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Fridaaaaay!
As we speak, we’ll principally be listening to this pleasant end-of-week gratitude meditation, and considering all of the bizarre issues which have occurred this week. As a result of, by golly, has there been plenty of bizarre. And, for that matter, plenty of fantastic.
One factor we’re grateful for is you, our expensive readers. Have a gorgeous weekend. Get some relaxation, cost these batteries, and let’s get again on it subsequent week. — Christine and Haje
The TechCrunch High 3
- Lower.it.out: We imply footage, not studying this article. We loved seeing how inventive some iOS 16 customers have been in using the brand new background removing characteristic for pictures. Ivan has extra and even created a shortcut of his personal.
- Uber eats? Extra like Uber defeats: That notification you bought asking so that you can unlock your Uber account was truly one thing to be alarmed about. The ride-hailing big is investigating its cybersecurity processes after a hacker acquired in, Carly stories.
- Don’t worry the hyphen: Polywork raised $28 million that can assist you embrace all of the job title hyphens you may have. Natasha M even tried it out herself.
Startups and VC
Shervin Pishevar, an investor who left Silicon Valley for Miami after being accused of sexual misconduct by a number of ladies in 2017, has resurfaced because the “vice chairman” of Yeezy, the buyer model managed by Kanye West, Connie stories.
In gig economic system land, issues are about to get fascinating. The Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) is wanting into the advanced and doubtlessly unfair economics and insurance policies of the gig economic system for “misleading, unfair, and in any other case illegal acts and practices.” Whether or not it’s compelled arbitration, labor misclassification, or algorithmic pay and job distribution, the company says it can go after any doubtful techniques that harm staff, Devin stories.
And on your last piece of startup drama right this moment, Natasha M and Becca report the Launch Home neighborhood reacts to media stories of alleged misconduct and harassment.
Okay, wonderful, a number of extra:
- Over the moon with Loona: Client robotic Loona is Anki’s religious successor, and simply went reside on Kickstarter with some spectacular strikes. It’s totes lovable, and Brian’s piece features a video to show it.
- It goes how quick?!: Haje checked out the Apollo Professional, and the corporate’s CTO says he desires the brand new scooter to be “the Cybertruck of scooters.”
- Edtech at a reduction: Ingrid stories that Basic Atlantic buys out SoftBank’s 15% stake in edtech Kahoot, now valued at about $152 million — that’s $63 million lower than the valuation SoftBank invested at two years in the past.
- In a means, aren’t all of us squid- or octopus-like humanoids in a post-apocalyptic world?: Amanda celebrated her 420th publish on TechCrunch by protecting Splatoon, a online game model of these ASMR-like “oddly satisfying” movies.
- The highs and lows of scooter land: Haje additionally had a pair of tales in regards to the scooter firm Unagi. It publicizes it isn’t going to fabricate the Mannequin Eleven scooter in spite of everything, regardless that it raised greater than $700,000 by way of Indiegogo to convey the micromobility product to market. As a substitute, it launches the up to date Mannequin One Voyager, and presents its crowdfunding backers a few of these scooters as a substitute.
3 buyers clarify why earned wage entry startups are set to money extra checks

Picture Credit: Liia Galimzianova (opens in a brand new window) / Getty Photographs
Staff with low-wage jobs typically expertise cash-flow issues.
As a result of so many don’t have entry to credit score or financial savings, a rising quantity that after relied on predatory lenders can now faucet into their wages earlier than payday by way of earned wage entry (EWA).
“The potential for this mannequin is large, however the business continues to be very a lot in its early phases,” stories Karan Bhasin, who interviewed three energetic EWA buyers to study extra about the place the business is headed:
Jennifer Ho, associate at Integra Companions
Aris Xenofontos, associate at Seaya Ventures
Aditi Maliwal, associate at Upfront Ventures
(TechCrunch+ is our membership program, which helps founders and startup groups get forward. You may join right here. Use code “DC” for a 15% low cost on an annual subscription!)
Large Tech Inc.
For you Apple Watch lovers, Brian packs within the puns and postulates in regards to the Collection 8 (“The brand new options aren’t flashy, however a few of them would possibly save your life”) and the SE (“The SE is the Apple Look ahead to individuals on a considerably tighter price range, who acknowledge that they don’t want completely each annual addition to the gadget”). He talks rather a lot about alternative — which one will you select?