Google & Jio Platforms Launch Optimized Android Phone for India

Daily Crunch: June 24, 2021

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Advertising Market Updates & Google's Decision

Greetings, and welcome to today’s Daily Crunch for June 24, 2021. A substantial amount of technology news requires coverage.

For those following developments in the advertising sector, key information can be found here. Google has announced a delay in its planned phasing out of third-party cookies.

This postponement of “cookiegeddon” is anticipated to have widespread effects. The impact will be felt by organizations ranging from emerging startups to established industry giants like Google itself.

— Alex

TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories

Instagram's gradual adoption of desktop functionality is underway: For a considerable period, Instagram has prioritized mobile platforms, functioning primarily as a mobile application. Now, the platform is undergoing testing to enable users to create Feed posts directly through a desktop browser, as confirmed by Instagram to TechCrunch.

This development is particularly welcome news for users who prefer utilizing personal computers.

BuzzFeed's IPO Announcement

BuzzFeed prepares for public trading: The digital media organization, BuzzFeed, is set to become a publicly traded company through a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) merger, resulting in a company valuation of $1.5 billion.

An analysis of the factors contributing to this valuation is available. It's worth noting that BuzzFeed previously secured substantial funding during its private operation.

Vaccine Passport Developments

Companies navigate the complexities of vaccine passport technology: Despite ongoing debate, several organizations are actively developing vaccine passport solutions. TechCrunch’s Ron Miller provides an in-depth exploration of these efforts.

His report examines the technological companies involved and their strategies for addressing the sensitive political landscape surrounding vaccine verification. The article offers a comprehensive overview of this evolving field.

It is a highly recommended read for those seeking to understand the current state of vaccine passport technology.

Startups & Venture Capital Updates

A significant investment is being made in the digital currency space. The a16z venture firm is increasing its commitment to the crypto economy with a newly launched $2.2 billion fund.

This investment extends beyond simply providing capital. The firm plans to actively participate in crypto projects and assist in navigating the complex regulatory landscape surrounding the industry.

Visa's Continued Expansion

Despite a previous acquisition attempt falling through, Visa remains active in the fintech market. The company is acquiring Tink, a European fintech startup specializing in open banking APIs, for $2.15 billion.

Tink is described as a leader in its field, providing application programming interfaces that facilitate connections within the fintech ecosystem.

Tripp and the Future of Mental Wellness

Tripp, a startup focused on virtual reality-based mental health solutions, has secured $11 million in funding. The company aims to replicate the effects of psychedelic experiences through VR, offering a drug-free alternative.

This approach represents a less intensive method compared to other startups directly exploring the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances.

Tonkean: Bridging the Gap Between Automation and Human Oversight

Tonkean operates at the convergence of no-code development, automation, and human intervention. Its software empowers operations teams to create automated workflows across various applications.

A key differentiator is the inclusion of human oversight, distinguishing Tonkean from companies focused solely on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The company recently completed a $50 million funding round.

JW Player Capitalizes on the Video Boom

JW Player, a video platform provider, has raised $100 million in new capital. The company’s success is linked to the surge in online video consumption experienced during 2020.

The increased demand for video content, driven by the pandemic, fueled JW Player’s growth, and the new funding will support further expansion and development of its platform.

Revitalizing Meeting Practices within Your Startup

Effective meetings require a defined objective; however, within numerous startups, they have evolved into platforms for self-promotion rather than genuine information exchange.

Internal dynamics can further complicate this issue. Concerns about professional repercussions often arise when considering declining a meeting request from a colleague, or particularly from a superior.

Chuck Phillips, co-founder of MeetWell, humorously observes, “The addition of each recurring meeting to a calendar results in a metaphorical loss.” A significant number of employees refrain from declining meetings, even when the potential for unproductive discussion is evident.

Transforming your company’s approach to meetings presents a challenge, but it’s a necessary one. Considering that 26% of the workforce intends to seek new employment following the pandemic, startups must prioritize talent retention.

The following four practical strategies will contribute to increased productivity and the elimination of inefficient, poorly organized meetings.

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

Big Tech Inc.

Significant developments unfolded today for Microsoft, and we will begin with their announcements. The following are observations from TechCrunch regarding the Windows 11 event:

• Android App Integration for Windows: Support for Android applications is being introduced to Windows 11, accessible through the Amazon Appstore. This represents a considerable advancement in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance the openness of its operating system. A practical evaluation will be necessary before a full assessment, but the concept itself is promising.
• Enhanced Teams Integration: Microsoft is heavily invested in Teams, and is integrating it more deeply into the Windows experience. TechCrunch notes that Windows 11 will feature built-in Microsoft Teams functionality, aiming to directly challenge communication platforms such as Apple’s FaceTime. Teams represents a substantial improvement over its predecessor, Skype. However, this move does raise potential antitrust concerns.
• Windows 11 Release Timeline: Microsoft anticipates the release of Windows 11 later this year, coinciding with the holiday season. This update will be welcomed by gamers, business professionals, and individuals who favor the Microsoft computing ecosystem. Leaked versions are available, but installing them on systems containing important data is strongly discouraged.

Turning our attention to Google, here’s a noteworthy update:

• Collaboration Between Google and Jio: Google and Jio are partnering to develop a budget-friendly smartphone. The JioPhone Next, a low-cost Android device, has the potential to connect several hundred million more people in India to the internet with improved speeds. Jio aims to expand its mobile subscriber base, while Google seeks to increase the overall number of internet users. This collaboration appears mutually beneficial, contingent on the quality of the hardware.

Finally, a development geared towards younger audiences:

• Music Licensing Agreement for Snap: Recognizing the importance of popular music for social media platforms, Snap has secured a multi-year agreement with Universal Music Group. This deal will provide Snap users with access to a wider range of musical content.

TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing

TechCrunch is currently compiling a list of leading growth marketers within the technology sector. Founders are invited to share their recommendations through a survey, accessible here.

Below is a noteworthy endorsement received from industry professionals.

Marketer's Name: Dylan Max

Recommender's Name: Kris Rudeegraap, Sendoso

Endorsement: “Dylan Max distinguishes himself through exceptional creativity, a quality possessed by only a small percentage of professionals in the field of growth marketing.

One of his initial projects achieved significant virality on LinkedIn.

A unique campaign involved sending actual cans of Spam to prominent marketers and sales professionals – the intended audience.

The concept highlighted the impersonal nature of conventional spamming and presented a novel approach.

Recipients were empowered to “spam” their connections with nominations, resulting in a widespread phenomenon that rapidly gained traction across LinkedIn.

This initiative generated substantial business and remains a frequently cited example of innovative direct mail and gifting strategies by our sales team.

It currently stands as the most successful organic campaign on LinkedIn within the B2B domain.

Dylan represents a unique skillset among growth marketers, demonstrating proficiency across diverse channels.

These include SEO, paid search, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and A/B testing.

Furthermore, Dylan spearheaded our inaugural Account-Based Marketing (ABM) campaign.

Through precisely targeted social media advertising, this campaign yielded seven-figure revenue with an ad spend of under $20,000.

His resourceful and inventive approach is highly valued, and his inclusion on this list is strongly recommended.”