From space lasers to AI-powered smart glasses, this week’s tech news shows no signs of slowing down. Let’s break it all down.
Big Story of the Week
Meta and Oakley Launch Next-Gen Smart Glasses
Meta is back with a stylish twist. In partnership with Oakley, the company just unveiled a new pair of smart glasses packed with features:
- Record 3K video
- Play music and take calls
- Interact with Meta AI
- Battery life: Twice that of Meta’s Ray-Bans
Price: $399
Limited Edition (Oakley Meta HSTN): $499 — launches July 11
Startup & Business Moves
Wix Buys Solo-Built AI Tool Base44 for $80M
Wix acquired Base44 — a profitable, no-code AI web app builder founded just six months ago — for $80 million in cash. The tool’s viral success made it too tempting for Wix to pass up.
Climate Tech Spotlight
Finland Powers Up World’s Largest Sand Battery
In the town of Pornainen, Finland is now running a massive, low-cost sand battery built from discarded soapstone. It:
- Stores heat for weeks
- Reduces carbon emissions
- Proves you don’t need lithium to fight climate change
This innovation turns an age-old material into a modern energy solution.
Top Headlines You Shouldn’t Miss
VanMoof Makes a Comeback with the S6 E-Bike
After near-collapse, VanMoof is back with the S6 — its first e-bike post-bankruptcy. Now backed by McLaren tech and an upgraded repair network, the company hopes to deliver smoother, smarter rides.
Robinhood Co-Founder Launches Space Laser Startup
Baiju Bhatt’s new venture, Aetherflux, just raised $60 million to beam solar energy from space. A demo satellite is launching next year with early support from the U.S. Department of Defense.
SpaceX Starship Explodes During Testing
One of SpaceX’s Starship rockets exploded during a Texas test.
- Cause: Pressurized tank failure
- No injuries reported
- Launch scheduled for June 29 now faces delays
Spotify’s Lossless Tier — Still MIA
Spotify’s long-promised high-fidelity audio tier may be in active development, according to app code leaks. But without a launch date, fans remain in limbo.
Digg Reboots as an AI-Driven Reddit Alternative
The once-famous Digg is now in alpha with a new iOS app. Features include:
- AI-powered article summaries
- Curated communities
- Gamified tools like “Gems” and daily leaderboards
Government & Tech
U.S. Navy Revamps Its Startup Playbook
The Navy is streamlining its tech partnerships to attract cutting-edge AI, GPS, and software solutions.
CTO Justin Fanelli says the focus is on solving real-world defense problems quickly and efficiently.
Zuckerberg Offers $100M to Poach AI Talent
Meta is going all-in on AI, offering massive cash deals (up to $100M) to lure researchers from OpenAI and DeepMind.
So far, no major defections — OpenAI’s Sam Altman says his team is staying loyal to the mission, not the money.
And Finally…
The Viral YC Afterparty That Never Happened
San Francisco startup Cluely’s post-YC bash went viral, attracting 2,000 RSVPs. But before anyone could raise a toast, the police shut it down.
Founder Roy Lee’s guerrilla marketing made headlines — and made the “most legendary party that never happened.”
Also Read : Iran Confirms Nationwide Internet Shutdown Was a Defensive Move Against Cyberattacks
