Week in Review: Meta reveals its Oakley smart glasses – TechCrunch

🔍 Summary:

This week’s TechCrunch Week in Review highlights several intriguing developments across the tech landscape:

1. **Meta’s Smart Glasses Collaboration**: Meta has partnered with Oakley to launch a new line of smart glasses priced at $399. These glasses can record 3K video, play music, handle calls, and interact with Meta AI. A special edition Oakley Meta HSTN model will also be available for $499 starting July 11.

2. **Wix Acquires Base44**: Website builder Wix has acquired the six-month-old startup Base44 for $80 million. Base44, known for its no-code AI tool that helps build web apps, was founded by a single individual and has already become profitable.

3. **Finland’s Sand Battery**: Finland has activated the world’s largest sand battery in Pornainen, which uses heated sand to power the town’s heating system and reduce carbon emissions. This innovative, low-cost solution utilizes discarded soapstone and can store heat for weeks.

4. **VanMoof’s Comeback**: After facing bankruptcy, e-bike manufacturer VanMoof is making a comeback with the S6 model, featuring enhanced design and technology supported by McLaren.

5. **Space-Based Solar Power**: Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, has launched Aetherflux, a startup that has raised $60 million to develop technology for transmitting solar power from space. The company plans to launch a demonstration satellite next year.

6. **SpaceX Setback**: A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a test in Texas due to a pressurized tank failure, likely delaying its next scheduled launch.

7. **Spotify’s Lossless Audio**: Spotify is reportedly close to launching a lossless audio tier, although no official timeline has been provided.

8. **Digg’s Reboot**: The social news site Digg is testing a new iOS app designed to be an AI-driven alternative to Reddit, featuring AI-powered article summaries and community engagement tools.

9. **U.S. Navy and Tech Startups**: The U.S. Navy is streamlining its collaboration with tech startups, focusing on AI, GPS, and system upgrades to improve operations and morale.

10. **Meta’s AI Talent Recruitment**: Meta is reportedly offering up to $100 million to attract top AI talent from companies like OpenAI and DeepMind, although OpenAI’s Sam Altman noted that none of his key team members have accepted the offers.

11. **San Francisco Startup Scene**: A party for Cluely, a startup from YC’s AI Startup School, was shut down by police before it started, despite drawing significant attention on social media.

These highlights showcase significant strides in technology and innovation, from renewable energy solutions and AI advancements to strategic corporate acquisitions and partnerships.

📌 Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/21/week-in-review-meta-reveals-its-oakley-smart-glasses/