Timef 05/15/2025

Looking to make a splash at TechCrunch All Stage 2025? Our Side Events initiative is a fantastic opportunity to engage with Boston’s tech community in a dynamic and memorable manner. Plus, we’ll assist in promoting your event at no cost to you! Submit your event here by June 10. Throw your own Side Event at […]

Pronto, which provides cleaning, laundry and home services within 10 minutes, has raised $2M at a $12.5M valuation.

Instagram Threads is taking on Linktree and other “link-in-bio” solutions by introducing a way for creators to use their Threads profile to share links to their other interests and online presences. At launch, the feature will support adding up to five links to a bio, which can connect visitors to the creator’s blog, newsletter, website, […]

"Talk to Me" directors Danny and Michael Philippou return with "Bring Her Back," starring Sally Hawkins.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ with 128GB and WiFi is on sale for just shy of $200 at Amazon, saving you 26%.

Apple’s next-generation version of its popular CarPlay infotainment software is finally launching three years after it was first announced. The company said Thursday that this new version of CarPlay — now known as “CarPlay Ultra” — will start rolling out on new Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, roughly half a year late. […]

The Series B was led by General Catalyst, with Andreessen Horowitz, Regents of the University of California, Google Ventures, and Accel also investing.

As of May 15, get the Moihosso Portable Power Bank for its lowest price yet at Amazon.

Shark's inventive new bladeless tower fan offers airflow from all angles, if you don’t mind some noise.

Kurt the CyberGuy explores how hackers exploit data broker files to access personal information and explains services available to protect your privacy.

For years, big tech companies like Amazon and Google have been trying to make virtual try-ons engaging to encourage consumers to shop more online. Startups also tried to solve for inspiration and fit in fashion using AI. A new startup called Doji is now entering this space with an app designed to make apparel try-ons […]

For years, big tech companies like Amazon and Google have been trying to make virtual try-ons engaging to encourage consumers to shop more online. Startups also tried to solve for inspiration and fit in fashion using AI. A new startup called Doji is now entering this space with an app designed to make apparel try-ons […]

"Americana," which premiered at SXSW in 2023, hits theaters August 22.

HBO Max has been roasting itself over its recent name change on X.

Body counts, or the number of people you've had sex with, are gaining traction on TikTok and social media.

These refined Razrs are still the best folding flip phones around.

Savings and investing startup Acorns has acquired EarlyBird, an investment gifting platform for families, the company told TechCrunch exclusively. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the acquisition, EarlyBird will shut down, and all customer accounts will officially close on June 23. Customers’ funds will be returned to the bank […]

Roblox announced on Thursday that creators can now sell physical merchandise directly within their experiences and games on the platform with the launch of new Commerce APIs. The offering provides creators with a new way to generate revenue beyond the purchases of virtual goods or one-time fees to access specific experiences. The company first began […]

Elon Musk’s social media company has continued to accept payments for subscriptions from entities barred from doing business in the U.S., a nonprofit found.

Apple's next-gen in-car tech has missed two launch promises and taken nearly three years to appear. Now it's mere weeks away from running your ride.

The crypto exchange giant said the hacker bribed contractors and employees in support roles to steal data.

Get that box spring off the floor with these WIRED-tested frames.

Speaking during a business summit in Doha, Trump said he met with Cook and asked him to stop building in India and instead increase production in the US.

As of May 15, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is on sale at Amazon for $999. It's usually listed for $1,699, so you're getting 41% off.

South Korea has once again postponed a decision on whether to approve Google’s request to transfer the high-precision map data it has on the country’s geography to its international servers. In February, Google had requested approval from the Korean National Geographic Information Institute to deploy a 1:5,000 scale map on its app in the country […]

Hedra, which offers a video generation and editing suite powered by its Character-3 model, has raised $32M.

YouTube will now show ads at the "peak" moment of videos, in a move right out of cliffhanger TV territory.

As of May 15, the Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 500 is on sale at Amazon for $469. It's usually listed for $799, so you're getting 41% off.

Apple is moving a big chunk of its iPhone production to India, but Donald Trump isn't too happy about it.

Salma Hayek and Jimmy Fallon interacted with some large bugs on "The Tonight Show".

Slate Truck, which is backed by Jeff Bezos, is priced at $20,000 after federal EV incentives, a concept some would consider radical and even inconceivable.

As the FDA halts the sale of Ozempic and Zepbound copycats, online clinics have begun offering liraglutide, an older GLP-1 medication injected daily instead of weekly.

The best deal on Peacock. Get a 12-month subscription to Peacock for $24.99 with this voucher code.

"The Daily Show" host Jordan Klepper has mocked RFK Jr. for swimming in a sewage-infested creek with his grandchildren.

As of May 15, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 and Explorer 100 Plus Mini Power Station is on sale at Amazon for $1,399.

Apple Maps is adding restaurant reviews and ratings from experts, including those from Michelin Guide.

Save 19% on a four-pack Apple AirTag bundle at Amazon.

While it is far too early to say how he will use his platform to address such issues, his focus shows he is a church leader who grasps the gravity of this modern concern.

A federal judge created a path for app makers like Spotify and Patreon to avoid paying Apple hefty commissions. Is this a win for consumers? It’s complicated.

Save 26% on the Apple iPad 10th Gen at Amazon.

The Shark NeverChange Compact Pro air purifier is an adorable and effective model that's worth the premium price.

Singer and "brat" mastermind Charli XCX plays herself in "Overcompensating," and the result is unhinged and hilarious.

Benito Skinner created and stars in "Overcompensating," about a closeted college student trying to fit in. Stream it now on Prime Video.

"Duster," starring Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson, follows a getaway driver and FBI agent's attempts to take down a crime syndicate.

How Katy Perry’s over-the-top vocals on "Thinking of You" became a TikTok trend, and why that joke led to something unexpectedly sincere.

Score a 1-year Sam’s Club membership for just $20 (reg. $50) and unlock premium savings, perks, and bulk shopping power.

This 9-inch car display works with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and it can mirror your phone screen.

Get a fresh perspective with these Double Barrel 720p Digital Night Vision Binoculars, now just $119.99 (reg. $297.99).

Give your PC an upgrade with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $49.97 ($219.99) through June 1.

What's fresh on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and more? Here are the must-sees and the better-off-to-avoids.

Creator Aden Wang on how he grew his account on Instagram and TikTok, how he edits, and his relationship to creative content and work.

An OnlyFans creator says she found her pictures on Reddit, but with the wrong face.

Save 33% on the Beats Pill at Amazon.

Answers to each clue for the May 15, 2025 edition of NYT's The Mini crossword puzzle.

Connections: Sports Edition is a New York Times word game about finding common sports threads between words. How to solve the puzzle.

Harvey AI is in discussions to raise more than $250 million in a funding round led by Kleiner Perkins and Coatue that would value it at $5 billion, Reuters reported

Valve has addressed Steam's security breach, a leak which allegedly involved over 89 million user records such as phone numbers.

1MinAI gives you lifetime access to multiple GPT models, including Meta AI, Google AI, ChatGPT, and more. You can generate copy, images, analyze files, conduct research, and more.

Find the best free online courses from MIT.

Hints and answers to today's Hurdle all in one place.

How to watch La Liga for free. Watch Espanyol vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free from anywhere in the world.

How to unblock porn for free in Mississippi. Unblock and watch Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world.

Ditch the cables and wires with this selection of charging stands and mats.

Connections is a New York Times word game that's all about finding the "common threads between words." How to solve the puzzle.

The NYT Strands hints and answers you need to make the most of your puzzling experience.

Here's the answer for "Wordle" #1426 on May 15 as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.

The next Starship launch may come as soon as next week. A recent test of its Raptor engines suggest SpaceX has resolved the issues that plagued its recent flights.

Austin Russell, who became a billionaire after his lidar startup Luminar went public, appears to be out as CEO, according to the company’s board. Luminar’s board announced Wednesday — the same day of its first-quarter earnings report — it had replaced Russell and appointed Paul Ricci to the role. Ricci is the former Chairman and […]

We review the cult-favorite AirFly Pro, a $55 Bluetooth transmitter that lets you watch in-flight movies with wireless headphones.

Last year, the Biden administration set limits on PFAS in drinking water systems. Donald Trump's EPA is planning to dramatically soften that rule.

YouTube made its pitch to advertisers on Wednesday, accompanied by a flashy performance from Lady Gaga and special appearances from popular YouTubers like Brittany Broski and MrBeast.  During its upfront presentation, YouTube executives introduced new ad formats coming to the platform, including an enhanced shoppable connected TV (CTV) offering that includes a new interactive product […]

YouTube announced a range of initiatives designed to attract more TV ad dollars to its platform at Brandcast, its annual Upfront event for advertisers. Notably, the Google-owned video service is expanding its relationship with the NFL and plans to exclusively stream the NFL’s first Friday game of the 2025-2026 season. It’s also preparing to pilot […]

Imagine you’re watching a highly anticipated video from your favorite YouTube creator — perhaps the moment a famous couple finally gets engaged — when an ad pops up immediately after the clip. This is part of YouTube’s new ad format called “Peak Points.” The company revealed the new ad format during its Upfront presentation on […]

Grok, the AI chatbot on Elon Musk's X, keeps sharing right-wing talking points about South Africa and white genocide.

Apple Maps announced a collaboration with the MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation, and Golf Digest to help users find recommended restaurants and golf courses in their area. Starting in the U.S., users will be able to filter their Maps searches to see restaurants with MICHELIN ratings, which denote exceptional dining experiences. But if you’re on the […]

In response to X user queries about everything from sports to Medicaid cuts, the xAI chatbot inserted unrelated information about “white genocide” in South Africa.

Netflix is adding more live streaming content, the company announced at its Upfront presentation on Wednesday. The service, which now reaches over 94 million global monthly active users, has been steadily introducing live TV to its audience with sports content from WWE wrestling, comedy, and awards shows, and other special events (some of which definitely […]

Get your popcorn and switch your brain off. The direct-sequel to "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" is less about logic than it is thrills and sentimentality.

Following a WIRED inquiry, Telegram banned thousands of accounts used for crypto scam money laundering, including those of Haowang Guarantee, a black market that enabled over $27 billion in transactions.

Waymo issued a software recall on 1,200 self-driving vehicles after some of its robotaxis were involved in minor collisions with gates, chains, and other gate-like roadway objects. The software update, which was first reported by Reuters, was conducted late last year, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Alphabet-owned company […]

Black Girls Code announces new AI Expert-in-Residence position as AI boom hits the nonprofit tech world.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok appeared to experience a bug on Wednesday that caused it to reply to dozens of posts on X with information about genocide in South Africa, even when the user didn’t ask anything about the subject. The strange responses stem from the X account for Grok, which replies to users with […]

Foxconn, a key manufacturer for Apple, has received an approval from India’s cabinet to build a new 37 billion Indian rupees ($435 million) semiconductor plant in a joint venture with the country’s IT giant HCL Group. The deal is the latest move to reduce Apple’s reliance on China and produce more components in India. The […]

If you don't already own a PlayStation 5, now might be the time to get one before prices go up.

Find out how to watch 'Disney's Snow White' starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, including when the new live-action movie is streaming.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has been reintroduced into Congress. If passed into law, this bill could impose some of the most significant legislative changes that the internet has seen in the U.S. since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998. As it currently stands, KOSA would be able to hold social […]

This is the last time you’ll ever pay for cloud storage. Period.

Did Elon Musk try to commit an end-run around copyright law by taking over the U.S. Copyright office?

OpenAI is releasing its GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini AI models in ChatGPT, the company announced in a post on X Wednesday. The GPT-4.1 models should help software engineers who are using ChatGPT to write or debug code, OpenAI spokesperson Shaokyi Amdo told TechCrunch. GPT-4.1 excels at coding and instruction following compared to GPT-4o, according to […]

Popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything posted a Pixel 9a teardown and repair enthusiasts won't like what they see.

The decision to reverse course comes after an industry lobby group called for the rule change to be withdrawn.

Accel’s Sonali De Rycker chatted with TechCrunch’s editor in chief about what it takes to spot and scale category-defining companies in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. She shared perspectives on identifying early-stage bets and supporting global growth.

Microsoft is limiting access to tools that boosted its rivals, but larger customers like DuckDuckGo say they won’t be affected.

TikTok's new AI Alive tool lets users easily animate photos into short, realistic videos using AI.

Martha Wells’ book series uses wry humor to tell a story about artificial intelligence, humanity, and free will. The Apple TV+ adaptation tries to do the same—with mixed results.

NASA's Perseverance rover captured an aurora in the Martian sky, the first time the lights have been imaged from the ground.

TS Anil, Monzo’s CEO, discusses the company’s innovative approach to customer-centric banking, the strategic decisions that fueled its growth, and insights into the future of digital finance. He shares how he led the digital bank through a remarkable transformation, from early challenges to achieving its first annual profit in 2024.

Best Buy has the Acer Chromebook 516 GE on sale for just $449. At $200 off, it's never been this cheap before.

Paladin Capital Group’s Nazo Moosa sat down with Mike Butcher at StrictlyVC London to discuss scaling innovative companies at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and resilience. She discussed how she’s driving purposeful investments that shape a secure and sustainable digital future

Nine years ago, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton sent shockwaves through medicine by declaring it “just completely obvious” that AI would make radiologists extinct in short order. Fast forward and the specialists — who do more than analyze images — are thriving, observes The New York Times. In fact, the field is experiencing explosive growth amid […]

SoundCloud says it’s revising its terms after widespread backlash over a clause related to AI model training. Earlier this year, SoundCloud quietly updated its usage policies, adding wording that many users interpreted as legal cover to allow the company to train AI on audio uploaded to its platform. SoundCloud was quick to assert that it wasn’t […]

Threatening social media posts targeting US judges have increased by more than 300 percent since last year, a new report shows.

The Hisense C2 TriChroma Laser portable projector is on sale for $1,699.99 at Amazon — that's 15% off and a new record low.

Russell Vought, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has canceled plans to more tightly regulate the sale of Americans’ sensitive personal data.

Russell Vought, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has canceled plans to more tightly regulate the sale of Americans’ sensitive personal data.

As of May 14, get a Spigen charger for a record-low price at Amazon.

James Gunn's "Superman," starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, hits theaters July 11.

OpenAI is moving to publish the results of its internal AI model safety evaluations more regularly in what the outfit is pitching as an effort to increase transparency. On Wednesday, OpenAI launched the Safety Evaluations Hub, a webpage showing how the company’s models score on various tests for harmful content generation, jailbreaks, and hallucinations. OpenAI […]

If you don't already own a PlayStation 5, now might be the time to get one before prices go up.

Dominique Thorne is back as Marvel's Riri Williams in the "Ironheart" trailer. Watch.

Many scientists contributed to the final result, but he was the one who, as a young physicist, designed the world’s deadliest weapon. He went on to advise a dozen presidents.

As of May 14, you can get the Narwal Freo Z10 Robot Vacuum and Mop for $899.99, down from 1099.99. That’s an 18% discount.

The Philips H8506 headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $81.92, down from the normal price of $129.99. That's a 37% discount.

As of May 14, get the Google Pixel Watch 3 for $299.99 at Amazon.

Android is fighting back against the myriad scams we get every day with Android 16.

AI startup Stability AI has released Stable Audio Open Small, a “stereo” audio-generating AI model that the company claims is the fastest on the market — and efficient enough to run on smartphones. Stable Audio Open Small is the fruit of a collaboration between Stability AI and Arm, the chipmaker that produces many of the […]

As of May 14, save up to $75 on Asus gaming keyboards at Amazon.

Google is replacing its iconic "I'm Feeling Lucky" button with AI Mode

Memorial Day mattress sales are already live from Purple, Saatva, Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, DreamCloud, and more.

The HBO announcement came at Warner Bros. Discovery's 2025 upfront presentation.

As of May 14, you can get the Lego Classic Creative Brick Box (10696) for just $17.99, down from $34.99.

Live Nation will offer $30 concert tickets to over 1,000 upcoming shows as part of a new $30 Ticket to Summer program.

Get the LG 55-inch UT75 4K TV on sale for just $296.99 at Amazon as of May 14 and save 31%. That's its best price ever.

As of May 14, you can get a pair of Philips wireless earbuds (TAT2159) for $37.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon.

As of May 14, you can get the Soundcore Rave 3S AI karaoke party speaker for $299.99, down from $349.99, at Amazon.

The Fire Max 11 tablet is down to $174.99 at Amazon, which is 24% off the usual retail price. Get the iPad alternative on sale.

Two years after Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) rebranded its streaming service to Max, the company is reverting to its old name. On Wednesday, the company announced the good news at its Upfront presentation, with the name change becoming official this summer.  When Max launched in 2023, the revamped platform was positioned as a win for […]

The Philips Soundbar 2.0 is on sale at Amazon for just $91.68, down from the normal price of $116.68. That's a 21% discount.

The information of 89 million Steam accounts are for sale on the dark web, according to a cybersecurity firm. Here's what we know.

An Illinois federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Chicago group.