Instagram has recently introduced several new messaging features to enhance user experience. In February, the platform rolled out updates such as message translation, scheduling, music integration, and the ability to pin messages. While these features are common in apps like iMessage and Slack, they are relatively new for a social media platform like Instagram. According to a Meta press release, “Last year, we introduced the ability to pin up to three chat threads in your DM inbox, making it easier to find important conversations. Now, you can pin specific messages to the top of any 1:1 or group chat to…
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Signal President Meredith Whittaker raised concerns about the security and privacy implications of agentic AI during her talk at the SXSW 2025 conference, highlighting how these AI-driven systems could compromise user data. Whittaker explained that agentic AI designed to perform tasks autonomously, such as booking tickets, scheduling events, and messaging contacts requires deep access to user systems. This means the AI must interact with web browsers, payment methods, calendars, and messaging apps, leading to significant privacy risks. However, she warned that for AI agents to function effectively, they would require near-root access to devices, pulling data across multiple applications often…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reiterated its demand for Google to divest its Chrome browser, according to a recent court filing, while easing earlier restrictions on the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) investments. The proposal, which aligns with the DOJ’s initial stance under the Biden administration, underscores continued antitrust enforcement under the Trump-era leadership. In its filing, the DOJ argued that Google’s “illegal conduct” has solidified its dominance as an “economic goliath,” suppressing competition in the digital marketplace. While maintaining its core proposal including the forced sale of Chrome and a ban on search-related payments to distribution partners the…
With an aging population and persistent labor shortages, Japanese businesses are increasingly turning to service robots to bolster their workforce, Bloomberg reports. According to research firm Fuji Keizai, Japan’s service robot market is expected to nearly triple by 2030, reaching ¥400 billion ($2.7 billion). The growth is driven by a projected labor shortfall of 11 million workers by 2040, as estimated by the Recruit Works Institute, and a government-backed forecast that nearly 40% of the population will be 65 or older by 2065. ALSO READ: Microsoft Expands AI Efforts to Compete with OpenAI One example of robots stepping in to…
Microsoft is significantly ramping up its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives to challenge OpenAI, despite their long-standing partnership. The tech giant is actively working on developing its own AI reasoning models, similar to OpenAI’s powerful systems, to enhance its products and services. Development of Proprietary AI Models Reports suggest that Microsoft has successfully developed a new family of AI models called MAI. These models are designed to be competitive with OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology, enabling Microsoft to maintain a strong position in the AI sector. Additionally, Microsoft is considering offering these models through an API later this year, allowing developers to integrate…
Apple has announced a delay in the release of its highly anticipated “more personalized Siri” experience, initially promised as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative. In a statement published by Apple blog Daring Fireball on Friday, the company admitted that delivering these advanced Siri features is taking longer than expected. Apple now anticipates rolling them out within the “coming year.” The upgraded Siri was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference last year, where CEO Tim Cook emphasized that it would revolutionize the digital assistant by integrating personal context, such as relationships, communications, and routines. Cook described this enhancement as not…
Google co-founder Larry Page is reportedly working on a new artificial intelligence startup called Dynatomics, focused on transforming product manufacturing, according to The Information. Page is assembling a small team of engineers to develop AI technology capable of generating “highly optimized” designs for various objects, which can then be manufactured in specialized factories. The stealth venture is reportedly being led by Chris Anderson, former CTO of Kittyhawk, an electric aircraft company previously backed by Page. AI’s Growing Role in Manufacturing Page is not alone in exploring AI-driven manufacturing solutions. Several startups are also leveraging AI to improve design and production…
Getting ghosted is never a pleasant experience, especially when you’re a founder seeking funding from investors. It’s much like dating—you’re left wondering why an investor hasn’t responded after an initial pitch or even after what seemed like a promising meeting. Ghosting is often a clear indication of a lack of interest. If a VC wants to invest, they will respond. But why do VCs vanish without an explanation? Several investors shared their insights with TechCrunch to help founders understand why this happens. The Role of Time in VC Decision-Making Time is one of the most valuable resources for VCs. Mercedes…
With AI evolving at an unprecedented pace, keeping up with the latest models can be overwhelming. From industry giants like Google to startups like OpenAI and Anthropic, new AI innovations are reshaping how businesses and individuals interact with technology. To simplify the landscape, TechCrunch has compiled a guide to the most advanced AI models launched since 2024, highlighting their capabilities, applications, and accessibility. This list will continue to be updated as new breakthroughs emerge. AI Models Released in 2025 Cohere’s Aya Vision Aya Vision is a multimodal AI model designed for image captioning and answering questions about photos. It stands…
Gong, a leading AI-driven revenue intelligence platform, has announced that it has exceeded $300 million in annualized recurring revenue (ARR). This milestone highlights the company’s sustained growth and reinforces its position as a key player in the enterprise AI space. Since its inception in 2016, Gong has leveraged AI to analyze customer interactions and provide actionable revenue insights. The integration of generative AI in recent years has further accelerated its adoption among enterprises. CEO Amit Bendov shared, “We’re seeing great momentum. That’s why we’re excited to share the numbers.” Gong’s last funding round in 2021, a $250 million Series E…
China’s AI startup DeepSeek has made waves in the AI industry with its latest reasoning model, DeepSeek R1. Just days after its launch, the company’s iOS app has climbed to the top of Apple’s App Store, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which now sits in second place. What Makes DeepSeek R1 Stand Out? DeepSeek R1 has gained significant attention due to its open-source nature and affordability. Unlike OpenAI’s premium models, DeepSeek offers free access to its AI on both the web and mobile apps while keeping API costs considerably lower. Many users have reported successfully running DeepSeek on modest hardware while leveraging…
Apple has officially launched the new iPad Air, powered by the M3 chip, in India. This marks the first time Apple’s advanced graphics architecture is available on an iPad Air, significantly enhancing its performance. The company has also introduced a redesigned Magic Keyboard specifically for the new iPad Air, available in two screen sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Apple iPad Air India Price and Availability The new iPad Air with M3 will be available in four colors: blue, purple, starlight, and space grey, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB. Pricing details for the Indian market are as follows: The…
At this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Deutsche Telekom (DT) announced a groundbreaking new venture—a low-cost AI-powered smartphone developed in collaboration with Perplexity, Picsart, and other partners. Dubbed the “AI Phone,” this innovative device is set to launch in the latter half of 2025, with sales beginning in 2026 at a price point below $1,000. Initially, the device will be available in the European market. Claudia Nemat, DT’s board member for technology and innovation, emphasized the company’s strategic shift towards AI integration. “We are becoming an AI company,” she declared. While DT is not developing foundational large language…
AI startup Anthropic has raised a massive $3.5 billion in its Series E funding round, pushing its post-money valuation to $61.5 billion. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Cisco Investments, D1 Capital Partners, Fidelity Management & Research Company, General Catalyst, Jane Street, Menlo Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures. This latest funding brings Anthropic’s total capital raised to $18.2 billion, according to Crunchbase. Expansion and AI Development Anthropic stated in a blog post that this investment will be used to advance next-generation AI systems, expand compute capacity, deepen research into AI interpretability and alignment,…
Revolutionizing AI for Creatives Traditional AI tools often cater to non-creatives, offering quick but uninspired outputs. Flora, founded by Weber Wong, challenges this norm by providing an infinite canvas—a powerful AI-driven workspace designed specifically for creative professionals. What Makes Flora Different? Flora is not focused on building AI models. Instead, it integrates existing models into a visual and interactive workspace, allowing users to:✔ Generate text, images, and videos.✔ Expand and refine creations with structured workflows.✔ Collaborate seamlessly with teams and clients. Unlike conventional AI tools that prioritize automation over artistry, Flora empowers creatives with full control over their work. Designed…