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…

Pixyle AI wants to make visual search more intuitive for online retailers

December 8, 2022

When Svetlana Kordumova was studying for her doctorate in AI and computer vision, she grew frustrated by the process of looking for items to buy online. Search results were often inaccurate, and she knew the tech she was learning could improve the experience. Pixyle AI was launched in 2019 to improve product discovery on e-commerce […]

Pixyle AI wants to make visual search more intuitive for online retailers by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

India’s Uolo raises $22.5M to bring edtech to the masses

December 8, 2022

Uolo, an Indian edtech platform that works with private K-12 schools to offer online learning programs to middle and low-income families, has raised $22.5 million in a funding round led by UAE-headquartered VC fund Winter Capital. The vast majority of edtech startups operate in a business-to-consumer model and spend on ads to reach the parents […]

India’s Uolo raises $22.5M to bring edtech to the masses by Jagmeet Singh originally published on TechCrunch

Twitter will reportedly charge $11 on iOS for Blue subscription to offset App Store fees

December 8, 2022

Twitter Blue plan is on halt right now but when it resumes you will have to pay $11 per month if you subscribe from iOS, according to a report from The Information. The report noted that the subscription plan will cost $7 per month if you purchase from the web. But it will be costlier […]

Twitter will reportedly charge $11 on iOS for Blue subscription to offset App Store fees by Ivan Mehta originally published on TechCrunch

Smartynames uses AI to find you the perfect domain name

December 8, 2022

There’s a lot of weird and wonderful uses for AI applications. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen AI powering better marketing emails, more smartly understanding the context of video content, and getting the most from customer feedback. It shows no sign of slowing: OpenAI announced it is pouring $10 million into the ecosystem to […]

Smartynames uses AI to find you the perfect domain name by Haje Jan Kamps originally published on TechCrunch

Porsche, World Fund join $63M bet on batteries for electric planes

December 8, 2022

To help electric planes take off, German battery company Customcells says it landed about $63 million (€60 million) in Series A funding from Porsche and several climate-tech investors. World Fund, a one-year-old venture firm that backs European climate startups, led the deal. Abacon Capital and Vsquared Ventures also chipped in. Customcells develops and recycles high-performance […]

Porsche, World Fund join $63M bet on batteries for electric planes by Harri Weber originally published on TechCrunch

Google combines Maps and Waze teams as pressures mount to cut costs

December 8, 2022

Google plans to combine the teams working on its Maps product and on Waze, a mapping service that Google acquired in 2013. The merger comes as the search engine giant feels the pressure to cut costs and consolidate operations, reports The Wall Street Journal. Waze’s team of 500 employees will fall under Google’s Geo organization, […]

Google combines Maps and Waze teams as pressures mount to cut costs by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

Tesla appears to be turning back to radar for its vehicles

December 8, 2022

Tesla plans to add a new radar product to its vehicles in mid-January, according to documents posted with the Federal Communications Commission. The disclosure, which was first reported by Electrek, comes as the company faces scrutiny over the safety and capabilities of its standard advanced driver assistance system known as Autopilot and the $15,000 optional […]

Tesla appears to be turning back to radar for its vehicles by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

Theranos exec Sunny Balwani sentenced to 13 years in prison for defrauding patients and investors

December 7, 2022

The former COO of disgraced blood testing startup Theranos, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani was sentenced to 155 months, or about 13 years, in prison, and three years of probation. After a three-month trial, in July, Balwani was found guilty on all twelve criminal charges, ranging from defrauding patients and investors to conspiring to commit fraud. Theranos […]

Theranos exec Sunny Balwani sentenced to 13 years in prison for defrauding patients and investors by Amanda Silberling originally published on TechCrunch

America’s weak EV charging infrastructure might get a boost from dealers

December 7, 2022

As electric vehicles begin to take some market share, the nation’s charging infrastructure is playing catch-up. Some folks already have an edge in this race, including some California residents and Tesla fans, but many EV owners in America still face charging deserts and unreliable stations — two key obstacles to decarbonizing transportation and doing right […]

America’s weak EV charging infrastructure might get a boost from dealers by Harri Weber originally published on TechCrunch