Microsoft brings Python to Excel, Cruise reduces fleet following crash, and MrBeast creates controversy

Hello, people, and welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s common e-newsletter that covers the most important happenings in tech over the previous few days. Haven’t been ready to observe the information carefully? Don’t sweat it. WiR will get you up to pace.

In this version of WiR, we cowl Microsoft bringing Python to Excel, Cruise being pressured to scale back its robotaxi fleet following a crash, and Amazon launching its new Fire TV Channels app. We additionally recap Twitter competitor Bluesky buckling underneath load, influencer MrBeast’s poorly timed Olympics video, IBM constructing a code translator for COBOL, and Snapchat increasing additional into generative AI.

If you haven’t already, join right here to get WiR in your inbox each Saturday. Now, with out additional ado, right here’s the week’s information!

MrBeast’s geopolitical nightmare: Billionaire creator MrBeast inadvertently stoked generations of geopolitical rigidity in his newest YouTube video, during which contributors from “every country on Earth” competed in “Squid Game”-like elimination challenges for an opportunity to win $250,000. It was the nations that weren’t included within the competitors, in addition to the map featured within the video, that made the stunt ripe for discourse.

IBM faucets AI to translate COBOL code: IBM this week unveiled Code Assistant for IBM Z, which makes use of a code-generating AI mannequin to translate COBOL (one of many older programming languages in use) into Java syntax. It’s probably fairly useful, contemplating there’s over 800 billion strains of COBOL in use on manufacturing techniques and a powerful need amongst most of the firms utilizing it to migrate to extra trendy languages.

Amazon launches Fire TV Channels app: Amazon introduced Monday the launch of its new Fire TV Channels app, giving Fire TV clients entry to over 400 free ad-supported TV channels, together with ABC News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, Martha Stewart and extra.

Bluesky struggles with rising recognition: X (previously Twitter) competitor Bluesky buckled following Elon Musk’s announcement that X will now not help blocking customers in favor of mutes solely. The firm has typically had to cope with an inflow of customers when Twitter declares notably unwelcome adjustments, Sarah writes.

Snapchat provides new generative AI options: Snapchat is making ready to additional develop into generative AI options, after earlier launching its AI-powered chatbot My AI, which might now reply with a Snap again, not simply textual content. With the corporate’s forthcoming generative AI characteristic known as “Dreams,” Snap will once more experiment with AI photos — however quickly, these photos could comprise you and your folks in imaginative backgrounds.

Phone hacking firm tries to hold tech secret: For years, cops and different authorities authorities everywhere in the world have been utilizing telephone hacking know-how offered by Cellebrite to unlock telephones and receive the info inside. And the corporate has been eager on maintaining the usage of its know-how “hush hush,” Lorenzo stories.

Audio

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On Equity, the crew mentioned Nvidia’s earnings report, raises from Ramp and AI-powered writing platform Lex, Northvolt’s transfer to North America, the story behind Better.com’s IPO and startups which can be actually filled with crap (it’ll make sense when you pay attention — belief me).

Meanwhile, Found targeted on Feyi Ayodele, the co-founder and CEO of CancerIQ, a precision well being firm designed for physicians to assist their sufferers with monitoring most cancers danger and prevention. Ayodele recounted how she got here up with the startup concept whereas mountain climbing Mount Kilimanjaro together with her mom.

And on Chain Reaction, Erik Svenson talked about Blockstream, a bitcoin and blockchain-focused infrastructure agency that he helped co-found in 2014. Blockstream has its personal sidechain know-how, Liquid Network, in addition to bitcoin mining operations and {hardware} wallets for Bitcoin and different property.

TechCrunch+

TC+ subscribers get entry to in-depth commentary, evaluation and surveys — which you realize should you’re already a subscriber. If you’re not, think about signing up. Here are a couple of highlights from this week:

OnlyFans proves the creator financial system increase was actual: Venture capital funding into the creator financial system class slowed down considerably beginning within the second half of 2022. But Ron and Anna write about how OnlyFans’ profitability means that there’s juice within the sector but.

Nvidia rides the AI wave — however for a way lengthy?: When Nvidia introduced eye-popping earnings on Wednesday with three-digit year-over-year development, it was straightforward to get caught up within the pleasure. But the lingering query is, can it stick with it?

The late-stage enterprise market is crumbling: New information from CB Insights particulars that there have been sharp valuation declines throughout almost each startup stage all over the world. But is {that a} motive for panic? Alex and Anna don’t suppose so — at the very least not now.

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