Hey there, folks! Welcome to Week in Review (WiR), where we dive into the latest happenings in the tech world. This week, Google Cloud Next, the annual enterprise-focused dev conference, took center stage, but there were other noteworthy events as well.
Let’s start with an alarming story covered by Lorenzo. Hackers managed to steal around 340,000 Social Security numbers from government consulting firm Greylock McKinnon Associates (GMA). What’s concerning is that it took GMA nine long months to discover the breach and notify the victims. The motive behind the attack remains unknown for now.
Moving on, Sarah brought us an interesting piece on Spotify’s personalized AI playlists. This feature allows users to create playlists based on written prompts. It’s a great addition that further enhances the user experience on the platform.
In a somber turn of events, Connie reported on the passing of entrepreneur Mahbod Moghadam. Mahbod, known as the co-founder of Genius, the online music encyclopedia, passed away at the age of 41 due to complications from a recurring brain tumor. His contributions to the music industry will be remembered.
Now, let’s delve into other news from the tech world. Tesla made headlines by dropping prices on its unsold Model Y SUVs in the U.S., aiming to clear out an inventory backlog. This move comes as no surprise as Tesla continues to navigate the highly competitive electric vehicle market.
In a bid to address concerns over user anxiety, Snapchat made adjustments to a feature in its app that visualizes how “close” you are to your friends. This change follows reports that the feature was adding to teens’ anxiety levels. It’s encouraging to see social media platforms taking mental health considerations seriously.
On the healthcare front, Neurovalens, a startup focused on noninvasive electrical stimulation of the brain and nervous system, achieved FDA clearance thanks to a 2019 rule change aimed at encouraging innovations targeting insomnia and anxiety. This development opens up new possibilities for noninvasive treatments and could have a positive impact on mental health care.
Apple also made a noteworthy update to its App Store rules, now allowing emulators for retro console games. This decision provides users with more options for downloading titles and caters to the nostalgia of gaming enthusiasts.
In terms of security breaches, AT&T experienced a significant incident that led to the exposure of millions of customer records online. The company has taken swift action and is notifying the relevant authorities and regulators. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in our increasingly connected world.
Now, let’s shift our focus to funding news. Kiki World, a beauty brand that utilizes web3 for customer co-creation and ownership, closed a $7 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. This demonstrates the growing interest in utilizing blockchain technology in various industries, including beauty.
In the realm of keyboards, Frederic discusses an intriguing development in mechanical keyboard design: magnetic switches. These switches offer the ability to quickly change the actuation point during a keypress. This innovation could revolutionize the typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Another topic worth exploring is the future of remote work. Ron highlights that working from home is here to stay, as most workers crave flexibility and work-life balance. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, and it’s clear that many employees are not willing to give up this newfound freedom.
Let’s not forget about podcasts! On Equity’s startup-focused Wednesday show, the team delved into the Multiverse’s acquisition of Searchlight, the latest funding round for Guesty, the Monad Labs transaction, and a new venture capital fund targeting growth rounds in Africa. These discussions shed light on exciting developments within the startup ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Found featured Ben Christensen, the founder and CEO of Cambium, a startup revolutionizing the wood supply chain. Cambium aims to reallocate previously wasted materials for use in new building projects, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
Finally, in our bonus round, we have news regarding Microsoft’s security breach. Researchers discovered an open and public database hosted on Microsoft’s Azure cloud service that stored internal information related to Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Microsoft has swiftly resolved the issue, emphasizing the importance of robust security protocols in cloud services.
That wraps up this edition of WiR. Stay tuned for more exciting tech updates, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox every Saturday.