IN THIS WEEKEND UPGRADE:

• iPhone 17 Air | Daniel Craig Omega | B&O's Buds | VR Headsets | Cadillac SUV

• Arts and History in Breckenridge, Colorado

• NYC & SF Restaurants | The Botanist | Pumpkin Pie Recipes | AI Recipes

• Wicked v Gladiator II | Kurzweil’s latest | Coachella | Burning Man Shortfall

• Nanobots | Quantum Light Computing | Neuralink | Design Enlightenment

TOP CONSUMER TECH

iPhone 17 Air Coming Soon — The rumored 6mm-thick iPhone will feature a 6.6-inch display, A19 chip, and Apple's 5G modem, launching September 2025.

The "Daniel Craig" Omega — Daniel Craig leaked a new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M at the Paris Olympics, it’s now available with a domed sapphire crystal, and co-axial master chronometer caliber 8806. Priced at $6,500 and $5,900.

B&O's Premium Buds — The new $499 Beoplay Eleven earbuds feature jewelry-inspired design with polished aluminum finish, AirPods-style stems, and Qi wireless charging.

VR Headsets Guide 2024 — The latest VR headsets offer more than gaming, featuring immersive workouts, virtual tourism, museums, and social spaces. Perfect for experiencing new worlds from home.

Cadillac Goes Electric — The 2026 Vistiq, a three-row luxury EV SUV starting at $78,790, features 615hp, 300-mile range, and V2H charging capability to power homes during outages.

Hilton Honors members get a guarantee of the lowest price when you book, as well as access to special offers, and perks like Free wi-fi, and exclusive app features. You can also earn and use points by staying at over 600 hotels and resorts across six continents, as well as through partner offers from gourmet dinners to concert tickets.

LUXURY TRAVEL

Arts and History in Breckenridge, CO.

Breckenridge, Colorado offers a vibrant escape for travelers well beyond its reputation as a ski town. This charming town boasts stunning mountain scenery, a historic Gold-rush era Main Street adorned with Victorian architecture, a flourishing arts scene, and a diverse culinary landscape. Breckenridge also provides abundant recreational opportunities for all interests, both on and off the slopes.

Now is the Time

Winter is peak season in Breckenridge, with 3,000 skiable acres suitable for all levels, including Colorado's highest lift and slope. For non-skiers the winter landscape is captivating, complemented by a lively après-ski scene. Visitors can indulge in cozy evenings at traditional saloons or relax at local spas. Be prepared for higher prices and potential wait times for ski lifts and restaurants, especially on weekends.

Navigating Breckenridge

Most visitors arrive in Breckenridge via Denver International Airport, a 90-minute drive away. While car rentals are an option, the town is highly walkable and bikeable, making a car unnecessary. Shuttle services like the Epic Mountain Express are available from Denver, offering discounts for ski pass holders. Uber and Lyft are also options, but for a premium, stress-free experience, Blacklane’s City-To-Slopes provides private car service from Denver to Breckenridge, featuring fixed fares, luxury vehicles, and airport meet-and-greet service.

Beyond the Slopes: Breckenridge's Top Attractions

Breckenridge offers a wide range of activities beyond skiing, appealing to diverse interests:

• Breck Create: This art center provides opportunities to explore various mediums, including ceramics, painting, glassblowing, and metalsmithing. Classes and workshops are available for individuals and groups, held in charming historic buildings downtown.

• Breckenridge Distillery: At an elevation of 9,600ft, this Distillery holds the title of the world's highest distillery. Known for its extensive whiskey selection, it also produces gin and vodka. Visitors can enjoy tours, tastings, and a full menu with craft cocktails at the onsite restaurant.

• Outdoor Adventures: Explore over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails, catering to all levels of experience. From leisurely strolls along the Riverwalk to challenging hikes up fourteeners like Quandary Peak, there is an outdoor adventure for everyone.

• Main Street Exploration: Breckenridge was founded during the gold rush in 1859, Main Street still boasts buildings dating back to 1862, now housing shops and restaurants. To discover this rich past, visit the Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum, which showcases interpretive displays on Indigenous history, gold mining, and the evolution of the ski resort. Conclude your Main Street exploration with a visit to the historic Gold Pan Saloon, one of the oldest saloons west of the Mississippi.

Where to Stay?

The Hyatt Residence Club Breckenridge is probably the most luxurious property in Breckenridge. A close contender it the DoubleTree by Hilton, which offers good amenities and is conveniently located. However, it wouldn't be considered a true "luxury" hotel by high-end standards. If you're looking for true luxury in Breckenridge, you might also consider The Grand Colorado on Peak 8 (a ski-in-ski-out Hyatt lodge), or One Ski Hill Place (a RockResort).

FOOD AND DRINK

New NY Restaurants — Blue Blossom offers modern interpretations of regional Chinese dishes, Le Basque offers vegan takes on classic Basque/French dishes, and Armani/Ristorante serves upscale Italian cuisine in style.

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin — Distiller’s Strength, is The Botanist’s ultra-premium, high-strength gin crafted by the experts at Bruichladdich Distillery.

Pumpkin Pie Recipes — The best Thanksgiving pies for 2024, including Melissa Clark’s brandied pumpkin pie, a NYT classic with five stars and over 2,000 reviews.

Cafe Sebastian — The newly opened Cafe at Transamerica Pyramid joins a select group of versatile restaurants offering full-service dining from morning to night, including Pinecrest Diner and Il Parco.

AI Recipes — Recipe app Pestle is rolling out a new feature that uses AI to turn TikTok cooking videos into step-by-step recipes, adding to its Reels feature.

The Jazz Café — The Cipriani Beverly Hills-based club offers live music, a full bar, and a menu featuring Cipriani classics featuring jazz in a stylish setting reminiscent of Hollywood's Golden Era.

ARTS & CULTURE

Wicked v Gladiator II — NBCUniversal’s blockbuster adaptation of the Broadway smash Wicked, shattered opening weekend box office records. Gladiator II is overshadowed in takings, but has received pretty decent reviews.

"The Singularity Is Nearer" — AI visionary Ray Kurzweil’s latest is a follow-up to his 2000s bestseller, exploring the future of AI, predicting nanobots will merge with humans to enhance intelligence and health.

Sunset Boulevard — NYT Magazine does a deep dive into how the Broadway show pulls off a scene that has the cast take to the actual streets of NYC during every performance.

Coachella 2025 — The 2025 Coachella lineup was unveiled last week, with Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Green Day and Travis Scott headlining and support from Missy Elliott & Charli XCX.

Burning Man’s Budget Shortfall — CEO, Marian Goodell published an urgent request to the global Burner community for $20M in charitable donations by end of the year to avoid ticket price rises for future events.

FUTURISM

Nano-Scale Dinosaur — Researchers use DNA building blocks to create structures thousands of times narrower than a human hair, with future uses in nanobot tech.

Quantum Light Computing — PsiQuantum aims to build a giant light-based quantum computer by 2027, having raised $1B, though some scientists remain skeptical of their ambitious claims.

Neuralink's Next Step — Neuralink receives approval to test brain chip-controlled robotic arm, expanding beyond their current two-patient trial of computer control, while also gaining Canadian approval for clinical trials.

Design Enlightenment — Aligning creativity and consciousness with a groundbreaking approach to interior design. Beatrice Pila at TEDxSouthlake.

Max Planck Institute — researchers develop special crystals that boost hydrogen production efficiency 200x by manipulating electron spin for clean energy production.

Future Housing — Haus.me launches $35K Microhaus, a 120 sq ft portable tiny home with full amenities, requiring no permits. Features include hurricane-resistant walls, single-cord utilities, and optional $9.9K off-grid package with solar power.