Netflix is reportedly in talks to license video podcasts distributed by iHeartMedia, according to Bloomberg. iHeartMedia’s podcast portfolio includes shows like “The Breakfast Club,” “Las Culturistas,” “Jay Shetty Podcast,” and “Stuff You Should Know.” Netflix is looking for exclusivity, which means video podcasts that it licenses from iHeartMedia could no …
Read More »WhatsApp launches long-awaited Apple Watch app
WhatsApp announced on Tuesday that it’s launching an Apple Watch companion app. For the first time, WhatsApp users will be able to use their Apple Watch to get call notifications, read full messages, and record and send voice messages. “This new experience will help you stay on top of your …
Read More »iOS 26.1 lets you turn down liquid glass’ transparency
Apple’s latest iOS update, available for eligible devices from Monday, doesn’t introduce any major features, but it does bring one highly-requested tweak: the ability to change the transparency of the translucent liquid glass design. If you didn’t like the look of iOS 26, all you could do so far was …
Read More »Lawmakers say stolen police logins are exposing Flock surveillance cameras to hackers
Lawmakers have called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Flock Safety, a company that operates license plate-scanning cameras, for allegedly failing to implement cybersecurity protections that expose its camera network to hackers and spies. In a letter sent by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL, 8th), …
Read More »Wait, people actually use Facebook Dating?
When we gather ’round the proverbial fire and exchange our online dating war stories, we’re usually talking about the usual suspects: Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, and sometimes more niche apps like Lex. But ever since Facebook Dating launched in 2019, I’m not sure I have ever heard a tale that …
Read More »a16z pauses its famed TxO Fund for underserved founders, lays off staff
Andreessen Horowitz is pausing its Talent x Opportunity (TxO) fund and program, according to four sources familiar with the matter, including more than one founder in the program. The firm announced TxO in 2020 to support founders who do not have access to traditional venture networks. Many of TxO’s participants were women and minorities who, overall, receive …
Read More »Elad Gil on which AI markets have winners — and which are still wide open
Solo VC investor extraordinaire Elad Gil said on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt that AI has been one of the least predictable tech booms he’s ever seen. Gil is on the cap table of virtually every hit company of the past decade, including many of today’s leading AI companies. Still, he …
Read More »DOJ accuses US ransomware negotiators of launching their own ransomware attacks
U.S. prosecutors have charged two rogue employees of a cybersecurity company that specializes in negotiating ransom payments to hackers on behalf of their victims, with carrying out ransomware attacks of their own. Last month, the Department of Justice indicted Kevin Tyler Martin and another unnamed employee, who both worked as …
Read More »Chrome can now autofill your passport, driver’s license, and vehicle registration info
Google announced on Monday that its Chrome browser can now fill in your passport, driver’s license, vehicle registration, and more as part of its auto-fill feature. The addition expands Chrome’s existing ability to automatically fill in your addresses, passwords, and payment information. Desktop users who have enhanced autofill enabled will …
Read More »Microsoft’s $15.2B UAE investment turns Gulf State into test case for US AI diplomacy
Microsoft will invest $15.2 billion in the United Arab Emirates over the next four years, the company announced Monday at the first annual Abu Dhabi Global AI Summit. The investment will include the first-ever shipments of the most advanced Nvidia GPUs to the UAE. As part of the deal, the U.S. …
Read More »