Bitcoin ETFs approved!

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

Is the digital gold rush back on? Bitcoin just gained powerful momentum courtesy of a landmark SEC decision green-lighting the first spot in BTC exchange-traded funds.

The approval removes a colossal adoption roadblock — finally allowing easy mainstream crypto exposure to traditional investors. Let’s dig deeper…

In today’s tech rundown:

• SEC clears spot Bitcoin ETFs for public trading

• Google bringing Chrome, new apps to automobiles

• 9 new products

• Amazon-owned Twitch slashes workforce

• Slack releases new Tinder-style productivity feature

• Honda reveals new futuristic EV concepts

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

CRYPTOCURRENCY

🪙 SEC clears spot Bitcoin ETFs for public trading

The Rundown: The SEC just approved the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, allowing mainstream investors to easily trade the cryptocurrency similarly to stocks and mutual funds.

The details:

• The move comes after years of rejected ETF applications over fraud and manipulation concerns

• This is the first change from the U.S. government’s hostile attitude toward the crypto industry.

• The decision will allow buying and selling of BTC itself, unlike existing futures ETFs, with 11 approvals, including major firms like BlackRock, ARK Invest, and Invesco, set to begin trading Thursday morning.

Why it matters: The long-awaited approval removes a key barrier to mainstream BTC adoption — government hostility. Though risks linger with crypto, the green light from the SEC and a more traditional way to hold the volatile asset could bring digital currencies back into the spotlight.

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GOOGLE

🚘 Google bringing Chrome, new apps to automobiles

The Rundown: Google just announced new features coming to vehicles with Android Auto phone mirroring and Google's built-in automotive software, including the Chrome browser, enhanced EV battery integrations, and additional media apps.

The details:

• Chrome web browsing will launch in beta on select 2023-24 Volvo and Polestar electric vehicles.

• Android Auto will display estimated battery level on arrival, recommend charging stops, and estimate charging times.

• Google is adding additional Android Automotive apps for built-in screens, including Crunchyroll anime, PBS Kids shows, and The Weather Channel forecasts.

• A new feature includes a one-touch ability to send Google Maps directions from iOS or Android phones directly into compatible vehicles.

Why it matters: Between turning your car into a functioning browser to the recent AI enhancements, our vehicles are about to be glorified computers on wheels. If autonomous driving capabilities can continue to grow, driving is going to be no different than sitting at your desk.

NEW PRODUCTS

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🤖 FridayGPT- ChatGPT-based macOS messaging app (link)

🖼️ Generative AI by iStock- AI-driven stock photo creation (link)

📝 Rimo- AI-powered instant article creation (link)

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✍️ Rytr- An AI writing assistant that helps you create high-quality content, in just a few seconds (link)

💡 Mixo- Launch a startup in seconds with AI (link)

Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.

SNIPPETS

Amazon-owned Twitch is set to cut roughly 500 jobs, equating to 35 percent of its workforce, amid financial concerns and company cost-cutting measures.

The US Department of Labor introduced a rule making it harder for companies to label workers as independent contractors, potentially impacting gig economy firms and reverting to pre-Trump era classifications.

A major data leak potentially exposed the personal information of the entire Brazilian population due to an unprotected database found by researchers.

TikTok removed a hashtag tracking feature, hindering researchers' ability to study content trends on the platform.

Slack launched a new Tinder-style mobile feature called Catch Up that lets users quickly review messages by swiping left to mark read or right to leave unread, aiming to simplify the flood of notifications.

Honda revealed two futuristic concept EVs with a new thin and light design ethos, advanced ADAS, and plans for production starting in 2026.

Outflowing galactic winds from exploding stars are causing weird cosmic smoke rings, astronomers think.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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