A beta version of Apple The latest mobile operating system is available to the public. Coinbase may go public and researchers are discovering a terrifying smartwatch vulnerability. Here is your daily crisis for July 9, 2020.
The big story: Apple releases the public beta of iOS 14
Developers are no longer the only ones who can try the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. Beta versions of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are now available to the general public.
Romain Dillet has already messed around with the new iOS, saying the biggest change is rethinking the home screen with widgets that can be stacked and mirrored, and an app library that groups all apps on your phone by category.
The technology giants
WhatsApp Business, now with 50 million MAUs, adds QR codes and catalog approval – Facebook's messaging app introduces new tools that companies can use to digitally connect to their customers.
Apple has committed to support Thunderbolt on new Macs after Intel released the latest version. "We remain committed to Thunderbolt's future and will support it on Macs with Apple silicon," said Apple.
Amazon's Alexa bosses, Toni Reid and Rohit Prasad, come to Disrupt – Two of the key executives behind Amazon's leading intelligent assistant are coming to Disrupt 2020, which runs (virtually) from September 14-18.
Startups, funding and venture capital
Coinbase is slated to consider making a public debut in late 2020 and early 2021 – the cryptocurrency exchange platform may consider a direct listing instead of a traditional IPO, according to Reuters.
Kernel raises $ 53 million for its non-invasive neuroscience as a service technology. The startup claims to have developed a non-invasive technology to record brain activity.
TikTok preferences and views are broken as the community worries about a possible US ban. As of this afternoon, the company announced that a correction was in progress.
Advice and analysis of extra crunch
VCs shorten checks remotely, but business volume may slow down. In a new OMERS Ventures survey, 69% of VCs said they were ready to make a fully removed investment, but most of them actually didn't.
As the pandemic continues, interest in automation grows – Brian Heater is exploring some ways COVID-19 can change the job market permanently.
K Fund's Jaime Novoa explains the early stage company's focus on Spanish startups. The company officially launched its second EUR 70 million fund earlier this month.
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Everything else
Smartwatch hack could tempt patients to take pills with fake warnings – the vulnerabilities were found in SETracker, a cloud system that powers smartwatches and vehicles.
The effects of corona virus are causing app downloads, usage, and consumer spending to hit record highs in the second quarter. According to App Annie, the use of mobile apps increased by 40% year-on-year.
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