CES 2025 is in full swing. While the conference features reveals from tech powerhouses like Nvidia, Samsung, and Toyota, there are also some very strange product concepts and announcements circulating on the show floor. We’ve compiled the weirdest, silliest, and most eyebrow-raising products from CES 2025. A robotic cat that cools down your coffee for…
Category: Global IT News
CES, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, pickpad, point of service, restaurant
PickPad addresses the chaos of restaurant takeout
There was a time when baristas just had to write a customer’s name on a cup and call it out. They wouldn’t always get the name right, but more often than not, it went to the right person. The prospect of picking up takeout has, however, become considerably more dicey in this post-pandemic era dominated…
astrohaus, CES, FreeWrite, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, Keyboard, mechanical keyboard
Astrohaus launches a mechanical keyboard for writers
Astrohaus has cornered a very specific niche. The Michigan-based startup builds hardware for writers looking to eliminate distractions. It’s really tough finishing up that novel when Instagram exists, after all. While the company has made its name bucking most tech trends, however, its latest offering has found a bandwagon to jump onto. Announced at CES…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Nokia and STC claim MEA record with 1Tbps trial across 850km network
Telecoms equipment vendor Nokia and Saudi telco STC have concluded what they say is the first-ever 1Tbps long haul field trial in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, using Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine (PSE-6s) technology .
AI, chatbot, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, Grok, musk, Social, social media, unhinged model, X
Grok may soon get an ‘Unhinged Mode’
Last April, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, teased a mysterious “Unhinged Mode” for X’s AI-powered chatbot, Grok. Nearly a year later, xAI, the Musk-owned company behind Grok, has updated an FAQ page on its website that sheds light on the new mode. Grok in Unhinged Mode will provide responses “intended to be objectionable,…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Medallia appoints Mark Bishof as Chairman and CEO
Customer and employee experience company Medallia has announced the appointment of Mark Bishof as Chairman and CEO.
Global IT News, Global Security News
HMD enters mobile to satellite communications market with OffGrid
Finnish smartphone maker HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has entered Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Communications market with the launch of a new mobile messaging device called HMD OffGrid.
AI, AI wearables, CES, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, SMART Glasses
Halliday’s $489 smart glasses beam a tiny screen to your eye
Walk up to someone wearing a pair of Halliday’s smart glasses, and you might not notice they’re looking at smartphone notifications, live language translations, or advice from an AI assistant. The only giveaway is the tiny green dot of light on their eyeball. Wearables startup Halliday launched a pair of smart glasses at CES 2025…
CES, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, iPad, zugu
This $1,500 iPad bundle will Rickroll your family after you die
It’s only the second day of CES 2025, and we’ve already reached the point where it’s difficult to distinguish real products from elaborate pranks. In Case of Death currently leads that race by a country mile. Produced by Zugu, the product is designed as a kind of dead man’s switch for your digital life. It…
a16z, flock safety, Global IT News, Global Security News, Policy, sales, Startups
Flock Safety quietly hired a sitting California mayor. Now he’s suing Flock
Last year, police surveillance startup Flock Safety hired the mayor of a California city with over 200,000 residents to promote its products. But the mayor, Ulises Cabrera of Moreno Valley, now claims Flock wrongfully terminated him, partly because he refused to use his position as mayor to benefit Flock, according to a lawsuit Cabrera filed…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Australian organisations face an array of cybersecurity challenges that didn’t exist half a decade ago
GUEST OPINION by John Penn, Security Propositions Architect at BT : And yet the reliance on traditional security and legacy systems is largely the status quo – often falling short in addressing the nuanced interplay between human behaviour and technological vulnerabilities.
AGI, AI, arc prize, arc prize foundation, arc-agi, benchmarks, Francois Chollet, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News
AI researcher François Chollet is co-founding a nonprofit to build benchmarks for AGI
Former Google engineer and influential AI researcher François Chollet is co-founding a nonprofit to help develop benchmarks that’ll probe AI for “human-level” intelligence. The nonprofit, the ARC Prize Foundation, will be led by Greg Kamradt, an ex-Salesforce engineering director and founder of the AI product studio Leverage. Kamradt will serve as president and a member…
Apps, Climate, consumer apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, top apps, wildfires
Watch Duty surpasses ChatGPT as top free app on App Store as California fires spread
Watch Duty, an app to track wildfires with live maps and alerts, has become the number one free app in Apple’s App Store as of Wednesday morning. The fire tracking app surpassed the ChatGPT app for the number one spot as devastating fires continue to rage across Southern California. Watch Duty has been around since…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Mastodon, Meta, Social, Threads
Mastodon CEO calls Meta’s moderation changes ‘deeply troubling,’ warns users cross-posting from Threads
Mastodon CEO Eugen Rochko has spoken out about the significant moderation changes announced by Meta on Tuesday, which will see the social networking giant removing fact-checking across its apps in favor of a crowdsourced community notes feature, similar to X’s. The Mastodon founder, whose app competes with X and Meta’s X rival, Instagram Threads, called…
Diablo 4, Elon Musk, Gaming, Global IT News, Global Security News, TC
Gamers can’t fathom how 6x CEO Elon Musk found time to best Diablo IV
On October 16 and November 20, Elon Musk tweeted videos of himself clearing the highest level of the Diablo IV video game in about 2 minutes. While Diablo IV has been out since mid-2023, the latest “season,” called The Pit, launched on October 7. Many asked: How did he find the time to do it…
basketball, CES, davy robot, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, robotics
This basketball robot uses AI to rebound the ball after you shoot
Like anything in life, the secret to becoming Steph Curry or Sabrina Ionescu is practice, practice, and more practice. You practice when it’s too hot, too cold, you’re tired, or you’re sick. Finding a willing one-on-one partner through all of that is, however, another question entirely. The good news is that later this year, you…
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, electrical grid, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Gridware, Power Lines, Sequoia Partners
Gridware’s boxes literally listen to power lines to find outages
Gridware’s sensors listen for sounds that the company’s software has been trained to identify as different hazards to the grid. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
cyberattack, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, russia-ukraine war, Security
Ukrainian hackers take credit for hacking Russian ISP that wiped out servers and caused internet outages
The Russian ISP blamed the Ukrainian hackers for causing a “complete failure” across its internet infrastructure. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, this week in AI
This Week in AI: More capable AI is coming, but will its benefits be evenly distributed?
Hiya, folks, welcome to TechCrunch’s regular AI newsletter. If you want this in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. The AI news cycle didn’t slow down much this holiday season. Between OpenAI’s 12 days of “shipmas” and DeepSeek’s major model release on Christmas Day, blink and you’d miss some new development. And it’s not slowing…
Apps, Creators, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Social, TikTok, TikTok Ban, Triller
Triller launches a tool to back up users’ TikToks ahead of the U.S. ban deadline
Triller, a would-be competitor to TikTok, is hoping to capitalize on the potential for a TikTok ban in the U.S. by pitching to creators to move their content from the popular short-form video app to its own. The company has now launched a website, SaveMyTikToks.com, which promises to back up all your TikTok videos by…
CES, ces 2025, connected fitness, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, tonal, tonal 2
Tonal’s new strength training system arrives with refreshed hardware and new workouts
The post-pandemic years haven’t been especially kind to connected fitness. As bigger names like Peloton and Mirror have struggled, however, plenty of smaller firms like Tonal are still going strong. At CES 2025 on Wednesday, the Bay Area firm announced the arrival of its new strength training system, fittingly named Tonal 2. At its core,…
boston dynamics, ghost robotics, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics
Boston Dynamics settles patent suit with military robotics firm Ghost
Roughly two and a half years after their patent battle began, Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics have settled the dispute on reasonably amicable terms. The robotics firms on Wednesday issued a joint release announcing the end of the dispute. “We are pleased to resolve this dispute on mutually advantageous terms,” Boston Dynamics Chief Legal Officer…
AI, CES, device tracking, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, pet tech, Startups
Former Huami employees launch SATELLAI, a satellite pet tracker, at CES 2025
With the smart pet wearable market estimated at $1.72 million in 2024, a new startup in the pet tech space is entering the scene with a dog tracker and collar that can directly link with satellite tracking without needing an LTE signal. At CES 2025, SATELLAI presented its pet tracker and smart collar, which include…
china, cyberattacks, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Japan, Security
Japan says Chinese hackers targeted its government and tech companies for years
The years-long hacking spree targeted government organizations as well as companies across Japan. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, AI device, AI wearable, Global IT News, Global Security News, TC
Omi, a competitor to Friend, wants to boost your productivity using AI and a ‘brain interface’
San Francisco startup Based Hardware announced the launch of a new AI wearable, Omi, to boost productivity during the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas this week. The device can be worn as a necklace where Omi’s AI assistant can be activated by saying “Hey Omi.” The startup also claims Omi can be attached to…
AI, Biotech & Health, clinical trials, Global IT News, Global Security News, Grove AI, seed capital, Startups
Grove cuts clinical trial enrollment time with AI
Tran Le was an engineering student at Stanford University when she tried to enroll in a clinical trial for her chronic condition. Although she identified several promising trials, she found the sign-up process daunting — she had to have extensive email exchanges with clinical sites and complete lengthy 20-page forms. All that paperwork was so…
AI, AI model, Apps, Bing, bing image creator, DALL-E 3, Global IT News, Global Security News, image generator, Media & Entertainment, Microsoft, model, pr16
Microsoft rolls back its Bing Image Creator model after users complain of degraded quality
Ahead of the holidays, Microsoft said it was upgrading the AI model behind Bing Image Creator, the AI-powered image editing tool built into the company’s Bing search engine. Microsoft promised that the new model — the latest version of OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 model, code-named “PR16” — would allow users to create images “twice as fast…
Global IT News, Global Security News, lawsuit, Media & Entertainment, moviepass, movies, Startups, subscription service
Former CEO of MoviePass’ parent company pleads guilty to fraud over ‘unlimited’ plan
The former chief executive of the parent company of MoviePass, Theodore Farnsworth, pleaded guilty to charges of securities fraud and conspiracy after being accused of misleading investors over the service’s “unlimited plan.” Farnsworth also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud as the chief executive of Vinco Ventures, a publicly traded company. Helios &…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Telstra to bring SpaceX’s Starlink Satellite-to-Mobile technology to its customers
Telstra has announced it is collaborating with SpaceX’s Starlink to bring Satellite-to-Mobile text message capability to Telstra customers in Australia.
a16z, Biotech & Health, General Catalyst, Global IT News, Global Security News, h1, M&A, Startups, venture-backed M&A
Healthcare analytics platform H1 has acquired Ribbon, backed by a16Z and General Catalyst
H1, a healthcare data analytics platform serving the pharmaceutical industry with data on over 10 million healthcare professionals, has acquired Ribbon, a startup that helps patients find doctors that are supported by their insurance. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The last time that Ribbon — founded in 2016 and a Y…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, News and Trends, services, US Channel News
MacPaw Announces Expansion of CleanMyMac Tech for SMBs
Leading macOS and iOS software producer MacPaw has announced the launch of CleanMyMac Business, which will extend its CleanMyMac technology to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and managed service providers (MSPs). Simplifying Mac maintenance for partners and businesses The new software will simplify Mac fleet maintenance for organizations, complementing commonly used mobile device management (MDM)…
Bain Capital, Cybersecurity, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, powerschool, Security
Edtech giant PowerSchool says hackers accessed personal data of students and teachers
The Bain Capital-owned edtech giant says hackers accessed its customer support portal using a “compromised credential.” © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
Vay expands driverless car-sharing fleet in Las Vegas
Vay is hitting the accelerator on its driverless car-sharing service in Las Vegas. The Berlin-based startup, which uses teleoperations technology that lets humans pilot empty vehicles to customers, has been operating a small commercial fleet of retrofitted Kia e-Niro vehicles in certain parts of Las Vegas since January 2024. When customers open the Vay app…
Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, european commission, GDPR, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security
EU court fines European Commission for breaching its own data privacy laws
The EU court said the bloc’s executive authority violated a citizen’s rights by transferring some of his personal data to the U.S. without proper safeguards. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News
Dragos Names Ekta Singh-Bushell as Chief Operating Officer
In the new COO role, Singh-Bushell will apply vast experience scaling high growth companies and market leaders through operational excellence and customer value
Apps, Commerce, E-Commerce, funding rounds, Global IT News, Global Security News, livestream shopping, series E funding, Whatnot
Livestream shopping app Whatnot raises $265M, pinning valuation at nearly $5B
Whatnot, the platform that allows users to sell items such as trading cards, comics, and sneakers through live videos, announced on Wednesday that it has secured $265 million in a Series E funding round, a significant investment for a livestream shopping platform. This round puts Whatnot’s valuation at $4.97 billion. The investment marks an important…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Infoblox Threat Intel research sheds light on the use of spoofed domains in malicious spam campaigns
GUEST RESEARCH: Infoblox Threat Intel researchers have discovered new insights into the use of spoofed domains in modern malicious spam (malspam) campaigns, sending unsolicited emails that contain harmful attachments or links designed to infect the recipient’s computer with malware or to steal sensitive information. This reveals how threat actors exploit domain spoofing and how pervasive…
Global IT News, Global Security News
WatchGuard Acquires ActZero to Add Scalable and Open-Platform AI Security to Deliver Simplified 24/7 MDR Services
COMPANY NEWS: With demand for WatchGuard’s existing MDR service soaring, this acquisition lets MSPs easily add best-in-class MDR capabilities without building and maintaining their own in-house security operations center (SOC).
CES, ces 2025, Gadgets, Gaming, gaming handheld, Global IT News, Global Security News, lenovo, Lenovo Legion Go, Lenovo Legion Go S, SteamOS, Valve
SteamOS expands to other gaming handhelds with the Lenovo Legion Go S
SteamOS is slowly becoming an alternative to Windows for handheld gaming devices. After launching the Steam Deck with SteamOS, its own operating system, Valve is now partnering with third-party manufacturers so that they can release gaming handhelds with SteamOS support. On Tuesday, Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S at CES 2025. Unlike its predecessor, the…
Casio, Cybersecurity, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, Ransomware, Security
Casio says hackers stole personal data of 8,500 people during October ransomware attack
The Japanese electronics giant says it did not negotiate with the hackers responsible for the attack. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Biotech & Health, diabetes, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, siren socks, wearables
Siren secures strategic funding for its socks that detect diabetic foot ulcers
After studying burn victims and war veterans, entrepreneur Ran Ma hand-made a sock that contained sensors to detect foot ulcers. Now, her company, Siren, has secured $9.5 million, with an $8 million check from lead investor Mölnlycke Health Care to further the development and adoption of its diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) prevention product. It’s now…
Cybersecurity, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, icao, Security
UN aviation agency confirms hacker breached recruitment database to access thousands of records
ICAO says compromised data includes job applicants’ names, email addresses and employment history © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Microsoft
Microsoft backs its $3B AI push in India with public and private sector deals
Microsoft announced a sweeping series of artificial intelligence partnerships across India’s core sectors on Wednesday, a day after pledging to invest $3 billion in the country over the next two years as it intensifies competition with rivals Google and Amazon. The tech giant’s chief executive Satya Nadella (pictured above) unveiled agreements with five major organizations…
cross-border payments, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, nomupay, payments, wirecard
Nomupay raises $37M on a $200M valuation to build payment rails in underserved markets across Asia
Wirecard, a German fintech that raised hundreds of millions of dollars only to collapse in 2020 in a sea of scandal and insolvency, still makes headlines today as lawsuits continue against different entities and people once connected to the business. Meanwhile, a Dublin-based startup called Nomupay that was formed in 2023 out of some of…
Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Indian government, Security
Indian government websites are still redirecting users to scam sites
Some Indian government websites are still redirecting to links planted by scammers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Delta, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation, Uber
Delta SkyMiles members can now earn miles riding with Uber
Uber announced during CES 2025 a multi-year exclusive partnership with Delta Air Lines that allows SkyMiles members to earn miles when they ride with Uber or order delivery through Uber Eats in the U.S. The partnership will launch in the spring, giving Uber customers access to perks like “improved Uber pickup and drop off experiences…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, sam altman, TC
Sam Altman’s family responds to lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted his sister
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to sexual assault accusations from his estranged younger sister on Tuesday, calling the claims “entirely untrue.” According to the Saint Louis Post Dispatch, in a new lawsuit filed Monday, Annie Altman alleges her older brother sexually assaulted her over a nine-year period in the 1990s and 2000s. The suit echoes…
AI, CES, Delta, Delta Air Lines, Global IT News, Global Security News, planes, Transportation
Delta Air Lines announces an AI-powered assistant in its mobile app and free onboard YouTube Premium and Music at CES 2025
Over the last few years, Delta Air Lines’ presence has become a staple of CES, with the airline regularly hosting splashy keynotes. This year, the company has rented out the Sphere to announce its latest slate of updates. These include (can you guess it?) an AI-powered assistant in its app, as well as an updated…
autonomous vehicles, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation, Waymo, zeekr
Zeekr RT, the robotaxi built for Waymo, has the tiniest wipers
For the autonomous vehicle-obsessed, the Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi is nothing new. In 2021, Waymo and Zeekr announced a partnership. Waymo first showed a concept of the purpose-built robotaxi in late 2022 and began testing prototype versions on public roads in San Francisco last year, even as it began rolling out its commercial fleet of Jaguar I-Pace…
AI, ces 2025, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, nvidia
Nvidia CEO says his AI chips are improving faster than Moore’s Law
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the performance of his company’s AI chips is advancing faster than historical rates set by Moore’s Law, the rubric that drove computing progress for decades. “Our systems are progressing way faster than Moore’s Law,” said Huang in an interview with TechCrunch on Tuesday, the morning after he delivered a keynote…
BMW, CES, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, honda, linda yaccarino, X
CES 2025 Day 1: Honda, BMW, X’s victory lap, and the first show floor gadget reveals
CES 2025 is officially underway in Las Vegas. Monday’s press day saw keynotes from Samsung, Nvidia, Toyota, and Sony, among others, while Tuesday was all about the exciting new gadgets on the show floor. TechCrunch reporters are on the ground giving you the latest reveals at the conference. Below, you’ll find a list of the…
Global IT News, Global Security News, journalism, Media & Entertainment, News, Social, TC, X
X hires former WSJ editor and bureau chief to lead news group
X, formerly Twitter, wants to make its platform a home to the future and news and journalism. On that front, the company has now hired John Stoll, a former editor and Detroit bureau chief at The Wall Street Journal to lead its news group and partnership team at X. The hiring news was announced on…
beatbot, Biotech & Health, CES, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, robotics
This pool cleaning company made a robot turtle to track water quality
Beatbot makes robotic pool cleaners. In fact, the company is showing off a new one with a docking station this week at CES 2025. What really caught our eye on the show floor, however, is RoboTurtle, because, well, it’s a robot that looks like a turtle. The turtle, sadly, seems to very much be in…
bay area, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture, venture capital
Silicon Valley is so dominant again, its startups devoured over half of all global VC funding in 2024
For all the chatter about the decline of San Francisco, the data repeatedly shows that the area is still the best place for venture-backed startups. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
caiquetech, CES, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, radar
This baseball radar gun plugs into an iPhone
Tucked away in the recesses CES 2025’s Eureka Hall startup showcase, CaiqueTech showed off a novel take on the tried-and-true baseball radar gun. After building a standalone device, the Korean firm has created a modular version that plugs directly into a phone via the USB-C port. The PI SpeedGun module has radar built in. While…
actual smart summon, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation
Feds investigate Tesla’s ‘Actual Smart Summon’ after several crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into 2.56 million Tesla vehicles after several crashes involving the automaker’s “Actual Smart Summon” remote parking feature. Tesla released Actual Smart Summon, or ASS for short, via software update in September. It allows Tesla owners to use their app to command the vehicle drive itself…
AI, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News
AWS says it’ll invest ‘at least’ $11B to expand data center infrastructure in Georgia
On Tuesday, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon’s cloud computing division, said that it plans to invest “at least” $11 billion in Georgia to expand its infrastructure to support various cloud computing and AI technologies. AWS estimates that its investment will create roughly 550 jobs in the state. “AWS is proud to expand our operations in…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
FTC accuses gig work app Handy of misleading ads and opaque fees for workers
The FTC and New York’s attorney general have accused Handy, the gig app customers can use to book cleaners, handymen, and more, of making deceptive claims about how much workers could earn through its platform. In a complaint filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the FTC…
CES, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, mv7i, shure
You can plug a second mic into Shure’s new MV7i
Announced in 2022, the MV7 is hands down one of the best podcaster mics on the market. Last April, Shure updated the line to include the MV7+, which has USB-C connect and a few new tricks designed to get a cleaner sound. At CES 2025 on Tuesday, the audio company added yet another entry to…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Nokia’s cellular network ready for Moon in IM-2 lander
Mobile operator Nokia and space exploration manufacturer Intuitive Machines have completed the integration of Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) into the IM-2 mission lunar lander, named Athena.
Climate, data centers, Deep Fission, endeavour, Enterprise, fission, Global IT News, Global Security News, nuclear power
Nuclear startup Deep Fission plans to bury micro-reactors to power data centers
Deep Fission’s small modular reactors would be lowered on cables down a 30-inch, one-mile deep borehole. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Apps, Bluesky, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, Social, Threads, Twitter, X
Threads prototypes custom display names and cover images for profiles
Instagram Threads is developing new features that would bring its user experience more in line with that of X (formerly Twitter) and the social network Bluesky. The Meta-owned company is internally prototyping the ability to set a display name and add a cover image to profiles. A spokesperson for the company confirmed to TechCrunch on…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Deutsche Telekom consolidates wholesale business under T Wholesale
German communications giant Deutsche Telekom has consolidated its national and international wholesale activities into a single entity called T Wholesale, in a move the telco says is intended to reflect the growing demand for integrated telecomms services.
AI, Anthropic, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief
Anthropic reportedly in talks to raise $2B at $60B valuation, led by Lightspeed
OpenAI rival Anthropic is in talks to raise $2 billion in new capital in a funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, according to The Wall Street Journal. The round, which The Journal reports would value Anthropic at $60 billion, would bring Anthropic’s total raised to $15.7 billion, going by Crunchbase’s data. It would also…
CES, ces 2025, flying car, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation, Xpeng, xpeng aero ht
Xpeng Aero HT unveils ‘flying car’ that’s part-van, part-eVTOL at CES 2025
Xpeng Aero HT, the aerospace company under Chinese EV startup Xpeng, unveiled at CES 2025 its “modular flying car,” the so-called Land Aircraft Carrie. It’s ssentially an electric minivan with a small folding eVTOL (vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) tucked in the back, which can be rolled out and launched into flight. The company says…
Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, ruchi sanghvi, South Park Commons, South Park Commons India, Venture
South Park Commons is raising $40M for an India-specific fund
South Park Commons is raising $40 million for its India-specific fund over six months after announcing its outpost in Bengaluru. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Telegram, transparency report
Telegram reports spike in sharing user data with law enforcement
The messaging app handed over user data on thousands of Telegram users to U.S. authorities over 2024, the data reveals. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
CES, electric vehicles, Global IT News, Global Security News, honda, Transportation
Honda reveals its futuristic ‘0 SUV’ prototype at CES 2025
Honda is adding to its so-called 0 Series of EVs with a new SUV it just revealed at CES 2025. The company showed off a mid-size SUV prototype dubbed, surely enough, the 0 SUV, which will join the 0 Saloon that Honda showed off at last year’s show. A production version of the SUV will…
AI, Apps, CES, families, Global IT News, Global Security News, Panasonic, wellness
Panasonic unveils an AI-powered wellness coach, powered by Anthropic’s Claude, at CES 2025
At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Panasonic unveiled its upcoming digital assistant, Umi, which offers families a personalized, AI-powered wellness coach. Created in partnership with Anthropic, Umi uses the Claude AI model to help families “care, coordinate, and connect” with each other, the company said. More specifically, this involves an AI assistant that focuses on…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Pure Storage and Micron collaborate to deliver scalable, energy-efficient solutions for hyperscale data centers
COMPANY NEWS: Pure Storage®, the IT pioneer that delivers the world’s most advanced data storage technology and services, today announced the expansion of its strategic collaboration with Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), a global leader in memory and storage solutions. This strategic collaboration enables the high-capacity and energy-efficient solutions that hyperscalers require using Micron G9…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, News and Trends, services, US Channel News
Pia CEO to Step Down, Executive Group to Fill Duties in Interim
AI-led help desk automation platform for managed service providers (MSPs) Pia has announced that Gerwai Todd will be stepping down as CEO, effective immediately. Pia will now pursue a full-time CEO to meet its business needs. Todd, who served as the CEO of both Pia and TimeZest simultaneously, will remain CEO at TimeZest. The help…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, services, Tech Companies
Granite’s Greenix Earns Patent for Orchestration Platform
Telecommunications solutions provider for businesses and government entities, Granite Telecommunications, has been issued a new patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its Greenix technology, a low-code workflow editor designed to streamline and automate complex network deployments. This is the second patent that Greenix has been awarded in 2024 by the USPTO.…
benefits, Enterprise, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, hr, OnPay, Payroll, people management, Software, startup, Startups
HR software startup OnPay was inspired by the founder’s family payroll business
In 2007, Jesse Burgess joined his family’s payroll business. He quickly noticed that the business’ six payroll clerks were getting bogged down by repetitive, monotonous tasks — and so he sought to streamline those tasks by creating workflow automation tools. Several years later, Burgess sensed an opportunity to bring the tools he developed for his…
BMW, CES, electric vehicles, EVs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
BMW’s new UI puts widgets on the windshield
BMW is totally revamping its in-car user interface, starting with the Neue Klasse sedan later this year and ultimately spreading to all models, the company announced at CES 2025. Some of it looks and feels familiar, but the big change is a widget-based system that lets users customize the layout — including on the car’s…
AI, autonomous vehicles, CES, Global IT News, Global Security News, nvidia, robotaxi, Transportation, Uber
At CES 2025, Uber teams up with Nvidia to scale autonomous driving faster
Uber will use Nvidia’s new generative world model simulation tool, Cosmos, and cloud-based AI supercomputing platform, DGX Cloud, to support the development of autonomous vehicle technology, the companies announced at CES 2025. Cosmos is being marketed to robotics and autonomy companies as a tool that generates physics-based videos from a variety of inputs, including 9,000…
bench, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, TechCrunch Fintech
What the heck happened at fintech Bench?
Welcome to TechCrunch Fintech! It’s good to be back. This week, we’re looking at the wild ride that was Bench’s shutdown and acquisition; dozens of companies that are hiring in the fintech space; lawsuits against PayPal; an IPO update; and more! This edition is a bit longer than normal since we were on a hiatus…
3D design, ai apps, Apps, Creators, design, Gaming, Global IT News, Global Security News, iOS apps, Rooms, Social, Startups
Google puts $1M into 3D design app Rooms after more than 1 million ‘rooms’ created
3D design app Rooms just landed more funding. Launched into beta in 2023, the app from ex-Google employees allows users to build and code interactive 3D rooms and mini-games using a library of more than 10,000 items, which can be further edited using the programming language Lua. Now, Google itself has invested $1 million into…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, internet of things, IoT, Security
US government set to launch its Cyber Trust Mark cybersecurity labeling program for internet-connected devices in 2025
The cybersecurity consumer labeling program will launch in 2025, the Biden administration confirmed, after initially slated for last year. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
CES, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, RadioShack
RadioShack is back (kind of)
The 21st century has not been kind to RadioShack. The once-dominant electronics component retailer simply couldn’t compete with big box stores like Best Buy and online retail juggernaut Amazon. February 2015 saw the company delisted from the New York Stock Exchange before declaring bankruptcy the same month. Later that year, RadioShack began the process of…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Trump announces $20B plan to build new data centers in the US
The data centers will primarily support AI and cloud technologies, the president-elect said. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
CES, food tech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware
Meticulous shows off its smart espresso machine at CES 2025
Meticulous is showcasing its smart espresso maker, which it says is the world’s first robotic lever espresso machine, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week. The prototype has raised nearly $5 million in funding on Kickstarter and another $1.6 million million on Indiegogo. The company’s first batch of espresso machines is set to ship…
Employer.com, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Level, Startups
Employer.com offers to buy failed fintech Level, a week after it makes offer for Bench
Employer.com has offered to acquire Level, a fintech startup that just last week abruptly shut down after failing to find a buyer, according to The Information. But Level is still mulling over the offer, its Employer.com CMO Matt Charney told TechCrunch. “It’s with legal,” he said. Founded in 2018 by early Square employee Paul Aaron,…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Manhattan Associates Predicts Four Game-Changing Retail Trends for 2025
GUEST OPINION: Omnichannel innovation, AI-driven personalisation, and sustainability among the key drivers shaping the future of retail
Global IT News, Global Security News
Singtel’s Paragon wins Platform award at 2024 World Communication Awards
Singtel has announced that its all-in-one aggregation and business orchestration platform, Paragon, has won the Platform award at the 2024 World Communication Awards (WCA), for addressing a critical challenge faced by enterprises: orchestrating multiple technology solutions to serve their business needs.
Global IT News, Global Security News
SentinelOne Recognised as a 2024 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms
COMPANY NEWS: 98% of end users willing to recommend Singularity Cloud Security to protect cloud-native environments from advanced threats
Global IT News, Global Security News
Exabeam Rips Up the Rule Book on SOC Automation
COMPANY NEWS: Exabeam leads the way in security operations productivity as the first platform to embrace Open API compatibility
Global IT News, Global Security News
GigaOm Radar Names Hitachi Vantara a Leader and Outperformer in Primary Storage for Virtual Storage Platform One
COMPANY NEWS: Industry recognition highlights Hitachi Vantara’s continued leadership and innovation in primary storage, delivering exceptional cloud integration, ransomware protection and enterprise performance
Apps, CES, Gaming, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, peacock, streaming
Peacock is experimenting with mini-games and short videos
As Peacock continues to trail behind major players in the entertainment industry like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube, the streaming service is adopting strategies similar to its rivals with two new initiatives: mini-games and a short-form vertical video feed. The company previewed these experiments at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday. Starting this…
Creators, Facebook, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, political content, Politics, Social, Threads
Meta to phase back in political content on Facebook, Instagram and Threads
As a part of a significant overhaul of its content moderation policies announced on Tuesday, Meta admitted that its approach to limiting political content across its platforms had been “pretty blunt” and would now be addressed. The company said it would once again phase in political content into Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, allowing people who…
AI, deepfakes, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
UK confirms plans to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit deepfake content
The U.K. is forging ahead with plans to make the act of creating sexually explicit “deepfake” images a specific criminal offence. A deepfake refers to manipulated media, often video or audio, created using AI to make someone appear to say or do something they didn’t. The U.K. had already made sharing — and the threat…
Biotech & Health, ces 2025, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, ultrahuman rare, Ultrahuman Ring
Ultrahuman stakes a claim to luxury smart rings with trio of 18K gold and pt950 platinum bands
Smart ring maker Ultrahuman took the wraps off a trio of extra shiny high-tech trinkets at CES 2025 on Tuesday, adding a premium jewelry collection to its range of wellness wearables. It’s given the Ring line the brand name Rare, a neat verbal echo of the company’s mainstream smart ring, the Ring Air. The Indian…
Adtech, advertising, business, CES, ces 2025, Global IT News, Global Security News, Marketing, martech, Reddit, Social
Reddit intros new trends tools for businesses and an AMA ad format
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Reddit unveiled new trends tools aimed at businesses and a new ad format for its Ask Me Anything (AMA) Q&A sessions. The announcements come after a record fiscal quarter for Reddit. In Q3 2024, the social network reported over 100 million daily active users for the first…
Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Serve Robotics, sidewalk delivery robots, Transportation
Serve Robotics raises additional $80M as it scales sidewalk delivery robots
Nvidia and Uber-backed Serve Robotics has raised $80 million in a direct offering of 4.2 million shares of common stock, money that will help the company extend its runway through 2026 and scale its fleet from the 100 robots on the streets of Los Angeles today to the 2,000 Serve hopes to deploy by the…
Alta Resource Technologies, biotech, Climate, critical minerals, DCVC, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, rare earth minerals, Voyager Ventures
Alta Resource breaks down e-waste for rare earth metals that electronics need
Nvidia, Apple, and the Pentagon want more rare earth metals. Alta says it can capture more of the critical minerals from low-grade sources than other methods. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, News and Trends, services, US Channel News
Cynomi Announces Hiring of Former CyberArk CISO Dror Hevlin
vCISO platform and security advising vendor Cynomi announced this week that Dror Hevlin has been appointed as the company’s CISO, effective immediately. Hevlin joins Cynomi after a year-long stint as the CISO of security vendor CyberArk. Appointment marks the next chapter of Hevlin’s relationship with Cynomi According to information released by Cynomi, Hevlin’s role will…
AI, CES, exoskeleton, german bionics, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, robotics
German Bionic’s new exoskeleton supports 80-pound lifts
At CES 2025, German Bionic announced the Apogee Ultra, a new robotic exoskeleton it claims is the “world’s most powerful.” What did the system do to earn such a lofty title? It offers up to 80 pounds of dynamic lift assistance. That mean a payload of 70 pounds feels more like 9 to 11 pounds…
agriculture tech, AgTech, AI, Artificial Intelligence, biotech, Biotech & Health, Computer Vision, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups
Fermata uses computer vision to detect diseases and pests in plants
When Valeria Kogan started her Ph.D. program in bioinformatics, the scientific field that uses computation and software to analyze biological data, in 2017, she imagined her career would always be within the fields of mathematics, medicine, or biology. But after the first AI boom in the late 2010s, she got an intriguing opportunity in a…
Biotech & Health, bloodpressure, bpm vision, cardio check, CES, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, withings
Withings launches BPM Vision, a $130 home blood pressure monitor, at CES 2025
Withings has made a name for itself by making clinical grade health technologies accessible to consumer. This week at CES 2025, the firm revealed two new products that fit the description nicely, one hardware and one software. BPM Vision is the more notable. It’s a travel size home blood pressure monitor, complete with interchangeable arm…
Cybersecurity, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security
UN aviation agency ‘investigating’ security breach after hacker claims theft of personal data
ICAO says the incident was allegedly linked to a hacker ‘known for targeting international organizations’ © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
getty images, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, shutterstock, Stock Photo
Getty Images and Shutterstock to merge to form $3.7 billion stock photo giant
Getty Images has announced plans to merge with its rival Shutterstock in a cash-and-stock deal. The combined entity is expected to be valued at $3.7 billion based on yesterday’s closing share prices. This announcement confirms earlier reporting from Bloomberg. Both companies offer stock photos and video footage that can be licensed and reused. This content…