TechCrunch Top 3

OpenAI and Perplexity are launching AI shopping assistants, but competing startups aren't sweating it: Startup founders building AI shopping tools think general-purpose models are too broad to deliver truly personalized shopping experiences. Read More

Warner Music signs deal with AI music startup Suno, settles lawsuit: WMG says artists and songwriters will have full control over whether and how their names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions are used in new AI-generated music. Read More

Find Your Grind raises $5M to grow platform empowering students to explore unique career paths: Nick Gross says that Find Your Grind gives students the tools to explore what careers are out there and what paths suit their strengths, interests, and visions for what they want their futures to look like. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Altman describes OpenAI's forthcoming AI device as more peaceful and calm than the iPhone: Altman and Ive tease a simple AI device aimed at calm, distraction-free computing, launching within two years. Read More

ChatGPT's voice mode is no longer a separate interface: ChatGPT now lets you use voice and text in the same screen, making conversations feel more natural as responses and visuals appear in real time. Read More

Character AI will offer interactive 'Stories' to kids instead of open-ended chat: The company announced last month that it would no longer allow minors to use its chat features. Read More

Spotify to raise US prices in first quarter of next year, report says: Major record labels have been urging Spotify and other music streaming platforms to raise subscription prices, arguing that fees have not kept pace with inflation and remain low when compared to services like Netflix. Read More

Microsoft's AI chatbot Copilot leaves WhatsApp on January 15: WhatsApp's new platform policies ban general-purpose AI chatbots like Copilot from using its service. Read More

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Kindred talks home-swapping platform for travelers, Chef Robotics introduces AI into commercial kitchens, and Character.AI addresses chatbot safety with teens.

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Last but Not Least

Google teams up with Accel to hunt for India's next AI breakouts: Google and Accel will jointly invest up to $2 million in each startup through their new partnership. Read More