June 9, 2025

The Download: an inspiring toy robot arm, and why AM radio matters

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 a 1980s toy robot arm inspired modern robotics —Jon Keegan As a child of an electronic engineer, I spent a lot of time in our local Radio Shack as a kid. While…

Startup Battlefield 200: Only 3 days left to apply

June 6, 2025
Time is running out. The gates to Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 are about to close. In just 3 days, your window to enter the most iconic live startup competition will slam shut. Over 10,000 tech titans, top-tier VCs, and media powerhouses will be watching. This is your chance to rise, roar, and […]

Final call: Only 2 exhibitor tables left — book before the clock strikes zero

June 6, 2025
This is it. Only two tables remain to exhibit at TechCrunch All Stage, happening July 15 in Boston — and the booking window officially closes today at 11:59 p.m. PT. If you’ve been waiting to make your move, now’s the time to book your table. Why your startup should be in the room This founder-focused […]

The Download: China’s AI agent boom, and GPS alternatives

June 6, 2025
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. Manus has kick-started an AI agent boom in China Last year, China saw a boom in foundation models, the do-everything large language models that underpin the AI revolution. This year, the focus has…

Why doctors should look for ways to prescribe hope

June 6, 2025
This week, I’ve been thinking about the powerful connection between mind and body. Some new research suggests that people with heart conditions have better outcomes when they are more hopeful and optimistic. Hopelessness, on the other hand, is associated with a significantly higher risk of death. The findings build upon decades of fascinating research into…

Inside the race to find GPS alternatives

June 6, 2025
Later this month, an inconspicuous 150-kilogram satellite is set to launch into space aboard the SpaceX Transporter 14 mission. Once in orbit, it will test super-accurate next-generation satnav technology designed to make up for the shortcomings of the US Global Positioning System (GPS).  The satellite is the first of a planned constellation called Pulsar, which…