WHAT’S INSIDE:

👇️ Todays’ Feature: Trip.com AI Bets Pay-Off, Sets Global Recovery Pace 

• Hypernova, Macrohard, Apple Future, Gemini Agent Mode, VibeVoice-1.5B

• 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:

Smart Glasses Roundup — Meta will unveil Hypernova smart glasses at the Connect for $800 with a neural tech wristband for gesture control. Rokid's $599 Glasses feature a 12MP camera, Snapdragon AR1 chipset, and AI assistant. Halo launches $249 smart glasses that record conversations and offer AI-driven insights. Google's Next-Gen Glasses are being manufactured in Taiwan by HTC or Quanta.

Macrohard — Elon Musk introduces an AI software venture with xAI, to create coding agents simulating competitors like Microsoft using the Colossus 2 supercomputer, Nvidia GPUs, and custom Grok models.

Apple Future — A foldable iPhone is set to debut in 2026 for $2k and plans a curved glass design for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027.

Google's Innovative Gemini Modes — Google is experimenting with new Gemini modes like Agent Mode for autonomous tasks, Gemini Go for collaboration, and Immersive View for visual responses.

VibeVoice-1.5B — Microsoft unveils an open-source text-to-speech model licensed under MIT, generating up to 90 minutes of speech.

WEEKEND CRYPTOGRAM:

Google's Blockchain — Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL) offers Python-based smart contracts on a Layer 1 blockchain for financial institutions, with CME Group already adopting it for tokenization and payments.

MetaMask's mUSD — MetaMask is introducing mUSD, a stablecoin backed 1:1 by U.S. cash and Treasuries, set to launch this year. Integrated into the MetaMask wallet, it will support Ethereum and Linea, boosting cross-chain compatibility and adoption.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PACASO

FEATURE ARTICLE 

Trip.com Bets on AI and Inbound Boom as Travel Demand Surges

The world is traveling again — and Trip.com Group is riding the wave. The Shanghai- and Singapore-based giant, known for its portfolio of brands including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com, and Skyscanner, just posted another strong quarter that underscores its position at the leading edge of the Asia, and global, travel rebound.

In the second quarter of 2025, the company reported US$2.1 billion in revenue, a 16% year-on-year increase and a 7% bump from the previous quarter. Hotel bookings led the charge, rising 21% year-on-year, while transportation ticketing grew 11%. Corporate travel, once the laggard of the industry, showed surprising strength, climbing 21% quarter-on-quarter as multinationals put employees back on the road.

Inbound Travel Surges

The headline story, though, is inbound tourism. Trip.com reported that bookings into China more than doubled compared with last year, with much of the traffic flowing from South Korea and Southeast Asia. The company is betting heavily on this segment, opening its first inbound service center at Beijing Capital International Airport this summer to meet demand.

Outbound travel is just as striking: hotel and air ticket bookings have already reached 120% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels. That puts China ahead of the recovery curve compared to Europe and the U.S., where international volumes are still normalizing.

“Travel is not just an economic engine — it’s cultural exchange and global understanding,” said Executive Chairman James Liang, noting that inbound expansion remains central to Trip.com’s long-term strategy.

AI as the Differentiator

With competitors like JD.com and other online travel agencies pushing into the sector, Trip.com is leaning on technology to hold its edge. Its flagship Trip Planner product was upgraded this quarter with deeper AI-driven personalization. Users can now begin planning trips from “any idea or inspiration,” whether that’s a mention of a festival, a photo of a landmark, or even a piece of travel content online.

From there, AI builds end-to-end itineraries, offering hotel options, restaurant suggestions, and ticketing in real time. The system adapts as users interact, essentially functioning as a virtual travel assistant. CEO Jane Sun calls this the foundation of a seamless global experience: “Our strategy focuses on capturing demand across every demographic while enhancing service to give travelers truly local experiences.”

This personalization push reflects a larger trend: content and AI are converging to make platforms not just booking tools, but discovery engines. For Trip.com, that means building loyalty through relevance and speed — qualities that matter in an increasingly crowded market.

Prices Continue to Soften

Despite the rosy growth figures, Trip.com faces challenges. Domestic hotel and airfare prices are under pressure, with increasing capacity driving down yields even as booking volumes climb. Outbound airfare has also softened, cutting into margins. While not such good news for the company, this is great news for travellers.

At the same time, marketing costs jumped double-digits this quarter, reflecting the push to expand internationally. That spending helped power the revenue surge, but also compressed operating leverage. And while demand looks strong, management flagged macroeconomic uncertainty as a factor that could weigh on consumer sentiment in the coming quarters.

A $5 Billion Vote of Confidence

For investors, the clearest signal came not from the income statement but from the boardroom. Alongside earnings, Trip.com completed US$400 million in share repurchases and unveiled a new US$5 billion buyback program — one of the largest in the company’s history. The move underscores management’s confidence in the long-term outlook, even as competition heats up.

The Bigger Picture

Taken together, Trip.com’s Q2 paints a picture of a company straddling two identities: a financially disciplined market leader delivering steady growth, and a tech-driven innovator reshaping the way people travel. Its deep cash reserves (US$13.1 billion on hand as of June) give it the flexibility to do both.

The stakes are high. If Trip.com succeeds in making AI-powered planning the industry standard, it could lock in a new generation of travelers who expect seamless, personalized journeys. But with competitors circling and pricing pressure mounting, the next few quarters will test how resilient its model really is.

For now, though, the message is clear: travel is back, travelers are spending, and Trip.com is setting the pace.

TECH IN ARTS & CULTURE:

Netflix Black Rabbit Trailer — Netflix unveiled a trailer for Black Rabbit, a limited series exploring family dynamics and success in NYC nightlife, starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman.

AI-Generated Music — Higgsfield AI launched an AI record label featuring a K-pop idol, projecting a substantial growth in the AI music market, challenging traditional artists.

AI Electricity Bills — US utilities are raising electricity bills by over 6% due to AI-driven energy demand, impacting over 67 million residents.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry — The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host a major Raphael exhibition with 200 works, marking the first comprehensive U.S. showcase, highlighting his legacy and creativity.

Anthropic settles AI book training lawsuit — Anthropic settled a lawsuit with authors over using books to train AI models, facing penalties for using pirated books despite a fair use ruling.

FOOD & DRINK TECH:

Cracker Barrel Logo Fail — The chain reversed its decision to introduce a new logo after widespread backlash on social media, including criticism from President Trump. Shares rose over 8% following the announcement to retain its classic logo.

Robomart's RM5 Revolution — Robomart introduces the RM5, a level-four autonomous delivery robot with a $3 flat delivery fee. Aiming to compete with DoorDash and Uber Eats, it promises to cut delivery costs by 70%.

Keurig Dr Pepper's Coffee Move — Keurig Dr Pepper acquires JDE Peet's for $18.4B to form Global Coffee Co., aiming for revenue growth and profit expansion. This strategic acquisition is expected to finalize in early 2026.

Better Meat Co. Growth — Better Meat Co has secured $31M to boost brand collaborations and online sales. The company is expanding rapidly.

Mushroom Munchies — Mushroom-based snacks like chips and jerky are seeing a 17% sales increase. Brands like Popadelics and Evil Snacks are leading this trend, offering healthier “functional food” alternatives to traditional snacks.

Keychain's Big Leap — Keychain secures a $30M Series B and unveils an AI-powered ERP system, underscoring its growth and innovative edge in the industry.

Superfood for Bees — Scientists engineered a yeast-based superfood that boosts honeybee colony reproduction by up to 15 times. This innovation combats bee population decline due to climate change and modern farming.

SPORTS DESK:

Cadillac's F1 Debut — Cadillac selects Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez for its 2026 Formula 1 entry, prioritizing their extensive F1 experience over American drivers. The duo brings vital commercial appeal and technical prowess.

MLB 2026 — The MLB 2026 season kicks off March 25 with Yankees vs. Giants. The All-Star Game is on July 14 and Rivalry Weekend May 15-17. MLB-ESPN form a tentative agreement for ESPN to sell out-of-market games digitally.

NFL-Microsoft AI Expansion — The NFL has partnered with Microsoft to deploy AI technology via 2,500 Surface Copilot+ PCs and a Sideline Viewing System. Also using 32 Sony cameras for a new virtual measurement system to track play.

Curry Joins Google — Stephen Curry becomes Google's Performance Advisor, collaborating on AI-driven wellness tools with Google Health, Pixel, and Cloud. He aims to enhance athlete and community wellness.

Tiger's PGA Revamp — Tiger Woods is spearheading a new committee to modernize the PGA Tour, with major changes expected to transform its competitive structure, adapting to shifts in professional golf.

NGU Sports Lighting — Lieef has committed up to $60M to support the growth of NGU Sports Lighting, led by CEO Mike Lorenz. Specializing in LED lighting for sports venues, NGU aims to become the leading provider in the U.S.

FUTURISM:

Meta's Laser Leap — Meta unveils 2mm laser display using photonic integrated circuits with 1920x1080 resolution, potentially revolutionizing AR glasses by reducing bulk and improving outdoor visibility.

AI's Ethical Dilemma: Deadbots — Growing concerns over AI avatars of deceased individuals used in advocacy and advertising, with the digital afterlife industry raising significant ethical and legal challenges current laws fail to address.

Aquatic Bots — Researchers create Rhagobot, a mini robot inspired by Rhagovelia water striders using fan-like propellers, potentially revolutionizing environmental monitoring and search-and-rescue operations.

Stem Cell Revolution — Stem cell therapy evolves beyond disease treatment using CRISPR and iPSCs for organ regeneration, despite cost and ethical challenges, potentially transforming healthcare into preventative and enhancement models.

Space Solar Revolution — Study suggests space-based solar power with heliostat swarm could cut costs for achieving Europe's net zero carbon emissions by 2050, though cost and regulatory hurdles remain.

Shape-Shifting Nanogels — Shape-shifting nanogels using specialized polymers and crosslinkers engineered to navigate complex tissues autonomously, promising advancements in targeted drug delivery systems.

WELLBEING AND HEALTH TECH:

NIH Funding Cuts Upheld — US Supreme Court allowed $2B NIH grant cuts affecting diversity and COVID-19 research; ruling hampers funding reinstatement efforts, causing layoffs at institutions like Stanford and delaying critical studies.

Pig-to-Human Lung Transplant — Chinese scientists successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead man, with the organ functioning for nine days despite damage, advancing xenotransplantation research.

Heatwaves Age You — Long-term heatwave exposure accelerates aging comparably to smoking or drinking, according to a Taiwan study of 24,922 people; rural and manual workers face highest risks from climate change impacts.

Gene-Edited Diabetes Breakthrough — Insulin-producing cells engineered to evade immune system thrive without immunosuppressants in a Swedish man, potentially transforming diabetes treatment and organ transplant approaches.

Harm Reduction Strategy — San Francisco implements new harm reduction program to tackle addiction and reduce overdose deaths, maintaining local policies despite opposition from the Trump administration.