The venture firm that ate Silicon Valley just raised another $15 billion
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/the-venture-firm-that-ate-silicon-valley/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/the-venture-firm-that-ate-silicon-valley/
TechCrunch
The venture firm that ate Silicon Valley just raised another $15 billion | TechCrunch
In a blog post published Friday morning, Ben Horowitz writes that "as the American leader in Venture Capital, the fate of new technology in the United States rests partly on our shoulders." It's the kind of statement certain to cause agita at rival firms.
X restricts Grok’s image generation to paying subscribers only after drawing the world’s ire
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/x-restricts-groks-image-generation-to-paying-subscribers-only-after-drawing-the-worlds-ire/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/x-restricts-groks-image-generation-to-paying-subscribers-only-after-drawing-the-worlds-ire/
TechCrunch
X restricts Grok's image generation to paying subscribers only after drawing the world's ire | TechCrunch
Elon Musk's AI company has restricted Grok's controversial AI image-generation feature to only paying subscribers on X, after the tool invited heated criticism from across the world for letting users generate sexualized images of women and children.
Meta signs deals with three nuclear companies for 6-plus GW of power
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/meta-signs-deals-with-three-nuclear-companies-for-6-plus-gw-of-power/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/meta-signs-deals-with-three-nuclear-companies-for-6-plus-gw-of-power/
TechCrunch
Meta signs deals with three nuclear companies for 6-plus GW of power | TechCrunch
Two smaller companies, Oklo and TerraPower, along with Vistra, a large energy company, just signed agreements with Meta.
How the Sleepbuds maker, Ozlo, is building a platform for sleep data
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/how-the-sleepbuds-maker-ozlo-is-building-a-platform-for-sleep-data/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/how-the-sleepbuds-maker-ozlo-is-building-a-platform-for-sleep-data/
TechCrunch
How the Sleepbuds maker, Ozlo, is building a platform for sleep data | TechCrunch
Ozlo Sleepbuds are going to have a big year, with new products, AI features, and more.
I met a lot of weird robots at CES — here are the most memorable
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/i-met-a-lot-of-weird-robots-at-ces-here-are-the-most-memorable/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/i-met-a-lot-of-weird-robots-at-ces-here-are-the-most-memorable/
TechCrunch
I met a lot of weird robots at CES -- here are the most memorable | TechCrunch
If the robots don't always give a totally accurate representation of where commercial deployment is at the moment, they do give visitors a peek at where their parent companies might be headed.
Indonesia blocks Grok over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/indonesia-blocks-grok-over-non-consensual-sexualized-deepfakes/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/indonesia-blocks-grok-over-non-consensual-sexualized-deepfakes/
TechCrunch
Indonesia blocks Grok over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes | TechCrunch
Indonesian officials said Saturday that they are temporarily blocking access to xAI’s chatbot Grok.
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OpenAI is reportedly asking contractors to upload real work from past jobs
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/openai-is-reportedly-asking-contractors-to-upload-real-work-from-past-jobs/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/openai-is-reportedly-asking-contractors-to-upload-real-work-from-past-jobs/
TechCrunch
OpenAI is reportedly asking contractors to upload real work from past jobs | TechCrunch
An intellectual property lawyer says OpenAI is "putting itself at great risk" with this approach.
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SpaceX gets FCC approval to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-to-launch-7500-more-starlink-satellites/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/10/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-to-launch-7500-more-starlink-satellites/
TechCrunch
SpaceX gets FCC approval to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites | TechCrunch
The Federal Communications Commission has given SpaceX approval to launch another 7,500 of its second generation Starlink satellites.
Wing to expand drone delivery to another 150 Walmart stores
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/wing-to-expand-drone-delivery-to-another-150-walmart-stores/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/wing-to-expand-drone-delivery-to-another-150-walmart-stores/
TechCrunch
Wing to expand drone delivery to another 150 Walmart stores | TechCrunch
The partnership will grow Wing's drone delivery service to more than 270 Walmart stores by 2027.
Indonesia and Malaysia block Grok over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/indonesia-blocks-grok-over-non-consensual-sexualized-deepfakes/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/indonesia-blocks-grok-over-non-consensual-sexualized-deepfakes/
TechCrunch
Indonesia and Malaysia block Grok over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes | TechCrunch
Indonesian officials said Saturday that they are temporarily blocking access to xAI’s chatbot Grok.
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Google announces a new protocol to facilitate commerce using AI agents
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/google-announces-a-new-protocol-to-facilitate-commerce-using-ai-agents/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/google-announces-a-new-protocol-to-facilitate-commerce-using-ai-agents/
TechCrunch
Google announces a new protocol to facilitate commerce using AI agents | TechCrunch
Google said that merchants can now offer discounts to users directly in AI mode results.
Nuclear startups are back in vogue with small reactors, and big challenges
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/nuclear-startups-are-back-in-vogue-with-small-reactors-and-big-challenges/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/nuclear-startups-are-back-in-vogue-with-small-reactors-and-big-challenges/
TechCrunch
Nuclear startups are back in vogue with small reactors, and big challenges | TechCrunch
Small modular reactor startups are betting that mass manufacturing will help them bring costs down. But are they underestimating the challenge?
Google removes AI Overviews for certain medical queries
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/google-removes-ai-overviews-for-certain-medical-queries/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/google-removes-ai-overviews-for-certain-medical-queries/
TechCrunch
Google removes AI Overviews for certain medical queries | TechCrunch
This follows an investigation by The Guardian that found Google AI Overviews offering misleading information in response to some health-related queries.
Instagram says there’s been ‘no breach’ despite password reset requests
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/instagram-says-theres-been-no-breach-despite-password-reset-requests/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/instagram-says-theres-been-no-breach-despite-password-reset-requests/
TechCrunch
Instagram says there’s been ‘no breach’ despite password reset requests | TechCrunch
Instagram says that although some users received suspicious-looking password reset requests, it has not been breached.
inDrive turns to ads and groceries to diversify revenue
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/indrive-turns-to-ads-and-groceries-to-diversify-revenue/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/11/indrive-turns-to-ads-and-groceries-to-diversify-revenue/
TechCrunch
inDrive turns to ads and groceries to diversify revenue | TechCrunch
Advertising on inDrive is being rolled out across its top 20 markets following mid-2025 tests.
These Gen Zers just raised $11.75M to put Africa’s defense back in the hands of Africans
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/these-gen-zers-just-raised-11-75m-to-put-africas-defense-back-in-the-hands-of-africans/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/these-gen-zers-just-raised-11-75m-to-put-africas-defense-back-in-the-hands-of-africans/
TechCrunch
These Gen Zers just raised $11.75M to put Africa's defense back in the hands of Africans | TechCrunch
African defense company Terra comes out of stealth with an $11.75M round led by Joe Lonsdale's 8VC.
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Meta hires former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chair
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/meta-hires-former-trump-advisor-dina-powell-mccormick-as-president-and-vice-chair/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/meta-hires-former-trump-advisor-dina-powell-mccormick-as-president-and-vice-chair/
TechCrunch
Meta hires former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chair | TechCrunch
Powell McCormick served as deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump.
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Netflix had a huge night at the 2026 Golden Globes with 7 wins
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/netflix-had-a-huge-night-at-the-2026-golden-globes-with-7-wins/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/netflix-had-a-huge-night-at-the-2026-golden-globes-with-7-wins/
TechCrunch
Netflix had a huge night at the 2026 Golden Globes with 7 wins | TechCrunch
As Netflix gears up to acquire Warner Bros., the streaming giant took home 7 awards at the Golden Globes last night.
A New Jersey lawsuit shows how hard it is to fight deepfake porn
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/a-new-jersey-lawsuit-shows-how-hard-it-is-to-fight-deepfake-porn/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/a-new-jersey-lawsuit-shows-how-hard-it-is-to-fight-deepfake-porn/
TechCrunch
A New Jersey lawsuit shows how hard it is to fight deepfake porn | TechCrunch
A number of US laws have already banned deepfake pornography — most notably the Take It Down Act. But while specific users are clearly breaking those laws, it’s much harder to hold the entire platform accountable.
Paramount files lawsuit against Warner Bros. amidst controversial Netflix merger
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/paramount-files-lawsuit-against-warner-bros-amidst-controversial-netflix-merger/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/paramount-files-lawsuit-against-warner-bros-amidst-controversial-netflix-merger/
TechCrunch
Paramount files lawsuit against Warner Bros. amidst controversial Netflix merger | TechCrunch
As two major streaming platforms — Warner Bros. and Netflix — prepare for a merger, concerns continue to be voiced about the implications of the deal, which represents more consolidation in the media business.
Google’s Gemini to power Apple’s AI features like Siri
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/googles-gemini-to-power-apples-ai-features-like-siri/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/googles-gemini-to-power-apples-ai-features-like-siri/
TechCrunch
Google’s Gemini to power Apple’s AI features like Siri | TechCrunch
Apple and Google have embarked on a non-exclusive, multi-year partnership that will involve Apple using Gemini models and Google cloud technology for future foundational models.