Crossmint, which helps developers add crypto functionality to their code, raised $23.6M, including a seed and a Series A led by Ribbit Capital (Ben Weiss/Fortune)

Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee's and IHOP, is implementing AI technology to enhance operations and foster customer loyalty across its 3,500 restaurants. The initiative includes an AI-driven tech support system for franchisees and a personalization engine to deliver customized offers to diners, aiming to streamline management and increase sales. Need More Context? 🔎

Remedy is addressing criticism of its multiplayer game, FBC: Firebreak, by updating mission unlocks to provide full versions from the start, alongside cosmetic adjustments and improved collectible visibility. While initial reviews praised its charm, they also noted issues with mission design and a lack of narrative, with Remedy not currently planning to enhance story elements. Need More Context? 🔎

The latest Mac Mini, featuring the M4 chip, is highly recommended for first-time Mac users and as a home media server, with the 512GB model now priced at $689 ($110 off) and the 256GB model at $469 ($130 off). Praised for its compact size and performance, it includes multiple ports for connectivity but lacks USB-A ports, and upgrading RAM and storage can be costly. Need More Context? 🔎

Startups thrive or falter based on their early hires, and attracting top talent requires more than just enticing perks like ping-pong tables; companies must offer meaningful incentives. At TechCrunch Disrupt's 20th anniversary from October 27-29 in San Francisco, industry leaders will discuss innovative strategies to secure and retain essential personnel in a competitive talent landscape. Need More Context? 🔎

In recent lawsuits, including The New York Times Company's case against OpenAI, plaintiffs allege AI companies are improperly using copyrighted material, with concerns over AI models producing verbatim content. New research on AI's use of books suggests mixed outcomes for plaintiffs and defendants, challenging the notion that such reproductions are infrequent. Need More Context? 🔎

Cybersecurity researchers have identified a campaign named Banana Squad, involving over 67 GitHub repositories that falsely advertise Python-based hacking tools but instead deliver trojanized payloads. This activity is considered a continuation of a rogue Python campaign targeting the Python Package, first recognized in 2023. Need More Context? 🔎