Thursday, October 31, 2024

Welcome to TC PM! Today we look at OpenAI's new search product that will help it compete with Google; we learn about a betting startup that's getting a lot of attention; and we get an update on the demand for Ford's F-150 Lightning trucks. Let's go!

TechCrunch Top 3

Image Credits: CFOTO/Future Publishing / Getty Images

👀 OpenAI goes for Google: Today OpenAI launched its ChatGPT Search product, which is built into the existing ChatGPT platform and pulls answers from a range of online sources. Do you think the news made Google nervous? I honestly can't decide, but Google announced today that developers using Google's Gemini API and its Google AI Studio to build AI-based services will be able to ground their prompts' results with data from Google Search. Coincidence? Read more

🎰 Big bet: Kalshi, an exchange startup that allows people to bet on things ranging from election results to whether Nintendo will release a new console this year, is seeing strong demand thanks to the election. Investors are all over it. Read more

⏸️ Press pause: Ford plans to pause production on its electric F-150 Lightning truck due to lower demand amid increased competition. Apparently the Venn diagram of who would buy an F-150 Lightning and who would buy a Cybertruck is more of a circle than I thought. Read more

Afternoon must-reads

Image Credits: Fizz

🫧 Shake-up at Fizz: Fizz, the startup running a college social network app, is going through a leadership change. CEO Rakesh Mathur is stepping down and handing the title back to the company's founder, Teddy Solomon. Read more

💼 Is Gen Z different? Gen Z is the latest generation to join the workforce, and companies are trying to figure out how to hire and retain them. Three folks from the startup and VC worlds sat down at TechCrunch Disrupt to share their thoughts. Read more

🗓️ Let's get organized: WhatsApp announced today that it is launching the ability for users to set up filters that will automatically sort their incoming messages into customized categories. The "Custom Lists" feature is an update to what WhatsApp released in April. Read more

🗣️ A language learning buddy: Buddy.AI created an AI character that helps children learn and practice English as a second language. The company just raised an $11 million seed round and is seeing strong traction with consumers and schools. Read more

🗺️ Map time: Google Maps is getting additional features thanks to Google's Gemini AI. The new features include telling a driver which lane they need to be in and the ability to use AI to answer questions about the places they are going. Read more

Around the web

🩳 Staying Shorts: The YouTube Shorts name will remain. Alphabet won a London lawsuit against the company that alleged the product's name was a trademark infringement. Not having to do a global rebrand is definitely a win. Read more

🚙 No dealership, no problem: Despite not having a Tesla dealership in Uruguay, the company's cars are a very popular import. The country is set up for strong EV adoption with its robust charging network and EV tax credits. Read more