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Hello and welcome to our last ever Startups Weekly magazine.
Don’t worry! We’re not going away – the newsletter continues, but next week we’ll get a shiny new name and a brand new coat of paint.
As Brian, Mary Ann, and Zach wrote earlier this week, we’re missing out on a lot of startups in 2023, but honestly, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Startups aren’t supposed to last forever; they either develop into a full-fledged company with a growth trajectory, or cease to exist altogether. There is no middle ground, and although losing jobs and threatening people’s livelihoods is a tragedy, this is exactly why startup workers are fairly well paid: risk is baked into the rewards in the form of stock options.
A tale of two pedals
Image credits: John Chalikum (Opens in a new window) /Getty Images
Tim Stevens conducted in-depth research, comparing different driver assistance systems currently on the market. In this tech showdown, Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” and Mercedes’ Drive Pilot struggle to justify the hype and prices, lagging behind their more established rivals from BMW, Ford and Chevrolet. It turns out that more expensive doesn’t always mean better in the race for driver-assist supremacy, as hands-off and automatic lane-changing features become the new standards for the kings of the road.
More transportation land:
We revolve around ourselves: Elon Musk’s Hyperloop dream has taken a hit with Hyperloop One shutting down, leaving high-speed rail to steal the spotlight.
What then? Nokia Taxi?: Xiaomi’s leap into the electric vehicle market with its SU7, dubbed a “smartphone on wheels,” combines ambitious technology with automotive prowess. We looked at Xiaomi’s attempt to integrate phone-like software into cars, with a side note about the challenges of making a car that’s technologically advanced and worthy of the open road.
The electric car is free for everyone (except not free): Electric vehicle fast-charging networks are bracing for a tumultuous 2024, as they grapple with Tesla’s increasing dominance of superchargers. Major players like Ford, GM, and Volkswagen are reluctantly joining Tesla’s charging protocol, leaving promising networks like Electrify America in purgatory.
Glass holes are back
![Amazon Echo Tires 2023](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMC_7587.jpg)
Image credits: Brian Heater
that it Wild It’s been a decade since Google Glass was so popular, but here we are again. . . We’re back to wearing all kinds of computers on our faces. Amazon’s latest Echo Frames, despite their improved sound, can’t keep up with the Ray-Ban Meta, which manages to blend technology and style more effectively. Brian concludes that the Echo Frames are a somewhat disappointing contender in the smart glasses space, especially when compared to the more polished Ray-Ban Meta.
More from the world of hardware startups:
Coming soon to a person close to you: Apple’s Vision Pro is rumored to be released in late January or early February. It represents one of Tim Cook’s boldest moves yet. At $3,499, this project is an ambitious venture into spatial computing, despite VR’s historically poor performance and Apple’s modest shipping outlook.
More treats than you can eat in: MIT scientists are shaking things up in the fight against obesity with a vibrating pill, literally. Once you take this pill, it vibrates to trick the body into feeling full, which could replace expensive medications and surgeries. Now, if he could also notify us of new Netflix episodes, he could do anything.
It’s the most wonderful time in yeaaaaaar: That’s right, I’ll be joining the TechCrunch team at CES in Vegas next week. Here’s what to expect this year.
What does 2024 hold?
![2024, predictions, venture capital, startups](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/crystal-ball.jpg)
Image credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
More than 40 investors share their predictions for 2024, with diverse opinions on IPOs and the future of AI. While some expect divestments to return, others expect a dry period until 2025. The consensus is unclear, but all eyes are on AI investments and startup survival amid tightening valuations and selective funding.
More AI news from Team TechCrunch:
2024 in artificial intelligence: Devin dives into the top eight predictions for the AI world for the coming year. There are some obvious ideas, and some thought-provoking ones too. check it out!
Cough, robots! The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging that they trained AI models on Times content without permission. The lawsuit seeks damages and the destruction of forms containing the Times’ material, arguing that the practice harms its journalism and brand.
Taking LLMs offline: Giga ML aims to revolutionize how companies use large language models (LLMs) by enabling offline deployment. Their platform focuses on privacy and customization, addressing common enterprise concerns about data sharing and lack of flexibility with existing LLM degree holders.
Top reads on TechCrunch this week
Still want more? Well, damn, you start the year a little greedy, but I see you. Here are the top five stories since the last Startups Weekly:
Well, it’s your damn fault we got hacked: “Instead of acknowledging its role in this data security debacle, 23andMe has seemingly decided to leave its customers out in the cold while downplaying the severity of these events,” said Hassan Dhafari, one of the attorneys representing victims who received a letter from 23andMe. TechCrunch.
It’s like a lottery, but YouTuber: MrBeast’s stunts have evolved into a new kind of American dream, where enduring bizarre and awkward situations on YouTube can pay off your debts. Contestants, driven by a desperation to settle student loans or medical bills, participate in extreme challenges such as living in a grocery store or living in a sparse room for months.
Highs and lows in real estate: Frontdesk, a short-term rental company, is on the verge of collapse after laying off its entire 200-person workforce. The company’s struggles, exacerbated by failed fundraising efforts and challenges to its business model, led it to make a radical move just months after acquiring a smaller competitor.
Top gifts to avoid: Sure, Christmas has come and gone, but I still love reading Zach’s Anti-Gift Guide. He warns of the risks involved with technology in terms of security and privacy. Highlighting items like genetic testing kits, video doorbells, VPNs, child tracking apps, cheap Android tablets, and Internet-connected sex toys, the article advises against gifting these items due to potential data breaches, surveillance risks, and general privacy concerns. .
X continues its decline: Fidelity has significantly lowered its rating on X Holdings, the parent company of Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), by 71.5%. It comes after a turbulent year for the company, including a CEO change, challenges attracting advertisers, and controversial decisions such as reinstating banned accounts. The rating cut reflects ongoing difficulties and a significant reduction in Fidelity’s initial investment.