Meta rolls out broadcast-based messaging feature on WhatsApp

TechCrunch Newsletter

By Christine Hall Thursday, June 08, 2023

Today we have lots of car talk for you vroom enthusiasts, plus news on a company that wants to take on Microsoft and one app that said Reddit's revised API terms were not good for business. This is your Daily Crunch for Thursday. Image Credits: Chesnot/Getty Images / Getty Images

First, let's hop over to WhatsApp, where it is getting the Channels treatment, similar to what Meta did with Instagram. On WhatsApp, though, Channels messages will show up in a new tab called Updates. And these are one-way communications, so users won't be able to reply, making it perfect for organizations, like nongovernmental organizations and medical research institutions. Learn more. Now meet Pigment, a France-based company that announced $88 million in new capital to improve on its business planning tool that will make you forget about Excel. Read more. Seems like a lot of you were excited about Adobe bringing Firefly to enterprise customers. Businesses can use the generative AI tool to customize the model with their own branding. Find out how. Over at Uber, its Australian test of car-sharing was so successful that the ride-hailing giant is bringing that same service to North America. See where you can try it out first. Meanwhile, Uber is "tooting its eco horn" with some new sustainability features. Find out more. Didn't see that in the stars: Ursa Major, a rocket engine startup, reportedly had to make layoffs. Find out what happened. Starting over: The RealReal's founder and former CEO Julie Wainwright has a new, venture-backed startup. Get the scoop. Let me insure you: Amsterdam-based insurtech startup Insify grabs another $10.7 million for insurance targeting small businesses. Read all about it. Can I borrow a token?: Aave banked $15 million to continue developing its Lens Protocol web3 product that enables users to lend and borrow crypto tokens. Learn more. Don't forget about these: AI startup Cohere, now valued at over $2.1B, raises $270M Google's Password Manager gains biometric authentication on desktop LinkedIn is the next social network to offer AI-powered tools for ad copies Nigeria's Haul247 raises funding to scale its logistics platform Bluesky's growing pains strain its relationship with Black users Image Credits: IR_Stone / Getty Images

Meanwhile, we have even more car talk for you. Let's start with Segway-Ninebot, which is doing something of a PIVOT! in partnering with Drover AI and Luna Systems to integrate their technologies into Segway's AI-enabled e-scooters. Read more. Then Porsche has a new concept car that looks to be aiming for the "gold" standard of electric vehicles. See what it looks like. Next, Mercedes is the first to receive a permit to sell vehicles in California with hands-free, eyes-off automated driving. Learn more. Over at Toyota, the carmaker plans on spending $48 million on a new U.S.-based electric vehicle battery lab. Get the scoop. And in case you missed it, Apple Maps will show you available spots to charge your EV. You Reddit right: Reddit is taking another look at its newly revised API terms following backlash from several Reddit communities. For example, Reddit says it plans to make exceptions for accessibility apps, which allow users, including people who are blind or visually impaired, a way to browse and use Reddit. However, popular third-party Reddit app Apollo said it was shutting down as a result of the new API pricing. Find out what happened there. Brew master: Green Coffee Company has $25 million in new capital and plans to use its coffee by-products to create a new line of liquor and spirits. Read more. AI think it's safe to go: Leading tech companies and researchers are preparing to attend a global AI safety summit being hosted in the United Kingdom. Learn more about what the strategy is here. Before you go, here's a handful more: VC-backed boba chain Ume wants to pour into mainstream with surprise plushies EvenUp wants to automate personal injury settlements — to a point Oura launches new 'Circles' social feature to share your personal health journey North Korean hackers linked to Atomic Wallet crypto hack Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz

What are Series A VCs looking for? Many seed investors aren't so sure anymore Rebecca Szkutak interviewed three seed-stage investors to learn more about what it takes to close a Series A in June 2023: Loren Straub, general partner, Bowery Capital Eric Bahn, co-founder and general partner, Hustle Fund Yoni Rechtman, venture principal, Slow Ventures Now that ARR isn’t the North Star metric it once was, their answers varied. “The goal posts seem to be moving a lot,” said Bahn. “It really sucks for a lot of people,” said Rechtman. “I really feel for people who I think have been sold a false bill of goods.” Four more from the TC+ team: Investors take note: Wildfire smoke will spark a surge in East Coast climate tech startups How one software company is beating the SaaS growth blues European startups on track to raise $51B this year, down 39% from 2022 Coinbase chief legal officer expects new crypto laws to come in wake of SEC lawsuits TechCrunch+ is our membership program that helps founders and startup teams get ahead of the pack. You can sign up here. Use code "DC" for a 15% discount on an annual subscription. Read More Image Credits: Getty Images

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OpenAI CEO says his company doesn’t plan to start training GPT-5 for 'some time'

TechCrunch Newsletter

By Christine Hall Wednesday, June 07, 2023

Today, Volvo has an EV that your pocketbook might like, Sam Altman has more to say about GPT-5 and Amazon and Affirm get cozier. We also have additional Apple news to share from WWDC. This is your Daily Crunch for Wednesday. Image Credits: Sara Kerr/StrictlyVC

Sleek and simplistic: Volvo's new electric vehicle creation is not only small, but also easy on the budget. Go inside the EX30 electric SUV. "A lot of work to do": That's what Sam Altman is saying about OpenAI still not training GPT-5 months after a bunch of academics and industry experts raised concerns over how fast the technology was evolving. Find out why. Speaking of GPT, get the scoop on why Charlie Brooker hated an episode of "Black Mirror" that ChatGPT wrote. Always learning: Educators continuously look for ways to engage students, and edtech giant Byju has three new transformer models, backed by AI technology, to help students understand concepts and find out where their skills are lacking. Find out more. In case you're looking for an assistant: Automattic has an AI writing one now for WordPress. Get the scoop. In venture firm news: Miles Grimshaw answers some questions about Benchmark's view on the AI race. And over in Latin America, Positive Ventures' new impact fund is triple its flagship fund. Meanwhile, in Europe, Antler gets into later stage investing with a $285 million fund. Google is on an AI journey: If you've been missing some Google news among all of the Apple news we've had this week, we've got you covered. First, Google Cloud and Salesforce team up to bolster AI offerings. Then, if you've been waiting for Vertex AI to become available, you're in luck. And finally, Google expands its Google Cloud Consulting offering to help enterprises better embrace AI. Flirty and fancy free: Blush's AI dating sim, from the same people that brought you Replika, wants to do more than take you to dinner. Get the scoop. Piece by piece: Mosaic grabbed $26 million to help companies make financial decisions. Find out how. Ride the payment rails: Payrails banks $14.4 million to build complex payments flows. Read more. Figure out your financing: Not every business is right for venture capital. That's why Bonside, which just brought in $4.35 million, has the backs of brick-and-mortar businesses, mainly offering services, with a growth capital offering. Learn more. Image Credits: Volvo

Join Europe's Biggest Startup and Tech Event Sponsored by Viva Technology VivaTech is back from June 14 to 17 in Paris! Jumpstart business deals with leaders in tech, discover cutting-edge innovations, and meet the brightest minds changing the world. This is where business meets innovation. Be there. GET YOUR PASS

Today, we held our TC City Spotlight on Atlanta, where we learned from city mayor Andre Dickens, investors and equality advocates why the city is so popular with tech companies. Shop until you drop: Meanwhile, merchants using Amazon Pay can now offer their customers the option to "buy now, pay later" using Affirm's technology. Affirm is the first BNPL player to be added to Amazon Pay. The best part? No integrations. Learn more. In space, someone can hear you start a company: NASA is flexing its investment muscle by providing $150,000 in grants to some seed-stage aerospace companies. Get the scoop. More Meta: In Meta news, the company will let users refuse its cross-site tracking following a German antitrust intervention. Read more. Also, Meta Verified arrives in India. May the Force be with you, always: Mark your calendars for the premiere of "Ahsoka," a new series based on the Star Wars franchise. Read more. Game on: DeepMind is putting AI to work in new ways, including to optimize code and infrastructure. Find out more. Lockdown: TikTok's "Series" paywall is now available to creators in 94 countries. Learn more. Time is on your side: Twitter increases its window to edit tweets to one hour for Blue subscribers. Read more. More trickled in from Apple WWDC 2023: Need to charge your EV? Apple Maps will show open spots near you Businesses will be able to accept IDs in Apple Wallet with iOS 17, among other changes Apple's new toolkit makes it easier for developers to bring Windows games to Mac Apple updates its App Store rules to crack down on clones Apple is making developer betas free and accessible to everyone Sorry, but Apple's Vision Pro isn't for you Apple acquires Mira, a startup building lightweight AR hardware Apple reveals its 2023 Apple Design Award winners Apple's new TipKit will help developers teach people how to use their apps Apple Fitness+ is getting a new Custom Plans feature that creates personalized workout schedules Image Credits: alexsl/iStock

Ask Sophie: Why is there no movement in the June Visa Bulletin for India EB-3? Dear Sophie, Why is there no movement in the June 2023 Visa Bulletin for India EB-3? Can't the Department of State/USCIS track the interfiled applications between EB-2 and EB-3 and move the dates accordingly? — Curious in Chennai Three more from the TC+ team: Cava's sensible IPO ambitions could spur more companies to go public Real estate is facing a climate crisis, but there might be a way through Apple's AR headset is a game-changer for startups TechCrunch+ is our membership program that helps founders and startup teams get ahead of the pack. You can sign up here. Use code "DC" for a 15% discount on an annual subscription. Read More Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch

Get your TechCrunch fix IRL. Join us at Disrupt 2023 in San Francisco this September to immerse yourself in all things startup. From headline interviews to intimate roundtables to a jam-packed startup expo floor, there's something for everyone at Disrupt. Save up to $600 when you buy your pass now through August 11, and save 15% on top of that with promo code DC. Learn more. Read More

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