Techcrunch blog!: OpenAI releases iOS ChatGPT app, says Android version is coming 'soon'

Thursday, May 18, 2023

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Hello, today we bring you news on OpenAI's new app, cookies (not the kind you eat, unfortunately) and Premom sharing data without consent. This is your Daily Crunch for Thursday. — Christine

Today's top story is the announcement of OpenAI's ChatGPT app for iOS. The good parts? It's free, there are no ads and it will allow for voice input. Learn more about the app.

Google is ready to do some heavy lifting in the online advertising industry. It is poised to have its Privacy Sandbox replace third-party cookies early next year. Find out more about what this means.

Now, move over, Apple — Step is taking the crown for having the highest rate on a savings account. Get the scoop on how to get your hands on this account.

Food delivery is a tough business, making it difficult to reach profitability. However, India-based Swiggy is the latest to be able to make that claim. Learn how they reached this milestone.

Ever see a walking humanoid robot? Well, you can say you have today. Watch Figure's robot do more than walk.

There were a few things going on in venture capital today: SoftBank has a new fund that will invest $150 million in Black and Latino-led startups, while Ireland's Elkstone closes its first fund with $108 million to invest in early-stage startups.

Climate risk startup Mitiga gets $14.4M to help businesses face an uncertain future

Pale Blue Dot backs Amini, an African climate tech startup solving environmental data scarcity

Night sweats to climate tech: Kelvin eyes heat pumps and nabs $30M

Image Credits: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket / Getty Images

Big Tech Inc.

A new Federal Trade Commission complaint alleges that Premom, a fertility tracking app developed by Easy Healthcare, shared users' sensitive health information with third-party advertisers without their consent. Find out more on who was impacted.

It's been a hot minute since we last discussed e-commerce aggregator Thrasio. It seems the company cut its stake in Lifelong Online, an Indian house of brands. Read more about how this came about.

Meta is making some big bets on artificial intelligence and also now has a code-generating AI model to rival Copilot.

Meanwhile, Apple's retail stores are hiring more people of color, but learn why unions still have an issue with their employment practice. Also, it's official: Apple TV launched its multiview feature for sports fans. Get the scoop.

YouTube is bringing 30-second unskippable ads to TVs

1Password's new service lets businesses quickly adopt passkeys

Micron to invest $3.6B in Japan for next-gen memory chips

Ask Sophie: Which visas are best for US startup accelerators?

Dear Sophie,

I co-founded a startup last year, and my co-founder and I were just accepted to an accelerator program in the United States!

What type of visa can we get to come to the U.S. that allows us to stay there so we can grow our startup after the accelerator ends?

— Jazzed in Johannesburg

Three more by the team:

Alibaba's cloud spin-off may serve as a good yardstick to value other major players

Coinbase launches subscription service with focus on European expansion

Pitch Deck Teardown: Ageras' $36M Private Equity deck

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