Title: Python in Excel, Robotaxi Fleet Downsizing, and New Fire TV Channels: Latest Tech Happenings
Introduction:
Welcome to TechCrunch’s Week in Review (WiR), where we bring you the biggest happenings in the world of technology. In this week’s edition of WiR, we cover Microsoft’s introduction of Python in Excel, Cruise’s downsizing of its robotaxi fleet, and Amazon’s launch of the Fire TV Channels app. Additionally, we recap Twitter competitor Bluesky’s challenges, MrBeast’s controversial video, IBM’s code translator for COBOL, and Snapchat’s expansion into generative AI. Let’s dive into the latest news!
Microsoft Brings Python to Excel:
Microsoft has recently announced the public preview of Python in Excel, allowing advanced spreadsheet users to combine Python scripts and Excel formulas in the same workbook. Initially rolling out to Microsoft 365 Insiders as part of the Excel for Windows beta channel, this feature opens up new possibilities for data analysis and automation within Excel.
Cruise Forced to Downsize Robotaxi Fleet:
Following an accident involving a fire truck, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has requested that Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, reduce its robotaxi fleet in San Francisco by 50%. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by autonomous vehicle companies as they navigate complex regulatory landscapes and prioritize safety.
Amazon Launches Fire TV Channels App:
Amazon has introduced its new Fire TV Channels app, offering Fire TV customers access to over 400 free, ad-supported TV channels. Users can now enjoy channels such as ABC News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, and Martha Stewart, enhancing their streaming experience with an extensive selection of content.
Bluesky Faces Challenges:
Twitter competitor Bluesky has encountered difficulties following Elon Musk’s announcement that Twitter will no longer support user blocking, opting for muting instead. Bluesky has often experienced an influx of users seeking alternatives whenever Twitter implements controversial changes, highlighting the challenges faced by emerging social media platforms.
MrBeast’s Geopolitical Controversy:
Billionaire creator MrBeast unintentionally fueled geopolitical tension with his latest YouTube video, where contestants from “every country on Earth” competed in elimination challenges. The video’s exclusion of certain countries and the map depicted ignited debates and discussions, highlighting the impact content creators can have on global narratives.
IBM Translates COBOL Code with AI:
IBM has unveiled Code Assistant for IBM Z, a tool that utilizes a code-generating AI model to translate COBOL, one of the oldest programming languages still in use, into Java syntax. With over 800 billion lines of COBOL in production systems, many companies using it have a strong desire to migrate to more modern languages, making this technology highly valuable.
Snapchat Expands into Generative AI:
Snapchat is expanding its generative AI features, building upon the success of its AI-powered chatbot, My AI. The upcoming feature, “Dreams,” will experiment with AI-generated images that incorporate users and their friends into imaginative backgrounds, further pushing the boundaries of creative expression on the platform.
Additional Piece: The Evolving Landscape of Technology and its Impact on Society
As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, it continues to reshape various aspects of our lives and society as a whole. From the integration of AI in everyday applications to the advent of autonomous vehicles and the rise of influencer culture, these advancements bring both opportunities and challenges.
The introduction of Python in Excel by Microsoft exemplifies the increasing demand for more versatile and efficient solutions in data analysis. By combining the power of Python scripts with Excel’s familiar interface, users can unlock new possibilities for automation and advanced data manipulation, revolutionizing the way businesses and individuals work with spreadsheets.
The accident involving Cruise’s robotaxi fleet underscores the complex nature of autonomous vehicles and the importance of prioritizing safety. As technology continues to bridge the gap toward fully autonomous transportation, regulations and challenges surrounding safety standards will play a vital role in shaping the future of mobility.
Amazon’s Fire TV Channels app exemplifies the growing trend of streaming services offering extensive content libraries to cater to diverse consumer preferences. By providing access to a wide range of free, ad-supported TV channels, Amazon expands its streaming ecosystem, allowing users to customize their entertainment experience and discover new content.
The challenges faced by emerging social media platforms like Bluesky highlight the ever-evolving landscape of online communication. In an era where content moderation and user engagement are under scrutiny, platforms must strike a delicate balance between fostering a vibrant community while addressing concerns of misinformation, harassment, and divisive content.
The unintentional geopolitical controversies caused by influencers like MrBeast underscore the role of content creators in shaping public narratives and perceptions across borders. It highlights the power of digital platforms to bridge diverse communities and cultures, while also emphasizing the responsibility of creators to approach their content with sensitivity.
IBM’s code translator for COBOL demonstrates the ongoing need to adapt and modernize legacy systems. As technology advances, companies face the challenge of updating their infrastructure to remain competitive and efficient. AI-powered solutions, like IBM’s Code Assistant, offer a path forward for organizations seeking to migrate from outdated programming languages to more contemporary ones.
Snapchat’s expansion into generative AI showcases the evolving landscape of social media platforms, where creative expression is no longer limited to text-based interactions. By incorporating generative AI features like “Dreams,” Snapchat pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling, empowering users to unleash their imagination within the platform’s playful and interactive environment.
In conclusion, the latest tech happenings discussed in this Week in Review reflect the ongoing transformation of the technology landscape. From innovative solutions in data analysis and automation to the challenges and controversies surrounding autonomous vehicles, content creation, and legacy systems migration, the impact of technology continues to shape our world. As we navigate these advancements, it’s essential to critically evaluate their implications and harness their potential for positive change.
Summary:
In this Week in Review, we covered Microsoft’s introduction of Python in Excel, enabling advanced spreadsheet users to combine Python scripts with their usual Excel formulas. Cruise was asked to downsize its robotaxi fleet after an accident, highlighting the challenges of autonomous vehicles. Amazon launched its Fire TV Channels app, providing users with access to over 400 free, ad-supported TV channels. Bluesky faced difficulties following Twitter’s announcement on user blocking. MrBeast’s video ignited geopolitical debates, showcasing the impact of influencers on global narratives. IBM developed a code translator for COBOL, addressing the need for modernization in legacy systems. Snapchat expanded into generative AI, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. These advancements reflect the evolving technology landscape and its impact on society, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
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Hello folks, welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s regular newsletter covering the biggest happenings in technology in recent days. Have you not been able to follow the news closely? Don’t worry. WiR will bring you up to date.
In this issue of WiR, we cover how Microsoft brings Python to Excel, Cruise is forced to downsize his robotaxi fleet after an accident, and Amazon launches its new Fire TV Channels app. We also recap Twitter competitor Bluesky bending under load, influencer MrBeast’s ill-timed Olympics video, IBM building a code translator for COBOL, and Snapchat further expanding into generative AI.
If you haven’t already, sign up here to receive WiR in your inbox every Saturday. Now, without further ado, here are the news of the week!
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Microsoft brings Python to Excel: Microsoft this week Announced the public preview of Python in Excel, which will allow advanced spreadsheet users to combine scripts in the popular Python language and their usual Excel formulas in the same workbook. The feature will first be rolled out to Microsoft 365 Insiders as part of the Excel for Windows beta channel, reports Frederic.
Cruise was asked to reduce his fleet after the accident: The California Department of Motor Vehicles has asked Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, to reduce its robotaxi fleet by 50% in San Francisco after an accident Thursday night with a fire truck.
MrBeast’s Geopolitical Nightmare: Billionaire creator MrBeast inadvertently stoked generations of geopolitical tension in his latest YouTube video, in which contestants from “every country on Earth” competed in “Game of Squid”-like elimination challenges for a chance to win. $250,000. It was the countries that were not included in the competition, as well as the map featured in the video, that made the trick ripe for debate.
IBM turns to AI to translate COBOL code: IBM this week sleepless Code Assistant for IBM Z, which uses a code-generating AI model to translate COBOL (one of the oldest programming languages in use) in Java syntax. It’s potentially quite useful, considering There are over 800 billion lines of COBOL in use in production systems and a strong desire among many of the companies that use it to migrate to more modern languages.
Amazon Launches Fire TV Channels App: Amazon Announced Its new Fire TV Channels app launched Monday, giving Fire TV customers access to more than 400 free, ad-supported TV channels, including ABC News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, Martha Stewart and more.
Bluesky fights rising popularity: Competitor X (formerly Twitter) Blue sky collapsed after Elon Musk’s announcement that X will no longer support blocking users only in favor of the mute. The company has often had to deal with an influx of users when Twitter announces particularly nasty changes, Sarah writes.
Snapchat adds new generative AI features: Snapchat is preparing to further expand into generative AI features, after earlier launching its AI-powered chatbot My AI, which can now respond with a snap back, not just text. With the company’s upcoming generative AI feature called “Dreams,” Snap will once again experiment with AI images, but soon, those images will be able to contain you and your friends in imaginative backgrounds.
Phone hacking company tries to keep technology secret: For years, police and other government authorities around the world have been using cellebrite-provided phone hacking technology to unlock phones and obtain the data they contain. And the company has wanted to keep the use of its technology secret, reports Lorenzo.
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In EquityThe team discussed Nvidia’s earnings report, the rises of Ramp and the AI-powered Lex writing platform, Northvolt’s move to North America, the story behind Better.com’s initial public offering, and the startups that they are literally full of crap (it will make sense once you listen). trust me).
Meanwhile, Found Focusing on Feyi Ayodele, Co-Founder and CEO of CancerIQ, a precision healthcare company designed for clinicians to help their patients manage cancer risk and prevent cancer. Ayodele told how he came up with the idea for the startup while he was hiking Mount Kilimanjaro with his mother.
And in Chain reactionErik Svenson talked about Blockstream, a bitcoin and blockchain-focused infrastructure company that he helped co-found in 2014. Blockstream has its own sidechain technology, the Liquid Network, as well as bitcoin mining operations and hardware wallets for Bitcoin and other assets. .
TechnologyCrunch+
TC+ subscribers get access to in-depth feedback, analysis, and surveys, which you’ll learn if you’re already a subscriber. If you’re not here consider signing up. Here are some highlights from this week:
Onlyfans proves that the rise of the creator economy was real: Venture capital investment in the creative economy category slowed down significantly starting in the second half of 2022. But Ron and Anna write about how the profitability of OnlyFans suggests there’s still juice in the sector.
Nvidia is riding the AI wave, but for how long?: When Nvidia announced surprising earnings on Wednesday with triple-digit year-over-year growth, it was easy to get caught up in the excitement. But the question that remains is: can it continue like this?
The late-stage risk market is falling apart: New data from CB Insights details that there have been sharp declines in valuations at almost every stage of startup around the world. But is that cause for panic? Alex and Anna don’t think so, at least not right now.
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