Berlin – September 16, 2026 -- Zendure took home two honors at the Global Product Technology Innovation Awards 2026, with its SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro home battery system winning Gold in the Sustainable Home Energy Storage System category. The awards were handed out during the opening of IFA 2026 in Berlin, where Zendure also received the Smart Energy Solutions Brand Award for its broader approach to home energy management.

The SolarFlow 4000 Mix Pro packs whole-home power into a plug-in format

The system is a plug-in, bidirectional, AI-driven home energy storage unit rated at 4 kW AC. A single unit stores between 8 kWh and 50 kWh, and capacity can scale up to 150 kWh when paired with Zendure's PowerHub, which supports up to 13 kW of total solar input. Zendure positions the setup for large households, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging points.

Berlin – September 16, 2026 -- TCL collected more than 30 international awards at IFA 2026, including seven IFA Innovation Awards and five Global Product Technology Innovation Awards, recognizing new display, AI and smart-home technology.

TCL's SQD-Mini LED TVs win top display honors

The TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED television received Android Authority's IFA Breakthrough 2026 Award and Tom's Guide's Best in Show Award, both citing its next-generation SQD-Mini LED technology. The TCL C8L SQD-Mini LED TV earned an IFA Innovation Award for its display technology and design. The TCL X3 Series OLED+ gaming monitor also won an IFA Innovation Award for its contrast, refresh rate and design.

Berlin – September 16, 2026 -- MERACH has unveiled its new flagship treadmill, the UltraWalk W60 Plus, at IFA Berlin 2026, targeting people who want to walk more during work-from-home hours. The treadmill is available for pre-order in Europe until September 20, 2026, at €379.99, discounted €80 from its €459.99 retail price.

The treadmill runs on a brushless motor rated for 15,000 hours

The UltraWalk W60 Plus features a brushless motor with 3.5 horsepower peak output and a built-in Hall sensor for consistent speed control, even at slower walking paces. MERACH says the motor is designed to run for up to 15,000 hours.

Noise levels stay at 53 decibels during operation

The company built the machine for quiet use in home offices, citing a 53-decibel noise level during operation. A convection cooling system with two vents helps dissipate heat, and the treadmill is rated for three hours of continuous use.

Valencia – September 15, 2026 -- Six Flags Magic Mountain has announced Thrill Glider, a new roller coaster set to open in 2027 that will let riders fly face-down on suspended "hovercycles" at speeds up to 50 mph.

The ride creates an entirely new coaster category called the Thrillglider

Built exclusively for Magic Mountain by manufacturer Vekoma, Thrill Glider packs 20 track elements into an 80-second ride covering nearly 3.5 acres. Riders assume a prone, forward-facing position beneath the track, encountering 12 airtime moments and five inversions, including a wing-over, zero-g roll, overbanked stall turn and barrel rolls.

Six world records come with the 2027 debut

At 3,380 feet long, 107 feet tall and reaching 50 mph, Thrill Glider will claim titles including World's Longest, Fastest and Tallest Thrillglider, along with the most inversions in the category at five.

Dallas – September 15, 2026 -- AT&T is offering new and existing customers up to $1,200 off the iPhone 18 Pro with an eligible trade-in, regardless of the device's condition. Customers who switch to AT&T can also receive up to $800 toward paying off their current phone balance, and ordering online adds a $200-per-line discount.

The carrier is rolling out the full iPhone 18 lineup, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone. The Duo opens to a 7.6-inch inner display and closes to a 5.4-inch outer screen, runs on the A20 Pro chip, and comes in star white and night sky finishes. The 18 Pro and Pro Max feature a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and ship in black, silver, glacier, and a new burgundy color.

Reading, Pa. – – September 15, 2026 -- Homeowners weighing whether to repair or replace a roof now have a clearer set of warning signs to watch for, according to insights from Roofing Restoration Expert Travis Frees featured in a new HelloNation article.

Storm damage doesn't always mean a full replacement.

In Reading and Berks County, high winds, hail, and falling tree limbs frequently leave shingles missing or roofing materials exposed. When that damage stays limited to a small area and surrounding shingles remain secure, targeted repair can still provide sufficient protection.

Shingles that lift, crack, or turn brittle point to aging materials.

The article notes that when this kind of deterioration spreads across larger portions of a roof, replacement tends to offer a more dependable long-term fix than repeated patch jobs.

Hershey, Pa. – September 15, 2026 -- Cadbury is bringing chocolate to the runway with a crystal-covered clutch bag designed specifically to hold and share its XL chocolate bars, launched as part of a new multi-year U.S. marketing campaign called "There's Magic in More."

Only five of the bags exist, and none are for sale.

The Cadbury Clutch, created in partnership with New York-based fashion designer LUAR, features jewel-tone purple fabric, gold accents and individually applied Swarovski crystals. The crystal-covered flap alone took roughly eight hours to complete by hand. Inside, a concealed platinum-silver insulated lining keeps the chocolate cool.

Largo, Fla. – September 15, 2026 -- Largo residents now have clearer guidance on how to dispose of used batteries safely, according to an article published by HelloNation detailing local drop-off points and handling rules.

Battery chemistry, not size, determines the correct bin

Pinellas County's 2026 Recycle Guide allows batteries labeled alkaline to go in household trash, but no batteries belong in mixed recycling bins. Rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries, and some button batteries require separate collection instead.

Two county sites accept household batteries near Largo

The Household Hazardous Waste Center at 2855 109th Avenue N. in St. Petersburg and HHW North at 29582 U.S. 19 N. in Clearwater both serve Largo residents. Both locations operate on specific schedules, so residents are advised to check the county's current calendar before making a trip.

Los Angeles – – September 15, 2026 -- Fanttik has unveiled a new round of automotive and DIY tools, headlined by the Luma K10 Apex dash cam and the O11 Pro cordless circular saw, expanding its catalog of driving and home-project gear.

The Luma K10 Apex pairs a 4K front camera with a 2K rear unit for sharper footage.

The dual-channel dash cam uses a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor alongside an AI NPU and ISP engine to adjust image quality in changing light and road conditions. It includes 5.8GHz Wi-Fi 6, GPS recording, and a 2.8-inch IPS touchscreen, and downloads 4K footage wirelessly at over 20 MB/s. Drivers can control it via the touchscreen, a physical dial, or a companion app.

Saint Paul – September 15, 2026 -- Minnesota PBS's food series Relish will premiere its seventh season in Spring 2027 with two co-hosts for the first time, chef Karyn Tomlinson and food storyteller Tiffany Alexandria.

Two Minnesota food voices join forces on screen

Tomlinson, chef and owner of Myriel in St. Paul, blends Midwestern ingredients with French technique and the food traditions of her Minnesota upbringing. Alexandria, based in Rochester, founded the Rochester Night Market and runs pop-up dinners, dumpling classes, and photography projects rooted in her Taiwanese heritage.