Google's made a very quiet, very interesting acquisition, YouTube distances itself from Logan Paul and tech executives push Congress to do the right thing on DACA. All that and more in The Daily Crunch for January 11, 2018. 1. Google acquired Redux, a U.K. startup focused on audio and haptics Google hasn't said anything about the acquisition so far, but it certainly leaves room for some fun speculation. Redux has built technology that turns the surfaces of phones or tablets into speakers, which could be a pretty cool feature for Android. The Redux website has been shut down, but the company had said that it had applied for 177 patents, with 115 of them already granted. 2. YouTube drops Logan Paul from Google Preferred and puts his Originals on hold After Paul posted a video of a dead body he filmed hanging from a tree in Japan's colloquially titled "suicide forest," it's no surprise that YouTube and Google cut him out of their Preferred program. To be clear though, Paul hasn't been cut off from all advertising revenue on YouTube. 3. Tech executives join more than 100 business leaders calling on Congress to move quickly on DACA Will this push Congress to take positive action? We'll see. 4. Confide makes its iOS messaging app 'screenshot proof' The iOS app previously put some limitations on how users could screenshot contents — but full anti-screenshotting tech was limited to the Android app. 5. Ripple announces XRP trial with cross-border remittance firm MoneyGram Ripple is the company behind the controversial XRP cryptocurrency, which has been criticized for obfuscating the nature of its partnerships with financial organizations. 6. Kodak announces ICO, stock jumps 44% Speaking of cryptocurrencies, they're not just for startups. Kodak (yes, that Kodak) announced a partnership with Wenn Digital to create a "photo-centric cryptocurrency" that will "empower photographers and agencies to take greater control in image rights management." 7. Watch the trailer for season five of Silicon Valley The trailer includes scenes from the "Tech Awards," which may or may not be inspired by TechCrunch's retired Crunchies. |