Hello, of us, and welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s common e-newsletter that covers the largest happenings in tech over the previous few days. Haven’t been in a position to comply with the information carefully? Don’t sweat it. WiR will get you in control.
In this version of WiR, we cowl Microsoft bringing Python to Excel, Cruise being compelled to scale back its robotaxi fleet following a crash, and Amazon launching its new Fire TV Channels app. We additionally recap Twitter competitor Bluesky buckling below load, influencer MrBeast’s poorly timed Olympics video, IBM constructing a code translator for COBOL, and Snapchat increasing additional into generative AI.
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Most learn
Microsoft brings Python to Excel: Microsoft this week introduced the general public preview of Python in Excel, which can permit superior spreadsheet customers to mix scripts within the standard Python language and their common Excel formulation in the identical workbook. The function will first roll out to Microsoft 365 Insiders as a part of the Excel for Windows beta channel, Frederic studies.
Cruise advised to scale back fleet following crash: Cruise, the self-driving automotive subsidiary of GM, has been requested by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to scale back its robotaxi fleet by 50% in San Francisco following a crash Thursday evening with a hearth truck.
MrBeast’s geopolitical nightmare: Billionaire creator MrBeast inadvertently stoked generations of geopolitical stress in his newest YouTube video, through which contributors from “every country on Earth” competed in “Squid Game”-like elimination challenges for an opportunity to win $250,000. It was the international locations that weren’t included within the competitors, in addition to the map featured within the video, that made the stunt ripe for discourse.
IBM faucets AI to translate COBOL code: IBM this week unveiled Code Assistant for IBM Z, which makes use of a code-generating AI mannequin to translate COBOL (one of many older programming languages in use) into Java syntax. It’s doubtlessly fairly useful, contemplating there’s over 800 billion traces of COBOL in use on manufacturing programs and a powerful want amongst most of the corporations utilizing it emigrate to extra fashionable languages.
Amazon launches Fire TV Channels app: Amazon introduced Monday the launch of its new Fire TV Channels app, giving Fire TV clients entry to over 400 free ad-supported TV channels, together with ABC News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, Martha Stewart and extra.
Bluesky struggles with rising reputation: X (previously Twitter) competitor Bluesky buckled following Elon Musk’s announcement that X will now not assist blocking customers in favor of mutes solely. The firm has typically needed to cope with an inflow of customers when Twitter declares notably unwelcome modifications, Sarah writes.
Snapchat provides new generative AI options: Snapchat is getting ready to additional broaden into generative AI options, after earlier launching its AI-powered chatbot My AI, which may now reply with a Snap again, not simply textual content. With the corporate’s forthcoming generative AI function known as “Dreams,” Snap will once more experiment with AI photos — however quickly, these photos might comprise you and your folks in imaginative backgrounds.
Phone hacking firm tries to maintain tech secret: For years, cops and different authorities authorities all around the world have been utilizing cellphone hacking expertise offered by Cellebrite to unlock telephones and acquire the info inside. And the corporate has been eager on preserving using its expertise “hush hush,” Lorenzo studies.
Audio
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On Equity, the crew mentioned Nvidia’s earnings report, raises from Ramp and AI-powered writing platform Lex, Northvolt’s transfer to North America, the story behind Better.com’s IPO and startups which can be actually stuffed with crap (it’ll make sense when you pay attention — belief me).
Meanwhile, Found targeted on Feyi Ayodele, the co-founder and CEO of CancerIQ, a precision well being firm designed for physicians to assist their sufferers with monitoring most cancers danger and prevention. Ayodele recounted how she got here up with the startup concept whereas climbing Mount Kilimanjaro together with her mom.
And on Chain Reaction, Erik Svenson talked about Blockstream, a bitcoin and blockchain-focused infrastructure agency that he helped co-found in 2014. Blockstream has its personal sidechain expertise, Liquid Network, in addition to bitcoin mining operations and {hardware} wallets for Bitcoin and different belongings.
TechCrunch+
TC+ subscribers get entry to in-depth commentary, evaluation and surveys — which you recognize should you’re already a subscriber. If you’re not, take into account signing up. Here are a number of highlights from this week:
OnlyFans proves the creator economic system growth was actual: Venture capital funding into the creator economic system class slowed down considerably beginning within the second half of 2022. But Ron and Anna write about how OnlyFans’ profitability means that there’s juice within the sector but.
Nvidia rides the AI wave — however for a way lengthy?: When Nvidia introduced eye-popping earnings on Wednesday with three-digit year-over-year progress, it was simple to get caught up within the pleasure. But the lingering query is, can it stick with it?
The late-stage enterprise market is crumbling: New knowledge from CB Insights particulars that there have been sharp valuation declines throughout practically each startup stage world wide. But is {that a} purpose for panic? Alex and Anna don’t suppose so — at the very least not now.
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