Digimasters Shorts - Anker’s $44M Kickstarter UV Printer, Tech Execs Join US Army as Lt Colonels, AI Fashion Startup Daydream Disrupts Retail, Andy Konwinski’s $100M AI Institute Launch, Solos Introduces Next-Gen Smart Glasses

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, your quick dive into the latest in digital innovation and tech breakthroughs. Join hosts Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson as they bring you concise updates on game-changing gadgets, strategic collaborations between the military and tech giants, and cutting-edge developments in AI and consumer electronics. Whether it's the unprecedented crowdfunding success of the eufyMake UV printer, the U.S. Army's new tech-focused leadership initiatives, or breakthroughs in AI-driven shopping and wearable devices, Digimasters Shorts keeps you informed on the trends shaping our digital future. Tune in for fast, insightful coverage of the technology transforming our world.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:09

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. Anker Innovations has launched the eufyMake E1 UV Printer, which has become the most funded Kickstarter project ever, raising over$44 million. This UV printer boasts a 3-in-1 modular design and is the world's first consumer-grade 3D-Texture UV Printer. It can print on more than 300 materials, including metal, wood, glass, leather, and acrylic, with textures up to 5mm thick. Traditionally, UV printers have been expensive and complex, limiting their use to professionals, but the eufyMake E1 aims to bring this technology into households. Early backers on Kickstarter can still purchase the printer at a discounted price of$1,899, which includes$527 worth of perks. The campaign ends in three days, with an official pre-sale starting July 4th and a release expected by late September. Reviewers have praised the printer’s versatility, noting its ability to print on unconventional items like skateboards with impressive results. This innovation joins other advanced crafting technologies set to transform the hobbyist market in 2025. The eufyMake E1 signifies a major shift by making high-quality UV printing widely accessible. Creative tech enthusiasts are encouraged to explore such innovative tools as DIY crafting continues to grow.

Adam N2: 1:30

In June 2025, the U.S. Army officially swore in four senior tech executives as lieutenant colonels in a newly formed unit called Detachment 201: The Executive Innovation Corps. This part-time Army Reserve unit aims to integrate cutting-edge technology expertise with military innovation to accelerate modernization efforts. The executives serving include Shyam Sankar from Palantir, Andrew Bosworth from Meta, Kevin Weil from Open A.I, and Bob McGrew, an advisor with ties to Open A.I. Each will serve approximately 120 days a year as senior advisors, focusing on projects to implement scalable tech solutions for complex military challenges. This initiative supports the Army Transformation Initiative, designed to make the force leaner, smarter, and more lethal. The rank of lieutenant colonel usually requires nearly two decades of service, highlighting the value placed on these executives' expertise. The executives have publicly confirmed their commissions through statements on social media platforms. This move marks a significant collaboration between the U.S. military and private sector tech leaders, reflecting a strategic effort to keep pace with rapid technological advances. Rumors of the appointments initially spread on platforms like Facebook, X, and Reddit before the Army’s official confirmation. Detachment 201 is expected to play a key role in shaping the Army's future capabilities through innovative technology. Daydream, a new AI-powered shopping platform, has launched its beta to revolutionize fashion search by encouraging users to"say more" about their preferences. Founded by Julie Bornstein, who has 25 years of experience in retail and e-commerce, Daydream uses generative AI to provide personalized product recommendations from over 8,500 brands and two million items. Users create a"style passport" detailing their tastes, sizes, and preferred brands, enabling the AI chat agent to deliver highly tailored suggestions. The interface allows for dynamic interaction, including refining searches by style, color, material, or uploading images for visual matches. Unlike traditional platforms, Daydream does not rely on ads but earns revenue through a commission on sales, ensuring unbiased search results. This approach aims to address frustrations with generic filters and advertising-driven algorithms seen in platforms like Google and Meta. Daydream's CTO Maria Belousova emphasizes that true fashion search requires understanding shopper intent beyond basic tags. With support from investors such as Forerunner Ventures and Index Ventures, Daydream faces challenges including ensuring accurate product availability and attracting initial users. Industry insiders, including womenswear brand Dôen, view AI chat-based shopping as a promising way to connect customers with highly specific needs. As similar AI shopping tools emerge, Daydream hopes its fashion expertise and personalized experience will carve out a unique space in the evolving e-commerce landscape.

Carly W: 4:25

Andy Konwinski, co-founder of Databricks and creator of Apache Spark, has announced the launch of the Laude Institute, a new artificial intelligence research organization backed by$100 million of his own funds. The institute aims to support AI projects with broad, positive impacts on humanity, focusing on areas like healthcare, workforce reskilling, scientific discovery, and civic discourse. Laude Institute has assembled a board of prominent AI leaders, including Turing Award winner David Patterson and Google DeepMind's Jeff Dean. It will initiate two key programs: Slingshots, offering fast-track grants for early-stage AI research in collaboration with Stanford University, and Moonshots, providing larger grants to ambitious projects addressing major global challenges. The institute has already supported a new AI benchmark for business automation, which has been cited by industry leaders like Anthropic’s C.E.O. Additionally, Laude will fund foundational computing research, committing$3 million annually over five years to UC Berkeley’s upcoming AI Systems Lab. Konwinski, who also co-founded Perplexity AI, emphasized the institute's goal to turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions. With a successful track record in AI entrepreneurship and investment, Konwinski’s Laude Institute seeks to guide AI development toward beneficial and ethical outcomes. Previous ventures include Databricks, valued at$62 billion, and Perplexity AI, with a$14 billion valuation. Laude Institute represents Konwinski’s personal mission to accelerate impactful AI research and make meaningful advances accessible to society. Solos has unveiled two new smart glasses models aimed at making wearable AI practical for everyday use. The AirGo A5 focuses on advanced audio features, including AI voice controls activated by the wake word"Hey Solos" and improved sound quality with directional audio for privacy. It supports hands-free power-up, natural voice interactions, and is compatible with previous AirGo 3 frames. The V2 model steps up with a discreet 16MP camera featuring electronic image stabilization and live video streaming over low-power Wi-Fi. This model also supports multiple AI chatbots like Chat G.P.T, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek, enhancing user interaction. SolosChat 3.0 allows seamless use of audio, video, and text to better understand user needs while switching between AI models. Both glasses offer swappable batteries, adjustable nose pads, and customizable frames for comfort and style. Additionally, Solos is opening its platform to third-party developers to expand possible applications. The AirGo A5 will be available for presale in August at$249, followed by the V2 in the fourth quarter priced at$299. These advancements point to a growing trend of making smart glasses more versatile and user-friendly.

Don: 7:20

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