Tech News Roundup: March 18, 2021

Significant developments occurred today, including the U.S. launch of YouTube Shorts, the commencement of testing for Amazon’s electric delivery vans in San Francisco, and new insights into the effects of recent alterations to Google Play’s policies. This summarizes the key updates for March 18, 2021.

YouTube Shorts Arrives in the U.S.

YouTube Shorts now enables users within the United States to create and share video content with a maximum duration of 60 seconds. These videos can be enhanced with licensed music sourced from various industry collaborators.

The platform was initially tested in India, with Shorts viewing accessible globally. However, until recently, U.S. users were unable to generate their own short-form videos.

A detailed examination of the Shorts experience reveals similarities to TikTok, although certain features, like advanced sound synchronization, are currently absent.

Updates from Tech Giants

Amazon has initiated trials of its Rivian electric delivery vans in San Francisco. This city represents the second of sixteen planned locations for the deployment of these electric vehicles throughout 2021.

New data indicates the limited number of Google Play developers who will be subject to the increased 30% commission following the recent policy adjustments. Google recently announced a reduction in commissions charged to developers on its platform.

Twitter is currently evaluating a feature that allows users to view YouTube videos directly within their iOS home timelines. This follows an earlier announcement regarding improvements to image display within the Twitter app.

Startups, Funding, and Venture Capital

Substack is facing criticism regarding its support for certain writers who have received substantial advance payments. The platform has attracted prominent, and sometimes controversial, writers through these financial incentives.

Homebrew has invested in Higo’s efforts to establish itself as the “Venmo for B2B payments” in Latin America. The company was founded in January 2020 to address the inefficiencies of vendor payments for businesses.

OpenSea, an NFT marketplace, has secured $23 million in funding from a16z. The platform has experienced a surge in popularity alongside the broader growth of the NFT market.

Extra Crunch Insights

MaaS transit: The business of mobility as a service – Transportation agencies are exploring new software partnerships amidst declining ridership.

Three steps to ease the transition to a no-code company – Adopting a no-code platform does not automatically transform an organization into a no-code company, despite the potential benefits.

Snowflake gave up its dual-class shares. Should you? – This mechanism allows founders to retain control even after dilution and can sometimes provide perpetual control.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to help founders and startup teams succeed. Sign up details are available here.)

Additional News

Tech companies are urged to oppose the recent wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation. TechNet’s David Edmondson highlights states currently considering such legislation.

An interview with Ford’s Technical Expert, Mario Santillo, discusses the company’s new robotics initiatives.

Startups can benefit from a bug bounty crash course at Early Stage 2021. Katie Moussouris, founder and CEO of Luta Security, will lead the session.

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