Spotify will now let free users pick and play tracks
Spotify is adding new features for free customers that let them pick and play tracks.
Batteries just broke another record in the US
Battery installations hit a new record in the US in the second quarter of 2026. In total, 20.2 gigawatt-hours of new capacity came online, according to a new report. That’s enough to supply the daily electricity needs of about 700,000 homes. The surge is putting the country on a trajectory to see 71 gigawatt-hours of…
The Download: computing’s bright young minds, and cleaning up satellite streaks
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. Meet tomorrow’s rising stars of computing Each year, MIT Technology Review honors 35 outstanding people under the age of 35 who are driving scientific progress and solving tough problems in their fields. Today…
Harvard Law to AI: MarqVision lands $48M to combat brand abuse
How a Harvard Law grad turned YC founder raised $48M to fight brand abuse in the AI era
OpenAI board chair Bret Taylor says we’re in an AI bubble (but that’s okay)
Like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Bret Taylor thinks we’re in an AI bubble — but he doesn’t sound too worried about it.
Vibe coding has turned senior devs into ‘AI babysitters,’ but they say it’s worth it
TechCrunch spoke to experienced coders about their time using AI-generated code about what they see as the future of vibe coding.
Users turn to chatbots for spiritual guidance
At least one website claims to allow users to chat with God.
Karen Hao on the Empire of AI, AGI evangelists, and the cost of belief
OpenAI’s rise isn’t just a business story — it’s an ideological one. On Equity, Karen Hao, author of Empire AI, explores how the cult of AGI has fueled a billion-dollar race, justified massive spending on compute and data, and blurred the line between mission and profit.
Rolling Stone owner Penske Media sues Google over AI summaries
Penske’s lawsuit accuses Google of abusing its monopoly power in search to force publishers to support AI summaries.
Via raises $492.9M in IPO, and German automakers go on the offensive
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.
‘Selling coffee beans to Starbucks’ – how the AI boom could leave AI’s biggest companies behind
The competitive landscape of AI is changing in ways that undermine the advantages of the biggest AI labs.