Technology

Scenario lands $6M for its AI platform that generates game art assets

January 19, 2023

Depending on who you ask, generative AI is either massively overhyped or undervalued. Defined as algorithm-driven tech that creates text, art and other forms of media given a prompt, it’s captured the attention of major VC backers who’ve piled hundreds of millions of dollars into firms like Jasper and Stability AI. But generative AI has […]

Scenario lands $6M for its AI platform that generates game art assets by Kyle Wiggers originally published on TechCrunch

The Download: where gene editing goes next

January 19, 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. Gene editing for the masses is coming We know the basics of healthy living by now. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction can help us avoid heart disease—the world’s biggest killer.…

India’s top court rejects Google plea to block Android antitrust ruling

January 19, 2023

Google has been dealt a significant blow in one of its key overseas markets. India’s Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block an antitrust order that requires the Android-maker to make a series of changes that could topple its financial viability. India’s apex court rejected to block the ruling against Google by the nation’s antitrust […]

India’s top court rejects Google plea to block Android antitrust ruling by Manish Singh originally published on TechCrunch

Finding a new life for old batteries

January 19, 2023
When strangers find out that I’m a climate technology reporter, they often have a lot of questions for me, or concerns to share. Some have heard that birds fly into wind turbines. Or that too many charging EVs will cause power outages. Some of these questions are overblown, but sometimes, in one of these questions,…

Outrider raises $73M to brings its autonomous electric yard trucks into the mainstream

January 19, 2023

Autonomous vehicle technology may no longer be the fuel powering the hype machine. But companies applying the technology to agriculture, commercial and logistics applications are still attracting venture capital. Take Outrider, a Golden, Colorado startup developing autonomous electric yard trucks, for example. Distribution yards are the nerve center of the supply chain. Its where all […]

Outrider raises $73M to brings its autonomous electric yard trucks into the mainstream by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch

Next up for CRISPR: Gene editing for the masses?

January 19, 2023
CRISPR for high cholesterol is one of MIT Technology Review’s 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2023. Explore the rest of the list here. We know the basics of healthy living by now. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction can help us avoid heart disease—the world’s biggest killer. But what if you could take a vaccine,…

A lot of fintechs “have to fix their business models,” say VCs who invest in fintechs

January 19, 2023

In recent years, working for, or banking with, a traditional financial institution was decidedly uncool. Far cooler was working for or banking with one of the many fintech startups that seemed to thumb their nose at stodgy bank brands. Then the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates, stocks tanked, and a lot of fintech outfits that […]

A lot of fintechs “have to fix their business models,” say VCs who invest in fintechs by Connie Loizos originally published on TechCrunch

Analysts cut 2023 techs spending predictions as consumers hold back

January 18, 2023

Predicting spending is a tricky business, especially in a period of economic uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why both IDC and Gartner have cut their fall predictions in the new year with Gartner now predicting modest 2.2% growth for 2023 with IDC a bit more optimistic at 4.4%. In the fall, Gartner was predicting a far more […]

Analysts cut 2023 techs spending predictions as consumers hold back by Ron Miller originally published on TechCrunch

Wastewater recycler Membrion makes light work of removing heavy metals

January 18, 2023

PureTerra, a venture firm that aims to fund “disruptive water technologies,” is pumping millions into Membrion so the Seattle startup can mass-produce its wastewater treatment tech. Membrion claims its ceramic membranes can filter out problematic heavy metals (not the genre, but toxic stuff like lead, arsenic and lithium) for around a twelfth of the cost of […]

Wastewater recycler Membrion makes light work of removing heavy metals by Harri Weber originally published on TechCrunch

Lidar companies face a ‘make it or break it’ year

January 18, 2023

That nagging deja vu feeling kept creeping in earlier this month during CES 2023 in Las Vegas. At every turn, in the newly constructed West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and even amid the crowded startup grinder at Eureka Park, was a company pitching lidar sensor technology. That might not have been so […]

Lidar companies face a ‘make it or break it’ year by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch