Dear Industry Board Members,

Innovation is moving beyond invention to new behaviors, where personalization, creator commerce, and cultural relevance matter a lot. 

We will have a glimpse of where the future is heading, and explore why some of the most important signals first appear in products that seem niche or easy to overlook.

A few things that stood out this month:

Key Trends in Consumer Tech

Each trend creates an anti-trend. 

Smart glasses are slowly becoming more common, but they’re also raising a new question:
How do you know if someone nearby is recording you?

A new Android app called Nearby Glasses alerts users if Bluetooth-enabled smart glasses are nearby.

It might sound paranoid… but it’s actually a sign the category is maturing.

First, the technology appears.

Everybody gets excited.

Then society builds rules around it.

Robots doing real household chores

Humanoid robots may be closer to everyday life than we think.

Figure AI  recently demonstrated its Helix robot cleaning a messy living room, picking up objects, organizing items, and interacting with its environment.

What makes this interesting is not just the robot itself, but the AI system behind it, designed to understand and perform common household tasks.

Robots have been vacuuming floors for years.

But a robot that can tidy up your living room might finally start to feel like the home assistant people imagined.

Still unclear whether it will also argue about whose turn it is to clean. 😄

Beauty tech meets AI-powered personalization

L’Oréal showcased a new AI-powered beauty device that analyzes your skin and recommends personalized skincare routines.

Using imaging sensors and artificial intelligence, the system scans the skin and suggests the most suitable treatments and products.

Think of it as a dermatologist-like analysis… but sitting on your bathroom counter.

Beauty brands are increasingly turning devices into data platforms, where personalization becomes the main value.

Soon your skincare routine might know more about your skin than you do. 😄

Key Trends in CPG

PepsiCo just launched Doritos Protein, packing 10g of protein per serving.

The idea is simple:
keep the snack people already love… but align it with modern nutrition trends.

It’s part of a broader shift where classic indulgent brands are quietly becoming functional products.

The gym crowd may soon start bringing Doritos to their workouts.
We’ll see how that goes. 😄

TikTok is becoming a favorite product launch platform

PepsiCo is experimenting with something interesting.

Their newest snack line is launching first on TikTok Shop, with creators helping promote and distribute the products.

Creators like Madison Beer and Dude Perfect are part of the rollout.

Brands are increasingly exploring new opportunities by going where their audiences already hang out.

Honey… but redesigned

A startup called Honey Department rethought something surprisingly simple:
the honey jar.

Instead of sticky jars or messy squeeze bottles, their honey comes in recyclable aluminum tubes.

It’s thicker, easier to spread, and easier to control.

A small idea… but a great reminder that innovation often comes from fixing everyday annoyances.

Key Trends in Fashion 

LEGO and Crocs join forces 

I first thought it was a joke…😄

Then I checked the Crocs website.

Turns out, it’s real.

LEGO and Crocs announced a multi-year global partnership, starting with LEGO-themed clogs and collectible accessories.

At first glance, it feels playful, maybe even a bit ridiculous.

But it worked — we’re talking about it.

Also… LEGO bricks on your shoes might finally hurt a little less. 

🚀 What’s New at Prelaunch.com

Meet Frank – our AI Researcher, built for frank conversations.

When we first started building it, we wondered whether people would actually talk to an AI interviewer.

What we discovered was even more interesting.

Not only do people talk to AI, but they tend to be more honest with it.

Without the social pressure of speaking to another person, conversations become more open, direct, and insightful.

That’s exactly why we named it Frank… 😄

Trained by PhDs on millions of research data points, Frank learns how to guide conversations, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and probe deeper to uncover meaningful insights.

We’re incredibly excited about the launch and will be sharing updates as we continue to learn and improve.

Until next time,

-Narek