It’s that time of the week again, friends—TechCrunch’s newsletter, This Week in Review (WiR), rounds up the past few days in tech. The news cycle is never-ending and exhausting—and this reporter knows it all too well. But luckily, neither is WiR. Our curated list of the week’s top stories will keep you informed immediately.
In the midst of this hazy, autumnal WiR agenda (it’s really starting to feel like fall on the East Coast), we have Tinder’s insanely expensive ($499 per month) new premium plan, and Amazon’s $4 billion investment in AI startup Dollar. Anthropic and Apple executives are breaking down new AirPods features. Elsewhere, we hear that Reddit is starting to pay users real money for high-quality posts; OpenAI is raising money and giving ChatGPT a “voice”; Telegram is transforming into a super app, and Uber is clamping down on taxi companies.
As always, there’s a lot more to do, so let’s get started. If you haven’t already, sign up here to get WiR delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
Tinder goes high-end: Tinder has launched a pricey subscription service called “Tinder Select” for $499 per month, which includes unique benefits such as being visible to more users, including Tinder’s “most popular profiles” and sending direct messages to others. Message without options. First, they match. As Sarah writes, these features alone don’t necessarily make Tinder Select a hit—it’s exclusivity. Tinder says less than 1% of its users will be allowed access to the premium version.
Amazon invests in Anthropic: Amazon has agreed to invest up to $4 billion in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, both companies said, as the e-commerce group steps up competition with Microsoft, Meta, Google and Nvidia in the fast-growing field of generative artificial intelligence. Amazon will initially invest $1.25 billion for a minority stake in Anthropic, which operates a text analysis and generation robot powered by artificial intelligence, such as Google’s Bard and Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
Apple explains its new AirPods: Apple executives Ron Huang (Vice President of Sensing and Connection) and Eric Tresky (Director of Product Marketing) sat down with Brian to discuss the new features of Apple’s latest generation AirPods, including adaptive audio, personalized volume, conversation awareness, and more. Includes pro version. 2 Key Vision Pro connectivity.
Reddit starts paying users cash: Reddit on Monday announced a contributor program that will reward users with fake network points for real money. Amanda reports that now, eligible users (residing in the United States, over 18 years old, can verify their identity, have had an account for more than 30 days) can switch to Reddit Gold and Karma. It can be done. “Jobs are earned in fiat currency (no, not cryptocurrency) through secure positions and are allocated monthly.
OpenAI looks to raise more cash: OpenAI is discussing the possibility of selling shares, which would increase the company’s valuation to $80 billion to $90 billion. Previously, OpenAI raised more than $300 million from backers including Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Thrive, and K2 Global at a valuation of $29 billion, while Microsoft’s previously announced Is’ larger investment ( approximately US$10 billion). The year ends in January.
ChatGPT gets voice – and other features: ChatGPT is evolving into more than just a text-based search engine, with OpenAI announcing this week that it will be adding new voice- and image-based intelligence features. Users can verbally ask ChatGPT to create a bedtime story on the spot, and ChatGPT can read it aloud in one of five voices. Or they can search for answers in uploaded images – for example, asking ChatGPT to provide instructions for completing a task or to explain what’s in a photo.
Telegram expands its reach: Telegram, a popular messaging app with 800 million monthly active users worldwide, is getting closer to adopting an ecosystem strategy that is reminiscent of WeChat’s super-app approach. Rita wrote that the company is developing a platform where third-party developers from games to restaurants can create mini-apps to interact with users.
Strict requirements for Uber taxis: Uber, which has not historically been particularly friendly to the taxi industry, announced a multi-year partnership Tuesday with Los Angeles Yellow Cabs and its five partner taxi fleets in Southern California. Under the arrangement, taxi drivers will be able to get Uber ride recommendations in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The partnership covers many areas; the agreement covers six taxi fleets with approximately 1,200 vehicles.
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this week fair, the camera crew interviewed Nathan Bashes, CEO and founder of Lex, an artificial intelligence online writing tool. Bashes talked about how many types of AI devices the market might support, what the general AI movement might look like in the coming months, and how AI services will be priced.
but establishedThe video was recorded live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 last week, and features Dominic-Madory and Becca sitting down with cybersecurity industry leader Window Snyder, who has decades of experience Dedicate your career to ensuring the security of networks and the devices they connect to. Snyder said that after years of working at companies like Apple, Microsoft, Fastly, and Square, now is the perfect time to launch his startup Thistle, which provides the security needed to secure connected smart devices. . Want to build infrastructure.
etc. chain reaction, Jacqueline interviewed Tiago Sada, product lead at Tools for Humanity and a major contributor to WorldCoin. Tools for Humanity, which has raised millions of dollars from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Blockchain Global, was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman with a three-part mission: create global IDs, global currencies and applications. Use your tokens to make payments, purchases and transfers.
Amazon, FTC and VC: Alex and Dominic Madori discuss whether venture capital firms should support the FTC’s lawsuit against Amazon. If you haven’t heard, the Federal Trade Commission this week accused Amazon of engaging in an “unlawful pattern of conduct” that “thwarts competition” and forced the company to “raise prices, reduce quality, and stifle innovation for consumers.” It is allowed to use monopoly power to suppress “harmony”.
Generative artificial intelligence and operating systems: Alex writes about how generative AI can make operating systems cool again, detailing how Microsoft is embedding the technology into the latest versions of Windows.
The Redemption of Birds: Rebecca wonders whether acquiring Bird’s Spin will give the company the bounce it needs after it delists from the New York Stock Exchange. It’s certainly a messy situation – and investors will naturally be wary.
