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Expand.ai (YC S24) is hiring a founding engineer

What if the internet were a database you could query? At expand.ai we're making that a reality. A combination of distributed systems, custom models, browser infrastructure, and a lot of passion from a tiny team, in-person here in Dogpatch, SF, is all you need. Apply if you're interested in working on bleeding-edge web agents applied at a large scale. We have a very talented team, great architects, and some have even worked on custom hardware before. I'm Tim, a 2nd-time founder, and I have s

Anker Mini Bluetooth Speaker Drops Below Prime Day Prices, Backed by 100,000 Five-Star Reviews

Whether biking with mates, sunbathing at the beach or relaxing on your balcony, a good wireless speaker is your best friend. Every year, when the temperatures go up, so does demand for these convenient devices with sales peaking just before summer kicks in. Among all models available, there’s one that always stays in front: the Anker Soundcore 2 portable Bluetooth speaker. And it is currently the #1 best-selling portable Bluetooth speaker on Amazon. The Anker speaker currently retails at an all

Goldman Sachs and Citadel back crypto firm Digital Asset in $135 million funding round

Crypto company Digital Asset said Tuesday that it's netted $135 million in funding from a raft of major names in banking and finance. The firm, which touts itself as a regulated crypto player, said it raised the fresh cash in a funding round co-led by DRW and Tradeweb, with Goldman Sachs , BNP Paribas and Ken Griffin's Citadel Securities also investing. The investment highlights how large financial institutions are embedding themselves in the once murky world of cryptocurrencies. Previously a

IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Is 41% Off, Amazon’s Early Prime Day Price Revealed

Summer is upon us and a portable Bluetooth speaker is the ideal companion for beach days and pool parties. The right combination of sound quality, price, and waterproofing makes all the difference. Currently, Amazon has the Houl Zallee IPX7 waterproof Bluetooth speaker at its lowest price ever – $59, down from a list price of $100. That’s 41% off, and that’s the kind of deal that lets you have premium-quality features at an affordable price. See at Amazon Great Audio This speaker is built to

macOS Tahoe 26 beta 2 includes toggle to restore menu bar background

Apple has added a new toggle to show the menu bar background in macOS Tahoe 26 beta 2. The option was added after beta 1 arrived with no menu bar background and no toggle to restore it. The new option is available in Settings > Menu Bar > Show menu bar background. Currently off by default, the toggle works as advertised by simply restoring the frosted layer of menu bar background across the width of your Mac display. The toggle does not affect the placement of menu bar items or text. Apple rem

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory shares first images from planned decade-long survey of the sky

The National Science Foundation just shared the first images captured by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a sample of the footage it'll capture as part of a planned decade-long survey that's starting later in 2025. The project, dubbed the "Legacy Survey of Time and Space" is predicted to lead to the discovery of "millions of new asteroids within the first two years" the survey is running. In just a 10 hour period, the National Science Foundation says that the Rubin Observatory "discovered 2,104 n

I'm taking this portable Sony speaker to the beach this summer. Here's why

Sony Ult Field 1 ZDNET's key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 1 is a portable speaker available for $130 (but it's currently $88 on Amazon) The speaker prioritizes crystal-clear sound and pronounced bass, with vibrant audio that sounds like it's coming from a much more expensive device It doesn't boast as long a battery life as its predecessor, but what it lacks in battery, it makes up for in stellar sound. $89.99 at Target Amazon is discounting this Sony Ult Field 1 speaker by $40 right now. My

Novo Nordisk Abruptly Ends Partnership with Hims, Claiming ‘Sham Compounding’ GLP-1 Drugs

Bad blood is brewing among some major players in the weight loss world. Novo Nordisk, the creator of Ozempic and Wegovy, cut short its partnership with telehealth company Hims & Hers Health Inc. over allegations that the latter is still trying to mass-market cheaper versions of the GLP-1 drugs. Bloomberg News reported the abrupt dissolution of the partnership Monday, just two months after it was struck. Novo claims that Hims is using “deceptive marketing” to widely sell compounded semaglutide t

Good News: Two of Apple TV+’s Most Slept-On Sci-Fi Shows Have Hopeful Plans for More

If you’re a sci-fi fan, you really must check out Apple TV+—streaming home of so many of the best genre shows right now. Two standouts happen to have the same executive producer among their credits: David S. Goyer, who’s part of team Murderbot as well as team Foundation. Murderbot‘s first season wraps up July 11, the same day Foundation returns for its third season. Neither show has been renewed beyond that, but to hear Goyer tell it, the future is looking bright. “I don’t want to give away too

JLab’s new party speaker puts a light show in your pocket

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. JLab has announced a new Party line of wireless speakers that continues an industry trend of adding animated RGB lighting to anything that plays music. That even includes the new budget-minded JLab Pop Party speaker — which is small enough to squeeze into a pocket but still features customizable LEDs. The $19.99 Pop Party is the lightest and che

Forget JBL, Amazon Fire TV 3.1-channel Soundbar With Subwoofer Drops to Its Lowest Price for a Limited Time

Whether your main TV is in your living room, bedroom, basement, or dedicated home theater, you should seriously consider hooking up a soundbar. Don’t underestimate just how important audio is when it comes to immersive viewing. A really good sound system can make all the difference, and the good news is you don’t need to break the bank to install one. Right now, Amazon has its Fire TV soundbar with a subwoofer on sale for 23% off. Normally going for $375, that discount is enough to bring this te

Senators urge FTC to investigate Spotify’s higher-priced bundled subscription

Two U.S. senators have requested that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigate Spotify due to allegations that the company bundled its music streaming and audiobook services into a more expensive subscription without obtaining user consent, while also reducing royalty payments to creators in the process. On Friday, June 20, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ben Ray Luján wrote a letter to the FTC, claiming that Spotify converted standard premium subscriptions into higher-cost bundled sub

Tired of whispery TV dialogue? I found 3 ways to fix that - easy and simple

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Say you're watching an edgy new streaming series and find yourself turning up the volume for every scene where two actors are engaged in a dramatic dialogue. It seems like both characters are whispering -- until an explosion happens on screen, and the sound is the opposite, almost deafening. Also: Why I recommend this TCL Mini LED TV to most people in 2025 - especially at this price What's up with that? It's not just the imbalanced proportion of sound that bothers you, and it'

SMB-focused Finom closes €115M as European fintech heats up

While funding may be scarce for some, Europe’s fastest-growing startups still have their pick. The latest beneficiary of that investor appetite is Finom, a five-year-old, Amsterdam-based challenger bank that targets small and medium-size businesses across Europe. The company, which claims to have doubled its revenue in 2024, just closed a €115 million Series C equity round (around $133 million), TechCrunch learned exclusively. This comes only a few weeks after it landed $105 million in growth f

This Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker by Anker Is Practically Free on Amazon, and It’s No Joke

It’s always convenient to have a tiny Bluetooth speaker handy whether you want to hear music in the shower, take it outdoors during summer activities or take it on a bicycle ride or boat trip. Anker is a trusted brand of portable electronics and the Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker receives rave reviews (4.7/5 on over 2,000 reviews) from users for sound quality. The great news is that the Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker is now available on Amazon for $19, an amazing deal considering it originally re

This Marshall Bluetooth speaker sounds better than audio systems that cost hundreds more

ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Killburn III Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $379. With rich, dynamic bass and a wide soundstage, you'll enjoy music of all genres with this speaker You might run into trouble pairing the speaker with the Marshall app (as I had). $379.99 at Amazon $379.99 at B&H Photo-Video $379.99 at Crutchfield more buying choices I'm quite familiar with the Marshall brand and its lineup of audio products. I have a Marshall amp that sounds brilliant (much bett

Amazon Offers Fire TV Soundbar for Practically Free to Clear Out Stock Before Prime Day

It’s never a bad time to elevate your home entertainment setup whether it’s in your living room, bedroom or home theater, especially if you love hosting. Don’t underestimate just how important audio is when it comes to immersive viewing. What you want is a really good sound system, and the good news is you don’t need to break the bank to install one. Right now, Amazon has its Fire TV soundbar on sale for 29% off. Normally going for $120, that discount is enough to bring this television audio acc

The new math: Why seed investors are selling their winners earlier

Charles Hudson had just closed his fifth fund several months ago — $66 million for Precursor Ventures — when one of his limited partners asked him to run an exercise. What would have happened, the LP wondered, if Hudson had sold all his portfolio companies at Series A? What about Series B? Or Series C? The question wasn’t academic. After two decades in venture capital, Hudson has been watching the math of seed investing change, maybe permanently. LPs who’ve previously been patient with seven-to

Wiki Radio: The thrilling sound of random Wikipedia

The thrilling sound of random Wikimedia Inspired by WikiTok , I thought I'd make something to discover sounds uploaded to Wikimedia. From political speeches and bird noises to genuine bangers, it's mostly wholesome, though I cant guarantee it won't play you something horrible once in a while.If you want shorter sounds, try it in Revolution 9 Mode.

Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab closes on $2B at $10B valuation

In Brief Thinking Machines Lab, the secretive AI startup founded by OpenAI’s former chief technology officer Mira Murati, has closed a $2 billion seed round, according to The Financial Times. The deal values the six-month-old startup at $10 billion. The company’s work remains unclear. The startup has leveraged Murati’s reputation and other high-profile AI researchers who have joined the team to attract investors in what could be the largest seed round in history. According to sources familiar

I found a portable soundbar that sounds as impressive as speakers twice its price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE system is available now for only $249. It has immersive surround sound at an affordable price thanks to customizable EQ settings and sound modes. The Bluetooth connection can sometimes be spotty, and be prepared to hide lots of wires. $249.99 at Target $249.99 at Best Buy more buying choices One of the easiest ways to upgrade your movie- or TV-viewing experience is by upgrading your TV's sound with a soundbar. However, not all soundbars are crea

Boston Side Events lineup at TechCrunch All Stage with Fidelity Private Shares, Women Tech Meetup, Prepare 4 VC, and more

Get ready to amplify your TechCrunch All Stage 2025 experience with the electrifying lineup of Side Events taking Boston by storm during the week of July 13–19. As the countdown to TC All Stage begins, we’re thrilled to share our Side Events lineup, where you can foster meaningful connections within the vibrant Boston tech community. Whether you’re a seasoned industry pro or a budding entrepreneur, our Side Events promise an unforgettable week filled with networking opportunities, innovation sh

3 more days to fuel your next big move — and save up to $210 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass

The countdown is on — you have just 3 days left to save on your pass to TechCrunch All Stage, happening July 15 in Boston’s SoWa Power Station. After Sunday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT, prices go up, and this opportunity to lock in savings disappears. If you’re a founder looking to scale, a VC hunting for breakout talent, or an operator ready to level up, this one-day founder summit is built to move you forward — with tactical insights, candid conversations, and high-impact networking from start

Startup hiring isn’t just about the pitch, it’s about the package — Pulley, 645 Ventures, and Epigram Legal break it down at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Startups live and die by their early hires. And in a world where top talent has options — and stock options — you’ve got to offer more than a ping-pong table and a pitch deck to bring in the right people. At TechCrunch Disrupt’s 20th anniversary, happening on October 27-29 in San Francisco’s Moscone West, we’re digging into the real talk around compensation and equity with a powerhouse panel who’ve seen it all when it comes to scaling. Don’t miss the insights from this panel — and the full Dis

College baseball, venture capital, and the long maybe

The Pitch Deck. The deck is often the introduction of a venture capitalist to a company, sent after a warm intro. For the athlete, the pitch deck consists of video and some metrics, posted on Twitter (the LinkedIn of college baseball). In both cases, the best story is (naturally) being told: they aren’t dishonest, but they also aren’t going to emphasize flaws or risks. In my experience, pitch decks are important, but not as important as the underlying business; similarly, terrific video of a bul

This Marshall Bluetooth speaker sounds better than audio systems I've tested that cost twice the price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Killburn III Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $379. With rich, dynamic bass and a wide soundstage, you'll enjoy music of all genres with this speaker You might run into trouble pairing the speaker with the Marshall app (as I had). $379.99 at Amazon $379.99 at B&H Photo-Video $379.99 at Crutchfield more buying choices I'm quite familiar with the Marshall brand and its lineup of audio products. I have a Marshall amp that sounds brilliant (much bett

College Baseball, Venture Capital, and the Long Maybe

The Pitch Deck. The deck is often the introduction of a venture capitalist to a company, sent after a warm intro. For the athlete, the pitch deck consists of video and some metrics, posted on Twitter (the LinkedIn of college baseball). In both cases, the best story is (naturally) being told: they aren’t dishonest, but they also aren’t going to emphasize flaws or risks. In my experience, pitch decks are important, but not as important as the underlying business; similarly, terrific video of a bul

Finally, cheap wireless earbuds that I wouldn't mind putting my AirPods away for

ZDNET's key takeaways The CMF Buds 2 Plus are the most premium pair of earbuds from the Nothing sub-brand. At $69, they're one of the best-sounding and most feature-rich earbuds in the price segment. The way these earbuds are designed makes them not ideal for side sleepers. $69 at Amazon The latest Nothing CMF Buds 2 Plus sit above the CMF Buds Pro 2 in price hierarchy and offer similar sound, better call quality, and longer battery life. They fit well and there's not much to fault at that $6

Marvel's 'Ironheart': Release Date and How to Watch

You can watch a full lineup of Marvel shows and movies on Disney Plus, including Daredevil: Born Again, Black Panther and Agatha All Along. The service starts at $10 per month for a basic subscription with ads, with options to stream ad-free or to save money with a bundle. The Disney Bundle packages the service with Hulu and/or ESPN Plus, and there's a newer bundle pack that includes Max, Hulu and Disney Plus starting at $17 per month. Read our Disney Plus review.