• The Robera Neo is an autonomous golf cart that follows you using AI
• A built-in camera can record every stroke for instant video analysis
• It’s already raised more than $300,000 on Kickstarter

Golf is no stranger to tech. From the best GPS golf watches to launch monitors, the game has embraced innovation. But Robera’s latest invention might be golf’s biggest evolution to date: an autonomous cart that carries your clubs and critiques your swing while trailing you from hole to hole.

Launched on Kickstarter, the Robera Neo has raised more than $300,000 (around £225,000 / AU$470,000) – over 6000% of its original target. First delivery is slated for July 2025 and those numbers suggest plenty of golfers are ready to upgrade their trolleys.

GLOBAL technology firm Cisco joined PLDT Enterprise at Tech Week PH in Cebu, highlighting how artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are shaping the next era of work in the Philippines.

The second leg of PLDT Enterprise’s Tech Week PH 2025 brought together business leaders, technology experts, and public sector officials from across the Visayas region. It marked the first time the event was held outside Metro Manila, reinforcing efforts to decentralize digital transformation conversations.

Pavel Svatos, Cisco’s partner networking specialist for the Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China region, addressed more than 1,000 attendees, outlining Cisco’s vision for a connected and resilient digital economy. He emphasized the need for integrated AI, security, and networking solutions to power the modern workplace.

“Companies that adapt fast will lead, while the ones that don’t will risk falling behind,” Svatos said. “The workplace today doesn’t function without a secure, intelligent network that enables seamless connectivity, zero-trust security, and real-time collaboration.”

Svatos noted that the shift to hybrid work has introduced infrastructure and security challenges, particularly for organizations still adapting to distributed operations. Cisco’s response, he said, is a unified platform of AI-ready networking, observability, cybersecurity, and collaboration tools designed to address these gaps and deliver stronger business outcomes.

During the event’s “Tech City” exhibit, Cisco and other tech firms showcased real-world applications of next-generation solutions in industries such as health care, logistics, and telecommunications. Svatos pointed to examples like AI-powered chatbots and mobile data centers as key indicators of how intelligent connectivity is already transforming operations on the ground.

Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Cisco Philippines managing director, said the company’s strategy centers on secure, end-to-end connectivity.

“At Cisco, our strategy is to securely connect everything to make anything possible,” she said. “We’re not just connecting people, apps, and data — we’re also protecting all of it against threats, downtime, and risk.”

PLDT Enterprise, through its nationwide roadshow, aims to broaden access to global tech expertise and solutions in underserved regions. Its ongoing collaboration with companies like Cisco aligns with broader goals of bridging the country’s digital divide and enabling inclusive growth.

The final leg of Tech Week PH 2025 will be held in Metro Manila, where it is expected to draw the largest audience and feature the event’s most comprehensive technology showcase.

Meta launched its first Oakley-branded smart glasses on June 20, targeting active users with enhanced durability and sports-focused features. The Oakley Meta HSTN costs $499 for the limited edition model, positioning itself $50 above the Ray-Ban Meta glasses while adding weather resistance and athletic functionality.

The partnership expands Meta’s smart glasses beyond lifestyle users. EssilorLuxottica has sold millions of Ray-Ban Meta units since 2023, with many buyers using them for sports despite their urban design focus. The Oakley version addresses this gap directly with IPX4 water resistance and double the battery life of Ray-Ban models.

Performance That Actually Delivers

The HSTN delivers significant performance improvements over existing Meta glasses, and frankly, it’s about time. Battery life extends to eight hours of typical use and 19 hours on standby, compared to four hours for Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Anyone who’s experienced their Ray-Bans dying mid-conversation knows this upgrade matters. The charging case provides up to 48 hours of additional power, while rapid charging reaches 50% capacity in 20 minutes.

3K video recording capability surpasses the Ray-Ban version, capturing higher resolution footage for sports and outdoor activities. The built-in camera works with Meta AI for hands-free operation, allowing voice commands like “Hey Meta, take a video” during activities without fumbling for buttons or breaking your flow.

Open-ear speakers integrate into the frame design without blocking ambient sound, crucial for outdoor safety. The IPX4 water resistance rating protects against sweat and light rain, supporting use during intense physical activities where Ray-Bans might leave you worried about damage.

The Great Divide: Lifestyle vs Performance

The contrast between Meta’s two flagship offerings tells the story of how we actually live our lives:

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses:

• Wayfarer and classic frame silhouettes that work everywhere
• Subtle tech integration for daily wear
• Fashion-forward materials and finishes
• $449 starting price
• Four-hour battery life (prepare for charging anxiety)
• Urban and social media focus

Oakley Meta HSTN:

• Wraparound athletic frame geometry that means business
• Bold design language with visible tech elements
• Performance-oriented materials and construction
• $499 limited edition, $399 standard models
• Eight-hour battery life with rapid charging
• Sports and outdoor activity focus

The Ray-Ban version prioritizes discretion and style integration, making the smart features nearly invisible. After wearing Ray-Ban Wayfarers with transition lenses since launch, the versatility of adapting from indoor meetings to outdoor activities without switching glasses proves invaluable. The Oakley model takes the opposite approach, embracing its tech identity with prominent design elements and athletic aesthetics that practically shout performance capability.

Color Options That Actually Make Sense

The Oakley Meta HSTN launches with six distinct frame and lens combinations, each targeting specific use cases rather than just aesthetic preferences:

Limited Edition (July 11 preorder, $499):

• Gold accents with 24K Prizm Polar lenses (for those who like their tech flashy)

Standard Collection (Summer 2025, starting at $399):

• Desert frame with Prizm Ruby lenses
• Black frame with Prizm Polar Black lenses (the safe choice for traditionalists)
• Shiny Brown frame with Prizm Polar Deep-Water lenses
• Black frame with Transitions Amethyst lenses
• Clear frame with Transitions Grey lenses
• Black frame with clear lenses

All frame and lens combinations support prescription lenses for an additional cost. For those who prefer understated options, the black frame variants offer familiar territory without sacrificing functionality.

Lens Technology That Actually Works

Select HSTN models feature Oakley’s Prizm lens technology, representing one of the most advanced innovations in sports optics. Prizm lenses enhance color, contrast, and detail by filtering specific wavelengths of light, making environments appear more vibrant and easier to navigate.

The Prizm variants target specific activities:

• Prizm Ruby: Enhances contrast in bright conditions
• Prizm Polar Black: Reduces glare with polarization
• Prizm Polar Deep-Water: Optimized for water sports and fishing
• Transitions Amethyst/Grey: Adapt to changing light conditions automatically

The Transitions options deserve special attention. Having used transition lenses extensively, their ability to seamlessly adapt from indoor fluorescent lighting to bright outdoor conditions eliminates the constant eyewear switching that plagues regular sunglasses users. This versatility becomes even more valuable when your glasses double as a computer, camera, and communication device.

This lens technology integration maintains Oakley’s optical performance standards while housing Meta’s camera and AI systems. The combination addresses a key limitation of many smart glasses, which often compromise optical quality for tech integration.

AI That Gets Athletics

Meta positions the HSTN as “Performance AI glasses” with sports-specific functionality that goes beyond basic voice commands. The AI assistant provides contextual information relevant to athletic activities, such as wind speed for golf shots or weather conditions for outdoor training.

Hands-free operation becomes crucial during physical activities where manual phone interaction interrupts performance. Voice commands handle photography, video recording, music control, and AI queries without breaking focus or rhythm. Try adjusting your phone settings mid-workout and you’ll understand why this matters.

The wraparound frame design provides better peripheral coverage than traditional rectangular frames, protecting against side glare and debris during outdoor activities. This design philosophy extends Oakley’s heritage in sports eyewear to smart glasses functionality.

Beyond Sports: Real-World Applications

Beyond athletic applications, the HSTN includes accessibility features that leverage Meta AI capabilities. The system can describe visual scenes for users with visual impairments and connect to the Be My Eyes network for volunteer assistance.

Live translation features support international travel and communication, while hands-free messaging enables communication during activities where phone access proves difficult or dangerous. These features work whether you’re navigating a foreign city or simply have your hands full with groceries.

Getting Your Hands on Them

Initial availability covers 15 countries including the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Meta plans expansion to Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later in 2025.

The staged rollout reflects Meta’s strategy of establishing market presence in developed economies before expanding to emerging markets where smart glasses adoption may follow different patterns.

What’s Coming Next

Meta confirmed additional Oakley models beyond the HSTN, including a cyclist-focused design based on Oakley’s Sphera frame geometry. This model will feature a centered camera position and aerodynamic frame profile optimized for competitive cycling and road sports.

The expanded Oakley partnership represents Meta’s broader strategy of segmenting smart glasses by lifestyle and use case rather than competing solely on general-purpose functionality. One size doesn’t fit all lifestyles, and Meta seems to finally understand this. Whether you prefer the understated elegance of Ray-Ban or the bold performance aesthetic of Oakley, the choice now exists without compromising on core smart features.

Over the last decade, eSports has evolved from niche hobbyist competitions into a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers and fans across the globe. Major eSports tournaments now fill online betting sites in the UK and arenas with tens of thousands of spectators, rivaling traditional sports in scale, fan engagement, and economic impact.

Beyond the digital screens, eSports events are transforming real-life experiences, especially how the new generation travels and interacts with global destinations. This new popularity of travel driven by eSports fans, players, and organizers is reshaping patterns in tourism, airport management, and city branding. Let’s find out how!

eSports as a Global Attraction

eSports is no longer confined to local gaming lounges or online streaming platforms. Many major tournaments like The International (Dota 2), League of Legends World Championship, Fortnite World Cup, and CS:GO Majors are hosted in iconic locations like Madison Square Garden, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, or the Accor Arena in Paris.

These events gather players from dozens of countries competing at an elite level, teams and organizations traveling with large support, as well as fans and tourists eager to witness their favourite teams and players live. They also accommodate media and sponsors, creating global content and activation campaigns.

In a nutshell, the scale and prestige have attracted partnerships with airlines, tourism boards, and governments aiming to capitalize on the lucrative eSports fanbase.

The New Generation of Global Travelers

eSports fans are particularly Millennials and Gen Z. These age groups are famous for their digital fluency and global connectivity. This generation appreciates experiences and is willing to travel internationally for events that they can relate to culturally and socially. There are a couple of characteristics that influence travel behaviour. They are as follows:

• Tech-savviness — they rely heavily on mobile apps, social media, and online communities to plan and share travel experiences.

• Community-driven travel — many fans organize group trips to events, turning tournaments into social festivals.

• Extended stays — unlike traditional sports fans who might just attend the match, eSports spectators usually stay longer to explore the host city’s gaming culture, tech hubs, and nightlife.

• Cost-conscious yet experience-oriented — they seek affordable travel options but prioritize dynamic and immersive event-related experiences.

eSports events bring together a highly international crowd. Fans and players from Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and increasingly Africa come together in select cities, creating a melting pot of cultures. This diverse influx promotes not only tourism but also cultural exchange, local economic stimulation, and increased global awareness.

How Does eSports Influence Travel Trends?

Traditionally, international air travel hubs have focused on business and leisure tourism destinations. However, the surge of eSports is diverting demand toward cities hosting major tournaments — many of which are emerging markets eager to display themselves on the global stage.

For instance:

• South Korea has been a centre for eSports, with Seoul hosting large-scale events. This has amplified inbound tourism through Incheon International Airport.

• Cities like Jakarta, Manila, and Shanghai have experienced rising air traffic associated with hosting international eSports tournaments.

• Even European cities like Warsaw, Berlin, and Stockholm have gained niche reputations as eSports hotspots, driving airline route expansions.

Airlines are responding by introducing new or more frequent flights to these cities. At times, they make schedules align with major tournaments, thereby boosting the flow of travelers.

Travel Packages & Themed Experiences

Travel agencies and online platforms now provide eSports-themed travel packages that merge tournament attendance with local experiences. They include VIP event access and meet-and-greets with professional players, gaming lounge visits and tech innovation tours, local cuisine and nightlife curated for younger travellers, and airport lounges equipped with gaming zones. These specialized packages attract not just hardcore eSports fans but also casual gamers and tourists curious about the industry, therefore expanding the market reach.

In-Flight Experiences

Airports and airlines are increasingly identifying eSports travellers as a valuable segment. Some airports have started including gaming lounges with consoles and PCs where travellers can play or watch eSports streams during layovers. Others offer high-speed internet and power outlets to cater to gaming device users. These enhancements encourage fans to fly more often.

Hybrid Event Models

Although real-time attendance at tournaments remains highly popular, hybrid models merging in-person and virtual participation are trending. Some fans might travel to regional hubs instead of the main event location to attend satellite viewing parties or fan festivals.

This flexibility generates complex travel patterns but equally widens opportunities for cities to tap into eSports tourism without hosting the entire event.

Creating a Unique & Interconnected World of eSports Tourism

eSports extends beyond a digital pastime. It is a powerful catalyst that transforms how and why a generation travels internationally.

For airlines, cities, and travel industry stakeholders, embracing the eSports-driven traveller is not just an opportunity — it is essential for remaining relevant in an evolving global tourism space. As eSports continues to grow, the journey from virtual competition to real-world adventure will only deepen tourism in different cities.

Garmin Descent Mk3i: Two-minute review

Sitting at the top of Garmin’s recreational dive watch family, and by extension the best swimming watch for divers, the Descent Mk3i’s AMOLED display – 43mm or 51mm – uses a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens – something that’s more important than you might realize in scuba diving, where you and your buddy can be exposed to a variety of hard materials like other watches, knives and the natural topography, such as rocks and wrecks.

I didn’t treat the Descent Mk3i any differently to how I dive with any of my own watches (slap it on and forget about it without being overly cautious), and so far, the display has proven to live up to its scratch-resistant claims. That titanium case has also held up well during testing, but be aware that the Mk3 without air integration is a stainless steel model.

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 21, 2025

The National Science Centre, Guwahati, under the Ministry of Culture’s National Council of Science Museums, inaugurated three major facilities on Thursday that blend traditional knowledge with scientific innovation and digital services.

The new additions at the Centre’s Khanapara campus include the region’s first gallery on traditional medicines, a medicinal plant garden, and a chatbot-enabled, cashless online ticketing system. Together, they aim to spotlight the healing practices of Northeast India’s indigenous communities while embracing modern technology for public engagement.

Inaugurating the facilities, Assam Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta praised the initiative for integrating ethnomedicinal knowledge into mainstream science education. “India’s traditional medicine systems are gaining global recognition, especially in primary healthcare. This effort not only honours our heritage but also aligns with future healthcare needs,” he said, noting the World Health Organization’s endorsement of traditional medicine as a key health resource.

The gallery on traditional medicines is the first in the region dedicated to the ethnomedicinal practices of local tribes and communities. It aims to educate visitors on the scientific basis of herbal remedies and their continued relevance in rural and primary healthcare. The medicinal garden, featuring a variety of native plants, serves both as an educational and conservation space.

The chatbot-based ticketing platform, developed as part of the Digital India initiative, offers a seamless, cashless experience for visitors, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

The event was opened with a welcome address by Centre Director Sujay Majumder, followed by remarks from Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director of the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), who emphasized the need to preserve and promote the region’s native plant species and healing traditions. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jhuma Ghosh, Curator ‘C’.

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