April 17, 2025

A Google Gemini model now has a “dial” to adjust how much it reasons

Google DeepMind’s latest update to a top Gemini AI model includes a dial to control how much the system “thinks” through a response. The new feature is ostensibly designed to save money for developers, but it also concedes a problem: Reasoning models, the tech world’s new obsession, are prone to overthinking, burning money and energy…

June 2023

Julie Wainwright is back with a new, venture-backed startup

June 8, 2023

Julie Wainwright, founder and former CEO of the publicly traded, luxury online consignment company The RealReal, is back with a new startup. Called Ahara, the Los Angeles-based outfit describes itself as a personalized nutrition company that provides recommendations to its customers after they first fill out a health questionnaire that asks them about their diet […]

Julie Wainwright is back with a new, venture-backed startup by Connie Loizos originally published on TechCrunch

Layoffs hit rocket engine maker Ursa Major

June 8, 2023

At least five people have been laid off from rocket engine startup Ursa Major, with one person citing budgetary constraints as the reason for being let go, according to posts on LinkedIn. Ursa Major did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s inquiry into the layoffs, or the number of people affected. According to LinkedIn, 292 people […]

Layoffs hit rocket engine maker Ursa Major by Aria Alamalhodaei originally published on TechCrunch

Twitch backtracks on changes to branded content rules after streamer backlash

June 7, 2023

One day after Twitch announced sweeping changes to how streamers are allowed to advertise, the company is backing off. On Tuesday, Twitch announced updates to its branded content guidelines — the set of rules that dictates how streamers can display sponsorships, endorsements and other paid promotions.Twitch noted the growing criticism at the time but it […]

Twitch backtracks on changes to branded content rules after streamer backlash by Taylor Hatmaker originally published on TechCrunch

Digibee raises $60M to help companies integrate their software apps

June 7, 2023

Digibee, a low-code integration platform geared toward enterprise organizations, today announced that it raised $60 million in a Series B funding round led by Goldman Sachs with participation from Leadwind, Southern Europe, Vivo Ventures, Brazilian telco Vivo, Kinea and G2D. The round brings Weston, Florida-based Digibee’s total raised to $90 million, which CEO Rodrigo Bernardinelli […]

Digibee raises $60M to help companies integrate their software apps by Kyle Wiggers originally published on TechCrunch

Nikola’s bid to increase shares stalls after failing to get enough shareholders to vote

June 7, 2023

Nikola failed to get enough investors to vote on a proposal that would allow the beleaguered electric truck company to issue more shares — and, in turn, raise more capital. Nikola adjourned its annual meeting of shareholders Wednesday until July 6 in an attempt to secure the requisite number of votes needed to add shares […]

Nikola’s bid to increase shares stalls after failing to get enough shareholders to vote by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch