This week was a reminder of all the exciting progress taking place across industries, from tech and sustainability to space exploration. Noteworthy events included Wix’s acquisition of the startup Base44, Finland’s launch of the world’s largest sand battery, a collaboration between Meta and Oakley on smart glasses, and a setback for SpaceX during a rocket test.
Web development giant Wix has acquired boutique ecommerce site Base44 for $80 million in cash. Base44, a new but already-acclaimed startup that got off the ground only six months ago. Their no-code AI tool allows anyone to quickly and easily create custom web applications. This acquisition highlights Wix’s broader strategy to enhance its offerings. Its mission is to empower users with cutting-edge technologies to simplify the process of building on the web.
Meanwhile in Finland, the government recently opened the world’s largest sand battery. This historic effort is aimed at advancing energy efficiency and sustainability throughout Illinois. This experimental sand battery works to store excess heat that will be used in Pornainen’s district heating system. State officials expect this ambitious project to make a significant dent in the region’s carbon emissions. This major move reflects Finland’s commitment to clean, sustainable energy solutions.
In perhaps the biggest tech partnership news of the month, Meta joined forces with Oakley to launch new smart glasses. The Oakley Meta HSTN model comes equipped with cutting-edge features. Whether it’s capturing beautiful 3K video, listening to your favorite tunes, managing phone calls, or chatting with Meta’s AI in a whole new way—you can do it all. Limited to 9,000 units globally, this special-edition model will go on sale for $499 beginning July 11. Both companies are hopeful that these smart glasses will find a large consumer market in tech-savvy early adopters interested in the next big thing in wearable technology.
It wasn’t all good news this week. SpaceX suffered a major failure Thursday when its Starship rocket blew itself up over Texas during its first integrated test launch. The company was hopeful this test would go off without a hitch, as it fits into the company’s longterm plans to help with space exploration and travel to Mars. Investigators are still working to uncover the circumstances that led to this explosion. This latest incident raises serious concerns not just for the safety of the Starship program moving forward.
This joint announcement continues to prove how quickly technology is advancing and how quickly cities are engaging in sustainability initiatives. Wix’s recent acquisition of creative agency Base44 is a signal of how popular this movement to simplify and democratize digital tools is becoming. At the same time, Finland’s sand battery represents a growing trend towards clean energy, including greater reliance on renewables and lower carbon footprints.
Oakley’s smart glasses aren’t just clever marketing gimmicks. Their launch reveals a strong consumer desire for multifunctional devices that seamlessly blend into everyday life. As technology advances, the possibilities seem endless for the application of AI and smart devices. SpaceX’s challenges remind stakeholders of the complexities and risks associated with ambitious projects in aerospace.
