Welcome back to review! This week, we have a lot of news for you, including Coinbase’s hack; YC considers Google a “monopoly”; Microsoft layoffs; and more. have a good weekend!
Um: Coinbase said that customers’ personal information, including government-issued IDs, was stolen in the data breach. CEO Brian Armstrong said in an article on X.Coinbase that the hackers asked the company to provide $20 million to the company.
IPO time, baby: Chime filed for an IPO this week after a secret submission in December. There are a lot of gaps in the S-1, so we don't get much information, such as stocks that insiders plan to sell as part of the IPO. But we did learn one tidbit: Chime struck a deal with the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, which received the Chime logo on the team’s jersey, among other marketing benefits.
Knocking wood: The story popped up all week - the invented wood made wood called "Super Wood" which is as strong as steel. Ultimately, the invention Wood plans to use wood chips to create structural beams of any dimensions that do not need to be completed.
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A large bowl of granola: VCs and founders love to talk about the apps they are using. Recent cases: Granola is an AI note-taking app that has recently improved usage even though it was launched a year ago. When there is a use, money will follow. The company announced it has raised $43 million for $250 million in the Series B fundraising contest.
Select words: "Google lowers independent companies like YC from innovative startups such as funds and accelerated innovation startups," YC wrote in an Amicus profile filed in the U.S. antitrust case against search giants. "But YC does not require a complete breakup of Google.
Like to see it: Apple announced a number of accessibility features, including the Accessibility Nutrition Tag, which will inform users of accessibility features in apps and games in the app store; new amps for Mac; new Braille experiences; and more.
Microsoft's layoffs: The company is reportedly releasing 3% of its workforce or about 6,500 people, affecting all levels, locations and teams. It was a steady quarter for Microsoft, with revenue of $70.1 billion (up 13%) and net earnings of $25.8 billion (up 28%). In Washington, about 40% of 2,000 people are engineers.
Gemini in your car: On the Android Show - Google I/O's Google's only one-week Android event - the company announced that it will bring Gemini to Android Auto-enabled cars. Drivers (and passengers) will be able to send text, play music, and everything else the smart assistant does, but in natural language.
Ha ha: Once called HBO, before changing the name of HBO Now, later became HBO Max, and then before Max settled, announced this week that it changed its name back to HBO MAX again.
Just call it a bus: Uber is launching Route Sharing, a commuter shuttle service that will pick up and drop off passengers at preset stops at 20 minutes intervals. "You can see the natural extension of our ability to share routes," Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal told us.
Wait, what? The New York Times spoke with two investors who said they were launched a new startup designed to use blood tests for "human health optimization." Does it sound familiar? But wait until you hear who sells the startup: Billy Evans, a partner of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Maybe this time will be better?
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Speaking of Uber: In 2022, senior journalist Rebecca Bellan wrote an article titled “Amazonization of Uber” on how the company became a closed loop to keep customers engaged. Now, the company is taking a step further, launching Uber One Member Day, aiming to boost its subscription plan and expand its role beyond shipping.