Latest news with #Nex
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Nex and Zumba Announce Partnership to Bring Fitness Fun from the Studio to the Living Room
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nex, the leading motion technology and entertainment company, today announced a partnership with Zumba ®, the global dance-fitness phenomenon, that will make physical fitness enjoyable, accessible and engaging for people of all ages and abilities. This partnership will allow us to expand the Zumba experience beyond the studio, making it more accessible and engaging for families. Share Launching this August on Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving, Nex and Zumba will be introducing a first-of-its-kind fitness experience that combines immersive motion tracking with gamified scoring and progression. Developed with Zumba's globally recognized brand and content, this title will bring the studio experience to living rooms everywhere as a part of the ongoing partnership between the brands. This partnership highlights that Nex's breakout product, Nex Playground, goes beyond kids' games to become a true lifestyle choice, weaving active play into families' daily routine. 'Our partnership with Zumba is all about bringing their world-class dance-fitness experience into living rooms everywhere,' said David Lee, co-founder and CEO of Nex. 'This collaboration is about more than just exercise–it's about creating joyful, shared moments that get the whole family moving together. At Nex, we're always developing new experiences with our full community in mind–because healthy screentime isn't just for kids, it's for everyone.' 'This partnership will allow us to expand the Zumba experience beyond the studio, making it more accessible and engaging for families,' said Carolina Moraes, Chief Marketing Officer of Zumba. 'At Zumba, we want to make exercise feel less like a chore and more like a fun, social activity. By combining our infectious rhythms and easy-to-follow choreography with Nex's innovative motion technology, we're transforming how people of all ages experience fitness and fun at home!' The new fitness experience, available exclusively on Nex Playground, will let users unlock new songs, styles, and dance moves while progressing through increasingly challenging routines. By combining Zumba's engaging content with Nex Playground's advanced AI motion tracking technology, this partnership will offer the best at-home Zumba ® experience yet. With Nex's focus on simple setup, reliable tracking, and real-time gamified feedback and scoring, Zumba ® on Nex Playground will turn users' workouts into a high-energy dance party, all the while giving them credit for every step and every move. Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages. Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no internet connectivity, online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex's commitment to privacy and safety. The company just met a major milestone of selling over 200,000 units, and Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the console on Amazon as well as in Best Buy ®, Target ® and Walmart ® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at About Nex Nex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that's accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja, and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company's firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. About Zumba Fitness, LLC Founded in 2001, Zumba is the largest branded dance fitness company in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in 200,000 locations, across 185 countries. Zumba ® blends world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography for an effective workout that empowers participants to become their best selves – mind, body and soul. In addition to its original Zumba program, the company offers 10 Zumba specialty classes – from aquatic-based to those specifically designed for active older adults and children. In 2016, Zumba launched its first non-dance, HIIT workout STRONG Nation ®, where music acts as the main motivator. In 2023, Zumba launched CIRCL Mobility ®, a revolutionary new program designed to unlock the body's full potential through flexibility, breathwork, and mobility exercises. The Zumba ® lifestyle is rounded out by the company's many consumer product offerings, including video games, VR +MR experiences, original music, activewear and footwear, and interactive Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba's programs and products, or to find a live class, visit Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nex Playground Announces Summer of Fun Game Lineup Featuring New Games With Zumba and Sesame Workshop
Six new motion games continue Nex's mission to provide healthy, affordable, and accessible play solutions for kids to move more and bond with friends and family SAN FRANCISCO, June 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nex, the leading motion technology and entertainment company, today announced its Summer 2025 game lineup for Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together. Headlining the slate are two standout partnerships: a delicious and playful puzzle adventure starring Sesame Street's Cookie Monster and a high-energy fitness experience created in collaboration with Zumba®. Together with four additional titles spanning sports, fantasy, and trivia, the lineup builds on Nex Playground's growing catalog of motion games that promote healthy, joyful, and communal active play for everyone in the family. With school out and warmer weather coming, kids and families will enjoy having a variety of indoor activities they can play all summer long. Nex Playground is keeping kids moving this summer with a fresh lineup of games: Sesame Street's Cookie Monster's Cookie Factory – Join Cookie Monster in a fun-filled puzzle adventure. Players take on cookie-themed challenges focused on sorting, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination. Team up and work together to solve sweet puzzles and help Cookie Monster keep the nummie, nummie treats under control! Zumba – A first-of-its-kind Zumba® experience that combines immersive motion tracking with gamified scoring and progression. Unlock new songs, styles, and dance moves while progressing through increasingly challenging routines. Developed in collaboration with Zumba's globally renowned brand, this innovative title brings the energy and excitement of the studio straight to your living room. Brainy Inc. – Step into the fast-paced world of a factory floor, where you play as a robot in the final stages of assembly. Before earning your place outside the factory, you'll face a series of challenging tests packed with brain teasers and tricky questions. Outsmart the competition, rack up points, and prove your brilliance to claim the title of the smartest robot at Brainy Inc! Mingle – A vibrant matching game from Cookiecrayon, the creators of Nex Playground's Aeon Guard. Featuring quirky characters and a relaxing pace, the game brings a laid-back charm to the summer lineup. Homerun Heroes: Starstrikers – A third-person baseball batting game. Players swing to strike home runs, smash targets, and unlock a variety of costumes and bats to win the ultimate title of Starstrikers. This game features both 1v1 and 2v2 player modes, so no one's sitting on the bench. Sword Slash Adventure – A storybook-inspired action game where players dive into a whimsical, magical world, battling a variety of monsters to unlock new worlds and engage in boss battles. An evolution of Nex Labs' original Sword Slash title, this expanded adventure includes new boss battles and equipment upgrades. "We're looking forward to expanding Nex Playground's game library with this summer's diverse and creative lineup," said David Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Nex. "From educational puzzles and trivia challenges to sports titles and our first-ever Zumba experience, Nex Playground has the ideal lineup to help keep kids and families stay active throughout the summer. We're committed to building games that resonate with our community, and will continue to build our platform to focus on entertainment that is accessible to the whole family." Nex Playground is a controller-free console designed for families with young kids, making active, communal play more accessible and engaging than ever. Fully motion-powered gameplay means body movements are used rather than controllers, getting players to get off the couch and making physical activity fun for all ages. Additionally, Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, with no internet connectivity, online interactions, ads, and in-game purchases, making it a standout family gaming option. All data stays local to the device, and the system comes with a built-in camera cover, highlighting Nex's commitment to privacy and safety. After a strong first year at retail in 2024 selling over 200,000 units to date, Nex Playground is gaining serious traction as a top choice for family gaming. Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the console on Amazon as well as in Best Buy®, Target® and Walmart® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at The new summer games will be progressively released on Nex Playground starting this July and will be included in the Play Pass content subscription bundle for families, which is sold separately and can easily be added anytime. To learn more about Nex Playground, visit About NexNex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that's accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles, to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company's firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families. To learn more, visit or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. View source version on Contacts BerlinRosen for Nexnex@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mcindoe: 'We have done something no one said could be done'
Mcindoe: 'We have done something no one said could be done' Liverpool Post Match Reaction After Palace: Triumph, Farewells and the Future Liverpool's final whistle against Palace didn't just signal the end of a game. It was a coronation. On The Gags Tandon Show, Jack Mcindoe, Lewis Aspinall and Tadiwa Chanakira captured the post-match mood perfectly — pride, reflection and an eye to what comes next. 'This is the moment that I will always bring up first,' said Lewis. 'We have done something that every other club and every other fan and every other pundit said will not be done.' It wasn't just a win, it was a statement. Against the backdrop of a transitional season, Liverpool dominated. Reaction to Palace Win Shows Title Meant More Than Points The match itself against Crystal Palace might not go down as a classic, but its symbolic importance cannot be overstated. 'It was all about the celebration,' said Tadiwa. 'Finally getting to celebrate one of these in front of our fans.' Advertisement The crowd got what they came for — not just a performance, but a moment. The image of Van Dijk lifting the trophy with Alan Hansen was, in Lewis' words, 'a passing of the torch.' From one Liverpool era to the next, the legacy rolls on. Jack summed it up crisply: '35 years of waiting ended today… I love you Liverpool.' Slot's Tactical Touch Earns Post Match Praise It wasn't just emotion that carried Liverpool through the season. Arne Slot's arrival could have been the risk that derailed everything. Instead, it proved pivotal. Tadiwa explained it best: 'He didn't tweak a lot… one or two things, but we still saw his identity shine through.' Slot's impact was subtle but decisive, and as Lewis added, 'He rotated Trent and Bradley and gave us a view of what life's going to be like when number 66 leaves.' Advertisement That vision paid dividends. Gakpo, a player often lost in the shuffle, became 'top tier at moments,' according to Lewis. 'He finished as our second highest goal scorer… scored against Manchester City… great in our cup run.' All with a redefined role under Slot. photo IMAGO Trent's Goodbye and Salah's Legacy Dominate Discussion Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit had fans divided, but the podcast reflected on his send-off with surprising clarity. 'I was proven so wrong today,' admitted Lewis, who once didn't want Trent near the squad. 'I cried when he stepped up to get his medal.' Tadiwa added perspective: 'We got the whole discourse out with the boos… today it almost seemed like the crowd said this is a day for Liverpool Football Club to celebrate.' Advertisement Then there's Salah. The man who continues to break the mould. 'Mo Salah without hyperbole is the greatest right winger in Premier League history,' declared Lewis. '29 Premier League goals and 18 assists… ludicrous.' Tadiwa agreed, noting how Salah's studied approach gives him a unique edge: 'He's at the perfect point in his career… the game has slowed down for him.' Photo: IMAGO Eyes Already on the Next Season This wasn't just a post match reflection. It was a rallying cry. 'There's no finishing beneath first now,' said Lewis. 'We're coming for number 21, number seven and number 11.' Liverpool have already started flexing in the transfer market, with names like Frimpong and Wirtz exciting fans. Tadiwa closed with intent: 'You see the scenes at Anfield… what young player wouldn't want to join us?'
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Daily Record
Sex shame teacher caught romping with pupil in her car pens children's book
Eppie Sprung has now a published a children's book about past mistakes in another attempt to rewrite her history. A sex shame teacher who was caught romping with a male pupil in her car has written a children's book. Eppie Sprung was struck off the register after she admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old boy in 2012. The married English teacher had agreed to give the dyslexic teenager extra lessons while working at St Joseph's College in Dumfries, before she was caught half naked in a layby with him after a Christmas dance. After pleading guilty to a breach of trust over the affair, she was added to the sex offenders register with a six-month community payback order. Sprung, 39, has now penned a book called Here, with you, aimed at "helping families discuss parental criminal convictions". In a bid to help parents to share their past with their kids, the book uses the slogan: "You and I know that making bad choices doesn't make you a bad person" as the story centres around a conversation between two bears (a parent and a child), in which the parent tells the child about choices from their past that are still impacting on their lives today. The child asks questions and the parent answers as best they can. In a recent blog post titled: "Not a Monster, a Mum", Sprung confirmed that she was motivated to write the book before having own children. She said: "One day, they're going to learn to type things into internet search engines and they're going see my name emblazoned across tabloids - Eppie Sprung: Sex Offender. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "I realised that I was going to have to handle talking to my children about my conviction very carefully. "So, I put pen to paper and 'Here, with you' is my attempt to fill that gap." Back in 2012 o fficers spotted the married teacher, who was 26 at the time, parked in a layby with the pupil after noticing condensations on her car windows. She split from her husband of two years after the incident and the pupil moved in with her. Their relationship came to an end in 2015. Sprung has since attempted to share messages of remorse and rehabilitation, including starting a charity for ex-offenders called 'Next Chaper Scotland'. Her book release comes just months after she sparked controversy for whining about the 'stigma' surrounding her conviction in a call-in to BBC Radio One. The mother-of-two, who has since remarried, complained about the judgement she faces due to living with a criminal record and told how she doesn't "get invited to kids parties". She previously said she found it difficult to move on with her life and said media coverage of the case meant potential employers were "concerned I bring with me a reputational risk". She added: "Everybody knew who I was." Sprung said a bar owner "took a punt on me" after her conviction. She was later offered a job at a charity before setting up Next Chapter Scotland. The venture was handed thousands from the public purse through a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, which she says will help those with criminal records 'navigate discrimination'.
Fast Company
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Meet the startup taking on Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation
Switch, PS5, and XBox might be the biggest names in video games, but David Lee and a group of entrepreneurial alums from companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are carving out a niche market with Nex, a new alternative. The company's Nex Playground device has sold more than 200,000 units. Instead of buying individual games, families buy a subscription-based collection of 40-plus titles. Like the old Nintendo Wii, Nex focuses on family-friendly, movement-based games. The Nex device plugs into TVs for motion-controlled experiences. Instead of controllers, the device uses a built-in camera that enables you to play games by moving your hands and feet. With national retail expansion underway across 5,000 stores, Nex positions itself as a simpler alternative to pricier, fancier, thumb-based video games. Fast Company spoke with Lee, the founding CEO, about how Nex competes against industry giants and how the company develops distinct hardware and games.
