Tech
Ford delays $12B in EV investments as automaker wrestles with demand
Ford is delaying about $12 billion in planned investments on EVs, including construction of a second battery plant with joint venture partner SK On due to softening demand for higher priced premium electric vehicles. CFO John Lawler emphasized Thursday during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that the company wasn’t backing away from its next-generation EV […]
Twitch’s money guy talks about the revenue split controversy and its monetization long game
Twitch has had a tense year, in part due to community backlash over policy changes that affect the way creators can monetize their content. Last year, the company announced that it would end the 70/30 subscription revenue split deal that it had offered select streamers in favor of prioritizing ad revenue. In June, Twitch launched […]
Soundboks is scaling high-volume, high-energy speakers across borders and cultures
Norway-based Soundboks just released its latest $1,000 Bluetooth speaker. Now in its fourth generation, the latest Soundboks speaker is just like the older models: it’s a large, unabashed black box designed to withstand a rowdy, off-the-grid weekend of music. While widly popular in Norway and Sweden, co-founder and CEO Jesper Thomsen has struggled to find […]
ABL Space Systems provides update on the road to second RS1 launch
ABL Space Systems has been quiet since the company conducted its first launch attempt in January, which resulted in the rocket crashing back down to Earth a little over 10 seconds after lift-off. Now we know why: they have been very, very, very busy. In a detailed blog post on Wednesday, CEO Harry O’Hanley described […]
EU lawmakers agree on key detection limits in controversial CSAM-scanning file
Key negotiators in the European Parliament have announced making a breakthrough in talks to set MEPs’ position on a controversial legislative proposal aimed at regulating how platforms should respond to child sexual abuse risks. The European Union’s executive body, the Commission, presented a proposal for a regulation in this area last year but the plan […]
Despite usage declines, X remains ‘stickier’ than first thought
Despite overall declining usage since Elon Musk’s acquisition, X’s hold on the microblogging market may be stickier than first thought. The app formerly known as Twitter saw its daily active users drop 16% in September, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing data from research firm Sensor Tower. The firm also said that the average […]
SBF Trial: Everything to know from the FTX courtroom ahead of his testimony
The trial of Bankman-Fried, the former CEO and co-founder of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, is entering its next chapter as proceedings resume Thursday. As confirmed during a teleconference Wednesday, SBF will be taking the stand, along with a handful of other witnesses as the onus shifts toward the defense after the prosecution brought its case […]
Luminar Neo brings generative AI tools to hobbyist photographers
While Adobe is bringing generative AI models to professional photographers and designers, another company is working to make easy-to-use generative AI tools available to a wider range of photographers, including hobbyists. Starting today, Luminar Neo, the photo-editing software from Skylum (formerly Macphun), is rolling out a set of generative AI features to its desktop apps […]
After helping sift through 400m photos, GoodOnes renames to Ollie
AI-powered photo-sorting app GoodOnes raised $3.6 million in seed funding earlier this year and dropped into the Apple App Store in April. Six months and 400 million photo sorts later, it is changing its name to Ollie and having a bit of a relaunch. TechCrunch spoke to the newly named Ollie’s CEO and co-founder, Israel […]
Google Maps is getting new AI-powered search updates, an enhanced navigation interface and more
Google is adding a slew of new updates for Maps, including a few AI-powered features that are designed to make it easier for users to search, explore their surroundings and get to their destinations. The company is making it easier to find specific items near you and find inspiration for things to do, rolling out […]