Welcome back to TechCrunch’s Month in Reviews – TechCrunch’s e-newsletter recaps the biggest news stories of the moment. Do you need this for your inbox every Saturday? Join here.
In this appearance, Apple added support for Rich Verbal Exchange Services (RCS) to Messages as part of the second developer beta of iOS 18. As of now, iPhone users can only send SMS or MMS messages through the Messages app for those who don’t have an Apple device. You can now share high-quality photos and receive receipts and typing prompts Life messages with Android users – although text bubbles are still green.
OpenAI is delaying the release of its ancient tone form. The company had planned to start rolling out the complex tone form in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users last June, but said it would be delayed to sometime in July due to long-standing issues. The start had to be postponed. The company says that based on internal security and reliability assessments, the complex tone form will not roll out to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers until the fall.
The FCC proposed a more simple way for customers to free their telephones from their carriers, suggesting that all devices be unlockable after only 60 days. The rule of thumb will undoubtedly allow telephones to work with other cell networks in the future period, although this is going to lag behind today’s telephone and Wi-Fi markets.
Information
OpenAI releases ChatGPT for Mac: ChatGPT is now available to all macOS customers via an ancient app. Mac users can briefly call ChatGPT using the keyboard combination of possibility + area after installing the pristine app. Read more
Apple reportedly won’t integrate Meta’s AI models until later: A few days after The Wall Side Road magazine reported that Apple and Meta Ultimate were in talks to integrate AI models, a Bloomberg document said Apple postponed the move in principle over privacy issues. Read more
Waymo removes its waiting list in San Francisco: Waymo announced that anyone can now download its app and instantly hail a robotaxi in San Francisco, removing an overall barrier for patrons wanting to value the self-driving generation. Read more
Zuckerberg condemns “closed” AI: In an ancient interview, the Meta CEO said that he does not think there can be “just one AI” and stressed the importance of direct supply AI. Zuckerberg also said that closed source AI competitions are looking to “build God.” Read more
Andrew Ng’s AI investment wants to raise a lot of money: Andrew Ng’s AI Investments plans to raise more than $120 million for its second endeavor, according to an ancient SEC filing. The startup incubator supports small groups of experts interested in solving major issues using AI. Read more
Gemini AI includes Gmail: Google is launching the Gemini AI side panel in Gmail to help draft emails and find data from your inbox. Gemini Side Panel is also available in Docs, Sheets, Slides and Pressure. Read more
OpenAI continues its M&A work: OpenAI has acquired Multi, a startup developing enterprise-focused, video-first collaboration platforms. A source close to the matter told TechCrunch that most of Multi’s team will join OpenAI after being made aware of the offer. Read more
A terrifying smiling robot with lifelike skin: Will robots ever have living, human skin? Researchers at Tokyo College and Harvard were exploring this question — and so they found some pretty disturbing effects. Read more
Meta’s chatbots head to India: Almost a few months after the general elections, Meta is making its Llama 3-powered AI chatbot available to all customers in India. However Meta AI helps best in English these days. Read more
Prosus cuts its stake in Byju to zero: One of Byju’s biggest buyers said its $2.1 billion stake in the Indian edtech startup is no longer worth anything. On the other hand, Prosus remains hopeful that Byju’s will also be saved. Read more
Research
Silicon Valley is getting weird again about DEI: DEI has become extremely divisive. The first example of the tension is a conversation initiated by Alexander Wang, founder of the startup Scale AI, in which he discussed moving away from DEI to include “MEI” – competency, excellence, and knowledge. However Dominic-Madori Davis and Kyle Wiggers believe that, as per the information, “meritocracy” is no better than DEI. Read more
What is Aiyana Parsons’ departure perspective: Ayanna Parsons, co-founder of Fearless Investments, says I’m sick. The announcement follows continued prison troubles and a pendulum swing in technology that has led to increased anti-DEI sentiment. Julie Bort and Dominique-Madorie Davis explore how unedited features for Fearless Investing, and the move to publicly panning DEI, are a sadly reflected image in the VC world for sleazy women. Read more
