Taipei – September 21, 2026 -- Acer has unveiled the Googlebook 14, a convertible laptop built around Google's Gemini Intelligence and designed to sync directly with Android phones, with North American pricing starting at $899.

The laptop lets phone tasks jump straight to the screen

A feature called "Continue On" allows tasks started on an Android phone to pick up seamlessly on the Googlebook 14, while "Cast My Apps" brings phone apps onto the laptop display without requiring any installation. Proactive suggestions offer context-aware help based on what's currently on screen.

Intel's newest chip powers the AI features

The device runs on up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 355, which includes a neural processing unit delivering up to 50 TOPS. It pairs with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of PCIe Gen4 NVMe storage, with a battery rated for up to 16 hours.

Carbondale, PA and Randolph, MA – September 21, 2026 -- Gentex Corporation and Randolph Engineering have launched a limited-edition Thunderbirds x Gentex x Randolph Sunglasses Collection, capped at 600 individually produced pairs and sold exclusively through Randolph Engineering.

The collection pairs Randolph's American-made Aviator frame with the same silver mirror lens technology flown by the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.

The lenses use military-derived optical technology

Made in the USA with globally sourced materials, the lenses are engineered to military-derived performance requirements, offering optical clarity, accurate color perception, impact protection, enhanced durability, and all-day visual comfort, according to the companies.

Oak Brook – September 21, 2026 -- Ace Hardware has named Vantage Point (38B-4), a sophisticated blue hue, as Clark+Kensington's 2027 Color of the Year, now available at participating Ace Hardware stores nationwide and online at The Paint Studio.

The blue tone anchors a full 2027 color collection

Selected by color trend forecasting partner Colour Hive alongside the Clark+Kensington design team, Vantage Point is described as a rich blue softened by subtle undertones. It serves as the focal point of a broader 2027 Clark+Kensington Color Trends collection, joined by two coordinating palettes named Drift and Mellow.

Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware, said the color aims to bring warmth and character to interiors while staying versatile enough to feel current in 2027 and lasting for years afterward.

Warren, Mich. – September 21, 2026 -- A new one-time educational grant is now open to undergraduate students studying healthcare or related fields, with applications due by May 15, 2027.

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant targets undergraduates nationwide

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals is available to undergraduate students enrolled at any accredited U.S. college or university, regardless of city or state. Applicants must be pursuing a degree or course of study in healthcare or a related field.

An essay is the core of the application

Candidates must submit an original essay responding to the prompt: "How Will You Use Your Healthcare Education to Make a Difference?" Strong submissions are expected to link academic goals to patient care, community service, innovation, or leadership within healthcare.

St. Paul, Minn. – September 21, 2026 -- Command Brand has launched the Command DÉCOR Collection, a new line of premium metal fixtures designed to be seen rather than hidden, now available at retailers nationwide and online.

The collection combines real metal construction with the brand's damage-free hanging technology.

Pieces are available in four finishes -- Brushed Brass, Light Beige, Matte Black and Chrome -- and include Large and Small Metal Hooks, a Metal Wall Planter with a removable plastic insert, a Metal Key Rail, a Metal Wall Shelf, and a Large Towel Hook and Small Robe Hook for bathrooms.

Small hooks hold up to 2 pounds while larger hooks and shelves support up to 5 pounds.

Every fixture uses Command Brand's signature technology, letting users hang items without nails, screws or tools and remove them later without leaving marks or holes.

Tokyo – September 21, 2026 -- Netmarble let fans go hands-on with three unreleased games at Tokyo Game Show 2026, marking the South Korean publisher's second consecutive year at the event.

The company expanded its booth from 56 units in 2025 to 63 units this year, swapping last year's lineup of MONGIL: STAR DIVE and The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin for three new titles: Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Colossi, Solo Leveling: KARMA and Pearl in Blue.

Shangri-La Frontier makes its playable debut

Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Colossi, the first game based on the popular Shangri-La Frontier anime and manga, appeared in playable form for the first time at the show. Attendees tested its tag-based collectible RPG combat, while stage sessions with the development team and anime voice actors walked through its strategic elements.

Broomfield, Colo. – September 21, 2026 -- Skiers and riders have until October 7 to lock in discounted Epic Day Pass rates for the 2026-27 season, with savings of up to 65% compared to window lift ticket prices.

Four days at Vail or Whistler costs $471 before the deadline

A 4-Day Epic Day Pass covering marquee destinations like Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City Mountain and Breckenridge runs $118 per day, or $471 total. Regional resorts including Keystone, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar and Stowe cost $367 for four days ($92/day). East and Midwest local favorites are priced at $223 for four days, or $56/day. Prices rise for all tiers after October 7.

Markham, Ontario – September 21, 2026 -- Enercare, one of Canada's largest home and commercial services companies, has launched a new campaign called "Comfort Days" urging homeowners to schedule furnace maintenance before winter arrives rather than waiting for the first cold snap.

The campaign uses claymation nostalgia to sell furnace checkups

Created with business agency GALE and animation studio Bent Labs, the campaign borrows the visual style of classic holiday television specials. Knitted textures, glowing fireplaces, and cozy slippers appear throughout the animation, which began rolling out across channels the week of September 14.

Rather than pitching furnace maintenance as a chore, the creative focuses on the reward: a warm home waiting for homeowners when temperatures drop. "Comfort Days" reframes the task as the first step toward a cozy season instead of another item on a cold-weather to-do list.

Las Vegas – September 21, 2026 -- Amped Fitness has announced plans to open its first Nevada location at 2160 N Rainbow Blvd in Las Vegas, bringing its signature "Amped Universe" concept to the state for the first time.

Shelbyville, KY – September 21, 2026 -- Jeptha Creed Distillery is releasing a three-part video series across 2025 to mark its 10th anniversary, with new chapters tied to key dates throughout the year.

The series began July 4th with a chapter honoring America's 250th anniversary, focusing on the Nethery family's generations-long farming history in Shelby County, Kentucky.

The second chapter traces a decade of heirloom corn experimentation

Released September 18th, Decade of Dedication: Jeptha Creed Solera explores the heirloom corn varietals grown on the family farm and used in the distillery's whiskey over the past ten years. The chapter also spotlights the anniversary release, Jeptha Creed Solera Aged Bourbon, which blends whiskeys distilled from every heirloom corn varietal the distillery has produced to date.