Google releases a beta version of Android O, Recordgram wins the Startup Battlefield and Uber moves into trucking. All that and more in The Daily Crunch for May 18, 2017. Also, please be patient with TechCrunch today — some of us are still recovering from Disrupt. 1. The Android O beta is now available The latest version of Android was already available as a developer preview, but now, everyone else can try it out, too. New features include Notification Dots, allowing you to hold down on an app icon and get a preview bubble summarizing any notifications. Yesterday was a big day in general for Google, which kicked off its Google I/O developer conference, where it also announced Android support for the Kotlin programming language. Here's our round-up of all the news from I/O. 2. And the winner of Startup Battlefield at Disrupt NY 2017 is… RecordGram Yesterday was also the final day of TechCrunch's Disrupt NY conference, which means we announced the winner of the Startup Battlefield — RecordGram, which aims to be a mobile recording studio where aspiring artists can find beats, create songs and get signed. It was founded by a trio of music industry veterans. 3. With MIXhalo, Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger aims to deliver studio-quality sound at live events Disrupt also included a performance by the band Incubus, with special guest Pharrell Williams. The goal was to demonstrate new technology from Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger and his startup MIXhalo. Concertgoers will be able to download the MIXhalo app, connect to a special network and then stream beautiful-sounding audio (with minimal latency) to their phones. 4. Uber Freight launches to connect truck drivers with available shipments Uber is now the "Uber for trucking" – Uber Freight is a new service from the ride hailing company that pairs up trucking companies, including independent operators, with loads that need to be hauled from one place to another. The app looks a lot like the main Uber app, but it's targeted towards vetted and approved drivers, who can browse for nearby available loads, see destination info, distance required and payment, then tap to book. 5. Facebook feed change fights clickbait post by post in 9 more languages Facebook's leverage over news publishers can be worrisome — but sometimes, it puts that leverage to good use. The social network is bringing its battle against clickbait abroad, getting more precise about which link headlines it downranks in News Feed, and starting to demote individual posts instead of just web domains and Facebook Pages. 6. Brit + Co raises $15 million to grow its media and merchandise businesses San Francisco-based Brit + Co will be using the funding to expand its digital content business, which targets women. It will also be using the money to build more branded merchandise for its partnership with Target. 7. An open letter to everyone who uses the internet In a guest post, U.S. Senate Democrats warn that "the free and open internet as we know it is at risk" as the FCC prepares to repeal existing net neutrality rules. |