Apple WWDC 2021 Keynote Recap

TechCrunch Daily Roundup: WWDC and Startup Activity

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Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) commenced today, resulting in a particularly active day for the TechCrunch team. Consequently, a substantial amount of news originating from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino is now available.

Alongside the developments at WWDC, the startup landscape also experienced considerable movement. Several noteworthy funding events, company acquisitions, and other significant occurrences were recorded.

Funding and Acquisitions

Today’s news offers a diverse range of topics, catering to a broad spectrum of interests. There's something for everyone within the tech and startup community.

For those with an interest in financial matters, a detailed analysis of the Babylon Health SPAC deal has been prepared. This provides an in-depth look at the transaction.

Further Insights

The Babylon Health SPAC deal is thoroughly examined, offering a comprehensive understanding of its structure and implications. Readers interested in the financial aspects of tech will find this particularly valuable.

The TechCrunch team dedicated significant effort to covering the WWDC announcements. Expect a continuous stream of updates and analysis in the coming days.

The startup ecosystem continues to demonstrate dynamism, with ongoing funding rounds and strategic acquisitions shaping the industry. We aim to keep you informed of these key developments.

TechCrunch's Top 3 Updates

Today's Apple keynote followed the established pattern, featuring dynamic visuals, on-screen text, musical segments, and a wealth of announcements.

Further details are provided below, but iOS 15, SharePlay, and iCloud+ are particularly noteworthy developments.

Global Semiconductor Supply

The ongoing global chip shortage is now projected to persist until late next year. This situation is expected to drive increased investment in new chip fabrication facilities.

An example of this is Bosch's recent opening of a $1.2 billion chip manufacturing plant in Germany.

Similar to the emerging geopolitical divisions within the artificial intelligence sector, a growing number of nations will likely seek to establish independent domestic chip fabrication capabilities to enhance their self-sufficiency.

Paytm's IPO Announcement

Paytm, a startup headquartered in Noida, India, and currently the nation’s most highly valued, has informed its employees of its intention to launch an initial public offering (IPO).

This development is positive for the company itself and could also have significant implications for India’s broader startup ecosystem and venture capital landscape.

The IPO is anticipated to be a key event for the Indian tech industry.

Startups and Venture Capital Activity

Recent investment and acquisition news highlights dynamic movement within the startup ecosystem. Several companies have secured funding or been acquired, signaling continued investor confidence in various sectors.

Astra’s Acquisition of Apollo Fusion

Astra, a relatively new entrant in the space launch industry currently pursuing an initial public offering via a SPAC, has announced its acquisition of Apollo Fusion. Apollo Fusion specializes in electric propulsion technologies.

While the name suggests nuclear fusion, the company focuses on electric propulsion systems. These systems are crucial for maneuvering satellites in orbit and can significantly extend the operational lifespan of spacecraft due to their fuel efficiency.

Briq Secures $30 Million in Funding

Despite the recent failure of construction technology firm Katerra, venture capital continues to flow into the construction sector. Briq, a fintech startup catering to construction companies, has raised $30 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global.

Determining Briq’s current revenue is challenging, as Tiger Global has demonstrated a willingness to invest in companies even with modest revenue streams. However, Briq reports a 200% growth in annual recurring revenue over the past year.

Mendel’s $18 Million Raise for Medical Data Structuring

The healthcare industry generates vast amounts of data, often in an unstructured and disorganized format. Mendel is addressing this challenge by providing a platform to organize, share, and exchange medical data after cleaning and processing it.

The company aims to bring order to the complex landscape of medical information, facilitating more efficient data management and utilization.

Lightspeed’s Double Acquisition

Lightspeed, a Canadian point-of-sale provider, has recently completed two significant acquisitions. The company acquired Ecwid, an e-commerce platform, for $500 million, and NuOrder, a B2B ordering platform, for $425 million.

These acquisitions are part of Lightspeed’s broader strategy to consolidate a suite of services. The company envisions becoming a central hub connecting merchants, suppliers, and consumers, streamlining operations across the entire commerce ecosystem.

The Undervalued Advantages of Including a CTO on Your Board

It is generally believed that startup boards benefit from the presence of experienced CEOs capable of providing insightful guidance. However, according to Abby Kearns, the chief technology officer at Puppet, incorporating a technical leader offers significant, often overlooked, advantages.

A CTO contributes more than just technical expertise; they assist founders in establishing achievable schedules and pinpointing critical challenges. Kearns refers to this as bringing “pragmatic empathy” to demanding circumstances.

“The core technical aspects are fully understood by a CTO,” Kearns explains.

Founders can greatly benefit from a technical perspective during board discussions.

(Extra Crunch is our subscription service designed to empower founders and startup teams. Registration is available here.)

Big Tech Inc.

As previously mentioned, a significant amount of information regarding Apple has emerged, alongside updates from Microsoft and Pinterest that require examination. We will conclude our coverage of WWDC before proceeding to these other developments.

The recent Apple event has prompted extensive reporting. Below is a summary of key takeaways, with products highlighted for easy reference:

A comprehensive liveblog of the event, known for its engaging and rapid-fire coverage, is available on TechCrunch here.
Apple has revealed iOS 15, introducing enhancements to FaceTime and a revised notification system.
iOS 15 notifications have been improved through the implementation of Focus and Summary functionalities.
SharePlay, a new feature enabling collaborative viewing, streaming, and screen sharing via FaceTime, has been introduced by Apple.
Updates to Apple’s FaceTime application have been announced.
Apple’s Live Text functionality allows users to interact with text within their photographs.
The Apple Maps application is receiving an upgrade, incorporating more detailed maps, improved transit information, and an augmented reality view.
Apple has at last modernized its weather application, featuring dynamic backgrounds, enhanced maps, and a greater volume of data.
iPadOS 15 was announced at WWDC, offering improved multitasking capabilities and unexpected features within Swift Playgrounds.
Apple has introduced iCloud+ with a focus on enhanced privacy features.
watchOS 8 incorporates new mindfulness tools and respiratory tracking capabilities.
Apple unveiled macOS 12 Monterey.
New privacy features within iOS 15 were presented at WWDC by Apple.
Apple is extending the functionality of Shortcuts to the Mac, initiating a transition away from Automator.
Apple TV will now support the use of the HomePod Mini as speakers, alongside other improvements.

Further details are anticipated. Therefore, for continued updates on Apple-related news, please continue to monitor our site.

Recent Developments in the Tech Industry

Pinterest has now launched a feature allowing users to save desired items directly into dedicated shopping lists. The enduring appeal of Pinterest lies not only in its advertising capabilities but also in its potential as a significant, yet currently untapped, e-commerce platform.

It appears Pinterest is aiming to accelerate its entry into the e-commerce space.

Furthermore, Microsoft is undergoing a rebranding initiative, changing Windows Virtual Desktop to Azure Virtual Desktop. This alteration is driven by increased demand for the service in the current environment.

The ability to establish a complete virtual desktop setup through the Azure portal, with just “a few clicks,” represents a substantial advantage, as previously noted.

This streamlined process is expected to be particularly valuable given the evolving work landscape.

Key Takeaways

Pinterest is enhancing its shopping features.
Microsoft is rebranding its virtual desktop solution.
Both companies are responding to shifts in market demand.

Azure Virtual Desktop’s new name reflects its integration with the broader Azure cloud services.

The increased demand is a direct result of the changes in work patterns observed since the pandemic.

Engaging with the Tech Community

We asked what announcements you anticipated most from WWDC, and iOS improvements were a common response. Numerous updates were revealed. Join the discussion on our Discord server to share your thoughts on Apple’s announcements – and what was notably absent.

TechCrunch Sessions: Mobility is scheduled for this Wednesday, and ticket availability remains. If you are undecided, join us tomorrow on Twitter Spaces at 4 p.m. PDT / 7 p.m. EDT for a preview of the event experience.

Furthermore, anticipate updates concerning our Pittsburgh Spotlight coverage to be published on the website tomorrow.

Stay Connected

Here are ways to participate and stay informed:

Discord Server: Discuss the latest iOS updates and Apple’s WWDC announcements.
Twitter Spaces: Get a preview of TechCrunch Sessions: Mobility.
Website: Look for news related to the Pittsburgh Spotlight.

We value your engagement and look forward to hearing your perspectives on these developments. The TechCrunch team is dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of the tech industry.

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