Apple battles new security bugs with more security updates

In today’s top story, Zack writes that Apple releases some new security updates for iOS, iPadOS and macOS to fix two zero-day bugs. We don’t know yet who is actively exploiting these vulnerabilities. Get the scoop.

Meanwhile, is this the end of Elon Musk? Darrell thinks so. He opines that so many things have happened lately with Musk — and not many of them good. The most recent being the launch of the Tesla Cybertruck, which was both over budget and probably overhyped. Could Musk’s influence be waning? Find out. Also, Kirsten has everything you need to know about the Cybertruck. More Elon news below.

And Connie was over in Finland this week for Slush, the yearly event for the European startup ecosystem. She interviewed Benchmark general partners who warned that in today’s AI funding frenzy, “Don’t be Microsoft.”

More top reads

If you find that phone you want, you better get it: Smartphone sales are poised to rebound on AI gains, according to reports. Read more.

Gift-giving galore: We are now in December, so shopping days before the holidays are passing us by quickly. Don’t worry, here are some child-focused products from kid tech startups and a list of books that even authors are excited to gift.

If you can’t join ’em, beat ’em: Elon Musk told off advertisers deciding to leave X. Now he says the social media giant will chase small business ad dollars instead. He might also let X fail.

Chasing AI: AWS re:Invent took place this week. After taking in the environment, Ron gives his perspective on AI amid the rise of large language models. In addition, he writes about how Amazon finds itself in the unusual position of playing catch-up in AI. (TC+)

Speaking of Amazon: The company purchased three Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX to support deployment of its Project Kuiper mega-constellation. Stay tuned as this story develops.

Nose for news: Capsule’s new app combines AI and human editors to curate the news. Read more.

Doggone good deal: Not every SPAC is a bad dog. Here’s why Alex says Rover’s $2.3 billion sale price makes good sense. (TC+)

Wait a minute: Montana’s ban on TikTok is now on hold. Here’s why.

Discover: Telegram spruces up its channels with new discovery and customization features. See what’s new.

Second time’s the charm?: Meta faces more questions in Europe about child safety risks on Instagram. Read more.

Get your game on: Microsoft is in talks with partners about launching an Xbox mobile store. Get the scoop.

Even more for your Friday:

Revenue-based financing heats up in the Middle East as Flow48 attracts $25M in funding

Former SpaceX engineers build ‘vegetarian rocket engine’ to save the climate (TC+)

Pitch Deck Teardown: Scalestack’s $1M AI sales tech seed deck (TC+)

What startup founders need to know about AI heading into 2024 (TC+)

Bluesky rolls out automated moderation tools, plus user and moderation lists

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On the pods

The Equity crew is kicking off the last month of 2023 with a look at the latest in startups and VC. This week, Webull nabbed Flink, Uber teamed up with London’s black cabs, and Rover dug up $2.3 billion. We also chatted through IPOs heating back up with Reddit and Shein, and why venture downturns are not death sentences. Listen here.

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