WHAT’S INSIDE:

• Top consumer tech news this week, iPhone 16 e, OnePlus Watch, Ferrari EV

• Feature: Leave The Kids Behind With Adults-Only Travel

• Latest food and dining and food technology news

• Arts and culture news, intersection of tech and entertainment

• Sports: F1 Season MLB gets AI umps, more sports news and sports tech

• Futurism, the latest in future concepts and cutting edge deep tech

• Latest news in wellness and wellbeing tech, biotech, medtech and more

TOP CONSUMER TECH NEWS

iPhone 16e — Apple’s next-gen iPhone 16e features secret SpaceX satellite connectivity, an A18 chip and a C1 modem. Apple Intelligence AI tools will also roll out on Vision Pro April via a visionOS 2.4 update.

ESR iPhone Case — The HaloLock Classic Hybrid case for the iPhone 16 Pro offers a Camera Control button, MagSafe support, and military-grade durability, all for $25.

OnePlus Watch 3 — Launching Feb 18 with early-bird discount, featuring 16-day battery life, dual chipsets, and WearOS support

Ferrari's EV Future — Ferrari’s first electric vehicle is coming in October 2025, alongside five new models including the 12 Cylinder Spider. Sales growth is strong.

Laptop Updates — 1. Acer hikes price 10% on U.S. laptops due to tariffs. 2. Lenovo's MWC to debut rollable/foldable OLED ThinkBook Flip AI PC, 9 others.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Leave The Kids Behind With Adults-Only Travel

The travel industry is witnessing a notable trend: the rise of adults-only resorts and accommodations. These properties cater specifically to travelers seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and connection without the presence of children. Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is the latest example, but you can also find them in Vegas, Hawai’i and the East Coast. Read on to find out where to escape the chaos.

The Allure of Adults-Only Escapes

If you have kids it probably goes without saying, but Adults-only resorts offer a unique value proposition centered around tranquility and curated experiences. The demand for these properties comes not only from "pre-kids", "no-kids" and "post kids" guests, but also couples with children seeking a break. These resorts often provide low-key luxuries such as swimming spots, free bikes, and flexible breakfast options in a child-free (and quiet) environment.

Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas: An Adults-Only Haven

The Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas, located near San Diego, California, recently transitioned to an adults-only property on February 14. This 130-room resort aims to elevate its serene ambiance and focus on relaxation, exploration, and rejuvenation by the sea. Prior to this change, a review noted that the pool area was often "positively overrun with children," detracting from the relaxing atmosphere and ambience. Key Features and Amenities include:

• Wellness and Relaxation: Spa Alila features treatments inspired by the Indigenous Kumeyaay people, along with a sauna and cold plunge pool.

• Experiences: The Alila Journeys program provides opportunities for guests to explore the coast on Electra Go! bikes, take biplane tours, or learn to surf. Guests can also paddle out to the La Jolla Underwater Park Eco Reserve.

• Accommodations: For a special experience, guests can book rooms with fire pits for outdoor relaxation.

The resort claims the transition will allow them to introduce new programming tailored for adult guests seeking relaxation, connection, and adventure, with curated wellness retreats and elevated dining experiences. Alila Marea joins Alila Ventana Big Sur and Alila Napa Valley as adults-only World of Hyatt resorts.

Other Adults-Only Options in the U.S.

While Alila Marea offers a taste of luxury in California, other adults-only resorts across the U.S. provide diverse experiences. Here are a few examples:

• Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (Florida Keys): This private island resort offers 30 exclusive suites on four acres. It restricts access to guests 18+ and omits TVs and phones from rooms to maintain a tranquil atmosphere.

• Hotel Wailea (Maui, Hawai'i): Perched above the Pacific Ocean, this five-star retreat offers breathtaking views and uniquely designed suites. The hotel provides a beach concierge service and in-suite massages. 18 or older.

• Circa Resort & Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada): As the first adults-only hotel in Las Vegas, Circa is known for sports betting and pool parties. It features a three-story sportsbook and Stadium Swim, a pool area with multiple levels and a large high-definition screen. Ages 21+ only with ID required.

• The Weston (Vermont): Reimagines the New England bed and breakfast, featuring five guestrooms and three suites. Guests must be 12+ years of age.

• Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa (Lenox, Massachusetts): Miraval has three adults-only locations in the US: The Berkshires, Austin, and Arizona.

Factors Driving the Adults-Only Trend

Several factors contribute to the increasing popularity of adults-only travel:

• Desire for Tranquility: Many travelers seek peaceful environments away from the noise and energy of children.

• Focus on Wellness: Adults-only resorts often emphasize wellness programs, spa treatments, and activities geared toward relaxation and rejuvenation.

• Romantic Getaways: These resorts provide an ideal setting for couples seeking intimate and romantic experiences.

• Social Connection: Adults-only environments can foster connections among like-minded travelers seeking shared experiences.

The Rise of Adults-Only Travel

As the demand for adults-only experiences continues to grow, the travel industry is likely to see further expansion in this sector. Hotels and resorts are increasingly recognizing the value of catering to this demographic by offering specialized amenities, curated activities, and serene and romantic environments. For your spring break this year, maybe it’s time to ditch the family and try out this new travel trend.

FOOD AND DRINK

Bob's Donuts Moves — The SF institution opens a new Polk Street location on Feb 21 after lease issues, original spot open until Nov.

Fake Meat v Real Meat — Research shows fake meat products offer mixed health benefits vs. red meat; experts advise whole plant foods over processed alternatives.

Prebiotic Coke — Coca Cola Co. launches Simply Pop prebiotic soda with real fruit juice, fiber, and vitamins; $2.49 per can.

MAHA v Fast Food — Despite MAHA health concerns, chains like Wendy's, Taco Bell continue to thrive with low pricing; grocery stores pose biggest competition.

Foodtech Funding — The EC granted startup MOA €14.8M for an AI-driven sustainable ingredients project using biomass fermentation tech.

ARTS & CULTURE

Spotify HiFi Coming — Premium streaming tier "Music Pro" to launch with lossless audio and exclusive features, estimated $5-6 monthly premium.

AI “True Crime” — A YouTube channel was removed after using AI to create fake true crime stories, misleading millions despite initial disclaimers.

Meta's AI Push — Meta shifts its metaverse focus to AI and smart glasses for 2025, with changes to its Reality Labs strategy and Zuckerberg's political positioning.

YouTube TV — A new deal retains CBS and Nickelodeon channels, adds Paramount+ access for subscribers after removal threats.

AI Puzzle Challenge — Research shows AI models achieve 59% success rate at best on NPR's Sunday Puzzle, highlighting reasoning limitations.

AI Art Debate — Artists protested Christie's auction house's AI art sale over copyright concerns, citing unauthorized data use and impacts on human artists. MoMA's 1934 machine art exhibition at MoMA offers a historical perspective on the philosophical roots of today's AI art debates.

SPORTS DESK

F1 75 Live — Formula 1's launch event at London's O2 arena featured team reveals including Lewis Hamilton’s first outing with new team Ferrari. The new season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia in March.

MLB Spring Training — Mets sign Juan Soto to a record deal, Roki Sasaki joins Dodgers. Prospects Roman Anthony and Jasson Dominguez generate buzz.

MLB Robot Umps — MLB debuts an automated ball-strike challenge system in 60% of spring training games, eyeing 2026 regular season implementation.

NBA AI Training — The NBA introduced an AI-powered robot A.B.E. to assist players like Stephen Curry with real-time feedback and game simulations.

T-Mobile MLS Pass — A free MLS Season Pass is offered to T-Mobile subscribers for the 2025 season through the T-Life app, includes sharing via Apple Family Sharing.

Sinner's Sin — The world #1 tennis player accepted a 3-month doping ban after positive tests, will return for French Open; claims team negligence.

FUTURISM

Clone Alpha — World's first bipedal musculoskeletal android launches with Telekinesis training platform, limited to 279 units.

Artificial Leaf — A new CO2-converting "artificial leaf" uses copper nanoflowers and perovskite for sustainable fuel production.

Super-Strong Nanolattice — AI-designed carbon nanolattice supports a million times its weight, promising applications in vehicles and medical equipment.

Solar Windows — NEXT Energy launches world's largest transparent photovoltaic window (40" x 60"), using organic semiconductors to capture UV/IR light.

Goodyear Blimp Centenary — The futurist success is 100 years old this year, as a new generation of airships from the likes of Sergey Brin nears commercial operation. History moves in cycles.

WELLBEING TECH

MAHA Launch — HHS Secretary RFK Jr.’s MAHA.io platform launches to promote holistic healthcare, vaccine transparency, and reduced corporate influence in public health.

Apollo Sessions — New iPhone app uses haptic vibrations for vagus nerve stimulation, offering personalized patterns for stress relief and relaxation with promising trial results.

Thought Translation — New AI brain decoder translates thoughts to text using audio and video inputs to help aphasia patients. Meta develops a non-surgical brain signal decoder for unspoken sentences, sparking privacy concerns.

NanoCas — Mammoth Biosciences develops miniaturized CRISPR-Cas9 system for multi-tissue gene editing via single viral vector, expanding treatment options for genetic diseases.

Cancer Kill Switch — New method deactivates cancer-linked PSKH1 molecule, potentially enabling targeted therapies for prostate, lung, and kidney cancers with reduced side effects.

AI Cancer Detection — New prostate cancer test detects 100+ bio markers with 96-99% accuracy, revolutionizing early screening for healthy men.

Biomedical Breakthrough — MIT creates mussel-inspired biomedical hydrogel that prevents bacterial contamination and solidifies on contact, ideal for medical implants and sustainable packaging.