This week witnessed one of the most extensive IT disruptions in recent memory, attributed to a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, a prominent cybersecurity company. Organizations worldwide experienced IT outages, including Windows “blue screen of death” errors, affecting sectors like airlines, banks, retailers, brokerage firms, media entities, and railway networks.
OpenAI introduced GPT-4o mini, a simplified version of their latest flagship model. Claimed to be over 60% cheaper than GPT 3.5 Turbo, this model is primarily designed for straightforward, high-volume tasks. The rollout of GPT-4o has commenced with developers and consumers through the ChatGPT web and mobile apps, with enterprise users slated to gain access next week.
The USPS was found sharing the postal addresses of its online customers with Meta, LinkedIn, and Snap. TechCrunch uncovered that this data sharing was facilitated through hidden data-collecting code present on the USPS website, potentially exposing addresses of logged-in Informed Delivery customers. The USPS acknowledged and discontinued this practice, citing unawareness as the reason.
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News
PartnerOne acquires HeadSpin at a fraction of its value: Private equity firm PartnerOne purchased HeadSpin for $28.2 million, significantly less than its $1.1 billion valuation. Documents reviewed by TechCrunch revealed this acquisition, following the founder’s imprisonment for fraud earlier in the year. Learn more
Alphabet eyeing purchase of Wiz: Reports suggest Alphabet is in advanced discussions to buy cloud security provider Wiz for approximately $23 billion, marking one of its largest acquisitions to date if finalized. Read the details
Prime Day a hit for American consumers: Amazon’s Prime Day event generated record sales this year, with U.S. buyers spending $14.2 billion during July 16-17, according to Adobe Analytics. Find out more
Enhance your chess skills with Echo Chess: Innovative AI-powered daily game Echo Chess by Echo Chunk has secured $1.4 million in funding to aid in improving chess strategy and gameplay. Explore further
Kaspersky closes operations in the U.S.: Due to a governmental order prohibiting the sale of its software over alleged security concerns, Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky is downsizing staff and exiting the American market. Delve into the details
Elon Musk commits to Texas relocation: Expressing dissatisfaction with California legislation, Elon Musk intends to move SpaceX and X operations to Texas following a bill’s passage. Read more
Robotaxi service possibly coming to San Francisco Airport: Waymo is striving to obtain approval for robotaxi pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport, according to emails reviewed by TechCrunch. Learn more
Enjoy The Weeknd’s concert on Apple Vision Pro: Apple previews exciting content for Apple Vision Pro, including a short film on the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis and an immersive concert by The Weeknd. Discover more
Potential moon cave identified by scientists: Scientists have identified what appears to be an accessible tunnel or cave on the moon, potentially significant for startups, space agencies, and companies looking to establish a permanent lunar presence. Read the findings
Dyson unveils new customizable headphones: Dyson’s latest OnTrac headphones feature a retro appearance and impressive 55-hour battery life with ANC activated, providing a highly customizable audio experience. Explore the features
Analysis
Hank Green reflects on the creator economy evolution: In a comprehensive discussion, Hank Green discusses the evolution of the creator economy, moving from a hobby to a $250 billion industry, reflecting on creator solidarity, social media loneliness, and the business dynamics. Read the insights
Gender disparity in startup funding explored: Despite record capital allocation, female-founded startups have received a consistently low share of venture capital, raising questions about gender equality and funding biases in the startup ecosystem. Dive into the analysis
