free

“Google Enables Free Use of AI-Powered Editing Tools, Including Magic Editor, for All Google Photos Users”

Google Io 2023 Magic Editor Unedited
On Wednesday, the tech giant announced that a handful of enhanced editing features previously limited to Pixel devices and paid subscribers — including its AI-powered Magic Editor — will now make their way to all Google Photos users for free. But with the growing number of AI-powered editing tools flooding the market, Google has decided to make its set of AI photo editing features available to more people for free. Previously, these kinds of edits would require Magic Eraser and other professional editing tools, like Photoshop, to get the same effect. With the expansion, Magic Editor will come to all Pixel devices, while iOS and Android users (whose phones meet the requirements) will get 10 Magic Editor saves per month. The other tools will be available to all Google Photos users, no Google One subscription is required.

X Bestows Blue Checkmarks upon Influential Users (as Intended)

Twitter Legacy Verified Removed
X is giving blue checks to influential users (which is what blue checks were supposed to be all along)X is giving free blue checks to users who have more than 2500 “verified” followers (or, people that subscribe to X Premium). So, basically this means that if you are a popular poster, you will get a blue check. This also means that these lucky people are frantically posting to make it clear that they didn’t buy a blue check — the blue check was foisted upon them. Back in days of yore, Twitter’s blue check indicated that a user was influential in some way. Back then, blue checks actually helped us determine if public figures are who they say they are.

A Case for Net Neutrality: How Restoring It Can Promote Online Freedom of Speech, According to the FCC under President Biden

Gettyimages Fcc 818845454
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday announced plans to vote on rules restoring net neutrality. The vote, set for April 25, would reinstate 2015 internet rules adopted under President Obama that were subsequently repealed by President Trump’s FCC two years later. The official added that ongoing national security threats have further highlighted the need for strong oversight. Net neutrality has the rare chance to receive widespread bipartisan support. Should Trump be reelected in November, how can current officials ensure we don’t live through this all over again?

“Premium Spotify users in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand can now enjoy free audiobooks with new perk launch”

Audiobooks Spotify
Spotify announced on Tuesday that it’s bringing its free audiobooks perk to Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Users in these markets will be able to access 15 hours of free monthly audiobook listening time. Spotify says users have listened to more than 150,000 titles since the free service’s launch last November. If you run out of listening hours, you can purchase additional 10-hour allocations for CAD $14.99, IRE €12.99, and NZD $19.99. Spotify recently launched a $9.99 per month plan that allows its free users to access its audiobooks collection in the U.S.

Free FSD Beta Driver-Assistance Trial: Tesla’s Latest Offer for US Customers

Tesla Autopilot 1
Tesla is about to start giving every customer in the U.S. a one-month trial of its $12,000 driver-assistance system, which it calls Full Self-Driving Beta, provided they have a car with the compatible hardware. The company is also reportedly mandating, at CEO Elon Musk’s request, that prospective buyers are given a demo of the software before they purchase a new Tesla. The full-court press to promote FSD Beta software, an upgraded version of the Autopilot system that comes standard in all Tesla vehicles, is happening at an interesting moment for the company. It’s the end of the first quarter of 2024, and Tesla usually pulls out all the stops — including having executives help deliver cars to customers — to meet or beat its sales goals. The decision to temporarily increase access to the FSD Beta software comes as Tesla has been rolling out a new “V12” version of the software that ditches the previous code in favor of a system that runs entirely on neural networks.

Past Investments in US Malware Maker Undermine Investors’ Pledged Battle Against Spyware

Spyware Nso Eyes
Investors’ pledge to fight spyware undercut by past investments in US malware maker Cyber investors announced commitments to fighting spyware, but at least one firm previously invested in an exploit maker. Now, some investors have announced that they too are committed to fighting spyware. More recently, the government has imposed economic sanctions not only on companies, but also directly on the executive who founded Intellexa. To hear some of these investors talk, you’d think that spyware has no place in a free and open society. Gula Tech and Paladin’s investment in Boldend — effectively a U.S.-based exploit and hacking software maker — and the two investment firms’ commitment to not invest in spyware companies might seem at odds.

“Earn a Complimentary Early Stage 2024 Ticket by Giving Back as a Volunteer”

Volunteer 1200x628
Join us for an unforgettable opportunity at TechCrunch Early Stage in Boston on April 25! By volunteering, you’ll dive into the inner workings of event production while earning a ticket to experience Early Stage 2024 once your shift ends. Whether your aspirations lie in founding a startup, marketing, or event management, this is your backstage pass to a world-class startup event. Don’t miss out on this chance to gain invaluable event experience while soaking up the energy of TC Early Stage. Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024?

Ingrid Secures $23 Million Investment to Enhance E-Commerce Delivery Platform by Eliminating ‘Free Shipping’

Screenshot 2024 03 19 At 09.32.54
Among the many stress points in e-commerce machine, delivery has long been seen as one of the more painful ones. “Delivery is the biggest unsolved puzzle is delivery part,” Piotr Zaleski, Ingrid’s co-founder and CEO said in an interview. And in case you are at all curious: Ingrid the business was not named to ensure coverage in TechCrunch by me, Ingrid. Ingrid has identified a very obvious problem that most certainly can use fixing, but it also faces a few challenges. “The only way is to build a hell of a platform that retailers want to use to take a volume position,” Zaleski said.

Reddit Unveils Complimentary Growth Solutions for Enterprises

Gettyimages 1048288996
Reddit announced today that it’s launching a suite of tools, called Reddit Pro, to help businesses grow an organic presence on the platform. With this new suite of free tools, Reddit is likely seeking to add more brands it to its platform and possibly convert them into paying advertisers. Reddit Pro is currently in its beta testing phase and gives businesses access to an interface with multiple tools. Reddit says more than 200 businesses have started using Reddit Pro, including Taco Bell, Wendy’s, the NFL, The Wall Street Journal, Kate Somerville and Atlas Headrest. The company plans to launch additional Reddit Pro features this year, but didn’t share details about what they may look like.

Uncertainty Surrounding Relaunch of Free Fire India After Six Months

Gettyimages 1237931798
Sea is “still making changes” and has yet to launch its popular mobile game Free Fire in India, more than six months after announcing plans to do so. Garena, the gaming unit of Sea, announced plans to relaunch Free Fire in India in August last year. At the time, Garena said Free Fire India will be made available in the country on September 5. India banned Free Fire and dozens of other Chinese apps in 2022. Days later, Sea said it was shutting down Shopee’s operations in India, months into testing the social commerce service in the country.