversify its product assortment.

    The sale to Blue Pool Capital was a new development after Golden Goose delayed its initial public offering in June 2024 at the 11th hour due to European market volatility. Campara has told WWD that  “the process never finished for us, we continue to create value aligned with our investors, and when there will be the right market conditions, it will be an option that we will consider.”

    In May, Golden Goose said it planned to sell 480 million euros of senior secured floating-rate notes expected to mature in 2031 to refinance its debt due in 2027.
     
     

    Continue Reading

  • Lessons in disruption by Golden Goose’s Silvio Campara

    Lessons in disruption by Golden Goose’s Silvio Campara

    Still, what Campara stands out for the most is his leadership and communication style, which is intently focused on fostering emotional connections with not only his customers but also his employees and collaborators. “My recommendation to other leaders is to keep exercising their listening skills. And it’s not about just listening with your ears but also with your heart and your instincts,” he says. “You need to understand what people fear or dream about, what is making them happy or angry. And you need to lead with empathy, which means to always take a step back and put yourself in someone else’s shoes, in order to make the next two steps forward. If you can do that in today’s world, then you can really succeed in making a brand meaningful.”

    He credits a number of mentors with helping him develop his managerial skills, including Style Capital CEO Roberta Benaglia (“She showed me that every single action you take is there, reflecting in the full P&L”) and former Armani Exchange global director Andrea Paoluzzi, who taught him the importance of letting your team see what you see.

    This year marks the company’s 25th anniversary.

    Campara stands out for his leadership style which is focused on fostering emotional connections.

    Campara stands out for his leadership style, which is focused on fostering emotional connections.

    The first seeds for Campara’s own brand of management, however, can be traced back to the time he worked as an events co-ordinator and assistant store manager for Alexander McQueen in London. “Giovanni Pisu, the then global retail director of Alexander McQueen, taught me that leadership is directly related to energy. Any time he would enter the store, everyone felt his presence. He always had a smile on his face and the ability to make you feel like the most important person on the planet. He wasn’t faking it, he probably is the person most devoted to people I’ve ever met,” he recounts.

    He is known for saying that instead of chief executive officer, he would rather his job title be chief emotional officer. Which could be seen as a little cheesy but, in his case, it’s genuine and it works — Golden Goose products sell and the company keeps growing. At the Vogue Business Global Summit in Lake Como back in May, which Campara attended as a speaker, the line of people waiting to talk to him was long.

    “People tend to joke about the chief emotional officer thing, but it’s not a joke and it’s not a strategy. It’s the reason why we are successful,” he shrugs. “Anyone can have ideas, but nothing will come out of an idea if you don’t put your heart into it and dress it with emotions.”

    Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@voguebusiness.com.

    More from this author:

    How Trinny Woodall built a beauty empire for tired women

    Brad Pitt, Sat Hari and the long road to linen

    ‘Nobody wants to shop’: CEO Silvio Campara on making Golden Goose stand out in a slow market

    Continue Reading

  • MEDIA ALERT: The Pokémon Trading Card Game Heats Up with New Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames Expansion Coming Soon

    Sept. 3, 2025 — Today, The Pokémon Company International announced that the latest expansion in the best-selling Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames, will launch beginning Nov. 14, 2025, at participating retailers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

     

    Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames will introduce more mighty Mega Evolution Pokémon to the Pokémon TCG, with a focus on Fire-type and Darkness-type Pokémon. Players can look forward to discovering and collecting cards featuring Mega Charizard X and Mega Gengar as well as new Pokémon ex cards, which will make their first appearance in the Mega Evolution Series.

     

    In addition, players can continue to discover the recently introduced and distinctive art style of ultra rare Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, which may feature a silhouette of the regular version of that Pokémon in the background of the artwork.

     

    Noteworthy cards from the expansion include:


    • Six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex

    • Four Pokémon ex

    • 13 illustration rare Pokémon

    • 17 ultra rare Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, Trainer and Energy cards

    • Five special illustration rare Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and Supporter cards


    Players can find Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and various collections at participating retailers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

    Pokémon TCG players will have the opportunity to play with Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames before launch by attending one of the many Prerelease tournaments held as part of the Play! Pokémon program, taking place beginning Nov. 1, 2025 at participating independent retailers.

    Ahead of the release of the tabletop version, players will be able to play with Mega Evolution— Phantasmal Flames digitally starting Nov. 13, 2025 via the Pokémon TCG Live app for iOS, Android, macOS and Windows devices. Players can collect and battle with new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex cards and receive in-game bonuses when logging in to the app.

     

    To learn more about the Pokémon TCG, please visit Pokemon.com/TCG.

    Continue Reading

  • IT departments face huge Windows 10 support bill

    IT departments face huge Windows 10 support bill

    Windows 10 is reaching end-of-life next month, which means Microsoft will no longer issue patches and no longer provide functional enhancements for free.

    Those organisations that have yet to migrate PCs off Windows 10 face a hefty bill if they want to continue to receive Windows 10 patches. But this is not something that can be kept in place long term, which means IT leaders must now shift their entire PC estate onto the next version of Windows.

    There may have been many good reasons not to upgrade Windows 10, but IT leaders are being urged to prioritise the upgrade, as unpatched Windows 10 machines are likely to be targeted by cyber criminals.

    Analysis from Nexthink estimates that custom support to continue running Windows 10 could collectively cost organisations billions of dollars. According to Nexthink analysis of customer endpoints, there has been a 33% decrease in Windows 10 devices between 19 May and 1 August. Assuming a further 33% reduction by the 14 October, that would leave around 121 million Windows 10 PCs. At $61 per device for the first year of custom support, organisations could collectively be facing a bill of just more than $7.3bn.

    While Windows 11 has been available since October 2021, many organisations have been slow to adopt it. Operating system upgrades are often aligned to a refresh of PC hardware, so when a PC is replaced, the new machine will have Windows 11.

    With support for Windows 10 ending on 14 October, those organisations that have yet to migrate their PC estate fully over to Windows 11 will no longer receive operating system patches and updates unless they buy Microsoft Extended Support (ESU).

    Microsoft had previously promised that Windows 10 would be the latest major Windows upgrade. Ranjt Atwal, senior director analyst at Gartner, said: “I remember when Windows 10 came out after Windows 7, and I’m sure Microsoft said it was going to be the last big upgrade.”

    At the time, people believed there would be no Windows 11, but then Microsoft released a major new version of the Windows operating system and so support for Windows 10 is ending. As Atwal points out, the 14 October end-of life-date for Windows 10 essentially means that there will be no further security updates issued for Windows 10.

    “There’ll be no more bug fixes or performance enhancements,” he warned. Businesses can buy an ESU, but Atwal expects that only a small number of organisations will pay for this, to provide a “support” bridge enabling them to continue to receive support from Microsoft when they complete the migration away from Windows 10. 

    Among the questions people will often ask is why is there a need to upgrade the operating system, especially if they are not planning to run any new applications or buy new peripherals that only run on the newest version of Windows. Atwal said: “There’s so much legacy software and peripherals that are supported through the Windows operating system that at some point it all becomes too much in terms of the size code being supported.”

    Microsoft puts in a place a mechanism that effectively limits which applications and device driver software is able to run. The Secure Boot feature is enabled by default in Windows 11, but is optional on Windows 10, which means older pieces of software and device drivers that need to be digitally signed cannot be installed on the newer operating system.

    Adoption of AI PCs

    Removing support for older hardware also allows Microsoft to offer new capabilities such as the AI features now being built into Copilot+ PCs, conversational AI which offer a different way to interact with the device. In terms of introducing new features and the functionality, Atwal notes that it is an easier step for Microsoft to make to add these into Windows 11 rather than introduce them as updates for Windows 10.

    Gartner forecasts that by 2026, over half (55%) of PCs sold will be AI PCs. “AI PCs are reshaping the market, but their adoption in 2025 is slowing because of tariffs and pauses in PC buying caused by market uncertainty,” said Atwal.

    Tim Flower, digital employee strategist at Nexthink, added: “Moving from one operating system to another shouldn’t feel like a disruption, it should be an opportunity to improve how employees work every day. That means understanding how devices and applications perform before the migration, anticipating issues and problems, and taking steps to ensure migrations and upgrades run smoothly. The goal is to avoid productivity being interrupted by an IT event, and help organisations to see clear benefits from their investment.”

    Continue Reading

  • PayPal, Venmo users to gain early access to Perplexity's Comet AI browser – Reuters

    1. PayPal, Venmo users to gain early access to Perplexity’s Comet AI browser  Reuters
    2. I switched from Safari to an AI browser and got a glimpse of the future  Macworld
    3. Skip the Waitlist: PayPal and Venmo Users Offered Early Access to Perplexity’s New Comet Browser with Free Perplexity Pro Subscription  Yahoo Finance
    4. Perplexity Comet browser | What the Tech?  KOB.com
    5. What the Tech? Browser with built-in artificial intelligence may change how you search  WFMZ.com

    Continue Reading

  • Picus Security Wins Security Validation Category in the

    Picus Security Wins Security Validation Category in the

    SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Picus Security, the leading security validation company, has been named a winner in SiliconANGLE’s 2025 TechForward Awards in the Security Validation Category.

    Boasting 100% year-over-year growth for two consecutive years, Picus Security is the only platform to unify exposure data into a validated risk score using its Exposure Score, a breakthrough security data fabric that combines attack simulations with contextual risk intelligence. Unlike theoretical models such as CVSS or EPSS, Picus combines attack simulations with contextual risk intelligence to test real-world exploits against live controls. This approach provides environment-specific, actionable insights and helps organizations focus on what truly matters. By replacing speculation with proof, the Picus Exposure Score enables teams to confidently deprioritize CVEs that do not pose real risk, maximizing the effectiveness of their security investments.

    “We are proud to be recognized by SiliconANGLE for validating risk with real evidence rather than theory,” said H. Alper Memiş, co-founder and CEO of Picus Security. “By helping security teams cut through noise, reduce patch backlogs, and focus on the threats that truly matter, this award underscores our commitment to delivering clearer visibility, faster response and stronger security outcomes for our customers.”

    The TechForward Awards recognize the technologies and solutions driving business forward. As the trusted voice of enterprise and emerging tech, SiliconANGLE applies a rigorous editorial lens to highlight innovations reshaping how businesses operate in our rapidly changing landscape. This awards program honors both established enterprise solutions and breakthrough technologies defining the future of business, spanning AI innovation, security excellence, cloud transformation, data platform evolution and more. Picus Security was selected from a competitive field of nominees by a panel of industry experts and technology leaders.

    “These winners represent the most impressive achievements emerging from today’s fiercely competitive tech landscape, embodying the relentless drive and visionary thinking that pushes entire industries forward,” said John Furrier, co-founder and co-CEO of SiliconANGLE Media. “These are the solutions that business leaders trust to solve their most critical challenges. They’re not just products, they’re competitive advantages.”

    For more information, visit https://siliconangle.com/awards/.

    About Picus Security 
    Picus Security, the leading security validation company, gives organizations a clear picture of their cyber risk based on business context. Picus transforms security practices by correlating, prioritizing and validating exposures across siloed findings so teams can focus on critical gaps and high-impact fixes. With Picus, security teams can quickly take action with one-click mitigations to stop more threats with less effort. Offering Adversarial Exposure Validation with Breach and Attack Simulation and Automated Penetration Testing, working together for greater outcomes, Picus delivers award-winning, threat-centric technology that allows teams to pinpoint fixes worth pursuing.

    Follow Picus Security on X and LinkedIn.

    About SiliconANGLE Media
    SiliconANGLE Media is a recognized leader in digital media innovation, bringing together cutting-edge technology, influential content, strategic insights and real-time audience engagement. As the parent company of SiliconANGLE, theCUBE Network, theCUBE Research, CUBE365, theCUBE AI and theCUBE SuperStudios — such as those established in Silicon Valley and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) — SiliconANGLE Media transforms the way technology companies connect with their target markets. Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, SiliconANGLE Media has built a powerful ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands, with a reach of 10+ million elite tech professionals, 4+ million SiliconANGLE readers and 250,000+ social media subscribers. The company’s new, proprietary theCUBE AI LLM is breaking ground in audience interaction, leveraging CUBE365’s neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of industry conversations.

    Media Contact
    Jennifer Tanner
    Look Left Marketing
    picus@lookleftmarketing.com

    Continue Reading

  • Microsoft’s PowerToys are about to add two big missing Windows features

    Microsoft’s PowerToys are about to add two big missing Windows features

    Have you ever wanted Windows 11 to automatically switch between light and dark modes based on a schedule, or help you find keyboard shortcut conflicts? Well, Microsoft is about to solve both of these missing Windows features with PowerToys.

    The latest 0.94 release of PowerToys, the useful addons for Windows power users, includes a new shortcut conflicts feature that can detect what shortcuts are currently in use by Windows or PowerToys modules. There are so many PowerToys to choose from now that it’s easy to create a conflict and have two things happen at once when you activate a keyboard shortcut. Any conflicts will be highlighted in red in this conflicts tool, so you can reassign them quickly.

    Microsoft is also working on addressing another big missing Windows 11 feature with a PowerToy module. “We are planning some nice new features and improvements for next month – a revamped Keyboard Manager UI, and a new utility that can automatically switch between light and dark mode based on your schedule,” says Niels Laute, a senior product manager at Microsoft.

    While you can manually enable light or dark modes in Windows 11, there’s no way to schedule these automatically based on your schedule or on sunrise and sunset times. It’s a basic feature that’s been part of iOS and Android for years, and I’m surprised Microsoft has had to create a PowerToy for this instead of this being natively part of Windows 11. Either way, it’s arriving next month so if you like to switch between themes on Windows 11 then you won’t have to do it manually anymore.

    If you haven’t checked out PowerToys before there are plenty of other useful utilities like Advanced Paste, Always on Top, FancyZones, and the new Spotlight-like Command Palette launcher app. You can download the latest PowerToys release over on Microsoft’s GitHub page.

    Continue Reading

  • When Google Erases a Business, Everyone Loses

    When Google Erases a Business, Everyone Loses

    SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Royal Restrooms, a leader in luxury portable restroom and shower trailers, is sounding the alarm after Google Business Profile (GBP) suspension have effectively erased the 20 plus year old company from Maps and Local Search.

    “For over two decades, we’ve helped brides, festivals, businesses and disaster response teams raise the standard of sanitation in America,” said David Sauers, Co-Founder of Royal Restrooms. “But today, an algorithm can decide we don’t exist. An AI in California or a contractor overseas can suspend us, and there’s no human to call. That’s not marketing. That’s access to the public square being controlled by one company.”

    A Company Built on Innovation and Dignity, Now Invisible Online

    Founded in 2004, Royal Restrooms set out to change the industry standard for portable toilets by introducing fully functioning restroom trailers with flushing toilets, running water, climate control, and ADA accessibility. What began as a better alternative to the dreaded plastic porta-potty became an industry shift. Brides booked them for weddings, festivals upgraded the guest experience, and they were first deployed with emergency response efforts during Hurricane Katrina. Today, what was once a novelty has become an expectation, when people gather, they deserve real bathrooms. Since then, the company has expanded nationwide, serving weddings, festivals, and emergency operations in over 16 states.

    https://www.royalrestrooms.com

    But today, despite thousands of positive Google reviews and a spotless reputation, Royal Restrooms’ local business listings have been suspended, flagged as “deceptive.” The reason: Google only recognizes the outdated category “Portable Toilet Service.”

    “We don’t provide plastic porta-potties. We provide luxury restroom trailers, ADA units, and mobile showers. But because we don’t fit the old box, we’re punished for innovating,” said Sauers. “Couples can’t find us, festivals assume we’re closed, and emergency managers only see porta-potties when searching ‘mobile restrooms or showers.’ That isn’t just bad for us. It’s bad for communities.”

    The Bigger Problem: One Company, No Accountability

    Independent research shows 72–75% of consumers use Google to find local business information. When a listing vanishes, so do the calls.

    This is not just about bathrooms. Photographers, boutique gyms, food trucks, mobile bartenders, and wedding vendors have all reported similar suspensions. Entire industries risk invisibility when Google’s categories don’t evolve.

    “Imagine a bakery suspended because a customer didn’t get a gluten-free cake. That’s how arbitrary this feels,” said Sauers. “We’re in ‘Google jail’ with no bail, no phone call, and no explanation.”

    What Needs to Change

    Royal Restrooms is urging Google to make four common-sense reforms:

    • Modernize categories: Add “Restroom Trailer Rental,” “ADA Restroom Trailer,” and “Mobile Shower Trailer” to distinguish services beyond “Portable Toilet Supplier.”
    • Require human review before suspension: No business should be erased by an algorithm without at least one human check. People’s livelihoods are affected.
    • Create a fast-track appeals process: Verified multi-location businesses need timely reinstatement and limited phone support.
    • Clarify standards: Provide transparent evidence checklists and reasons for denials, not vague notices to “review guidelines.”

    Human Impact, Not Just SEO

    • When a bride can’t find us on Maps, she assumes we’ve gone out of business.
    • When a festival producer doesn’t see verified vendors, they delay or cancel contracts.
    • When an emergency manager searches for “mobile showers” and only finds porta-potties, disaster victims are left standing in the wrong line.

    “This is about innovation being punished by outdated categories,” said Sauers. “If Google really wants to provide relevant results, then recognizing industries of 2025, not 2005 is a no-brainer. Google wants the most relevant information from us as businesses, but they do not conform to the same standard.”

    A Call to Peers and Policymakers

    Royal Restrooms is inviting other business owners who have faced suspensions or category mismatches to speak out.

    “We hope reporters, policymakers, and fellow entrepreneurs see this isn’t an isolated incident,” Sauers added. “If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone. Our cry for help is really a cry for accountability.”

    About Royal Restrooms:

    Since 2004, Royal Restrooms has been the premier provider of mobile restrooms and shower trailers for weddings, festivals, and emergency response. With office locations in 16 states and the ability to serve nationwide, Royal Restrooms has set the standard for sanitation with its “Regal Portable Restroom Experience.”

    Media Contact:

    David Sauers

    Co-Founder & CEO, Royal Restrooms Management

    dsauers@royalrestrooms.com | 800.969.7434

    www.RoyalRestrooms.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49cd242d-d033-4d1d-bdad-ce836779ec95

    Continue Reading

  • Comet: A New Medical Intelligence for Clinical and Operational Insights 

    Comet: A New Medical Intelligence for Clinical and Operational Insights 

    You can read more about the methods and early evaluation results in this paper on arxiv, written in collaboration with researchers from Yale and Microsoft.

    Every day, clinicians make decisions without knowing exactly what will happen next.

    • A patient presents with abdominal pain, and the clinician needs to decide whether the patient should be admitted, sent home, or referred for further imaging.  
    • A hospitalized patient is improving, but will an early discharge result in them being readmitted in the next few days?

    These kinds of questions are central to clinical workflows but can be clouded by uncertainty.

    Comet, built on Epic Cosmos, simulates likely paths in a patient’s health journey to help care teams plan accordingly. It is trained on a subset of Cosmos data, validated on key use cases, and designed to improve as more data and additional data types are included.

    What Comet Is and How It Works

    Comet models are trained on sequences of time-ordered medical events, including diagnoses, labs, medications, and encounters, spanning millions of de-identified patient records and more than 100 billion data points.

    Using the same core technology as today’s large language models, Comet learns how clinical patterns evolve over time. When given a patient’s current state, it generates a number of plausible future timelines that reflect real-world complexity: diagnoses resolving or emerging, complications arising, and care needs shifting.

    These simulations from Comet will be summarized into insights and presented to clinicians in workflows to provide a quantitative, data-driven view of what is likely to happen next, helping care teams anticipate and act.

    Designed for Security

    Comet is built entirely within Epic Cosmos, a secure, collaborative data platform designed for large-scale health research and innovation. Cosmos uses de-identified patient data and operates under rigorous privacy, security, and compliance standards. Because Cosmos is updated as care is delivered, the data powering Comet reflects evolving clinical practices and emerging trends across diverse health systems.

    Operating within this governed environment, Comet can surface insights to participating health systems without compromising patient privacy. The platform’s architecture enables shared learning across the network while preserving privacy and security. Comet will undergo case-by-case evaluation to ensure performance is appropriate for specific workflows before being integrated into daily use.

    For Patients, Clinicians, and Health Systems

    Comet will be able to simulate a patient’s likely future trajectory and summarize key insights, such as extended hospitalization, 30-day readmission, ASCVD risk, or emergence of conditions like pancreatic cancer. In 78 early evaluations, Comet outperformed the majority of single-task models, with more that had similar performance. As more data types are incorporated and the model scales, performance will continue to improve, enabling even more precise and actionable insights across care settings.

    Starting in February 2026, researchers from Cosmos participating organizations will be able to explore Comet in a virtual lab to test new use cases and help advance its clinical relevance.

    And this is only the beginning. As simulation-based insights become part of everyday healthcare, they open the door to a new kind of care planning: anticipatory rather than reactive, personalized rather than generalized, and data-informed at every level. From use in the emergency department to case management, the future of clinical decision-making is not about finding a single answer; it is about understanding the range of what is possible and being ready for all of it, allowing teams to plan with greater confidence, distribute resources more effectively, and, ultimately, improve the lives of the patients they serve.

    Read the full article from arxiv.

    Continue Reading

  • Enhancing Hearing Accessibility in One UI 8 With Samsung Supporters – Samsung Global Newsroom

    Enhancing Hearing Accessibility in One UI 8 With Samsung Supporters – Samsung Global Newsroom

    No matter how advanced a feature may be, its value is limited if it isn’t accessible to everyone. That’s why accessibility lies at the heart of true technological innovation. Guided by its vision of “Creating Better Pathways for All,” Samsung Electronics has consistently worked to deliver more inclusive products and services.

     

    This philosophy is reflected even more strongly in One UI 8, launched alongside the latest Galaxy Z series. The update enhances hearing accessibility features, enabling smoother communication even in challenging listening environments.

     

    To learn more about how these improvements came to life, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Soohyun Lee from Experience Planning Group1 of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, along with Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim, who collaborated with Lee to bring more accessibility features to One UI 8.

     

    ▲ (From left) Wansu Kim and Hajung Kim with Soohyun Lee

     

     

    Real Voices, Real Change: Samsung Supporters Inspire Inclusive Features

    The hearing accessibility features in One UI 8 draw on the real-life experiences and feedback of Samsung Supporters. Currently active in Korea and the United Kingdom, the Samsung Supporters program invites users with diverse accessibility needs — including vision, hearing and mobility — to propose accessibility-related ideas directly to Samsung. It played a key role in developing the new hearing accessibility features in One UI 8, with Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim, both of whom are hard of hearing, contributing their experiences and ideas.

     

    “We listen closely to the valuable feedback from our Supporters about inconveniences and other challenges that traditional desk research might overlook,” explained Lee, who manages the Samsung Supporters program. “We then incorporate those insights to improve our products and services.”

     

    “We communicate with the Supporters in real time on a daily basis, while also conducting online surveys and in-depth offline interviews to carefully analyze issues and review solutions,” she continued. “Samsung Supporters are part of the entire process — from planning to testing and refinement.”

     

    ▲ Soohyun Lee from Experience Planning Group1 of the MX Business

     

    Features directly proposed by Samsung Supporters — such as Interpreter using keyboard and Real-Time Text calls — were brought to life in One UI 8. “After experiencing Galaxy products firsthand as a hard-of-hearing user, I suggested specific improvements regarding certain features,” said Wansu Kim, an international sign language educator. “Knowing that even a small change can make someone’s daily life much more convenient, I focused on ideas that people would truly need and be able to use with ease.”

     

    Content creator and writer Hajung Kim collaborated with Wansu Kim to produce a video introducing One UI 8’s hearing accessibility features. “We wanted the changes we suggested to seamlessly blend into the everyday lives of more people, so I planned the video from the perspective of a real user,” said Hajung Kim with pride.

     

    ▲ (From left) Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim use the new accessibility features applied to One UI 8.

     

     

    ‘Breaking Language Barriers With a Keyboard’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ①: Interpreter Using Keyboard

    Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy AI’s translation capabilities have already proven to be a reliable companion for overcoming language barriers. However, its voice-based format had limitations in certain situations — for example, when the speaker’s pronunciation was unclear or when the surrounding environment was noisy.

     

    With One UI 8, Samsung enhanced Interpreter1 in a way that helps users communicate more naturally across languages through text typed on the keyboard. When a user types a sentence in their own language, the device instantly generates a real-time translation2 in both text and speech. The screen then displays two sections — one showing the user’s original text and the other the translation for their conversation partner — enabling smooth two-way communication.

     

    ▲ Soohyun Lee introduces the Interpreter using keyboard feature.

     

    “Our focus was on creating a seamless, uninterrupted conversation experience,” said Lee. “To reflect real usage patterns and refine the feature, we made typed sentences remain visible even after translation for easy editing and added an option to quickly delete the entire sentence with just one tap when users want to start a new one.”

     

    ▲ Wansu Kim demonstrates the Interpreter using keyboard feature.

     

    “I love traveling with my family, but since both my parents and I are hard of hearing, communication has always been a big challenge — especially when traveling abroad,” said Wansu Kim. “On a recent trip, Interpreter using keyboard allowed me to converse freely with people using different languages, making everything so much easier. Now, I can solely focus on the excitement of traveling without concerns about language barriers.”

     

    “Elevators were originally designed for wheelchair users, but today everyone benefits from them,” he added. “In the same way, Interpreter using keyboard can be used by anyone in situations where it’s difficult to talk. Accessibility isn’t only for people with physical limitations — it’s an opportunity for everyone.”

     

     

    ‘Don’t Miss a Word During a Call’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ②: Real-Time Call Captions

    For users with hearing aids or cochlear implants, phone calls can still cause anxiety. It’s easy to miss parts of the conversation and difficult to jot down important details while talking. To ease this burden, One UI 8 introduces Real-Time Call Captions.3

     

    By tapping the speech bubble icon on the right side of the call screen, the speech of both the caller and receiver are transcribed and displayed in real time. “I used to feel nervous whenever I needed to make a hospital appointment or talk with a bank representative on the phone because it was so important to understand every detail,” said Hajung Kim. “Now, with captions, I can instantly catch any words or sentences I might have missed, which makes me feel much more at ease. It’s not just a tool that converts voice into text — it’s a safety net that helps me follow the conversation and communicate more freely.”

     

    ▲ Hajung Kim uses the Real-Time Call Captions feature during a phone call.

     

    The feature assists users during everyday phone calls with friends and family as well. “Before, I often had to ask my grandparents to repeat themselves because I couldn’t clearly understand their pronunciation,” Hajung Kim said. “I often worried that going through this process again and again would tire them out, especially during longer calls. But with Real-Time Call Captions, I can now read my grandmother’s words on the screen instantly, allowing the conversation to flow without interruption.”

     

    “A short phone call can brighten an entire day, making this feature truly invaluable to my family,” she added.

     

     

    ‘Instant Conversations, No Waiting Required’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ③: Real-Time Text Calls

    The accessibility feature Wansu Kim uses most frequently is Real-Time Text calls,4 which allows users to communicate in text during a call, as though they’re exchanging messages. In earlier versions, the text of the other person’s speech appeared only after they finished speaking. This was particularly inconvenient during automated response system (ARS) calls with banks, telecommunications providers or credit card companies, when the input time often expired before users could read the instructions on their screens.

     

    Now with One UI 8, however, Real-Time Text calls display text the moment the other person begins speaking, allowing users to follow along and prepare responses without delay. “Even during personal calls, being able to see what the other person is saying in real time makes me feel much closer to them,” said Wansu Kim.

     

    ▲ Wansu Kim uses the Real-Time Text calls feature during a phone call.

     

    “In the past, there were always slight pauses during text calls with the Supporters — it sometimes felt like playing a game of guessing each other’s timing,” Lee said. “Those experiences showed us that timing is the most crucial part of a phone call. By making text appear in real time — without waiting for the other person to finish speaking — we introduced a key improvement. Even a few seconds can make a big difference, and seamless timing helps bring people closer together.”

     

     

    Making Accessibility a Given for Everyone

    What does the future of accessibility envisioned by Samsung Electronics and Samsung Supporters look like?

     

    “Accessibility isn’t a matter of special consideration — it’s something that everyone deserves and should enjoy,” Lee said. “Our goal is to create experiences that more people, across various environments, can access and benefit from without inconvenience at any time.” She added that the journey toward greater accessibility has been a joyful one, made possible thanks to those who understand the need for change and continue to offer their encouragement and support.

     

    For Wansu Kim, accessibility means freedom. “To me, hearing accessibility is freedom,” he said. “Through my work with Samsung Supporters, I want to help ensure the voices of people like me are heard more clearly and contribute to a world where everyone can communicate freely.”

     

    “Accessibility is a bridge that not only connects people physically but also links their hearts,” Hajung Kim added. “Beyond simply reducing inconvenience, I want to help build a world where technology becomes a source of confidence and empowerment for all.”

     

    The accessibility features in One UI 8 — co-created and presented by Samsung Supporters — can be explored in detail in the video below.

     

    

     

     

    1 Interpreter requires Samsung account login. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Availability and supported features may vary by country, region or carrier. Availability of supported languages may vary. Visit Galaxy AI page at samsung.com for details.
    2 Speed may vary depending on device and network connection.
    3 Feature availability may vary by country, language and device model. Speed may vary depending on network connection. Feature and UI are subject to change without notice.
    4 Feature availability may vary by country, language and device model. Speed may vary depending on network connection. Feature and UI are subject to change without notice.

    Continue Reading