Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: start Clear Filter

Meet Macroscope: an AI tool for understanding your code base, fixing bugs

The founders who previously sold their livestreaming video startup Periscope to Twitter are back with a new startup — and no surprise, it’s an AI-focused company this time around. On Wednesday, former Twitter head of product Kayvon Beykpour announced the launch of Macroscope, an AI system aimed at developers and product leaders that summarizes updates to a codebase and catches bugs, among other things. The startup was co-founded by Beykpour, now Macroscope CEO, in July 2023, along with childho

Kleiner Perkins-backed voice AI startup Keplar aims to replace traditional market research

For decades, Fortune 500 companies had to hire market research firms to get meaningful insights into customer satisfaction. These services come with a hefty price tag and often take weeks to complete. Keplar, a market research startup, uses voice AI to conduct customer interviews, providing clients with analysis much faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional research consulting firms. On Wednesday, the two-year-old company announced that it raised $3.2 million in seed funding led by K

There's Something Psychologically Bizarre About AI Executives

For many hopeful entrepreneurs, founding a successful company is a ticket to the top, the lofty promise of fame and fortune. Yet for a growing number of up-and-coming AI executives, a successful tech startup is the end in itself — not a step toward luxury, but a rejection of it. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the newest class of young founders flocking to the Bay Area are eschewing the frivolities enjoyed by their peers in favor of a proudly minimalist, monk-like existence. "Why would I

AI and the Future of Defense: Mach Industries’ Ethan Thornton at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

From stealth mode to center stage, Mach Industries is bringing AI into one of the world’s most complex and controversial sectors: defense. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Ethan Thornton, CEO and founder of Mach Industries, steps onto the AI Stage to share what it takes to build in high-stakes environments where speed and autonomy matter most — and why next-gen infrastructure starts with rethinking the fundamentals. Inside the AI arms race — and the founder aiming to rewrite it Thornton launched Ma

From Startup Battlefield to the Disrupt Stage: Discord founder Jason Citron returns to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

More than a decade ago, Jason Citron took the Disrupt stage to pitch his early-stage company in the Startup Battlefield competition at TechCrunch Disrupt as a scrappy founder pitching his vision. Today, he’s built Discord into one of the most successful consumer platforms of its era — valued in the billions and redefining how communities connect, game, and share online. This October, he returns to the Disrupt Stage with “From Startup Battlefield to Discord,” a session that unpacks his scaling j

How to restart your Android phone without the power button: 2 alternative methods

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways You should make a habit of restarting your phone. There are several ways to restart an Android device. These methods can help with wear and tear on physical buttons. I regularly restart my Pixel 9 Pro, and there's a good reason for that. Actually, there are several reasons why I regularly restart my phone (weekly -- at least). Here's a short list for you to ponder: Improv

Google Ventures doubles down on dev tool startup Blacksmith just 4 months after its seed round

As speed becomes the defining currency in an AI-driven software world, Blacksmith has raised another round led by Google Ventures — just four months after its seed — to accelerate how code gets shipped. The $10 million Series A closed in just 14 days, with Google Ventures doubling down after first backing Blacksmith’s $3.5 million seed in May. At the time, Alphabet’s VC arm bet on the size of the market and the founding team, which included veterans of Cockroach Labs, another GV portfolio compa

The New iPhone Air Is Slim, but Your Chances of Dropping It Aren't. Don't Skimp on the Case

We're all buzzing with excitement over Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, announced at the Apple Event 2025 on Sept. 9. You can now preorder a new iPhone, either the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone Air, the 17 Pro or the larger 17 Pro Max. As beautiful as a naked iPhone looks, protecting your new device is essential. Many of your favorite brands, like Otterbox, Burga, Casetify and more, have already released new cases for the upcoming iPhone 17 models. Even Apple has dropped its new line of cases, with s

The New iPhone 17 Air Is Slim, but Your Chances of Dropping It Aren't. Don't Skimp on the Case

We're all buzzing with excitement over Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, announced at the Apple Event 2025 on Sept. 9. You can now preorder a new iPhone, either the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone Air, the 17 Pro or the larger 17 Pro Max. As beautiful as a naked iPhone looks, protecting your new device is essential. Many of your favorite brands, like Otterbox, Burga, Casetify and more, have already released new cases for the upcoming iPhone 17 models. Even Apple has dropped its new line of cases, with s

CodeRabbit raises $60M, valuing the 2-year-old AI code review startup at $550M

Harjot Gill was running FlexNinja, an observability startup he co-founded several years after selling his first startup Netsil to Nutanix in 2018, when he noticed a curious trend. “We had a team of remote engineers who were starting to adopt AI code generation on GitHub Copilot,” Gill told TechCrunch. “We saw that adoption happen, and it was very clear to me that as a second-order effect, it’s going to cause bottlenecks in the code review.” In early 2023, Gill started CodeRabbit, an AI-powered

Nothing closes $200M Series C led by Tiger Global, plans AI-first device launch

Smartphone startup Nothing announced today that it closed its Series C round of $200 million, which was led by the investment firm Tiger Global. With this round, the consumer electronics company is now valued at $1.3 billion. Other investors in the round included existing backers such as venture outfits GV, Highland Europe, EQT, Latitude, I2BF, and Tapestry. The company, founded by Carl Pei — who previously co-founded Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus, known for high-performance devices at compe

Rodatherm Energy wants to make geothermal more efficient, but will it be cheaper?

Rodatherm Energy, a new geothermal startup, emerged from stealth Monday with $38 million in funding and a plan to build a pilot plan in Utah. The startup differentiates itself by plumbing its boreholes with a closed loop, likely made of steel, that’s filled with a refrigerant. That contrasts with other enhanced geothermal companies, which tend to use water to transport heat from deep within the Earth. The Series A round was led by Evok Innovations with participation from Active Impact Investme

Do startups still need Silicon Valley? Founders and funders debate at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

As the startup world descends on San Francisco for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — happening October 27–29 at Moscone West — one question looms large: Does building in Silicon Valley still give founders an edge? With 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gathering for this milestone Disrupt, the conversation around access, geography, and opportunity has never been more timely. On the Builders Stage, Anh-Tho Chuong (Lago), David Hall (Revolution), and Tawni Nazario-Cranz (SignalFire) lead a must-attend sessi

The 9 most sought-after startups from YC Demo Day

Y Combinator hosted its Summer 2025 Demo Day last week, showcasing the latest batch of over 160 startups. As with recent batches, the majority of startups presented AI-centric solutions. However, a clear evolution was evident. Instead of “AI-powered” products, many companies are now building AI agents or the infrastructure and tools needed to develop them. For instance, this batch had a flurry of voice AI solutions and new businesses focused on helping others monetize the “AI economy” with ads

Zoom’s Eric Yuan and Emergence’s Santi Subotovsky on navigating the second act, at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

You’ve built the hit product — now what? That’s the question Zoom CEO Eric Yuan and Emergence Capital general partner Santi Subotovsky will take on in their session, “What Comes After Breakout Success?” From expanding into new markets to launching the next product bets, this panel will explore how great companies avoid becoming one-hit wonders. Expect insights into the tough calls between focus and diversification, how to keep innovating at scale, and what investors look for in a second act. Th

Time’s running out to volunteer at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Every year, TechCrunch Disrupt runs on innovation — and the support of our incredible volunteers. If you’ve ever dreamed of a front-row seat to the startup world, this is your chance. But heads-up: volunteer applications close September 30, and the clock is ticking. Why volunteer? Because access is everything Whether you’re a future founder, marketer, engineer, or event producer, volunteering at Disrupt offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run one of the most iconic startup conf

Zoom’s Eric Yuan and Emergence’s Santi Subotovsky on navigating the second act at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

You’ve built the hit product — now what? That’s the question Zoom CEO Eric Yuan and Emergence Capital general partner Santi Subotovsky will take on in their session, What Comes After Breakout Success?. From expanding into new markets to launching the next product bets, this panel will explore how great companies avoid becoming one-hit wonders. Expect insights into the tough calls between focus and diversification, how to keep innovating at scale, and what investors look for in a second act. The

OpenAI announces new mentorship program for budding tech founders

OpenAI on Friday introduced a new program, dubbed the "OpenAI Grove," for early tech entrepreneurs looking to build with artificial intelligence, and applications are already open. Unlike OpenAI's Pioneer Program, which launched in April, Grove is aimed towards individuals at the very nascent phases of their company development, from the pre-idea to pre-seed stage. For five weeks, participants will receive mentoring from OpenAI technical leaders, early access to new tools and models, and in-pe

You're Going to Drop Your New iPhone 17. Don't Skimp on the Case

We're all buzzing with excitement over Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, announced at the Apple Event 2025 on Sept. 9. You can now preorder a new iPhone, either the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone Air, the 17 Pro or the larger 17 Pro Max. Remember to grab something to protect your new device. Many of your favorite brands, like Casetify, have already released new cases for the upcoming iPhone 17 models. Even Apple has dropped its new line of cases, with some fun new accessories, too. We'll continue to u

iPhone 17 Series Preorders Are Happening Now, but Don't Skip the Case

It's here. You can preorder the new iPhone lineup right now to ensure you get Apple's new flagship in your hand at launch. We're all buzzing with excitement over Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, which was announced at the company's Apple Event 2025 Sept. 9. It includes the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone Air and the 17 Pro, as well as the larger 17 Pro Max. But don't forget to grab something to protect you nifty new device. Tons of your favorite brands, like Casetify, have already released new cases for

OpenAI secures Microsoft’s blessing to transition its for-profit arm

OpenAI announced Thursday it reached a non-binding agreement with Microsoft, its largest investor, on a revised partnership that would allow the startup to convert its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation (PBC). The transition, should it be cleared by state regulators, could allow OpenAI to raise additional capital from investors and, eventually, become a public company. In a blog post, OpenAI Board Chairman Bret Taylor said under the non-binding agreement with Microsoft, OpenAI’s

Order a Case for Your New iPhone 17 Ahead of Tomorrow's Preorder Launch

The world is buzzing with excitement about Apple's new flagship. The iPhone 17 lineup was announced at the company's Apple Event 2025 earlier this week. It includes the base iPhone 17, the new iPhone Air and the 17 Pro, as well as the larger 17 Pro Max. You can start preordering the new phone tomorrow, Sept. 12, but don't forget to grab something to protect it. Some of your favorite brands, like Casetify, have already released new cases for the upcoming iPhone 17 models. Even Apple has dropped i

Ex-Google X trio wants their AI to be your second brain — and they just raised $6M to make it happen

Three former Google X scientists aim to give you a second brain virtually — not in the sci-fi or chip-in-your-head sense — but through an AI-powered app that gains context by listening to everything you say in the background. Their startup, TwinMind, has raised $5.7 million in seed funding and released an Android version, along with a new AI speech model. It also has an iPhone version. Co-founded in March 2024 by Daniel George (CEO) and his former Google X colleagues Sunny Tang and Mahi Karim (

Uber will add Blade’s helicopters to its platform as early as 2026

Uber users living near New York City or Southern Europe may have a new travel option to pick from in 2026: helicopters. Electric air taxi startup Joby Aviation announced Wednesday that Blade Air Mobility helicopters will be on the Uber app starting “as soon as next year.” While Joby is not saying specifically where the Blade helicopters will be available to start, the company told TechCrunch they will likely pop up on the “most popular routes” like to and from airports. The news comes just one

From mixers to pitch-offs — your brand event belongs at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Last year’s TechCrunch Disrupt Side Events drew hundreds of founders, investors, and operators after hours — from intimate roundtables to lively happy hours to full-on pitch competitions. Each event unlocked new opportunities for the hosts: investor deal flow, talent connections, and brand exposure with the startup community. This year, you can do the same. As a Side Event host during “Disrupt Week” (October 25–31), you’ll tap into an audience of 10,000+ attendees, plus the broader Bay Area tec

Nuclearn gets $10.5M to help the nuclear industry embrace AI

Companies that have dug deep into AI have fallen in love with nuclear power for its promise of 24/7 electricity. Meta, Google, and Microsoft have all made deals with startups or reactor operators. But does the nuclear industry love AI back? Yes, with caveats. No one is proposing to let an AI run a reactor, but power companies are increasingly interested in the technology’s potential to tighten things up on the business side, Bradley Fox, co-founder and CEO of Nuclearn, told TechCrunch. Fox an

Nuclear startup Deep Fission goes public in a curious SPAC

Nuclear startup Deep Fission announced Monday that it has gone public in a reverse merger, netting the company $30 million. No, it’s not 2021. The startup is proposing to build small, cylindrical nuclear power plants and lower them into 30-inch diameter holes drilled one mile down into the Earth. By burying the reactors, the company hopes to solve several problems that plague current reactors, including concerns over meltdowns and potential terrorist attacks. Deep Fission’s 15-megawatt reacto

Cognition AI defies turbulence with a $400M raise at $10.2B valuation

In Brief Cognition AI, the startup behind AI coding agent Devin, has hit a $10.2 billion valuation after raising $400 million, marking a jump from the company’s $4 billion valuation earlier this year, reports Bloomberg. Founders Fund, the Peter Thiel-backed VC, led Cognition’s latest round, with participation from existing investors like Lux Capital, Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC, Elad Gil, Definition Capital and Swish Ventures. In July, Cognition acquired AI coding startup Windsurf, just days after Goo

Hyundai’s eVTOL startup Supernal pauses work following CEO and CTO departures

Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup Supernal has paused work on its aircraft program after a rocky few months that saw staff cuts and the departure of its CEO and CTO, two people familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. The shakeup comes at a time when Supernal has barely gotten off the ground — literally. The first test flight of its technology demonstrator happened earlier this year. And though Supernal has performed subsequent tests, the company was still working toward its first untethered

OpenAI hires the team behind Xcode coding assistant Alex

Acqui-hires feel like they’re here to stay: The team behind Alex, a popular tool that lets developers use AI models within Apple’s development suite Xcode, is joining OpenAI. In a post on X, Alex’s founder Daniel Edrisian said the startup’s team is joining OpenAI’s Codex division, which is building the company’s AI coding agent. Y Combinator-backed Alex was founded in 2024 and sought to integrate AI models into Xcode. Apple, however, earlier this year updated Xcode to let users tap ChatGPT and