PHUKET, Thailand, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Planning a family vacation this year? Look no further than Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort, where unforgettable memories are created for guests of all ages. Perfectly located just steps from the world-famous Patong Beach, this vibrant resort combines modern comfort, convenience, and exceptional family-friendly amenities, making it the ideal choice for parents and kids alike.

Why Families Love Courtyard Patong
At Courtyard Patong, we believe family vacations should be stress-free and full of joy. That’s why we’ve designed an environment where every member of the family feels at home:

• Kids Club Adventures: Our dedicated Kids Club offers supervised activities, arts and crafts, and interactive games to keep young guests entertained and engaged.
• Splash & Play Pools: Dive into family fun at our Fun Pool featuring exciting water slides and playful fountains, while parents relax by the serene adult pool or enjoy refreshing cocktails at the poolside bar.
• Family-Friendly Dining: With nine restaurants and bars, we cater to all tastes—from international favorites to authentic Thai dishes, including vegetarian and kid-friendly options.
• Spacious Rooms & Suites: Designed with families in mind, our accommodations feature modern amenities, comfortable bedding, and options for connecting rooms.
• Convenient Location: Steps away from Patong Beach and close to shopping, dining, and entertainment, ensuring easy access for family outings.

Kids Eat Free Package
Make your holiday even more enjoyable with our Kids Eat Free Package, which includes:

• Kids under 12 eat free from the kids’ menu (max. 2 kids per paying adults).
• Daily breakfast for 2 adults.
• Daily 3-course lunch or dinner with 1 soft drink from a selected menu at any resort outlet (excluding room service and takeaway).
• Daily 1 drink per adult. Additional charges apply for a third person.

Book Your 2026 Family Getaway
Whether you’re planning a short break or an extended holiday, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort offers everything you need for a perfect family vacation. Book now and enjoy exclusive family packages and Marriott Bonvoy member benefits.

For reservations and more information, visit: Kids Eat Free Package

Watch our full hotel video on YouTube: 
Experience Patong’s oasis at Courtyard Patong

See more images here: Why Families Love Courtyard Patong

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, unveiled the 116UXS RGB MiniLED TV and Laser Projector XR10 at CES 2026, placing display innovation at the center of its global showcase and highlighting its latest breakthroughs in human-centric display technology.

As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense introduces RGB MiniLED evo—a system-level evolution that advances beyond conventional parameter-driven upgrades toward fundamental innovation in backlight architecture. Building on the traditional red, green, and blue backlight structure, RGB MiniLED evo is the industry’s first to introduce a Sky Blue–Cyan fourth LED into the MiniLED backlight system, completing one of the most commonly missing portions of the natural light spectrum.

With the advanced 134-bit color control and a color coverage exceeding 110% of BT.2020, RGB MiniLED evo enables more faithful reproduction of skies, water, and cyan-green tones, and it also delivers professional-grade color accuracy with ΔE<1.0 through enhanced system-level color calibration. Furthermore, its optimized light-source design reduces harmful blue light by up to 80%, supporting a more comfortable and natural long-term viewing experience on ultra-large screens.

The 116UXS, the first product powered by RGB MiniLED evo, represents a decisive shift toward structure-driven display innovation—placing color fidelity, visual comfort, and real viewing experience at the center of next-generation large-screen television design. This is where extreme performance truly meets lasting comfort.

UR8 and UR9 are Hisense’s core RGB MiniLED TV lineups, designed to bring true RGB MiniLED performance to more consumers through mainstream pricing and the widest size coverage. Building on this technology leadership, Hisense takes responsibility not only to lead the category, but to scale it. UR8 and UR9 deliver flagship-level picture fundamentals—true RGB MiniLED and AI-driven color and scene optimization—while extending accessibility across 55″ to 100″ sizes, making them the best RGB MiniLED choice for the majority of households.

For ultra-large-screen home cinema scenarios, Hisense further extends its leadership through TriChroma laser technology. Making its global debut at CES 2026, the XR10 delivers cinematic-scale visuals with high brightness, rich color expression, and stable long-term performance, offering an immersive home theater solution for projections up to 300 inches.

Together, RGB MiniLED for ultra-large TVs and TriChroma Laser for home cinema projection define Hisense’s large-screen display strategy, addressing both premium living-room viewing and immersive cinematic experiences. Anchored by the debut of 116UXS and XR10, this approach brings the CES 2026 theme “Innovating a Brighter Life” to life through display innovation designed to feel more natural, comfortable, and relevant in everyday use.

About Hisense

Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-Q3 2025). As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense continues to lead the next-generation RGB MiniLED innovation. As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.

TAIPEI, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 3rd, 2026, WePlay ignites a brilliant social entertainment phenomenon in Taiwan. As a beloved social entertainment platform among young people in Taiwan, WePlay presents “Neon Honour Party – WePlay GALA NIGHT” at the Sunrise Hall in Dazhi Dian Hua, hosting the most spectacular offline event of the year. As a heartfelt token of appreciation for Taiwan’s core players’ companionship and support throughout the year, WePlay has meticulously crafted this premium party featuring celebrity performances, interactive games, and exciting prize draws. Hundreds of loyal WePlay players gather together to ignite the most dazzling year-end social celebration night, creating unforgettable immersive social experiences and warm memories for one another.

WePlay GALA NIGHT: Three Details Showcasing Meticulous Care for VIP Players

This WePlay GALA NIGHT centers on VIP players, demonstrating WePlay’s deep commitment to player experience through three carefully designed details:

• Invitation-Only Party, Details Embodying Honor – From exclusive invitations to customized party favors, from VIP black wristbands to priority interaction privileges, every detail is carefully curated to ensure each VIP attendee feels seen, valued, and treated with supreme respect.
• Chart-Topping Artists Perform Up Close – Breaking the barrier between stage and audience, WePlay invites renowned music superstars to perform live, offering VIP players exclusive opportunities for close interaction and immersive sensory experiences — a privilege reserved only for core platform members.
• Platform Rising Stars Take the Stage – Three popular Soundwave singers from the WePlay community showcase their creative vitality and musical talent, allowing VIP players to witness the growth and brilliance of community members.

Three layers of progressive musical experience, each layer carrying WePlay’s deepest gratitude and highest respect for VIP players.

Four Rounds of Luxury Prize Draws, Exceptional Value Rewards

This party features four stages of exciting prize draw sessions with an impressive lineup:

• Third Prize – Exclusive limited-edition designer rings × 12 winners
• Second Prize – HomePod mini × 3 winners
• First Prize – AirPods × 2 winners
• Grand Prize – iPhone 17 Pro × 1 winner

Plus exclusive WePlay merchandise available for free redemption through game participation on-site.

Annual Gala Awards Ceremony: Witnessing Glory Born

The December Annual Gala concluded brilliantly, with its most glittering moment shining brilliantly on the January 3rd GALA NIGHT stage. The top three champion players took the stage, receiving the highest honor medal amid thunderous applause from hundreds of attendees. Simultaneously, Voice Room C327 broadcast the event in real-time, allowing online players to transcend screens and witness this historic moment together.

Online and offline voices unite in jubilation, applause and accolades intertwining into a symphony of glory unique to WePlay. Every cheer is the highest tribute to champion players — WePlay transforms the virtual championship title from the annual gala into tangible glory, ensuring champions’ achievements are not only witnessed but cherished throughout the entire community.

This is the unique privilege WePlay grants champion players: glory, warmth, and honor — each indispensable.

Online-Offline Integration: A New Social Experience Bridging Virtual and Reality

“Neon Honour Party” represents WePlay’s significant upgrade from a purely online social entertainment platform to an “online + offline integrated ecosystem.”

WePlay’s Taiwan market manager stated: “Our players don’t just build connections in the virtual world; they should gather, celebrate, and resonate in reality. ‘Neon Honour Party’ is WePlay’s bold attempt to invite players from screens into reality, transforming digital friendships into on-site warmth. Here, every game, every laugh, every round of applause carries WePlay’s ultimate vision for young people’s social entertainment experience worldwide.”

WePlay’s Social Entertainment Philosophy: Connection, Interaction, Joy, Warmth

As a leading next-generation global social entertainment platform, WePlay remains committed to creating a “play and chat, relax and socialize” online entertainment experience for young people. Yet WePlay’s vision extends far beyond this — through offline parties, celebrity interactions, and community connections, WePlay is extending the joy of the virtual world into real life, demonstrating through action the corporate mission of “Bring joy and friends to young people around the world.” Behind every party lies WePlay’s promise to users: on our platform, you’ll not only find entertainment’s delight but also discover your own social family, creative stage, and unlimited possibilities.

About WePlay

WePlay is the flagship product of WEJOY PTE. LTD., a social entertainment platform for young people globally, integrating gaming, voice rooms, party interactions, and more. With the mission “Bring joy and friends to young people around the world,” WePlay is dedicated to creating low-barrier, highly interactive online social experiences. The platform has topped application charts across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions, becoming the social choice for millions of users.

About WEJOY PTE. LTD.

WEJOY PTE. LTD. is an internet company headquartered in Singapore, founded on October 23rd, 2020. As a company combining global vision with innovative spirit, WeJoy is committed to developing its social and gaming businesses worldwide. WeJoy specializes in developing and operating social board games and casual games, particularly emphasizing the creation of innovative and engaging gaming experiences to connect global players. Currently, WeJoy is actively expanding into international markets and will continue deepening international operations, striving to play an important role on the global stage.

Media Contact

Company: WEJOY PTE. LTD.
Contact Person: Bryant
Email: bryant@wejoysg.com
WePlay Official Website: https://weplayapp.com/
WeJoy Official Website: https://wejoyhub.com/

Partnership will support smarter facility operations for venues in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc. has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with U.S.-based facility management SaaS leader 24/7 Software, Inc.

This partnership will bring 24/7 Software’s cloud-based platform, which supports smarter operations for stadiums, arenas and commercial facilities, to these markets.

The platform unifies incident management, lost and found, visitor requests and maintenance operations into one mobile-enabled system, giving teams real-time insights to improve efficiency, safety and visitor experiences.

Additionally, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will propose integrations with existing information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure and services to deliver comprehensive solutions.

1. Background
The stadium market has expanded; as venues grow and become more multifunctional, the complexity of operational tasks has increased, making efficiency critical.

Many venues currently operate with disparate solutions, hindering optimization and data analysis, which leaves improvement efforts varied.

With labor shortages expected to worsen, there’s a clear need to shift employees toward more high-value work through operational digitalization.

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, which has supported digital transformation in stadiums, arenas and hotels, will introduce 24/7 Software to further enhance operational efficiency.

2. Overview of 24/7 Software
24/7 Software is a venue management platform that venues across North America’s major professional sports leagues trust. It’s designed to support multi-venue and multi-vendor operational structures, allowing centralized management of the entire incident lifecycle.

Using a mobile app, staff can check and update incident statuses in real time, while the central control room monitors progress. APIs enable integration with external systems to automate incident detection and notification.

These features drive improvements in operational efficiency and guest experience by reducing incident response times by approximately 25%.

24/7 Software brings proven global best practices that can be adapted and localized to the unique needs of Japanese venues.

3. Future Development
Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd., has already launched 24/7 Software at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Japan, achieving measurable improvements.

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will help establish a localized support framework tailored to the needs of sports organizations and venue operators.

Beyond system implementation, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS will deliver comprehensive smart stadium solutions that integrate online ticketing, communication apps and ICT technologies.

The company plans to expand into arenas, commercial facilities and urban development projects, with broader Asian market expansion under consideration.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS to bring our platform to these three markets that share our deep passion for sports and entertainment,” Justin King, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, 24/7 Software, Inc., said. “As the global leader in venue operations technology, we’ve learned firsthand what world-class organizations need to create safe, efficient and exceptional experiences. Together with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, we look forward to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance safety, elevate the guest experience and deliver Peace of Mind for the World’s Greatest Properties™.”

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/247_software_logo.jpg

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARMED, a pioneer in innovative minimally invasive treatment solutions, has announced a comprehensive rebranding. Now in its seventeenth year of operation, the company is formally transitioning from a Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) specialist into a global multi-modality medical technology platform.

Established in 2009, STARMED pioneered the first thyroid-dedicated RFA electrode, effectively creating a clinical field that did not previously exist. This technology has since been adopted into various international clinical guidelines and continues to maintain the leading global market share today. Building on this heritage, STARMED has expanded its portfolio to address diverse clinical needs in liver, uterine, and vascular care, introducing various products such as the proprietary multi-electrode Octopus system. The current rebranding signals a strategic commitment to expand beyond RFA by integrating diverse energy sources, including Microwave Ablation (MWA) and Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), into a unified therapeutic offering.

“With the global thermal ablation market projected to reach $2 billion by 2033, this rebranding is a pivotal step for our next stage of growth,” said CEO Henry Shin.

The newly unveiled Corporate Identity reflects both STARMED’s heritage and its future vision. The symbol represents technical precision by visualising the initial ‘S’ alongside the silhouette of an electrode tip. This reflects a dedication to minimising patient pain and providing care throughout the recovery process. The wordmark employs a sophisticated, futuristic typeface to reinforce trust within the global healthcare arena.

Supported by strong financial foundations, STARMED plans to capitalise on a market growing at 10.5% annually. The company remains committed to establishing minimally invasive treatments as the global ‘Standard of Care’ through enhanced clinical partnerships.

About STARMED

STARMED is a medical device specialist founded in 2009. With more than 660 clinical research evidence, the company provides world-class thermal ablation solutions to over 70 countries and continues to advance minimally invasive treatment as the clinical standard.

CEO Lyu Jae-chul Underscores “Flawless Execution” to Build a Winning Competitive Advantage

News Summary:

• LG Electronics CEO Lyu Jae-chul announced a three-pillar strategy to reinforce fundamental competitiveness, accelerate the shift to a high-performance portfolio and strengthen a profitability-based growth structure.
• LG will strengthen its fundamental competitiveness by raising quality, cost and delivery (QCD) across the value chain and by deepening “Winning Tech” to widen its technology gap with competitors.
• LG aims to accelerate the transition to a high-performance portfolio by expanding B2B businesses, scaling non-hardware platforms such as subscriptions and webOS, and growing its global D2C business.
• LG will strengthen its profitability-based growth structure through AI transformation (AX), using end-to-end AI-driven operations to improve speed, productivity and execution across the company.
• LG plans to increase future-growth investment by more than 40 percent this year, focusing on AI Home, smart factories, AI data center cooling and robotics.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) CEO Lyu Jae-chul held a press briefing with Korean media in Las Vegas on January 7 (local time), outlining the company’s management direction and priorities. He presented a strategy built on three pillars: reinforcing fundamental competitiveness, accelerating the transition to a high-performance portfolio and strengthening a profitability-based growth structure.

Lyu said LG must respond to a business environment in which industry boundaries, competitive dynamics and technological cycles are changing faster than ever before.

“The paradigms of industries and competition are shifting at unprecedented speed. Matching the pace of others will not be enough. We must see the competitive ecosystem clearly and move faster and execute better than our peers to remain competitive.”

Reinforcing Fundamental Competitiveness and Technology Leadership

LG will reinforce its fundamental competitiveness by raising the baseline of performance across its entire value chain and widening the technology gap with competitors.

This effort rests on two pillars:

• Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) excellence
• Technology and R&D leadership that creates sustainable competitive advantage

To systematically upgrade performance in product quality, cost structure, design and speed, LG has established an Innovation Drive Division reporting directly to the CEO. This organization will function as a company-wide control tower for transformation across development, manufacturing, supply chain and sales. Lyu said he will personally oversee breakthrough targets and progress in each area.

In R&D, LG will further concentrate resources on “Winning Tech” – technologies selected based on customer value, business potential and technological competitiveness. These technologies will be deepened and scaled to lead markets rather than simply follow trends. In areas expected to become long-term industry growth drivers, LG will expand partnerships with leading global players to strengthen world-class development and commercialization capabilities.

Accelerating the Transition to a High-Performance Business Portfolio

LG will accelerate the transition to a high-performance portfolio centered on businesses with stronger growth, profitability and resilience to market cycles.

Key areas of qualitative growth include:

• B2B businesses such as vehicle solutions and HVAC
• Non-hardware businesses including product & service subscriptions and the webOS platform
• Online businesses led by direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels

This portfolio shift is already well underway. The share of these businesses in LG’s total revenue increased from about 29 percent in 2021 to 45 percent in the second half of last year, while their share of operating profit rose from 21 percent to about 90 percent over the same period. LG plans to further accelerate this trend through continued investment, business model innovation and tighter execution.

The vehicle solutions business is expected to deliver its highest annual performance this year, supported by a strong order backlog and growing demand for components for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs).

The HVAC business is positioning itself for future growth through cooling solutions for AI data centers (AIDCs), while the smart factory solutions business recorded KRW 500 billion in orders last year, just two years after commercialization.

In non-hardware businesses, LG’s product subscription model exceeded KRW 2 trillion in annual revenue, and the webOS platform continues to grow at a double-digit rate, with more than 260 million webOS-enabled devices now in use worldwide. LG’s online D2C business is also gaining momentum, with November sales – boosted by Black Friday – rising more than 40 percent year-on-year.

Strengthening the Profitability-Based Growth Structure Through AX

LG will use AI transformation (AX) to strengthen its profitability-based growth structure by improving speed, productivity and execution across the organization.

While digital transformation (DX) optimized individual tasks and processes, AX is designed to integrate them end-to-end, enabling more autonomous, data-driven and faster decision-making. LG has set a goal to increase overall productivity by 30 percent within two to three years, allowing employees to devote more time to higher-value work, innovation and professional expertise.

AI is already being applied across development, sales, supply chain management, procurement and marketing. LG’s internal chatbot, LGenie – originally built to support routine tasks – is evolving into a company-wide AI agent platform based on EXAONE, LG AI Research’s foundation model, and integrated with external generative AI technologies including Microsoft Azure AI Services, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Increasing Investment for Future Growth

Despite ongoing global uncertainty, LG plans to increase investment this year to reinforce its long-term competitiveness and accelerate future growth, while maintaining strict discipline in how resources are allocated.

Total resources devoted to future growth – including capital expenditures, software and IT, patents, and strategic investments such as M&A – are expected to rise by more than 40 percent year-on-year. A portion of this funding will come from cash generated through the IPO of LG Electronics India.

Investment will be focused on areas where LG can best leverage its existing strengths, including AI Home, smart factory solutions, AI data center cooling and robotics. In parallel, LG will actively pursue strategic partnerships to expand capabilities and unlock new growth opportunities.

About LG Electronics, Inc. 

LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 75,000. LG’s four Companies – Home Appliance Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, Vehicle Solution and Eco Solution – combined for global revenue of over KRW 88 trillion in 2024. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.lg.com/global/newsroom for the latest news.