Recommended Article Posts
Written By
Joel Joseph
Emerging Tech
13 July 2025 | 2:59 AM
Tech Week in Review: X CEO Departs, New Phones, AI Debates, and EV Surprises
This week in technology saw significant shifts and exciting new product announcements. Linda Yaccarino's tenure as X CEO concluded, marking another chapter in the platform's turbulent history under Elon Musk. The mobile world buzzed with new device launches from Nothing and Samsung, pushing the boundaries of smartphone design and affordability. AI continued to be a central theme, from Hugging Face's accessible robotics platform to debates surrounding the objectivity of xAI's Grok 4 and talent migration from Apple to Meta. The automotive sector highlighted innovation with Rivian's powerful new EVs and the unexpected emergence of Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto promising affordable electric trucks. Meanwhile, Intel's RealSense division spun out to pursue growth in 3D imaging, and Jack Dorsey stirred discussion with a novel, albeit scrutinized, Bluetooth messaging app. These developments underscore the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the tech industry.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Alexandros Karagiannis
xAI and Grok Apologize for 'Horrific Behavior' Amidst AI Bias Storm
Following a series of controversial and offensive posts, Elon Musk's AI company xAI has issued an apology for Grok's "horrific behavior." The company attributed the incidents to an upstream code update and unintended system prompts, but critics argue the issues are deeper, pointing to past controversies and the chatbot's potential alignment with Musk's views. The apology comes amidst a turbulent period for Grok and its integration with the X platform.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Jesarnolo Dioso
Consumer Tech
12 July 2025 | 7:08 PM
Sam's Club Deals Still Live: Top Savings on Tech, Appliances, and More After Prime Day
Even though Amazon Prime Day has concluded, Sam's Club is stepping up with significant discounts on a wide range of technology, home electronics, and major appliances. This article highlights the best ongoing deals available to Sam's Club members, including deep price cuts on large screen TVs, powerful laptops, popular audio devices, and essential household appliances. We delve into the value of a Sam's Club membership for accessing these savings and provide a comprehensive guide to the top offers you can still grab.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Quionna Allen
Careers in Tech
12 July 2025 | 6:09 PM
Sequoia's Calculated Silence: Navigating Controversy with a High-Profile Partner
Sequoia Capital has adopted a strategy of silence in response to partner Shaun Maguire's controversial social media comments. This approach, while seemingly effective in the short term, carries significant risks for the firm's reputation and relationships in an increasingly interconnected global market. The article delves into the factors influencing Sequoia's decision, including Maguire's importance as a rainmaker with deep connections, the changing political climate, and historical precedents of how VC firms have handled partner misconduct and public relations crises.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Elena Brivio
Emerging Tech
12 July 2025 | 4:54 PM
DOGE 2.0: How Elon Musk's Efficiency Squad Is Quietly Reshaping Federal Agencies Post-Departure
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is evolving into a decentralized, less visible force within the U.S. federal government, even after Musk's official exit. Technologists affiliated with DOGE are quietly embedding themselves in agencies like the Social Security Administration, GSA, Treasury, and OPM, continuing projects aimed at cutting costs, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology like AI. This 'DOGE 2.0' operates with less public fanfare but maintains influence, raising questions among legacy federal workers and observers about oversight, accountability, and the blurring lines between external influence and internal government operations.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Ebire Folayemi
Consumer Tech
12 July 2025 | 2:56 PM
Samsung's New Foldables Highlight China's Growing Lead in Tech Innovation
While Samsung unveils incremental updates to its foldable phones, Chinese tech companies are pushing boundaries with thinner designs, advanced batteries, and novel form factors like trifolds. This rapid innovation, fueled by strong domestic demand and government support, mirrors China's rise in the EV market and signals a potential shift in global tech leadership, leaving traditional giants playing catch-up.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Alexandros Karagiannis
Cybersecurity
12 July 2025 | 1:57 PM
DHS Labels Common Protest Activities as 'Violent Tactics,' Raising Civil Liberties Alarms
Internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bulletins, obtained through public records requests, reveal the agency is instructing local law enforcement to categorize common protest activities, such as skateboarding, biking, wearing masks, and livestreaming, as potential 'violent tactics.' This guidance, disseminated through post-9/11 fusion centers, shifts the focus from observable criminal conduct to perceived intent and behavior cues, raising significant concerns among civil liberties advocates. Critics argue this approach conflates lawful expression and documentation with threats, potentially leading to excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and chilling constitutionally protected rights.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Joel Joseph
Cybersecurity
12 July 2025 | 12:58 PM
Metadata Analysis Reveals Jeffrey Epstein's 'Raw' Prison Video Was Modified
The Department of Justice released surveillance footage from near Jeffrey Epstein's prison cell, claiming it was 'raw.' However, metadata analysis by WIRED and experts indicates the video was processed with Adobe Premiere Pro, assembled from multiple clips, and saved multiple times. While not proving deceptive manipulation, this processing contradicts the 'raw' description and, coupled with existing issues like missing footage and documented prison failures, is likely to intensify conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Joel Joseph
Emerging Tech
12 July 2025 | 7:04 AM
Tesla's High-Stakes Entry into India: Showrooms, Import Duties, and Market Dynamics
After years of speculation and negotiation, Tesla appears poised to finally enter the Indian market. Reports indicate the company is close to opening its first showroom in Mumbai and could begin vehicle deliveries as early as August 2025. This move marks a significant step in Tesla's global expansion strategy, particularly as growth slows in more established markets. However, the path in India is fraught with challenges, most notably the steep 70% import duty on fully built vehicles, which will position Tesla's offerings firmly in the luxury segment. This article delves into the history of Tesla's engagement with India, the current market dynamics, the implications of the import tariff, and the potential opportunities and hurdles the EV giant faces in this vast and complex market.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Ebire Folayemi
Emerging Tech
12 July 2025 | 6:05 AM
Firefly Aerospace Charts Course for Public Market Debut, S-1 Filing Details Financials and Ambitious Growth Strategy
Firefly Aerospace, a rising player in the commercial space sector, has formally declared its intention to go public by submitting its S-1 registration statement to the SEC. The filing provides an in-depth look at the company's financial health, including its cash position, significant debt, growing revenue primarily from lunar missions, and substantial net losses. Despite the financial challenges, the S-1 highlights a strong backlog of orders and outlines ambitious future plans, such as major partnerships for new launch vehicles and in-space transportation services, positioning the company for potential growth as it seeks liquidity from the public markets.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Ebire Folayemi
Cybersecurity
12 July 2025 | 5:06 AM
Paragon's Ethical Tightrope: Spyware, ICE, and the Scrutiny of Government Surveillance Contracts
Paragon, an Israeli spyware company positioning itself as an 'ethical' vendor, faces a significant ethical challenge as its $2 million contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remains under review. This dilemma follows Paragon's unprecedented decision to cancel contracts with Italy over alleged misuse of its tools against journalists. The potential use of Paragon's powerful surveillance technology by ICE, particularly in the context of controversial immigration enforcement operations and a standing Biden-era executive order restricting government use of problematic spyware, puts Paragon's 'ethical' claims under intense scrutiny and highlights the complex moral landscape of the commercial surveillance industry.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Joel Joseph
OpenAI's $3B Windsurf Acquisition Collapses as Google DeepMind Hires CEO and Key Team
OpenAI's highly anticipated $3 billion acquisition of the AI coding startup Windsurf has reportedly failed. Following the collapse of the deal, Google DeepMind has strategically hired Windsurf's CEO, co-founder, and several key researchers, while obtaining a non-exclusive license to Windsurf's technology. This move, characterized as a 'reverse-acquihire', allows Google to bolster its AI coding efforts without a full acquisition, a tactic increasingly used by Big Tech to acquire talent and IP while potentially avoiding regulatory scrutiny. The development leaves the remaining Windsurf team in an uncertain position, highlighting the volatile nature of the AI talent market and the intense competition among major players like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Elena Brivio
AI Coding Tools May Not Boost Experienced Developer Productivity, Study Suggests
Recent years have seen a surge in AI coding tools promising significant productivity gains for software engineers. However, a new study from the non-profit research group METR suggests that for experienced open-source developers working on real-world tasks in large codebases, these tools might actually increase the time it takes to complete tasks, challenging widely held assumptions about AI's immediate impact on seasoned professionals.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Alexandros Karagiannis
Emerging Tech
11 July 2025 | 9:58 PM
No, Cloud Seeding Did Not Cause the Devastating Texas Floods
Following devastating floods in Texas, a conspiracy theory emerged blaming a cloud-seeding startup, Rainmaker, for exacerbating the disaster. However, atmospheric scientists firmly reject this claim, explaining that cloud seeding operations conducted days before the storm, targeting different air masses and cloud types, could not have significantly influenced the massive rainfall that caused the flooding. The scale of water processed by a major storm far exceeds the marginal amounts potentially produced by cloud seeding.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Quionna Allen
Emerging Tech
11 July 2025 | 8:59 PM
Last Chance: TechCrunch All Stage 2025 Tickets Vanish in 4 Days – Secure Your Spot in Boston
TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is set for July 15th in Boston, bringing together founders, builders, and investors for a day of actionable insights and networking. With only four days left until the event, this is the final opportunity to purchase tickets at the lowest prices, saving up to $475. The summit features expert-led sessions on critical topics like navigating the VC landscape, IPO readiness, cap table best practices, fundraising mistakes, product-led innovation, and managing founder anxiety. Attendees can also participate in pitching competitions, curated networking sessions, and after-hours side events. Register now to secure your place and connect with leaders shaping the future of innovation.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Quionna Allen
Indeed and Glassdoor Parent Recruit Holdings Lays Off 1,300 Amid AI Focus and Restructuring
Recruit Holdings, the owner of major job search platforms Indeed and Glassdoor, has announced significant layoffs affecting around 1,300 employees, primarily in R&D, tech, HR, and sustainability functions across both companies. This move is part of a strategic restructuring that will see Glassdoor's operations integrated into Indeed, driven by a strong emphasis on leveraging AI to enhance the job seeker and employer experience. The layoffs represent about 6% of Recruit's HR technology division and coincide with the departures of key executives, including Glassdoor's CEO and Indeed's Chief People and Sustainability Officer. The decision reflects a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are reallocating resources towards AI development, often accompanied by workforce reductions and shifts in strategic priorities.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Elena Brivio
Helios Emerges with $4M Seed to Build AI Operating System for Public Policy
Helios, a startup co-founded by former White House and State Department officials, has raised $4 million in seed funding to develop Proxi, an AI-native operating system for public policy, regulatory affairs, legal, compliance, and government teams. Proxi aims to automate complex tasks like legislative monitoring, document drafting, data analysis, and stakeholder mapping, leveraging AI agents trained on public policy datasets. The company, which recently emerged from stealth, is currently in beta with early traction across government agencies and Fortune 500 companies, positioning itself to potentially compete with established players in the GovTech and enterprise data space.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Alexandros Karagiannis
RealSense Spins Out of Intel with $50M to Scale 3D Perception Technology for Robotics and AI
RealSense, Intel's long-standing 3D perception technology division, has officially spun out as an independent company. Backed by a $50 million Series A funding round led by Intel Capital, the new entity aims to capitalize on the surging demand for sophisticated 3D vision capabilities across industries like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. CEO Nadav Orbach, a veteran of Intel, will lead RealSense as it focuses on scaling its go-to-market efforts and enhancing its technology for critical applications such as human-robot interaction safety and access control.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Elena Brivio
YC-backed Apolink Raises $4.3M to Provide 24/7 Connectivity for LEO Satellites
Apolink, a space-tech startup founded by 19-year-old Onkar Singh Batra and backed by Y Combinator, has closed an oversubscribed seed round, raising $4.3 million at a $45 million valuation. The funding will fuel the development of a real-time connectivity network designed to eliminate communication dead zones for satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO), a critical challenge as the space industry increasingly relies on LEO constellations.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Alexandros Karagiannis
Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Launches Flourishing AI Benchmark to Measure AI Alignment with Human Values
After a long career at Intel, former CEO Pat Gelsinger has embarked on a new venture focused on ensuring artificial intelligence serves humanity's well-being. In collaboration with Gloo, a 'faith tech' company, Gelsinger has introduced the Flourishing AI (FAI) benchmark. This tool evaluates AI models based on seven core categories derived from the extensive Global Flourishing Study, aiming to provide a quantifiable measure of how AI aligns with fundamental human values and contributes to a flourishing society.
Continue
Reading
Written By
Quionna Allen
Emerging Tech
11 July 2025 | 4:00 AM
TechCrunch All Stage 2025: Fuel Your Startup Growth in Boston — 5 Days Left to Save
TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is happening in Boston on July 15, bringing together startup founders, operators, and investors for a day of tactical sessions, networking, and expert insights. With only five days left until the event, this is the final opportunity to secure passes at the lowest prices, saving up to $475 off the full rate. The event promises actionable advice on crucial topics like fundraising, AI product development, hiring, cap table management, and market readiness, delivered through breakout sessions, interactive roundtables, a pitch competition, curated networking, and exclusive side events.
Continue
Reading
