Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein credits Trump for early release from prison
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/bitfinex-hacker-ilya-lichtenstein-credits-trump-for-early-release-from-prison/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/bitfinex-hacker-ilya-lichtenstein-credits-trump-for-early-release-from-prison/
TechCrunch
Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein credits Trump for early release from prison | TechCrunch
Ilya Lichtenstein, who pled guilty to money laundering charges tied to his role in the massive hack of crypto exchange Bitfinex, has apparently been released early from prison.
California residents can use new tool to demand brokers delete their personal data
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/california-residents-can-use-new-tool-to-demand-brokers-delete-their-personal-data/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/california-residents-can-use-new-tool-to-demand-brokers-delete-their-personal-data/
TechCrunch
California residents can use new tool to demand brokers delete their personal data | TechCrunch
A new tool should make it easier for California residents to limit data brokers’ ability to store and sell their personal information.
Tech billionaires cashed out $16 billion in 2025 as stocks soared
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/tech-billionaires-cashed-out-16-billion-in-2025-as-stocks-soared/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/tech-billionaires-cashed-out-16-billion-in-2025-as-stocks-soared/
TechCrunch
Tech billionaires cashed out $16 billion in 2025 as stocks soared | TechCrunch
Jeff Bezos led the way. The Amazon founder sold 25 million shares for $5.7 billion in June and July, right around the time he was getting hitched to Lauren Sanchez in Venice.
Subtle releases ear buds with its noise cancelation models
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/subtle-releases-ear-buds-with-its-noise-cancelation-models/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/subtle-releases-ear-buds-with-its-noise-cancelation-models/
TechCrunch
Subtle releases ear buds with its noise cancelation models | TechCrunch
Subtle's new $199 earbuds will also let you dictate in any app on desktop or phone
Plaud launches a new AI pin and a desktop meeting notetaker
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/plaud-launches-a-new-ai-pin-and-a-desktop-meeting-notetaker/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/plaud-launches-a-new-ai-pin-and-a-desktop-meeting-notetaker/
TechCrunch
Plaud launches a new AI pin and a desktop meeting notetaker | TechCrunch
Plaud is going after the likes of Granola to launch a desktop app that records online meetings.
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DoorDash says it banned driver who seemingly faked a delivery using AI
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/doordash-says-it-banned-driver-who-seemingly-faked-a-delivery-using-ai/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/doordash-says-it-banned-driver-who-seemingly-faked-a-delivery-using-ai/
TechCrunch
DoorDash says it banned driver who seemingly faked a delivery using AI | TechCrunch
DoorDash seems to have confirmed a viral story about a driver using an AI-generated photo to lie about making a delivery.
Can a social app fix the ‘terrible devastation’ of social media?
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/can-a-social-app-fix-the-terrible-devastation-of-social-media/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/04/can-a-social-app-fix-the-terrible-devastation-of-social-media/
TechCrunch
Can a social app fix the ‘terrible devastation’ of social media? | TechCrunch
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp have raised new funding for a social media app that helps users "plan with intention."
Flutterwave buys Nigeria’s Mono in rare African fintech exit
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/flutterwave-buys-nigerias-mono-in-rare-african-fintech-exit/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/flutterwave-buys-nigerias-mono-in-rare-african-fintech-exit/
TechCrunch
Flutterwave buys Nigeria's Mono in rare African fintech exit | TechCrunch
Africa’s largest fintech company, Flutterwave, has acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock deal.
Teradar reveals its first terahertz-band vision sensor for cars
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/teradar-reveals-its-first-terahertz-band-vision-sensor-for-cars/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/teradar-reveals-its-first-terahertz-band-vision-sensor-for-cars/
TechCrunch
Teradar reveals its first terahertz-band vision sensor for cars | TechCrunch
The company is tapping the terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum to bring out the best qualities of more common lidar and radar sensors.
Luminar claims founder Austin Russell is dodging a subpoena in the bankruptcy case
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/luminar-claims-founder-austin-russell-is-dodging-a-subpoena-in-the-bankruptcy-case/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/luminar-claims-founder-austin-russell-is-dodging-a-subpoena-in-the-bankruptcy-case/
TechCrunch
Luminar claims founder Austin Russell is dodging a subpoena in the bankruptcy case | TechCrunch
The Luminar founder claims he has been cooperative.
Google previews new Gemini features for TV at CES 2026
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/google-previews-new-gemini-features-for-tv-at-ces-2026/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/google-previews-new-gemini-features-for-tv-at-ces-2026/
TechCrunch
Google previews new Gemini features for TV at CES 2026 | TechCrunch
Google TV will let you ask Gemini to find and edit your photos, adjust your TV settings and more.
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Amazon’s AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/alexa-without-an-echo-amazons-ai-chatbot-comes-to-the-web-and-a-revamped-alexa-app/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/alexa-without-an-echo-amazons-ai-chatbot-comes-to-the-web-and-a-revamped-alexa-app/
TechCrunch
Amazon's AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com | TechCrunch
Amazon is bringing Alexa+ to the web with a new Alexa.com site, expanding its AI assistant beyond devices and positioning it as a family-focused, agent-style chatbot.
Amazon revamps Fire TV, launches its own ‘Artline’ televisions with frames at CES
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/amazon-revamps-fire-tv-launches-its-own-artline-televisions-with-frames/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/amazon-revamps-fire-tv-launches-its-own-artline-televisions-with-frames/
TechCrunch
Amazon revamps Fire TV, launches its own 'Artline' televisions with frames at CES | TechCrunch
Fire TV's new interface focuses on your content and offers easier, speedier navigation, Amazon says.
Lucid Motors doubled EV output in 2025 after early Gravity SUV struggles
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/lucid-motors-doubled-ev-output-in-2025-after-early-gravity-suv-struggles/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/lucid-motors-doubled-ev-output-in-2025-after-early-gravity-suv-struggles/
TechCrunch
Lucid Motors doubled EV output in 2025 after early Gravity SUV struggles | TechCrunch
Lucid built more than 18,000 EVs in 2025 and delivered more than 15,000 after a tough start to the year -- still a far cry from the high bar it set in 2021.
The 2026 BMW iX3 voice assistant will be powered by Alexa+
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/the-2026-bmw-ix3-voice-assistant-will-be-powered-by-alexa/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/the-2026-bmw-ix3-voice-assistant-will-be-powered-by-alexa/
TechCrunch
CES: The 2026 BMW iX3 will debut with a voice assistant powered by Alexa+
BMW is finally getting the next-generation Alexa voice assistant and it's coming with a generative AI upgrade. Amazon said Monday that the 2026 BMW iX3
China’s Hesai will double production as lidar sensor industry shakes out
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/chinas-hesai-will-double-production-as-lidar-sensor-industry-shakes-out/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/chinas-hesai-will-double-production-as-lidar-sensor-industry-shakes-out/
TechCrunch
CES 2026: China's Hesai will double production as lidar sensor industry shakes out
Hesai said it now plans to build as many as 4 million lidar sensors in 2026, up from 2 million, as it tries to corner a market with one fewer player after Luminar's bankruptcy.
Hacktivist deletes white supremacist websites live on stage during hacker conference
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/hacktivist-deletes-white-supremacist-websites-live-on-stage-during-hacker-conference/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/hacktivist-deletes-white-supremacist-websites-live-on-stage-during-hacker-conference/
TechCrunch
Hacktivist deletes white supremacist websites live onstage during hacker conference | TechCrunch
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacist websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
LEGO SMART Bricks introduce a new way to build — and they don’t require screens
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/lego-smart-bricks-introduce-a-new-way-to-build-and-they-dont-require-screens/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/lego-smart-bricks-introduce-a-new-way-to-build-and-they-dont-require-screens/
TechCrunch
Lego Smart Bricks introduce a new way to build -- and they don't require screens | TechCrunch
Lego developed a custom ASIC chip that allows its new Ssmart Bricks to pick up on signals from surrounding Smart Tags that dictate how it should make sounds or light up.
Boston Dynamics’s next-gen humanoid robot will have Google DeepMind DNA
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/boston-dynamicss-next-gen-humanoid-robot-will-have-google-deepmind-dna/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/boston-dynamicss-next-gen-humanoid-robot-will-have-google-deepmind-dna/
TechCrunch
Boston Dynamics' next-gen humanoid robot will have Google DeepMind DNA | TechCrunch
Google's AI research lab is working with Boston Dynamics to make Atlas act more like a human.
Nvidia launches Alpamayo, open AI models that allow autonomous vehicles to ‘think like a human’
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/nvidia-launches-alpamayo-open-ai-models-that-allow-autonomous-vehicles-to-think-like-a-human/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/05/nvidia-launches-alpamayo-open-ai-models-that-allow-autonomous-vehicles-to-think-like-a-human/
TechCrunch
Nvidia launches Alpamayo, open AI models that allow autonomous vehicles to 'think like a human' | TechCrunch
Nvidia unveiled Alpamayo at CES 2026, which includes a reasoning vision language action model that allows an autonomous vehicle to think more like a human and provide chain-of-thought reasoning.