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AI Friends, deepfake foes, and which Tiger Global partner is leaving now | Equity Podcast

On today’s Friday news roundup, we just had to talk about AI hardware taking on a new shape with Friend’s $99 necklace. The pendant gives you an AI friend to talk to and…that’s about it. Friend’s pitch is that its wearable can help combat loneliness, but other AI hardware products that have come to market…

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On today’s Friday news roundup, we just had to talk about AI hardware taking on a new shape with Friend’s $99 necklace. The pendant gives you an AI friend to talk to and…that’s about it. Friend’s pitch is that its wearable can help combat loneliness, but other AI hardware products that have come to market lately – like Humane’s Ai Pin and Rabbit’s r1 – have fallen short of expectations. 

For our deals of the week, Kirsten kicked things off with FranShares, a Chicago-based startup that lets people invest in franchise businesses starting with as little as $500 with a goal of providing passive income and portfolio diversification. Apparently, a lot of Gen Z and Millennials are investing in franchises through this platform, which just raised a $4.2 million seed round led by Chicago Ventures with participation from The Pitch Fund and Litquidity Ventures.

Finally, the team discussed VC movings and shakings. Specifically, Alex Cook, a former partner at Tiger Global who oversaw some of its largest fintech investments and India deals, has left the firm after nearly seven years. Cook is the latest VC to leave a firm before the fund closed and he could see a return on investment. There must be something in the water. 

Equity is a show about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines. New episodes drop at 7 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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CNET

To Beta or Not to Beta? iOS 27 Thoughts

Should you download the newest version of iOS? Our Iyaz Aktar has a lot of thoughts either way. Get the full deets: #ios #ios27 #iosbeta #apple #mobile #onemorething #allthingsmobile Add CNET as a trusted news source Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉 Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront: Subscribe to CNET on…

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Should you download the newest version of iOS? Our Iyaz Aktar has a lot of thoughts either way.

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Bloomberg Technology

Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale on the AI Investment Boom

AI is fueling a new era of venture investing. Joe Lonsdale, managing partner at 8VC and co-founder of Palantir, discusses the firm’s record $1.5 billion fund, why startup rounds are getting bigger, and where he’s placing his bets on the next generation of defense tech and AI companies. He joins Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.”…

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AI is fueling a new era of venture investing. Joe Lonsdale, managing partner at 8VC and co-founder of Palantir, discusses the firm’s record $1.5 billion fund, why startup rounds are getting bigger, and where he’s placing his bets on the next generation of defense tech and AI companies. He joins Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.”
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Bloomberg Technology

How Apple’s Lawsuit Could Disrupt OpenAI’s Bid to Rival the iPhone

Apple’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of systematically stealing its intellectual property threatens to disrupt the AI company’s device ambitions long before the case is resolved. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” ——– Like this video? Subscribe to Bloomberg Technology on YouTube:   Watch the latest full episodes of “Bloomberg Technology” with Caroline Hyde…

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Apple’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of systematically stealing its intellectual property threatens to disrupt the AI company’s device ambitions long before the case is resolved. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.”
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