Meta burned $19 billion on VR last year, and 2026 won’t be any better
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/meta-burned-19-billion-on-vr-last-year-and-2026-wont-be-any-better/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/meta-burned-19-billion-on-vr-last-year-and-2026-wont-be-any-better/
TechCrunch
Meta burned $19 billion on VR last year, and 2026 won’t be any better | TechCrunch
The reported financial losses follow a series of layoffs at the VR unit.
Deezer makes it easier for rival platforms to take a stance against AI-generated music
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/deezer-makes-it-easier-for-rival-platforms-to-take-a-stance-against-ai-generated-music/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/deezer-makes-it-easier-for-rival-platforms-to-take-a-stance-against-ai-generated-music/
TechCrunch
Deezer makes it easier for rival platforms to take a stance against AI-generated music | TechCrunch
Last year, Deezer introduced an AI-detection tool that automatically tags fully AI-generated music for listeners and removes it from algorithmic and
Apple hires iPhone camera app Halide’s co-founder for its design team
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/apple-hires-iphone-camera-app-halides-co-founder-for-its-design-team/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/apple-hires-iphone-camera-app-halides-co-founder-for-its-design-team/
TechCrunch
Apple hires iPhone camera app Halide's co-founder for its design team | TechCrunch
Halide also released a public preview of its up coming app Halide Mark III.
Upwind raises $250M at $1.5B valuation to continue building ‘runtime’ cloud security
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/upwind-raises-250m-at-1-5b-valuation-to-continue-building-runtime-cloud-security/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/upwind-raises-250m-at-1-5b-valuation-to-continue-building-runtime-cloud-security/
TechCrunch
Upwind raises $250M at $1.5B valuation to continue building 'runtime' cloud security | TechCrunch
The $250 million Series B was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Salesforce Ventures and Picture Capital.
Google Maps now lets you access Gemini while walking and cycling
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/google-maps-now-lets-you-access-gemini-while-walking-and-cycling/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/google-maps-now-lets-you-access-gemini-while-walking-and-cycling/
TechCrunch
Google Maps now lets you access Gemini while walking and cycling | TechCrunch
When you're walking around and navigating with Maps, you can now ask Gemini questions like "What neighborhood am I in?" or "What are top-rated restaurants nearby?"
Music publishers sue Anthropic for $3B over ‘flagrant piracy’ of 20,000 works
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/music-publishers-sue-anthropic-for-3b-over-flagrant-piracy-of-20000-works/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/music-publishers-sue-anthropic-for-3b-over-flagrant-piracy-of-20000-works/
TechCrunch
Music publishers sue Anthropic for $3B over 'flagrant piracy' of 20,000 works | TechCrunch
Originally, these music publishers had filed a lawsuit against Anthropic over its use of about 500 copyrighted works.
OpenAI’s Sora app is struggling after its stellar launch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/openais-sora-app-is-struggling-after-its-stellar-launch/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/openais-sora-app-is-struggling-after-its-stellar-launch/
TechCrunch
OpenAI's Sora app is struggling after its stellar launch | TechCrunch
New data suggests the app is seeing declines in both app downloads and consumer spending, as the early hype about the AI video social network wears off.
I built marshmallow castles in Google’s new AI world generator
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/i-built-marshmallow-castles-in-googles-new-ai-world-generator-project-genie/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/i-built-marshmallow-castles-in-googles-new-ai-world-generator-project-genie/
TechCrunch
I built marshmallow castles in Google’s new AI-world generator | TechCrunch
Starting Thursday, Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. can play around with Project Genie, which is powered by a combination of Google’s latest world model Genie 3, its image generation model Nano Banana Pro, and Gemini.
Waymo robotaxis are now giving rides to and from San Francisco International Airport
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-sfo-airport-robotaxis/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-sfo-airport-robotaxis/
TechCrunch
Waymo robotaxis are now giving rides to and from San Francisco International Airport | TechCrunch
Waymo's SFO win comes as the company faces criticism and concerns about safety in some of the cities it operates.
Apple buys Israeli startup QAI as the AI race heats up
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/apple-buys-israeli-startup-q-ai-as-the-ai-race-heats-up/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/apple-buys-israeli-startup-q-ai-as-the-ai-race-heats-up/
TechCrunch
Apple buys Israeli startup Q.ai as the AI race heats up | TechCrunch
Q.ai is an Israeli startup specializing in imaging and machine learning, particularly technologies that enable devices to interpret whispered speech and enhance audio in noisy environments.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI in talks to merge, report says
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger-talks-ipo-reuters/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger-talks-ipo-reuters/
TechCrunch
Elon Musk's SpaceX and xAI in talks to merge, report says | TechCrunch
This merger would bring the Grok chatbot, Starlink satellites, and SpaceX rockets together under one corporation.
Satya Nadella insists people are using Microsoft’s Copilot AI a lot
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/satya-nadella-insists-people-are-using-microsofts-copilot-ai-a-lot/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/satya-nadella-insists-people-are-using-microsofts-copilot-ai-a-lot/
TechCrunch
Satya Nadella insists people are using Microsoft’s Copilot AI a lot | TechCrunch
With Microsoft spending many billions on data centers, and rumors that no one is using its AI, CEO Satya Nadella shared some usage numbers.
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Fintech firm Marquis blames hack at firewall provider SonicWall for its data breach
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/fintech-firm-marquis-blames-hack-at-firewall-provider-sonicwall-for-its-data-breach/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/fintech-firm-marquis-blames-hack-at-firewall-provider-sonicwall-for-its-data-breach/
TechCrunch
Fintech firm Marquis blames hack at firewall provider SonicWall for its data breach | TechCrunch
The fintech giant said it plans to "seek recoupment of any expenses" from its firewall provider SonicWall after a 2025 data breach exposed customer firewall configurations.
Microsoft won’t stop buying AI chips from Nvidia, AMD, even after launching its own, Nadella says
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/microsoft-wont-stop-buying-ai-chips-from-nvidia-amd-even-after-launching-its-own-nadella-says/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/microsoft-wont-stop-buying-ai-chips-from-nvidia-amd-even-after-launching-its-own-nadella-says/
TechCrunch
Microsoft won’t stop buying AI chips from Nvidia, AMD, even after launching its own, Nadella says | TechCrunch
Microsoft says its own chip leapfrogs those made by other cloud providers like Amazon and Google. But it needs more.
Medium gives employees Friday off to participate in national strike protesting ICE
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/medium-gives-employees-friday-off-to-participate-in-national-strike-protesting-ice/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/medium-gives-employees-friday-off-to-participate-in-national-strike-protesting-ice/
TechCrunch
Medium gives employees Friday off to participate in national strike protesting ICE | TechCrunch
Activists behind the general strike are calling for "no work, no school, and no shopping" amid a push to defund ICE, which has escalated raids in U.S. cities, killing several people, including two U.S. citizens earlier this month in Minneapolis.
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Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest $50 billion in OpenAI
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/amazon-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-invest-50-billion-in-openai/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/amazon-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-invest-50-billion-in-openai/
TechCrunch
Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest $50B in OpenAI | TechCrunch
If a deal materializes, it would mean Amazon is backing competing startups in the race for AI supremacy.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI in talks to merge, according to reports
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/elon-musk-spacex-tesla-xai-merger-talks-ipo-reuters/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/elon-musk-spacex-tesla-xai-merger-talks-ipo-reuters/
TechCrunch
Elon Musk's SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI in talks to merge, according to reports | TechCrunch
This merger would bring the Grok chatbot, Starlink satellites, and SpaceX rockets together under one corporation.
Guys, I don’t think Tim Cook knows how to monetize AI
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/guys-i-dont-think-tim-cook-knows-how-to-monetize-ai/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/guys-i-dont-think-tim-cook-knows-how-to-monetize-ai/
TechCrunch
Guys, I don't think Tim Cook knows how to monetize AI | TechCrunch
One intrepid Morgan Stanley analyst dared to ask how Apple will make money on its AI investments. The answer will not shock you.
How Sequoia-backed Ethos reached the public market while rivals fell short
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/how-sequoia-backed-ethos-reached-the-public-market-while-rivals-fell-short/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/how-sequoia-backed-ethos-reached-the-public-market-while-rivals-fell-short/
TechCrunch
How Sequoia-backed Ethos reached the public market while rivals fell short | TechCrunch
The profitable life-insurance platform was one of the first major tech companies to test the 2026 public markets.
Last 24 hours to grab your +1 pass at 50% off to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/last-24-hours-to-grab-your-1-pass-at-50-off-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/last-24-hours-to-grab-your-1-pass-at-50-off-to-techcrunch-disrupt-2026/
TechCrunch
Last 24 hours to grab your +1 pass at 50% off to Disrupt 2026 | TechCrunch
Today is the last day to lock in a +1 pass at 50% off to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, happening on October 13-15 in San Francisco. Register here.
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