TechCrunch Industry News

Google and Microsoft are locked in a head-to-head competition to bring as much generative AI to their productivity services as possible. Only days ahead of Microsoft’s “Future of Work” event, Google today announced a sweeping update to Workspace that will bring its generative AI models to virtually every part of its productivity suite, in addition […]Google goes all-in on bringing AI to Workspace...

Flex Yang, the former CEO and founder of Babel Finance, is leading efforts to restructure the now embattled crypto asset unicorn while introducing a new decentralized project with hopes to avoid some of the flaws of his previous venture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Naspers, Africa’s most valuable tech company by market capitalization, has winded down the operations of its R1.4 billion (≈$100 million) South Africa-focused venture capital fund Naspers Foundry, according to local news outlet BusinessDay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PeopleGrove confirmed Thursday that it’s investigating after a security lapse exposed users’ personal information online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple could be working on a new HomePod device that would feature a built-in display for 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drone delivery is one of those ideas that’s been sold as “the next big thing” forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Silvergate Capital Corporation, the holding company of crypto-focused Silvergate Bank, announced Wednesday its intent to wind down operations and voluntarily liquidate the banking unit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forethought has been building chatbots since 2017 with increasing levels of sophistication, intelligence and automation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TikTok is doubling down on its European charm offensive today as it looks to counter a rising tide of political discontent with the popular short-form video-hosting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The competition regulator in Kenya is probing the conduct of online food delivery and groceries platforms to inform its suggestions on regulatory and policy options, to bolster healthy competition, and enforcement of consumer protection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensor, a Solana-centric NFT trading platform, has raised $3 million in a seed round led by Placeholder, the team exclusively shared with TechCrunch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An international law enforcement operation has led to the arrests of suspected core members of the prolific DoppelPaymer ransomware operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tesla has cut the prices of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the U.S., according to the company’s website. This is the second time this year that Tesla has slashed prices, and it might be a bid to boost sales before the end of the quarter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twitter’s paid plan Twitter Blue is now available to more than 20 new countries in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A government watchdog has found that the Secret Service and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit repeatedly failed to obtain the correct legal paperwork when carrying out invasive cell phone surveillance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roofing isn’t a glamorous job. In fact, one could reasonably argue that it checks off the classic three Ds of automation — dull, dirty and dangerous — with aplomb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several competition watchdogs in Africa plan to collectively interrogate the market conduct of global digital firms, putting big techs like Google and Meta, which have faced investigations and remedial action in other jurisdictions, on alert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dozens of apps including Spotify, Amazon Music, Tiktok and gaming hubs Vector Unit and FRVR are headed to VW Group brands, beginning with Audi thanks to a new app store launched by its software subsidiary Cariad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TikTok announced today that it’s introducing new well-being features for teens, families and its broader community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The OnePlus that was founded in 2013 was a cautious company, deliberate in its release schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No company is immune from the generative AI wave, and everybody wants in. Meta is the latest entrant in testing AI-powered tools for its products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Card collectors often dispute how much their cards are worth. New Jersey-based CollX provides a free iOS and Android app to card enthusiasts that allows them to scan their trading cards and get value in return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Planet Computers turned heads when it arrived on the scene almost exactly five years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sono Motors is ending its long-awaited electric car program and instead pivoting to a business that aims to sell its solar vehicle technology to other companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The DOJ is reportedly getting ready to file suit to block the $20 billion Adobe-Figma deal announced last year on the grounds it is anti-competitive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices