Ray-Ban Stories: Facebook's AR Glasses - Daily Crunch

Daily Crunch: September 9, 2021

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Greetings, readers!

This is Greg, returning to present another installment of the Daily Crunch for Thursday, September 9, 2021. Alex Wilhelm remains on vacation for several additional days.

Alex's Continued Activity

Despite his time off, Alex continues to be active on Twitter, prompting speculation about his dedication to relaxation or his preference for the platform. Regardless, the daily news digest will continue uninterrupted, providing a comprehensive overview of the top stories featured on our website.

Our aim is to keep you informed about the most important developments in the tech world. We will continue to deliver this recap while Alex enjoys his well-deserved break.

Below is a look at the key stories that have recently appeared on our front page.

TechCrunch's Top 3 Developments

This report details three significant tech updates as highlighted by TechCrunch. These advancements span wearable technology, robotic home solutions, and productivity software integration.

Facebook and Ray-Ban's Smart Sunglasses

Facebook is entering the smart eyewear market, approximately five years following Snap's introduction of Spectacles. Interestingly, the Facebook logo is absent from the design, likely due to consumer preference.

These sunglasses are a collaboration with Ray-Ban’s parent company and closely resemble the iconic Wayfarer style, albeit with a slightly increased weight due to integrated cameras.

A visible white LED indicates when photos or videos are being recorded. Audio is delivered through discreet near-ear speakers for music and calls.

It’s important to note that the device is not waterproof, a limitation considering common sunglass usage environments like pools and beaches. A comprehensive review by Lucas Matney is available here.

Advancements in Roomba Technology

A new generation of Roomba is on the horizon, featuring a notable improvement in obstacle avoidance. The primary focus of this upgrade is the detection and circumvention of pet waste.

Previous Roomba models were prone to spreading messes, creating unpleasant experiences for owners upon their return home. This new feature aims to eliminate that issue.

Notion's Acquisition of Automate.io

Notion has announced the acquisition of Automate.io, an Indian startup specializing in workflow automation. Automate.io facilitates connections between various services, including Mailchimp, Gmail, Salesforce, and, of course, Notion itself.

This acquisition allows users to construct intricate automated processes across different platforms. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but Notion’s COO described it as a “sizable acquisition.”

The integration of Automate.io is expected to significantly enhance Notion’s capabilities as a comprehensive productivity tool.

Startup Funding and Venture Capital News

Recent investment activity highlights innovation across several sectors, from aerospace to fintech and sales enablement. Several companies have secured significant funding rounds to fuel their growth and development.

Skydweller Aero Secures $8 Million

Skydweller Aero, a U.S.-Spanish aerospace startup, has successfully raised $8 million. The company is focused on developing aircraft powered by solar energy.

Aria Alamalhodaei points out a fundamental limitation of current aviation technology: all airplanes and drones, irrespective of their size or fuel source, eventually require landing. Skydweller Aero aims to overcome this constraint with its innovative approach.

Varo Bank Completes $510 Million Series E Round

Varo Bank has announced the completion of a substantial $510 million Series E funding round. This latest investment brings the company’s valuation to $2.5 billion.

The bank has consistently attracted investment, having previously raised $241 million in June 2020 and an additional $63 million in February 2021. According to CEO Colin Walsh, the influx of capital was rapid, leading to a deliberate decision to cap the round at $510 million.

Affinity Raises $80 Million for AI-Powered Sales

Affinity has secured $80 million in funding to advance its machine learning-driven sales platform. The company’s technology analyzes internal data – including email communications and calendar schedules – to identify the optimal personnel for closing deals.

Currently employing 125 individuals, Affinity intends to expand its workforce to over 200 employees within the next twelve months. This expansion will support the continued development and deployment of its sales enablement solutions.

The platform aims to improve deal closure rates by leveraging data insights to connect the right people with the right opportunities.

Deconstructing a SPAC: A Look at Better.com’s Strategic Vision

Better.com, a digital mortgage lender, is proactively implementing its growth strategy even prior to the finalization of its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Recent reporting by Ryan Lawler details the acquisition of Property Partners, a U.K.-based firm specializing in shared property ownership models.

This acquisition marks the second such purchase by Better.com in the past few months. Previously, in July, the company completed the acquisition of Trussle, a digital mortgage brokerage.

According to Better CEO Vishal Garg, the company resists simple categorization. He conveyed to Ryan Lawler that expansion into conventional financial products, including auto loans and insurance, is imminent.

CFO Kevin Ryan articulated the company’s ambition to become a comprehensive, vertically integrated financial services provider. He stated that their approach differs from competitors who focus on specific segments, aiming instead for a “full stack” experience where all services are seamlessly integrated.

(Extra Crunch is our premium membership program designed to empower founders and startup teams. Registration is available here.)

Big Tech Inc.

Several significant developments have recently occurred within major technology companies.

Twitter Communities

Twitter is continually exploring methods to broaden its appeal, particularly to users who haven't yet established a large following. Their newest initiative involves Twitter communities, which function as moderated social spaces.

These hubs allow users to engage in discussions with others who share common interests. Currently, Twitter is restricting categories to subjects like dogs, weather patterns, sneakers, skincare routines, and astrology.

This limitation is likely a deliberate strategy to avoid politically charged conversations for the foreseeable future.

Microsoft Acquires Clipchamp

Users have often requested a video editing component within Microsoft’s 365 suite of applications. Microsoft has responded by announcing the acquisition of Clipchamp, a web-based platform designed for video creation and editing.

The timeline for integrating Clipchamp into the 365 ecosystem remains undetermined.

Change of Ownership for Quicken

Quicken has been sold to another private equity firm shortly after a previous acquisition by a different private equity firm.

Eric Dunn, the CEO of Quicken, discussed the details of this transaction and provided insights into the company’s recent growth with Mary Ann Azevedo of TechCrunch.

The rapid succession of sales highlights the dynamic nature of investment in the personal finance software market.

TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing

Startup founders are being contacted to share their preferred sources for current growth marketing strategies. Participation in the survey can be completed at this link.

A founder testimonial is presented below for review.

Marketer: Kevin Miller, GR0

Recommended by: Leeann Schudel, The Word Counter

Testimonial: “An exceptionally thorough assessment of the market and identification of the most impactful keywords was provided. A dedicated SEO team offers consistent, weekly communication and delivers comprehensive analysis.

Their approach is characterized by complete transparency, with clear explanations of all implemented strategies and the resulting benefits for our organization.

Working with them is remarkably straightforward and adaptable. They are generous with their deliverables and consistently available to provide expert consultation.”