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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Google updates Android Bench with new LLMs, but Gemini still lags behind
Android Bench is evolving, and developers can help guide that process.
Technology
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Crypto VC Firm Paradigm Raises $1.2B for Third Investment Fund
Paradigm, a venture capital firm focused on cryptocurrency startups, has successfully raised $1.2 billion for its third fund. The firm was originally founded in 2018 with a mandate to back early-stage crypto companies. The new fund, dubbed Fund III, signals continued institutional appetite for crypto-focused venture investment. Paradigm has indicated the capital will be directed toward startups operating at the technical frontier of the industry.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Prime Intellect raises $130M Series A to build enterprise AI agent training tools
Prime Intellect, a startup founded in 2024, has secured $130 million in a Series A funding round. The company aims to help enterprises develop and train their own AI agents in-house. Its core proposition is reducing organizational dependence on large frontier AI laboratories. The funding will support Prime Intellect's mission to give businesses greater autonomy over their agentic AI systems.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
US Insurance Giant Hit by Massive Driver's License Data Breach in 2026
A major U.S. insurance company has suffered a significant cyberattack, exposing millions of driver's license numbers. The breach is currently recognized as the largest known compromise of driver's license data recorded in 2026. The incident highlights growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the insurance sector. Authorities and cybersecurity experts are likely to scrutinize how such sensitive personal data was left exposed.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Some AI Startups Report Accelerating Revenue Growth Rates
A number of AI startups are reporting rapid revenue growth, with some claiming their growth rates are accelerating over time. The trend highlights the intensifying momentum within the artificial intelligence startup sector. These companies say their financial performance is outpacing earlier projections. The details come amid broader investor and industry interest in AI-driven businesses.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Waymo Robotaxi Calls 911 After Teens Fire Toy Gun at Vehicle in San Mateo
Two teenagers learned a costly lesson after firing a toy gun at a Waymo robotaxi in San Mateo, California. The autonomous vehicle, operating without a human driver, responded by coming to a stop at the scene. The robotaxi then independently contacted emergency services by calling 911. San Mateo Police were dispatched and arrived at the location where the Waymo waited for them. The incident highlights the automated safety response capabilities built into Waymo's self-driving vehicles.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Ocean rift zone saw spreading happen in a sudden burst
The crust expands at mid-ocean rifts. But how?
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Vermilion Cliffs Ventures closes $25M Fund II to invest in AI and security startups
Solo general partner Ashley Smith has announced the close of a $25 million second fund under Vermilion Cliffs Ventures. The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a new chapter for the venture firm. The fund is focused on backing early-stage startups operating in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Smith runs the firm independently as a solo GP, directing capital toward emerging technology sectors.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Mondo Robotics' $800 Beni Robot Dog Can Jump, Film, and Do Tricks on Command
Mondo Robotics has developed a consumer robot called Beni, priced at $800, that moves on two legs and can run, jump, and perform tricks on command. The device doubles as a camera, capable of filming users as they perform their own stunts or activities. A hands-on demo by The Verge lasted approximately two hours and left the reviewer impressed by the robot's agility and resilience, including its ability to recover from repeated crashes. While the reviewer acknowledged that Beni still needs refinement, the experience was engaging enough to spark genuine interest in owning one. The robot was initially mistaken for AI-generated video due to its surprisingly advanced movement for a consumer-grade product in 2026.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Google Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel 11 may see price hikes in 2025
Google is reportedly planning to raise prices across its upcoming Pixel lineup, according to reports from Dealabs cited by 9to5Google. The 41mm Pixel Watch 5 may start at $399 for Wi-Fi and $499 for LTE, a $50 increase over the Pixel Watch 4. The larger 45mm model could be priced at $429 (Wi-Fi) and $529 (LTE), representing a $30 rise from the previous generation. A separate Dealabs report also points to higher European pricing for the Pixel 11, with changes potentially affecting base storage options. No official confirmation from Google has been issued at this time.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Apple Signs $30B Deal With Broadcom to Make Wireless Chips in the US
Apple has entered into a multiyear agreement with Broadcom valued at over $30 billion. The deal focuses on the design and production of custom wireless connectivity chips intended for use in Apple devices. More than 15 billion of these chips are set to be manufactured within the United States. The partnership underscores Apple's push toward domestic semiconductor production amid growing emphasis on American-made technology.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
MSI Katana 15 with RTX 5060 drops to $1,134 amid rising laptop prices
Gaming laptop prices have surged due to an unprecedented rise in RAM and storage costs, making mid-range machines more expensive than usual. The 2025 MSI Katana 15 HX, currently discounted to $1,133.67 on Amazon from $1,499.99, stands out as a relative value in the current market. The laptop features a 15.6-inch 1440p 165Hz display, an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It also offers a well-stocked port selection including USB-A, USB-C with video output, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and supports RAM upgrades up to 96GB via two user-accessible slots. While the deal is notable, analysts and reviewers point out that similar price points previously offered higher-tier GPUs, reflecting how much the market has shifted.
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TechnologyNYT Technology ·
SF Home Sellers Demand AI Startup Stock Instead of Cash as Tech Boom Heats Up
The AI boom is reshaping San Francisco's real estate market, with some home sellers now requesting equity in companies like OpenAI and Anthropic as part of sale transactions. This trend is emerging even though neither company has yet gone public. Buyers eager to enter the competitive Bay Area market are racing to secure properties, while sellers seek to capitalize on the anticipated value of AI startup shares. The phenomenon highlights how deeply AI industry wealth is influencing local economic behavior well beyond Silicon Valley offices.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Venus Aerospace secures $90M Series B to develop next-generation rocket engine
Venus Aerospace has raised $90 million in a Series B funding round to develop a new type of rocket engine. The Texas-based aerospace startup is working on propulsion technology aimed at advancing high-speed flight. The funding round signals strong investor confidence in the company's novel engine concept. Venus Aerospace joins a growing list of private aerospace firms attracting significant capital to push the boundaries of rocket propulsion technology.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Blue Origin raises $10B in funding round at $130B valuation
Blue Origin is reportedly raising $10 billion in a new funding round, according to the New York Times. The space company is being valued at $130 billion on a pre-money basis. The round is led by prominent investors including Coatue Asset Management and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos himself. Other major investors are also participating in the fundraise.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
US Rare Earth Miners Sell to Asia Amid Slow Domestic Demand
American rare earth mining companies, backed by the Trump administration, are selling their output to Japan and South Korea rather than to US buyers. This comes despite Washington's stated goal of building a domestic rare earths supply chain to reduce reliance on foreign sources. Demand from American manufacturers and industries has been slow to materialize, leaving exportation as the more viable commercial route. The situation highlights a gap between the administration's strategic ambitions and the current readiness of the US industrial base to absorb domestically mined rare earths.
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TechnologyTechCrunch ·
Venus Williams-backed WeWard app locks your phone until daily step goals are met
WeWard, a French fitness app backed by tennis legend and angel investor Venus Williams, has introduced a feature that locks selected apps until users meet their daily step targets. The move is designed to nudge users toward more physical activity by tying screen time to walking goals. According to WeWard, the app has already demonstrated measurable results, increasing users' walking time by nearly 25%. The feature blends digital wellness with physical fitness, using smartphone habits as leverage to encourage movement.
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TechnologyThe Verge ·
Fi Ultra becomes first pet tracker to use Starlink when LTE signal fails
Fi has launched the Ultra, the first pet tracker to integrate Starlink satellite connectivity, priced at $199. The device combines standard GPS and LTE tracking with automatic failover to SpaceX's low Earth orbit Starlink satellites via T-Mobile's T-Satellite service. This allows pet owners across the US to locate their animals even in areas with no cellular coverage. The tracker is designed to attach to any existing dog collar or harness, making it suitable for dogs of all sizes. However, early testing indicates the device suffers from relatively poor battery life compared to other pet trackers on the market.
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TechnologyArs Technica ·
Blue Origin seeks $10 billion in first-ever private capital raise
Blue Origin is preparing to raise private capital for the first time in the company's history. The aerospace firm is targeting $10 billion in funding through this fundraising effort. The capital raise is expected to value Blue Origin at approximately $130 billion. This marks a significant financial milestone for Jeff Bezos's space company, which has historically been privately funded by Bezos himself.
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TechnologyBBC Tech ·
Meta faces backlash over AI image generation from public Instagram photos
Meta has introduced a feature allowing users to generate AI images using photos from public Instagram profiles. The tech giant has drawn significant criticism from privacy advocates over the move. Meta stated that individuals have the option to opt out of having their images used in this way. However, privacy campaigners have strongly condemned the policy, describing it as a potential recipe for disaster. The controversy highlights growing concerns around consent and the use of personal images in AI systems.
