This week noticed one of many most widespread IT disruptions in recent times linked to a defective software program replace from fashionable cybersecurity agency CrowdStrike. Companies the world over reported IT outages, together with Home windows “blue display screen of demise” errors on their computer systems, impacting airways, banks, retailers, brokerage homes, media firms and railway networks.
OpenAI launched GPT-4o mini, a pared down model of its newest flagship mannequin. Based on the corporate, the brand new mannequin is meant to be greater than 60% cheaper than GPT 3.5 Turbo and will likely be helpful for easy, high-volume duties. GPT-4o has begun rolling out to builders and shoppers via the ChatGPT internet and cell apps, with enterprise customers anticipated to achieve 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’ info was shared by means of hidden data-collecting code used throughout its web site, together with the addresses of logged-in Knowledgeable Supply prospects. The USPS stated it addressed the difficulty and stopped the apply, claiming that it was “unaware” of it.
That is TechCrunch’s Week in Assessment — TechCrunch’s e-newsletter recapping the week’s largest information. Need it in your inbox each Saturday? Join right here.
Information
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. Learn 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 via, it should mark the corporate’s largest acquisition so far. Learn extra
Individuals spent large on Prime Day: Amazon’s Prime Day occasion resulted in report gross sales this yr, with U.S. shoppers spending $14.2 billion throughout July 16 and 17, in accordance with Adobe Analytics. Learn extra
Wordle for studying chess: Echo Chunk created an AI-powered each day recreation referred to as Echo Chess that will help you enhance your chess expertise — and it simply raised $1.4 million. Learn 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 as a consequence of alleged safety dangers. Learn 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 ultimate straw.” Learn extra
Would you are 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 Worldwide Airport, in accordance with emails considered by TechCrunch. Learn extra
Watch The Weeknd on the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional: Apple is teasing new content material for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, together with a brief movie in regards to the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend recreation in Indianapolis and an immersive live performance by The Weeknd. Learn extra
Moon cave! Scientists have recognized what they imagine is an accessible tunnel or cave on the moon. If actual, such a function might outline years of growth by startups, governments and house firms aiming to create a long-lasting lunar colony. Learn 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. Learn extra
Evaluation
Hank Inexperienced reckons with the creator economic system: Hank Inexperienced began making YouTube movies in 2007 along with his brother, novelist John Inexperienced, 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 additionally a $250 billion business. In a wide-ranging dialog, Amanda Silberling spoke with Inexperienced about creator solidarity, loneliness on social media, and the companies behind all of it. Learn extra
Are female-founded startups getting left behind? Thus far this yr, firms with all-women founding groups have raised 2.2% of the enterprise capital allotted for the yr. Knowledge reveals that all-women founding groups have by no means raised greater than 3% in VC funding since a minimum of 2014 and that for the previous 4 years, all-women founding groups have raised nearly 2% in VC funding. Dominic-Madori Davis explores how this disparity exists when the quantity of capital allotted to U.S. startups has hit report heights. Learn extra
