Advanced Excel users can now combine Python scripts with usual formulas in same workbook

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

If you’re an advanced s-s-s-spreadsheet user, then today’s top story is for you: Microsoft showed off what Python in Excel is going to look like. See for yourself.

Meanwhile, it’s nap time somewhere, and some former Bose employees want to help you find it. This is their version of the Sleepbuds Bose started out making.

And, if you’ve always enjoyed a good homecoming, watch India’s Chandrayaan-3 moon landing.

Image Credits: Bitterbug / Flickr under a CC BY 2.0 license.

More top reads

Face-lift time: X is planning to hide headlines from news links for “improved aesthetics.” Elon Musk approves.

It’s safe to move about the platform: You’ve asked for it, and now Meta is giving it to you — Threads’ highly anticipated web app. Give ’em time to roll it out.

More Meta than meets the eye: Meta releases an AI model that can transcribe and translate close to 100 languages. Sprechen sie Deutsch? Meanwhile, Meta confirms an AI “off-switch” is coming to Facebook and Instagram platforms in Europe. Read more.

Valuation down: Fintech startup Ramp has a lot of funds on its balance sheet now, but that comes with joining a club that was once thought of as bad. It’s actually all good.

Web design on a dime: This bootstrapped AI web builder wants to supercharge Figma and Webflow. Meet Relume.

We’ll have to keep our eyes on this: The widow of a man who died in a Tesla crash and explosion is now suing the automaker. Read more.

Be kind, but no need to rewind: Netflix is enabling those loyal DVD-by-mail customers a parting gift — they can keep their final shipment of discs. Meanwhile, an interactive “Love Is Blind” game is coming. Who will you invite into your pod?

That’s a risky endeavor: Grip Security raises $41 million to help enterprises manage their SaaS identity risk. And enterprises are lining up.

Back to the drawing board, but a different drawing board: The UK’s antitrust regulator confirms an earlier decision to block the merger between Microsoft and Activision. However, it’s willing to look at a restructured deal proposal from Microsoft. Maybe there’s a silver lining after all.

Monie, monie: Speaking of antitrust, Kenya’s competition regulator gave Moniepoint clearance to acquire payments startup Kopo Kopo. Read more.

ICYMI: Chip company Arm filed for an IPO, which is anticipated to be this year’s biggest. Get the scoop on that. Meanwhile, today, Alex Wilhelm dives into Arm’s F-1 filing to talk about the bear and bull cases for the IPO. (TC+)

More for your Tuesday — wait, it’s only Tuesday?:

IBM sells The Weather Company assets to Francisco Partners

Ivanti warns customers another zero-day is under active attack

After seeing record traffic, Bluesky adds rate limits to improve network stability

One company’s quest to eliminate battery fires (TC+)

Image Credits: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch

VC Office Hours: Why the sex tech industry could benefit from today’s politics

Tech is set on disrupting nearly every aspect of human existence. Except for one, it seems.

Between 2020 and 2022, sex tech startups raised just a little over $1 billion in venture capital, reports Dominic-Madori Davis. She interviewed Coyote Ventures co-founder Jessica Karr to learn more about the state of the sector.

“Sex tech is an inclusive space — there are also many new products that are innovative for gender inclusivity as well as sexual wellness for men,” said Karr.

“While the new products address the true diversity of all people’s personal preferences, the taboo will remain for a long time.”

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