meta Meta Updates Quest 2 With Social Horizon Home Feature Meta rolls out the Horizon Home update for Quest 2, allowing users to invite friends into their virtual living spaces. The new feature aims to simplify socializing in VR, though questions about user safety remain.
apple MIT Researchers Discover Unpatchable Hardware Flaw in Apple M1 Chips MIT researchers uncover a hardware vulnerability in Apple's M1 chips that they describe as unpatchable, though Apple downplays the immediate security risk. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the processor's final security defenses using a method called the Pacman attack.
twitter Twitter Grants Elon Musk Access to Firehose Data Amid Bot Dispute Twitter plans to hand over its complete "firehose" data stream to Elon Musk as he seeks information about bot accounts on the platform. This move comes as the billionaire attempts to scrutinize the company's user base before finalizing his $44 billion acquisition.
startups Software Startups Find Hidden Positives Amid 2022 Market Downturn Despite rising layoffs and slowing venture capital, the 2022 software startup market shows hidden resilience when compared to historical data.
apps App Economy Booms Ahead of Apple's WWDC 2022 Event The global app economy reaches record highs with $135 billion in consumer spending as Apple prepares for its annual developer conference. Developers eagerly anticipate iOS 16 updates, including redesigned lockscreens and new widget capabilities.
techcrunch Legendary Inventor Dean Kamen Headlines TC Sessions: Robotics in Boston TechCrunch announces prolific inventor Dean Kamen as the first guest speaker for TC Sessions: Robotics, returning to Boston on July 22. The event features in-depth discussions on robotics, AI, and automation with industry leaders.
artificial intelligence Massive Venture Capital Floods AI Startup Market as Mega-Rounds Multiply Global AI startups attract record-breaking venture capital in 2021, driven by a surge in mega-rounds worth $100 million or more. This immense funding wave pushes many artificial intelligence companies closer to public market debuts.
ai startups Surging Mega-Rounds Push AI Startups Closer to Public Markets Venture capitalists are pouring record capital into AI startups through massive funding rounds, accelerating the path to IPO for many companies.
facebook Facebook Whistleblower Haugen Clarifies Stance on End-to-End Encryption Frances Haugen tells UK lawmakers that a newspaper misrepresented her views on encryption, clarifying that she fully supports open-source e2ee but questions Facebook's closed implementation.
techcrunch TechCrunch Relaunches Membership Program as TechCrunch+ With Global Expansion TechCrunch renames its Extra Crunch membership to TechCrunch+ to reflect the essential nature of its startup coverage. The updated subscription service offers global access, new discounts, and expert founder insights.
techcrunch Cellino Wins TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 Startup Battlefield Cellino takes home the top prize at TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 with its automated stem cell production platform, beating out 19 other startups. Nth Cycle, a company turning battery waste into valuable minerals, earns the runner-up position.
techcrunch Five Startups Advance to TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 Battlefield Finals Twenty startups compete for a $100,000 prize, but only five advance to the final pitch stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2021. The finalists include innovators in blockchain, battery recycling, African fintech, and stem cell manufacturing.
apple Apple Sets iOS 15 Release Date for September 20 Apple reveals that iPhone users can download the free iOS 15 update starting September 20. The software brings a customizable Focus mode, a redesigned Safari, and on-device photo text scanning.
aleph alpha German Startup Aleph Alpha Raises $27M to Build Europe's Answer to OpenAI Heidelberg-based Aleph Alpha secures $27 million in Series A funding to develop GPT-3-like models with a focus on European data sovereignty and ethical AI standards.
amazon Amazon Unveils Largest Alexa Developer Toolkit to Reverse Skill Growth Decline Amazon releases its biggest set of Alexa developer tools to date in an effort to boost lagging third-party app creation and improve skill discovery. The updates include visual widgets for screen devices and new suggestion features for voice-only interactions.