TechCrunch Headlines

Forget rockets — Longshot wants to fire cargo into space from a gun. See it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Longshot is trying to build a gun big enough to make space data centers a reality.

TechCrunchHardware

Laplace Intelligence red-teams robots and self-driving cars before they hit the real world

University of Michigan spinout Laplace Intelligence uses AI agents and interactive simulation to stress-test robots and self-driving vehicles before deployment. The profitable startup is competing at…

Pluto Security raises $42M as AI gives enterprise security teams a new headache

Pluto Security has raised $42 million Jump Capital, TLV Partners, Ansa Capital and angel investors.

Google Play now supports private, vibe-coded apps built just for you

Google is making it easier to build and use personal Android apps created with AI, without having to make them available to everyone on the Play Store.

TechCrunchBusiness

MIT startup says it can turn diesel trucks into cheaper hydrogen haulers — see it at Disrupt

Diesel is expensive and polluting, and LNK Energies says it has come up with a way to replace it with hydrogen, all while undercutting diesel on cost.

TechCrunchBusiness

The 2026 Startup Battlefield Top 20: From organs to orbit and everything in between

Twenty founders just earned their shot at Disrupt glory. They're headed to the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt to compete for the $100,000 prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup.

Spotify users on iOS 27 can now ask Siri to play music without having to say ‘on Spotify’

Siri can now learn users' preferred music app, allowing Spotify listeners to request songs, podcasts, and playlists without specifying which app to use.

TechCrunchBusiness

Bumble agrees to a $1.3B acquisition deal as online dating faces a reset

After years of declining subscriber numbers and falling revenue, Bumble just agreed to a $1.3 billion acquisition.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Day 1

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 officially kicks off today. See what's in store for Day 1 (Oct. 13) at San Francisco's Moscone West. Don't miss it. Register for your pass now and meet 10,000+ tech leaders at…

SpaceXSI bundles X Premium, Grok and Cursor into one subscription

The new X Subscription combines X's paid features with AI tools like Grok and Cursor, offering plans ranging from $8 to $200 per month.

TechCrunchHardware

Apple refreshes its Homepod mini with a new chip and $149 price tag

The new $149 HomePod mini with Siri AI and a 'SoundGlow' visual feature will be available starting October 30.

Apple’s new smart home line-up includes a smart lock, thermostat and video doorbells

The new devices work with HomeView, the company's new smart home hub which can be used to control accessories and interact with apps.

India delays digital payments fee rollout amid retailer pushback

The NPCI, which operates the UPI network, said it was postponing the planned October 15 rollout of the 0.4% fee due to the festive shopping season.

Apple launches a new Apple TV 4K with Siri AI and remote-free voice commands

The new Apple TV 4K costs $299, comes with Siri AI, and will be available on November 13.

Apple makes another push into the smart home market with HomeView

Apple is taking a big swing at the smart home market with its latest product that competes with Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub.

Amex introduces a framework to prevent AI agents from making unauthorized purchases

American Express is introducing a new framework designed to ensure AI agents only make purchases their users have authorized, potentially preventing costly mistakes and disputes as AI-powered shopping…

Giraffe Bio aims its bespoke biomolecules at the looming copper shortage

As AI data centers and EVs drive up demand for copper, Giraffe Bio has unearthed a $6.4 million seed round to help miners extract more of the mineral.

Just 5 years in, interactive chatbot platform Character.AI files for bankruptcy

The startup will sell some of its assets to Disney for $20 million.