Apple Unveils New AirPods at Today's Event in The Daily Crunch

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1. Apple Announces New AirPods

The latest iteration of Apple’s wireless earbuds, the new AirPods, have been equipped with the H1 chip. This innovative technology is designed to provide performance efficiencies, faster connect times between the pods and your devices, and the ability to ask for Siri hands-free with the ‘Hey Siri’ command.

According to Apple’s Phil Schiller, "They are powered by the new Apple-designed H1 chip which brings an extra hour of talk time, faster connections, hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ and the convenience of a new wireless battery case."

2. Google Fined €1.49BN in Europe for Antitrust Violations in Search Ad Brokering

At a press conference today, EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager revealed that the search giant had engaged in illegal practices to "cement its dominant market position." The company’s AdSense platform has taken a share of over 70% in Europe since 2006.

Vestager stated that Google was "by far the biggest" search ad broker in the region, and the company’s actions were deemed to be in violation of antitrust laws. The fine imposed on Google is a staggering €1.49 billion.

3. All 88 Companies from Y Combinator’s W19 Demo Day 2

Yesterday saw the conclusion of Y Combinator’s W19 Demo Day 2, with an impressive lineup of 88 startups taking to the stage to pitch their ideas. This follows on from the 85 startups that pitched on Day 1.

The diversity and quality of these companies are a testament to the success of Y Combinator’s accelerator program. From innovative technologies to groundbreaking business models, each startup has the potential to disrupt its respective industry.

4. The 9 Biggest Questions About Google’s Stadia Game Streaming Service

Google’s Stadia is an impressive piece of engineering that delivers high-definition, high frame-rate, low latency video to devices like tablets and phones. However, despite its technological prowess, the game streaming service faces significant challenges if it wants to compete with established players in the gaming industry.

Some of the key questions surrounding Stadia include:

Cost: With a price tag of $129 for the launch package, is Stadia too expensive for consumers?
Games selection: Will Google be able to secure agreements with top game developers and publishers to offer a diverse library of titles?
Latency: Can Stadia truly deliver on its promise of low latency gaming, or will it suffer from the same issues as other cloud-based services?
Hardware requirements: What are the minimum system requirements for playing games on Stadia, and how will this impact user adoption?

These questions and more need to be addressed if Google’s Stadia is to succeed in a crowded market.

5. Disney Closes its $71.3B Fox Acquisition

The massive acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company has been completed, marking the largest media deal in history. With this move, Disney positions itself for a streaming-centric future and cements its dominance in the entertainment industry.

Disney’s CEO Bob Iger stated that the acquisition is a key step in achieving the company’s goal of becoming "the leading media and entertainment company in the world."

6. Kickstarter CEO Perry Chen Steps Down

Perry Chen, the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, has announced his departure from the company. Chen will remain as chairman of the board but will focus on high-level and long-term company needs.

The interim CEO role has been taken by Aziz Hasan, who is currently head of Design and Product at Kickstarter. This change in leadership comes as the company continues to navigate the challenges of scaling its platform while maintaining its core values.

7. The Oculus Rift S is Indeed Real and Arrives in Spring for $399

After years of rumors and speculation, Oculus has officially confirmed the release of the Oculus Rift S. This new virtual reality headset promises to deliver improved graphics, a more comfortable design, and a lower price point than its predecessor.

The Rift S will be available in spring 2023 at an MSRP of $399, making it an attractive option for gamers and VR enthusiasts looking to upgrade their experience.

Topics

AirPods
Apple
Daily Crunch

TC Anthony Ha

Anthony Ha is TechCrunch’s weekend editor. Previously, he worked as a tech reporter at Adweek, a senior editor at VentureBeat, a local government reporter at the Hollister Free Lance, and vice president of content at a VC firm. He lives in New York City.

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