Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Good afternoon! In today’s TechCrunch PM, we learn what caused a Microsoft breach, gather all of the Google happenings together into a package and show you a fun thing Dyson’s vacuum can do. Also, check out Automattic’s newest acquisition, see who’s driving Cruise in Phoenix and explore some new venture funds.

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TechCrunch PM Top 3

Image Credits: Getty Images / Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto

Microsoft employees opened the door: The enterprise software giant said it resolved a security lapse that exposed a bunch of internal passwords. Cyber researchers discovered a storage server, used by Microsoft employees, that wasn’t password-protected and was left open to the public via the internet. Read More

Google Cloud Next 2024: Google took to the stage today to show off its ongoing dedication to AI with its Duet AI for Gmail and its expansion of generative AI to its security product line. This was in addition to other enterprise-focused updates and debuts. We’ve got it all for you. Read More

Dyson tracks your every move: No, not like you think. In a way that is going to be very helpful. The vacuum maker’s new augmented reality feature shows you where you vacuumed and where you haven’t. Genius! Read More

Afternoon must-reads

Someone’s Beeper is going off: WordPress.com owner Automattic is acquiring Beeper, the company behind the iMessage-on-Android solution, for $125 million. Consumer tech editor Sarah Perez writes that this “represents a big bet from Automattic: that the future of messaging will be open source and will work across services, instead of being tied up in proprietary platforms, like Meta’s WhatsApp or Apple’s iMessage.” Read More

Llama llama, who’s your Meta mama?: Meta confirmed plans for an initial release of Llama 3, the next generation of its large language model used to power generative AI assistants, within the next month. This confirms a report published on Monday by The Information that Meta was getting close to launch. Read More

Phoenix gets its Cruise on: General Motors’ Cruise is redeploying robotaxis in Phoenix after nearly five months of paused operations. Only this time people will be driving. Read More

Data control: The European Union spent all that time creating legislation to protect data privacy. However, with the way artificial intelligence innovation happens — by the minute, we gather — the EU is having a hard time keeping its legislation from coming under attack by industry lobbyists and lawmakers. Read More

Hello, this is the front desk: Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai shares correspondence between a hacker and the front desk of a hotel. You don’t want to miss this one. Read More

Shopper’s delight: In the constant battle to win the shopping wars, YouTube’s latest bomb is called “Shopping Collections,” which allows creators to curate products from their favorite brands for users to browse through. Then they can better plan their shoppable videos and more quickly monetize older videos. Read More

eBay’s new way to shop: The marketplace giant launched a new generative AI–powered feature to appeal to fashion enthusiasts: a “shop the look” section within its iOS app that will suggest a carousel of images and ideas, based on the customer’s shopping history. Read More

Fix-it Fairphone: Fairphone enables you to finally take earbud repair into your own hands. Read More

Money, money, money

Metalab gets into venture capital, raising $15 million for its new fund to invest in product-led startups. Read More

Speaking of first funds, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures plans to back up to 21 growth-stage companies across the continent after closing its first fund at $60 million. Read More

Around the web

Business Insider reports that while we’ll see some of our credit card fees lowered, banks and credit card companies are looking for ways to make up that revenue…in ways we probably won’t like. Read More

Meanwhile, Intel’s latest AI chip is poised to take on Nvidia, according to Yahoo Finance. Read More

And it looks like we hurt the internet’s feelings yesterday when we all decided to take time to enjoy the total solar eclipse. The New York Times has more. Read More

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TechCrunch Minute

Spotify rolls out an AI-powered playlist feature: Spotify is building on its AI DJ, adding a new AI-powered playlist feature. This is where we tell you that the AI wave crashing into the world of music has yet to make artistry obsolete, but it does appear to be working toward finding a place in how we discover and consume art. Perhaps that’s a good working compromise. Hit play!