Technology
Latest news, analysis, and updates in technology.
OpenAI Halts Astra AI Over Weaponization Fears
OpenAI voluntarily halted development of its Astra AI after evaluating that its advanced, agentic coding capabilities could independently execute serious real-w
AI Shopping Traffic Fails Mass Retailers But Delivers Elite Spenders
Data from Etsy and DoorDash reveals AI shopping traffic is less than 1% of total visits, but it converts customers with a 37% higher spend per visit.
Roku Floods FAST With AI Slop
Roku is airing a 24/7 channel of AI-generated videos, a stark move that uses ultra-cheap synthetic content to fill ad slots and potentially rewrite the economic
Disney's AI Anticipates Your Mood, Rewires Streaming
Disney Plus is testing an AI-powered search that interprets your emotional prompts in a direct bid to become the primary interface for entertainment discovery.
Meta Fined $567 Million Over 'Public Nuisance' Youth Harm
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million specifically to treat youth mental health, ruling its social media platforms are a 'public nuisance' akin to
Cloudflare's Browser Built for Machines, Not Humans
Cloudflare launched Kitesurf, a browser built specifically for AI agents by removing visual overhead to cut cost and boost performance, shifting web infrastruct
Sony’s Headphones Plans Revealed to Block Rivals
Sony is rumored to launch a more affordable WH-1000XM4 variant in 2026, a tactical play to retain its massive user base and defend its market share against comp
Lord of the Rings 4K Trilogy Hits $50 High-Def Deal
The complete Lord of the Rings trilogy on 4K Blu-ray is on sale for $49.99, a near-Black Friday price for owning the definitive high-definition edition outright
Apply for a Prime TechCrunch Disrupt Side Event
You can host a free, focused side event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to directly connect with over 10,000 high-value founders and investors in San Francisco.
Live Shopping Unicorn Whatnot Doubles Valuation to $20 Billion
Live shopping platform Whatnot raised $545 million, doubling its valuation to $20 billion in under a year. The cash will fuel an AI-driven expansion as its sale
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Tests Endurance Over AI Hype
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pivots from startup hype to operational durability, following founders who landed massive investor interest and oversubscribed rounds fr
Meta Punished $1bn for Addict Design in Child Safety Suit
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million, bringing total penalties to nearly $1 billion, and mandated changes to core product featu