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  • Oscar-Nominated ‘Dances with Wolves’ Actor Was 73

    Oscar-Nominated ‘Dances with Wolves’ Actor Was 73

    Graham Greene, the Canadian actor best known for his Oscar-nominated turn in the 1990 film “Dances with Wolves,” died on Monday in Toronto after a battle with long illness. He was 73.

    A pioneer for Indigineous actors in Hollywood, Greene made his debut in the 1979 Canadian drama series “The Great Detective” and in the 1983 film “Running Brave.” But his big Hollywood break came with “Dances with Wolves,” in which he co-starred as “Kicking Bird.” The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor in 1991. The film was nominated for 12 Oscars and won seven, including for best picture and best director for Kevin Costner.

    In an interview with Canada’s Theatre Museum, he discussed auditioning for “Crimson Tide” with director Tony Scott. Scott said, “I can’t really see a Native American working on a submarine.” Greene replied, “If you could, I would let you tell my four dead uncles who died in the Pacific on subs. Thanks for the trip to New York. I’m going to Sardi’s for lunch now.”

    Afterward, he went on to appear in several major Hollywood releases, such as “Maverick,” “Die Hard with a Vengeance,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” and “Molly’s Game.” As Arlen Bitterbuck in Frank Darabont’s “The Green Mile,” he was part of the SAG-award nominated ensemble for best performance along with actors including Tom Hanks and Harry Dean Stanton.

    He was nominated for a Spirit award for Chris Eyre’s influential 2002 indie “Skins,” about life on Lakota Sioux reservation.

    Greene also had a prolific career in television. His credits include “Northern Exposure,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Lonesome Dove: The Series,” “Wolf Lake,” “The Red Green Show,” “Defiance,” “Longmire,” “Goliath,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Echo,” “Riverdale,” “1883,” “The Last of Us” and “Tulsa King.”

    Outside of his Oscar nom, Greene won a Grammy in 2000 for best spoken word album for children for his work on “Listen to the Storyteller.” He was also honored with a Gemini Award, Canadian Screen Award and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. In 2021, he received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

    Greene was born in June 1952 in Ohsweken, on Canada’s Six Nations Reserve. He began his acting career in the theater and was appearing in professional stage productions by the 1970s.

    Greene is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, and his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene.

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  • What happens when private equity firms sell medical practices?

    What happens when private equity firms sell medical practices?

    This article about private equity in health care was republished with permission from Harvard Business Working Knowledge, where it first appeared.

    Private equity firms have been buying stakes in physician practices for the past decade, but what happens to doctors and their patients when investors cash out and move on?

    Research by Harvard Business School Professor Leemore Dafny and co-authors suggests that PE’s growing presence in health care is driving higher physician turnover and consolidation. The study finds that physicians were likelier to leave their practices after PE investors exited, and those leaving were likelier to join larger practices— creating a ripple effect of talent consolidation and, as prior research shows, higher costs.

    “Sale of Private Equity–Owned Physician Practices and Physician Turnover” is among the first to explore what happens in doctors’ offices once PE investors decide to take their gains, says Dafny, the Bruce V. Rauner Professor of Business Administration at HBS and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School.

    “Private equity is meant to be a short- to mid-term investment,” she says. “There’s supposed to be an exit. I’ve seen a lot of studies about the effects of acquisitions on patients and payers, but nothing about exits. I’ve been wondering—what happens when they leave?… What are the positives and negatives of these investments, and can we put any guardrails in place to get more positives and avoid the negatives?”

    The February 14 issue of JAMA Health Forum featured the collaboration between Dafny; Victoria Berquist, a physician and recent graduate of Harvard Kennedy School who is now a Principal at Boston Consulting Group; and Harvard University doctoral candidate Lev Klarnet.

    The investor will see you now

    Between 2010 and 2020 alone, PE firms purchased more than 1,000 US practices; across health care overall, PE deal value over the prior decade is estimated at $750 billion. Most sales, Dafny notes, are to other private equity firms.

    Private equity firms, on average, hold medical practices for three to seven years, often consolidating them. The data varies, but past studies have shown that many patients stay with their primary care physicians far longer, even for more than a decade. Those long-standing relationships lead to better care and health outcomes, research has found.

    Dafny and her team structured their study to shed light on what happens to physician tenure as PE investments run their expected course.

    Inside the research

    Dafny, Berquist, and Klarnet analyzed 52 transactions between 2016 and 2018 in which PE firms sold physician practices, leveraging data from the US government and PitchBook. They analyzed:

    • Physicians’ post-exit employment choices: Researchers used a database to track the 405 doctors from 70 PE-owned practices in the treatment.
    • Behavior across non-PE sold practices: Another 810 physicians in the control group were matched based on practice size, geography, and specialty.
    • Practice sizes and locations: Most practices were in the southern US and had 21-120 physicians.
    • A range of practice specialties: Dermatology and family medicine accounted for almost half.

    “PE firms aggregate a bunch of practices, and the question we’re asking is, when they sell, what happens to clinician turnover?” Dafny says. “If physicians are likelier to leave, as some have speculated because the sweeteners offered by the initial investors to stay on have ended, what sorts of practices do they join?”

    What happens for doctors and patients

    After analyzing Medicare data on more than 1,200 physicians, the team found that doctors who were part of PE-owned practices were 16.5 percentage points more likely to work elsewhere within two years of an exit than physicians in comparable practices (same specialty, same location, same size) that were not sold by PE owners during the same period.

    Two years post-sale, the study found:

    • 44% of doctors at PE-owned practices stayed with their practice, compared to 60% of physicians in comparable practices.
    • 43% of PE doctors moved to new practices, compared to 26% of physicians in comparable practices.

    Across both groups, 14% of physicians retired.

    The researchers found that employees in the treatment and control groups left at similar rates during the two years before the sales. As a result, the researchers could reasonably use the control group’s departure rates during the period after the sales as a stand-in for what would have happened in the treatment group had the sales not taken place.

    Moving to larger practices

    Dafny and her team had expected to find many doctors opting for retirement following the sale, but something interesting happened instead: The PE-associated doctors were 10 percentage points more likely than their peers to move to a large medical practice, defined by the researchers as one with more than 120 physicians.

    That kind of turnover trend could ultimately reduce competition and drive up costs for consumers, as it “creates a stepping stone for industry consolidation,” Dafny explains.

    Understanding PE’s influence in health care

    The research provides insight into how the incentive structure at PE-run practices shapes behavior. Acquisitions often provide financial incentives for doctors who are owners to stay at the practice, but these may disappear once the PE firm sells. Once sold, these practices may have fewer assets and more liabilities, potentially leading them to lean on doctors for “margin-boosting activities” that reduce autonomy and morale.

    Dafny says the unique nature of the study raises new questions about PE’s influence in health care, especially as research shows that consolidation most often results in higher prices without improving quality. That creates opportunities for policymakers to think through regulations to support continuity of care, she says.

    “What are the strategies for reducing turnover?” Dafny asks. “And, of course, what are the implications for patient care?”


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  • Asian Equities Set for Muted Open as Oil Gains: Markets Wrap

    Asian Equities Set for Muted Open as Oil Gains: Markets Wrap


    This content was published on

    (Bloomberg) — Asian markets are poised for a tepid open on Tuesday after a subdued overnight session with Wall Street closed for a holiday.

    US equity futures edged higher in early Asia trading, while modest moves in Asia contracts pointed to a gain in Tokyo, loss in Hong Kong and a flat open in Sydney. The dollar was little changed against major currencies.

    Oil climbed on Monday ahead of a glut that’s expected to form in the coming months. India rebutted mounting US pressure to end crude imports from Russia while Ukraine struck more Russian refineries over the weekend as it ramped up attacks on the country’s infrastructure.

    Wall Street’s record-breaking rally now faces a pivotal test, with jobs numbers, inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s rate call all landing within the next three weeks. Tariff tensions and questions over the Fed’s independence were also compounding the risks.

    “The bar to derail a Fed rate cut on Sept. 17 appears high,” Deutsche Bank AG economist Peter Sidorov wrote. “But with Fed funds futures now pricing over 140 basis points of easing by the end of 2026, markets are expecting an amount of easing that since the 1980s has only occurred around recessions.”

    Traders will be closely monitoring Indonesian markets after stocks tumbled the most in nearly five months on Monday. Political risks have recently flared, with President Prabowo Subianto canceling a China trip after deadly unrest over living costs and inequality. Stress also was evident in the bond market, with yields on the nation’s 10-year government note rising to the highest in almost three weeks.

    In commodity markets, silver rose above $40 an ounce on Monday for the first time since 2011. Gold inched closer to an all-time high as optimism grew for a Fed rate cut.

    In Europe, bonds weakened broadly, with a week to go before a confidence vote that could topple France’s government. The French-German 10-year spread, a key measure of risk, was little changed at 79 basis points. The gauge closed at 82 on Aug. 27, the highest since January.

    Some of the main moves in markets:

    Stocks

    Hang Seng futures fell 0.2% as of 7:29 a.m. Tokyo time Nikkei 225 futures rose 0.4% S&P/ASX 200 futures were little changed S&P 500 futures were little changed Currencies

    The euro was little changed at $1.1709 The Japanese yen was little changed at 147.19 per dollar The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1331 per dollar The Australian dollar was little changed at $0.6553 Cryptocurrencies

    Bitcoin fell 0.7% to $108,068.37 Ether fell 0.4% to $4,272.58 Commodities

    Spot gold was little changed at $3,477.07 an ounce West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.9% to $64.56 a barrel This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

    ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • Samsung ‘Galaxy Glasses’ powered by Android XR are reportedly on track to be unveiled this month

    Samsung ‘Galaxy Glasses’ powered by Android XR are reportedly on track to be unveiled this month

    GM of Android XR, Shahram Izadi, on stage at Google I/O 2025.

    Google I/O (screenshot by Jason Hiner)

    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.

    Android XR glasses

    Android XR prototype demoed at Google I/O 2025.

    Kerry Wan/ZDNET

    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.


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  • Blue Murder at 30: how the miniseries transfixed Australia – and inspired death threats and bootlegs | Australian television

    Blue Murder at 30: how the miniseries transfixed Australia – and inspired death threats and bootlegs | Australian television

    When the gritty ABC two-parter Blue Murder aired in 1995 it became instantly notorious. Police corruption in Sydney was under intense scrutiny and the real-life gangster at the heart of the miniseries – Neddy Smith – was embroiled in court cases for some of the depicted murders, which meant the show was banned in New South Wales for six years.

    Even withstanding the gangland threats they were receiving, the actors knew Blue Murder would be huge. For its 30th anniversary, Guardian Australia speaks to some of its stars: Richard Roxburgh (as the crooked cop Roger Rogerson), Steve Bastoni (drug squad detective Michael Drury) and Lo Carmen (sex worker Sallie-Anne Huckstepp) – as well as detective-turned author Duncan McNab, who wrote two books about Rogerson’s reign.

    A love story

    Initially, one episode focused on Smith and the second on Drury. But soon the director, Michael Jenkins – who died in 2024 – had other ideas.

    ‘Michael really loved the waltz of the two men’: Tony Martin and Richard Roxburgh as Neddy Smith and Roger Rogerson. Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    Steve Bastoni: As we started the rehearsal process Jenkins became more intrigued by Rogerson, so Rogerson started to emerge as the lead character. From the actor’s vanity point of view, I was going: “Well, fucking hang on, this is MY episode.”

    Richard Roxburgh: Michael Jenkins said: “It’s a love story” [something Rogerson later took umbrage at]. One’s a hitman and [the other’s] one of Australia’s most decorated police officers. Michael really loved the waltz of the two men and the strange darkness of it.

    Bastoni: Jenkins had said to me: “What do you think of Richard Roxburgh?” and I’d just finished working with him on Police Rescue – he had a guestie on it. I said: “Look, I’ve seen him on stage and he’s brilliant, but I’ve only seen a little bit of him on screen and I’m not sure that he could do it.” But Jenkins could see it.

    Roxburgh: I believe my part was offered to Bryan Brown and he said no. I was a jobbing theatre actor but they took a punt and I started having a lot of chocolate milkshakes. We couldn’t afford to do a double chin on the ABC budget so I had to make my own.

    Inside the underworld

    The screenwriter, Ian David, partly based Blue Murder on Smith’s autobiography, Neddy, as well as conducting interviews. Episode one opens explosively, with Smith (Tony Martin) ambushed by cops then beaten with a phone book by Rogerson.

    Roxburgh: Tony’s an ox. He said: “Mate, just go for it.” There was a lot of trust between us.

    ‘It was utterly disturbing that everyone was captured so accurately.’ Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    Duncan McNab: Tony’s portrayal of Neddy was extraordinary. He captured the coldness, the brutality and the physicality. I was in David Jones and Tony Martin’s coming up on an escalator. I did a double take: Fuck, what are you doing out of jail? It was utterly disturbing that everyone was captured so accurately … [underworld figure] Graham “Abo” Henry has never forgiven Peter Phelps [who played him]. His great complaint was not the fact that he was portrayed as a sex offender and a drug dealer. It was: “Mate, I’d never go out of the house in tracksuit pants.”

    Much of the action centres around Kings Cross in Sydney in the late 70s to mid-80s. Cue the dirty sax soundtrack.

    Lo Carmen: I moved to Kings Cross when I was 12. My dad, from working in piano bars and nightclubs, had quite a few dealings with the vice squad and I was brought up to know that if anything ever went wrong I should grab a bouncer from one of the strip clubs rather than the police. That was 1982 and the streets were lined with girls leaning in doorways who were always really sweet to me. That’s why I felt a camaraderie with Sallie-Anne, because she may well have been one of those girls that would be friendly to me on my way to and from school.

    Alex Dimitriades as underworld figure Warren Lanfranchi and Lo Carmen as Sallie-Anne Huckstepp. Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    In 1981 Huckstepp was interviewed by Ray Martin on 60 Minutes about Rogerson shooting her heroin dealer boyfriend Warren Lanfranchi, exposing the corruption in the NSW force.

    Carmen: I was given a videotape with news footage, a segment of the Ray Martin interview and a bit of a documentary that showed her walking in Kings Cross. I did feel in later years that I didn’t get as full a picture of her as I would have liked. I think she had a bigger sense of humour and was a lot sharper. My respect for her grew exponentially until I felt such a sense of injustice for her – that her incredible sacrifice in whistleblowing was not more widely recognised. She was still thought of in the public eye as having brought it on herself.

    McNab: It all goes back to the extraordinary bravery of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, and also her mate, Lyn Woodward, who was poised to give damaging evidence about Rogerson before she disappeared in 1981, presumably murdered. Lyn was one of the forgotten heroes of all this.

    Recreating the truth

    The series was often shot on location – in the houses and places where the crimes had occurred. In episode two Drury is shot twice through his kitchen window.

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    Steve Bastoni as Michael Drury. Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    Bastoni: I got to spend quite a lot of time with Mick. The first thing he did when I went to his house, he walked me over to the sink, and he goes: “You want a cup of tea? … I got shot through this window.” I felt a big obligation to him. We kept in touch for quite a while afterwards.

    McNab: I was a journalist by the time Blue Murder came out but in that murky period it covers I was a detective. I was in internal affairs the morning Drury’s dying deposition arrived [it was thought Drury wouldn’t survive]. My boss just shook his head and said: “It couldn’t be Roger. He’s too good a bloke.” My thoughts at that point were: “Fuck, I’ve got to get out of here … but I might take a copy of the deposition when no one’s looking.” I was one of a couple of people who managed to drop a copy to the National Times.

    Rogerson was an enigma: both the charming neighbour who would play the organ in church and a calculating killer.

    Roxburgh: Michael’s most important note for me was “don’t blink”. I’d be sitting there with my eyes watering, then I’d watch it back on the split and realise, Oh, OK. Because as soon as you blink, you’re human. We were filming in Roger’s actual house. I always remember the weird experience of having a shower in his house with its pink tiles and looking down the drain, thinking: “He’s been in the nude in here, with blood washing down there.”

    ‘An anarchic military coup’ … the making of Blue Murder. Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    Carmen: The actors were lovely and warm but could quickly become incredibly intimidating. It feels pretty realistic when somebody’s hands are around your throat and you’re being lifted off the ground, and just knowing that we were filming it in the actual place where Sallie-Anne had been murdered added a layer of truth.

    Roxburgh: Michael ran it like an anarchic military coup. We’d go out west and we’d take over a pub that had to open at six o’clock, and the stunties would be riding motorbikes through the bar.

    Bastoni: Michael liked it when actors cut each other off and talked over each other. No one was doing that at the time because you wanted to get clean sound. He was a real ground-breaker.

    A chequered legacy

    By the time the series was set to air, Smith was the principal witness at a NSW Icac inquiry and a royal commission into police corruption. He claimed that senior NSW detectives had given him a “green light” to commit crime from 1981.

    Bastoni: I was at the Saloon Bar in Camperdown during filming and someone sidled up, bought me a beer and said: “Michael Drury was a crook.” I said: “Internal affairs investigated him for over 10 years and found nothing on him, so why should I take your word for it?” He goes: “Well, a lot of people would be very disappointed if he wasn’t portrayed that way … Do you know how easy it would be for me to follow you into the toilet and put a bullet in your head?”

    ‘I got messages on my cell phone’ … Roxburgh on receiving threats after the release of Blue Murder. Photograph: Endemol Shine Australia

    Later I found out that this guy was a friend of Rogerson’s. I drove a 72 Mercedes and from that moment on I’d actually check under the car. I was paranoid to the point where I had to go to a doctor and get some medication because I couldn’t sleep.

    Roxburgh: I got messages on my cell phone. It sounded like a pig squealing and being machine-gunned inside a wheat silo.

    McNab: It was Roger’s stock in trade to threaten people. When I wrote the first book I wrote to him in prison, wanting an interview, and I got a beautiful letter back. So I wrote the book and, a couple of weeks after it was published, I got a phone call in which he called me all manner of horrible names, and something along the lines of having me whacked.

    Years later, when he was in jail for the last one, his wife rings me and says: “Roger, would love you to visit him in jail.” I said: “Last time Roger and I spoke he threatened to kill me.”

    “Oh, that was only a joke.”

    Smith’s court proceedings meant the show was banned in NSW for six years, resulting in a demand for bootleg VHS tapes.

    Bastoni: The bootleg was sold in pubs all over Sydney as a two-pack VHS for about $400. Everyone wanted to see it. Richard Roxburgh and I once shared a beer at the Tatler Bar about 10 years later. He’d had a great career, worked with Baz Luhrmann and a bunch of people. He was hugging me and he goes: “That’s the best fucking thing we’ll ever do in our lives.” I wasn’t quite ready to hang up the cue but he saw it for what it was: something that would have far-reaching impact.

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  • From not possible to record spenders: inside Liverpool’s transfer window

    From not possible to record spenders: inside Liverpool’s transfer window

    The Isak saga picked up early in the summer, but was not announced until two hours after Monday’s 19:00 BST transfer deadline.

    Liverpool made a first bid on 1 August. The £110m offer was swiftly rejected.

    What happened next is not totally clear.

    Just over two weeks ago, during the Professional Footballers’ Association’s annual awards ceremony, Isak put out an Instagram post saying Newcastle had broken promises to him by not letting him leave.

    Newcastle hit back at their own player. But then both parties went quiet.

    Sources told BBC Sport that Liverpool would not bid again until Newcastle signed two strikers.

    And this was exactly what happened.

    At some point, there must have been a coming together between those in charge of the two clubs to work out the way forward.

    On Saturday, Newcastle completed the club record signing of striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69m.

    In the early hours of deadline day, it was revealed that Liverpool’s £125m bid had been accepted.

    Some 21 hours later, after Newcastle announced a deal worth £55m for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, Isak’s move was finally confirmed and the British record was broken.

    It meant Liverpool have spent close to £200m on strikers after buying Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike in July.

    They didn’t go into the summer with a need to sign two forwards. Their close season, though, was overshadowed by the most devastating news.

    Their beloved Portuguese forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash in July.

    It is first and foremost a tragedy for his family and friends.

    It also meant Liverpool had to replace him in their team.

    They’ve done that, but Jota will never been forgotten by the club.

    And it can’t be overlooked that for all the talk of record spending, the Reds are defending their title this season against the backdrop of immense grief and sadness.

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  • AUKEY Ushers in the Qi2.2 Era with the Launch of 14

    AUKEY Ushers in the Qi2.2 Era with the Launch of 14

    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

    Continue Reading

  • AUKEY Ushers in the Qi2.2 Era with the Launch of 14 Wireless Charging Products

    AUKEY Ushers in the Qi2.2 Era with the Launch of 14 Wireless Charging Products

    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

    Continue Reading

  • WhatsApp Status is getting a Close Friends feature

    WhatsApp Status is getting a Close Friends feature

    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.

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  • Football gossip: Martinez, Guehi, Lookman, Sterling, Wilson, Solomon, Osula, Isak, George

    Football gossip: Martinez, Guehi, Lookman, Sterling, Wilson, Solomon, Osula, Isak, George

    Manchester United failed to follow up on their interest in Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Liverpool decide to hang on to Joe Gomez despite a bid from AC Milan while Chelsea look set to be lumbered with Raheem Sterling.

    Aston Villa didn’t receive a bid from Manchester United for Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez despite the 32-year-old being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. (Sky Sports)

    Manchester United decided against a move for Martinez because of his age and wages in the region of £200,000 a week. (Mirror)

    Martinez was not keen on a move to Galatasaray despite reports from Turkey of a bid worth £21.6m. (Daily Mail)

    Liverpool refused to allow Joe Gomez, 28, to join AC Milan after their bid to sign fellow England defender Marc Guehi, 25, from Crystal Palace fell through. (Fabrizio Romano)

    Guehi’s exit video from Crystal Palace was leaked on social media but he remains content to see out the remaining year of his contract at Selhurst Park and then leave on a free transfer next summer. (Talksport)

    Bayern Munich were keen to sign Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, 27, from Atalanta on loan on deadline day. (Sky Sports)

    Chelsea’s English forward Raheem Sterling looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge with no interest the 30-year-old from clubs in Turkey, Saudi Arabia or the United States even though their transfer windows close later. (The Athletic – subscription required)

    Crystal Palace pulled out of a loan deal for Tottenham’s Israeli forward Manor Solomon, 26, despite a deal sheet allowing them extra time to complete the signing. (Sky Sports)

    Wales midfielder Harry Wilson’s move from Fulham to Leeds collapsed after the Cottagers had a late change of heart over selling the 28-year-old. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

    That Wilson deal collapsing also saw the end of a potential move from Chelsea to Fulham for 19-year-old English winger Tyrique George. (Evening Standard)

    Danish forward Will Osula, 22, will remain at Newcastle United despite deadline day interest from Eintracht Frankfurt for a season-long loan. (Athletic – subscription required)

    Newcastle United insiders have suggested Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, was behaving and playing like someone who did not want the team to qualify for the Champions League from April onwards. (Telegraph – subscription required)

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