On a less positive note, one of SpaceX’s Starship rockets met an unfortunate end during testing in Texas, potentially delaying its upcoming launch scheduled tentatively for June 29. Despite no reported injuries from the explosion, it marks another setback for SpaceX’s ambitious mega-rocket program this year.
In the realm of innovation, the U.S. Navy is making waves with a new approach to collaborating with startups. By cutting through bureaucratic red tape and honing in on impactful outcomes such as time efficiency and boosted morale, the Navy, led by Department of the Navy CTO Justin Fanelli, is actively on the lookout for revolutionary technologies in AI, GPS, and system upgrades. This shift has attracted the interest of Silicon Valley visionaries looking to leave their mark.
Let’s kick things off with an exciting new release: Meta and Oakley have united to unveil a stylish set of smart glasses capable of recording 3K video, delivering tunes, managing calls, and responding to Meta AI commands. Priced at a starting point of $399, these cutting-edge glasses boast double the battery life of Meta’s Ray-Bans. Feeling fancy? Be on the lookout for the limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model hitting shelves on July 11th, priced at $499.
Exciting developments are underway at Digg as they enter alpha testing for their overhauled iOS app, aiming to position themselves as a Reddit alternative tailored for the AI era. Armed with a sleek design, curated communities, AI-generated article summaries, and engaging features like “Gems” and daily leaderboards, Digg’s fresh look is making a splash.
Speaking of financial moves, Mark Zuckerberg’s generous offer of up to $100 million to recruit top AI talents from OpenAI and DeepMind hasn’t quite hit the mark. While team members at OpenAI have resisted the temptation, citing loyalty to their mission over monetary gains, the company continues to push boundaries with new AI models and hints at an AI-powered social application that could outshine Meta’s turbulent efforts.
Shifting gears, have you heard about Finland’s groundbreaking endeavor? They’ve activated the world’s largest sand battery to help power the heating system of the small town of Pornainen and cut down on carbon emissions. This ingenious, cost-effective system, constructed from recycled fireplace soapstone and housed in a massive silo, stores heat for weeks, showcasing that fancy lithium isn’t the sole solution for combating climate change. Sometimes, some heated rocks are all you need.
Shifting our focus to a quirky twist in San Francisco, the after-party hosted by Cluely for YC’s AI Startup School took an unexpected turn when it caught fire on Twitter, drawing 2,000 gatecrashers. However, the event fizzled out prematurely, earning the moniker of the “most legendary party that never came to be” as law enforcement swiftly shut it down before a drop was spilled. Although founder Roy Lee’s viral stunt promised chaos, it looks like the real festivities have been postponed until warmer weather arrives.
While we eagerly anticipate Spotify’s highly anticipated lossless audio tier launch, recent hints tucked in the app’s code suggest it’s well on its way. Despite years of delays and no official timetable, fans may want to temper their enthusiasm until Spotify confirms the rollout.
Hello there, welcome back for the latest Week in Review! We’ve got a lineup brimming with exciting updates today, including Wix’s recent acquisition, Meta’s innovative smart glasses, a glimpse of the revamped Digg, and much more. Hope you’re all geared up for an outstanding weekend ahead!
In otherworldly news, Baiju Bhatt, renowned for co-founding Robinhood, is now venturing into the realm of space lasers with his latest venture, Aetherflux. Securing a substantial $60 million in funding, Aetherflux aims to exhibit the viability of beaming solar power from space and is poised to launch a demonstration satellite next year with early support from the Department of Defense.
That wraps up the latest buzz! Stay tuned for more captivating updates next time. Cheers!
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Now, let’s delve into a tale of triumph: VanMoof has made a triumphant return from the brink with the S6, their first e-bike post-bankruptcy. Despite sticking to their signature custom design, which nearly led to the company’s downfall, the new VanMoof boasts McLaren tech backing, an improved repair network, and promises of smoother rides and smarter features to ensure cyclists don’t get left stranded.
Next on the radar is the talk of the town: Wix’s acquisition of the six-month-old solo startup Base44 for a whopping $80 million in cash. Base44’s rapid ascent to stardom as a no-code AI tool for web app development, along with its profitable status and single-founder origin, presented an offer Wix simply couldn’t refuse.
