WHAT’S INSIDE:

• Consumer tech: Bugatti, Meta Ray Ban, Apple, Amazon, Eufy Mower, Bambu

• Feature: Latest Breakthroughs in AI Travel Planning

• Latest food and dining and food technology news

• Arts and culture news, intersection of tech and entertainment

• The latest 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

Cars — 1. Bugatti's Hybrid Marvel, the exclusive 2027 $4.1M Bugatti Tourbillon will come with a hybrid 8.3L V16 + 3x EV motors. Boasts 1,800 hp, a 227 mph speed, and innovative AI-assisted aerodynamics. | 2. The Nissan Leaf is being reimagined.

Meta - Ray Ban — Next-gen “Hypernova” premium Meta smart glasses are coming, $1,000 with a screen, & premium user experience with (AR) augmented reality features for navigation, photos, sports, msgs & a wristband for gestures.

Apple — Released a new health app and AI doctor in iOS 19 with the M5 iPad Pro release + An Apple Vision Pro Update 'visionOS 2.4’ introduces AI features like writing tools and natural language search in Photos, plus a Spatial Gallery app.

Amazon — 1. Introduced Nova Act, an AI model for developers to create AI agents executing complex tasks in web browsers. Focus on reliability, atomic tasks. | 2. Alexa+ early access is open on Echo, but still lacks some expected features.

Eufy Next Gen Smart Mower — The latest eufy Auto Robot Lawn Mower offers AI navigation, smart obstacle avoidance, and multi-zone mapping.

Tinder, The Game Game — New AI digital dating assistant tool aims to help users practice flirting in a fun, low-pressure environment with real-time feedback.

Bambu H2D — This versatile 3D printer comes with additional utility that makes it worth the investment. Includes: dual nozzles, laser cutting, and engraving capabilities.

FEATURE ARTICLE

AI Revolutionizes Travel Planning

Imagine your next vacation planned effortlessly by AI, tailored precisely to your interests, budget, and even spontaneous whims. Last week, Google turned that vision into reality, rolling out groundbreaking updates across Search, Maps, and Gemini AI.

At the heart of Google's innovation is its new AI Overviews in Search, capable of creating personalized day-by-day itineraries instantly. Users can simply prompt, "Plan me a nature-focused trip to Costa Rica," and receive curated itineraries complete with reviews, maps, and local highlights. These plans can be exported directly to Gmail or Google Docs, facilitating seamless sharing and collaboration.

Google Maps now intelligently recognizes and saves travel spots from users' screenshots. This means the café from your friend's Instagram story or the hotel you glimpsed in a travel blog is effortlessly saved into a custom list on your map. Additionally, Google's price-tracking feature now includes hotels, automatically alerting you to price drops, ensuring you secure the best deal.

Manus AI: The First Autonomous Travel Planner

We've already featured the key Chinese rival, Manus AI, an autonomous agent developed by Chinese startup Monica. Since March 6, Manus has exploded due to its ability to independently execute complex tasks, including comprehensive travel planning. With a single prompt, it can generate detailed travel itineraries, such as a full 7-day trip to Japan, encompassing flights, accommodations, attractions, and even weather forecasts. These plans are often presented as interactive websites, offering users an immersive and organized travel guide.

Recently, Manus transitioned to a subscription model, offering its services at $39 per month. This move aims to monetize its advanced capabilities while remaining competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Market Updates Roundup

While Google and Manus are blazing trails, others aren't far behind:

• OpenAI's ChatGPT Operator: Specializing in automating tasks like flight research and data collection, ChatGPT Operator excels at straightforward, repeatable tasks. Ideal for busy professionals who want quick travel plans with minimal fuss, it still faces challenges with complex multi-step bookings.
  

• OpenAI also just signed a partnership with Booking.com to integrate LLMs into its platform for smarter search capabilities, faster customer support, and intent-driven travel recommendations.
  

• Zhipu AI's AutoGLM Rumination: China's latest entry, recently revealed its new model built for speed and efficiency, performing complex tasks rapidly and at no cost. It claims to be even faster and cheaper than DeepSeek.
  

• Perplexity's AI-Powered Booking: Recently partnered with TripAdvisor and Selfbook to deliver seamless hotel searches and direct bookings.
  

• Amazon's Nova Act: Amazon also entered the agents race with Nova Act, primarily designed for online shopping but travel applications will be a target.
  

  User Experiences Compared: Which AI Is Best for You?

• Best for Personalized Itineraries: Google's AI Overviews

• Best for Quick Automation: ChatGPT Operator

• Best Budget-Friendly Option: Zhipu AI’s AutoGLM Rumination

• Best Direct Booking Experience: Perplexity

• Best Comprehensive Planning: Manus AI

Future Vision: Agentic AI Meets Fintech and Blockchain

As agentic AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, integrated blockchain verification systems such as Worldcoin could seamlessly authenticate identity and financial transactions. Travel bookings could become instantaneous and fraud-proof, as AI agents independently verify identities, manage secure payments, and execute personalized bookings across decentralized platforms.

Further, as the cost of computing continues to fall, highly personalized AI agents could become universally accessible, democratizing personalized travel services.

In Conclusion:

Google & Manus’ progress represents just the thin end of a very big wedge of AI's transformative impact on travel planning. The industry is in an explosive phase of rapid innovation not seen since the explosion of the web browser itself. The irony is this next shift may do away with the web browser almost entirely as the format for travel booking. This is an exciting, and also scary future where sophisticated AI-driven travel services become the norm, raising new types of security and fraud concerns. One certainty is, as AI integration with fintech and blockchain technology evolves, travel planning will become faster, more seamless, and personalized than ever imagined. Enjoy your weekend, and maybe let AI plan your next getaway!

Check out Our Full AI Travel Research Report with links here

FOOD & DRINK

Papa John's — Partnering with Google Cloud to enhance pizza ordering using AI, personalizing notifications and marketing based on customer behavior, and introducing a chatbot and virtual assistant ordering options.

Cruelty-Free Foie Gras — Researchers have developed a cruelty-free foie gras using the duck's own enzymes. This new method enhances animal welfare while preserving the delicacy's authentic taste and texture.

Sourdough Made Simple — The Sourdough Sidekick by King Arthur and FirstBuild automates sourdough starter feeding with customizable schedules. Priced at $129, it aims to reduce waste and ships in January 2026. Now on Indiegogo.

Food Chemical Concerns — Rising concerns about food chemicals are spotlighting their links to chronic diseases and hormonal disruptions. Experts advise pregnant women and children to avoid processed items and choose whole foods instead.

Revolutionizing Seaweed — Marine Biologics uses AI and predictive modeling to create functional food ingredients from seaweed, focusing on kelp. The company aims to innovate in emulsification, texture, and enhance fiber and gut health.

Unilever's 2025 Food Trends — Borderless Cuisine blends global flavors, Street Food Couture elevates street eats, Modernized Comfort Food offers nostalgic twists, and Diner Design targets Gen Z with personalization, immersive experiences.

ARTS & CULTURE

Amazon Shakes Up Streaming — Jennifer Salke steps down as head of MGM Studios, highlighting challenges with its streaming strategy and big-budget productions.

Runway — The AI media production startup raised $308M in a Series D led by General Atlantic. It aims to boost AI research and expand media capabilities by forming Hollywood partnerships.

Coyote vs. ACME Film Saved by Fans — Ketchup Entertainment secured a deal to release the Looney Tunes film "Coyote vs. ACME," demonstrating the impact of fan advocacy in reviving canceled projects.

Hollywood Faces Theatre Emergency — Gen Z feels stronger connections to social media influencers than traditional celebrities, prioritizing authenticity over Hollywood prestige.

Museum and Libraries Cuts — DOGE put the Institute of Museum and Library Services staff on leave, raising concerns about its ability to manage grants, impacting funding for museums and libraries nationwide.

Sundance Fest Move — The Sundance Film Festival will relocate to Boulder, Colorado in 2027, citing community engagement and vibrant arts scene as factors.

SPORTS DESK

UFC x Meta — The pair signed a multimillion-dollar partnership, making Meta the official fan technology partner, integrating across its platforms to enhance fan experiences with exclusive UFC content.

2025 Sports Evolution — US sports will transform by 2025 with Professional college sports, private equity altering finances, and AI enhancing fan engagement. The sports sponsorship market could hit $115B by 2025, $160B by 2030.

MLB's Tech Transformation — MLB embraces tech with streaming, data analytics, and a pitch clock to engage younger fans. Partnerships with Apple and Google drive innovation, while direct-to-consumer models and AI enhance fan experiences.

Playback's Big Score — Playback raised $22M to boost growth and partnerships, sealing a deal with MLB for creator streams on mlb.tv. Notable figures like Kevin Garnett and Gilbert Arenas have joined the platform.

Tech Giants Transform Sports Streaming — Apple, Amazon, and YouTube are revolutionizing sports streaming by acquiring exclusive rights to major leagues, posing a challenge to traditional broadcasters.

American Express F1 Boost — American Express elevated the 2025 Australian Grand Prix with exclusive access and premium hospitality, featuring a two-story fan zone, free race radios, and a MoVida collaboration, setting new standards for F1 fans.

FUTURISM

Super-Turing AI Breakthrough — Super-Turing AI achieves over 40 million times greater energy efficiency than traditional AI by mimicking human brain processes enabling real-time adaptation without extensive data migration.

Starship's Global Leap — SpaceX and the Air Force will test Starship for ultra-fast point-to-point flights, aiming for global cargo deliveries within an hour. Military tests begin soon, with potential passenger travel by 2035, revolutionizing logistics.

BodiData's Fast Fit Revolution — BodiData introduces a 3D scanner that accelerates clothes fitting by 15x with over 90% accuracy, revolutionizing the garment industry with precise measurements.

China's EUV Leap — Reports suggest China could achieve extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography capabilities by 2026, potentially transforming its semiconductor industry and reducing reliance on foreign technology.

Martian Molecules Mystery — Long-chain alkanes like decane, undecane, and dodecane were found in Martian mudstone, hinting at possible biosignatures.

Merging the Impossible — Scientists successfully combine dysprosium titanate and pyrochlore iridate into a new quantum structure, potentially advancing quantum computing and sensor tech.

Nuclear Power in Your Pocket — Betavolt introduces a coin-sized nuclear battery with a 50-year lifespan using nickel-63. This innovative battery provides high energy density and works in extreme conditions.

WELLBEING TECH

AI Drug Discovery Boost — Isomorphic Labs, a Google division, secured $600M from Thrive Capital to enhance AlphaFold for AI-driven drug discovery.

Death Penalty Sought in CEO Murder Case — Federal prosecutors pursue the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione has not entered a plea for federal charges.

AI-Powered Therapy — A clinical trial of the chatbot Therabot showed significant mental health improvements, with participants experiencing a 51% reduction in depression symptoms and a 31% reduction in anxiety + strong therapeutic alliance.

Health Shake-Up — The US HSS dept. will cut 10,000 jobs in a reorganization led by RFK Jr. Jay Bhattacharya's tenure as the new NIH director begins with four institute leaders on leave amid workforce cuts.

23andMe Data Dilemma — 23andMe's bankruptcy sparks fears of its genetic data being sold to AI firms, raising ethical concerns. The data's misuse could lead to discrimination, prompting urgent calls for improved governance and protection.

Cholesterol Duo Saves Lives — Combining statins and ezetimibe drastically lowers cholesterol and cardiovascular risks, potentially preventing 330,000 deaths annually among high-risk patients.

AI-Powered Speech Restoration — Researchers unveil an AI-based brain-to-voice neuroprosthesis that enables real-time speech synthesis for those with severe paralysis by decoding neural signals from the motor cortex.