Hey, pleasant folks, and welcome to Week in Evaluation (WiR), TechCrunch’s common publication that aggregates the highest tech information over the previous few days. It’s our humble opinion that there’s no higher place to get caught up on the business’s happenings, whether or not you’re a information junkie or just among the many tech-curious.
On this version of WiR, we cowl Apple’s iPhone and different associated bulletins, the MGM hack and Tesla’s Cybertruck reemerging with an up to date inside. Additionally on the agenda is cost processor Sq. dealing with an outage, California contemplating a ban on autonomous vans and the tumultuous canning of provide chain startup Flexport’s CEO, former Amazon client chief Dave Clark.
When you haven’t already, enroll right here to get WiR in your inbox each Saturday. Now, on to the information!
Most learn
Apple unveils the iPhone 15: Apple had a jam-packed press convention on Tuesday, and among the many highlights have been two new iPhones: the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional. Each characteristic USB-C connectors, a transfer spurred partially by EU laws. There are different new options, too, together with a titanium physique (on the Professional) and a haptic “motion button” that replaces the mute swap on previous-gen iPhones.
Expanded iCloud storage plans: In different Apple information, the corporate introduced throughout Tuesday’s presser that it’s including 6 TB and 12 TB storage choices to iCloud+, its cloud storage subscription. (Pricing wasn’t introduced, sadly.) Amanda notes that, whereas the common client received’t want that a lot house, the brand new plans could possibly be helpful for photographers and filmmakers, who’re set to get massive digital camera upgrades with the iPhone 15.
USB 3 speeds on iPhone, with a catch: A significant advantage of the iPhone 15 Professional is USB 3 speeds — file transfers as much as 10 gigabits per second. However as Ivan experiences, homeowners received’t get these out of the field. Apple’s delivery a USB 2.0 cable with a type-C port; customers should use “an non-compulsory USB 3” cable to unlock the upper knowledge speeds. However hey, a minimum of the iPhone 15 Professional’s new “spatial video” mode received’t require any aftermarket equipment.
MGM’s massive knowledge breach: It’s been a nasty week for casinos. Following experiences that Caesars paid tens of millions in ransom to a cybercrime group, resort and on line casino big MGM Resorts has confirmed a “cybersecurity problem” is guilty for an ongoing outage affecting methods on the firm’s Las Vegas properties. In line with experiences on social media, the incident has led to outages impacting ATM money dispensers and slot machines at MGM’s Las Vegas casinos, and compelled resort eating places to simply accept cash-only funds.
Cybertruck will get a redesign: Tesla’s Cybertruck — the topic of frequent delays — has been noticed within the wild with an up to date inside. New pictures shared by Tesla watchers The Kilowatts depict a Cybertruck with what seems to be a special wheel and middle console than what we noticed again in Might. However as Harri writes, it’s not clear whether or not this explicit automobile displays how the Cybertruck will look as soon as Tesla lastly will get round to delivering them en masse.
Flexport strikes again: Two days after former Amazon govt Dave Clark’s abrupt departure as CEO of Flexport, Ryan Petersen, Flexport’s founder, mentioned publicly that the corporate will rescind dozens of job provides and look to lease out workplace house as Flexport makes an attempt to get prices below management and get “its home so as.”
California considers banning self-driving vans: In a blow to the autonomous trucking business, the California Senate handed a invoice, AB 316, on Monday that requires a educated human security operator to be current any time a self-driving, heavy-duty automobile operates on public roads within the state — successfully banning absolutely autonomous vans. In fact, AB 316 nonetheless must be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier than it turns into legislation, which isn’t a certain factor given Newsom’s fame for being pleasant to the tech business.
Sq. outage resolved: When you didn’t catch it final week, Sq. restored its providers after a daylong outage left small enterprise homeowners unable to course of funds. The Block-owned firm had, up till final Friday morning on the U.S. West Coast, been battling a chronic outage that had downed its providers because the afternoon the day prior.
Audio
Want a podcast to whereas away the hours, whether or not it’s commuting from work or kicking again after an extended and traumatic workweek? To not fear — we’ll hook up you.
Fairness introduced TechCrunch+ senior local weather reporter Tim De Chant on the present to speak local weather tech, {hardware} breakthroughs and why we now have an entire stage this 12 months at Disrupt, TechCrunch’s flagship convention, targeted on sustainability.
On this week’s episode of Discovered, in the meantime, the crew interviewed Jaleh Bisharat, the co-founder and CEO of NakedPoppy, an e-commerce website that helps folks discover the make-up shades finest suited to them and provides a market of “clear” pure magnificence merchandise. Bisharat talked about her private journey towards launching the corporate after an extended profession working in advertising for firms reminiscent of Amazon and Eventbrite.
And Chain Response recapped a panel that Jacquelyn moderated stay on the Avalanche Home occasion that happened in Seoul, South Korea, throughout Korea Blockchain Week. The panel targeted on the most important alternatives and challenges dealing with web3 enterprise, that includes audio system like Dan Solar, the startup success supervisor for web3 APAC lead at Google Cloud, and Gagan Mac, the pinnacle of product and senior director of web3 providers at Circle.
TechCrunch+
TC+ subscribers get entry to in-depth commentary, evaluation and surveys — which for those who’re already a subscriber. When you’re not, think about signing up. Listed here are a number of highlights from this week:
Antitrust and generative AI: The Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) is making the case for aggressive antitrust enforcement. How may this have an effect on the marketplace for generative AI? Two visitor contributors from Perkins Cole, the worldwide legislation agency, examine.
Instacart’s sky-high valuation: Alex writes about Instacart’s IPO, noting that the startup may promote as a lot as $616 million of its inventory — a complete of twenty-two million shares. With a debut inventory worth at between $26 and $28 per share, Instacart can be near “decacorn” standing.
Fintech’s reckoning: Some fintech firms are weathering the macroeconomic storm higher than others and seeing an finish in sight. Particularly, startups utilizing AI to battle cash laundering and fraud appear to be having fun with tailwinds, Anna experiences.
Seize your go to TC Disrupt 2023
Be a part of 10,000 startup leaders in San Francisco at TechCrunch Disrupt on September 19–21. Final-minute passes are nonetheless out there. Save 15% with code WIR. Register now!