Technology

Amazon will show images of AI products when you search for a reason

Amazon will show images of AI products when you search for a reason

πŸ’₯ Check out this must-read post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: AI,Apps,Commerce,AI search,Amazon,commerce,retail πŸ“Œ **What You’ll Learn**: In what may be one of the most questionable uses of artificial intelligence yet, Amazon announced on Wednesday that it will display AI-generated product images within its shopping app based on users' search queries. That's right - the retailer where people shop for real-world products believes that displaying fake images will "help" consumers find what they're looking for better. Enough already. Here's how Amazon says in a blog post that the feature will work. Clients may have something in mind but don't know…
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TikTok launches TikTok Pro Events, an app for cultural moments like the FIFA World Cup

TikTok launches TikTok Pro Events, an app for cultural moments like the FIFA World Cup

✨ Check out this insightful post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Apps,Social,TikTok,tiktok us βœ… **What You’ll Learn**: TikTok announced on Wednesday that it will launch a new standalone app in the United States dedicated to cultural landmarks like the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The new app, called TikTok Pro Events, allows users to interact with other fans, explore trending videos, and access creators' curated feeds. Users aged 18 and above can earn β€œStars,” which can be redeemed for exclusive benefits, by completing fan-focused activities within the app, such as searching trending hashtags, visiting the FIFA World Cup Center, and sharing…
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Meta’s AI agent for WhatsApp Business is now available globally

Meta’s AI agent for WhatsApp Business is now available globally

πŸ’₯ Check out this trending post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: AI,Apps,WhatsApp,Meta,whatsapp business βœ… **What You’ll Learn**: For many years, WhatsApp has served as a communication layer for businesses of all sizes around the world. Meta is now working to integrate AI into that layer in an effort to turn WhatsApp into a viable part of workflow software for SMBs. The company said on Wednesday that it will make its customer support AI bot, now known as Meta Business Agent, available globally within WhatsApp. The launch comes as Meta has spent nearly two years testing AI agents in WhatsApp Business…
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β€œSeries” meta-tests of episodic reels on Instagram and Facebook

β€œSeries” meta-tests of episodic reels on Instagram and Facebook

πŸ”₯ Check out this insightful post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Apps,Social,Facebook,Instagram,Meta,reels πŸ“Œ **What You’ll Learn**: Meta is testing a new β€œSeries” feature for Reels that is designed to make it easier to follow serialized content on Instagram and Facebook, the company told TechCrunch. Some creators will now be able to create series using their own reels, both new and old. Each reel will become a link in a larger story with a dedicated hub on their profile, mirroring an experience already available on TikTok. The launch of the new feature signals that Meta is embracing long-term viewing, rather than…
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The world’s largest private laser has just been put into operation

The world’s largest private laser has just been put into operation

πŸ’₯ Discover this awesome post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Climate,lasers,nuclear fusion,fusion power,Xcimer Energy,fusion energy πŸ’‘ **What You’ll Learn**: Merger startup Xcimer Energy on Wednesday flipped the switch on its Phoenix laser system, which the company says is the largest privately owned example in the world. Xcimer's approach to fusion energy is modeled on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), which demonstrated in December 2022 that a controlled fusion reaction can release more energy than what is needed to ignite it. NIF trained 192 laser beams on a fuel target smaller than a pencil eraser. The laser energy hit the golden…
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Why VivaTech 2026 is the place to see Europe’s AI strategy take shape

Why VivaTech 2026 is the place to see Europe’s AI strategy take shape

πŸ’₯ Explore this awesome post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Startups,Venture,Startup Battlefield 200,TechCrunch Disrupt,Vivatech βœ… **What You’ll Learn**: TechCrunch is teaming up with VivaTech 2026 to highlight some of the most important conversations shaping the future of AI. As part of the collaboration, TechCrunch and VivaTech will also showcase emerging founders through the VivaTech Innovation of the Year competition. The winner will get the chance to pitch live in Paris and secure a spot in the Startup Battlefield 200 ahead of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, which takes place in San Francisco from October 13-15. If you want to understand how Europe…
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Password manager Dashlane says hackers have stolen some customers’ password vaults

Password manager Dashlane says hackers have stolen some customers’ password vaults

✨ Discover this awesome post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Security,cyberattack,cybersecurity,dashlane,LastPass,password manager,two-factor authentication πŸ’‘ **What You’ll Learn**: Password manager maker Dashlane says hackers obtained at least a dozen encrypted vaults used to store customer passwords during a cyberattack over the weekend. The company said on its website that the hackers forcefully used the company's two-factor authentication system, allowing the hackers to access about 20 customer accounts. By defeating the two-factor mechanism, the hackers were able to download a copy of some customers' encrypted vaults, which stored their passwords and other sensitive credentials. Dashlane said on its incident page that there…
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Board, the new gaming startup from Mirror founder Brynn Putnam, raises $20 million, and has already sold thousands

Board, the new gaming startup from Mirror founder Brynn Putnam, raises $20 million, and has already sold thousands

✨ Read this insightful post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: Fundraising,Gadgets,Gaming,Hardware,Startups,TC,board,Brynn Putnam,Union Square Ventures βœ… **What You’ll Learn**: Board, a three-year-old New York-based startup that builds what it calls β€œtech together” β€” technology designed to virtually bring people into the same room β€” has closed a $20 million Series A led by Union Square Ventures. General Partner Michael Mignano, in his first investment since joining USV, will join the company's board of directors. The round also brought in some famous angel investors including Biz Stone, Tim Ferriss and Scott Belsky. The raise comes about eight months after founder Brynn Putnam…
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Trump signs narrower executive order on AI oversight after industry objections

Trump signs narrower executive order on AI oversight after industry objections

πŸš€ Explore this insightful post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: AI,Government & Policy,Trump,In Brief,ai executive order,ai evaluations πŸ’‘ **What You’ll Learn**: President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at giving the government a chance to review powerful artificial intelligence models before they are released. The order requires some AI companies to voluntarily submit their new models to the government for testing or evaluation 30 days before the products are released to the public. An earlier draft of the order had called for a voluntary review up to 90 days in advance, though AI industry insiders have pushed…
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Amazon is facing a class action lawsuit over Ring’s facial recognition feature

Amazon is facing a class action lawsuit over Ring’s facial recognition feature

✨ Read this trending post from TechCrunch πŸ“– πŸ“‚ **Category**: AI,Privacy,Amazon,facial recognition,Ring πŸ’‘ **What You’ll Learn**: A lawsuit was filed against Amazon on Monday over alleged privacy violations from its Ring doorbell cameras. The class action lawsuit, filed in Seattle by Virginia resident Charles Sigwalt, alleges that Ring's familiar faces feature stores photos of bystanders without consent. Ring announced the Familiar Faces feature last September and faced opposition from consumer advocacy organizations like the EFF, as well as Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). But the company went ahead with its plans to launch the feature in December. The Familiar Faces feature…
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