In a week full of significant developments in the tech world, Wix has made headlines following its recent acquisition of the six-month-old startup Base44 for a substantial $80 million in cash.
Base44, a no-code AI tool aimed at simplifying the process of building web apps, quickly gained traction and profitability under its sole founder, prompting Wix to seize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Meta has partnered with Oakley to introduce a new pair of smart glasses, designed to enhance users’ connectivity and entertainment experiences.
Retailing at $399, these glasses can record 3K video, handle music playback, and facilitate calls, all while responding to prompts from Meta AI.
A limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model will also be available at $499 starting July 11, boasting double the battery life compared to Meta’s previous Ray-Ban models.
In sustainability news, Finland has officially launched the world’s largest sand battery.
This innovative system, which utilizes actual sand to store heat, aims to assist the small town of Pornainen in its heating system while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Built from discarded fireplace soapstone and housed within a giant silo, this low-tech solution can retain heat for weeks, demonstrating that advanced lithium technology isn’t necessarily required to combat climate change.
On another note, VanMoof is making a comeback with the introduction of the S6, its first electric bike since filing for bankruptcy.
Equipped with enhancements from McLaren technology and an expanded repair network, the S6 promises a smoother ride and smarter features, attempting to rectify the issues that previously plagued the company.
Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, is now venturing into space technology with his new startup Aetherflux, which has successfully raised $60 million.
With a demo satellite set to launch next year, Aetherflux aims to prove the feasibility of beaming solar power from orbit, backed by early support from the Department of Defense.
In a disappointing turn of events, SpaceX faced a setback as one of its Starship rockets exploded during a test in Texas, which is likely to postpone its upcoming launch originally planned for June 29.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as the explosion stemmed from a pressurized tank failure, marking yet another challenge for the ambitious mega-rocket program this year.
In the realm of audio streaming, anticipation continues to build for Spotify’s long-awaited lossless audio tier.
Despite ongoing speculation and new hints in recent app code indicating active development, fans are advised to remain cautious about their excitement until Spotify provides an official release timeline.
Additionally, Digg has re-emerged with an alpha-testing version of its new iOS app, positioning itself as a potential alternative to Reddit in the AI era.
The revamped app features a sleek design, curated communities, AI-driven article summaries, and engaging elements like gamified “Gems” and daily leaderboards.
The U.S. Navy is also shifting its approach towards collaborating with startups, reducing bureaucracy and focusing on driving real advancements in areas like AI and GPS technology.
As Justin Fanelli, the Department of the Navy’s CTO, emphasizes, the intent is to lead with pressing problems and seek out innovative solutions.
This renewed focus has caught Silicon Valley’s attention, positioning the Navy as a partner for tech innovators eager to make impactful changes in the realm of technology.
In another highlight of the week, Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly looking to invest up to $100 million to attract top AI talent, particularly from OpenAI and DeepMind.
However, OpenAI’s Sam Altman has indicated that none of his key talent is interested in moving, stressing that his team’s mission outweighs financial incentives.
As OpenAI continues advancing its AI models, speculation arises about the potential for an AI-powered social app that may rival Meta’s existing attempts in this space.
image source from：techcrunch
