Welcome again to TechCrunch Week in Assessment, the TechCrunch e-newsletter that summarizes the week’s greatest information. Need it in your inbox each Saturday? Join Right here.
This week, Apple lastly added assist Wealthy communication companies (RCS) in Messages as a part of the second developer beta of iOS 18. Till now, iPhone customers may solely ship SMS or MMS messages from the Messages app to individuals who did not have an Apple gadget. Now you possibly can share high-quality photographs, get learn receipts, and typing indicators when messaging Android customers, however the textual content bubbles are nonetheless inexperienced.
OpenAI delays launch new voice mode. The corporate had deliberate to start rolling out the improved voice mode in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus customers in late June, however stated ongoing points compelled it to delay the launch to July. Relying on inside safety and reliability checks, the improved voice mode might not launch for all ChatGPT Plus prospects till the autumn, the corporate stated.
FCC Proposes Simpler Approach for Shoppers to unlock your telephones from their carriers, requiring all gadgets to be unlocked after simply 60 days of buy. The rule would probably enable telephones to work with completely different cell networks after that point, however it may run counter to at this time’s telephone and wi-fi market.
Information
OpenAI Releases ChatGPT for Mac: ChatGPT is now accessible to all macOS customers by a brand new app. Mac customers can shortly launch ChatGPT utilizing the Possibility + House key mixture after putting in a brand new software. Learn extra
Apple is reportedly not integrating Meta’s AI fashions in any case: Days after The Wall Avenue Journal reported that Apple and Meta had been in talks to combine the latter’s AI fashions, a Bloomberg report stated Apple had shelved the concept over privateness issues. Learn extra
Waymo waives ready listing in San Francisco: Waymo introduced that anybody can now obtain its app and immediately hail a robotaxi in San Francisco, eradicating the final hurdle for purchasers wanting to make use of self-driving know-how. Learn extra
Zuckerberg criticizes ‘closed’ AI: In a brand new interview, Meta’s CEO stated he does not imagine there will probably be “only one AI” and emphasised the significance of open-source AI. Zuckerberg additionally stated that closed-source AI opponents are attempting to “create God.” Learn extra
The Andrew Ng Synthetic Intelligence Basis desires to lift some huge cash: Andrew Ng’s AI Fund plans to lift greater than $120 million for its second venture, in keeping with a brand new SEC report. The startup incubator helps small groups of consultants looking for to resolve key issues utilizing AI. Learn extra
Gemini AI involves Gmail: Google is launching a Gemini AI sidebar in Gmail that may provide help to draft emails and discover info in your inbox. The Gemini sidebar will even be accessible in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Learn extra
OpenAI continues its actions within the subject of mergers and acquisitions: OpenAI has acquired Multi, a startup constructing a video-focused enterprise collaboration platform. A supply conversant in the matter advised TechCrunch that the majority of Multi’s staff will be part of OpenAI as soon as the deal closes. Learn extra
A creepy smiling robotic with residing pores and skin: Will robots ever have residing human pores and skin? Researchers from the College of Tokyo and Harvard have been finding out this query — and have provide you with some relatively alarming outcomes. Learn extra
Meta Chatbots Head to India: After months of testing throughout the normal elections, Meta is making its AI-powered chatbot Llama 3 accessible to all customers in India. Nonetheless, Meta AI at the moment solely helps English. Learn extra
Prosus resets its stake in Byju’s: One in every of Byju’s greatest buyers stated his stake within the Indian edtech startup, as soon as value $2.1 billion, is now nugatory. Nonetheless, Prosus nonetheless hopes that Biju could be saved. Learn extra
Evaluation
Silicon Valley is bizarre about DEI once more: DEI has been extremely divisive. A main instance of the strain is a dialog began by Scale AI founder Alexander Wang, during which he mentioned transferring away from DEI and towards utilizing “MEI” — benefit, excellence, and intelligence. However Dominique-Madori Davis and Kyle Wiggers write that the info reveals “meritocracy” isn’t any higher than DEI. Learn extra
What does Ayanna Parsons’ resignation imply? Fearless Fund co-founder Ayana Parsons is stepping down. The announcement follows ongoing authorized challenges and turmoil within the tech business, which has led to rising anti-DEI sentiment. Julie Borth and Dominique-Madori Davis discover how current occasions on the Fearless Fund and the transfer towards public criticism of DEI are a tragic reflection of the world of enterprise capital for Black girls. Learn extra