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Adobe drops support for Figma, Apple Watch sales paused, millions of accounts breached by hackers

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Welcome everyone to Week in Review (WiR). This is TechCrunch’s regular newsletter that recaps the top tech and tech-related stories from the past few days. With the holidays approaching, reporters expected a quiet week. But the opposite happened. I have no shortage of stories to write.

In this WiR, we learn that Comcast and Mr. Cooper’s customer data was stolen, electric scooter company Bird files for bankruptcy, Adobe ends its plan to acquire Figma, and Apple The report deals with the fact that the company is being forced to suspend sales by the International Trade Commission (ITC). apple watch. Also: Nikola founder Trevor Milton’s securities fraud conviction, Microsoft’s chatbot CoPilot now adding music-generating capabilities, and Consumer Reports’ impressions of Tesla’s Autopilot recall fix (spoiler: good news) We also highlight the

There are many things we need to overcome, so let’s do our best. But before that, if you haven’t already, here’s a reminder to subscribe here so you can receive his WiR in your inbox every Saturday.

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Hackers target Comcast: Comcast has confirmed that hackers who exploited a security vulnerability rated critical gained access to sensitive information of approximately 36 million Xfinity customers. The vulnerability, known as “CitrixBleed,” was discovered in Citrix networking devices commonly used by large enterprises and has been heavily exploited by malicious actors since August, Carly reports.

Mr. Cooper under fire: In related news, hackers stole sensitive personal information of more than 14.6 million of Cooper’s customers, Zack wrote. The mortgage and loan giant admitted that criminals stole customers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers, as well as social security numbers and bank account numbers.

Adobe gives up: Adobe finally makes a huge $20 billion bid to acquire rival Figma officially dead This comes after the companies announced this week that their acquisition plans had been scrapped due to regulatory resistance in Europe. The deal, first announced last September, has always attracted regulatory scrutiny due to its size and the fact that it removed one of Adobe’s major rivals from the shadows. Paul points out.

Apple stops selling Apple Watch: Apple has stopped selling its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches following an October ruling by the ITC over a patent dispute with California-based medical technology company Masimo. The controversy revolves around the blood sensor monitor in the latest flagship Apple Watch. Apple is appealing the ITC’s ruling.

Nikola’s founder declared: Trevor Milton, the disgraced founder and former CEO of electric truck startup Nikola, was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for securities fraud. Rebecca wrote that the ruling ended a years-long saga in which Nikola’s stock soared as much as 83% at one point, only to plummet months later amid fraud charges and contract cancellations.

The co-pilot learns the composition skill. Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered chatbot, can now compose songs through integration with generative AI (GenAI) music app Suno. Users can enter prompts into Copilot, such as “Create a pop song about my adventures with my family,” and have her Suno bring their musical ideas to life through the plugin.

Tesla fixes ‘inadequate’: After the test, consumer report He said Tesla’s fixes for the Autopilot recall of more than 2 million vehicles were “insufficient.” Sean noted that while the test is not comprehensive, it shows that questions remain about Tesla’s approach to driver monitoring, the technology at the heart of the recall.

Bird files for bankruptcy: bird Submitted Under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code, capping off a turbulent year for the electric scooter company.in press releaseBird confirmed it had entered a “financial restructuring process aimed at strengthening its balance sheet” and said the company was continuing business as usual with the aim of “long-term, sustainable growth.”

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Want a listening ear as you prepare your holiday dishes? You’re in luck — TechCrunch’s podcasts are just the ticket.

this week’s capitalthe second in a two-part series looking back at 2023, in which our staff recapped the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the long and tedious trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman Fried, and the wild office politics of OpenAI .

meanwhile, found We focused on Charlie Hernandez and his journey building My Pocket Lawyer, an online platform aimed at giving people who can’t afford a lawyer democratic access to legal advice and guidance . Hernandez talked about why he decided to use his law degree to tackle this issue.

and Chain reaction Featuring Staci Warden, CEO of the Algorand Foundation, the organization behind the layer 1 blockchain Algorand. Algorand is a Singapore-based blockchain that aims to be fast, secure, decentralized, and “the greenest” with a carbon negative network.

TechCrunch+

TC+ subscribers have access to in-depth commentary, analysis, and surveys. You probably know these if you’re already a subscriber. If not, please consider signing up. Here are some highlights from this week.

Etsy headcount reductions: Etsy recently announced it would lay off 11% of its workforce, which comes as no surprise to those who follow the e-commerce space closely, Anna writes. She predicts that “junkification” and fierce competition will chart a difficult future.

DEI backlash: Dom writes about the dispiriting backlash against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), a framework for creating more conscious workplace efforts to support marginalized communities in the tech sector. I am.

Figma’s rosy outlook: Anna writes that things don’t seem too bad for Figma even without Adobe. CB Insights estimates that the startup’s value is still between $8.3 billion and $9 billion.

Source: techcrunch.com

Apple is reportedly exploring AI partnerships with news publishers and is prepared to offer substantial financial incentives.

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In recent weeks, Apple has begun negotiations with major news and publishing organizations seeking permission to use their material in the development of its generative artificial intelligence systems, as reported by The New York Times on Friday. The iPhone maker is offering a multi-year deal worth at least $50 million to license its news article archives, the report said, citing people familiar with the discussions. Media outlets contacted by Apple include Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue and The New Yorker, NBC News, and IAC, which owns People, The Daily Beast, and Better Homes and Gardens, according to the New York Times. Tim Cook’s Apple is reportedly offering a multi-year deal worth at least $50 million to license its archives of news articles. According to reports, some publishers contacted by Apple were tepid about the proposal. Apple did not respond to Reuters‘ request for comment. Leading technology companies are actively investing in integrating generative AI. Apple, on the other hand, used this technology to improve the basic functionality of its new gadgets. Media outlets contacted by Apple include Condé Nast, Vogue, and The New Yorker. Apple also announced new MacBook Pro and iMac computers and three new chips to power them in October, making chatbots and other creations constrained by the amount of data they can hold in a computer’s memory. It was emphasized that these can be used by many artificial intelligence researchers.

Source: nypost.com

Apple halts online sales of Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2

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As promised, Apple has officially removed the Watch Series 9 from its online shop. News of the surprise move came earlier this week, when the company admitted that an ongoing patent dispute had forced it to temporarily suspend sales of its flagship smartwatch. When you click to visit the site, instead of a “Buy” button you’ll see the words “Currently Unavailable.”

Apple Watch Ultra 2 is similarly unavailable. However, you can purchase his entry-level Apple Watch SE. This is likely due to the product’s relatively limited onboard health metrics. You can also get Series 9 through other online sources. Amazon, for example, still promises pre-Christmas delivery in some areas.

The wearable device will continue to be available at brick-and-mortar Apple Stores until Christmas Eve. If you’ve already ordered the watch online and want to pick it up in-store, you can still do so until December 24th, the company confirmed to TechCrunch.

The patent battle between Apple and health tech company Masimo has been well documented over the past few years. But even though Apple lost some important rulings, Monday’s announcement still came as a surprise to many given its unprecedented nature.

In a statement provided to TechCrunch earlier this week, the company said it intends to continue to contest the decision.

A presidential review period is underway regarding an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission regarding a technical intellectual property dispute regarding Apple Watch devices with blood oxygen capabilities. The review period doesn’t end until December 25th, but Apple is taking preemptive steps to comply if the ruling stands. This includes suspending sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Apple.com starting December 21st, and at Apple retail stores starting December 24th.

Apple’s teams work hard to develop products and services that provide industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features for our users. Apple strongly opposes this order and is pursuing various legal and technical options to ensure customers have access to Apple Watch.

If this order remains in effect, Apple will continue to take all steps to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to U.S. customers as quickly as possible.

At the heart of the battle is an optical imaging sensor used to monitor the wearer’s heart rate. Apple adopted similar technology back in 2020 with the introduction of his Series 6. Among other things, Masimo accused the hardware giant of poaching key talent. Apple claims it has “begun hiring Masimo employees, starting with Masimo’s Chief Medical Officer.”

There’s never a perfect time to stop selling your biggest products, but the holiday season is especially problematic. Apple has been able to keep sales completely open, but some people may be opening rain checks this year.

Source: techcrunch.com

Top 12 Science Documentaries of 2023: Streaming Now on Netflix, BBC, Apple, and More

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Michael J. Fox appears in documentary ‘Still’ about living with Parkinson’s disease (BBC i player)

This big-budget series from David Attenborough and the BBC Studios Natural History Unit takes a closer look at the flora and fauna of Britain and Ireland. The sex lives of the fighting sage-grouse and the grey-black slug are two of his highlights. (BBC i player)

In 2016, 10-year-old Maya Kowalski was hospitalized after complaining of severe pain. The tragedy that followed revealed the flaws in American hospitals. Please take care of Maya (Netflix)

each episode of earth From the worst mass extinction in history to the emergence of humanity, it delves deep into Earth’s history and is packed with cutting-edge scientific research. A still image from Earth of Prototaxitides, an 8-metre-tall fungus that towered over plants 430 million years ago. (BBC i player)

Michael J. Fox is best known as the star of back to the future He was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at just 29 years old. His documentary about living with this disease is moving, but not strange. Still: Michael J. Fox movies (Apple TV+)

This addictive and interesting series from mathematician Hannah Fry returns in 2023 to teach you all about the innovations that power our everyday lives, from passports to vacuum cleaners. Hannah Fry’s “An Addictive and Interesting ‘Secret Genius of Modern Life'”BBC Studio / Marco Cervi

The world of emergency medicine can be difficult to navigate, but this unflinching documentary about New York’s frontline medical workers is a must-see. emergency new york city (Netflix)

Another work by David Attenborough, this beautiful animated series explores the weirder, wilder side of dinosaurs and their dinosaur contemporaries. With a focus on recreating the atmosphere of classic nature documentaries, you’ll feel like you’re actually living in a prehistoric world. Prehistoric Planet II (Apple TV+)

48 million people in the United States get food poisoning each year. This documentary highlights the industries that are fueling the spread of the virus, revealing shocking facts. Poisoned: The dirty truth about food (Netflix)

Ella Glendining, who was born with no hips and short femurs, had never met anyone with her rare condition. The community she finds highlights the discrimination she faces elsewhere in her life. Ella Glendining in the documentary “Is There Anybody Out There?” (BFI player)

When it comes to mainstream nature documentaries, few are bold enough to explicitly connect the natural beauty of our planet with the threat of climate change it faces. our planet II It’s a refreshing departure. our planet II (Netflix)

Only one episode, color of the universe, a seven-part series about NASA’s black astronauts, has been released and is already a highlight of the new streaming service NASA+. Episode 1 tells the story of Charlie Bolden, the first black administrator at NASA. color of the universe (NASA+ and YouTube)

This eclectic four-part series explores drone warfare, the James Webb Space Telescope, homo naledi And ancient necropolises are perfect for mystery fans looking for variety. unknown (Netflix)

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Apple requests court order to disclose customer information to law enforcement officers

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Reuters) – Apple (AAPL.O) says it is seeking a judge’s order to turn over information about its customers’ push notifications to law enforcement, bringing the iPhone maker’s policy in line with rival Google’s and allowing authorities to obtain app data about users. The hurdles that must be cleared have been raised.

The new policy was not officially announced, but was announced in the past few days. Law enforcement guidelines published by Apple. This follows revelations by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden that officials had requested such data not only from Apple but also from Alphabet Inc.’s Google. (GOOGL.O) Create an operating system for Android phones.

Apps of all kinds rely on push notifications to notify smartphone users of incoming messages, breaking news, and other updates. These are the audible “sounds” or visual indicators that users receive when they receive an email or when a sports team wins a game. What users often do not realize is that almost all such notifications are sent through Google and his Apple servers.

In the letter, first revealed by Reuters last week, Wyden said the practice gives the companies unique insight into the traffic flowing to users from these apps, and that the two companies can “see how users use specific apps.” “We are in a unique position to facilitate government oversight of what is happening.”


Although Apple did not officially announce this new policy, it was included in Apple’s published law enforcement guidelines within the past few days. Getty Images

Apple and Google both acknowledged receiving such requests. Apple added a section to its guidelines stating that such data can be obtained “via subpoena or larger legal process.” This text has now been updated to refer to more stringent warrant requirements.

Apple has not released an official statement. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wyden said in a statement that Apple is “doing the right thing by aligning with Google in seeking a court order to turn over data related to push notifications.”

Source: nypost.com

Report: Apple Faces Potential Heavy Fines in App Store and Spotify Dispute

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European Union regulators are expected to impose a ban on the App Store rules affecting some music streaming services and potentially levy heavy fines on Apple, according to a report by Bloomberg News published on Wednesday.

Based on the report, EU authorities are in the process of finalizing a decision that would prevent Apple from blocking music services that redirect users from the App Store to alternative subscription options, citing sources familiar with the investigation.

An article by Bloomberg suggests that Apple could face fines of up to 10% of its annual revenue. Reuters
Spotify alleged that it had to raise monthly subscription prices to offset costs associated with Apple’s App Store regulations. AFP (via Getty Images)

The decision is expected to be announced early next year, with potential fines for Apple amounting to up to 10% of its annual revenue, as reported by Bloomberg.

The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Sweden’s Spotify Technology four years ago, claiming that it was compelled to raise monthly subscription prices due to costs related to Apple’s App Store rules.

Earlier this year, the European Commission filed a complaint against Apple, deeming the conditions to be unnecessary and potentially resulting in increased costs for customers.

The European Commission expressed that the App Store conditions were unnecessary and could lead to higher costs for customers. alamy stock photo

Apple did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, and a spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on the matter.

Apple’s stock saw a slight increase in afternoon trading.

Source: nypost.com

Apple to pay $25 million to resolve Family Sharing lawsuit

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Apple agreed to pay $25 million settle a class action lawsuit Family Sharing lets you and up to five family members share access to purchased apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books. The lawsuit, first filed in 2019, alleges that “Apple falsely represented that app subscriptions could be shared using the Family Sharing feature.”

This news was first reported by mcroomers.

In the complaint, Apple denies making any misleading misrepresentations and “denies all allegations of wrongdoing.” “Apple has concluded that continuing to defend this litigation would be burdensome and costly,” the settlement agreement states. Apple enters into this Agreement without any admission of negligence, liability, or wrongdoing of any kind. ”

The tech giant did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Court documents in the lawsuit allege that Apple promoted Family Sharing as an option for apps that didn’t support it.

“The vast majority of Apple Apps, which are increasingly subscription-based, cannot be shared with designated family members,” the court documents say. “Available only to individual users who have downloaded the app and set up a subscription. However, all or nearly all of these apps will have a statement on their landing page that says they support Family Sharing until January 30, 2019. It was included.”

The complaint alleges that Apple knew the subscription-based app didn’t support Family Sharing, but ran ads for Family Sharing anyway. The court documents go on to say, “Millions of consumers downloaded subscription-based apps believing they could be used for Family Sharing, only to find out after payment was made that they were not so much available.” Says.

U.S. residents who signed up for a Family Sharing group with at least one other person and purchased an app subscription from the App Store between June 21, 2015 and January 30, 2019. May be subject to payment. Eligible class members will receive an email this week.

Each member of the class who files a claim is eligible to receive $30, which varies depending on the number of people who file a claim. However, the payments will not exceed $50 per class member, and $10 million of the settlement proceeds will go toward attorney fees.

Eligible class members must submit claims by March 1, 2024. His final approval hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2024.

Source: techcrunch.com

Spatial video recording now available on iPhone 15 Pro, courtesy of Apple

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Apple today rolled out iOS 17.2, giving iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users the ability to record spatial videos. This new feature will allow users to capture their favorite memories and special moments in three dimensions with their next mixed reality headset, Apple Vision Pro.

To create 3D videos, Apple explains that iPhone uses both the main camera and the ultra-wide camera when recording. This will be saved as a single file in a new album titled “Spatial” in the Photos app. Videos are also synced between devices using iCloud. Spatial video is captured at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second.

Spatial video recording can be enabled by toggling on Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro in the Camera section of Format in Settings. Apple recommends holding your iPhone horizontally for best results.

Spatial videos are available on all iPhones and other devices. However, it will be displayed as a regular 2D video.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro spatial video capture

Image credits: apple

The new feature allows users to record videos, and Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Greg Jozwiak called it “magical” and “setting a new standard for what’s possible.” I am reviewing it. While this is a marketing story, it’s a differentiator for Apple’s high-end iPhones and deepens the user connection with Apple’s latest product, his AR/VR headset, which launches next year. It will be.

“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have the most powerful camera system we’ve ever created, including the best video quality in a smartphone. And now we’re excited to open up new possibilities. We set the standard and empower users to capture special moments as they happened.” Said In a statement.

As part of today’s iOS 17.2 release, Apple also released the Journal app. Redesigned Apple TV app And new access methods Healthcare app data Via Siri.

Source: techcrunch.com

Apple and Google snubbed ChatGPT for “App of the Year,” selecting AllTrails and Imprint instead.

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Apple and Google announce 2023 app and game winners

Apple and Google announce 2023 app and game winners

Both Apple and Google announced the best apps and games of the year today, with hiking and biking companion AllTrails winning Apple’s iPhone App of the Year for 2023. Imprint: Learn visually Selected as one of the best apps on Google Play. Meanwhile, Apple and Google have agreed on a game of the year chosen by both companies. Honkai: Star Rail As their winner.

These year-end “best of” lists not only drive interest in new apps and games, but also assess the status of the app marketplace, what the platform itself wanted to celebrate, and what attracted consumers. It also functions as a means to ‘Attention this year. But surprisingly, this year Apple bucked the trend of highlighting apps that are new to the store or that leverage recently released technology in innovative ways. Instead, this year’s iPhone app finalists include winner AllTrails, plus apps that have long been praised as well-built and well-designed mobile companions, including language learning app Duolingo and travel app Flighty.

Still, this is a different type of selection than previous years, with 2022 social hit BeReal and last year’s well-received children’s app Toca Life World among the App Store winners. It’s also notable that neither Apple nor Google named an AI app as their app of the year, despite the phenomenal success of mobile apps like ChatGPT. ChatGPT Fastest growing consumer application in history Earlier this year, the service reached 100 million users shortly after its launch. This record was later broken by Instagram Threads, which reached his 100 million user mark in just five days, and still maintained his user base of just under 100 million active users as of October. While any of these picks would be a mobile app success story, both app store platforms looked to others as this year’s top winners. Moreover, apart from ChatGPT, many other AI apps are generating millions of dollars in revenue as well, so the decision to avoid the AI ​​category appears to be a deliberate choice on Apple’s part.

Other App Store winners include:

  • iPad App of the Year preta makeup
  • Mac App of the Year photometer
  • Apple TV App of the Year Mubi
  • Apple Watch App of the Year smart gym
  • iPhone Game of the Year Honkai: Star Rail
  • iPad Game of the Year lost in play
  • Mac Game of the Year P’s lie
  • Apple Arcade Game of the Year hello kitty island adventure

Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement about the 2023 winners: “We are proud of the developers who continue to create amazing apps and games that redefine the world around us. It’s exciting to see. This year’s winners represent the limitless potential of developers who bring their visions to life, creating apps and games with amazing ingenuity, exceptional quality, and purpose-driven missions.”

Google took a different approach to “best of” apps this year, emphasizing “multi-device” apps that mirror its efforts in the Play Store. The company named Spotify the best multi-device app. An interesting choice considering that it was just revealed that Spotify had a sweet deal with Google that allowed it to avoid Play Store fees through its antitrust lawsuit with Epic Games.

Google also allows users to vote for their favorite apps; Chat GPT We won the race here as the app of the year as chosen by our users.

However, the press release does not name these names, instead pointing only to: App Store grouping. In addition to it, overall winner, Google took a different approach to “best of” apps this year, emphasizing “multi-device” apps that mirror its efforts in the Play Store, which is designed to make it easier to find apps beyond smartphones.


Source: techcrunch.com