Apple embraces 5G, Facebook Messenger gets better integrated with Instagram and Kahoot raises $215 million. This is your Daily Crunch for October 13, 2020.
\nThe big story: Apple introduces the iPhone 12
\nApple\u2019s big event today kicked off with the announcement of the HomePod Mini, but the real focus was on the iPhone \u2014 specifically, the iPhone 12.<\/p>\n
Pricing for the new iPhone starts at $799. New features include 5G, a magnetic adapter for various accessories (including wireless chargers) and a more durable Corning glass display.
\nThere are four models, so if you\u2019re trying to decide which one you want, we\u2019ve even created a handy chart\u00a0to keep them all straight.
\nThe tech giants
\nAlphabet\u2019s latest moonshot is a field-roving, plant-inspecting robo-buggy \u2014\u00a0Announced with little fanfare in a blog post and site, the Mineral project is still very much in the experimental phase.
\nMessenger\u2019s latest update brings new features, cross-app communication with Instagram \u2013 The changes are a part of Facebook\u2019s overhauled messaging platform, announced in late September, which introduced the ability for Instagram users to communicate with people on Facebook.
\nStartups, funding and venture capital
\nKahoot picks up $215M from SoftBank for its user-generated, gamified e-learning platform \u2014 After announcing a modest $28 million raise earlier this year, the user-generated gamified e-learning platform revealed a much bigger round today.
\nAstroscale raises $51M in Series E funding to fuel its orbital sustainability ambitions \u2014\u00a0The Japan-based company has been focused on delivering new solutions for orbital end-of-life.
\nCaliber, with $2.2M in seed funding, launches a fitness coaching platform \u2014 The company says it brings on about five of every 100 applications for coaches on the platform, accepting only the very best trainers.
\nAdvice and analysis from Extra Crunch
\nIs the Twilio-Segment deal expensive? \u2014\u00a0A quick look at the deal\u2019s historical analogs and what we can tell from the numbers.
\nShould you replace your developer portal with a hybrid integration platform? \u2014\u00a0Changing your integration approach can reduce time to market and boost revenue.
\n(Reminder: Extra Crunch is our subscription membership program, which aims to democratize information about startups. You can sign up here.)
\nEverything else
\nWalt Disney announces reorganization to focus on streaming \u2014\u00a0Disney\u2019s media businesses, ads and distribution and Disney+ will now operate under the same business unit.
\nOriginal Content podcast: Netflix\u2019s \u2018Enola Holmes\u2019 is thoroughly mediocre \u2014 I did not enjoy this movie.
\nThe Daily Crunch is TechCrunch\u2019s roundup of our biggest and most important stories. If you\u2019d like to get this delivered to your inbox every day at around 3pm Pacific, you can subscribe here.<\/p>\n