Category: 4. Technology

Aging demographics, labor shortages, the adoption of GenAI, and the 2023 implementation of e-invoicing are driving companies to automate finance, tax, procurement, and HR in Japan. Yet only 16% of digital transformations succeed, and that’s only 4–11% in traditional industries. The main barriers? Weak leadership commitment, a rigid culture, and a lack of digital talent. LayerX offers an AI SaaS platform to help enterprises scale back-office automation.

LayerX, a Japanese AI SaaS startup that enables businesses to cut back-office workload, has raised $100 million in a Series B round led by Technology Cross Ventures (TCV), marking the U.S. fund’s first investment in a Japanese startup.

The company declined to disclose its valuation, but said both the valuation and the size of the round are among the largest ever raised by a seven-year-old Japanese startup at the Series B stage. Other investors, including MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Innovation Partners, JAFCO Group, Keyrock Capital, Coreline Venture, and JP Investment, also joined the Series B round, bringing the total raised to $192.2 million.

The startup’s key offerings include Bakuraku, a platform that automates corporate spending workflows, covering expense management, invoice processing, and corporate card operations — for more than 15,000 companies; Alterna, a retail digital securities investment platform developed in partnership with Mitsui & Co.; and Ai Workforce, a generative AI solution designed to streamline workflows and harness enterprise data.

Founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Yoshinori Fukushima, who studied machine learning at the University of Tokyo and previously launched the news app Gunosy, which was later listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, LayerX grew out of one of his digital transformation (DX) and blockchain projects.

The founder launched LayerX after identifying a significant bottleneck in Japan’s enterprise workflows: paper-based invoice processing. This insight prompted the team to pivot into SaaS with their AI-driven platform, Bakuraku, Fukushima told TechCrunch, adding that the platform’s AI-native user experience quickly gained traction, helping LayerX secure major strategic partnerships, including with MUFG, or Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and paving the way for its latest funding round.

Despite a wave of digitalization, many Japanese companies still rely on paper and Excel for expense reimbursements and invoice processing, the CEO continued. Domestically, the startup competes with Money Forward Cloud Keihi, freee, and Rakuraku Seisan. Globally, its rivals include SAP Concur, Rippling, Brex, Ramp, Spendesk, and Airbase. In the AI Workforce space, it faces competition from Harvey, Fukushima noted.

Bakuraku differentiates itself with an AI-driven user experience. The company continuously upgrades automation features like “auto-entry and document splitting”, while also investing in AI agents and AI-enabled business processing outsourcing (BPO). Its team includes “more than 12 former CTOs and a Kaggle Grandmaster.” Bakuraku offers a comprehensive, integrated platform covering “expense management, invoice processing, corporate cards, workflows, e-ledger compliance, attendance, and receivables—all in one solution,” Fukushima added.

The startup has closed its Series B funding less than two years after securing its Series A in November 2023. Its signature platform, the Bakuraku Suite, has seen significant growth, the seven-year-old company said.

“We passed 10,000 customers in February 2024 and reached 15,000 by April 2025, with more enterprise clients coming on board,” the CEO said. “Headcount has also grown from about 220 employees in October 2023 to around 430 as of the end of July 2025.”

LayerX is on track to reach $68 million, equivalent to ¥10 billion, faster than any SaaS company in Japan’s history, according to the company. “The growth benchmark known as T2D3 was achieved ahead of schedule, and we expect to surpass the previous domestic record, which took eight years from product launch, in under five years,” Fukushima said.

Ai Workforce counts Mitsui & Co. and MUFG Bank among its clients, while Bakuraku serves customers such as Ippudo, IRIS Ohyama, the Imperial Hotel, and Sekisui Chemical.

Looking forward, the company targets approximately $680 million (¥100 billion) in annual recurring revenue by fiscal year 2030, with roughly half expected to come from its AI agent business. It also plans to grow its workforce to around 1,000 employees by 2028.

Besides a pill-shaped tweak for the Suggestion strip, Gboard’s next visual change is a dedicated keyboard Font size setting.

Once available on your device, Gboard will display a “Keyboard font size updated” banner. Tapping the gear takes you to Settings > Preferences > Font size (under Appearance).

“Match System” is the default behavior, while there are increments that range from 85% to 200%. (The screenshots below are from a Pixel 10.) Besides the letters/numbers in each key, the tool icons in the above strip are also adjusted.

L-R: 85, 100, 115, 130, 150, 180, 200%

Advertisement – scroll for more content

What increment you choose does not impact the size of emoji (just the category titles).

This lets you customize Gboard’s size independent of Android’s Display size and text (on Pixel) preference, with the adjustments a bit more drastic. So far, we’re seeing this on some devices running the latest Gboard beta (version 15.9). It’s not yet widely rolled out even in the preview channel.

100 vs. 200%

More on Gboard:

Google is officially debunking a series of reports that claimed Gmail has been hit with a “major” security issue in recent days. “We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective,” the company said in a somewhat unusual statement. “Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.”

Google doesn’t detail the erroneous claims in its post. But, as Forbes , it seems to be referring to several recent reports that stated the company issued an “emergency warning” to all of its 2.5 billion users in response to a phishing attack that targeted a Salesforce instance used by the company. That incident, however, was first reported by Google in and the company said in an August 8 update that it had finished notifying everyone affected.

It’s not clear why that report resurfaced now or how it was misconstrued into a supposed warning impacting all Gmail users, but Google is now trying to set the record straight. “While it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users,” the company said. “It’s crucial that conversation in this space is accurate and factual.”

Google also notes that it encourages all users to set up “a secure password alternative,” such as for maximum protection.

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

---

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung’s AI glasses running Android XR would compete with the Meta Ray-Bans.
• The smart glasses will reportedly be announced at an Unpacked event on September 29.
• The product will be powered by Google Gemini and have features not included in Meta Ray-Bans.

---

Samsung’s AI smart glasses to compete with Meta Ray-Bans will reportedly be one of the three cutting edge devices Samsung will announce at an Unpacked event in South Korea on September 29, as ZDNET has reported. The other two products are the Project Moohan XR headset and the tri-fold smartphone. 

Like the Meta Ray-Bans, Samsung’s glasses will be audio-only and will be focused on features such as providing faster and more convenient access to an AI assistant, cameras, and audio for calls, music, and podcasts, Also, based on the same reports out of Korea from Newsworks, ETNews and NewsPim, the Samsung glasses will include navigation, real-time translation, and situational awareness. 

The name of the product will likely be “Samsung Galaxy Glasses,” based on a Samsung filing with the US Patent Office.

Also: I wore Google’s XR glasses, and they already beat my Ray-Ban Meta in 3 ways

Based on prior statements by Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm, the Galaxy Glasses will run Android XR and will most likely be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, the same chip that powers Meta Ray-Bans — even though Qualcomm announced its next-gen Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 in June 2025 at the AWE event. 

During the Google I/O keynote in May 2025, the GM of Android XR, Shahram Izadi, said, “We’re taking our partnership with Samsung to the next level by extending Android XR beyond headsets to glasses. We’re creating the software and reference hardware platform to enable the ecosystem to build great glasses alongside us. Our glasses prototypes are already being used by trusted testers.”

As one of Google’s founding collaborators on Android, Samsung would certainly be considered a trusted tester.

Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, sees a clear path forward for Samsung in this space. He said, “Samsung really gets it, based on everything I’ve seen from the company regarding wearables. Samsung makes some of the best hardware available, and if the company can ship competitive hardware paired with Google Gemini and Android XR, that could be a very powerful solution.”

Also: Look out, Meta Ray-Bans! These AI glasses just raised over $1M in pre-orders in 3 days

However, Sag doesn’t think there’s been enough time for Samsung to have integrated the next-gen Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 chip for smart glasses that was released this spring and promises a 20% smaller footprint, lower power consumption, better image quality in photos and videos, on-device language models, and better privacy by sending fewer AI queries to the cloud.

“I am not sure it will be an AR1+ Gen 1, but it could be — only if the announcement happens this year and the product ships next year,” said Sag. “When I last spoke to Qualcomm at AWE 2025, it didn’t seem like we were getting AR1+ Gen 1 products until sometime next year.”

Let’s not forget that before Samsung’s September 29 announcement, Meta will unveil its next smart glasses at Meta Connect on September 17. Meta is expected to release two products — a set of $800 AR glasses codenamed Hypernova and an incremental upgrade to its popular audio-only AI glasses, the Meta Ray-Bans. 

There’s also a lot more happening in the smart glasses space this fall with new products expected from Rokid, Even Realities, Brilliant Labs, and others.

ZDNET reached out to Samsung for comment and will provide updates when we learn more.

Bangkok, Sept. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On August 28, global premium wireless charging brand AUKEY unveiled its lineup of 14 MagFusion Qi2.2 products at the Southeast Asia Partner Conference in Bangkok. The new collection spans 12 wireless chargers and 2 wireless power banks, and together with last month’s MagFusion 2X debut, expands AUKEY’s Qi2.2 ecosystem to 15 models in total. Covering multiple charging scenarios, the new releases reinforce AUKEY’s leadership in the high-end wireless charging market.

AUKEY’s New Qi2.2 Lineup

AUKEY has long been at the forefront of wireless charging technology, consistently leading the industry through technological innovation and design excellence. With the arrival of the new Qi2.2 wireless charging standard, AUKEY has once again taken the lead in adopting it and delivering cutting-edge innovation with refined design aesthetics. The new generation of products not only meets diverse charging needs—from powering a single device to charging four devices simultaneously—but also offers a wide range of form factors, including desktop stands, foldable travel chargers, and wireless power banks, delivering an exceptional experience across different usage scenarios.

“We have always placed user needs at the center, committed to developing wireless charging solutions that adapt to diverse lifestyles and scenarios and meet the ever-evolving expectations of consumers,” said David Wu, Vice President of AUKEY. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust and support of our partners. Moving forward, we will work hand in hand to bring more innovative, high-quality wireless charging products to the global market and deliver an exceptional experience for users worldwide.”

AUKEY Vice President David Wu delivering the opening remarks at the event.

Highlights of the Qi2.2 Lineup

Essential Wireless Charging Stands: Delivering exceptional performance, the essential wireless charging stands are designed to meet the core needs of most users. These chargers strike a perfect balance between aesthetic design and everyday practicality, setting a new standard for daily wireless charging.

– MagFusion 1X

The MagFusion 1X desktop wireless charger comes in three stylish colors: frost white, dark gray, and desert gold, designed to blend effortlessly into any environment. Its 35° adjustable stand offers the perfect viewing angle, allowing users to comfortably interact with their phones while charging.

– MagFusion 2X

As the world’s first dual-phone wireless charger certified under the Qi2.2 standard, the MagFusion 2X features a unique “base + stand” dual-module design. It allows users to charge two smartphones simultaneously, offering business professionals an efficient solution to balance both work and life demands.

Multi-Device Wireless Charging Stands: Designed for high-demand users and shared charging scenarios, AUKEY’s multi-device wireless charging stands enable efficient wireless charging for multiple devices.

– MagFusion 3X Pro

The MagFusion 3X Pro features three Qi2.2 modules, capable of charging up to three smartphones simultaneously. Its innovative “base + stand” design includes two charging points on the base and one on the stand. The stand’s charging points are equipped with AUKEY’s Omnia-Frez active cooling system, which effectively reduces charging temperatures by up to 20°C, ensuring a stable and efficient charging experience even during extended use.

– MagFusion Titan

The MagFusion Titan is a high-end all-in-one charging station designed with family users in mind, featuring four Qi2.2 wireless charging points: two on the base, supporting phones or smart accessories that support Qi wireless charging like AirPods, and two on the stand. The stand features two charging points with a 180° adjustable design, making it significantly easier for multiple users to charge simultaneously.

Additionally, the previous MagFusion 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger, which was designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, will also be upgraded to the Qi2.2 standard.

Active Cooling Wireless Chargers: Omnia-Frez is AUKEY’s exclusive active cooling technology, combining TEC (thermoelectric cooling) with a high-speed fan to effectively lower charging temperatures by up to 20°C. This innovation addresses the increased heat generated by higher-power wireless charging, ensuring a cooler, faster, and safer charging experience while protecting battery health.

In addition to the MagFusion 3X Pro, the MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro, MagFusion Dash Pro, and MagFusion GameFrost models in the Qi2 series will also be upgraded to support the Qi2.2 standard.

Foldable Wireless Chargers: Tailored for travel and easy portability, AUKEY leads the trend in foldable wireless chargers with innovative designs that perfectly balance portability and functionality. The lineup includes the MagFusion C Series, MagFusion L Series, and MagFusion Z.

– MagFusion L Series

Featuring a foldable 2-in-1 design, the MagFusion L series includes the MagFusion L and MagFusion L Pro, both compact in size yet powerful in performance. The MagFusion L charges one phone and one pair of earbuds, and it is upgrading from Qi2 to Qi2.2. Meanwhile, the MagFusion L Pro made its debut, offering the ability to charge two smartphones simultaneously.

– MagFusion C Series

With a 3-in-1 flat-foldable design, the MagFusion C series is easy to store and perfect for travel. Specifically designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, the MagFusion C features a dedicated MFW-certified charging module for the Apple Watch, and the phone charging point is upgrading from Qi2 to Qi2.2, ensuring that all devices remain fully charged in any travel environment, providing a worry-free travel experience. The MagFusion C Pro is equipped with two Qi2.2-certified 25W high-power charging points and one 5W charging point, designed specifically for business travelers. It supports simultaneous charging of personal and work phones, enabling a seamless transition between work and life, keeping multiple devices fully charged, and enhancing overall efficiency and portability.

– MagFusion Z

Designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, the MagFusion Z is a foldable, stand-style portable travel wireless charger. Released in 2024 with the Qi2 standard, it won both the Red Dot Award and the iF Design Award, and it will be upgraded to the Qi2.2 standard.

Wireless Power Banks: Wireless power banks are rapidly becoming a key player in the power bank market, and they represent a significant part of AUKEY’s strategic expansion in its Qi2.2 product lineup. In addition to the MagFusion 10000, which features a convenient foldable stand and will be upgraded from Qi2 to Qi2.2, AUKEY also launched a flagship power bank, further expanding users’ wireless charging options.

– MagFusion Reel 10000

AUKEY’s flagship magnetic wireless charging power bank, the MagFusion Reel 10000, offers a massive 10,000 mAh capacity and supports Qi2.2-certified 25W fast wireless charging. It comes with a built-in retractable USB-C cable for seamless switching between wireless and wired charging modes, eliminating the need for additional cables when recharging itself. The wireless charging module also doubles as a stand, with an adjustable angle and strong magnetic attachment to ensure device stability. A side digital display screen provides clear information on power, time and battery level during charging and recharging.

The new Qi2.2 series was presented at the event for hands-on experience

All new products will gradually receive Qi2.2 certification and be rolled out globally, with the MagFusion 1X officially launching in September. AUKEY will also showcase more innovative wireless charging products at IFA 2025, Europe’s largest technology exhibition, continuing its push into the high-end market.

For More Information

AUKEY official website: www.aukey.com

Media inquiries: pr@aukey.com

Sales inquiries: b2b@aukey.com

About AUKEY

AUKEY is a globally leading provider of cutting-edge consumer electronics designed for both practical and visual appeal. With a strong user-centric focus, AUKEY’s ever-expanding product portfolio continues to create a unique space where technology meets aesthetics. Its MagFusion series of wireless charging products has earned multiple international accolades, including the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award, garnering worldwide acclaim.

Media Contact：
AUKEY
Swing Feng
r@aukey.com

On August 28, global premium wireless charging brand AUKEY unveiled its lineup of 14 MagFusion Qi2.2 products at the Southeast Asia Partner Conference in Bangkok.

Bangkok, Sept. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On August 28, global premium wireless charging brand AUKEY unveiled its lineup of 14 MagFusion Qi2.2 products at the Southeast Asia Partner Conference in Bangkok. The new collection spans 12 wireless chargers and 2 wireless power banks, and together with last month’s MagFusion 2X debut, expands AUKEY’s Qi2.2 ecosystem to 15 models in total. Covering multiple charging scenarios, the new releases reinforce AUKEY’s leadership in the high-end wireless charging market.

AUKEY’s New Qi2.2 Lineup

AUKEY has long been at the forefront of wireless charging technology, consistently leading the industry through technological innovation and design excellence. With the arrival of the new Qi2.2 wireless charging standard, AUKEY has once again taken the lead in adopting it and delivering cutting-edge innovation with refined design aesthetics. The new generation of products not only meets diverse charging needs—from powering a single device to charging four devices simultaneously—but also offers a wide range of form factors, including desktop stands, foldable travel chargers, and wireless power banks, delivering an exceptional experience across different usage scenarios.

“We have always placed user needs at the center, committed to developing wireless charging solutions that adapt to diverse lifestyles and scenarios and meet the ever-evolving expectations of consumers,” said David Wu, Vice President of AUKEY. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust and support of our partners. Moving forward, we will work hand in hand to bring more innovative, high-quality wireless charging products to the global market and deliver an exceptional experience for users worldwide.”

AUKEY Vice President David Wu delivering the opening remarks at the event.

Highlights of the Qi2.2 Lineup

Essential Wireless Charging Stands: Delivering exceptional performance, the essential wireless charging stands are designed to meet the core needs of most users. These chargers strike a perfect balance between aesthetic design and everyday practicality, setting a new standard for daily wireless charging.

– MagFusion 1X

The MagFusion 1X desktop wireless charger comes in three stylish colors: frost white, dark gray, and desert gold, designed to blend effortlessly into any environment. Its 35° adjustable stand offers the perfect viewing angle, allowing users to comfortably interact with their phones while charging.

– MagFusion 2X

As the world’s first dual-phone wireless charger certified under the Qi2.2 standard, the MagFusion 2X features a unique “base + stand” dual-module design. It allows users to charge two smartphones simultaneously, offering business professionals an efficient solution to balance both work and life demands.

Multi-Device Wireless Charging Stands: Designed for high-demand users and shared charging scenarios, AUKEY’s multi-device wireless charging stands enable efficient wireless charging for multiple devices.

– MagFusion 3X Pro

The MagFusion 3X Pro features three Qi2.2 modules, capable of charging up to three smartphones simultaneously. Its innovative “base + stand” design includes two charging points on the base and one on the stand. The stand’s charging points are equipped with AUKEY’s Omnia-Frez active cooling system, which effectively reduces charging temperatures by up to 20°C, ensuring a stable and efficient charging experience even during extended use.

– MagFusion Titan

The MagFusion Titan is a high-end all-in-one charging station designed with family users in mind, featuring four Qi2.2 wireless charging points: two on the base, supporting phones or smart accessories that support Qi wireless charging like AirPods, and two on the stand. The stand features two charging points with a 180° adjustable design, making it significantly easier for multiple users to charge simultaneously.

Additionally, the previous MagFusion 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger, which was designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, will also be upgraded to the Qi2.2 standard.

Active Cooling Wireless Chargers: Omnia-Frez is AUKEY’s exclusive active cooling technology, combining TEC (thermoelectric cooling) with a high-speed fan to effectively lower charging temperatures by up to 20°C. This innovation addresses the increased heat generated by higher-power wireless charging, ensuring a cooler, faster, and safer charging experience while protecting battery health.

In addition to the MagFusion 3X Pro, the MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro, MagFusion Dash Pro, and MagFusion GameFrost models in the Qi2 series will also be upgraded to support the Qi2.2 standard.

Foldable Wireless Chargers: Tailored for travel and easy portability, AUKEY leads the trend in foldable wireless chargers with innovative designs that perfectly balance portability and functionality. The lineup includes the MagFusion C Series, MagFusion L Series, and MagFusion Z.

– MagFusion L Series

Featuring a foldable 2-in-1 design, the MagFusion L series includes the MagFusion L and MagFusion L Pro, both compact in size yet powerful in performance. The MagFusion L charges one phone and one pair of earbuds, and it is upgrading from Qi2 to Qi2.2. Meanwhile, the MagFusion L Pro made its debut, offering the ability to charge two smartphones simultaneously.

– MagFusion C Series

With a 3-in-1 flat-foldable design, the MagFusion C series is easy to store and perfect for travel. Specifically designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, the MagFusion C features a dedicated MFW-certified charging module for the Apple Watch, and the phone charging point is upgrading from Qi2 to Qi2.2, ensuring that all devices remain fully charged in any travel environment, providing a worry-free travel experience. The MagFusion C Pro is equipped with two Qi2.2-certified 25W high-power charging points and one 5W charging point, designed specifically for business travelers. It supports simultaneous charging of personal and work phones, enabling a seamless transition between work and life, keeping multiple devices fully charged, and enhancing overall efficiency and portability.

– MagFusion Z

Designed for Apple’s iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, the MagFusion Z is a foldable, stand-style portable travel wireless charger. Released in 2024 with the Qi2 standard, it won both the Red Dot Award and the iF Design Award, and it will be upgraded to the Qi2.2 standard.

Wireless Power Banks: Wireless power banks are rapidly becoming a key player in the power bank market, and they represent a significant part of AUKEY’s strategic expansion in its Qi2.2 product lineup. In addition to the MagFusion 10000, which features a convenient foldable stand and will be upgraded from Qi2 to Qi2.2, AUKEY also launched a flagship power bank, further expanding users’ wireless charging options.

– MagFusion Reel 10000

AUKEY’s flagship magnetic wireless charging power bank, the MagFusion Reel 10000, offers a massive 10,000 mAh capacity and supports Qi2.2-certified 25W fast wireless charging. It comes with a built-in retractable USB-C cable for seamless switching between wireless and wired charging modes, eliminating the need for additional cables when recharging itself. The wireless charging module also doubles as a stand, with an adjustable angle and strong magnetic attachment to ensure device stability. A side digital display screen provides clear information on power, time and battery level during charging and recharging.

The new Qi2.2 series was presented at the event for hands-on experience

All new products will gradually receive Qi2.2 certification and be rolled out globally, with the MagFusion 1X officially launching in September. AUKEY will also showcase more innovative wireless charging products at IFA 2025, Europe’s largest technology exhibition, continuing its push into the high-end market.

For More Information

AUKEY official website: www.aukey.com

Media inquiries: pr@aukey.com

Sales inquiries: b2b@aukey.com

About AUKEY

AUKEY is a globally leading provider of cutting-edge consumer electronics designed for both practical and visual appeal. With a strong user-centric focus, AUKEY’s ever-expanding product portfolio continues to create a unique space where technology meets aesthetics. Its MagFusion series of wireless charging products has earned multiple international accolades, including the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award, garnering worldwide acclaim.

Media Contact：
AUKEY
Swing Feng
r@aukey.com

While most U.S. users have never used—or even heard of—WhatsApp Status Updates, Meta recently revealed that the tab is now used by 1.5 billion people per day worldwide. And soon, WhatsApp will take a page from Instagram by adding a Close Friends feature.

If you’re unfamiliar with WhatsApp Status, it works much like Instagram Stories, where users can post photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.

For the last few years, Instagram users have enjoyed a Close Friends feature, which lets them select specific people to share updates with rather than their entire followers list.

Now, according to WABetaInfo, Meta is preparing to bring that same option to the 1.5 billion daily WhatsApp Status users, who currently can only choose between:

• “My Contacts,” which shares the update with their entier contact list;
• “My Contacts Except…,”, which shares the update with all their contacts, except specific people;
• “Only Share With…,” which only shares the update with selected contacts.

While many users currently rely on the “Only Share With…” option as a makeshift Close Friends list, soon they’ll have both options, offering greater flexibility over who can see each update.

Here’s how it’ll work

Based on materials found by WABetaInfo in the latest TestFlight release, users will be able to create a dedicated Close Friends list from within the existing privacy settings screen.

When posting a new Status update, users will have the option to share it with their entire contact list, or restrict it to the selected group of closer friends.

Like on Instagram, these updates will be visually distinguished with a different-colored ring around them, making it clear to these contacts that they are seeing an update shared only with select friends rather than a broader audience.

And also like on Instagram, the list itself is private, which means people won’t be notified if they’re added or removed.

Have you ever used WhatsApp Status updates? Let us know in the comments.

Accessory deals on Amazon

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

From September 7 to 9, 2025, Mipel will return to Pavilions 1 and 3 of Fiera Milano-Rho, in conjunction with Micam Milano.

The show will hit its 128th edition while it will exceptionally bring forward its dates, breaking with the traditional overlap with other fashion system trade shows (Milano Fashion&Jewels, Lineapelle, and TheOne Milano).

The decision was made necessary by the work that will be carried out on the exhibition center in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This change of course, dictated by exceptional circumstances, will only affect this September’s edition, as from the next edition taking place on February 22-24, 2026, the show will return to its usual calendar.

Promoted and organized by Assopellettieri with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and ITA-Italian Trade Agency, and with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan, the event confirms its status as the international benchmark for the leather goods and fashion accessories sector.

With over 60 years of history, Mipel represents a crossroads of trends, inspiration, and business opportunities, with a highly qualified audience and over 200 brands presenting their s/s 2026 collections, including both historic names and emerging realities, equally divided between Italian and international brands.

To further support the event and offer greater business opportunities to exhibiting companies, this edition of Mipel will once again be able to count on the support of ITA – Italian Trade Agency—through dedicated communication activities and, in particular, the international buyers incoming project. Thanks to this initiative, 23 selected professional operators from ten countries will participate in the show, helping to strengthen its international dimension.

Alongside the wide range of exhibits, the fair will also host special projects and areas designed to promote the sector and offer visitors an immersive experience that combines tradition, innovation, and entertainment.

 

Informal networking and convivial opportunities and DJ sets will make the visit even more dynamic and engaging.

After the huge success of the February edition, Mipel Factory will return in Pavilion 3 as a true interactive workshop, where artisan excellence dialogues with the most advanced technological in-novations.

Created in collaboration with Arsutoria and some leading companies in leather goods technology and supplies, Mipel Factory will offer visitors an immersive experience: they will be able to watch live demonstrations of some of the stages involved in the creation of small leather goods items, made using the latest generation of machinery equipped with automatic vision systems and artificial intelligence.

Along with a trend area, the show will also host The Italian Startup Project, an initiative that focuses on a selection of promising young Italian brands that have distinguished themselves for their creativity, contemporary vision, and ability to create products that meet market needs.

Finally, Showcase Milano, the space where design meets research and craftsmanship blends with innovation, will once again be in the spotlight with a selection of fashion and design companies chosen for their creative approach and strong stylistic identity.

The international vocation of the event will also be expressed through its partnership with Viamadeinitaly, the digital platform that connects over 24,000 buyers with Italian manufacturers of excellence.

Thanks to this collaboration, Italian companies at MIPEL can benefit from an exclusive showcase and cutting-edge digital tools. This concrete support amplifies opportunities for contact and promotes internationalization and digitalization.

The section The Eastern Edge, the area inside Pavilion 3, and a section of Pavilion 5 will host a selection of companies from emerging markets such as India, China, and Pakistan, which, together with exhibitors from over 18 countries, were selected with the aim of making the fair a privileged observatory on global trends and developments in the sector.

“Mipel is a strategic moment for the entire leather goods supply chain. In a complex phase for the sector, it is essential to maintain solid reference points and continue to create spaces for openness, discussion, and business opportunities, especially in support of the small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of the sector,” commented Claudia Sequi, president, Mipel and Assopellettieri.

“The event remains an essential opportunity to showcase craftsmanship, support innovation, and promote the competitiveness of our companies on international markets,” she added.

 

READ ALSO:

The Shows

How Micam100 will celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary

Read more →

The Shows

Micam, Mipel and more shows hit 40,000 visitors showing Italy’s value chain worth

Read more →

The Shows

How Micam, Mipel, Lineapelle and more shows celebrate Italian know-how

Read more →

The stories are not true — Google responds.

dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Republished on September 1, with Google issuing a formal denial as viral headlines get “out of hand.” This story was originally published on August 31.

There is a viral story (1,2,3) suggesting Google has issued an emergency warning to all 2.5 billion Gmail users with accounts at risk following its recent Salesforce breach. The only problem is the story is completely misleading – there is no such warning.

Google has now responded, telling me that “unfortunately, several inaccurate claims surfaced this week incorrectly claiming we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.”

The company is concerned that the viral nature of the story is creating a “dangerous” sense of panic amongst users. “While it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes,” I was told, “our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users.”

Forbes320 Million Users Get Amazon’s Account Upgrade—Act NowBy Zak Doffman

That doesn’t mean Google and Gmail account are not at risk — of course they are. They remain a prime target for phishing and other attacks — but that’s business as usual. They are not at risk en masse because of a data breach within its B2B ad systems.

Google offers a raft of protections you can apply to your accounts — all of the Google platforms you use, and those you access with your sign-in with Google credentials. That makes it critically important to ensure your account security is robust.

That’s why the company recommends passkeys and a strong form of two-step verification, which means anything but SMS one time codes. An authenticator app is best. But it’s passkeys that are the real stronghold for accounts. They can’t be bypassed or stolen, and they ensure only someone with physical access to your unlocked devices can access your accounts — they can’t be stolen or used remotely. You should also ensure you have a strong, unique password that’s not reused anywhere else.

ForbesGoogle Confirms Play Store Deletion—Remove Apps On Your PhoneBy Zak Doffman

“We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective,” the company says in the wake of this misleading story doing the rounds. It points users to its guidance on phishing attacks and available remedies.

On Monday, stories about a worldwide, emergency Gmail data breach story continued to come, dominating newsfeeds for Google and Gmail around the world. These Gmail data breach stories “have gotten so out of hand,” Google tells me, that it has taken the extreme and unusual step of publishing an official denial.

“Gmail’s protections are strong and effective, and claims of a major Gmail security warning are false,” the company posted on Monday.

“We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective. Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.”

The company added that “while it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users.”

ForbesAmerica’s 20 Worst Passwords—Change Yours If It’s On This ListBy Zak Doffman

Google says “security is such an important item for all companies, all customers, all users — we take this work incredibly seriously. Our teams invest heavily, innovate constantly, and communicate clearly about the risks and protections we have in place. It’s crucial that conversation in this space is accurate and factual.”

That said, business as usual attacks remain a risk, and so “best practices for additional protection, we encourage users to use a secure password alternative like Passkeys, and to follow these best practices to spot and report phishing attacks.”

Bottom line — there is no large scale Gmail data breach or mass warning for 2.5 billion users worldwide. A number of separate stories have been conflated into a data breach that never was, and users are understandably alarmed. Don’t be.