Weekly Update: Meta Introduces New Oakley Smart Glasses
We’re glad to have you back for another Week in Review! Today, we have a lot to cover, including Wix’s latest acquisition, Meta’s new smart glasses, a sneak peek at the refreshed Digg, and much more. Have a fantastic weekend!
Smart glasses: Meta has teamed up with Oakley to launch a new pair of smart glasses that can record in 3K, play music, manage calls, and respond to Meta AI commands. Starting at $399, these glasses feature double the battery life of Meta’s Ray-Bans. A special edition Oakley Meta HSTN model will be priced at $499, available from July 11.
Unicorn sighting: Wix has bought the six-month-old startup Base44 for $80 million in cash, following its rapid growth as a no-code AI tool for creating web applications. Already profitable and with a single founder, Base44’s quick rise made it a prime acquisition target.
Sand save: Finland has launched the world’s largest sand battery, using actual sand to store heat for the heating system in the small town of Pornainen, effectively lowering carbon emissions. This simple and low-cost solution is built from discarded fireplace soapstone, contained in a large silo, and can preserve heat for weeks, demonstrating that combating climate change doesn’t always necessitate high-tech solutions—sometimes, a pile of heated rocks will do the job.
This is TechCrunch’s Week in Review, summarizing the week’s major news. Want this sent to your inbox every Saturday? Sign up here.
News
We’re back, folks: VanMoof has made a resurgence with the S6, its first e-bike since its bankruptcy, and has preserved its distinctive custom design despite previous challenges. Backed by McLaren technology and an improved repair network, the new VanMoof aims to provide smoother rides, smarter features, and ideally, fewer stranded cyclists.
Space lasers: Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, is venturing into the realm of space lasers. His new company, Aetherflux, has raised $60 million to prove that transmitting solar energy from orbit is feasible, with a demonstration satellite set to launch next year, partially funded by the Department of Defense.
Oh dear: One of SpaceX’s Starship rockets exploded during testing in Texas, likely postponing the vehicle’s next launch, which was previously slated for June 29. SpaceX reported that the explosion resulted from a failure in a pressurized tank, causing no injuries but posing a setback for the company’s ambitious mega-rocket initiatives this year.
That lossless experience: Spotify’s eagerly awaited lossless audio tier has not yet been released, but recent hints found in the app’s code suggest that it’s actively in development, possibly nearing a launch. Given past delays and the lack of an official timeline, however, fans might want to temper their excitement until Spotify offers a formal update.
I can Digg it: Digg’s relaunch is currently in alpha testing, showcasing a new iOS app intended as an alternative to Reddit in the AI age. The app promises a sleek, user-centric design with curated communities, AI-generated article summaries, and features like “Gems” and daily leaderboards for gamification.
We’re interested in you: The U.S. Navy is enhancing its collaboration with startups by minimizing red tape and emphasizing measurable outcomes like improved efficiency and morale. Department of the Navy CTO Justin Fanelli notes that the focus is on solving problems and searching for transformative technologies in areas like AI, GPS, and system upgrades. With Silicon Valley now paying attention, the Navy is positioning itself as a significant ally for innovators ready to make an impact.
Cash isn’t everything: Mark Zuckerberg is offering substantial financial rewards—up to $100 million—to lure top AI talent from OpenAI and DeepMind. However, OpenAI’s Sam Altman claims that none of his key team members have taken the offer, underscoring their dedication to the mission over financial incentives. Meanwhile, OpenAI persists in advancing new AI models and hints at an AI-powered social app that could potentially outdo Meta’s own shaky initiatives.
Before you leave
San Francisco’s latest startup tale: Cluely’s after-party for Y Combinator’s AI Startup School gained viral attention on Twitter, attracting 2,000 unexpected guests. However, it was subsequently labeled the “most legendary party that never took place” after being shut down by the police prior to any drinks being served. Founder Roy Lee’s viral marketing promised excitement, but the true celebration is still pending—perhaps when the weather warms up?
