McDonald’s Profit Beat Expectations. But Its CEO Is Still Unhappy With How Sales Grew: ‘We Simply Didn’t Execute’

August 5, 2026

CEO Chris Kempczinski blamed inconsistent execution and a pullback in digital deals. The chain also named a new head of its US business.

What Is SOC 2 Compliance, and Does Your SaaS Business Need It?

August 5, 2026

Sooner or later a customer will ask if you’re “SOC 2 compliant.” Here’s everything you need to know.

Shopify says AI search is driving more traffic and sales, not replacing Google

August 5, 2026

Shopify says AI isn’t cannibalizing search traffic the way it has for publishers. Instead, AI-driven traffic and orders to Shopify stores tripled year over year in Q2.

Hark previews its browser use agent for completing tasks

August 5, 2026

Hark claims that its browser use agent is faster and cheaper than competition.

Puzzle Corner

August 5, 2026

Ready for a fresh set of puzzles? Click here for the September/October 2026 Puzzle Corner, brought to you by Michael S. Branicky, ScD ’95, of the Puzzle Corner Puzzle Crew (aka PC2), which also includes Edward Faulkner ’03, MEng ’04, and Abe Kunin ’03. This column includes solutions to the May/June issue. Send problems, solutions (by October…

You Could Get a $24,000 College Scholarship — Without Even Applying to Any Schools

August 5, 2026

Hundreds of universities are trying to bring in more students by admitting them before they even submit an application.

Your Employees Are Bringing AI Salary Ranges to Pay Talks. Here’s How to Respond.

August 5, 2026

Compensation isn’t a data output — and the leaders who lose sight of that while employees arrive with ChatGPT-generated benchmarks risk eroding trust, culture and retention.

Zoox to start charging for robotaxi rides in Las Vegas

August 5, 2026

This marks the official launch of Zoox’s commercial operations.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s Real World AI Stage features robots, automated factories, and extinct animals

August 5, 2026

On our new Real World AI stage, we’ll be focusing on the intersection between the digital and physical, and all the ways we’ll continue to see a blending of the two.

As Gen Z reconsiders dating apps, Tinder’s IRL events expand to dozens more cities

August 5, 2026

Tinder is expanding its in-person events feature from an initial Los Angeles test to 26 cities worldwide by the end of September.

They Gave an AI Bot a Storefront, 3 Employees and $100,000. Can It Build a Profitable Business?