From TechCrunch · 40 stories
London's King's Cross Transforms into a Global AI Hub
King's Cross in London has become a prominent global AI hub, attracting numerous AI startups and major tech companies like Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Meta. This transformation is driven by the concentration of AI talent and companies in the area, making it a key location for AI development and investment.
Uber expands autonomous vehicle involvement through over 30 partnerships and investments
Uber has re-engaged with the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector by forming partnerships and making investments in over 30 AV companies globally in the last two years, after divesting its internal AV unit in 2020. This shift indicates Uber's strategy to participate in the AV market through external collaborations rather than in-house development, impacting the future of ride-hailing and logistics.
Research Links VC Funding and Market Conditions to Increased Startup Fraud
New reports from Imperial College, Emlyon Business School, and the University of Toronto indicate that venture-backed startups are more prone to fraud, especially those launched during overheated markets with weak oversight. This research suggests that investor expectations for high growth contribute to founders engaging in deceptive practices.
GM and Ford Reduce Discussion of Electric Vehicles in Earnings Calls
General Motors and Ford are discussing electric vehicles less frequently in their quarterly earnings calls compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis by TechCrunch and Hudson Labs. This shift reflects altered or delayed EV plans and a broader focus on other growth areas like software and autonomous technology.
Entertainment Apps Are Merging into Universal Platforms Driven by AI
Major entertainment apps are evolving into universal platforms due to market maturity, creator versatility, and AI capabilities. This trend aims to maximize user engagement by offering diverse content, increasing revenue opportunities for companies.
Netflix faces decline in viewer retention as competition from TikTok and YouTube rises
A Bloomberg report indicates Netflix is experiencing a drop in viewer retention for popular shows, with many abandoning series before their second seasons. Factors include frequent cancellations and competition from the rising popularity of short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube, which could shift viewing habits away from binge-watching models.
Apple sets 9 PM PT cutoff for iPhone 18 Pro pre-order 'Get Ready' selections
Apple has set a 9 PM PT deadline on Friday, September 11, for customers to use the 'Get Ready' feature to pre-select iPhone 18 Pro options. This allows for a faster pre-order process when sales officially open on Saturday, September 12, at 8 AM ET / 5 AM PT.
MyMonthlyCar Launches Platform for Dealerships to Offer Monthly Used Car Rentals
MyMonthlyCar, a new startup, has launched an online platform connecting car dealerships with customers for month-to-month used car rentals. The platform aims to generate revenue from idle dealership inventory and provide flexible rental options to consumers.
Amazon Redesigns Kindle Lineup with Flush-Front Display and Thinner, Lighter Bodies
Amazon has redesigned its Kindle e-readers, removing the raised bezel for a flush-front display and making devices thinner and lighter. This change aims to create a more seamless look and improve portability, while new capacitive touch technology prevents accidental screen interactions.
Legato launches AI-powered hearing glasses, Legato Frames, for purchase starting at $999
Legato, a hearing tech startup, has launched its AI-based hearing glasses, Legato Frames, for purchase. These glasses integrate hearing assistance technology into eyewear frames, aiming to provide a more accessible alternative to traditional hearing aids for individuals with up to moderate hearing loss.
Larry Ellison Adopts Trading Plan to Sell Up to $7.5 Billion in Oracle Stock
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has initiated a trading plan to sell up to 50 million shares of Oracle stock, valued at $7.5 billion, between June 22 and October 24. This move is unusual for Ellison, who has historically retained a large stake in the company and has not sold more than 25,000 shares at any given time this century.
Tesla to unveil second-generation Roadster on October 1
Tesla announced it will unveil the second-generation Roadster on October 1, nearly seven years after its initial announcement. The new design may include optional cold gas thrusters developed by SpaceX, though production is still 12-18 months away.
Instagram now allows users to add tagged photos directly to their main profile grid
Instagram has introduced a new feature enabling users to display tagged photos on their main profile grid, in addition to the existing 'Tagged' tab. This update provides users with more control over the content visible on their primary profile, allowing for curated presentation of collaborations, group photos, or other preferred posts.
Climbers Rescued After Google Gemini Provided Inaccurate Mount Shasta Trek Information
A group of climbers required rescue from Mount Shasta after Google's Gemini chatbot provided incorrect information regarding the climb's duration and necessary provisions. Gemini advised an eight-hour trek and specific dietary recommendations, leading the climbers to be ill-prepared for the actual 16-hour ascent and subsequent descent in the dark. This incident highlights the risks of relying solely on AI for planning activities with physical danger.
TikTok introduces voice comments, polls, and enhanced photo comments to deepen user engagement
TikTok is rolling out new comment features including voice comments, comment polls, and expanded photo options. These additions aim to increase interaction within the platform's comment sections.
Amazon Alexa for Shopping adds 'Update Me When' feature for personalized purchase alerts
Amazon has launched a new "Update Me When" feature for its Alexa for Shopping AI assistant, which sends personalized notifications to users about new products, content releases, or events that might lead to a purchase. This expands Alexa's role from answering direct product questions to proactively anticipating potential shopping interests, indicating a shift in Amazon's AI strategy for retail.
Kalshi Issues First Lifetime Ban to George Santos Over Insider Trading Investigation
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, issued its first lifetime ban to former congressman George Santos and imposed a $71,356 penalty for alleged insider trading and non-cooperation with an investigation. This action follows a CFTC settlement with Santos regarding the same alleged insider trading activities, where he paid over $35,000 and received a three-year trading ban.
Brave Browser Adds Email Alias Feature for Enhanced User Privacy
Brave browser has introduced an email alias feature, allowing users to sign up for online services without revealing their primary email addresses. This feature aims to protect user privacy by preventing email-based tracking and reducing exposure in data breaches.
Bluesky introduces algorithmic opt-out to prevent posts from appearing in Discover feed
Bluesky has added an algorithmic opt-out feature, allowing users to prevent their public posts from appearing in the app's main Discover feed. This change enables users to post for their followers without broader algorithmic distribution, addressing user preferences for less visibility.
Graze joins Flipboard to advance open social web initiatives
Graze, a company focused on building tools for personalized social algorithms, has joined Flipboard. This move aims to accelerate their work on the open social web and integrate their technology with Flipboard's existing platform.
Bluesky Increases Video Upload Limit to 10 Minutes and 300MB File Size
Bluesky has increased its video upload limit from three minutes to ten minutes and raised the maximum file size to 300MB. This update also includes 2x-3x faster upload speeds and extends longer video support to other applications built on the AT Protocol, such as Bluescreen, Reelo, and Skylight.
Pebble Time 2 Smartwatch Relaunches with E-Paper Screen and Long Battery Life
The Pebble Time 2 smartwatch has been relaunched by its original founder, featuring a $225 price point, a color e-paper screen, and a 21-day battery life. This refresh emphasizes a casual design and community-driven software, differentiating it from other smartwatches.
Tesla discontinues Solar Roof tiles, citing financial unviability
Tesla has discontinued its Solar Roof product, which integrated solar panels into roofing tiles, according to reports from Electrek. The company has reportedly concluded that the product is not financially viable, and its website has removed all references to Solar Roof, redirecting its dedicated page to general solar panels. This discontinuation impacts customers interested in integrated solar roofing solutions from Tesla.
Spotify Introduces Playlist Notes for Songs, Podcasts, and Audiobooks
Spotify has launched "Playlist Notes," allowing users to add contextual notes to individual songs, podcast episodes, and audiobooks within their playlists. This feature expands on the previously released "User Notes" and is also being adopted by Spotify's editorial teams to explain their content selections on major playlists.
Overcast Creator Marco Arment Releases Unforgetful, a New Task Management App
Marco Arment, developer of the Overcast podcast app, launched Unforgetful, a new task management application for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The app integrates with Apple Reminders data to provide persistent notifications and flexible snoozing options, addressing limitations in the native Reminders app.
FlightAware Drops Lawsuit Against Kalshi Over Flight Cancellation Prediction Markets
Flight tracking service FlightAware filed and then withdrew a lawsuit against prediction market platform Kalshi within one day. The lawsuit alleged Kalshi used FlightAware's data and branding without authorization for flight cancellation betting markets, but the case was voluntarily dismissed "without prejudice against all defendants."
Apple Arcade Adds Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ on September 3
Apple Arcade is expanding its game catalog with the addition of two new puzzle games, Block Blast!+ and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, both launching on September 3. Block Blast!+, an ad-free version of the popular mobile game with over 725 million lifetime installs, and Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, a 2025 App Store Award winner, will be available to subscribers.
TV Time Co-Founder Launches Bingers App to Replace Shut Down TV Tracking Service
Antonio Pinto, a co-founder of the defunct TV Time app, has launched Bingers, a new application for tracking TV shows and movies. Bingers aims to fill the void left by TV Time's closure, which occurred when its owner, Whip Media, shifted focus to AI efforts, and emphasizes community features, allowing former TV Time users to import their data.
OpenAI's First Influencer Trip Draws Backlash Over AI's Environmental Impact
OpenAI hosted its inaugural influencer brand trip, dubbed "Summer Club," at a luxury retreat in upstate New York, which led to online criticism. Influencers posted content from the event, but comments highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of AI data centers and other ethical issues.
YouTuber Hank Green Apologizes for AI Chatbot Use in Video Production
YouTuber Hank Green apologized to his audience for using AI chatbots, specifically ChatGPT, for research in his video production, describing the usage as "not healthy." The incident led to criticism regarding authenticity and prompted Green to announce a reduction in his video output.
Snapchat Introduces "Now Playing" Feature for Real-Time Music Sharing on Snap Map
Snapchat has launched a new feature called "Now Playing" within Snap Map, allowing users to share the music they are currently listening to from streaming services, starting with Spotify. This integration enables friends to see each other's real-time listening activity and interact with the music directly within the app, expanding music discovery on the platform.
Midjourney acquires astrology app Co-Star
Midjourney, known for its AI image and video generators, has acquired the social astrology application Co-Star. This acquisition expands Midjourney's product portfolio beyond its core AI offerings and into consumer applications.
Meta Tests StoryKit AI App for Creating Personalized Children's Stories in Mexico
Meta is testing a new AI-powered iPhone app named StoryKit that generates personalized children's stories. Available only in Mexico, the app allows users to customize characters, settings, and lessons, and outputs stories as picture books, audiobooks, and PDFs. This regional test reflects Meta's growing exploration into AI-driven storytelling applications.
Meta Rolls Out Parental Supervision Tools for Threads
Meta introduces new parental supervision tools for the social media platform Threads, allowing parents to manage their teen's usage and screen time. This development is part of Meta's effort to comply with regulatory pressures and enhance user safety, especially for younger users. The tools include time limits, sleep modes, and content restrictions, available via the Family Center hub.
Instagram Adds Feature to Replace Music in Existing Posts
Instagram now allows users to swap out music in their existing feed posts and carousels without losing engagement metrics. This new feature aims to provide creators with more flexibility to align their content with current trends or personal preferences.
Director Chris Fall Resigns From AI Standards Agency After Three Months
Chris Fall has resigned as director of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, three months after his appointment. His resignation creates leadership uncertainty in U.S. AI policy as China's AI developments progress.
Christopher Nolan Criticizes AI's Role in Creative Industries
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan criticizes AI, likening it to a Trojan horse with hidden dangers in creative sectors. Highlighting skepticism from younger audiences, Nolan argues this resistance is crucial for understanding and responsibly managing AI's impact.
2026 EVs Vary in Range Despite Improving Charging Infrastructure
Research indicates that several 2026 electric vehicles will have ranges under 250 miles, with the Fiat 500e being the lowest at 149 miles. Concurrently, recent experiences on a 600-mile road trip suggest significant enhancements in EV charging infrastructure. This split is crucial for buyers to consider both range and charging availability when selecting an EV.
Toni Schneider Becomes Permanent CEO of Bluesky
Toni Schneider has been appointed the permanent CEO of Bluesky after serving as interim CEO for four months. He plans to focus on fostering smaller, private community spaces to enhance user engagement and develop decentralized public conversation technologies. This leadership change aims to drive Bluesky's mission forward following Jay Graber's transition to Chief Innovation Officer in March.
Slate EV Partners with Crayola for Customizable Colorful Truck Wraps
Slate EV has collaborated with Crayola to offer truck wraps in five iconic Crayola colors: Cerulean, Dandelion, Fern, Razzmatazz, and Jersey Tomato. This initiative enhances customization for its electric trucks, encouraging individual expression among buyers. The wraps are part of Slate's customizable offerings, aligning with its strategy to allow buyers to personalize their vehicles.