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AI aids discovery of repurposed drugs to combat liver fibrosis
Research led by Gary Peltz at Stanford utilizes Co-Scientist to identify existing drugs for liver fibrosis treatment. The AI selected promising candidates, including vorinostat, which showed significant efficacy in lab tests.
Apple launches iPhone 17e with upgraded features and pricing
Apple has released the iPhone 17e, its most affordable smartphone option, featuring a faster A19 chip and double the storage compared to its predecessor. The starting price of £599 makes it an attractive choice undercutting the iPhone 17 and 16.
Bhavin Turakhia invests $30M in Neo, an AI-based workplace software alternative
Bhavin Turakhia has invested $30 million into Neo, an AI-driven enterprise software platform. The platform aims to integrate AI more deeply into daily workflows rather than as a separate tool, challenging existing providers like Microsoft and Google.
Kimi K2.7 Code now available in GitHub Copilot
Kimi K2.7 Code, an open-weight model, is now available in GitHub Copilot, providing a lower-cost option for users. This rollout will enhance coding workflows and expand to more subscription plans in the coming weeks.
Senior SWE-Bench: New Open-Source Benchmark for Evaluating AI Agents as Senior Engineers
Senior SWE-Bench has been introduced as an open-source benchmarking tool that assesses AI agents' abilities as if they were senior software engineers. This framework uses realistic instructions and focuses on complex tasks to evaluate agents' problem-solving skills, aiming to improve the assessment criteria for AI development.
LibreCAD Ported to Browser via WebAssembly
LibreCAD, a popular open-source 2D CAD software, has been ported to run directly in web browsers using WebAssembly. This allows users to create and edit CAD drawings without needing to install software, highlighting advancements in the WebAssembly ecosystem, though it is limited to specific browsers.
Global review confirms mRNA vaccines are safe and effective
A global review by the University of British Columbia confirms that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, with evidence gathered from billions of doses. It highlights their potential for combating various diseases beyond COVID-19, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based information for healthcare providers and policymakers.
Chrome 151 Launches <usermedia> HTML Element for Camera and Microphone Access
Chrome 151 introduces the <usermedia> HTML element, enhancing permissions for camera and microphone access. This new functionality allows for user-activated controls, reducing code complexity and improving success rates for permission grants.
Bending Spoons IPO Surges; Acquires Beloved Brands for Revitalization
Bending Spoons, an Italian company known for acquiring established tech brands, went public with an $18 billion valuation. Its shares surged 40% on the first trading day, closing at $40.50 and valuing the company at $25.7 billion. By reviving and retaining acquired brands like Eventbrite and Meetup, the company differentiates itself from traditional private equity playbooks. This growth highlights its strategy of transforming legacy tech brands leveraging AI and tech advancements.
Zero-Knowledge Proof technology open sourced to enhance privacy in digital ID
Zero-Knowledge Proof libraries have been open sourced to aid developers in building privacy-focused applications. This move supports the EU's future implementation of privacy-enhancing technologies in the Digital Identity Wallet, addressing pressing privacy concerns.
T-Mobile sues Broadcom over VMware license support dispute
T-Mobile is suing Broadcom for not honoring support for its VMware perpetual licenses following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware and the shift to subscription models. The lawsuit highlights T-Mobile's migration of tens of thousands of virtual machines and over 1,000 applications from VMware, raising significant concerns regarding software licensing and support obligations in the industry.
Microsoft's Xbox announces layoffs and studio closures amid financial challenges
Microsoft's Xbox division is preparing for significant layoffs and potential studio closures due to rising costs and an overburdened studio system. These changes are part of an 'Xbox reset' initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma, aiming to address a 3% accountability margin and ongoing component price increases.
US home battery installations reach record 673 MW amid rising electricity costs
In early 2026, US home battery installations surged to a record 673 megawatts, driven by state incentives and rising electricity costs. This trend indicates a shift towards energy independence for homeowners while potentially providing more flexibility for the power grid.
Ashton Kutcher departs Sound Ventures to form new VC firm with Morgan Beller
Ashton Kutcher is leaving Sound Ventures to launch a new venture capital firm with Morgan Beller. The new fund will target early-stage investments in AI infrastructure, energy, and deep tech startups, reflecting a shift in investment focus.
Together AI secures $800M Series C, valued at $8.3B
Together AI raised $800 million in Series C funding, reaching an $8.3 billion valuation. The investment reflects the growing demand for AI infrastructure and open-source solutions.
Volvo Stops US Imports of Compact EX30 Electric Crossover
Volvo has ceased importing the EX30 electric crossover to the US after tariff complications. The decision follows increased manufacturing costs due to shifted production from China to Belgium, affecting its pricing and availability.
Lime raises $167 million in IPO, valued at $1.66 billion
Lime has raised $167 million in its IPO, marking its transition to a public company with a valuation of approximately $1.66 billion. This funding is crucial for addressing significant financial liabilities, as Lime navigates a challenging micromobility market.
Weave Robotics introduces Isaac 1, a $7,999 home robot set for 2026 delivery
Weave Robotics officially launched the Isaac 1, a $7,999 home robot that autonomously performs various household tasks. Initial deliveries will start in Fall 2026 in California, expanding across the U.S. through 2027, creating an opportunity for early adopters to reserve units with a deposit.
Threat Actors Use SEO-Poisoned Sites to Deploy AsyncRAT via ScreenConnect
Cybercriminals are using the ScreenConnect remote access tool to deploy AsyncRAT through compromised installer archives on spoofed websites. The campaign targets multiple languages and has resulted in a significant security risk as it enables attackers to maintain control over compromised devices and steal sensitive data.
Krafton settles dispute with Unknown Worlds, CEO to depart after $250M legal saga
Krafton has settled its legal dispute with subsidiary Unknown Worlds Entertainment, which is developing Subnautica 2, by agreeing to pay bonuses to all staff. The settlement comes after a contentious year where Krafton removed studio cofounders and faced a lawsuit, leading to CEO Ted Gill's reinstatement in March.
Amazon EKS now supports Kubernetes version rollbacks for safer upgrades
Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) introduces a version rollback feature for Kubernetes upgrades, allowing administrators to revert to a previous version within seven days if issues arise. This new feature enhances upgrade confidence, addressing concerns over reliability in upgrade procedures, particularly in regulated environments.
VEIL#DROP Malware Uses Blogger to Deliver PureLogs Info Stealer
A new malware delivery chain, named VEIL#DROP, employs social engineering and Blogger pages to deploy the PureLogs Stealer. The use of legitimate platforms enables attackers to circumvent traditional defenses and execute remote payloads silently.
Honda starts battery production for energy storage, shifts focus from EVs
Honda has commenced battery production for energy storage systems as it pivots from its EV strategy in the U.S. This shift responds to dwindling EV demand due to the cancellation of tax credits, marking Honda's entry into the expanding energy storage market, which is expected to triple by the decade's end.
Humble Robotics emerges in autonomous freight vehicle space with $24 million funding
Humble Robotics, founded by Eyal Cohen, has raised $24 million to develop fully autonomous freight haulers. The company marks a resurgence in interest and investment in autonomous vehicles, reminiscent of the 2016 hype cycle.
Boeing's Starliner certification delayed until at least 2028, audit shows
NASA's inspector general audit reveals that Boeing's Starliner crew capsule may not be certified until 2028, a decade behind schedule. This delay impacts NASA’s plans for ongoing crew rotations to the ISS, which could be exacerbated by anticipated technical issues.
AI Summit at Google Promotes Education-Industry Collaboration for Future Careers
A summit hosted by Google and local organizations brought together 150 educators and industry leaders to explore AI's role in education. The event aimed to foster knowledge sharing and emphasize the importance of teaching human skills amidst technological advancements.
GitHub Security Lab suggests six key settings for maintainers
GitHub Security Lab recommends six essential security settings for project maintainers to implement. These settings help improve security protocols, facilitate vulnerability reporting, and strengthen overall project integrity.
IPFS Introduces Optimistic Provide, Reducing Content Publishing Time by 90%
IPFS has implemented the Optimistic Provide optimization in its Kubo 0.39.0, cutting content publishing time from over 13 seconds to under 1 second. This enhancement allows for almost real-time publishing, improving performance for developers and application providers.
Comcast's Split Challenges Peacock's Future in Streaming
Comcast plans to separate NBCUniversal, forcing Peacock to operate independently amid financial challenges. As Peacock shifts away from being a complementary service, it must find a way to attract subscribers and achieve profitability.
Ousaban Banking Trojan Targets Iberian Bank Users with Fake PDF Lures
The Ousaban banking trojan is targeting Windows users in Spain and Portugal through phishing PDFs designed to look like corrupted files. This malware can capture sensitive information during online banking sessions, posing a significant threat to users' accounts.
Venice AI raises $65M Series A, becomes a unicorn valued at $1 billion
Venice AI has raised $65 million in Series A funding, reaching a valuation of $1 billion. The startup caters to users by providing privacy-preserving access to over 200 AI models, capitalizing on the growing demand for reliable AI solutions amid privacy concerns.
Google's Gemini Spark AI Assistant Launches on macOS with New Features
Google's Gemini Spark AI assistant is now available on macOS, enhancing its integration with various applications. The update allows users to manage files and interact with apps such as Google Tasks and Keep, increasing competition with other desktop AI agents.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to Feature Builders Stage for Startup Scaling Strategies
The Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host discussions for startup founders on scaling strategies. Attendees can learn from industry leaders on critical topics such as fundraising and go-to-market strategies. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 participants in San Francisco from October 13-15.
UK government may halt Paramount's $111B Warner Bros. Discovery takeover
The UK government is considering intervening in Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery due to concerns about media plurality. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated public interest grounds influence her decision, focusing on news diversity and media ownership in the UK.
2026 Cybersecurity Assessment Reveals Awareness vs. Resilience Gap
The 2026 Bitdefender Cybersecurity Assessment reveals significant discrepancies between organizations' awareness of cyber risks and their actual resilience capabilities. While there is broad acknowledgment of AI’s role in cybersecurity, many teams struggle to effectively reduce their attack surfaces and maintain visibility into AI usage, highlighting a critical sector challenge.
Microsoft Accelerates Post-Quantum Cryptography Roadmap to 2029
Microsoft is fast-tracking its quantum-safe security roadmap, aiming for post-quantum cryptography by 2029 in response to advances in quantum computing. This update could significantly impact encryption standards and security protocols across the tech industry.
AI-Generated Domains Used in Phishing Attacks via Phantom Squatting
Attackers are purchasing domains created by AI models before anyone else, leveraging misplaced trust from users. This tactic, termed 'phantom squatting' by Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42, poses significant risks as AI-generated links can mislead users into visiting malicious sites.
Vinton Cerf, 'Father of the Internet,' retiring from Google next week
Vinton Cerf will retire as Google's chief internet evangelist after over 20 years with the company. Cerf, known for co-developing TCP/IP, is recognized as a foundational figure in internet technology, impacting its development since the 1970s.
Wayve offers $85M employee tender at $8.5B valuation
Wayve has initiated an $85 million tender offer for employees to sell vested shares at an $8.5 billion valuation. This measure aims to retain talent amid a rising trend in AI startups providing liquidity options for employees, ensuring they remain with the company instead of pursuing other opportunities.
Dish files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to continue operations
Dish has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to inability to repay $2 billion in debt. The company plans to maintain operations of its Dish TV and Sling TV brands while restructuring to emerge from bankruptcy by late 2026.