This week, the social network Bluesky opened its doors to anyone interested in joining — a fitting development, especially here in NYC, considering the sunshine and unusually warm temperatures we’ve been experiencing. For those who prefer indoor activities and are contemplating a Vision Pro purchase, Brian has shared his review. Be sure to give it a read; he doesn’t hold back.
Plenty more unfolded this week, including the reveal of a Rivian SUV, government hackers targeting iPhone users, and Meta restricting third-party access to Facebook Groups. We delve into all this and more in this edition of WiR — but before we proceed, a friendly reminder to subscribe to receive the WiR newsletter directly in your inbox every Saturday.
News
Bluesky Goes Public: After nearly a year as an invite-only platform, Bluesky, an auspicious micro-blogging service supported by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is now accessible to all.
Rivian’s Latest Release: Rivian is set to unveil its next-generation vehicle, the R2, a smaller and more affordable electric SUV, on March 7, as announced by the company on Monday.
Governmental iPhone Targeting: Google reports that government hackers exploited three undisclosed vulnerabilities in Apple’s iPhone operating system last year to deploy spyware developed by a European startup.
Meta Axes Group Access: Meta recently declared the impending closure of its Facebook Groups API, disrupting businesses and social media marketers, as Sarah reports.
WeWork’s Resurgence: Adam Neumann, co-founder of WeWork, is reportedly endeavoring to repurchase the company out of bankruptcy, marking a potential comeback after his controversial departure from the flexible workspace provider.
Chinese Cyber Espionage: A coalition of U.S. intelligence agencies cautioned on Wednesday that China-backed hackers have maintained access to critical American infrastructure for “at least five years,” aiming to launch “destructive” cyberattacks.
Analysis
Apple Vision Pro Assessment: In his evaluation of the Vision Pro, Brian suggests that the $3,500 headset remains a work in progress, providing glimpses of a future that will ultimately depend on developers for its success or failure.
Joe Rogan’s Podcast Liberated: Amanda explains why Spotify benefits from Joe Rogan’s podcast no longer being exclusive.
Podcasts
On Equity, the team delved into various startup fundraisings, including fresh investments in vertical software-as-a-service, fintech, and tech sectors, as well as the rapid growth of SUMA Wealth and the soaring success of Bluesky.
In a separate segment, Found highlighted Beatrice Dixon, the co-founder of The Honey Pot, a plant-based vaginal wellness brand.
On Chain Reaction, Jacquelyn interviewed Devin Finzer, the CEO of OpenSea, an NFT marketplace. Founded in 2017, OpenSea quickly emerged as one of the most recognized and well-funded NFT platforms.
TechCrunch+
AI, the Trusty Companion: Alex notes that the market seems ready to acknowledge that software integrated with advanced AI functionalities may come at a higher price tag. As a result, software companies across the spectrum will find new avenues to upsell existing clientele and possibly attract new customers.
The Disintegration of Fast Fashion: Rebecca highlights the fast fashion sector’s entanglement in labor disputes and copyright infringements, alongside its significant environmental footprint stemming from wastewater and carbon emissions. Consequently, venture capitalists must reevaluate their stance on the industry.
Bonus round
Triumph of Sidewalk Robotics: Despite numerous setbacks facing sidewalk delivery robot services, Starship Technologies, a trailblazer in the field, declares profitability and secures additional funding to expand and fulfill market demand.
