March 12, 2026

The Download: Early adopters cash in on China’s OpenClaw craze, and US batteries slump

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. Hustlers are cashing in on China’s OpenClaw AI craze  In January, Beijing-based software engineer Feng Qingyang started tinkering with OpenClaw, a new AI tool that can take over a device and autonomously complete tasks.…

How the FBI goes after DDoS cyberattackers

August 12, 2023
In 2016, hackers using a network of compromised internet-connected devices — vulnerable security cameras and routers — knocked some of the then biggest websites on the internet offline for several hours. Twitter, Reddit, GitHub and Spotify all went down intermittently that day, victims of what was at the time one of the largest distributed denial-of-service […]

Only a few hours left to save on passes to TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

August 11, 2023
You have just mere hours left to save a bundle on passes to TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, taking place September 19–21 in San Francisco. At this point, perhaps you need the help of Saint Expeditus, the patron saint of procrastinators. Hey, whatever it takes to keep money in your wallet, amirite? Buy a pass and save […]

It’s official: Better.com is going public

August 11, 2023
We didn’t think we’d see the day. Digital mortgage lender Better.com’s proposal to combine with Aurora Acquisition Corp. via a SPAC (special purpose acquisition) has been approved by shareholders, the company confirmed today. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, Better.com will combine with Aurora, or go public, “on or about August 22, […]

Okay, fine, I want Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to fight

August 11, 2023
Elon Musk has disappointed me many times. He bought my favorite social network and made it bad. He has mistreated workers across his companies, and he has permanently ruined the enduring comedy of 420 and 69 jokes. And today, he got my hopes up that he was actually going to cage fight Mark Zuckerberg. I […]