SShortSingh.

Technology

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Character.AI launches original microdramas with interactive character chat feature

Character.AI has entered the microdrama space by producing its own short-form video content. Unlike traditional streaming productions, the platform integrates its core AI technology to make the experience interactive. Users can engage directly with characters from these shows through chat, ask them questions, and explore alternative storylines via roleplay. This move distinguishes Character.AI's content offering from conventional microdrama platforms by blending storytelling with conversational AI.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Fundamentum launches $200M third fund as Nandan Nilekani steps back from GP role

Indian venture capital firm Fundamentum has announced the launch of its $200 million third fund. Co-founder Nandan Nilekani is stepping down from his General Partner role at the firm, though he will continue as its anchor investor. The firm is simultaneously expanding its leadership team to support its next phase of growth. Fundamentum's new fund will focus on backing artificial intelligence and fintech startups in India.

0
TechnologyThe Verge ·

SpaceX Outpaces 2025 Record with 1,589 Starlink Satellites Launched in H1 2026

SpaceX has deployed 1,589 Starlink satellites in the first half of 2026, surpassing the 1,489 launched during the same period in 2025, according to data from satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. Last year was already a record-breaking year for the company, with 3,180 Starlink satellites deployed in total. Since the constellation launched, SpaceX has placed over 12,400 Starlink satellites into orbit, of which nearly 11,000 remain operational. The pace highlights SpaceX's dominant position in the low-Earth orbit satellite market, far ahead of competitors such as Amazon's nascent LEO service.

0
TechnologyBBC Tech ·

Ofcom fines porn site operator £630,000 for failing age verification

UK communications regulator Ofcom has imposed a £630,000 fine on a pornographic website company for failing to implement adequate age verification measures. The penalty targets sites that Ofcom says are not doing enough to prevent children from accessing explicit adult content. The action is part of Ofcom's broader enforcement of online safety rules requiring adult platforms to restrict underage access. The fine signals the regulator's intent to hold platforms accountable under the UK's tightening digital safety framework.

0
TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Google, Apple and Samsung Apps Can Turn Your Phone Into a Health Tracker

Free health apps from Apple, Google, and Samsung allow smartphone users to monitor key aspects of their personal wellness. These tools can help individuals track their diet, physical activity, and overall well-being in one place. Beyond everyday fitness monitoring, the apps can also store and surface critical health information during emergencies. The built-in nature of these apps means most users already have access to them without needing third-party downloads.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Truecaller pushes back against India telecom regulator's anti-spam framework

Truecaller has entered into a dispute with India's telecom regulator over its anti-spam rules. The caller ID company argues that users are increasingly ignoring and blocking calls originating from India's dedicated business number series. This trend suggests that the current regulatory approach to curbing spam may be undermining legitimate business communications. Truecaller's concerns highlight a growing tension between anti-spam enforcement measures and their unintended impact on user behavior.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Judge approves Musk's $1.5M SEC settlement despite personal reservations

A federal judge has approved Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, despite expressing personal reservations about the deal. The case centered on how Musk disclosed his increasing ownership stake in Twitter, the social media platform now rebranded as X. The settlement brings a formal close to a prolonged legal dispute between Musk and the SEC over the matter. Regulatory rules require timely and accurate disclosure when an investor acquires a significant stake in a publicly traded company.

0
TechnologyBBC Tech ·

San Francisco median home price hits record $1.7m amid AI industry boom

San Francisco home prices have reached a record high, with the median cost of a property now standing at $1.7 million. The surge is being driven in part by highly paid workers in the artificial intelligence sector, who have significantly increased demand for housing in the city. The influx of wealthy tech professionals has pushed prices beyond previous records, making the city one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States. The latest figures highlight growing concerns about affordability for residents who do not work in the booming AI industry.

0
TechnologyThe Verge ·

Meta developing always-on smart glasses that record audio and photos continuously

Meta is reportedly developing prototype smart glasses capable of continuously recording audio and capturing photos every few seconds, according to the Financial Times. The device would integrate with Meta AI, allowing wearers to query the collected audio and images. In one proposed design, raw footage and audio would not be stored by Meta or made directly accessible to users. Instead, only metadata derived from the recordings would be retained and processed. The project positions Meta among companies exploring always-on AI wearables.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

NHTSA Orders AV Companies to Stop Blocking Emergency Responders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a directive requiring autonomous vehicle companies to cease interfering with first responders at emergency scenes. The federal agency made clear that encounters with emergency personnel should not be treated as rare or exceptional scenarios by AV systems. NHTSA's stance signals growing regulatory pressure on the autonomous vehicle industry to better handle real-world safety situations. The move reflects broader concerns about how self-driving technology responds when police, firefighters, or paramedics are present on the road.

0
TechnologyArs Technica ·

Brown University Rocked by AI Cheating Scandal Amid Faculty Outcry

Brown University is facing a significant academic integrity crisis centered on students using artificial intelligence to cheat on assignments and exams. Faculty members have raised serious concerns about the growing prevalence of AI-assisted dishonesty across courses. At least one professor has described the trend in stark terms, warning that widespread AI cheating could lead to broader societal failure. The scandal has sparked debate on campus about how universities should respond to and regulate AI use in academic settings. Brown joins a growing number of institutions nationwide grappling with how to balance AI's educational potential against its misuse.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Google's Deepfake Detector Exposes AI-Generated Fake Image of Senator McConnell

A fabricated image purportedly showing Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell in a hospital bed connected to tubes circulated online earlier this week. The image depicted the senator in a state of extreme distress, raising public concern. Investigators used Google's deepfake detection technology to analyze the photograph. The tool confirmed the image was AI-generated and not a real photograph of McConnell.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

EU-Backed QuantumDiamonds Targets Faster Chip Inspection With Novel Tech

QuantumDiamonds, a German startup, has received backing under the European Chips Act, an EU initiative designed to strengthen the semiconductor industry through state subsidies. The company uses an innovative approach to chip inspection, aiming to improve the speed and efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing. The European Chips Act mirrors similar legislation in the United States, both seeking to boost domestic chip production. QuantumDiamonds is among the select startups benefiting from this government-supported push to advance Europe's position in the global semiconductor sector.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Drone Delivery Startup Manna to Open US Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Irish autonomous drone delivery company Manna is expanding into the United States with a new operations and manufacturing facility. The company has chosen Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the location for its first American base. The facility is expected to eventually create up to 1,000 jobs in the region. This move marks a significant step in Manna's growth beyond its existing European operations.

0
TechnologyThe Verge ·

Samsung offers $30 credit for early interest in upcoming Galaxy foldable phones

Samsung is allowing customers to register early interest in its next lineup of Galaxy foldable phones ahead of the official Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July 22nd, 2026. The event, teased with the tagline 'A new shape unfolds,' is expected to showcase updated Flip and Fold models alongside a new wider foldable device. Those who register and subsequently preorder one of the new phones will receive a $30 store credit applied at checkout. However, the credit cannot be used toward the phone itself and must be spent on accessories such as Galaxy rings, earbuds, watches, or tablets, or applied to a Samsung Care Plus subscription. Registration is free and the credit is automatically applied at checkout when the same email address is used during preorder.

0
TechnologyArs Technica ·

Girls Sue X Over Grok AI Used to Generate Thousands of Child Sex Images

Multiple young girls have filed lawsuits against X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, over the misuse of its Grok AI chatbot to generate child sexual abuse material. One case involves a man who allegedly used Grok to produce approximately 7,000 sexual images of his stepdaughter before dying by suicide. The plaintiffs accuse X of failing to implement adequate safeguards to prevent its AI tool from being exploited for such abuse. The lawsuits further allege that X has actively shielded child predators rather than taking meaningful steps to protect minors. The cases highlight growing legal scrutiny of AI platforms over their role in the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

xAI Launches Grok 4.5, Positioning It as a Cost-Efficient High-End AI Model

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI released Grok 4.5 on Wednesday, the latest iteration of its Grok AI model. Musk described the model as 'Opus-class,' suggesting it competes with top-tier AI offerings in the market. The company is positioning Grok 4.5 as a more affordable and efficient alternative to other powerful AI models currently available. The release signals xAI's continued push to compete in the increasingly crowded high-performance AI space.

0
TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Roost app slows social messaging to carrier pigeon speed, draws 300,000 users

Roost is a social messaging app designed to deliberately slow down communication, mimicking the pace of a carrier pigeon. The app was built as a side project by its developer, who did not anticipate significant growth. Despite modest expectations, Roost has attracted 300,000 users drawn to its unhurried approach. The app has found an audience among people seeking an alternative to the fast-paced, always-on nature of modern social media culture.

← NewerPage 278 of 307Older →