explores

Apps, Enterprise

Dave Burke, Android Engineering VP, relinquishes position to pursue “AI/bio” roles within the company

Long-time Android Engineering VP Dave Burke said today that he is stepping down from the role. Burke, who spent 14 years building Android, is not leaving Alphabet and is exploring “AI/bio” projects within the company. Burke was involved in pivotal projects, including building Nexus/Pixel phones, developing Chrome for mobile phones, starting Android TV, and spearheading efforts to build and ship developer tools. “So… after 14 yrs leading Android engineering, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. So… after 14 yrs leading Android engineering, I've decided it's time for a change.

Max Chen
June 13, 2024
13 Comments

Startups, Venture

Report: Sources Say ADIA, Capital of Abu Dhabi, Considering Investment in Pocket FM of India

TechCrunch reported about Lightspeed Venture Partners engaging to invest in Pocket FM last year. ADIA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, whereas Pocket FM said it refrains from commenting on market speculations. Pocket FM operates on a freemium model, leveraging long-form episodic storytelling to give users the choice to pay only for content they prefer rather than the entire library. The startup announced last month that it will invest $40 million to grow its online reading platform Pocket Novel. More than 90,000 writers had signed up to the app in less than a month, Pocket FM co-founder Rohan Nayak wrote on LinkedIn this week.

Kira Kim
March 15, 2024

Apps, CES, Enterprise, Startups, Venture

Superpedestrian, Popular Scooter Corporation, Ceasing US Operations and Considering Europe Business Sale

Superpedestrian Link June 2021 San Diego 40 3 Scaled 1

Superpedestrian, the e-scooter startup known for its self-diagnostic software, is shutting down its U.S.-based shared scooter operation and exploring a sale of its European business, TechCrunch has exclusively learned. The company’s director of US operations, Alexander Berg, confirmed the news to his team Friday afternoon on a Zoom call. Superpedestrian itself has gone through a series of layoffs, including one just months after closing its Series C round. Superpedestrian used technology, and specifically diagnostic and safety software, to differentiate it from rivals like Bird and Tier. Superpedestrian had planned to build and roll out new scooters equipped with its branded Pedestrian Defense to 25 cities across the United States and Europe in 2022.

Kira Kim
December 15, 2023

Startups, Transportation

Embark Trucks Navigates Layoffs, Reviews Future of Autonomous Trucking Tech

Embark Trucks lays off workers, explores liquidation of self-driving truck assets

The layoffs at Embark Trucks come as the company tries to pivot away from traditional trucking and toward a variety of automated services. In his email to employees, CEO Alex…