WHAT’S INSIDE:

• Consumer tech: iPhone 17 Air, Pixel 9a, Light Phone III, Nvidia, Snap Specs

• Rafael Nadal’s New Mediterranean Escape in the Caribbean

• 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

Phones — 1. iPhone 17 Air, ultraslim bezels, battery efficient, ~$900, in Sept. | 2. Google Pixel 9a, midrange, $499, Tensor G4, 30hr battery. In April. | 3. Light Phone III launching March 27 at $599, enhanced repairability, reduced distractions.

Nvidia — 1. Blackwell Ultra GB300 and Vera Rubin AI superchips. | 2. Two personal AI supercomputers. | 3. GR00T N1, world’s first open foundation model for bots.

Snap's AR Spectacles — Snap's new Specs feature GPS for navigation, enhanced multiplayer gaming, but remain dev-exclusive with no consumer release announced.

AEKE K1 Smart Home Gym — The AEKE K1 offers 140+ classes, real-time movement correction, AI coaching, and personalized plans in a compact design, with detailed insights and no membership fees.

Roborock's Smart Vacuum — The $1,899 Saros Z70 robot vacuum features robotic arm for item pickup and advanced mopping, with free second unit during pre-orders; shipping starts May.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Rafael Nadal’s Med Escape in the Caribbean

ZEL Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic combines the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean with the luxurious allure of the Caribbean. Rafael Nadal’s newly unveiled all-inclusive lifestyle resort, offers a unique getaway experience, blending relaxation, wellness, and social connection. This exquisite resort is the result of a collaboration between Meliá Hotels International and tennis legend Nadal, bringing a touch of Spanish class from his Mediterranean roots on Palma de Mallorca Island to the Americas. Get in before the hurricane season starts in May and be one of the first to experience this new resort.

A Mediterranean Oasis

ZEL Punta Cana exudes a "fresh and festive aesthetic," centered around a charming Mediterranean patio that creates an inviting and lively social atmosphere. The resort's design is inspired by the warmth and lifestyle of the Mediterranean, evident in its 190 suites that echo the natural beauty and laid-back vibe of the region. Guests can choose from a range of luxurious accommodations, including premium Master Suites and Swim-Up Suites with private gardens, each equipped with modern amenities to ensure a seamless and comfortable stay. Many rooms also feature private terraces with relaxing whirlpool tubs.

Wellness and Connectivity

Of course, with Rafa involved, Zel prioritizes wellbeing with the ZEL Club, offering a unique blend of fitness, community, and wellness through weekend retreats and a weekly program that includes activities like running, Pilates, and yoga. The AUA Spa provides a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation, featuring a steam room, sauna, whirlpool baths, and private treatment rooms offering a variety of therapies. ZEL Punta Cana also provides complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the property, ensuring you stay connected while enjoying your luxurious escape.

Punta Cana's Stunning Surrounds

Punta Cana is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, boasting soft white-sand beaches, swaying coconut palms, and stunning turquoise waters. The calm waters of the gentle bay area make swimming an idyllic experience. Bávaro Beach, often considered the best in Punta Cana, offers a mix of resort amenities and quieter areas for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere.

For those eager to explore, Punta Cana offers a plethora of activities and excursions. Relax on a catamaran cruise, snorkel with sharks and stingrays, or take a full-day tour to the stunning Saona Island. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy dune buggy tours and explore mysterious cenotes. Unique encounters await at Monkeyland, and whale watching excursions are available during the season. Water sports enthusiasts can also enjoy snorkeling and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters.

Diverse Culinary Delights

ZEL Punta Cana caters to diverse palates with a range of dining options that celebrate Mediterranean and international flavors. Nokyo offers Japanese cuisine, Parda presents a Mediterranean buffet, Tacorini features a fusion of Mexican and Greek cuisines, and Silvestre is the resort's exclusive wine bar. Volcán specializes in wood-fired flavors, and the Beach Club offers fusion cuisine with breathtaking sea views. Café de Finca serves specialty coffee, and guests can enjoy a variety of beverages at the resort's multiple bars, including pool bars, a swim-up bar, and a sophisticated lobby piano bar.

The Time is Now

For US citizens, a tourist visa is not required for stays shorter than 30 days, but a valid passport is essential. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Punta Cana enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with the dry season from November to April offering ideal beach weather, so now is the ideal time to go before the storm season arrives. ZEL Punta Cana offers travelers a unique blend of Mediterranean luxury and Caribbean charm. With its modern amenities, focus on wellness, and prime location near stunning beaches, it's an ideal destination for your next getaway. 

Book Now

Foodome Sequencing — Bryan Johnson proposes testing 20% of foods that constitute 80% of the American diet for toxins, advocating for a public database to ensure brand accountability, while promoting extreme anti-aging and AI alignment.

PepsiCo Acquires Poppi — PepsiCo is acquiring prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion to expand in the health-focused beverage market, with tax benefits reducing the net price to $1.65 billion.

Apple News+ Food — Apple launches a recipe discovery and cooking platform, focusing on partnered publishers' content without user-generated recipes.

GrubMarket Funding — GrubMarket raised $50 million at a $3.5 billion valuation to enhance AI for food distribution, aiming for $2.4B revenue and global expansion.

NutriScan AI App — NutriScan, an AI app shared by Akash Solanki, can transform restaurant bills into detailed calorie counters, offering a new tool for health-conscious diners.

Egg Prices — Despite lower egg prices from fewer bird flu outbreaks, immediate consumer relief is unlikely due to a four-week shelf life and rising overall grocery costs, with 2025 increases predicted.

ARTS & CULTURE

Hollywood Creatives Copyright Battle — Over 400 creatives, including Cynthia Erivo and Guillermo del Toro, signed a letter urging the U.S. government to maintain copyright protections against AI, advocating for licensing negotiations.

Russo Brothers' New Venture — The Russo Brothers, known for their Marvel films, plan to innovate again by integrating AI into their future film projects.

U.S. Music Streaming Milestone — The U.S. surpasses 100M paid music streaming subscribers, with Spotify holding a 36% market share, as streaming revenue makes up 84% of total music revenue.

Marey AI — Moonvalley launches Marey, a top-tier clean AI video model for filmmakers, trained on licensed data. Join the waitlist for early access.

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Lawsuit — Universal Music seeks to dismiss Drake's suit over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," arguing it involves UMG's misinformation responsibility.

Severance and Memory Alteration — Neuroscientist Dr. Vijay Agarwal claims the Apple TV+ show "Severance" highlights ethical concerns due to the technology's feasibility in reality.

SPORTS DESK

Hollywood Creatives Copyright Battle — Over 400 creatives, including Cynthia Erivo and Guillermo del Toro, signed a letter urging the U.S. government to maintain copyright protections against AI, advocating for licensing negotiations.

Russo Brothers' New Venture — The Russo Brothers, known for their Marvel films, plan to innovate again by integrating AI into their future film projects.

U.S. Music Streaming Milestone — The U.S. surpasses 100M paid music streaming subscribers, with Spotify holding a 36% market share, as streaming revenue makes up 84% of total music revenue.

Marey AI — Moonvalley launches Marey, a top-tier clean AI video model for filmmakers, trained on licensed data. Join the waitlist for early access.

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Lawsuit — Universal Music seeks to dismiss Drake's suit over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," arguing it involves UMG's misinformation responsibility.

Severance and Memory Alteration — Neuroscientist Dr. Vijay Agarwal claims the Apple TV+ show "Severance" highlights ethical concerns due to the technology's feasibility in reality.

FUTURISM

BYD Factory City — The BYD Zhengzhou factory will surpass San Francisco in size, being 10 times larger than Nevada's Gigafactory, includes dormitories.

Nano-Agrochemicals — Scientists adapt nanotech from cancer treatment for eco-friendly pesticides and fungicides, targeting agricultural sustainability, cost reduction.

Bioplastic Breakthrough — Researchers engineer bacteria to produce a nylon-like bioplastic, poly(ester amide), offering a potential solution to plastic waste, though production costs remain high.

Saudi Overwater Villas — Shebara Resort in Saudi Arabia offers 38 solar-powered futuristic villas, blending luxury and sustainability, priced at $2,500/night.

Biodegradable Glitter — Researchers create cellulose-based glitter, replicating traditional glitter's visual effects, offering a way to reduce microplastic pollution.

WELLBEING TECH

How to Fix U.S. Health Care — How Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. aims to reform the U.S. health-care system by ‘realigning incentives’ for improved health outcomes.

Google Health AI — Google's health event features AI advancements to improve global health outcomes and promote healthier living through innovative products and partnerships including a demo of Gemini’s use for AI in Japanese Hospitals.

Direct Neuron Conversion — MIT transforms skin cells to neurons with 1,100% increase in production, bypassing stem cells, boosting spinal injury and neurodegenerative disease treatments.

VIP36 Pain Relief — Synthetic compound VIP36 offers cannabis-like pain relief without addiction or mind-altering effects; safer opioid alternative for chronic pain.

Bioenergetic Age & Alzheimer's — Lowering bioenergetic age via lifestyle changes may reduce Alzheimer's risk as effectively as drugs; new acylcarnitine-based tool predicts risk, aiding early intervention.

TxAgent AI Medicine — Harvard and MIT's TxAgent surpasses current models in drug reasoning, offering personalized, guideline-aligned treatment recommendations to improve therapeutic decisions.

Muse S Athena Launch — Muse introduces the Athena headband, leveraging EEG and sensors for AI-driven cognitive fitness training.