Technology

North Texas Innovation Alliance Members and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners Announce SCEWC Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge

Published

1 day ago

September 23, 2024

Pitching Challenge to Reward Companies with United States Pilot and Funding Opportunities

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA), a 501(c)3 regional consortium of over 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations and academic institutions across North Texas working to create the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country, has announced an international pitch event, named the Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge, to be held at this year’s Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona alongside partner Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and Texas cities Frisco, McKinney and Fort Worth. This pitch competition will select five startups to compete to win piloting and funding opportunities in the United States.

“Our goal in creating this pitch competition is to foster international innovation across smart cities,” said NTXIA Executive Director Jennifer Sanders. “We are very fortunate to have strong cross-sector and cross-regional collaborations with organizations across the U.S. This pitch competition represents the opportunity for these companies to interact with some of the U.S.’ leading minds in this space, and the opportunity to pilot their technology and receive funding to help achieve their goals of developing their technology and potentially entering the U.S. market. We are very excited to see the innovations these international companies bring!”

The 2024 Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge is focusing the problem statements on the future of transportation, sustainability and VRUs. Companies interested in participating in the pitch event will need to ensure their solutions address these key challenge areas, with a solution focus on the following:

Traffic congestion mitigationCurbside managementAutonomous delivery systemsPedestrian safetyHeat island mitigationEnergy and water efficiency and resiliencyCrowd management at large events from a public safety and visitor experience lens

Companies will also need to ensure their technology is ready to be deployed for testing and development in real-world smart city environments.

“With the World Cup coming to the U.S. and Frisco serving as a host city, with the 2028 Olympics returning to the U.S. soon after that, we are looking to the international startup and smart city communities to bring forward their innovations to help us prepare for what is to come,” said Gloria Salinas, Vice President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation. “The winners of this pitch competition will have the unique opportunity to help various parts of the U.S. prepare for these global events and aid various municipalities and organizations to ensure the best technologies will benefit all residents and visitors of our cities. Frisco and North Texas are looking forward to seeing how we can integrate these solutions into our city and the region.”

Finalists will be given passes to the SCEWC in Barcelona, where the final pitch will take place. Winners of the competition will be rewarded with travel, pilot and funding. Prizes include:

Curiosity Lab will commit $15,000.00 towards a pilot, one year of office space at its Innovation Center and access to a global partner network for additional market support.Frisco and McKinney, Texas will provide travel and accommodations to the U.S. in Texas and Georgia for senior leadership, up to $10,000.00. This includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation, food and office/co-working space in McKinney and Curiosity Lab for the initial visit.NTXIA, Frisco and McKinney, Texas and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners will create a curated itinerary of high-level meetings with decision makers in city departments to explore pilot implementation.Winners will also be introduced to high-level individuals at Plug and Play, University of North Texas, the Dallas College system, major healthcare institutions in Texas like Baylor Scott & White Health, Fortune 500 corporations, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Chambers of Commerce and major sporting and entertainment venues in Texas.Winners will receive global exposure through various media channels.One-of-a-Kind Texas swag and bragging rights.

“We offer a very unique real-world environment for companies of all sizes to test their technologies,” said Curiosity Lab Executive Director Brandon Branham. “Our smart city ecosystem allows international companies to have a soft-landing pad in the U.S. to continue to develop their technologies and to, when ready, enter the U.S. market. We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible pitch competition and to be helping support these international startups in their mission to improve our everyday lives with their various technologies.”

Submissions for the pitch competition open on September 23. Five finalists will be selected by the Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge committee to pitch in person at SCEWC on Wednesday, November 6 in the USA Pavilion. Each company will have 10 minutes for their pitch, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges. Once all presentations and Q&A sessions are final, the judges will deliberate for 10 minutes and will then announce the winner. The Challenge is also supported by Marketplace.city with its Clearbox Source market intelligence product which will promote the opportunity, accept applications and compile vendor submissions.

“North Texas is growing at an incredible rate and having innovation to continue to foster growth in our technology sectors is a huge economic driver for us,” said Michael Kowski, President & CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation. “Our hope in supporting this pitch competition and these innovators is to help companies flourish in a new market and to provide the connections and testing requirements needed to see them succeed. This will help foster North Texas’ smart city ecosystem and showcase how we can harness the power of innovation to create diverse and resilient communities.”

Find out more about the Smart Cities Global Pitching Challenge and the form to submit your application here.

ABOUT THE NORTH TEXAS INNOVATION ALLIANCE
The North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) is a 501(c)3 consortium of key cross-sector stakeholders working to develop and implement a smart region strategy for North Texas. The NTXIA is building the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country – bringing together government entities on all levels, transit agencies, utilities/infrastructure, public safety, educational institutions and some of the world’s top technology developers in the private sector to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. The organization’s mission is to break down silos and drive the collaborative use of data, technology and community to address the most pressing topics and create solutions that will improve quality of life, drive inclusive economic development and promote resource efficiency. For more information, please visit www.NTXIA.org, or follow LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners
Curiosity Lab is a 5G-enabled intelligent mobility and smart city living laboratory located in the southeastern United States near Atlanta, Georgia. Designed as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies, the centerpiece of the lab is a three-mile autonomous vehicle lane leveraging cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies. Additional infrastructure includes intelligent traffic cameras and traffic signals, smart streetlights, the country’s first “IoT Central Control Room” implemented in a city and a 25,000 square foot technology incubator. Owned and operated by the City of Peachtree Corners, Curiosity Lab is one of North America’s only real-world testing environments and is available for use free of charge. Additional information can be found at www.curiositylabptc.com.

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SOURCE North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA)

Technology

Where’s the Best Deal on the Block? Realtor.com® Launches Dynamic Map Layers to Help Homebuyers Find It and So Much More

Published

47 mins ago

September 24, 2024

Homebuyers can now visualize hyperlocal insights and broader neighborhood trends to find their perfect home

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Realtor.com® announced the launch of d ynamic map layers, a set of new map-based search features that allow users to answer classic home-buying questions like “Is this house the best deal on the street?” and “Where can I find the newest homes in a neighborhood?” or “Where are houses selling for a lower price per sqft.?” Now, users can explore multiple ZIP codes and neighborhoods with one quick glance and use this information to find the home they want.

Dynamic map layers deliver a unique zoom and pan experience that shows real-time visualizations of property data and neighborhood insights all in one map. When applied, each layer illustrates search parameters through color shading that represents aggregated data including market trends for a specific area. The shading dynamically adjusts to the property level as the user zooms in, and gets broader as they zoom out, adapting to highlight different data at each zoom level. Users can apply different map layers and access unique Realtor.com® econometric data, like market hotness, to find the best home options based on what they’re looking for.

“Do you remember when you bought your first smartphone and how it completely changed how you use a phone? Dynamic map layers are going to change how people search for homes online,” said Mausam Bhatt, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Realtor.com®. “They are an entirely new pathway to home discovery that allows buyers to answer their most pressing questions with a look at a map. They present data in an interactive way that is easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to make the most informed decisions with – so users can confidently choose the place they call home.”

Seventy-one percent of real estate website/app users think that more visual or map-based features could help them learn more about properties and compare homes more easily, according to a recent survey conducted by Realtor.com®. Ninety percent stated they would value being able to search for “home size” and “home value” via a map on a real estate search sites.

Whether it’s someone with a limited budget searching for the best buy in a specific area; a buyer who wants to understand the market competition of a home in order to make the best offer; or, a buyer who is comparing multiple neighborhoods so they can decide where to invest, Realtor.com® users can dive deeper and explore homes with the following layer options:

Home Estimate – the home’s current estimated value, powered by RealEstimatesmEstimate/ sqft. – the home’s current estimate total value divided by its total square footage, powered by RealEstimatesmLot Size – the property’s parcel size as measured in acresLot Slope – the property parcel’s average lot slopeHome Size – the size of the home measured in sqft.Year Built – the year the home was builtMarket Hotness – an index from 1-100 (very cool to very hot) indicating how quickly homes sell and the level of buyer demandSold Price vs. List Price – the sold price shown as a percentage of the original list price (based on properties sold in the last year)Sold Price/ sqft. – the home’s most recent sale price divided by its total square footageDays on Market – the time it takes properties to sell (based on properties sold in the last year)Neighborhood – display neighborhood boundaries and access details on the number of homes on the market, the median number of days homes spend on the market and the median list price within a neighborhood

Dynamic map layers offer unparalleled data visualization with dynamic zoom and pan functionality. By using these layers, users can get an equally holistic and granular view of a home’s characteristics and a neighborhood’s attributes.

About Realtor.com®
Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today’s on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com®.

Media Contact
Asees Singh press@realtor.com

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SOURCE realtor.com

Technology

Socket Mobile Announces CaptureSDK Support for iOS 18

Published

47 mins ago

September 24, 2024

FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Socket Mobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions designed to enhance workplace productivity, is excited to announce that CaptureSDK and its entire line of barcode scanners and NFC reader/writers have been thoroughly tested and have achieved full compatibility with iOS 18.

iOS 18 compatibility across the entire Socket Mobile product line ensures that Apple users can maximize the utility of both their Socket Mobile data readers and their Bluetooth-paired Apple iPhones or iPads. CaptureSDK’s support for iOS 18 means that business applications continue to run smoothly on Apple’s latest platform, offering stability, efficiency, and access to the newest features. Users can seamlessly integrate the latest Apple advancements into their workflow and expect optimal performance from both devices.

“Socket Mobile has a strong track record of maintaining compatibility with Apple’s latest advancements and is devoted to supporting our app developer partners. We strive to provide ultimate device compatibility and best-in-class development tools,” said Dave Holmes, Chief Business Officer at Socket Mobile. “With iOS 18 support added to CaptureSDK, all users of our data capture devices can stay current with Apple’s latest technology while discovering new ways to leverage the power and versatility of our barcode scanners and NFC reader/writers.

“To ensure compatibility and to take full advantage of the features offered by our barcode scanners and NFC reader/writers, app development partners only need to upgrade their apps to the latest version of CaptureSDK whenever new updates are released. Our world-class support team is always available to ensure that their data capture solutions continue to work seamlessly. Combined with the quality of our products and dedicated support, this makes Socket Mobile’s CaptureSDK, along with our scanners and readers, an excellent choice for Apple device users.”

CaptureSDK has been integrated into thousands of applications and gives app providers reliable and consistent data capture performance, enabling their apps to efficiently capture data in the physical world. With CaptureSDK, app providers can maximize the value of their solution and increase their customer’s overall productivity and satisfaction. With CaptureSDK-enabled apps, end-users can interchange any of Socket Mobile’s data capture devices, resulting in the freedom to choose the best reader for each customer’s requirements at any given time. With iOS 18 compatibility, Socket’s CaptureSDK delivers a new level of control and adaptability for iOS app developers.

iOS compatibility will always be a focus for Socket Mobile as Apple continues to roll out new updates for its customers.

Learn More About CaptureSDK

Media Contact: David Holmes, David.holmes@socketmobile.com

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SOURCE Socket Mobile, Inc.

Technology

JinkoSolar Unveils its First Climate White Paper at 2024 New York Climate Week

Published

48 mins ago

September 24, 2024

SHANGRAO, China, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (the “Company,” or “JinkoSolar”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced its principle operating subsidiary Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.’s participation in the 2024 New York Climate Week, where we officially launch the English version of our first Climate White Paper*. This comprehensive report outlines our commitment to sustainability, innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions, and actionable steps for creating a greener, more resilient future.

As one of the leading voices in the fight against climate change, JinkoSolar has long been dedicated to aligning its operations with global climate goals. The new White Paper not only highlights the progress we’ve made, but also identifies new opportunities in both the PV and BESS sectors to collaborate across industries to accelerate decarbonization and enhance sustainability efforts.

Meanwhile, Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. as a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Solar Council, is honored to be part of the Finance Roundtable and, together with the Global Solar Council, co-hosting the discussion for lowering solar PV cost. This roundtable brings together development and commercial banks, industry experts, policymakers, and business leaders in shaping the future of climate action. Our active participation underscores our firm belief that addressing the climate crisis requires bold and decisive action together with financial players.

JinkoSolar looks forward to continuing its leadership in the bankability and sustainability space and to driving meaningful change in the global effort to combat climate change.

*Note: Disclosed information in the report covers our principal operating subsidiary Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. The report is available on the Company’s website at https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/site/responsibility.

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to utility-scale, commercial and residential customers in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar had over 10 productions facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Indonesia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and a global sales network with sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of June 30, 2024.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: pr@jinkosolar.com

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SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.