June 23, 2025

The Download: the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s first pictures, and reframing privacy

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. See the stunning first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory The first spectacular images taken by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have been released for the world to peruse: a panoply of…

Meta appoints new India head amid key departures

November 17, 2022

Meta has appointed Sandhya Devanathan as the new head of its India business following several high-profile departures in its key overseas market. The social juggernaut said on Thursday that Devanathan has been elevated to VP of Meta India. Devanathan joined the firm in 2016 and helped build the company’s Singapore and Vietnam businesses, Meta said. […]

Meta appoints new India head amid key departures by Manish Singh originally published on TechCrunch

Blizzard ends 14-year licensing deal with NetEase in China

November 17, 2022

In a somewhat surprising turn, Blizzard Activision, the California-based gaming publisher behind global hits like World of Warcraft and Overwatch, will be suspending most of its games in China due to the expiration of licensing agreements with NetEase, the second-largest gaming company in the country. Blizzard’s announcement is set to end a 14-year licensing partnership […]

Blizzard ends 14-year licensing deal with NetEase in China by Rita Liao originally published on TechCrunch

Summer International uses social media data to launch new beauty brands

November 17, 2022

If you follow #beautytok, #beautytube or any beauty content on social media platforms, you know that popular product trends are hard to keep up with. Summer International stays ahead of the game by identifying the most influential content creators, and working with them to incubate new brands. Founded in Singapore and based in Los Angeles […]

Summer International uses social media data to launch new beauty brands by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

Singapore’s Temasek writes down $275M investment in FTX

November 17, 2022

FTX’s investors are continuing to deal with the fallout from the cryptocurrency’s bankruptcy. In a statement today, Temasek, the investment firm owned by Singapore’s government, said it write down its full investment in FTX, “irrespective of the outcome of FTX’s bankruptcy protection filing.” Temasek invested $210 million USD in FTX international, giving it a minority […]

Singapore’s Temasek writes down $275M investment in FTX by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

BoomPop gains traction by designing high-end off-sites for our now remote-first world

November 17, 2022

There’s nothing sexy about corporate retreats. But BoomPop, a 26-person, San Francisco-based outfit that the startup studio Atomic launched in 2020, is managing to infuse some sizzle in the historically staid industry. In fact, given what BoomPop is building, one can see it evolve into an option for more than companies looking to more easily […]

BoomPop gains traction by designing high-end off-sites for our now remote-first world by Connie Loizos originally published on TechCrunch

Toyota unveils all-electric SUV concept under its ‘Beyond Zero’ badge

November 17, 2022

Toyota unveiled Wednesday an all-electric SUV concept with plant-based seating and an AI “personal” assistant as the automaker expands its “beyond zero” portfolio. The bZ compact crossover concept that debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show is meant to showcase Toyota’s vision for its battery-electric future. Toyota has said it plans to launch 30 fully […]

Toyota unveils all-electric SUV concept under its ‘Beyond Zero’ badge by Jaclyn Trop originally published on TechCrunch

The new 2023 Toyota Prius plays up power, not fuel economy

November 17, 2022

Toyota is beefing up the fuel-sipping Prius hybrid, adding more power and quicker acceleration to appeal to a wider range of car shoppers in an increasingly crowded market. The car created – and dominated – the segment when it launched in the U.S. 22 years ago. But the world’s first production hybrid car has steadily […]

The new 2023 Toyota Prius plays up power, not fuel economy by Jaclyn Trop originally published on TechCrunch

Korean VC Sopoong closes $8M fund for startups focused on environmental impact

November 17, 2022

Two years ago, South Korea unveiled a plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Getting there will be another story. Although Korean manufacturers say they are trying to change their ways, the country’s GDP is linked to some uniquely pollutive industries, including petrochemical producers, automakers and shipbuilders. Though some businesses may never be truly sustainable, […]

Korean VC Sopoong closes $8M fund for startups focused on environmental impact by Kate Park originally published on TechCrunch

Protein programmers get a helping hand from Cradle’s generative AI

November 17, 2022

Proteins are the molecules that get work done in nature, and there’s a whole industry emerging around successfully modifying and manufacturing them for various uses. But doing so is time consuming and haphazard; Cradle aims to change that with an AI-powered tool that tells scientists what new structures and sequences will make a protein do […]

Protein programmers get a helping hand from Cradle’s generative AI by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch

Cruise has expanded its driverless robotaxi service to daytime hours

November 17, 2022

Cruise is expanding its driverless ride-hailing service in San Francisco to daytime hours, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt tweeted Wednesday. The robotaxi service is now available to employees from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then again from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eventually, these expanded operating hours will be available to the public. The bolstered […]

Cruise has expanded its driverless robotaxi service to daytime hours by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch