Facebook News Feed: View Non-Algorithmic Feed

Tech News Roundup: March 31, 2021

Recent developments at Facebook concerning its News Feed, updates to Siri’s voice options, and Tonal achieving unicorn status are among the key stories. This is a summary of the day’s significant tech events.

Facebook News Feed Updates

Facebook has announced enhancements designed to provide users with greater control over their News Feed experience. These changes aim to offer alternatives to the algorithmically curated feed.

Users can now easily access a ‘Favorites’ view, displaying content from up to 30 chosen friends and Pages. A ‘Most Recent’ view is also available, presenting posts in strict chronological order. These options, while previously existing, are now more readily accessible via a new Feed Filter Bar.

Nick Clegg, Facebook’s VP of Global Affairs, defended the use of algorithms, stating that personalization is a widespread practice online. However, he acknowledged that content decisions would ideally be governed by regulations established by elected officials.

The company also issued a warning to Lara Trump regarding an interview she posted featuring the former president, who is currently banned from the platform.

Updates from Tech Giants

Apple is introducing two new voices for Siri and is moving away from defaulting to either a male or female voice during initial setup. This allows each user to personally select their preferred voice.

Instagram has officially launched Remix on Reels, a feature similar to TikTok’s Duets, enabling users to create videos alongside existing content from other users.

Spotify is expanding its personalized playlist offerings with the introduction of ‘Spotify Mixes,’ including artist, genre, and decade-specific playlists.

Startup Funding and Venture Capital

Tonal, a strength-training startup, has reached unicorn status following a $250 million funding round. The company has now raised a total of $450 million to date.

Apple is investing $50 million in music distributor UnitedMasters, alongside a16z and Alphabet. UnitedMasters focuses on providing artists with direct access to data regarding fan engagement.

Diversity-focused venture capital firm Harlem Capital has raised $134 million. A significant portion of their portfolio companies are led by Black or Latinx executives, and a substantial number are women-led.

Extra Crunch Insights

An article highlights five essential machine learning concepts for non-technical leaders to grasp. Understanding these principles is crucial for effective leadership in the rapidly evolving field of machine learning.

Analysis is provided on the disappointing initial public offering (IPO) of Deliveroo, with shares trading lower than anticipated.

Merritt Hummer of Bain Capital Ventures proposes that embedded procurement will transform companies into their own marketplaces, facilitating direct purchasing through specialized B2B applications.

Other Notable News

A report indicates that remote work has exacerbated hostility in workplaces for already marginalized groups. The Project Include report is based on extensive surveys and interviews.

The Weeknd will auction off an unreleased song and accompanying visual art as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), joining the growing trend of artists embracing this technology.

Details are available regarding the upcoming events at TC Early Stage 2021, featuring presentations covering various aspects of the startup ecosystem.

The Daily Crunch is TechCrunch’s daily compilation of top stories. Subscribe here to receive it in your inbox around 3pm Pacific time.