Databricks buys Row Zero and is scouting for more startups to acquire
Databricks has brought cloud spreadsheet startup Row Zero, adding yet another acquisition to its 2026 shopping spree.
Tech
It’s sinister that Meta’s Muse AI mascot is so cute
This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they’re going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. Last night, I asked Blorbo – what I named my Muse AI agent – to help me set some health […]
Now Google Chrome shares tabs to new devices that save where you were
Google is rolling out some new Chrome browser features that are designed to make it easier to research and study complicated topics. The cross-device tab switching feature is getting a memory upgrade, alongside new capabilities for Gemini in Chrome that can analyze more types of media and generate interactive study quizzes. Chrome has an existing […]
Google Photos ‘Clueless’-inspired virtual closet is now available on Android and iOS
The AI-powered feature builds a virtual wardrobe from your photos, and is now broadly available after first rolling out to Android users in June.
TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026: Everything you need to know
TechCrunch Founder Summit is a full-day gathering in Boston on November 4 where founders across all stages connect with top VCs and experienced entrepreneurs to gain tactical insights on building and scaling their companies.
20 minutes with the CEO of ElevenLabs, now reportedly valued at $22B
ElevenLabs powers the AI voice on the other end of a lot of customer service calls, and its CEO told me this week that businesses should probably tell you that — at least until getting a machine is what everyone expects anyway.
These smart glasses have been recalled for overheating temples causing burns
A company called Inmo that makes several different variations of smart glasses has issued a recall for its Air3 because the left temple “can overheat during extended use, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to burn hazard.” To date there have been 10 reports of users experiencing a “burning sensation to the […]
Gemini can now call businesses for you so you don’t have to wait on hold
Google’s launching an “early experiment” feature on Pixel 11 that lets users delegate local business calls to Gemini, like making a reservation, checking if a product is in stock, or rescheduling an appointment. According to Google, you don’t even need to start the call to have Gemini handle it for you: Instead of dialing yourself, […]
Meet the next wave of VCs judging Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Meet the next wave of VCs judging the Startup Battlefield 200 contenders on the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register by September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, to save up to $200 and to get a front-row seat to one of the most intense startup pitch competitions.
The Xbox reset gets ugly
It feels like Xbox has been in a permanent state of turmoil for at least two years now, and this week is no different. Microsoft cut 268 jobs across its gaming division this week, shuffled major studios and franchises around, and continued its Xbox “reset.” Layoffs have become a way of life for Xbox employees, […]