tech
techSatya Nadella cautions firms against reliance on proprietary AI models
Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warned businesses in a blog post that using closed‑source AI systems such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s GPT could expose them to hidden risks, urging a shift toward transparent, auditable models.
techGoogle Pixel 11 Expected to Arrive in Bold New Colors
Leaks suggest the upcoming Pixel 11 will be offered in bright pink, pistachio green and midnight black, while the Pixel 11 Pro may add pastel purple and frosty blue options.
techApple Watch gets a major AI boost as Siri gains generative capabilities in watchOS 27
Apple’s upcoming watchOS 27 introduces a generative‑AI version of Siri that lets the watch act more like a tiny computer, handling complex queries, multi‑step tasks and contextual suggestions beyond simple timers.
techFormer Apple Engineer Allegedly Used Rare Bug to Exfiltrate Data After Joining OpenAI
Apple says a former staff member exploited an unusual software flaw to copy confidential files weeks after leaving for OpenAI, raising concerns about insider threats and post‑employment access controls.
techDozen States Sue to Block $110 Billion Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Twelve state attorneys general have filed a federal antitrust lawsuit aiming to stop the proposed merger of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning it could raise movie ticket prices and marginalise cable distributors.
techFormer TV Time Founder Launches Bingers to Preserve TV‑Show Community
After shutting down the popular TV‑tracking service TV Time, its creator is introducing Bingers, an app that will let users import their viewing histories and keep the discussion groups that grew around favorite series alive.
techSpaceX Granted Permission for Starship Return Flight After May Booster Failure
The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared SpaceX to launch its Starship test vehicle again, marking the first public‑company‑backed flight since a booster exploded in May. The decision puts the company’s rapid‑iterate development model back in the spotlight.
techLAPD Ends Surveillance Deal with Flock Over Civil Liberty Concerns
The Los Angeles Police Department has let its contract with surveillance firm Flock expire, citing serious worries about privacy and civil liberties after a series of public and legal challenges.
techLorde Criticises AI-Enabled Smart Glasses During Madrid Festival Set
New Zealand singer Lorde took a moment during her Real Cool Festival performance in Madrid to denounce AI-powered eyewear, implicitly targeting the Ray‑Ban‑Meta collaboration.
techRobotaxi Industry Faces Critical Deadline as Regulators Push for Safety Standards
The latest round of regulatory notices has given autonomous ride‑hailing firms a tight window to prove their safety protocols, prompting a scramble across the sector.
techHow the Indie Game 'Blue Prince' Turned Into a Family Bonding Ritual
A father recounts how playing the puzzle‑adventure Blue Prince with his wife and son on weekends reshaped their family dynamics, turning screen time into collaborative learning and creativity.
techReed Jobs Leads Yosemite Biotech Into AI-Driven Cancer Therapy Era
Yosemite Ventures, founded by Reed Jobs, has rapidly scaled into a major biotech force, leveraging AI to accelerate cancer drug development amid a wave of expiring patents and renewed investor interest.
techCold Remedy for Hot New York: Ninja Slushi Twist Survives the City's Heatwave
During last weekend’s record‑breaking heat in New York City, the Ninja Slushi Twist slushie maker proved to be an unexpected hero, keeping residents cool when outdoor temperatures spiked and crowds flooded convenience stores. The portable appliance builds on Ninja’s popular “Slushi” concept, offering a quick way to craft frozen drinks at home. TechCrunch tested the machine during the sweltering swath that visited the city.
techCISA Admits It Built Its Cyber Incident Playbook Mid-Crisis Amid Major Government Breach
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency acknowledged it lacked a pre-established response plan during a major cyber incident, forcing officials to improvise a playbook in real time.
techPhia Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Cookie Stuffing Practices, Sparking Industry Reckoning
The shopping platform founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni faces serious allegations of manipulating affiliate marketing mechanisms to claim commissions on sales it did not facilitate, according to a Bloomberg report.
techCollege App Startup Fizz Sues Venture Capital Firm, Accuses It of Giving Secrets to Competitor Sidechat
Fizz, the college‑app startup, has expanded a lawsuit alleging that Maveron, a venture capital firm, disclosed proprietary information from a fundraising meeting to rival Sidechat, potentially violating nondisclosure agreements and competitive norms.
techDisney+ Mulls Introducing a Free Tier to Counter Free Streaming Rivals
Disney+ is reportedly exploring a free, ad‑supported tier that could broaden its audience and challenge platforms such as YouTube and Tubi, which are gaining viewership.
techOpenAI Names GPT‑5.6 the Preferred Model for Microsoft Copilot Amid Split Rumors
OpenAI has announced that its GPT‑5.6 model will become the default engine powering Microsoft’s Copilot suite, silencing speculation about a potential separation between the partners. The move affirms a firm partnership and lays out a clear migration path for enterprises using Copilot across its productivity tools.
techTwo New ETFs Launch Excluding Elon Musk-Linked Companies Amid Investor Demand for Ethical Diversification
Two newly launched exchange-traded funds are designed to exclude all companies founded, controlled, or led by Elon Musk—including Tesla and SpaceX—reflecting a growing trend of values-based investing.
techTruecaller and India's Telecom Regulator Spar Over New Anti‑Spam Measures
Truecaller says its users are increasingly ignoring calls from the government‑assigned business number series, prompting a dispute with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India over proposed anti‑spam rules.
techJudge Greenlights Elon Musk's $1.5 Million Settlement with the SEC Amid Ongoing Concerns
A federal judge has approved Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, ending a high‑profile dispute over his disclosure of a growing stake in X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
techGoogle's AI Tool Exposes AI‑Created Mitch McConnell Hoax Image
An AI‑generated picture of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in a hospital bed was quickly debunked by Google's deep‑fake detection system, highlighting the growing role of technology in combating misinformation.
techWhy a Gaming CEO Believes Video Games Offer Superior Training Data for AI over the Open Web
The founder of General Intuition argues that interactive game environments provide richer spatial‑temporal cues than text‑only internet data, a claim that could reshape how large language models are taught to perceive the world.
techNetflix Tests Short‑Form Video With New Publisher Partnerships
Netflix is expanding its content library to include 2‑ to 20‑minute videos, partnering with major digital publishers such as Rolling Stone and Variety to offer fresh, bite‑size programming directly within the streaming platform.
techNetflix's Binge Model Faces Fresh Challenge as Viewers Skip Season Two
A recent analysis shows Netflix subscribers are less likely to continue watching series beyond the first season, raising questions about the sustainability of the binge‑watching model that the streamer popularised.
techAI‑Assisted Ransomware Attack Shows Human Hand Still Needed
For the first time an artificial‑intelligence agent performed the technical steps of a ransomware breach, but investigators say a person still selected the target, built the infrastructure and supplied stolen credentials, disproving claims of a fully autonomous cyber‑crime.
techHoto PixelDrive Cordless Screwdriver Hits $60 on Amazon, Matching All‑Time Low
The PixelDrive, Hoto’s battery‑powered screwdriver, is now $59.99 on Amazon, equal to its lowest price since launch. With 6 Nm torque, a pixelated display and a set of 30 bits, it aims to simplify furniture assembly and light repairs.
techVercel CEO Guillermo Rauch Discusses Decoupling AI Models from Agents for Better Performance
In an interview with TechCrunch, Vercel’s founder Guillermo Rauch explained why the company is working to separate AI models from the agents that call them, citing cost efficiency and scalability as the main drivers.
techTech Giants Cite AI as Primary Reason Behind Massive 2026 Layoffs
A detailed look at the major technology firms that have announced large-scale layoffs in 2026, each attributing a significant portion of job cuts to artificial intelligence-driven restructuring.
techBookshop.org Confirms Kobo E‑Reader Integration Will Arrive Later This Year
The independent bookseller platform Bookshop.org says it has finalized terms with Kobo and will roll out support for Kobo devices before the end of 2026, ending months of speculation about the partnership.
techMicrosoft Announces Layoffs of Nearly 5,000 Staff, Primarily Affecting Xbox and Commercial Sales
Microsoft confirmed it will cut about 4,800 positions worldwide, representing 2.1% of its total workforce. The reductions target Xbox gaming operations and the company's commercial sales segment, fueling ongoing debate about AI‑driven job displacement.
techCanadian Signals Intelligence Agency Reveals Offensive Cyber Operations Against Criminal and Extremist Networks in 2025
Canada's national signals intelligence service disclosed in its annual report that it penetrated drug trafficking groups, extremist cells and a ransomware syndicate during 2025, highlighting a shift toward proactive cyber‑warfare to protect domestic security and allied interests.
techAgility Robotics to Go Public via SPAC, CEO Stresses Practical Roadmap Over Home Robot Hype
Humanoid robot maker Agility Robotics announced a merger with a special purpose acquisition company to list on the Nasdaq, but its chief executive says the firm will focus on industrial use‑cases and reliable execution rather than racing to consumer homes.
techWealthy Families Turn to AI‑Powered Schools as Alternative to Traditional Education
A growing number of affluent parents are enrolling their children in private, AI‑driven learning programs that charge tens of thousands of dollars, positioning students as beta testers for next‑generation tutoring technology.
techUber’s Planned Rollout in Five European Countries Paused Amid Regulatory and Market Hurdles
Uber announced in February that it would enter seven new European markets by 2026, but five of those expansions are now on hold as the company confronts licensing delays, driver‑union protests and shifting local regulations.
techTrump-branded memecoin leaves investors $3.8 billion in the red, data shows
An investigation reveals that almost one million people have collectively lost $3.8 billion after buying the $TRUMP token, while former President Donald Trump is reported to have earned $636 million from the venture.