Ring founder details the camera company’s ‘intelligent assistant’ era
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/ring-founder-details-the-camera-companys-intelligent-assistant-era/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/ring-founder-details-the-camera-companys-intelligent-assistant-era/
TechCrunch
Ring founder details the camera company's 'intelligent assistant' era | TechCrunch
AI is ushering in Ring’s next chapter, as the Amazon-owned video doorbell maker shifts toward becoming an “intelligent assistant.”
Ammobia says it has reinvented a century-old technology
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/ammobia-says-it-has-reinvented-a-century-old-technology/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/ammobia-says-it-has-reinvented-a-century-old-technology/
TechCrunch
Ammobia says it has reinvented a century-old technology | TechCrunch
The startup has a new take on the Haber-Bosch process used to make ammonia. If Ammobia can deliver, it could change industries, from power generation to maritime shipping.
A consumer watchdog issued a warning about Google’s AI agent shopping protocol — Google says she’s wrong
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/a-consumer-watchdog-issued-a-warning-about-googles-ai-agent-shopping-protocol-google-says-shes-wrong/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/a-consumer-watchdog-issued-a-warning-about-googles-ai-agent-shopping-protocol-google-says-shes-wrong/
TechCrunch
A consumer watchdog issued a warning about Google's AI agent shopping protocol -- Google says she's wrong | TechCrunch
A consumer economics watchdog says Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol is ripe for misuse where consumers could pay more for items. Google denies this.
Microsoft announces glut of new data centers but says it won’t let your electricity bill go up
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/microsoft-announces-glut-of-new-data-centers-but-says-it-wont-let-your-electricity-bill-go-up/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/microsoft-announces-glut-of-new-data-centers-but-says-it-wont-let-your-electricity-bill-go-up/
TechCrunch
Microsoft announces glut of new data centers but says it won't let your electricity bill go up | TechCrunch
The tech giant has pledged to be a "good neighbor" as it continues to invest in AI infrastructure throughout the country.
New York governor clears path for robotaxis everywhere, with one notable exception
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/new-york-governor-clears-path-for-robotaxis-everywhere-with-one-notable-exception/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/13/new-york-governor-clears-path-for-robotaxis-everywhere-with-one-notable-exception/
TechCrunch
New York governor clears path for robotaxis everywhere, with one notable exception | TechCrunch
New York City will be a notable exclusion from proposed legislation to legalize commercial robotaxis across the state.
SkyFi raises $12.7M to turn satellite images into insights
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/skyfi-raises-12-7m-to-turn-satellite-images-into-insights/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/skyfi-raises-12-7m-to-turn-satellite-images-into-insights/
TechCrunch
SkyFi raises $12.7M to turn satellite images into insights | TechCrunch
The Austin-based marketplace offers imagery from more than 50 space-based imagery providers.
Meta to reportedly lay off 10% of Reality Labs staff
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/meta-to-reportedly-lay-off-10-of-reality-labs-staff/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/meta-to-reportedly-lay-off-10-of-reality-labs-staff/
TechCrunch
Meta to reportedly lay off 10% of Reality Labs staff | TechCrunch
The publication noted that Reality Labs had roughly 15,000 employees, and the job cuts could impact over 1,000 people.
VoiceRun nabs $5.5M to build voice agent factory
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/voicerun-nabs-5-5m-to-build-voice-agent-factory/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/voicerun-nabs-5-5m-to-build-voice-agent-factory/
TechCrunch
VoiceRun nabs $5.5M to build a voice agent factory | TechCrunch
VoiceRun, a startup that creates voice agents, raised $5.5 million in a round led by Flybridge.
YouTube now has a way for parents to block kids from watching Shorts
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/youtube-now-has-a-way-for-parents-to-block-kids-from-watching-shorts/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/youtube-now-has-a-way-for-parents-to-block-kids-from-watching-shorts/
TechCrunch
YouTube now has a way for parents to block kids from watching Shorts | TechCrunch
Parents will be able to toggle the Shorts time limit on connected children's accounts.
Tesla will only offer subscriptions for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) going forward
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/tesla-will-only-offer-subscriptions-for-full-self-driving-supervised-going-forward/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/tesla-will-only-offer-subscriptions-for-full-self-driving-supervised-going-forward/
TechCrunch
Tesla will only offer subscriptions for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) going forward | TechCrunch
It's a huge change to Tesla's approach with FSD, and it could impact Musk's $1T pay package and the company's myriad legal troubles.
US cargo tech company publicly exposed its shipping systems and customer data to the web
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/us-cargo-tech-company-publicly-exposed-its-shipping-systems-and-customer-data-to-the-web/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/us-cargo-tech-company-publicly-exposed-its-shipping-systems-and-customer-data-to-the-web/
TechCrunch
Exclusive: US cargo tech company publicly exposed its shipping systems and customer data to the web
Shipping tech company Bluspark left internal plaintext passwords, including those of executives, exposed to the internet, at a time when hacks in the shipping industry are on the rise.
Bill Gates-backed Type One Energy raises $87M ahead of $250M Series B
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/bill-gates-backed-type-one-energy-raises-87m-ahead-of-250m-series-b/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/bill-gates-backed-type-one-energy-raises-87m-ahead-of-250m-series-b/
TechCrunch
Exclusive: Bill Gates-backed Type One Energy raises $87M ahead of $250M Series B | TechCrunch
Type One Energy has raised more than $160 million from investors to date. The new funding will help the company further refine its stellarator technology.
Bandcamp takes a stand against AI music, banning it from the platform
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/bandcamp-takes-a-stand-against-ai-music-banning-it-from-the-platform/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/bandcamp-takes-a-stand-against-ai-music-banning-it-from-the-platform/
TechCrunch
Bandcamp takes a stand against AI music, banning it from the platform | TechCrunch
"We want musicians to keep making music, and for fans to have confidence that the music they find on Bandcamp was created by humans," the company said.
Google’s Trends Explore page gets new Gemini capabilities
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/googles-trends-explore-page-gets-new-gemini-capabilities/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/googles-trends-explore-page-gets-new-gemini-capabilities/
TechCrunch
Google’s Trends Explore page gets new Gemini capabilities | TechCrunch
The Trends Explore page for users to analyze search interest just got a major upgrade. It now uses Gemini to identify and compare relevant trends.
Digg launches its new Reddit rival to the public
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/digg-launches-its-new-reddit-rival-to-the-public/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/digg-launches-its-new-reddit-rival-to-the-public/
TechCrunch
Digg launches its new Reddit rival to the public | TechCrunch
Digg, a reboot of an earlier social news site, is now relaunching as a Reddit competitor focused on communities.
Blackstone, General Atlantic-backed Liftoff Mobile files for IPO
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/blackstone-general-atlantic-backed-liftoff-mobile-files-for-ipo/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/blackstone-general-atlantic-backed-liftoff-mobile-files-for-ipo/
TechCrunch
Blackstone, General Atlantic-backed Liftoff Mobile files for IPO | TechCrunch
The company offers a platform that helps mobile app developers market their wares and has an army of bankers working on its IPO.
AI models are starting to crack high-level math problems
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/ai-models-are-starting-to-crack-high-level-math-problems/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/ai-models-are-starting-to-crack-high-level-math-problems/
TechCrunch
AI models are starting to crack high-level math problems | TechCrunch
Since the release of GPT 5.2, AI tools have become inescapable in high-level mathematics.
App downloads declined again in 2025, but consumer spending soared to nearly $156B
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/app-downloads-declined-again-in-2025-but-consumer-spending-soared-to-nearly-156b/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/app-downloads-declined-again-in-2025-but-consumer-spending-soared-to-nearly-156b/
TechCrunch
App downloads declined again in 2025, but consumer spending soared to nearly $156B | TechCrunch
Global app downloads were down, but consumer spending was up to nearly $156B in 2025.
Netflix’s first original video podcasts feature Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/netflixs-first-original-video-podcasts-feature-pete-davidson-and-michael-irvin/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/netflixs-first-original-video-podcasts-feature-pete-davidson-and-michael-irvin/
TechCrunch
Netflix’s first original video podcasts feature Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin | TechCrunch
As Netflix tries to take down YouTube’s dominance in the podcast space, it's getting new originals with Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin.
OpenAI signs deal, worth $10 billion, for compute from Cerebras
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/openai-signs-deal-reportedly-worth-10-billion-for-compute-from-cerebras/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/openai-signs-deal-reportedly-worth-10-billion-for-compute-from-cerebras/
TechCrunch
OpenAI signs deal, worth $10B, for compute from Cerebras | TechCrunch
The collaboration will help OpenAI's models deliver faster response times for more difficult or time-consuming tasks, the companies said.
Musk denies awareness of Grok sexual underage images as California AG launches probe
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/musk-denies-awareness-of-grok-sexual-underage-images-as-california-ag-launches-probe/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/musk-denies-awareness-of-grok-sexual-underage-images-as-california-ag-launches-probe/
TechCrunch
Musk denies awareness of Grok sexual underage images as California AG launches probe | TechCrunch
The California attorney general has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk's xAI after its chatbot Grok began generating nonconsensual sexual images of real women and even children.