Technology

Former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick took the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 on Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing individuals who want to disrupt something – both within and outside of the tech world. The Challenges of Disruption One of the biggest hurdles that you will likely encounter when attempting to disrupt something, or doing something you're passionate about which ends up disrupting something in the process, is resistance. There will be difficult times, and during those periods, it's essential to have people who can support and lean on, giving you endurance. Kaepernick is no stranger to disrupting the status quo. In 2016, he made national headlines when he took a knee to protest racial injustice. The former NFL star claims that while he faced...

As a tech writer, I've had the privilege of observing the ever-changing landscape of consumer electronics. One subject that consistently fascinates me is the concept of choice – or rather, the lack thereof. In this article, we'll delve into the world of wearables, focusing on the Apple Watch Series 8 and its budget-friendly counterpart, the SE. The Ebb and Flow of Choice When it comes to consumer electronics, there's a delicate balance between offering too many options and providing just enough. On one hand, having more choices can be overwhelming for customers, leading to analysis paralysis. On the other hand, limiting options can make consumers feel like they're missing out on something better. Apple has navigated this fine line over the years, sometimes leaning towards a more streamline...

Hesai, a Shanghai- and California-based lidar maker, has raised $190 million in its upsized initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Background Founded in 2013, Hesai is one of the leading players in the lidar industry, providing sensing technology critical to autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistant systems. The company has been expanding rapidly, with estimates suggesting it shipped over 100,000 units between 2017 and 2022. IPO Details Hesai's IPO was upsized from $150 million to $190 million, with the shares priced at $11 each. The company plans to use the funds raised for research and development, marketing, and general corporate purposes. Industry Gloominess The lidar industry has been facing challenges in recent years, with several players struggling to ...

Posted:7:42 AM PST · December 27, 2024 Image Credits:Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images Rebecca Bellan Are you in the market for a cheap electric vehicle (EV)? Hertz has been contacting renters of EVs and offering them discounts to buy the car instead of returning it. According to reports from The Verge, the offers are quite attractive, with some renters sharing their experiences on Reddit. Sweet Deals on Electric Vehicles Hertz has been reaching out to renters who are currently leasing an electric vehicle from the company. The offers vary depending on the make and model of the car, but they seem to be significantly discounted compared to the market value. One renter was reportedly offered a 2023 Chevy Bolt for $18,442, which is almost $10,000 less than the sticker price. Another renter was o...

Ivy, a cutting-edge API for instant bank payments, has secured a significant €7 million ($7.7 million) in seed investment round led by European venture capital firm Creandum. This funding milestone marks a crucial step towards the startup's mission to revolutionize online transactions by enabling merchants to accept instant bank payments directly at checkout. The Problem with Traditional Payment Systems In today's online transaction landscape, payment systems involve multiple intermediaries such as card networks, gateways, and wallets. These middlemen charge significant fees, which can add up quickly. Ivy's solution addresses this issue by providing a streamlined API that allows merchants to connect directly with customers' banks, thereby reducing transaction costs and increasing speed. A ...

In a significant shift in the wearables market, Xiaomi has leapfrogged Apple and Fitbit to become the top seller of wearable devices worldwide for the first quarter of 2017. According to a recent report by Strategy Analytics, Xiaomi shipped an impressive 3.7 million units in Q2 2017, surpassing Apple's sales of 2.8 million units and Fitbit's sales of 3.4 million units. Xiaomi's Rise to the Top Xiaomi's resurgence in the wearables market can be attributed to its aggressive pricing strategy and competitive product offerings. The company's Mi Band, priced as low as $14.99 in the US, has been a major contributor to its success. Xiaomi's wide range of products, including heart-rate monitors and alerts, have appealed to consumers looking for affordable and feature-rich wearables. Fitbit's Declin...

A New Era in Precision Cooking Sous vide, a cooking technique that originated in the late 18th century, has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of Typhur's innovative products. The company, which raised $20 million to bring its flagship product to market, is now poised to revolutionize home cooking with its cutting-edge technology. A Brief History of Sous Vide The concept of sous vide was first described in 1799 by French chef and scientist Nicolas Appert. The technique involves sealing food in a bag and cooking it at a precise temperature for an extended period. This method ensures even heat distribution, resulting in perfectly cooked meals every time. In recent years, the popularity of sous vide has grown exponentially, with numerous products hitting the market. ...

As we step into a new year, thousands of copyrighted works created in 1929 are now free to reuse and repurpose in the United States. The Duke Law School's Center for the Study of Public Domain has compiled a list of iconic works that have been freed from the bounds of copyright, including sound recordings from 1924. Why 1929 was a Pivotal Year for Film The year 1929 marked a significant milestone in film history as it was the first to feature sound. The introduction of synchronized dialogue and music revolutionized the industry, paving the way for modern filmmaking techniques. This new era of cinema saw the emergence of iconic directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, who made his debut with the film Blackmail. Works Entering the Public Domain Here are some of the most notable works entering ...

At its recent Search On event, Google announced several groundbreaking updates aimed at making food discovery easier and more intuitive for users. One of the most significant features is the introduction of a new 'Multisearch Near Me' tool that will enable users to search for specific dishes near their location. A Safer Way to Order Food Say you're browsing through social media, and a friend sends you a mouth-watering picture of a pastry. You can use Google's Multisearch feature to identify the name of the dish. But what if you wanted to try it out yourself? With the 'Multisearch Near Me' tool, users will be able to see which bakeries near them offer the specific pastry, making food discovery more convenient than ever. A Revolutionary Search Feature Google's research reveals that 40% of pe...

As the holiday season approaches, gift giving is top of mind. But we're here to suggest two ways you can spread joy this time of year: first, avoid gifting fruit cake (yes, it's a hard pill to swallow, but trust us on this one); second, give your startup the gift of growth. Imagine having access to actionable advice from top investors, founders, and industry experts that can help take your startup to the next level. That's exactly what you'll get at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024, our one-day conference taking place on April 25 in Boston, Massachusetts. This is the perfect gift for an early-stage entrepreneur who wants to accelerate their business growth. At TechCrunch Early Stage 2024, you'll have the opportunity to: Learn from industry experts: Our expert-led sessions will cover core entr...