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Showing posts from January, 2026

Meet the new European unicorns of 2026

From Belgium to Ukraine, five fresh European unicorns were minted this January. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/GjgH9rX via IFTTT

Nvidia CEO denies he’s ‘unhappy’ with OpenAI

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Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang denied reports that he was unhappy with OpenAI and said his company still planned to make a "huge" investment in the ChatGPT firm. NVIDIA announced in September that it would invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, but recently, th ere have been suggestions that the deal might not happen. While Huang told reporters in Taipei that it was "nonsense" to say he was unhappy with OpenAI, when asked if Nvidia would be investing over $100 billion, he replied, "No, nothing like that." Reuters reported Huang said: "We are going to make a huge investment in OpenAI. I believe in OpenAI, the work that they do is incredible, they … Read the full story at The Verge. from The Verge https://ift.tt/3Aldf1b via IFTTT

OnlyFans considering selling majority stake to Architect Capital

This isn't the first time in recent memory that OnlyFans has been in talks to sell off its business. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/7XqCiKM via IFTTT

The latest Android color E Ink tablet is coming for your laptop

TL;DR Bigme has announced the B10, a 10.3-inch color E Ink tablet for reading, writing, and light productivity. The device runs Android 14 and supports stylus input, an optional keyboard, and 4G LTE connectivity. Pre-orders are live now, with pricing starting at $699 and shipping expected mid-February. As color E-Ink tablets edge closer to traditional tablets, Bigme has officially announced the B10. The generously sized device is positioned as a productivity-first tablet for reading, writing, and, with an optional keyboard, light work. The B10 is designed to deliver the paper-like experience associated with E Ink while still behaving more like a tablet than a traditional e-reader. It features a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color E Ink display that tops out at 2480 x 1860 resolution in black and white, with 1240 x 930 specs for color. It runs Android 14, giving users access to the Google Play Store and familiar productivity apps like Google Docs, Gmail, and third-party tools. The device...

OpenClaw’s AI assistants are now building their own social network

The viral personal AI assistant formerly known as Clawdbot has a new shell — again. After briefly rebranding as Moltbot, it has now picked OpenClaw as its new name. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/jxCK8Ob via IFTTT

Hot sale: Two hot Narwal robot vacuum deals for different budgets

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Credit: Jonathan Feist / Android Authority Have you been looking into getting a good robot vacuum? The market is full of options, but a quick look at our list of the best robot vacuums shows that Narwal is among our favorite brands. These can be pricey, but here are some fantastic deals for you! These come in different price ranges, too, and both will do an amazing job keeping your floors squeaky clean. Buy the Narwal Freo Z Ultra for $647.99 ($852 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/l1mZtTg via IFTTT

Guys, I don’t think Tim Cook knows how to monetize AI

One intrepid Morgan Stanley analyst dared to ask how Apple will make money on its AI investments. The answer will not shock you. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/zerbTMa via IFTTT

The EFF is publicly shaming tech companies for dragging their feet on privacy

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Credit: Electronic Frontier Foundation TL;DR The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s new “Encrypt It Already” campaign pressures Apple, Google, Meta, and others to make strong encryption the default. EFF is calling out stalled features like encrypted group chats, cross-platform RCS security, and private DMs on newer platforms. EFF is giving people tools and templates to publicly demand better privacy from major platforms. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has started a new campaign urging major tech companies to keep their privacy promises and make strong encryption the default for everyone. In a move that echoes its 2019 “Fix It Already” campaign, the digital rights nonprofit is calling out specific failures from Apple, Google, Meta, and others, challenging them to turn vague commitments into concrete privacy features for everyone. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/V3RJQeD via IFTTT

Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users faster than Windows 10

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Windows 11 has reached a big milestone | Image: Getty Images Windows 11 now has 1 billion users. Microsoft hit the milestone during the recent holiday quarter, meaning Windows 11 has managed to reach 1 billion users faster than Windows 10 did nearly six years ago . "Windows reached a big milestone, 1 billion Windows 11 users," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the company's fiscal Q2, 2026 earnings call. "Up over 45 percent year-over-year." The growth of Windows 11 over the past quarter will be related to Microsoft's end of support for Windows 10 , which also helped increase Microsoft's Windows OEM revenues . Microsoft must have had a strong number of Windows 11 users throughout December, as Windows … Read the full story at The Verge. from The Verge https://ift.tt/QYfqesD via IFTTT

Microsoft gained $7.6B from OpenAI last quarter

Microsoft, one of OpenAI's major investors, is benefiting greatly from the AI lab's growth. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/gsnSex0 via IFTTT

Fashion rental app By Rotation and Uber partner to help deliver ski clothing

By Rotation, one of the UK’s most popular peer-to-peer fashion rental platforms, is partnering with Uber to deliver ski clothes. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/hm0M4Kx via IFTTT

The best budget robot vacuums

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Today’s robot vacuums are becoming a bit like cars: with all the features, upgrades, and fancy trimmings available these days, it’s easy to forget that they can just be simple machines that get us from point A to point B. Yes, some bots blow hot air on their bums (mop pads), deftly navigate dog poop, and have arms to pick up your socks, but there are plenty of basic budget robot vacuums that just do a decent job of cleaning your floor autonomously — as long as you tidy up first. Fancier models have obstacle recognition, and some even use AI-powered cameras to tell popcorn from poop and avoid the latter. If you want one of those, check out my best robot vacuum buying guide. But if you think you can manage the task of picking up after yourself (and your puppy), a budget bot will save you a lot of money and still do a good job cleaning your floor.  Best budget robot vacuum and mop Tapo RV30 Max Plus A budget robot vacuum and mop with high-end features, including room-spec...

AI chip startup Ricursive hits $4B valuation two months after launch

Ricursive joins Recursive and Unconventional AI in raising massive funds at multi-billion valuations out of the gate. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/e0V4QTl via IFTTT

Gemini in Google Calendar is getting so good at scheduling meetings, interns will be out of work

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Gemini in Google Calendar can now suggest meeting times that work for all attendees. The feature compares calendars, working hours, and conflicts, making it well-suited to group meetings. If multiple people decline an invite, Calendar can now suggest a better time to reschedule. The way it’s progressing, Google will soon know when your meeting is before you do. Back in October, it introduced the Help me schedule feature , which helped you suggest sensible meeting times based on your availability and the context of an email. That was useful, but it still left you to find out if the time worked for the other party. This latest update takes a bigger step by figuring out when everyone is actually free. According to a new Google Workspace update , Google is rolling out smarter suggested meeting times directly inside Google Calendar. When you’re creating an event, you’ll see a Suggested times option that uses Gemini to...

Some international attendees are skipping 2026 GDC due to safety fears and growing ICE presence

Many members of the international games industry are skipping the 2026 Game Developers Conference because of the growing ICE presence and other concerns. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/uykiKth via IFTTT

5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy A56

Samsung’s Galaxy A series is one of the most popular affordable Android phone lines, and the Galaxy A56 5G is one of the latest entries. With a decent spec sheet, modern design, and $500 price tag, it should be an easy recommendation … right? As it turns out, it’s not. In his Galaxy A56 5G review , my colleague Ryan Haines found that the phone’s mediocre performance, lack of wireless charging, and limited camera capabilities hold it back considerably. But above all, one of the A56’s most significant problems is that it’s outdone by the competition. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/lLhbiwc via IFTTT

Synthesia hits $4B valuation, lets employees cash out

British startup Synthesia, whose AI platform helps companies create interactive training videos, has raised a $200 million Series E round of funding that brings its valuation to $4 billion — up from $2.1 billion just a year ago. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/IwcV2SO via IFTTT

New Galaxy S26 leak reveals a long-overdue storage upgrade for cheapest S26

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A Finnish retail leak has apparently revealed colors and storage models for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. The listing corroborates a previous claim that the cheapest Galaxy S26 will now offer 256GB of storage instead of 128GB. This would be a long-overdue move as most of Samsung’s rivals have offered 256GB of base storage for years now. Samsung is one of the few manufacturers still offering flagship Android phones with 128GB of storage, as seen on the base Galaxy S25. However, a new retail leak has revealed some good news for the Galaxy S26. SuomiMobiili reports (h/t: SammyGuru ) that an unnamed Finnish retailer has posted color and storage details for the Samsung Galaxy S26 range . The base Galaxy S26 will apparently be available in 256GB and 512GB flavors. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/iuQLvOa via IFTTT

This founder cracked firefighting — now he’s creating an AI gold mine

The nozzle is just the beginning – what company founder Sunny Sethi calls "the muscle on the ground.” from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/1VIHkvt via IFTTT

Google Drive’s new ‘Smart’ AI features are forcing me to move all my private documents

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Credit: Tushar Mehta / Android Authority When Google started its operations in the late 1990s, it set out to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Despite continual, and sometimes secretive, iteration, the clause remains intact in its mission statement. With the AI boom, Google wants to make information accessible without any significant effort, and is extending these principles beyond web search. Last month, it extended the same altruistic virtues to Google Drive, where you now see AI overview-style summaries for your folders . With this change, Google’s AI will look through your folders, any directories within them, the files stored in them, and even the contents of those files, so you can find whatever you’re looking for immediately. These “smart” features in Google Drive are available to all paying Gemini subscribers and Workspace users. Google says it saves time and helps you discover files buried under several layers of folders...

The day of the second killing

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Steven Garcia, as told to Gaby Del Valle: I was in the middle of a frozen lake when I got the notification from the Minnesota Star Tribune that there had been a shooting. I was on assignment at a pond hockey event, and someone who was supposed to play later that evening said he probably wouldn't be able to make it - they knew there would be protests and demonstrations happening. I arrived a little over three hours later. Federal officers had already cleared the scene - the FBI had been there investigating - so the only law enforcement present were state and local officials: the Minneapolis Police Department, their SWAT team, the Hennepin … Read the full story at The Verge. from The Verge https://ift.tt/GSAHm1a via IFTTT

Gmail is having issues with spam and misclassification

If your Gmail account doesn’t seem to be working properly today, you’re not alone. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/by2I1iL via IFTTT

TikTok users freak out over app’s ‘immigration status’ collection — here’s what it means

TikTok users are freaking out over a mention of "immigration status" data collection, but lawyers explain the disclosure is related to state privacy laws. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/Nb0Ttsq via IFTTT

Leak: Nvidia is about to challenge ‘Intel Inside’ with as many as eight Arm laptops

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This is not an Nvidia Arm laptop, but the old image seemed thematically appropriate. Intel and AMD have split the Windows laptop market for years, but the x86 players may be getting outnumbered. It's not just Apple MacBooks and MediaTek-based Chromebooks using Arm chips anymore. There are finally competent Qualcomm Snapdragon laptops running Windows, and - as soon as this spring - Nvidia will finally power Windows consumer laptops with Arm chips all by itself. They won't have an Nvidia graphics chip next to an Intel CPU, but rather an Nvidia N1 system-on-chip at the helm - and overnight, a Lenovo leak revealed that the company has built six laptops on the upcoming N1 and N1X processors, including a 15-inch gaming machine. … Read the full story at The Verge. from The Verge https://ift.tt/en4TtSC via IFTTT

Who’s behind AMI Labs, Yann LeCun’s ‘world model’ startup

Yann LeCun's new venture, AMI Labs, has drawn intense attention since the AI scientist left Meta to found it. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/Oht23R9 via IFTTT

Capital One acquires Brex for steep discount to its peak valuation, but early believers are laughing all the way to the bank

Before everyone sharpens their knives, consider that for the VCs who backed Brex at its outset, the sale is a triumph. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/tZnUAiH via IFTTT

Samsung’s smallest Frame TVs have fallen to their lowest prices to date

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Samsung’s aptly titled Frame TV is designed to blend in with the rest of your home decor. Unless you’re dead set on picking up a larger panel, Samsung’s forthcoming 2026 Frame lineup represents a fairly minor upgrade . That makes last year’s model an easy rec for those on the hunt for an art-inspired 4K TV, especially given the 43- and 50-inch models are down to the lowest prices we’ve seen at Woot, selling for $597.99 ($302 off) and $697.99 ($402 off), respectively, through January 31st. Samsung The Frame (2025) Where to Buy: $899.99 $597.99 at Woot (43-inch) $1099.99 $697.99 at Woot (50-inch) Samsung’s last-gen 4K TV can easily pass for a piece of artwork, thanks to its slim QLED display that can showcase thousands of famous paintings when idle. Its anti-glare matte panel adds a realistic, canvas-like quality that helps it blend into your home decor, and you can even display your own photos and images. It’s great for watching TV shows and movies, too, as it supports ...

Inference startup Inferact lands $150M to commercialize vLLM

The seed round values the newly formed startup at $800 million. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/v10XRgi via IFTTT

Here are the best Kindle deals right now

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The aptly titled Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is currently on sale as part of a bundle starting at $327.97. When it comes to finding a device to read ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. You can always buy a tablet or use your phone, but those devices are multipurpose and can be used for a ton of things, like surfing the web or doomscrolling on X or Bluesky. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.   Amazon, one of the pioneers of the e-reader, has dominated the space for years with its ever-expanding Kindle lineup, which consists of several unique models with their own pros and cons. The bulk of the devices function as simple ebook readers; however, with the Kindle Scribe , Amazon is moving beyond books and into the realm of writing — something that should make future Kindles function more akin to physical paper. In fact, two new ...

A timeline of the US semiconductor market in 2025

From leadership changes at legacy semiconductor companies to wishy washy policy around chip exports, a lot happened last year. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/Wsk7mfH via IFTTT

Exclusive: Spotify is testing a wild new feature that finally syncs paper books with audiobooks

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Spotify is working on a new feature called Page Match that will let you seamlessly jump between audiobooks and physical books. When you scan a page in a physical book with your phone’s camera, Spotify will take you to that exact spot in the audiobook. The feature works both ways and also allows transitioning from an audiobook to its physical copy. It looks like Spotify is prepping a genuinely clever feature that meets bibliophiles and audiobook fans in the middle. It’s something Amazon has already done with ebooks and audiobooks, but Spotify is taking it a step further by not leaving lovers of physical books behind. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/cBbsRIz via IFTTT

Everstone combines Wingify, AB Tasty for $100M+ digital experience optimization platform

The combined business will serve more than 4,000 customers globally and surpass $100 million in annual revenue. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/cL94fDR via IFTTT

This upcoming Android phone claims to last a whole week with its 10,001mAh battery

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Credit: realme TL;DR Realme is launching the P4 Power with a massive 10,001mAh “Titan” battery. The company claims its Titan battery can deliver a week of power on a single charge. Realme says the battery uses advanced safety and longevity tech to slow wear and stay stable over time. For quite some time now, 5,000mAh has been the standard for smartphone batteries, often leaving users to carry battery banks or use a low-power mode. Now, realme is changing things by launching a smartphone with a huge 10,001 mAh battery, rather than just showing off a concept or a lab prototype. The main feature here is realme’s Titan battery, a 10,001mAh cell that the company says can last a week. The number stands out, but what’s more impressive is how fast realme turned the idea into a real product. After showing a 10,000mAh concept phone last year, the company has now started mass-producing the 10,001mAh battery. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/sV3dZYy via IFTTT

New OnePlus updates can permanently lock your phone’s software future

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TL;DR OnePlus has reportedly added hardware-level Anti-Rollback Protection in recent ColorOS updates. Updating to the new firmware permanently blocks downgrades, custom ROMs, and most unbricking methods. If you unlock bootloaders or flash ROMs, avoid ColorOS builds ending in .500, .501, or .503. The change affects the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 15 and could soon roll out to older devices and OxygenOS builds as well. OnePlus has reportedly started making a major behind-the-scenes change that could permanently affect bootloader unlocking, custom ROMs, and even basic software downgrades on its phones. The company had previously announced a new system that would limit bootloader unlocking, and it looks like it’s finally starting to implement it. Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority ? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/5FVvt0Z via IFTTT

Your Pixel 10 could soon get a lot smarter thanks to a major Magic Cue expansion

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Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google could soon enhance the Pixel 10’s Magic Cue feature with integrations for Google Wallet and Google Tasks. Google Wallet integration could enable the AI to display live status updates for trains, flights, and events, making Magic Cue far more proactive. Google Tasks integration could make event reminders clearer by allowing direct access outside of Calendar. Magic Cue was one of Pixel 10’s highlight features, but it fell pretty flat at launch . Eventually, Google redeemed itself as Magic Cue improved , and while it may not be a groundbreaking new feature, it certainly has a place within the Pixel ecosystem. Google seems to have bigger plans for Magic Cue, as it could be looking to further upgrade it with Google Wallet and Google Tasks integration. Authority Insights You're reading an Authority Insights story. Subscribe to our new Authority Insights newsletter for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, a...

Thinking about getting YouTube TV? Google just made it way cheaper to try

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Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube TV is running a limited-time offer for new subscribers, extending the free trial to 10 days and offering a sweet discount for the first two months once the trial ends. The offer brings down the price of YouTube TV from $82.99 per month to $59.99 per month. The new deal is valid till March 17, 2026. YouTube TV is one of the best live TV streaming services you can buy right now. It’s reliable, easy to use, packed with channels, and later this year, Google plans to shake things up even more by introducing new plans focused on better customization and cheaper options. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/PGnWIEq via IFTTT

Google confirms ‘high-friction’ sideloading flow is coming to Android

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This prompt will show up on Android 8.0 and later. You must give individual apps the ability to install apps in newer versions of Android. TL;DR Google says Android is getting a “high-friction” sideloading flow. The company insists it’s about user awareness, not blocking installs. The big question is whether this added friction will stay educational or quietly make sideloading on Android harder. Google has responded to our recent report on new Google Play strings hinting at changes to how Android will handle sideloaded apps in the future. The company has now confirmed that a “high-friction” install process is on the way. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/me73LJf via IFTTT

Orange is NOT the new black as Galaxy S26 Ultra colors leak without it

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Credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines TL;DR A new leak shows Galaxy S26 Ultra SIM trays in black, white, blue, and purple, revealing its four color options. Purple (violet) is tipped to be Samsung’s hero color for the Ultra. Orange appears to be missing from the S26 Ultra, though it could show up on other models or as a Samsung.com exclusive. Samsung’s next Ultra phone is starting to look a lot more colorful. A fresh leak from well-known tipster Ice Universe has now locked in the Galaxy S26 Ultra ‘s four color options, thanks to leaked images of the phone’s SIM card trays. And while we were previously expecting Samsung to copy the iPhone’s bold orange color option, it now looks like that shade is missing in action. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/1CPFtZB via IFTTT