Nvidia buys Hugging Face, the GitHub of AI, for $13 billion
Nvidia says Hugging Face will stay open even as the chipmaker takes control of a key AI hub.

Nvidia says Hugging Face will stay open even as the chipmaker takes control of a key AI hub.

DJI has unveiled the second generation of its Romo robovac lineup, introducing two models: the transparent P2 and the opaque A2. Both units are quieter, more powerful, and feature improved navigation capable of detecting obstacles as small as 2mm, including transparent objects like glass. A key upgrade is a new local-only data mode, directly addressing security vulnerabilities found in the original Romo. The robots also incorporate what DJI describes as 'human-like reasoning' to improve performance over time.

Nvidia has announced the acquisition of Hugging Face, a prominent AI start-up, in a deal valued at $12.9 billion. The move signals Nvidia's expanding influence in Silicon Valley beyond its core chipmaking business. The acquisition reflects Nvidia's strategic push toward open-source artificial intelligence technology. The deal positions Nvidia as a central financial and technological power broker in the AI industry.

TechCrunch is seeking volunteers for its upcoming Founder Summit in Boston, scheduled for November 4th. The event, formerly known as All Stage, has been rebranded under its new name this year. Volunteers will gain behind-the-scenes experience in how large-scale tech events are organized and executed. Selected applicants will receive benefits as part of their participation, though specific perks were not fully detailed in the announcement.
TikTok announced on Thursday that it is upgrading its comments section with several new interactive features. The additions include voice comments, comment polls, photo carousel comments, and Live Photo comments. The move appears to draw inspiration from popular messaging app features. TikTok's goal with these updates is to deepen user engagement within its platform.
Nvidia said Hugging Face hosts over 3 million models and is used by over 18 million developers.
Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has expanded its robotaxi service to Las Vegas airport. The move marks a significant step for the company, as airports are considered key destinations in the ride-hailing market. The expansion comes just weeks after Zoox began charging passengers for its robotaxi rides. The company continues to grow its commercial footprint as it competes in the increasingly active autonomous ride-hailing sector.
Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for approximately $12.93 billion, adding the widely used open-source AI hosting platform to its portfolio. Founded in 2016, Hugging Face provides developers with a collaborative space to share AI models, datasets, and tools, and is often compared to GitHub for its community-driven approach. The deal would place the platform under the ownership of the world's leading AI chipmaker. Nvidia has indicated plans to scale Hugging Face's infrastructure and broaden access to AI development resources following the acquisition.

TCL has launched the P80 Ultra, the first smartphone in its Nxtpaper series to feature an OLED display. The device retains the signature paper-like monochromatic reading mode found in previous LCD Nxtpaper models, while also offering a full OLED experience for everyday use. The phone sports a 6.83-inch panel with 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3,200 nits of brightness. TCL had previewed the OLED Nxtpaper technology at MWC in March 2025, but the P80 Ultra marks its first commercial application. The handset also features a more premium 'sculpted' design compared to earlier models in the lineup.

Anker unveiled the Eufy Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max at IFA 2026, featuring an extendable trimming arm designed to cut grass along driveways and flowerbeds. The dual-blade, all-wheel-drive mower uses vSLAM camera-based navigation to build a 3D map of a yard, removing the need for boundary wires or RTK base stations. It can cover up to 3.7 acres and handle slopes as steep as 38 degrees. The mower is scheduled to launch in May 2027 at a price of €3,999, with no US pricing announced yet.

AI company Anthropic is preparing for what is expected to be a major initial public offering. The event is drawing attention not just for its scale, but for what it reveals about the evolving landscape of startup investment. The question of which investors stand to benefit most reflects broader changes in how venture capital and private funding have transformed over the years. The anticipated IPO highlights how the profile of early-stage backers in the tech industry has shifted significantly from traditional models.

Microsoft is overhauling how it reports financial results to investors, consolidating its three business segments into two new ones called Agents and Infra, and Devices and Consumer. For the first time, the company will disclose quarterly revenue figures specifically for its Azure cloud platform. The restructuring reflects the growing influence of artificial intelligence on Microsoft's operations and business strategy. Previously, Microsoft reported finances across Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing segments. The new Devices and Consumer segment will encompass revenues from LinkedIn and search advertising, among other areas.

Awol Vision has unveiled the LuxVision, an ultra-short throw projector that combines 4K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and optical lens shift — a first for the UST category. The device runs Google TV and delivers a 120-inch image when positioned just 7.5 inches from a wall. At 6000 ISO Lumens, it ranks among the brightest UST projectors available. Unlike most UST models that rely on digital keystone correction, the LuxVision uses true optical vertical shift to reposition the image without degrading picture quality. This makes it a notable technical step forward for the ultra-short throw projector market.

Belkin has announced its first line of personal item trackers, called SureFind, which work with both Apple's Find My and Google's Find Hub networks. Unlike AirTags or Google's Pixel Tag, the SureFind trackers come with built-in attachment options such as lanyards or key rings, eliminating the need for separate accessories. The entry-level model, the SureFind Spot, is priced at $14.99 and features an integrated metal key ring. The lineup is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making it a cross-platform alternative to existing trackers on the market.
Belkin has introduced its first power banks using semi-solid-state battery technology, which the company markets under the name BoostSolid Cell. The devices incorporate a gel-like layer alongside the traditional liquid electrolyte found in lithium-ion batteries, reportedly extending their lifespan up to three times compared to conventional power banks. Belkin also claims the technology reduces the risk of overheating, swelling, and fire, while maintaining consistent performance across a broader temperature range. The new power banks are priced higher than rivals with similar specifications, placing Belkin alongside other brands such as BMX, Kuxiu, and Zens that have already adopted this battery approach.

Anker has unveiled the SleepLab, a bedside speaker designed to monitor and improve sleep without requiring the user to wear any device. The speaker uses 60GHz millimeter-wave radar to detect micro-movements in the chest and body, continuously tracking heart rate and breathing patterns. Over approximately one month, the device learns which routines best improve the user's rest, then uses binaural beats and ambient lighting to deepen relaxation accordingly. The SleepLab operates independently of a smartphone with a single button press and does not require a paid subscription.

Soundcore announced several new audio products at IFA 2026 in Berlin, including the Space 2 Pro headphones, AeroClip 2, AeroClip 2 Pro, and Liberty Buds 2. The Space 2 Pro will be the first headphones to feature Anker's Thus processing chip, which was previously introduced in April and debuted with the Liberty 5 Pro earbuds. The Thus chip is designed to significantly reduce ambient noise during calls, delivering notably cleaner voice audio. The Space 2 Pro uses a six-microphone array for voice isolation alongside eight additional microphones for adaptive noise cancellation.

Anker unveiled its first over-the-counter hearing aids at IFA 2026, with the product expected to launch in the coming months. The receiver-in-canal (RIC) device features a main body worn behind the ear and is powered by Anker's Thus chip. The chip was originally announced in April and debuted in the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds. Anker's entry comes shortly after LXE Hearing, parent company of Eargo and Lexie Hearing, announced it was exiting the US OTC hearing aid market, potentially leaving a significant gap for new competitors.

Anker's eufyMake brand has announced a new personal fabric printer set to launch in spring 2027. The unnamed machine follows the company's UV printer released last year, which could print on hard materials like wood, metal, and glass. The new device will allow users to print custom photos and designs directly onto clothing items such as T-shirts, jeans, bags, and hats. It will support both direct-to-garment printing for soft fabrics and direct-to-film printing methods. Anker has not yet disclosed an official product name or pricing details.

Anker has unveiled the Eufy MindBase, a local AI hub designed to process smart home camera footage entirely on-device using a proprietary large language model. The device doubles as a smart home hub with Matter support, positioning it as a whole-home connectivity solution with local storage. Anker introduced the MindBase alongside several other security products at IFA 2025 in Berlin, including the TrackLight Cam S1, the S4 video doorbell, and a window camera. The company markets the MindBase as the 'central brain for the home,' with security being its primary initial use case. Anker says the on-device processing ensures that footage never leaves the user's home, addressing growing privacy concerns around cloud-based AI systems.
