The rise of “micro” apps: Non-developers are creating apps instead of buying them.
It took Rebecca Yu seven days to code the dining app Vibe. She was tired of the decision fatigue that comes from group chat participants not being able to decide where to eat. Armed with Claude and ChatGPT’s determination, Yu decided to build a dining app from scratch. This app recommends restaurants to her and […]
Taiwan to invest $250 billion in US semiconductor manufacturing
The Trump administration signed a high-profile multibillion-dollar trade deal with Taiwan aimed at helping the United States boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Taiwanese semiconductor and high-tech companies have agreed to make $250 billion in direct investments in the U.S. semiconductor industry under a deal announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These investments span “production […]
Higgsfield, the AI video startup founded by former Snap executives, is valued at $1.3 billion
In an extension to its previous $50 million Series A round that closed in September, AI video generation startup Higgsfield sold an additional $80 million worth of stock, bringing its total Series A to $130 million. The company announced that it is now valued at $1.3 billion. Higgsfield provides tools for consumers, creators, and social […]
Iran’s internet shutdown becomes longest in history as protests continue
As of Thursday, 92 million Iranians had been completely cut off from internet access for more than a week, making this nationwide internet shutdown one of the longest in history, according to experts. Last Thursday, Iranian leaders shut down internet and phone access across the country in response to massive anti-government protests that began late […]
US imposes 25% tariff on Nvidia’s H200 AI chip destined for China
Tariffs on some chips were announced after months of rumors that the Trump administration intended to impose tariffs on semiconductors. The tariffs only apply to certain semiconductors, such as the Nvidia H200 advanced AI chip scheduled to be shipped to China. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday imposing a 25% tariff on advanced AI […]
OpenAI invests in Sam Altman’s brain-computer interface startup Merge Labs
Just when you thought circular trading couldn’t get any more circular, OpenAI invested in CEO Sam Altman’s brain computer interface (BCI) startup Merge Labs. Merge Labs, which defines itself as a “research institute” dedicated to “bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human potential,” came out of stealth on Thursday with an undisclosed seed round. […]
US senators demand answers from X, Meta, Alphabet and more on sexual deepfakes
The tech industry’s non-consensual sexual deepfakes problem is now bigger than just an X. In a letter to the leaders of X, Meta, Alphabet, Snap, Reddit and TikTok, several US senators are asking the companies to provide evidence that they have “robust protections and policies” in place and explain how they intend to curb the […]
How one startup is using prebiotics to alleviate copper deficiency
Five years from now, the world may start running out of copper, a critical mineral used in everything from data centers to electric cars. If nothing changes, the world could face severe shortages as early as 2040, with demand exceeding supply by as much as 25%. If copper seems expensive now, wait a few years. […]
Spotify raises subscription prices in the US again
Spotify has increased the price of its subscription plans in the U.S. for the third time in three years, increasing monthly plans from $11.99 per month to $12.99 per month. The company sent an email to paying users informing them of the new price. This price will apply starting with your next monthly billing cycle. […]
Parloa triples valuation to $3 billion in 8 months with $350 million in funding
Berlin-based Parloa has raised $350 million in Series D funding from existing investors, valuing the six-year-old customer service AI startup at $3 billion. The round comes just eight months after the company raised $120 million at a $1 billion valuation. The new round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from returning backers including EQT […]