From TechCrunch · 40 stories
OpenAI Enters Hardware Market with Screenless AI Smart Speaker
OpenAI plans to launch its first hardware device, a screenless smart speaker integrated with ChatGPT, to be released by 2027. This AI-powered speaker will feature a camera, sensors, and mechanical elements for movement, aiming to create a humanlike interaction experience. The device faces challenges due to legal disputes with Apple and a competitive market landscape for smart speakers.
X Money Launches in US with Apple Wallet Support for Premium Subscribers
X has officially launched X Money in the United States, moving the financial service beyond its invite-only beta. The service, available to Premium and Premium+ subscribers, includes a deposit account, peer-to-peer payments, a Visa debit card, and Apple Wallet support. This launch integrates banking features directly within the social media platform, aligning with Elon Musk's goal to transform X into an "everything app."
Disney Partners with TikTok to Bring Fan-Made Videos to Disney+ Verts
Disney has partnered with TikTok to allow creators to use clips from Disney's franchises, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, in their short-form videos. These fan-created videos will be featured on both TikTok and the Disney+ "Verts" short-form video feed, starting with a pilot program in the U.S. before expanding to other markets. This collaboration aims to integrate fan-made content into Disney's platforms and engage with a wider audience.
Texas Halts New Data Center Grid Connections for Audit Amid Power Demand Concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a moratorium on new data center approvals and grid connections through the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) until an audit is completed. This action affects over 1,800 projects, primarily data centers, representing 474 gigawatts of potential demand, which is five times the state's record peak demand and raises concerns about grid stability.
Tesla Reports Increased Revenue and Deliveries, but Lower-Than-Expected Profits in Q2
Tesla reported second-quarter revenues of $28.2 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, with vehicle deliveries up 25% to 480,126 units. Despite exceeding revenue expectations, net income rose only 5% to $1.11 billion, and earnings per share were 31 cents, below the 51 cents predicted by Wall Street, due to increased operating expenses and significant investments in AI and robotics.
Spotify Introduces AI-Powered Running Mode for Premium iOS Users
Spotify has launched a new Running Mode feature for Premium subscribers on iOS in select markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. This AI-powered mode curates music based on workout type, duration, beats per minute (BPM), and user preferences, and includes optional audio cues. The feature is available in the Fitness Hub and builds on Spotify's existing personalization capabilities, expanding its fitness offerings.
US Justice Department Prosecutes American for Using Duress Password to Wipe Phone at Border
The U.S. Justice Department is prosecuting an American citizen for allegedly using a "duress" password to wipe his phone's data during a border search, marking the first known case of its kind. This case raises questions about constitutional rights at the border and the legality of data destruction features in privacy-focused operating systems like GrapheneOS.
YouTube Premium to Include Peacock Premium for US Subscribers Starting Early 2027
YouTube Premium subscribers in the U.S. will gain access to Peacock Premium, the ad-supported streaming service, at no additional cost starting in early 2027. This multi-year agreement between NBCUniversal and YouTube integrates Peacock's content directly into the YouTube platform, expanding Peacock's distribution and adding a major entertainment service to YouTube Premium's offerings.
Coca-Cola's Fairlife Hits U.S. Production Halt Due to Anubis Ransomware Attack
A ransomware attack by the Anubis group has forced Coca-Cola's Fairlife to suspend U.S. production. Hackers claim they extracted 1 TB of data, threatening to release it unless a ransom is paid. The incident raises concerns about cybersecurity in the food and beverage sector.
Federal Court Halts $110 Billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
A judge issued a temporary restraining order on Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery following a lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general. The lawsuit cites antitrust concerns, predicting reduced competition in film distribution and cable licensing. This delay could cost Paramount significantly, impacting the media industry landscape.
Amazon Integrates Luna Game Streaming into Prime Video App on Fire TV Devices
Amazon has integrated its Luna cloud gaming service directly into the Prime Video app, making games accessible to Prime subscribers on Fire TV devices in the US and UK. This move allows users to play games alongside video content, aiming to broaden gaming accessibility and position Prime Video as a comprehensive entertainment platform.
Hacker Reveals AI Music Generator Suno Breached, Exposing Data Practices
A hacker breached AI music generator Suno, revealing it had scraped millions of songs from platforms like YouTube and Deezer for its training datasets. Exposed user data from over 55 million accounts highlights serious privacy and copyright violation concerns. This incident raises questions about the legality of Suno's dataset usage amidst ongoing lawsuits.
Cloudflare and Patreon Partner to Block Unauthorized AI Crawlers and Monetize Content
Cloudflare announced updates to their policies and tools, including blocking mixed-use AI crawlers by default from September 15, 2026, to help website owners manage AI traffic and monetize their content. Patreon has joined forces with Cloudflare to block AI crawlers from accessing creator content. The move aligns with industry shifts towards AI-dominated web traffic and aims to protect content owners' intellectual property.
WhatsApp Launches Username Feature for Enhanced User Privacy
WhatsApp has initiated a rollout of a username feature, allowing users to interact via usernames instead of phone numbers. This move is targeted at enhancing privacy for the platform's three billion users. However, there are concerns about potential impersonation risks, especially in large user markets like India.
Google Introduces Gemini Omni for AI-Powered Video Editing
Google launched the Gemini Omni model to enhance video editing with AI, allowing users to edit videos using text, image, and audio inputs. The feature debuts as the Video Remix tool in Google Photos and the Gemini Omni Flash model in apps like YouTube Shorts. This development simplifies video editing for both individual users and businesses, integrating AI further into Google's ecosystem.
OnePlus to Cease Operations in US, Europe Amidst Oppo Restructuring
OnePlus will stop launching new products in North America and Europe, as part of a restructuring initiative by its parent company, Oppo. The company will transition existing devices to Oppo's ColorOS for updates while maintaining support agreements. This move, triggered by declining demand and operational challenges, marks a significant change for OnePlus's presence in Western markets.
Google Rebrands NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook with Enhanced Features
Google has rebranded its AI research tool NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook, integrating it into its AI ecosystem and enhancing it with new capabilities including secure code execution for data analysis. The tool, used by 30 million individuals and over 600,000 organizations, will now allow for deeper integration with Google Search and AI-related applications. This change marks Google's alignment of its AI tools under the Gemini brand, expanding the functionality and versatility of the tool.
Microsoft Issues Record 570 Security Patches, Including Three Zero-Days
Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday included a record 570 security patches, with three zero-day vulnerabilities addressed. The increase is partly due to AI-assisted discovery, highlighting a trend in vulnerability identification and remediation.
Spotify Launches AI Chatbot for Interactive Music and Media Control
Spotify has introduced 'Talk to Spotify,' a beta AI chatbot feature for Premium users. Available in the US, Ireland, and Sweden, it allows users to interact with the app to create playlists and learn about songs, audiobooks, and podcasts using voice or text commands. This rollout is part of Spotify's ongoing strategy to enhance user engagement through personalized AI interactions.
Apple and Broadcom Sign $30 Billion U.S. Chip Manufacturing Deal
Apple has entered a $30 billion agreement with Broadcom to produce over 15 billion chips in the U.S. This deal, focusing on custom wireless components, marks Apple's largest manufacturing investment in domestic production to date, supporting Broadcom's facility expansion in Colorado.
Lyft to Pay $272.5 Million to Settle California Driver Misclassification Lawsuit
Lyft has agreed to a $272.5 million settlement in a lawsuit alleging it misclassified drivers as independent contractors in California. This settlement resolves claims from April 2016 to December 2020, a period before Proposition 22 reclassified app-based drivers as contractors, and allows Lyft to avoid further litigation.
Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank as initial partner
Apple Pay is launching in India with Axis Bank as its first banking partner, supporting Visa and Mastercard. The rollout is limited and faces challenges in a market dominated by UPI, which facilitates direct bank-to-bank payments.
Grok AI Reportedly Advised Trump on Venezuelan President's Capture
Elon Musk's Grok chatbot reportedly advised former President Trump on the potential public reaction to capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in December 2025. This interaction occurred prior to a U.S. invasion of Venezuela and Maduro's capture, and Grok's assessment of Maduro's unpopularity was later seen as accurate by Trump. The Pentagon's head of AI also stated that Gov Grok was used in military operations during the Iran War.
Fervo Energy's Cape Station becomes first enhanced geothermal plant to sell power to grid
Fervo Energy announced its Cape Station power plant began selling electricity to the grid on September 30, marking the first commercial operation for an enhanced geothermal company. This development provides a new, scalable energy source for industries like data centers, which require significant power capacity.
Waymo reveals details of custom computing hardware powering its robotaxis
Waymo has disclosed key details about the custom computing hardware, including its silicon chip, that powers its autonomous robotaxis. This revelation provides insight into the technology enabling Waymo's driverless operations, which currently involve 4,000 vehicles across more than 10 cities.
Tesla Opens First High-Volume Semi Truck Production Factory in Nevada
Tesla has opened its first factory for high-volume production of the heavy-duty electric Semi truck in Sparks, Nevada. This expansion into commercial trucking comes as Tesla faces increased competition in its EV business and as rising diesel costs create an opportunity for electric alternatives in the commercial sector.
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Placed on Paid Leave, Mark Davies Named Interim CEO
Automattic founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg was placed on a paid leave of absence by the company's board of directors. CFO Mark Davies has been appointed interim CEO, a decision Mullenweg stated was made without his consent and against his vote. This change in leadership affects Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, Tumblr, and Pocket Casts.
Adobe Integrates Photoshop, Firefly, and 70+ Creative Tools into Slack via MCP App
Adobe has launched a new MCP app for Slack, integrating over 70 creative and productivity tools, including Photoshop, Firefly, and Acrobat, directly into Slack. This integration allows users to access and utilize Adobe tools within Slack conversations, with Slackbot calling the appropriate tool based on user descriptions and conversation context. The feature is available for Slack Business+ and Enterprise+ teams, aiming to streamline creative workflows within communication platforms.
Anthropic Establishes Bio Research Lab for Physical Experiments in Bay Area
Anthropic has opened a biology research lab in the San Francisco Bay Area to conduct physical experiments, confirming its commitment to real-world lab work in conjunction with AI. This development indicates Anthropic's expansion into biological research beyond its existing drug discovery program, potentially leveraging AI to accelerate treatment development.
Disney Appoints Karandeep Anand as First CTO, Signaling Tech and AI Focus
Disney has appointed Karandeep Anand, former CEO of Character.AI, as its first Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, effective October 2. This new C-suite role reports directly to CEO Josh D'Amaro and will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data, AI platforms, product, and engineering. The appointment occurs despite Disney previously sending a cease and desist letter to Character.AI in September 2025 over alleged copyright infringement.
Revolut confirms customer data breach via fraudulent government agency requests
Revolut disclosed that an unauthorized third party obtained sensitive customer data by submitting fraudulent requests from a legitimate government agency email domain. The exposed information includes identity details, contact information, and potentially verification selfies, account statements, and transaction histories for a limited number of customers. This incident highlights vulnerabilities in data access protocols, even when dealing with seemingly legitimate government communications.
OpenAI's Astra AI model faces safety concerns over opaque internal processing
OpenAI's upcoming Astra AI model is raising concerns among researchers due to its use of a recurrent depth or looped transformer technique, which makes its internal reasoning less transparent than other frontier AI models. This opacity could make it harder to monitor for undesirable behaviors, despite OpenAI's stated efforts to implement additional safety protocols.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman States 2026 IPO Would Be 'Ill-Advised'
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the company will not go public in 2026, citing ongoing AI safety discussions and the need for the business to be ready. This clarifies previous reports that suggested a 2026 IPO was a possibility, with Altman indicating a later public offering when societal conditions and the company's readiness align.
Trezor Discloses ShipMonk Breach Exposed Data of 67,000 U.S. Customers
Hardware wallet manufacturer Trezor announced that 67,000 U.S. customers had their personal data exposed due to a breach at its shipping provider, ShipMonk. This incident is significant because it adds to previously disclosed exposures and highlights the risks associated with third-party data handling, even after assurances of data deletion.
Snapchat Introduces "Snapchat Plans" for In-App Event Planning
Snapchat has launched "Snapchat Plans," a new suite of features enabling users to create, share, and manage real-world events directly within the app. Users can invite up to 200 friends, track RSVPs, and view event details, with invitations delivered via one-on-one chats. This update formalizes event planning, a behavior already common among over a third of its core users who use group chats for organizing meet-ups.
Apple May Launch Camera-Equipped AirPods This Fall, Codenamed B790
Apple may release a version of camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790, as early as next month, according to references found in iOS 27 code and internal roadmaps. This potential release precedes another rumored variant, B798, which is anticipated in 2027. The cameras could expand health features, including vision assistance for blind and low-vision users when combined with Apple's AI-powered VoiceOver.
Craneware Reports Data Breach Affecting US Hospitals and Pharmacies
Craneware, a UK-based software provider for over 2,000 US hospitals, reported a data breach involving employee and customer information. The breach resulted in the theft of significant data, impacting hospitals' billing and patient management services. The incident has been contained, with investigations ongoing.
Phil Schiller Steps Down from App Store and Apple Events Leadership
Longtime Apple executive Phil Schiller has stepped down from his leadership roles for the App Store and Apple events. The App Store division will now be overseen by Eddy Cue's services team, while Nola Weinstein will lead Apple events. Schiller will retain his title as Apple Fellow and work on unspecified initiatives.
Instagram to demote unlabeled AI-generated profiles, renames "AI creator" label
Instagram is implementing new rules for profiles featuring AI-generated personas, requiring them to use a new "AI-generated profile" label. Accounts that fail to self-label will have their reach limited, meaning their content will not be recommended to non-followers in Reels and Explore. This change addresses user feedback regarding misleading AI content and aims to increase transparency on the platform.
Uber lays off 3,300 employees, 10% of global staff, to streamline operations
Uber is laying off approximately 3,300 employees, representing 10% of its global workforce, as part of a restructuring effort to reduce management layers and focus investments on ride-sharing, delivery, and robotaxi divisions. This move aims to simplify the company's structure, which CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated had become overly complex due to growth.