TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s savior
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What the Epstein files reveal about EV startups and Silicon Valley
Will the Epstein revelations lead to broader fallout in Silicon Valley?
Hollywood isn’t happy about the new Seedance 2.0 video generator
Hollywood organizations are pushing back against a new AI video model called Seedance 2.0, which they say has quickly become a tool for “blatant” copyright infringement.
Apple’s first-gen AirTags are still worth buying now that they’re $16 apiece
With Apple’s second-gen AirTags now widely available, we’re already seeing inventory of the first-gen model begin to dwindle. Case in point? Amazon is no longer selling a single AirTag, and it’s unclear when — or if — the retailer will restock the first-gen model. Thankfully, you can still grab a four-pack of the first-gen location […]
Logitech’s new Superstrike is a faster, more customizable gaming mouse
Enthusiast gaming keyboard tech has made the jump to gaming mice – well, to one gaming mouse so far. The $179.99 Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is the first to feature analog sensors that use induction to register clicks faster than microswitches used in many mice. Those sensors allow for a host of cool features […]
I hate my AI pet with every fiber of my being
After a few weeks living with Casio’s AI-powered pet, Moflin, I finally understand why my mother hated my Furby so much. The fuzzy, guinea-pig-adjacent puffball fits snugly in the palm of my hand. It’s undeniably cute, in a weird kind of way, but the second it starts to squeak or twitch, I am hit with […]
AI can’t make good video game worlds yet, and it might never be able to
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more news about video game industry’s pushback against generative AI, follow Jay Peters. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Long before the generative AI explosion, […]
Why are Epstein’s emails full of equals signs?
Many of the emails released by the Department of Justice from its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein are full of garbled symbols like: Or: The scrambled text is so ubiquitous that it’s spurred conspiracy theories that it could be some kind of code. But as believable as it might be that a cabal of elite sex […]
The great computer science exodus (and where students are going instead)
Students are losing some interest in computer science broadly but gaining interest in AI-specific majors and courses.