July 4, 2025

The Download: India’s AI independence, and predicting future epidemics

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Inside India’s scramble for AI independence Despite its status as a global tech hub, India lags far behind the likes of the US and China when it comes to homegrown AI. That gap…

Technology

Samooh launches with tech that lets companies share data securely

February 2, 2023

Samooh, a startup developing a “cross-cloud” data collaboration platform, today announced that it raised $12.5 million in a funding tranche backed by Altimeter Capital and Snowflake Ventures, among others. CEO Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan says that the cash infusion — Samooh’s first — will be put toward product development and hiring; the plan is grow the startup’s […]

Samooh launches with tech that lets companies share data securely by Kyle Wiggers originally published on TechCrunch

Roblox to host a free virtual Super Bowl concert featuring Saweetie

February 2, 2023

Hip-hop artist Saweetie is performing exclusively in Roblox for the NFL’s Super Bowl LVII pregame on February 10, the National Football League announced today. The virtual concert will take place at 7:00 pm ET in Warner Music Group’s Rhythm City, a new destination on Roblox that was announced earlier this week. Rhythm City is set […]

Roblox to host a free virtual Super Bowl concert featuring Saweetie by Lauren Forristal originally published on TechCrunch

BlockJoy raises $12M to help cut operating costs for businesses running blockchain nodes

February 2, 2023

BlockJoy, a startup providing white label blockchain nodes as a service, raised a total of $12 million from its seed and Series A rounds, the company exclusi1vely shared with TechCrunch. The Boston-based startup aims to reduce operating costs by up to 80% for enterprises running staking nodes and APIs as a service, the two co-founders, […]

BlockJoy raises $12M to help cut operating costs for businesses running blockchain nodes by Jacquelyn Melinek originally published on TechCrunch

TikTok introduces a strike system for violations, tests a feature to “refresh” the For You feed

February 2, 2023

TikTok today is announcing several changes to its service, including what it claims will be increased enforcement against bad actors as well as tests of new user-facing tools that will force a refresh of the app’s main algorithmic feed, known as the For You feed. The company said the changes are focused on keeping the […]

TikTok introduces a strike system for violations, tests a feature to “refresh” the For You feed by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

Some Salesforce employees just found out they’re part of the 10% layoff announced last month

February 2, 2023

When Salesforce announced it was laying off 10% of its workforce last month, you might have assumed that meant that everyone who was affected was informed at that time. With social media flush with people talking about Salesforce layoffs today, the company says these are part of that original announcement, but some folks are learning […]

Some Salesforce employees just found out they’re part of the 10% layoff announced last month by Ron Miller originally published on TechCrunch

Lyft wants to reshape shared micromobility with dockable e-scooter

February 2, 2023

Lyft wants to see a more organized shared micromobility landscape, with fewer free-floating scooters and more dependable, docked vehicles. To help achieve this vision, the company revealed Thursday its next-generation dockable e-scooter and updated docking stations. While mainly a ride-hail operator, Lyft also provides docked bikeshare programs in eight cities across the U.S. Last year, […]

Lyft wants to reshape shared micromobility with dockable e-scooter by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

The Download: CRISPR crops, and busting renewables myths

February 2, 2023
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How CRISPR could help save crops from devastation caused by pests For decades, the grape-growers of California have battled Pierce’s Disease, a nasty infection which causes vines to wither. The arrival of an…

As the bee population declines, this startup secures $8M to apply AI and EVs to pollination

February 2, 2023

Given our general reliance on something called “food” you’d think the issue of pollination – and its general decline – might be higher up the world’s agenda. Over 80% of crops require insect pollination, but growers can no longer rely on the dwindling wild bee population. But it’s a complex problem. Pollinating crops with honey […]

As the bee population declines, this startup secures $8M to apply AI and EVs to pollination by Mike Butcher originally published on TechCrunch

Samsung, Google and Qualcomm are making a mixed reality platform

February 2, 2023

Samsung, Google and Qualcomm are joining hands to make a mixed-reality platform. Executives from the companies, namely Samsung’s TM Roh, Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon, and Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer came on stage at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event to make this announcement. These companies only announced the partnership — they had no future device or hardware product […]

Samsung, Google and Qualcomm are making a mixed reality platform by Ivan Mehta originally published on TechCrunch