AirPods Max First Impressions - Daily Crunch

We examine Apple's latest headphones, Spotify addresses password security, and Airbnb begins trading publicly. This is your Daily Crunch for December 10, 2020.

Key news: Initial thoughts on the AirPods Max

TechCrunch’s editor-in-chief, Matthew Panzarino, has shared his first impressions of the AirPods Max, clarifying that it isn’t a complete review given he’s only used them for under 24 hours.

However, Matthew expresses a positive view of the construction quality – a reasonable expectation considering the AirPods Max retail for $550, and notes, “Based purely on the quality of the materials and how they’re used, the AirPod Max appears to be worth even more.”

The audio performance is also proving to be excellent.

Major technology companies

Spotify is resetting user passwords following a security issue that compromised private account details — The company attributed the exposure of private account information to business partners to a flaw in its software.

Google will integrate COVID-19 vaccine details into Search results — The new functionality will display a list of approved vaccines available in a user’s area, alongside informative panels for each vaccine.

Pinterest introduces favorites, notes, and a redesigned toolbar due to increased board usage during the pandemic — Pinterest reports a 35% rise in monthly board creation over the past six months.

Startups, investment, and venture funding

LeafLink secures $40M in funding from Founders Fund and others to expand its cannabis wholesale platform — This represents Founder Fund’s most substantial technology investment within the cannabis industry.

Customer service startup Gorgias obtains $25M in funding — This valuation brings the startup’s pre-money value to $300 million.

Cityblock Health achieves a $1B valuation — Cityblock collaborates with local healthcare providers to deliver primary care, mental health services, and other support to low-income communities.

Insights and analysis from Extra Crunch

Airbnb’s strong market debut concludes a successful week for tech IPOs — Airbnb’s shares began trading this morning at $146 each, an increase of approximately 115% as it commenced its journey as a publicly traded company.

Despite certain drawbacks, 3D and AR technologies are shaping new experiences in the retail sector — Companies developing digital products and interactive designs are experiencing growth.

Next Insurance’s first acquisition signals a dynamic period for insurtech — An overview of recent developments in this rapidly expanding startup category.

(Extra Crunch is our subscription service, designed to provide accessible information about startups. You can register here.)

Other news

The complete schedule for TC Sessions: Space 2020 has been announced — This is a two-day virtual event showcasing leading figures from the space industry, including representatives from the public, private, and defense sectors.

Gift Guide: 8 DIY and crafting gifts to inspire your friends to create and develop new skills — We’ve compiled a selection of gifts that should appeal to creative individuals.

Exploring the symbiotic relationship between celebrities and startups — A discussion on the Equity podcast.

The Daily Crunch is TechCrunch’s summary of the day’s most significant and noteworthy stories. To receive this update in your inbox daily around 3pm Pacific Time, you can subscribe here.