Technology
Gadgets, software, startups & the future of tech
Amazon's $20M Water Pledge Raises Questions About Data Center Transparency
Amazon is committing $20 million to Colorado River conservation projects while pursuing water-positive operations by 2030, but the tech giant has yet to fully disclose its total water consumption. The initiative comes amid growing pressure on tech companies to be transparent about how much water their data centers actually use.
TechCrunch Disrupt Early-Bird Pricing Expires This Week—Here's What Founders Miss
Early-bird ticket discounts for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 expire September 25, with savings up to $200 available before prices increase. The three-day San Francisco conference in October draws 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders across 250+ speakers and 300+ startups.
Flock Safety Offers Buyouts as License Plate Surveillance Backlash Deepens
Flock Safety is offering voluntary severance packages to its 1,500-person workforce as the surveillance startup faces mounting criticism over police misuse of its license plate recognition technology. The company expects significant uptake and says it will approve buyouts for most interested employees, avoiding forced layoffs.
India Mandates Spam Data Handoff From Call Apps to Telecom Operators
India's telecom regulator has ordered caller-ID apps like Truecaller to share user spam reports with a blockchain platform run by telecom operators. Truecaller argues the one-way data transfer is anti-competitive and exploitative.
Snap's AI Assistant Debuts on iPhone and Mac, Bundled With AR Glasses Strategy
Snap has launched Specs Intelligence, an AI assistant designed to manage tasks and connect to other digital accounts, rolling out to iOS and Mac alongside its new Specs AR glasses. The tool positions itself as an "anticipatory" alternative to Meta's Muse and Google's Spark, offering chat and account integration for work and travel planning.
Boox's Pocket E-Reader Gets Stylus and Premium Materials, Jumps to $340
Boox announced the Palma 3, a pocket-sized e-reader with stylus support and an aluminum redesign, raising the price from $280 to $340. The device keeps the same 6.13-inch screen but wraps it in new premium materials and added features.
Apple Intelligence Camera Tools Now Demand Monthly Fees Up to $60
Apple has rolled out AI-powered features for HomeKit security cameras, including video summaries and multi-camera clips, but they require paid iCloud+ subscriptions starting at $10 monthly. The top-tier option costs $60 per month for access to all enhanced video analysis tools.
Beats Gaming Hardware Could Signal Apple's Shift Into Console Accessories
Apple is developing two game controllers designed for iPhones, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reporting the project will launch under the Beats brand. Code references discovered in macOS 26.7 suggest the controllers are first-party devices, with Beats leadership driving the initiative.
Citizen's Star Wars Chronographs Drop 45% at Jomashop—Eco-Drive Tech Meets Rebel Flair
Citizen's Star Wars-themed chronograph watches, featuring solar-powered Eco-Drive technology, are discounted up to 45% during Jomashop's End of Summer Clearance. The Luke Skywalker and Rebel Pilot models normally cost $475 each and come with detailed Star Wars imagery, luminous hands, and free shipping.
Mark Wahlberg Pivots to Venture Investing, Takes Stage at Disrupt 2026
Actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg will appear at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to discuss his shift from Hollywood into institutional investing and startup funding, particularly in healthcare and wellness. Wahlberg's conversation with wealth manager Bruce K. Lee will explore how celebrity leverage translates into deal flow and business sophistication.
Microsoft Patches Nearly 1,000 Bugs in September as AI-Powered Attacks Loom
Microsoft released fixes for 972 vulnerabilities in September, including 112 critical flaws, as the industry braces for AI-assisted exploits. The surge marks a dramatic acceleration in patch volume compared to previous months, with security researchers attributing the spike to AI-driven vulnerability discovery.
Arm's AI-boosted GPU arrives in Xiaomi handsets, targeting console-quality mobile graphics
Xiaomi's new flagship folds with Arm's Mali G2-Ultra NX, an AI-accelerated graphics chip that promises desktop-level visuals on phones without draining battery life. The technology launches first in China but signals a shift in how mobile game performance scales globally.