TechCrunch Summary (2023-06-07 07AM)

Source: Apple updates its App Store rules to crackdown on clones

Summary
Apple updates its App Store Review Guidelines, to clamp down on app clones. The company has warned that submitting apps, that look and behave like those already present in the App store, will result in removal from the Apple Developer Program. Apple’s move comes after numerous ChatGPT clones flooded the App store, and similar incidents previously with games like Wordle, Flappy Bird, and Threes.

Fact
💡 App clones and copycats are no longer acceptable in the App Store.
💡 Developers cannot copy the app’s code or user interface or have a similar name in another popular app.
💡 Apps containing ads must include users’ ability to report inappropriate or age-inappropriate ads.
💡 Apps with extensions must comply with App Extension Programming Guide, the Safari App Extensions Guide, or the Safari Web Extensions documentation.
💡 Subscription provided by carrier apps will be scrutinized by Apple to end when a customer ends service with the cellular provider.

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Source: Real estate is facing a climate crisis, but there might be a way through

Summary
Real estate contributes to 38% of total global carbon dioxide and 36% of global energy consumption. The industry is facing four major challenges which include decarbonizing, adapting to hybrid working, managing surplus and obsolete buildings, and navigating societal challenges. Despite the difficulties, there is a significant opportunity for prop tech to thrive.

Fact
💡 Real estate accounts for 38% of total global carbon dioxide emissions and 36% of global energy consumption.
💡 The industry is facing four major challenges: decarbonizing, adapting to hybrid working, managing surplus and obsolete buildings, and navigating societal challenges.
💡 Prop tech has huge potential to solve these problems and thrive in the largest asset class in the world.

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Source: OpenAI still not training GPT-5, Sam Altman says

Summary
OpenAI is not yet working on developing GPT-5 and is instead focusing on new ideas and safety tests. CEO Sam Altman addressed concerns about the fast-rate of advancements of large language models, stating that external audits and safety tests are a more effective way to evaluate potential dangers.

Fact

👥 OpenAI is not currently working on developing GPT-5 and is focusing on new ideas and safety tests.

🤖 Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, addressed concerns about the fast-rate of advancements of large language models and suggested external audits and safety tests as a more effective way to assess potential dangers.

🗣️ Altman also aimed to build confidence in OpenAI’s willingness to work with regulators and proactively address potential AI abuse and other downsides during his meetings with lawmakers and industry players.

🔍 It took OpenAI over six months from finishing GPT-4 to being ready to release it.

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Source: Register for today’s TechCrunch Live’s event on Atlanta right here!

Summary
TechCrunch Live is hosting a special extended episode focused on Atlanta. The event includes Atlanta’s mayor discussing the city’s growth, Rodney Sampson’s strides towards building generational wealth, a panel of Atlanta-area investors, and a pitch-off with three local startups.

Facts

🌇 Atlanta’s mayor will discuss the city’s recent growth and efforts to attract technology startups.

👨🏾‍💼 Rodney Sampson will speak about building generational wealth within the Black community and the public sector’s responsibility regarding venture equality.

💰 A panel of Atlanta-area investors will speak about the area’s fundraising appetite – who’s raising capital and who’s writing checks.

👥 Three local startups will pitch their deck for five minutes and answer questions from investors Jewel Burks Solomon and Vasant Kamath.

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Source: TikTok expands its ‘Series’ paywall feature to more creators

Summary
TikTok has made its Series feature available for users in 94 countries that allows creators to lock a series of exclusive content behind a paywall.

Fact

💰 Creators can earn up to $190 on a collection of videos that can include 80 videos or less.

🎥 Videos can go up to 20 minutes long rather than just 10 on typical TikTok videos.

📈 To qualify for monetization, creators need 10,000 followers on the app, be 18 years or older, live in a select region, must have posted three public videos, and must have reached 1,000 views in the last 30 days.

👩‍💻 Creators who have 1,000 followers can still apply but must share a link to premium content they’ve sold via different platforms.

🌟 Last month, the company launched two types of creator funds, which users in the U.S. can utilize: the Creativity Program and the Effect Creator Rewards, to earn money for original videos over 1 minute long and creating effects through its AR development platform, respectively.

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