This week noticed one of many most widespread IT disruptions lately linked to a defective software program replace from common cybersecurity agency CrowdStrike. Businesses internationally reported IT outages, together with Windows “blue screen of death” errors on their computer systems, impacting airways, banks, retailers, brokerage homes, media corporations and railway networks.
OpenAI launched GPT-4o mini, a pared down model of its newest flagship mannequin. According to the corporate, the brand new mannequin is meant to be greater than 60% cheaper than GPT 3.5 Turbo and might be helpful for easy, high-volume duties. GPT-4o has begun rolling out to builders and shoppers by means of the ChatGPT net and cell apps, with enterprise customers anticipated to realize entry subsequent week.
The USPS was caught sharing the postal addresses of its on-line prospects with Meta, LinkedIn and Snap. TechCrunch discovered that prospects’ data was shared by the use of hidden data-collecting code used throughout its web site, together with the addresses of logged-in Informed Delivery prospects. The USPS mentioned it addressed the problem and stopped the follow, claiming that it was “unaware” of it.
This is TechCrunch’s Week in Review — TechCrunch’s publication recapping the week’s largest information. Want it in your inbox each Saturday? Sign up right here.
News
PartnerOne pays a fraction for HeadSpin: The Canadian personal fairness agency paid $28.2 million for HeadSpin, a fraction of its $1.1 billion valuation, paperwork seen by TechCrunch reveal. In April, HeadSpin’s founder was sentenced to 18 months in jail for fraud. Read extra
Alphabet may be shopping for Wiz: Alphabet is reportedly in superior talks to accumulate cloud safety service Wiz for round $23 billion. If the deal goes by means of, it can mark the corporate’s largest acquisition thus far. Read extra
Americans spent huge on Prime Day: Amazon’s Prime Day occasion resulted in report gross sales this 12 months, with U.S. shoppers spending $14.2 billion throughout July 16 and 17, in keeping with Adobe Analytics. Read extra
Wordle for studying chess: Echo Chunk created an AI-powered each day sport referred to as Echo Chess that will help you enhance your chess abilities — and it simply raised $1.four million. Read extra
Kaspersky shuts down within the U.S.: The Russian cybersecurity big will lay off dozens of employees and depart the U.S. market following a authorities order banning the sale of the corporate’s software program attributable to alleged safety dangers. Read extra
Elon Musk doubles down on Texas: Musk is vowing to maneuver SpaceX and X to Texas, calling the passage of a California invoice that prohibits faculties from disclosing college students’ sexuality or gender id with out their consent “the final straw.” Read extra
Would you’re taking a robotaxi to the airport? Waymo is ramping up efforts to get approval to facilitate robotaxi pickups and drop-offs on the San Francisco International Airport, in keeping with emails seen by TechCrunch. Read extra
Watch The Weeknd on the Apple Vision Pro: Apple is teasing new content material for the Apple Vision Pro, together with a brief movie in regards to the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend sport in Indianapolis and an immersive live performance by The Weeknd. Read extra
Moon cave! Scientists have recognized what they consider is an accessible tunnel or cave on the moon. If actual, such a characteristic may outline years of improvement by startups, governments and area corporations aiming to create a long-lasting lunar colony. Read extra
Cool new headphones simply dropped: Dyson’s new retro-looking OnTrac headphones are virtually infinitely customizable — and so they tout a powerful battery lifetime of 55 hours with ANC turned on. Read extra
Analysis
Hank Green reckons with the creator economic system: Hank Green began making YouTube movies in 2007 together with his brother, novelist John Green, at a time when Myspace was nonetheless related and Instagram didn’t exist. Seventeen years later, posting movies on the web is now not only a interest, but in addition a $250 billion business. In a wide-ranging…
