Wed. 02/19 – The iPhone 16e

Apple announced the iPhone 16E, its latest lower-end model starting at $599. This device features the new A18 chip, a 48 MP camera, Face ID technology integrated into a notch design, and a USB-C port. With a significant performance boost, the A18 chip is claimed to be up to 80% faster than its predecessor. The iPhone 16E promises exceptional battery life, lasting up to 26 hours of video playback, marking a significant advance from prior models.

Humane's AI Pin is officially discontinued, with operations ceasing on February 28th, 2025. This comes after a series of product failures and user complaints. HP plans to acquire Humane’s assets, focusing on integrating AI into their offerings, which indicates an end to the original AI pin venture but a potential new start for the team at HP.

Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, launched Thinking Machines Lab, focusing on developing collaborative human-AI systems. In contrast to other AI ventures aimed solely at autonomy, this lab aspires to foster multi-modal systems that enhance human expertise across various applications. They plan to utilize recent AI advancements to create user-centric solutions.

Some ByteDance investors express indifference towards a potential split of TikTok in the U.S. market, emphasizing the importance of China's market, which accounts for 80% of ByteDance's revenue. The implication is that a US ban might not drastically undermine ByteDance’s overall financial stability, and could even facilitate a future IPO.

CrunchBase is adapting to the era of generative AI by launching tools to predict startup trajectories including funding, acquisitions, and IPOs using its extensive database. With proprietary data from 17 years of operation, they claim up to 95% accuracy in prediction capabilities, pivoting effectively to maintain relevance in a changing tech landscape.