Perplexity is quietly expanding into India to compete with OpenAI in the next phase of AI adoption.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/17/perplexity-sees-india-as-a-shortcut-in-its-race-against-openai/

Netflix said it used gen AI for the first time for a scene in an Argentinean show called El Atonata.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/netflix-starts-using-genai-in-its-shows-and-films/

Meta will not sign the EU's new rules, calling the implementation "over-reach"

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/meta-refuses-to-sign-eus-ai-code-of-practice/

A timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we've been updating throughout the year.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/chatgpt-everything-to-know-about-the-ai-chatbot/

Kesha's app, Smash, is a community platform for music creators to collaborate.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/with-her-app-smash-kesha-can-be-whoever-she-wants-even-a-tech-ceo/

DuckDuckGo's new search feature comes as the internet is being flooded with AI-generated slop.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/duckduckgo-now-lets-you-hide-ai-generated-images-in-search-results/

SpaceX has been moving at breakneck pace, rapid progress comes at a cost. Worker injury rates at its Starbase facility are almost six times higher than the average, data reveals.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/starbase-injury-rates-outpace-rivals-as-spacex-chases-its-mars-moonshot/

SpaceX has been moving at breakneck pace, rapid progress comes at a cost. Worker injury rates at its Starbase facility are almost six times higher than the average, data reveals.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/spacex-worker-injury-rates-at-starbase-outpace-industry-rivals/

Kesha is building an app called Smash, which is a way for musicians to find one another, make music together, and establish clear, artist-friendly contracts among collaborators.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/with-her-app-smash-kesha-can-be-whoever-she-wants-even-a-tech-ceo/

SpaceX has been moving at a breakneck pace, and rapid progress comes at a cost. Worker injury rates at its Starbase facility are almost 6x higher than the average, data reveals.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/spacex-worker-injury-rates-at-starbase-outpace-industry-rivals/

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment against Christine Hunsicker, charging her with wire fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and lying to financial institutions.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/caastle-founder-charged-with-fraud-turns-herself-in/

The new SS7 bypass-attack tricks phone operators into disclosing a cell subscriber's location, in some cases down to a few hundred meters.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/a-surveillance-vendor-was-caught-exploiting-a-new-ss7-attack-to-track-peoples-phone-locations/

Mistral AI, the French company behind AI assistant Le Chat and several foundational models, is officially regarded as one of France's most promising tech startups and is arguably the only European company that could compete with OpenAI. But compared to its $6 billion valuation, its global market share is still relatively low.ÿ However, the recent [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/what-is-mistral-ai-everything-to-know-about-the-openai-competitor/

Cursor-maker Anysphere is snapping up top talent from AI enterprise startups in an effort to compete with Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/cursor-snaps-up-enterprise-startup-koala-in-challenge-to-github-copilot/

The probe into the acquisition, which was announced in March, began in June according to sources familiar with the matter.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/servicenows-acquisition-of-moveworks-is-reportedly-being-reviewed-over-antitrust-concerns/

Pig.dev was working on a problem that could have been revolutionary: agent tech for controlling Windows desktops.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/why-a-y-combinator-startup-tackling-ai-agents-for-windows-gave-up-and-pivoted/

Netflix said it used generative AI for the first time for a scene in an Argentinean show called "El Eternauta."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/netflix-starts-using-genai-in-its-shows-and-films/

Meta will not sign the EU's new rules, calling the implementation "overreach" and claiming it will throttle AI development.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/meta-refuses-to-sign-eus-ai-code-of-practice/

The new SS7 bypass attack tricks phone operators into disclosing a cell subscriber's location, in some cases down to a few hundred meters.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/a-surveillance-vendor-was-caught-exploiting-a-new-ss7-attack-to-track-peoples-phone-locations/

Cursor maker Anysphere is snapping up top talent from AI enterprise startups in an effort to compete with Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/cursor-snaps-up-enterprise-startup-koala-in-challenge-to-github-copilot/

YC alum Greptile raises $30M Series A.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/18/benchmark-in-talks-to-lead-series-a-for-greptile-valuing-ai-code-reviewer-at-180m-sources-say/

AI tools are increasingly asking for gross levels of access to your personal data under the guise of needing it to work.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/for-privacy-and-security-think-twice-before-granting-ai-access-to-your-personal-data/

AI chatbots, assistants and agents are increasingly asking for gross levels of access to your personal data under the guise of needing your information to make them work.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/for-privacy-and-security-think-twice-before-granting-ai-access-to-your-personal-data/

These are our favorite cybersecurity books, both by fiction authors, as well as journalists and researchers. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/these-are-our-favorite-cyber-books-on-hacking-espionage-crypto-surveillance-and-more/

Tiffany Luck, a partner at NEA, outlined what she looks for in a pitch, during a presentation at TechCrunch's All Stage event in Boston.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/the-perfect-pitch-this-nea-partner-says-every-founder-should-answer-these-5-questions/

Days after AI coding startup Windsurf announced that it's being acquired by Cognition, Windsurf startup Jeff Wang took to X to offer more details about the drama and uncertainty around the deal. Windsurf was previously reported to be in acquisition talks with OpenAI, but that deal fell apart, with Google DeepMind instead hiring the startup's [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/windsurf-ceo-opens-up-about-very-bleak-mood-before-cognition-deal/

When Vultron announced its $22 million funding round earlier this week, the AI startup made sure to highlight a key investor: Craft Ventures, the firm "co-founded by White House AI adviser David Sacks." The announcement has raised questions about conflicts of interest in the Trump administration, where Sacks serves as both AI and crypto czar [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/david-sacks-and-the-blurred-lines-of-government-service/

Days after AI coding startup Windsurf announced that it's being acquired by Cognition, Windsurf exec Jeff Wang took to X to offer more details about the drama and uncertainty around the deal. Windsurf was previously reported to be in acquisition talks with OpenAI, but that deal fell apart, with Google DeepMind instead hiring the startup's [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/windsurf-ceo-opens-up-about-very-bleak-mood-before-cognition-deal/

Andy Byron, the startup executive at the center of an extraordinary social media furor, has resigned as CEO of data operations startup Astronomer.ÿ Byron, who is married, was captured on a Coldplay concert "kiss cam" with his arms around the company's chief people officer Kristin Cabot. After Byron and Cabot quickly tried to hide from [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/astronomer-ceo-resigns-following-coldplay-concert-scandal/

Days after AI coding startup Windsurf announced that it's being acquired by Cognition, Windsurf exec Jeff Wang took to X to offer more details about the drama and uncertainty around the deal.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/windsurf-ceo-opens-up-about-very-bleak-mood-before-cognition-deal/

Andy Byron, the startup executive at the center of an extraordinary social media furor, has resigned as CEO of data operations startup Astronomer. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/astronomer-ceo-resigns-following-coldplay-concert-scandal/

Following a Pro Publica report that Microsoft was using engineers in China to help maintain cloud computing systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company said it's made changes to ensure this will no longer happen.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/microsoft-says-it-will-no-longer-use-engineers-in-china-for-department-of-defense-work/

Tesla's debut in India has not convinced its early backers, who waited for the company to enter the market for nearly a decade.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/20/tesla-loses-its-charm-for-indias-loyalists-even-as-musk-finally-delivers/

Cartken started seeing an influx of demand for its last-mile delivery robots from industrial customers and is now focused on that sector.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/20/why-cartken-pivoted-its-focus-from-last-mile-delivery-to-industrial-robots/

"We scaled Tesla in 30 months from $2 billion in revenue to $20 billion in revenue," said Jon McNeil, who is now co-founder and CEO of DVx Ventures.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/20/former-tesla-president-discloses-the-secret-to-scaling-a-company/

When Vultron, a startup that creates AI tools specifically for federal contractors, announced its $22 million funding round earlier this week, it made sure to highlight a key investor: Craft Ventures, the firm "co-founded by White House AI adviser David Sacks." The announcement has raised questions about conflicts of interest in the Trump administration, where [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/19/david-sacks-and-the-blurred-lines-of-government-service/

Security researchers say Microsoft customers should take immediate action to defend against the ongoing cyberattacks, and must assume they have already been compromised.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/new-zero-day-bug-in-microsoft-sharepoint-under-widespread-attack/

The crypto exchange, the largest in India, said it plans to absorb the costs of the breach.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/indian-crypto-exchange-coindcx-confirms-44-million-stolen-during-hack/

The Browser Company has launched an official repository of "skills" for its Dia browser - shortcuts for prompts that are used frequently.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/dia-launches-a-skill-gallery-perplexity-to-add-tasks-to-comet/

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is just around the corner, and with more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders heading to Moscone West in San Francisco this October 27 to 29, the Expo Hall is where connections get made and business gets done. If you've been thinking about showcasing your company, consider this your nudge - exhibitor [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/dont-miss-your-chance-to-exhibit-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

More than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech insiders will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 - one of the year's most anticipated tech conferences.ÿ Of the 250+ tech leaders taking the stage, don't miss this standout panel on the Builders Stage featuring two of the most respected [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/from-idea-to-first-check-raising-pre-seed-and-seed-capital-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

Figma looks to offer more than 36 million shares with an expected price range between $25 and $28 a share.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/figma-looks-to-raise-nearly-1-billion-as-it-kicks-off-its-ipo-roadshow/

Rune Technologies raised $24 million to advance deployment of TyrOS, AI-enabled predictive software for military logistics that can run on the ground without internet connection.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/anduril-alums-raise-24m-series-a-to-bring-military-logistics-out-of-the-excel-spreadsheet-era/

A new app called Quip brings a smart, universal clipboard to Mac and iOS.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/quip-is-a-smart-clipboard-management-app-for-ios-and-mac/

Grok's unfiltered AI companions may be making headlines for their unhinged and NSFW responses, but it's Grok 4 that's driven the app's revenue of late.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/groks-ai-companions-drove-downloads-but-its-latest-model-is-the-one-making-money/

Hyper announced Monday a $6.3 million seed round led by Eniac Ventures, as well as an official emergence from stealth. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/ai-voice-company-hyper-raises-6-3m-to-help-automate-9-1-1-calls/

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility - your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/techcrunch-mobility-uber-makes-a-bet-on-premium-robotaxis/

Given Grok's expensive new subscription offering, timed alongside the Grok 4 launch, it's not surprising to see that even a smaller increase in the number of paying subscribers could drive Grok's iOS revenue significantly higher.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/groks-ai-companions-drove-downloads-but-its-latest-model-is-the-one-making-money/

Hyper hopes to use the fresh capital to help scale across the country, integrate more into existing 911 systems, hire a head of engineering, and build its next product.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/ai-voice-company-hyper-raises-6-3m-to-help-automate-911-calls/

When users sign in or switch to their work Google account in Chrome, browsing related to their organization will be kept separate from their other browsing on the device.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/chrome-for-ios-makes-it-easier-to-switch-between-work-and-personal-google-accounts/

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is just around the corner, and with more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders heading to Moscone West in San Francisco this October 27 to 29, the Expo Hall is where connections get made and business gets done.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/dont-miss-your-chance-to-exhibit-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

More than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech insiders will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 - one of the year's most anticipated tech conferences. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/from-idea-to-first-check-raising-pre-seed-and-seed-capital-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

Figma is allowing existing shareholders to sell even more stock than the company will in its IPO.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/figmas-dylan-field-will-cash-out-about-60m-in-ipo-with-index-kleiner-greylock-sequoia-all-selling-too/

Figma is allowing existing shareholders to sell more stock than the company will in its IPO.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/figmas-dylan-field-will-cash-out-about-60m-in-ipo-with-index-kleiner-greylock-sequoia-all-selling-too/

72% of US teens have tried AI companions and 52% said they use the regularly.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/72-of-u-s-teens-have-used-ai-companions-study-finds/

Thousands of SharePoint servers could be vulnerable to hackers, according to cybersecurity firms.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/hackers-exploiting-sharepoint-zero-day-seen-targeting-government-agencies-say-researchers/

ChatGPT receives 2.5 billion prompts from global users every day.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/chatgpt-users-send-2-5-billion-prompts-a-day/

By "companion," the study is focused on AI chatbots that are designed for users to have more personal conversations with, not AI assistants that work as homework helpers, image generators, or voice assistants that just answer questions.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/72-of-u-s-teens-have-used-ai-companions-study-finds/

The spyware maker was banned from the surveillance industry in 2021, but was caught flouting the ban less than a year later. Now the founder wants the ban lifted altogether.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/serial-spyware-founder-scott-zuckerman-wants-the-ftc-to-unban-him-from-the-surveillance-industry/

OpenAI and Google's AI models achieved impressive results in a difficult math competition, but disputed how the other got their score.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/openai-and-google-outdo-the-mathletes-but-not-each-other/

The Tesla Diner & Drive-In officially opened Monday and it seems Elon Musk is planning for more.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/teslas-retro-futuristic-diner-officially-opens-as-elon-musk-hints-at-more-locations/

South Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI announced a partnership on Tuesday to supply its AI chip, RNGD, to enterprises using LG AI Research's recently unveiled EXAONE platform. RNGD is optimized for running large language models (LLMs) and just last week, the Korean tech giant LG unveiled its next-generation hybrid AI model EXAONE 4.0. The collaboration [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/instead-of-selling-to-meta-ai-chip-startup-furiosaai-signed-a-huge-customer/

The company claims that its model achieved state of the art on specific metrics.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/latent-labs-launches-web-based-ai-model-to-democratize-protein-design/

The Tesla Diner & Drive-In officially opened Monday, and it seems Elon Musk is planning for more.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/teslas-retro-futuristic-diner-officially-opens-as-elon-musk-hints-at-more-locations/

DroneDogs can be sent to places unsafe for humans or real dogs and can do tasks like dangerous chemical detection. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/robot-guard-dogs-help-asylon-raise-a-26m-series-b/

RA Capital Planetary Health closed a $120 million fund. Here's the rubric two investors use to determine where to place their fund's money.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/three-things-veteran-planetary-health-investors-look-for-in-a-startup/

Startup Mixus has built an AI agent platform that not only keeps humans in the workflow, but also allows those humans to interact with agents directly from their email or Slack. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/this-startup-thinks-email-could-be-the-key-to-usable-ai-agents/

Lumotive reopened its February Series B round to add Amazon's Industrial Innovation Fund and ITHCA Group, increasing the size of the round to $59 million.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/amazon-backs-programmable-optics-startup-lumotive/

Mixus' AI agent platform not only keeps humans in the workflow, it also allows those humans to interact with agents directly from their email or Slack. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/this-startup-thinks-email-could-be-the-key-to-usable-ai-agents/

Owners of the Lucid Air sedan will be able to charge their luxury EVs at thousands of Tesla Supercharger stations in North America starting July 31. But there is a notable caveat: Lucid Air vehicles won't be able to charge as fast as Tesla vehicles.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/lucid-air-owners-will-be-able-to-use-tesla-superchargers-starting-july-31/

All-electric truck fleet startup Nevoya has landed a fresh round of capital and plans to expand.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/nevoya-raises-9-3m-seed-round-as-its-ev-truck-fleet-reaches-cost-parity-with-diesel/

New York City-based Betaworks has closed its $66 million Fund III, which will focus on investing in early-stage AI companies.ÿ Betaworks has been investing in AI since at least 2016 and, through its investment program Camp, has backed companies such as Huggingface and Granola. Jordan Crook, a partner at the firm (and former TechCrunch employee), [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/betaworks-third-fund-closes-at-66m-to-invest-in-early-stage-ai-startups/

Telegram is expanding access to its crypto wallet for its 87 million users in the US.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/telegrams-crypto-wallet-launches-in-the-us/

Karun Kaushik and Selin Kocalar weren't planning to raise a Series A so soon. Their AI compliance startup, Delve, which announced a $3 million seed round in January, was growing fast and signing customers at a steady clip. Then, inbound interest started rolling in, COO Kocalar told TechCrunch. Delve, which automates regulatory compliance with AI [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/21-year-old-mit-dropouts-raise-32m-at-300m-valuation-led-by-insight/

Photo editing and sharing app VSCO is making its iOS camera app, Capture, available across the world, following a limited launch in June, when the app came to Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/vscos-iphone-camera-app-is-now-available-globally/

Karun Kaushik and Selin Kocalar weren't planning to raise a Series A so soon for their startup Delve. But inbound interest started rolling in, and the startup recently closed a $32 million Series A at a $300 million valuation.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/21-year-old-mit-dropouts-raise-32m-at-300m-valuation-led-by-insight/

AI isn't just disrupting products - it's upending how companies sell, scale, and succeed. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27-29 in San Francisco, we're diving deep into how late-stage startups are navigating this shift. Catch this dynamic panel on the Going Public Stage, where three seasoned leaders will explore how AI is transforming go-to-market [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/on-stage-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025-how-ai-is-forcing-late-stage-startups-to-rewire-gtm-or-be-left-behind/

The tech giants have evidence that Chinese hackers are exploiting the new bug, but warned "multiple actors" are also hacking into affected SharePoint systems.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/google-microsoft-say-chinese-hackers-are-exploiting-sharepoint-zero-day/

Cloaked is releasing a new call guard feature to let an AI-powered bot chat to scammers on a user's behalf.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/user-privacy-app-cloaked-adds-ai-powered-caller-screening/

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is where breakthrough ideas meet the real-world challenges that define the future - and with over 10,000 startup and VC leaders converging, there's no better place to have the hard conversations. One of the most urgent? How artificial intelligence is reshaping national defense, security, and critical infrastructure in real time. Enter AI [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/national-security-meets-next-gen-tech-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025s-ai-defense-panel/

The Tesla Diner & Drive-In is loaded with Tesla-branded merchandise, an Optimus robot, and two 45-foot LED movie screens - clearly hoping to attract more than just Tesla owners.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/teslas-retro-futuristic-diner-officially-opens-as-elon-musk-hints-at-more-locations/

Owners of the Lucid Air sedan will be able to charge their luxury EVs at thousands of Tesla Supercharger stations in North America starting July 31. But there is a notable caveat: Lucid Air vehicles won't be able to charge as fast as Tesla vehicles.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/lucid-air-owners-will-soon-be-able-to-use-tesla-superchargers-but-theres-a-catch/

AI isn't just disrupting products - it's upending how companies sell, scale, and succeed. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27-29 in San Francisco, we're diving deep into how late-stage startups are navigating this shift.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/on-stage-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025-how-ai-is-forcing-late-stage-startups-to-rewire-gtm-or-be-left-behind/

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 runs October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Join 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of conversations and connections that define what's next.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/national-security-meets-next-gen-tech-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025s-ai-defense-panel/

South Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI announced a partnership on Tuesday to supply its AI chip, RNGD, to enterprises using LG AI Research's recently unveiled EXAONE platform.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/instead-of-selling-to-meta-ai-chip-startup-furiosaai-signed-a-huge-customer/

Experts applauded the proposed change, which would require ransomware victims to notify authorities when paying a hacker's ransom, arguing that this information can help catch cybercriminals and stop their activities.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/uk-government-wants-ransomware-victims-to-report-cyberattacks-so-it-can-disrupt-the-hackers/

Etsy users are boycotting the site over its "Alligator Alcatraz" merchandise.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/etsy-faces-user-boycott-over-alligator-alcatraz-branded-products/

This news comes roughly three months after FuriosaAI declined Meta's $800 million acquisition offer, opting to remain independent.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/21/instead-of-selling-to-meta-ai-chip-startup-furiosaai-signed-a-huge-customer/

Betaworks has been investing in AI since at least 2016. Fund III will seek to invest in at least 25 pre-seed to seed investments, as well as make at least 50 investments into startups.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/betaworks-third-fund-closes-at-66m-to-invest-in-early-stage-ai-startups/

The Meta-owned platform says the updates are focused on helping creators build audiences.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/threads-adds-improved-content-performance-metrics-for-creators/

Apple launches iOS 26 beta 4 for developers with updates to Liquid Glass and AI notification summaries, ahead. A public beta is expected later this week.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/ios-26-beta-4-arrives-with-liquid-glass-tweaks-and-ai-news-summaries/

Rocket Lab is asking regulators to approve a temporary method to transport hardware to its new spaceport.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/rocket-labs-first-hurdle-to-flying-its-new-rocket-is-getting-it-to-the-pad/

OpenAI was customer that signed the huge deal that Oracle disclosed last month.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/openai-agreed-to-pay-oracle-30b-a-year-for-data-center-services/

Amazon has acquired the AI wearables startup Bee, which makes a bracelet and an Apple Watch app that record your day-to-day life to function as an AI assistant.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/amazon-acquires-bee-the-ai-wearable-that-records-everything-you-say/

Researchers say Apple sent out threat notifications to several Iranians in recent months, saying their iPhones had been hacked. Iran is likely behind the attacks.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/apple-alerted-iranians-to-iphone-spyware-attacks-say-researchers/

Photo editing and sharing app VSCO is making its iOS camera app, Capture, available across the world, following a limited launch in June, when the app came to Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/vscos-iphone-camera-app-is-now-available-globally/

Apple launches iOS 26 beta 4 for developers with updates to Liquid Glass and AI notification summaries. A public beta is expected later this week.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/ios-26-beta-4-arrives-with-liquid-glass-tweaks-and-ai-news-summaries/

OpenAI was the customer that signed the huge deal that Oracle disclosed last month.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/openai-agreed-to-pay-oracle-30b-a-year-for-data-center-services/

PayPal is partnering with global fintech companies to let users pay to different wallet systems cross border.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/paypal-announces-integration-with-international-wallets-for-easier-cross-border-transactions/

Gupshup has raised over $60 million in a new round over four years after attaining the unicorn status.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/gupshup-raises-60m-in-equity-and-debt-leaves-unicorn-status-hanging/

NetZeroNitrogen's bacteria approach has attracted investors and $6.6 million in seed funding.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/netzeronitrogen-wants-bacteria-to-replace-synthetic-fertilizer-on-farm-fields/

The update will impact the accounts of family vloggers/creators and parents running accounts for "kidfluencers," both of which have faced criticism for the risks associated with sharing children's lives on social media.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/instagram-adds-new-protections-for-accounts-that-primarily-feature-children/

Until now, people have had to enroll their Apple devices into separate AppleCare+ plans if they wanted additional coverage for their products beyond the standard warranty.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/apple-launches-19-99-monthly-applecare-one-subscription-with-coverage-for-three-devices/

Here's everything we know about President Trump's AI Action Plan, a roadmap for the administration's approach to AI.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/trump-is-set-to-unveil-his-ai-roadmap-heres-what-to-know/

Proton's new AI assistant Lumo promises to keep user data private with zero-access encryption, no logging, and an incognito mode.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/protons-new-privacy-first-ai-assistant-encrypts-all-chats-keeps-no-logs/

Uber will soon roll out its "women preference" feature in the U.S., starting with Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/uber-is-finally-bringing-a-feature-to-the-u-s-that-lets-women-riders-match-with-women-drivers/

Less than a week after becoming Europe's latest unicorn, Swedish vibe coding startup Lovable has now crossed the $100 million annual recurring revenue mark.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/eight-months-in-swedish-unicorn-lovable-crosses-the-100m-arr-milestone/

One of the hacked organizations reportedly includes the U.S. agency responsible for maintaining the country's stockpile of nuclear weapons. China-backed hackers have been observed carrying out the hacks targeting SharePoint servers.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/hundreds-of-organizations-breached-by-sharepoint-mass-hacks/

We recently unveiled the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 - a new destination for founders navigating the complexities of company building, from early traction to IPO and beyond. Today, we're excited to announce additions to the agenda that bring even more insight and firepower to the stage. Joining the speaker lineup are Eric [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/techcrunch-disrupt-2025-first-full-agenda-reveal-for-the-brand-new-going-public-stage/

TRIC Robotics just raised a $5.5 million seed round for its tractor-sized robots that help eliminate bacteria and pests on strawberry plants.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/how-tric-robotics-is-reducing-pesticide-use-on-strawberries-using-uv-light/

Seattle-based Avalanche recently operated its desktop fusion machine for hours on end while maintaining 300,000 volts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/avalanche-energy-hits-key-milestone-on-the-road-to-a-desktop-fusion-reactor/

The platform will allow users to pay others using their local wallets and payment systems.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/paypal-announces-integration-with-international-wallets-for-easier-cross-border-transactions/

We recently unveiled the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 - a new destination for founders navigating the complexities of company building, from early traction to IPO and beyond.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/techcrunch-disrupt-2025-first-full-agenda-reveal-for-the-brand-new-going-public-stage/

French authorities say they wiretapped a server used by the administrator to access their private messages, which revealed activities relating to cybercrime and ransomware attacks.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/european-authorities-arrest-alleged-admin-of-notorious-russian-crime-forum-xss/

The move is designed to create a more open, competitive environment for the app economy and user choice.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/uk-targets-apple-and-googles-mobile-platforms-for-regulation/

The image to video feature lets creators turn a picture from their camera roll into a a six-second video.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/youtube-shorts-is-adding-an-image-to-video-ai-tool-new-ai-effects/

Google announced a handful of new features that will allow users to get more creative with their photo memories, including an option to turn photos into videos, and "remix" photos into different styles, like anime, comics, sketches or 3D animations.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/google-photos-adds-ai-features-for-remixing-photos-in-different-styles-turning-pics-into-videos/

The new funding round, which combines equity and debt financing from Globespan Capital Partners and EvolutionX Debt Capital, aims to help the San Francisco-headquartered startup expand its presence across its high-growth markets, including India, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/22/gupshup-raises-60m-in-equity-and-debt-leaves-unicorn-status-hanging/

NetZeroNitrogen has developed a suite of bacterial strains that is applied directly to the seed and allows the plant to get nitrogen from the atmosphere instead of chemicals.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/netzeronitrogen-wants-bacteria-to-replace-synthetic-fertilizer-on-farm-fields/

The move is designed to create a more open, competitive environment for the app economy and user choice.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/uk-targets-apples-and-googles-mobile-platforms-for-regulation/

The goal of this wristband is to provide less invasive tools to interact with computers for people with motor disabilities. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/meta-researchers-are-developing-a-gesture-controlled-wristband-that-can-interact-with-a-computer/

India's financial crime watchdog filed a complaint against Walmart-backed Myntra, alleging the company violated foreign investment rules by channeling over $191 million through a related-party scheme.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/india-expands-its-e-commerce-crackdown-with-a-new-200m-case-against-walmarts-fashion-arm-myntra/

The Trump administration published its much-anticipated AI Action Plan Wednesday, signaling a sharp shift away from former President Biden's cautious approach to addressing the risks of AI, and toward a focus on speed, sovereignty, national security, and competing with China.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/trumps-ai-strategy-trades-guardrails-for-growth-in-race-against-china/

Mastodon is experimenting with a new way to raise money: in-app donation banners.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/open-source-x-rival-mastodon-begins-raising-funds-with-new-in-app-donation-feature/

The image-to-video feature lets creators turn a picture from their camera roll into a six-second video.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/youtube-shorts-is-adding-an-image-to-video-ai-tool-new-ai-effects/

Google announced a handful of new features that will allow users to get more creative with their photo memories, including an option to turn photos into videos and "remix" photos into different styles, like anime, comics, sketches or 3D animations.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/google-photos-adds-ai-features-for-remixing-photos-in-different-styles-turning-pics-into-videos/

An invite-only startup event hosted by former YC and a16z staff will help founders learn to pitch press and run their own social media.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/former-y-combinator-a16z-experts-hold-invite-only-summit-for-founders/

The AI Action Plan offers a path, but not a concrete plan, for what the administration is thinking when it comes to chip export restrictions.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/trumps-ai-action-plan-aims-to-block-chip-exports-to-china-but-lacks-key-details/

Tesla saw a 17% growth in its services business, but it was not enough to close the gap in falling EV sales, fewer regulatory credits, and a decline in solar and energy storage sales.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/tesla-profits-pulled-down-by-falling-ev-sales-and-regulatory-credits/

Google shared new stats about its AI features' adoption during its Q2 earnings.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/googles-ai-overviews-have-2b-monthly-users-ai-mode-100m-in-the-us-and-india/

YouTube continues to lead in the streaming market, with ad revenue increasing by 13% to $9.8 billion.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/youtube-sees-a-rise-in-ad-revenue-to-reach-nearly-10-billion/

iRocket is aiming to hit the public markets but the SPAC vehicle doesn't have much cash left.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/a-troubled-spac-plans-to-buy-irocket-for-400m-but-it-already-returned-most-of-its-cash/

The comment came shortly after analysts peppered Pichai and other Google executives with questions about how AI would affect its core search business and why Google is spending an extra $10 billion on capital expenditures this year to catch up in the AI race.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/sundar-pichai-is-very-excited-about-google-clouds-openai-partnership/

When DeepSeek, Alibaba, and other Chinese firms released their AI models, Western researchers quickly noticed they sidestepped questions critical of the Chinese Communist Party. U.S. officials later confirmed that these tools are engineered to reflect Beijing's talking points, raising concerns about censorship and bias. American AI leaders like OpenAI have pointed to this as justification [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/trumps-anti-woke-ai-order-could-reshape-how-us-tech-companies-train-their-models/

A new AI coding challenge has revealed its first winner - and set a new bar for AI-powered software engineers.ÿ On Wednesday at 5pm PST, the nonprofit Laude Institute announced the first winner of the K Prize, a multi-round AI coding challenge launched by Databricks and Perplexity co-founder Andy Konwinski. The winner was a Brazilian [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/a-new-ai-coding-challenge-just-published-its-first-results-and-they-arent-pretty/

YouTube continues to lead in the streaming market, with ad revenue increasing by 13% to $9.8 billion.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/youtube-sees-a-rise-in-ad-revenue-to-reach-nearly-10b/

A new AI coding challenge has revealed its first winner - and set a new bar for AI-powered software engineers. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/a-new-ai-coding-challenge-just-published-its-first-results-and-they-arent-pretty/

It's the first such product to reach the market, and it could unlock a host of fattened-up meat alternatives.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/mission-barns-is-betting-that-animal-free-pork-fat-will-make-artificial-meat-delicious/

LegalOn, which provides AI-powered contract review software for legal teams, has raised $50 million in a Series C round.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/softbank-backed-legalon-fuels-ai-for-in-house-legal-team-with-50m-series-e/

Snap Map's new "Home Safe" feature sends one-time alerts to friends, so you don't need to remember to message others that you're back safely.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/snapchat-will-now-let-your-friends-know-youve-made-it-home-safe/

The feature is launching in the United States today, letting users try on apparel items in Google's Shopping Graph across Search, Google Shopping and product results on Google Images.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/googles-new-ai-feature-lets-you-virtually-try-on-clothes/

Memories.ai's platform can process up to 10 million hours of video. For companies with a lot of video to analyze, the startup wants to provide a contextual layer, complete with searchable indexing, tagging, segments and aggregation.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/samsung-backs-a-video-ai-startup-that-can-analyze-thousands-of-hours-of-footage/

"We're getting a lot of stuff that looks like gold, but it's actually just crap," said the founder of one security testing firm. AI-generated security vulnerability reports are already having an effect on bug hunting, for better and worse.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/ai-slop-and-fake-reports-are-exhausting-some-security-bug-bounties/

Exclusive: The popular "leaking and cracking" forum left one of its databases exposed to the internet without a password, exposing the IP addresses of its users logging in.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/cybercrime-forum-leak-zone-publicly-exposed-its-users-ip-addresses/

Netflix and Spotify teamed up to launch a golf-inspired game as a way to promote "Happy Gilmore 2," which premieres on Netflix this Friday.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/spotify-takes-a-swing-at-gaming-with-a-mini-golf-game-ahead-of-happy-gilmore-2-release/

A senior software engineer for Turso, Thorpe is part of an experimental program in the Maine state prison system that allows incarcerated people to work remote jobs from custody.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/preston-thorpe-is-a-software-engineer-at-a-san-fransisco-startup-hes-also-serving-his-eleventh-year-in-prison/

Amazon launches a more affordable, $250 Colorsoft Kindle and a version for kids.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/amazon-introduces-a-more-affordable-color-screen-kindle/

A senior software engineer for Turso, Thorpe is part of an experimental program in the Maine state prison system that allows incarcerated people to work remote jobs from custody.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/preston-thorpe-is-a-software-engineer-at-a-san-francisco-startup-hes-also-serving-his-11th-year-in-prison/

Google's new Search Labs experiment will organize the search results using AI smarts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/googles-new-web-view-search-experiment-organizes-results-with-ai/

Apple released iOS 26 in public beta. Here's everything you can expect, from the Liquid Glass design to features powered by Apple Intelligence.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/apple-ios-26-public-beta-arrives/

As AI companions from companies like Replika, Character AI, and Nomi AI abound, love is no longer strictly human. In this debate, we ask the question of whether it should be, or whether dating an AI could be better than dating a human.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/ai-companions-a-threat-to-love-or-an-evolution-of-it/

In red-hot acquisition market, this CVector founders answer this key question in its first conversation with prospective customers.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/this-industrial-ai-startup-is-winning-over-customers-by-saying-it-wont-get-acquired/

Google's new Search Labs experiment will organize the search results using AI smarts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/googles-new-web-guide-search-experiment-organizes-results-with-ai/

In a red-hot acquisition market, the CVector founders answer this key question in its first conversation with prospective customers.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/this-industrial-ai-startup-is-winning-over-customers-by-saying-it-wont-get-acquired/

Acrew Capital's Kolodny led a $20 million Series A in Alix, a startup that uses AI to automate estate processing.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/chime-backer-lauren-kolodny-bets-on-ai-to-revolutionize-estate-processing/

The NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) is entering a new chapter, marked by the arrival of two new partners and the departure of its penultimate founding team partner.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/amid-increased-momentum-for-defense-the-nato-innovation-fund-refreshes-its-investment-team/

Google is testing a new vibe-coding tool called Opal, available in the U.S. through Google Labs, that lets users quickly spin up web apps with just a few prompts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/google-is-testing-a-vibe-coding-app-called-opal/

In response to the European Union's incoming regulation of political advertising, Meta said on Friday that it would stop selling and showing political ads in the EU from October 2025.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/meta-to-stop-selling-political-ads-in-the-eu-from-october/

Tesla is behind on its goal to produce at least 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots by the end of 2025.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/tesla-is-reportedly-behind-on-its-pledge-to-build-5000-optimus-bots-this-year/

Apple has expanded its age-rating system to include 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings, in addition to the existing ratings for younger users.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/apple-broadens-app-stores-age-rating-system/

It's one of just a few similar partnerships Lyft has struck, while rival Uber has an increasingly long list of robotaxi deals.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/lyft-to-add-autonomous-shuttles-in-2026-as-uber-inks-more-self-driving-deals/

Google has suspended the Firebase account of Catwatchful following a TechCrunch investigation. The spyware operation was caught using Google's own servers to host and run its surveillance app, which was stealthily monitoring thousands of people's phones.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/google-took-a-month-to-shut-down-catwatchful-a-phone-spyware-operation-hosted-on-its-servers/

From leadership changes at legacy semiconductor companies to wishy washy policy around chip exports, a lot has happened already.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/a-timeline-of-the-u-s-semiconductor-market-in-2025/

In response to a question about how AI works with today's legal system, Altman said one of the problems of not yet having a legal or policy framework for AI is that there's no legal confidentiality for users' conversations.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/sam-altman-warns-theres-no-legal-confidentiality-when-using-chatgpt-as-a-therapist/

AI platforms in June 2025 generated over 1.13 billion referrals to the top 1,000 websites globally, up 357% year-over-year.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/ai-referrals-to-top-websites-were-up-357-year-over-year-in-june-reaching-1-13b/

Shengjia Zhao, a former OpenAI researcher, will round out the leadership team at Meta's new AI lab.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/meta-names-shengjia-zhao-as-chief-scientist-of-ai-superintelligence-unit/

Intel will remain an anchor investor in the stand-alone company, which produced $5.8 billion in revenue in 2024.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/intel-is-spinning-off-its-network-and-edge-group/

Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana has a reminder for all those founders worried about finding TAM for their product or service: many startups have emerged from markets that, at the time, were essentially nonexistent.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/index-ventures-jahanvi-sardana-shares-the-truth-about-tam-and-what-founders-should-focus-on-instead/

India has ordered the blocking of 25 streaming services - many with millions of viewers and even paying subscribers - for allegedly promoting "obscene" content.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/india-bans-streaming-apps-youve-never-heard-of-but-millions-watch/

There will be an employee in the driver's seat -- a big change from how things have been working in Austin.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/tesla-wants-to-bring-its-robotaxis-to-san-francisco-heres-whats-standing-in-the-way/

Exclusive: Allianz Life said the "majority" of its customers and employees had data stolen in the July cyberattack. The company said it has notified the FBI.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/allianz-life-says-majority-of-customers-personal-data-stolen-in-cyberattack/

"No slides was our first rule," McNeil told the audience earlier this month at TC All Stage in Boston. "You have to be reviewing real product."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/tesla-vet-says-that-reviewing-real-products-not-mockups-is-the-key-to-staying-innovative/

Tea, an app that allows women to post anonymous comments about men they've supposedly dated, announced Friday that it has suffered a data breach, with hackers gaining access to 72,000 images.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/dating-safety-app-tea-breached-exposing-72000-user-images/

After spending the past week-plus in the headlines due to a seemingly inescapable social media scandal, data operations startup Astronomer is trying to shift the narrative with a tongue-in-cheek video starring actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/astronomer-winks-at-viral-notoriety-with-temporary-spokesperson-gwyneth-paltrow/

A U.K. law requiring that pornography websites verify the age of their users took effect Friday.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/u-k-starts-enforcing-online-age-check-rules/

The Department of Government Efficiency has presented plans to use a new AI tool to eliminate half of the federal government's regulatory mandates by the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's return to office, according to The Washington Post.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/27/doge-has-built-an-ai-tool-to-slash-federal-regulations/

Indie video game marketplace Itch.io announced this week that it has "deindexed" adult and not-safe-for-work games, removing them from its browse and search pages.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/27/itch-io-is-the-latest-marketplace-to-crack-down-on-adult-games/

The massive Las Vegas venue known as Sphere will be screening its first classic movie, "The Wizard of Oz," starting on August 28. And as detailed in a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, this isn't just a matter of taking the existing movie and projecting it on Sphere's 160,000 square foot, wraparound LED screen.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/27/wizard-of-oz-blown-up-by-ai-for-giant-sphere-screen/

Russian prosecutor said it opened a criminal investigation into the cyberattack targeting Aeroflot, the largest airline in Russia.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/flights-grounded-as-russias-largest-airline-aeroflot-hit-by-cyberattack/

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the AI Stage comes alive with the voices shaping the future of technology, creativity, and security. Top VCs reveal what it takes to win funding in a rapidly evolving landscape, as they place bets on the next wave of AI founders. Hear groundbreaking insights from leaders at visionary startups like Apptronik, [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/meet-the-minds-shaping-ai-techcrunch-disrupt-2025-ai-stage-revealed/

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Oct 27-29, will dive into whether building in Silicon Valley still gives founders an edge. Register now to save up to $625.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/do-startups-still-need-silicon-valley-hear-from-the-founders-and-funders-challenging-old-assumptions-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

The massive Las Vegas venue known as Sphere will be screening its first classic movie, "The Wizard of Oz," starting on August 28. And as detailed in a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, this isn't just a matter of taking the existing movie and projecting it on Sphere's 160,000-square-foot, wraparound LED screen.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/27/wizard-of-oz-blown-up-by-ai-for-giant-sphere-screen/

The preview of the AI Stage agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Two full days of discussions with the top AI minds. Register now to save up to $625.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/meet-the-minds-shaping-ai-techcrunch-disrupt-2025-ai-stage-revealed/

The letter states that allowing sales of the H20 AI chip to China could hurt the U.S.'s AI "edge" and further chip bottlenecks in the U.S.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/20-national-security-experts-urge-trump-administration-to-restrict-nvidia-h20-sales-to-china/

The deal for next-generation chips is a boon for Samsung. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/tesla-signs-16-5b-deal-with-samsung-to-make-ai-chips/

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/techcrunch-mobility-tesla-vs-gm-a-tale-of-two-earnings/

The company disclosed the data breach on Saturday in a legally required filing with Maine's attorney general but did not immediately provide a number of how many Allianz Life customers are affected. According to a spokesperson, Allianz Life has 1.4 million customers. Its parent company, Allianz, has more than 125 million customers worldwide.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/26/allianz-life-says-majority-of-customers-personal-data-stolen-in-cyberattack/

The letter states that allowing sales of the H20 AI chip to China could hurt the U.S.'s AI "edge" and worsen chip bottlenecks in the U.S.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/20-national-security-experts-urge-trump-administration-to-restrict-nvidia-h20-sales-to-china/

The feature will display a pop-up that informs consumers about the store's reputation for things like product quality, shopping, pricing, customer service, and returns.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/google-chrome-adds-ai-powered-store-summaries-to-help-u-s-shoppers/

Daniel Liss, co-founder of the social network Dispo and the dating app Teaser AI, is convinced he's onto the next big thing: steelmaking.ÿ It all started, incongruously, with a few op-eds he wrote for TechCrunch about anti-trust enforcement in social media. The commentaries apparently caught the attention of some folks in Washington D.C., Liss told [...]

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/why-dispos-co-founder-made-the-leap-from-social-media-to-steelmaking/

Daniel Liss, co-founder of the social network Dispo and the dating app Teaser AI, is convinced he's onto the next big thing: steelmaking. It all started a few op-eds he wrote for TechCrunch about anti-trust enforcement in social media.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/why-dispos-co-founder-made-the-leap-from-social-media-to-steelmaking/

Amazon published a lengthy rebuttal to a WSJ report that found that Amazon prices had increased since Trump announced tariff plans.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/amazon-disputes-report-that-it-raised-prices-of-popular-items-since-trump-took-office/

The top cybersecurity official in New York told TechCrunch in an interview that Trump's budget cuts are going to put the government at risk from cyberattacks, and will put more pressure on states to secure themselves.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/new-york-state-cyber-chief-calls-out-trump-for-cybersecurity-cuts/

The new rate limits will go into effect August 28 for subscribers to Anthropic's $20-per-month Pro plan, as well as its $100 and $200-per-month Max plans.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/anthropic-unveils-new-rate-limits-to-curb-claude-code-power-users/

Microsoft's Edge browser introduces an AI-powered "Copilot Mode" for smarter web browsing.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/microsoft-edge-is-now-an-ai-browser-with-launch-of-copilot-mode/

The assets of Convoy are now in the hands of DAT Freight & Analytics.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/flexport-sells-former-freight-unicorn-convoys-tech-two-years-after-buying-it/

The new rate limits will go into effect August 28 for subscribers to Anthropic's $20-per-month Pro plan, as well as its $100- and $200-per-month Max plans.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/anthropic-unveils-new-rate-limits-to-curb-claude-code-power-users/

The chatbot app, which is available in beta on iOS and Android, lets users access its AI model, Aristotle.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/harmonic-the-robinhood-ceos-ai-math-startup-launches-an-ai-chatbot-app/

Avis will handle general depot operations, including charging and maintaining the vehicles. Users will be able to hail a robotaxi through the Waymo app.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/waymo-taps-avis-to-manage-robotaxi-fleet-in-dallas/

The seed round for Julius AI was led by Bessemer Venture Partners.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/ai-data-analyst-startup-julius-nabs-10m-seed-round/

Julius is designed to act like a data scientist by analyzing and visualizing extensive datasets and then performing predictive modeling from natural language prompts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/28/ai-data-analyst-startup-julius-nabs-10m-seed-round/

LG Innotek, the components and materials subsidiary of South Korea's LG Group, has struck a manufacturing partnership with Aeva Technologies, a developer of 4D LiDAR sensing systems.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/aeva-strikes-lidar-chipmaking-deal-with-lg-subsidiary/

Calo acquired two meal kit companies in the UK and integrated their operations without laying off anyone.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/food-delivery-service-calo-scores-39-million-in-series-b-extension-as-it-sets-eyes-on-the-uk/

A security researcher went public after the sex toy maker asked for more than a year to fix the vulnerabilities, which leak users' private email addresses and allow for accounts to be hijacked.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/sex-toy-maker-lovense-caught-leaking-users-email-addresses-and-exposing-accounts-to-takeovers/

Delian Alliance Industries recently raised $14 million in funding to continue building its defense products, which include surveillance towers, and concealed sea drones.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/this-founder-left-silicon-valley-to-challenge-u-s-defense-supremacy-from-athens-and-investors-are-paying-attention/

You can now save tracks playing in TikTok videos directly to a playlist on YouTube Music.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/tiktok-adds-youtube-music-as-an-option-to-save-songs-playing-in-videos/

Adobe is adding an improved background removal tool to Photoshop using AI, so the app doesn't leave weird artifacts in your images.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/adobe-adds-new-ai-powered-image-editing-features-to-photoshop/

Golden Dome, the White House's next-gen missile defense system, is a huge opportunity for startups that can successfully collaborate with incumbents.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/golden-dome-may-not-be-the-golden-ticket-silicon-valley-is-hoping-for/

Nara Organics is a new organic, whole milk baby formula brand that's free from palm oil, soy, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and GMOs.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/fed-up-with-brands-that-use-corn-syrup-and-skim-milk-this-mother-developed-her-own-clean-baby-formula/

We're looking for curious, driven volunteers to join our team at Moscone West from October 27-29, and help power one of the most iconic startup events in the world.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/get-inside-disrupt-volunteer-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2025/

Microsoft is reportedly in advanced talks with OpenAI for a new agreement that would give it ongoing access to the startup's technology even if OpenAI achieves what it defines as AGI, or advanced general intelligence. If the deal goes through, it would clear a key hurdle in OpenAI's transition toward becoming a fully commercial enterprise.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/microsoft-in-talks-to-maintain-access-to-openais-tech-beyond-agi-milestone/

Jack Dorsey's Bitchat is now available on the App Store, but security researchers have questioned the app's privacy claims.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/jack-dorseys-bluetooth-messaging-app-bitchat-now-on-app-store/

Construction could start fast -- but that speed has edangered Boring Company workers in the past.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/elon-musks-boring-company-to-build-tesla-tunnels-under-nashville/

The telecom giant, one of the largest in the world with customers in Europe and Africa, said customers are experiencing ongoing disruption to its services due to an unspecified hack.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/telecom-giant-orange-warns-of-disruption-amid-ongoing-cyberattack/

The partnership will see LG Innotek manufacturing and supplying Aeva's Atlas Ultra 4D lidar sensor for automobiles, and eventually expanding the technology for use in consumer electronics, robotics, and industrial automation.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/aeva-strikes-lidar-chipmaking-deal-with-lg-subsidiary/

Delian Alliance Industries, founded by a former Apple engineer, just raised $14 million in funding to continue building its defense products, which include surveillance towers, and concealed sea drones, from Athens of all places.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/this-founder-left-silicon-valley-to-challenge-u-s-defense-supremacy-from-athens-and-investors-are-paying-attention/

Nara Organics is a new organic whole milk baby formula brand that's free from palm oil, soy, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and GMOs.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/fed-up-with-brands-that-use-corn-syrup-and-skim-milk-this-mother-developed-her-own-clean-baby-formula/

The tech giant is rolling out a new Canvas feature, the ability to get real-time help with Search Live, and the option to search what you see while browsing.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/googles-ai-mode-gets-new-canvas-feature-real-time-help-with-search-live-and-more/

YouTube is introducing age detection technology to identify teens on the platform in the U.S. and apply prtections.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/youtube-rolls-out-age-estimatation-tech-to-identify-u-s-teens-and-apply-additional-protections/

Dating safety app Tea experienced a second data breach in as many weeks, exposing over a million sensitive messages between users.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/tea-apps-data-breach-gets-much-worse-exposing-over-a-million-private-messages/

Delian Alliance Industries, founded by a former Apple engineer, just raised $14 million in funding to continue building its defense products, which include surveillance towers and concealed sea drones, from Athens of all places.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/this-founder-left-silicon-valley-to-challenge-u-s-defense-supremacy-from-athens-and-investors-are-paying-attention/

Adobe is rolling out a feature that lets you place an object in a scene, remove its background, and have Photoshop use Firefly models to adjust color, lighting, shadows, and visual tones to fit the object in the scene.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/adobe-adds-new-ai-powered-image-editing-features-to-photoshop/

YouTube is introducing age-detection technology to identify teens on the platform in the U.S. and apply protections.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/youtube-rolls-out-age-estimatation-tech-to-identify-u-s-teens-and-apply-additional-protections/

Spotify says AI will allow for "much more interactive" consumer experiences in its app.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/spotify-hints-at-a-more-chatty-voice-ai-interface-in-the-future/

OpenAI's Study Mode aims to help students develop their own critical thinking skills, rather than just giving answers.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/openai-launches-study-mode-in-chatgpt/

Google said it has "never built a backdoor" for its services, but refused to rule out that it had received a secret U.K. surveillance order demanding access to encrypted data.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/google-wont-say-if-uk-secretly-demanded-a-backdoor-for-user-data/

With this new capability, NotebookLM is taking a more visual approach to helping users understand different topics and ideas.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/googles-notebooklm-rolls-out-video-overviews/

Cash App's new feature lets users pool money with a group to pay for expenses like vacations and gifts.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/cash-app-users-can-now-pool-money-for-group-payments-even-with-non-users/

SOSV is investing in more than 25 plasma-related startups over the next five years.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/sosv-bets-plasma-will-change-everything-from-semiconductors-to-spacecraft/

The new round is being led by Iconiq Capital, with the possibility of a co-lead investor joining.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/anthropic-reportedly-nears-170b-valuation-with-potential-5b-round/

Construction could start fast - but that speed has endangered Boring Company workers in the past.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/elon-musks-boring-company-to-build-tesla-tunnels-under-nashville/

Google refused to tell a U.S. senator whether the company had received a secret U.K. surveillance order demanding access to encrypted data, similar to an order served on Apple earlier this year.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/google-says-uk-government-not-demanded-encryption-backdoor-for-its-users-data/

Both Luma and Runway have reportedly held conversations with self-driving car and robotics companies as they look toward the future.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/luma-and-runway-expect-robotics-to-eventually-be-a-big-revenue-driver-for-them/

Should this new fundraising deal close, it will double Groq's valuation in about nine months.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/nvidia-ai-chip-challenger-groq-said-to-be-nearing-new-fundraising-at-6b-valuation/

AI chip startup Groq is in talks to raise a fresh $600 million at a near $6 billion valuation, sources tell Bloomberg, although the deal isn't yet final and terms could change. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/nvidia-ai-chip-challenger-groq-said-to-be-nearing-new-fundraising-at-6b-valuation/

The Space Force is leveraging commercial competition for the next phase of its PTS program.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/space-force-bets-on-commercial-entrants-in-4b-satcom-contest/

The social network is bringing new parental controls to Family Pairing, its feature that allows parents to link their accounts with their teen's account to customize safety settings.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/tiktok-adds-new-parental-controls-tools-for-creators/

All U.S. TikTok users are able to view the notes that have been rated as helpful and submit their own ratings in return.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/tiktoks-crowdsourced-fact-checks-called-footnotes-launch-in-the-u-s/

Google confirmed it will sign the European Union's general purpose AI code of practice. Meta has already said it will not sign the voluntary framework.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/google-says-it-will-sign-eus-ai-code-of-practice/

Observe just raised a $156 million Series C round as the company looks to offer support for Apache Iceberg by the end of the year.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/observe-continues-to-adapt-to-the-changing-world-of-software-observability/

Israel-based eVTOL startup AIR has raised $23 million to scale production of both its piloted and uncrewed cargo aircraft, and enter the U.S.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/air-secures-23m-to-boost-u-s-expansion-and-evtol-innovation/

YouTube is tweaking its profanity-related rules to allow creators to monetize videos with swearing in them, provided the profanity is contained to the first seven seconds of the video.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/youtube-loosens-profanity-rules-for-monetized-videos/

People are downloading and spending money on Gen AI apps more than ever.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/gen-ai-apps-doubled-their-revenue-grew-to-1-7b-downloads-in-first-half-of-2025/

A marketing automation startup called Conversation has a founding story that sounds like it could have been an episode of the HBO show "Silicon Valley."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/how-2-uc-berkeley-dropouts-raised-28-million-for-their-ai-marketing-automation-startup/

Skechers launches kids' shoes with built-in AirTag holder.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/skechers-is-making-kids-shoes-with-a-hidden-airtag-compartment/

The social network announced on Wednesday that it's releasing a slew of new features, including enhanced parental controls, additional tools for creators, and a new interactive well-being feature.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/tiktok-adds-new-parental-controls-tools-for-creators/

By signing the EU's code of practice, AI companies would agree to follow a slate of guidelines, which include providing updated documentation about their AI tools and services; no training AI on pirated content; and complying with requests from content owners to not use their works in their datasets.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/google-says-it-will-sign-eus-ai-code-of-practice/

People are downloading and spending money on GenAI apps more than ever.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/gen-ai-apps-doubled-their-revenue-grew-to-1-7b-downloads-in-first-half-of-2025/

Gov. Tim Walz activated the state military's cyber forces to help ensure public services continue to run as the city of Saint Paul battles an ongoing cyberattack.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/minnesota-activates-national-guard-as-cyberattack-on-saint-paul-disrupts-public-services/

PlayerZero landed angel investors like Databricks' Matei Zaharia, Dropbox's Drew Houston, Figma's Dylan Field, and Vercel's Guillermo Rauch, its founder says.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/playerzero-raises-15m-to-prevent-ai-agents-from-shipping-buggy-code/

Still Bright is now loaded up with $18.7 million in seed money to build out its demonstration unit.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/how-a-new-jersey-startup-found-an-electrifying-way-to-slash-copper-costs/

Meta shared that it was working on Edits in January after ByteDance-owned CapCut was removed from U.S. app stores.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/a-guide-to-using-edits-metas-new-capcut-rival-for-short-form-video-editing/

In 2025, Ramp keeps raising money at increasing valuations as its CEO pursues an AI-powered future.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/ramp-hits-22-5b-valuation-just-45-days-after-reaching-16b/

Meta is shifting how it plans to ensure widespread access to superintelligence, a suggestion that the company's most advanced AI may remain closed so that Meta can stay in the driver's seat.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/zuckerberg-says-meta-likely-wont-open-source-all-of-its-superintelligence-ai-models/

The U.S. insurance giant tells state regulators that Social Security numbers were among the personal information stolen in its mid-July cyberattack.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/hackers-stole-social-security-numbers-during-allianz-life-cyberattack/

Germ's new app lets users send end-to-end encrypted messages on Bluesky. TechCrunch speaks with the Germ founders to hear why they came up with the idea.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/germ-brings-end-to-end-encrypted-messages-to-bluesky/

The cybersecurity giant is getting into identity security with its acquisition of CyberArk, which is one of the biggest cybersecurity deals of the year so far.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/palo-alto-networks-agrees-to-buy-cyberark-for-25-billion/

A marketing automation startup called Conversation has a founding story that sounds like it could have been an episode of the HBO show "Silicon Valley."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/how-2-uc-berkeley-dropouts-raised-28m-for-their-ai-marketing-automation-startup/

The efforts will focus on two areas: creating a framework for patients and providers to easily share information, and creating more personal tools so patients can access resources needed to stay informed about their health.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/big-tech-to-work-with-trump-administration-to-build-digital-health-ecosystem/

Skechers launches kids' shoes with a built-in AirTag holder.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/skechers-is-making-kids-shoes-with-a-hidden-airtag-compartment/

The developers are also required to submit proof that an authoritative third-party body has declared the app to be a "game of skill," the company proposed.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/google-proposes-to-open-play-store-to-more-real-money-games-in-india/

Overall, Meta estimated that over 3.4 billion people used one of its "family of apps."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/zuckerberg-ai-increased-the-time-spent-on-facebook-and-instagram-in-q2/

Meta is pouring money into the physical and technical infrastructure needed to scale its AI ambitions. The company said Wednesday in its second-quarter earnings report that it plans to more than double its spend on building AI infrastructure - like data centers and servers. 

"We currently expect 2025 capital expenditures, including principal payments on finance leases, to be in the range of $66-72 billion…up approximately $30 billion year-over-year at the midpoint," Meta said.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/meta-to-spend-up-to-72b-on-ai-infrastructure-in-2025-as-compute-arms-race-escalates/

Overall, Meta estimated that over 3.4 billion people used one of its "family of apps" on a daily basis.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/zuckerberg-ai-increased-the-time-spent-on-facebook-and-instagram-in-q2/

The lawsuits offer a closer look at the safety environment at SpaceX.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/spacex-faces-two-new-lawsuits-alleging-safety%e2%80%90related-retaliation/

Mark Zuckerberg really believes AI glasses will be the ideal way to blend the physical and digital worlds together.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/zuckerberg-says-people-without-ai-glasses-will-be-at-a-disadvantage-in-the-future/