Business & Technology
Startup Gudea Uses AI to Help Organizations Spot Social Media Crises Early
US startup Gudea, which tracks how stories spread online, pitched an AI tool for early detection of reputation crises at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. It recently raised $7 million in seed funding.
TechCrunch AI · 15 Oct, 03:56
Flock CEO defends surveillance technology amid backlash: 'We shouldn't pause progress'
Garrett Langley, founder and CEO of US surveillance maker Flock, defended the company's license plate cameras at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, despite criticism, cancelled contracts and layoffs.
TechCrunch · 15 Oct, 03:55
NASA develops batteries built for the Moon's extreme temperatures
NASA has described its SPEARS project, which is developing solid-state batteries for extreme cold, with future Moon missions in mind. Ordinary lithium-ion batteries cannot cope with such conditions.
Engadget · 15 Oct, 02:58
Jekaterina Romanova Dreams of Creating Artificial Organs from Spider Silk
Latvian entrepreneur Jekaterina Romanova, named to the Forbes Latvia "30 under 30" list, has founded three startups. She now dreams of creating artificial organs from spider silk.
Apollo.lv · 15 Oct, 02:57
Apple's HomeView: Simplicity as the Main Strength of the Smart Home Display
Apple's first smart display, the $299 HomeView, is designed as a shared household device. In The Verge's reviewer's view, its key advantage is simplicity and constant availability.
The Verge · 15 Oct, 02:57
Epic Games used AI to build a new game launcher it says is faster than Steam
Fortnite developer Epic Games has released a public preview of a new Epic Games Launcher, largely written with AI assistance. The company claims it runs faster than rival Valve's Steam client.
Ars Technica · 15 Oct, 02:57
Denver startup offers human gut organoids for drug testing in place of animal models
US startup Intero Biosystems grows human intestinal organoids in the lab that drugmakers can use to supplement animal testing. The company is still validating its model and is in the second of three stages.
TechCrunch · 15 Oct, 02:56
OpenCode 2.0 Released With Background Service, New API and Code Mode
The developers of the OpenCode AI coding agent have released version 2.0, featuring a single central background process, a rewritten API and background subagents. The release is not compatible with 1.0 plugins.
Hacker News (≥150 p.) · 15 Oct, 01:58
How media agency Omnicom Media helps other companies grow
Ir magazine explains how the media agency Omnicom Media works. Its purpose is to help other companies' businesses develop, and it is led by Vadims Barisons and Kārlis Zembergs.
Žurnāls Ir · 15 Oct, 01:57
Fridge hack costing millions stemmed from basic security lapses
A mass hack of supermarket refrigeration controllers in Europe likely cost tens or hundreds of millions of euros. Security researchers say standard protections would have prevented it.
Ars Technica · 15 Oct, 01:57
CedarDB wants to unite transactional and analytical databases in one system
Munich startup CedarDB offers a database engine that handles both day-to-day transactions and analytical queries. It announced limited availability of CedarDB Cloud at TechCrunch Disrupt.
TechCrunch · 15 Oct, 01:56
McKinsey will test an AI-simulated client in job interviews
Consulting firm McKinsey & Company will ask some entry-level candidates to hold a 10-minute conversation with an AI-simulated client. Humans, not the AI, will assess the candidates.
The Verge · 15 Oct, 01:55
NASA's Venus Missions Back on Track After Cancellation Threat
NASA's two Venus missions, DAVINCI and VERITAS, are moving ahead despite earlier budget threats. DAVINCI is now set to launch in December 2030 and VERITAS in November 2032.
Ars Technica · 15 Oct, 00:59
Eight US states sue OpenAI, saying ChatGPT is not safe for children
Eight US states have separately filed lawsuits against AI company OpenAI, accusing it of harming children and misleading consumers about the safety of its ChatGPT chatbot. The states want courts to impose civil penalties and bar the company from misleading the public.
The Verge · 15 Oct, 00:58
Eight US states sue OpenAI, accusing it of endangering children
Attorneys general from eight US states have sued OpenAI, alleging it violated consumer protection laws and put children at risk. The suits cover ChatGPT's design as well as the behavior of AI agents.
Engadget · 15 Oct, 00:57
Flock CEO says its microphones detect 'just gunshots' — its website says otherwise
The CEO of US surveillance company Flock told TechCrunch Disrupt that its microphones detect only gunshots. The company's website and a spokesperson say the system also recognizes fireworks, car crashes and other sounds.
TechCrunch AI · 15 Oct, 00:56
India's Jio Platforms Plans Up to $3.2 Billion IPO, Potentially the Country's Largest
Jio Platforms, the digital arm of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, aims to raise up to $3.2 billion in an initial public offering. It could become the largest IPO in India's history.
TechCrunch · 15 Oct, 00:55
Microsoft and Japan take down cybercrime network behind over a billion scam messages
Microsoft, working with Japan's National Police Agency, has dismantled the YAM Store scam marketplace and two phishing kits, CoGUI and Iron Man. Since January 2026 they enabled more than one billion malicious messages worldwide.
The Verge · 14 Oct, 23:57
Fitbit Edge vs Fitbit Air: Differences Beyond the Screen
Google's Fitbit Edge ($179) and Fitbit Air ($99) differ in more than just a screen, with distinct sensors, sizes and battery life.
Engadget · 14 Oct, 23:57
What Is Starshield, SpaceX's Military Version of Starlink?
Starshield is a SpaceX business unit building military and intelligence satellite systems for the Pentagon. Elon Musk says it is separate from commercial Starlink, yet the two share much of the same satellite network.
France 24 · 14 Oct, 23:57
Flock CEO: No police departments have been dropped as customers
Garrett Langley, CEO of US license plate camera maker Flock, said the company has not ended any customer contract over misuse, even though officers have abused its tracking database. He spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco.
TechCrunch · 14 Oct, 23:57
Ubisoft plans to close RedLynx studio and cut jobs in Singapore
Game publisher Ubisoft has proposed closing its RedLynx studio in Finland, affecting up to 52 positions, while 70 jobs are impacted at its Singapore studio. It is the latest round of cuts in the company's cost-cutting drive this year.
Engadget · 14 Oct, 22:58
Ambrosia Energy to build 10 GWh battery factory in Texas for off-grid data centers
US startup Ambrosia Energy has begun work on a battery factory near Austin, Texas. The company aims to power data centers with solar and batteries at $100 per megawatt-hour.
TechCrunch · 14 Oct, 22:56
YouTube Music rolls out labels for AI-generated music
The streaming service YouTube Music is introducing labels for songs made with generative AI. The labels will also appear in the main YouTube app.
TechCrunch · 14 Oct, 21:57
Deezer to add a toggle that lets listeners filter out AI-generated music entirely
Music streaming service Deezer will add a switch to its app by the end of the year that lets users hide AI-generated tracks. The company cites user demand, as the share of AI-made songs on the platform keeps climbing.
Engadget · 14 Oct, 21:56
US state attorneys general demand data protections in Character.AI bankruptcy
New York Attorney General Letitia James and about 40 other US state attorneys general have filed a notice in Character.AI's bankruptcy case, demanding user data be protected in any asset sale. The states had been investigating the company on child safety and privacy since 2024.
The Verge · 14 Oct, 21:55
Apple's New HomeView Smart Display Is $10 Cheaper at Amazon
Amazon is selling Apple's first smart display, the HomeView, for $289.99, which is $10 below the regular price. The device is due to go on sale on November 13th.
The Verge · 14 Oct, 20:58
Kremlin: Contracts on Russian Diesel Supplies to the US Could Be Signed Within Days
The Kremlin says the first contracts for Russian diesel deliveries to the US could be signed in the coming days. Russian supplies could return to pre-sanctions levels by the end of the year.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Oct, 20:56
OpenAI Accuses Ex-Employee of Passing Product Plans to Apple
OpenAI, the US artificial intelligence company, claims in a court filing that a former employee took more than 100 files on its product plans and presented them to Apple leadership. The dispute is part of an ongoing trade secrets legal fight between the two companies.
The Verge · 14 Oct, 19:56
Epic Games releases new game launcher built with AI-assisted "vibe coding"
Game company Epic Games has released a redesigned Epic Games Store launcher that it says was built through "vibe coding". Engadget notes the announcement's tone clashes with the company's large layoffs earlier this year.
Engadget · 14 Oct, 19:56
Netflix to cut 1,000 jobs in its largest layoff round since 2022
Streaming company Netflix will cut about 1,000 jobs worldwide, its biggest reduction since 2022, as it faces competition from rival streaming services and free video platforms.
BBC World · 14 Oct, 19:56
SEB banks in the Baltics to merge into a single legal entity from 1 January 2027
From 1 January 2027, SEB group's banks in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will operate as one legal entity, “SEB Bank”. Everyday services and existing contracts will stay unchanged, but deposit protection will move to Estonia's scheme.
Jauns.lv · 14 Oct, 19:56
US inflation rises ahead of midterm elections, fuelling rate hike fears
Rising US inflation ahead of the congressional midterm elections has left economists divided over whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Markets are tense.
Al Jazeera · 14 Oct, 18:58
China Clears Alibaba AI Models for Use in Apple Intelligence
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has approved Alibaba's AI models to power Apple Intelligence on iPhones in mainland China. The system has not yet rolled out there, although it launched nearly two years ago elsewhere.
Engadget · 14 Oct, 18:57
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Day 2 in San Francisco Focuses on AI and Robotics
Day 2 of TechCrunch's Disrupt startup conference at San Francisco's Moscone West centres on artificial intelligence, robotics and venture investment. Speakers include Benchmark's full partnership and representatives of Nvidia, Waabi, Flock Safety and Ricursive Intelligence.
TechCrunch · 14 Oct, 17:58
Humble Choice offers PC games for $15 as Valve Index and Borderlands 4 prices drop
The Humble Choice game subscription is offering several Steam PC games for $14.99 this month. Discounts are also available on the Valve Index VR headset, Borderlands 4 and the 4K Blu-ray of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.
The Verge · 14 Oct, 17:56