From TechCrunch · 40 stories
Apple Intelligence Secures Chinese Market Entry with Alibaba's AI Integration
Apple has secured regulatory approval in China for its generative AI service, Apple Intelligence, by integrating local AI models from Alibaba and Baidu. The collaboration facilitates compliance with Chinese laws and advances Apple's expansion in a major market. This has implications for Apple's presence in China, a key growth region.
Inkling: Thinking Machines Releases Open-Weights Multimodal AI Model
Thinking Machines Lab has released Inkling, a multimodal AI model with approximately 1 trillion parameters. This open-weight model supports text, audio, and images, and features a mixture-of-experts design for efficiency. Its compatibility with a variety of inputs and adaptability through customization has positioned it as a flexible solution for enterprises and developers.
US Charges Russians for Operating 'Bulletproof' Hosting Services Linked to $62M in Cybercrime Losses
U.S. prosecutors have unsealed charges against three Russian nationals linked to bulletproof hosting providers Media Land and ML.Cloud. The Russians allegedly supported ransomware attacks through these services, causing over $62 million in damages. A $10 million reward is offered for information leading to their arrests.
Alibaba Bans Anthropic's AI Tools Amid Espionage Allegations
Alibaba has banned Anthropic's AI tools, including Claude Code, for employees. The ban, effective July 10, follows Anthropic's accusation of a distillation attempt by Alibaba. This highlights rising tensions between U.S. and Chinese tech industries over AI technology and access.
Former EU Parliament Member Hacked with Pegasus While Investigating Spyware
Stelios Kouloglou, a former European Parliament member, was targeted with Pegasus spyware during his work on the PEGA Committee, which investigated commercial spyware misuse. The hack occurred as the committee prepared recommendations on regulating spyware. This incident underscores concerns about government surveillance practices in the EU.
Google Launches Faster AI Models for Image and Video: Nano Banana 2 Lite and Gemini Omni Flash
Google announced the launch of Nano Banana 2 Lite and Gemini Omni Flash, models designed to enhance multimedia processing efficiency. Nano Banana 2 Lite focuses on low-cost, fast image generation, while Omni Flash offers advanced video generation and editing. Available across Google platforms, these models aim to streamline creative workflows for developers and businesses using AI-generated content.
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.
Study identifies specific linguistic tells in AI-generated text from Claude and GPT models
A study by Graphite analyzed AI writing habits, identifying over 13,000 phrases used significantly more often by AI models than humans. The research found that Claude models are converging with human word distribution, while GPT models are diverging, with each model exhibiting unique linguistic patterns.
Shopify Launches Canvas AI Site Builder for E-commerce Stores
Shopify introduced Canvas, a new AI-powered tool that allows merchants to build and customize their online stores by chatting with the AI agent Sidekick. This development simplifies store creation by enabling real-time visual updates through conversational commands, reducing the need for manual coding or developer intervention. It matters because it represents a shift towards AI-driven no-code website development, making e-commerce store setup more accessible and efficient for merchants.
Fitbit Air Launches in India for ₹13,999, Includes Google Health Premium Trial
Google is launching the Fitbit Air fitness tracker in India on October 2 for ₹13,999. The device, which is screen-less, will be available in four colorways and includes a three-month trial of Google Health Premium. This launch expands the Fitbit Air's availability to the Indian market following its global release earlier this year.
Analyst Predicts John Ternus as Apple CEO Could Lead to Larger Acquisitions and New Products
Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan suggests that John Ternus, expected to become Apple's CEO on September 1, may pursue bigger acquisitions and expand into new product categories. This shift would represent a more risk-tolerant strategy compared to current CEO Tim Cook's approach, potentially impacting Apple's future market direction and product portfolio.
Apple Reportedly Developing Screenless Fitness Tracker Similar to Whoop
Apple is reportedly developing prototypes for a screenless health and fitness tracker, similar to devices from Whoop and Oura Ring. The device, which features a thin fabric band and a sensor-equipped computing module, is in the "technology investigation" phase and would not be released before 2028 if the project proceeds. This initiative aims to expand Apple's health tracking offerings beyond the Apple Watch to cater to users who prefer dedicated fitness devices.
Photon Raises $4.5M Seed Funding to Develop Messaging Agent Tools
AI startup Photon secured $4.5 million in seed funding to expand its platform for building agents that operate within messaging applications like iMessage and WhatsApp. The company grew its revenue tenfold in four months and signed up over 40,000 developers, indicating a shift towards agent-based interactions over traditional mobile apps.
Suno Releases v6 AI Music Models, Collaborating with Warner and BMG for Training Data
Suno has launched its new v6 family of AI music models, which were trained with assistance from Warner and BMG, marking the company's first formal partnership with music labels for model development. This release introduces new capabilities for AI music generation, including faster processing, advanced editing, and multi-modal understanding, impacting how users can create and manipulate AI-generated audio.
Eight Sleep Launches Pod 6 Smart Sleep System with Smaller Hub and Enhanced Biometrics
Eight Sleep has released its new Pod 6 intelligent sleep system, featuring a redesigned cooling hub that is half the size of previous versions and 20% faster at temperature adjustments. The system includes 18 biometric sensors, an increase from the Pod 5's two, to track health metrics without wearables. The Pod 6 is available in standard and a new Solo option, with prices starting at $1,999.
King Charles III Hosts AI Safety Summit with Tech Leaders and UK Officials
King Charles III convened a summit at Dumfries House in Scotland with leaders from Nvidia, OpenAI, and Anthropic, along with UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan and other officials. The discussions focused on establishing shared principles for AI development, harnessing AI for societal benefit, and addressing the "existential dangers" of the technology if it falls into the wrong hands.
Roku Launches Experimental App Program, Expands Home Screen Redesign, and Open-Sources Remote OS
Roku introduced Roku Labs, a new program allowing users to access experimental apps directly from their home screen, initially featuring apps for weather, stocks, and a game. Concurrently, Roku is expanding its redesigned home screen to Mexico and Brazil, adding subscription bundling options, and open-sourcing LT OS, the operating system for its remotes and smart home products. These updates aim to provide users with new features and offer developers access to the remote's underlying software.
Android Introduces System-Level Password and Passkey Transfer Between Managers
Google has launched a new system-level feature on Android that enables direct and secure transfer of passwords and passkeys between different password manager applications. This update eliminates the need for insecure CSV file exports and manual recreation of passkeys, simplifying the migration process for users on devices running Android 8 or above. The feature is currently supported by Google's own password manager, Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane.
Chrome moves to bi-weekly update schedule for faster security and feature delivery
Google Chrome has transitioned from a four-week to a two-week release cycle, starting with Chrome 153, to enhance security patch delivery and accelerate feature deployment. This change addresses the increased volume of security vulnerabilities and the need for quicker responses to evolving threats, partly driven by AI advancements.
X issues cease-and-desist letters to Nitter, an open-source X content viewer
X has sent cease-and-desist letters to the open-source project Nitter, demanding the shutdown of its instances and repository due to alleged unlawful scraping and API circumvention. This legal action follows previous technical attempts by X to disable Nitter, which allowed users to view X posts without ads or tracking. The Nitter.net instance is now offline, and development has ceased as the creator seeks legal advice, impacting users who relied on the service for ad-free X content viewing.
Cloudflare Introduces Tools for an "Agentic Internet" to Support AI Agents
Cloudflare has launched a suite of new tools and concepts, including Cloudflare Wallets, Kitesurf, WebMCP integration, Cloudflare Computer, and Precursor, to establish an "Agentic Internet." This initiative aims to provide AI agents with stable identities, native payment methods, specialized browsing capabilities, efficient runtimes, and enhanced security for interacting with web content and APIs.
Circular Launches Ring 3 Series with Contactless Payments and Vibrating Alerts
Circular has introduced its Ring 3 Series, featuring Pro and Slim models, which integrate NFC for contactless payments and vibrating alerts. The Pro model includes FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation detection and up to 12 days of battery life, while the Slim offers core health tracking in a lighter design. This release expands Circular's offerings in the competitive smart ring market.
Google Rolls Out AI Voice Features for Gmail, Docs, and Keep
Google has released new AI-powered voice capabilities, dubbed Docs Live, Gmail Live, and Keep Live, for its productivity suite. These features allow users to interact with their emails, documents, and notes using natural language queries and dictation, and are available to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers on iOS and Android.
OpenAI faces 30 new lawsuits, including aiding and abetting claims, related to Tumbler Ridge shooting
Edelson PC filed 30 additional lawsuits against OpenAI on behalf of victims and families connected to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, bringing the total to 37. These new complaints, for the first time, accuse OpenAI of aiding and abetting the shooting, escalating the legal challenges beyond negligence claims. This development matters as it intensifies scrutiny on OpenAI's content moderation policies and its responsibility for user-generated content that may lead to real-world harm.
Unitree Robotics IPO Raises $900 Million, Valuing Company at $9 Billion
Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree Robotics priced its IPO at 150.8 yuan ($22.4) per share, raising $900 million and valuing the company at $9 billion. The listing on Shanghai's STAR market makes Unitree the first humanoid robot firm to go public on the mainland, but commercial viability for its robots remains a question.
OpenAI Sees Executive Departures, Including COO Brad Lightcap and CRO Denise Dresser
OpenAI has experienced multiple executive departures, including longtime operating chief Brad Lightcap and Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser. Lightcap, who joined in 2018, left to "start something new," while Dresser, who joined in December, is being replaced by Dali Rajic. These changes occur as OpenAI prepares for a potential IPO and aims to justify its $852 billion valuation.
Oura faces class action lawsuit over alleged misleading sleep-tracking accuracy
A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Oura of deceiving consumers about the accuracy of its smart ring's sleep tracking features. The lawsuit alleges Oura rings rely on AI-generated estimates rather than physiological signals to determine sleep stages, despite marketing claims of high accuracy. This matters because consumers make health decisions based on the device's data, which the lawsuit claims is inaccurate.
Ring Introduces New TAKE Encryption as Default for All Cameras
Ring, an Amazon-owned company, has implemented a new encryption method called TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption) that will become the default for all Ring cameras starting in September. This change limits Ring's ability to provide video footage to law enforcement while still supporting smart features like AI-powered alerts and video search.
Bill Gates Proposes 'Human Reserved' Jobs and AI Taxation Amidst AI Upheaval Concerns
Bill Gates, in an essay titled "The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make are critical," proposed the concept of "human reserved" jobs to protect certain sectors from AI displacement. He also suggested taxing AI tokens and expressed concern that governments are unprepared for the broad impact of AI, which he believes will lead to one of the most turbulent times in human history.
Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Service in Munich, Germany by End of 2027
Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, announced plans to launch its robotaxi service in Munich, Germany, by the end of 2027. This marks Waymo's first commercial operation in the European Union and its third international market. The company will begin phased testing in Munich in the coming weeks, including mapping streets and testing with safety drivers, to adapt its technology to local conditions and secure necessary regulatory approvals.
Uber Introduces Live Video Streaming for Teen Accounts Using Driver's Selfie Camera
Uber is rolling out a new live video streaming feature for teen accounts across the U.S. in the coming weeks, allowing parents to monitor their children's rides using the driver's selfie camera. This feature provides parents with real-time visibility during trips and expands on the teen account service launched in 2023.
Zillow settles FTC antitrust lawsuit over Redfin rental listings agreement
Zillow has settled an antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding a 2025 agreement with Redfin concerning internet listing services for apartment rentals. The settlement requires Redfin to re-enter the ILS market with more listings and allows Redfin to continue syndicating listings from Zillow. This resolution aims to restore competition in the ILS market, potentially benefiting renters and property management companies.
Uber fined nearly $1 billion by Dutch regulator for automated driver deactivations
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has fined Uber 824.9 million euros ($966 million) for violating GDPR by automatically deactivating driver accounts without human intervention between 2018 and 2022. This fine is the largest imposed on Uber by the AP and addresses concerns about automated decisions impacting driver income.
Senators Question TikTok Over Experiment Disabling Safety Features for 15 Million Users
Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have demanded answers from TikTok regarding an experiment that disabled an algorithmic safety feature for 15 million U.S. users, including minors. This safeguard, designed to prevent exposure to harmful content, was reportedly withheld to assess its impact on user engagement, raising concerns about user protection.
Amazon Makes Alexa Plus Free for All Fire TV Devices in the US
Amazon has made its Alexa Plus AI assistant available for free to all compatible Fire TV device owners in the US. Previously, access to Alexa Plus cost $19.99 per month for non-Prime members, or was included with a Prime subscription. This change expands access to conversational AI features, smart home controls, and AI-powered recommendations on Fire TV devices.
Uber Eats Partners with Zipline for Drone Deliveries, Targets One Million Daily by 2029
Uber is partnering with and investing in Zipline to integrate drone deliveries into the Uber Eats platform, with initial deliveries starting by the end of 2024. The collaboration aims for one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029, expanding Uber's delivery capabilities.
Boeing Sells eVTOL Subsidiaries to Archer Aviation for 16.5% Stake
Boeing has sold its Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries to Archer Aviation in exchange for a 16.5% ownership stake in Archer. This transaction allows Boeing to focus on its core commercial airplane business while strengthening Archer's position in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and urban air mobility markets.
Google Allows Users to Remove Visible Watermarks from AI-Generated Content
Google has introduced an option for users to remove visible watermarks from AI-generated images, videos, and songs created with its models, including Nano Banana, Omni, and Lyria. This change, announced by Josh Woodward, VP for Gemini, will be available in Gemini and Flow, with Search integration planned, allowing for greater creative control while maintaining invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata for content identification.
Apple Reportedly Negotiating Publisher Deals for Siri AI Content
Apple is reportedly in discussions with publishers to secure multi-year content deals for its upcoming Siri AI, expected to launch later this year. The company has proposed a variable compensation model, paying publishers when their content is used, and has considered a nine-figure budget for these payments. This initiative aims to enhance Siri AI's access to current news and information.