# media & entertainment (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover media & entertainment. Page: Feed: --- ## [Two years after launch, Walmart’s Flipkart is closing in on India’s quick-commerce leaders](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/two-years-after-launch-walmarts-flipkart-is-closing-in-on-indias-quick-commerce-leaders/) _2026-08-23 · Jagmeet Singh · TechCrunch_ Flipkart's quick-commerce venture is delivering 1.1 million to 1.2 million orders a day, nearly triple its November volume. ## [Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/harvards-699-startup-bootcamp-offers-ai-avatars-of-its-instructors/) _2026-08-22 · Anthony Ha · TechCrunch_ In the HBS Foundry program, AI avatars provide feedback during practice pitches and board meetings. ## [Will the DOJ’s investigation into a16z spook other VCs?](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/will-the-dojs-investigation-into-a16z-spook-other-vcs/) _2026-08-22 · Anthony Ha · TechCrunch_ On the latest episode of Equity, we wonder why the DOJ is investigating startup board seats. ## [Inherent, founded by DeepMind alumni, says its AI ‘teammate’ just outperformed Anthropic and OpenAI at replicating research](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/inherent-founded-by-deepmind-alumni-says-its-ai-teammate-just-outperformed-anthropic-and-openai-at-replicating-research/) _2026-08-22 · Anna Heim · TechCrunch_ Built by DeepMind alumni, British AI lab Inherent released Faraday, an AI agent whose ability to replicate scientific papers could be a stepping stone for innovation. ## [OpenAI says California should strengthen its AI safety bill](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/openai-says-california-should-strengthen-its-ai-safety-bill/) _2026-08-22 · Anthony Ha · TechCrunch_ OpenAI is calling for California to strengthen SB 53, an AI safety bill that the company previously opposed. ## [Frontier AI labs still won’t say how they’d contain a rogue model](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/frontier-ai-labs-still-wont-say-how-theyd-contain-a-rogue-model/) _2026-08-22 · Rebecca Bellan · TechCrunch_ A new study finds leading AI labs have few publicly documented plans for containing rogue models, raising questions about preparedness as AI systems increasingly demonstrate unexpected and potentially dangerous behavior. ## [US battery startups have found a lifeline in defense](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/us-battery-startups-have-found-a-lifeline-in-defense/) _2026-08-22 · Tim De Chant · TechCrunch_ U.S. battery startups pulled in $500 million in grants from the Department of Energy, throwing a lifeline to an industry that was on the ropes after EV incentives were slashed. ## [Pixel 11 Pro XL review: Snappier cameras can’t hide an iterative upgrade](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/22/pixel-11-pro-xl-review-snappier-cameras-cant-hide-an-iterative-upgrade/) _2026-08-22 · Ivan Mehta · TechCrunch_ Google’s Pixel 11 Pro XL brings snappier cameras and genuinely useful AI features like Rambler, but its iterative upgrades may not be enough to tempt recent Pixel owners. ## [Michael Polansky is training an AI model on skin that’s still alive](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/michael-polansky-is-training-an-ai-model-on-skin-thats-still-alive/) _2026-08-22 · Connie Loizos · TechCrunch_ Michael Polansky — better known publicly as Lady Gaga's partner and a former top deputy to Sean Parker — has quietly spent years building an AI-driven startup that keeps living human skin tissue alive for weeks outside the body to discover new skincare compounds, and is only now going public about it. ## [Japanese space tech startup Letara expands beyond satellite thrusters with $16M](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/japanese-space-tech-startup-letara-expands-beyond-satellite-thrusters-with-16m/) _2026-08-22 · Kate Park · TechCrunch_ Japanese space startup Letara is betting its hybrid rocket technology can move beyond small satellite thrusters into a broader market for space, defense and security, after raising ¥2.6 billion ($16 million). ## [Meet Claude, the AI assistant (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/HOm2LXuQZQZk) _2026-08-22 · **Sponsored**_ Conversational AI to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and help with tasks. ## [Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 is a smut-machine](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/anthropics-opus-4-6-is-a-smut-machine/) _2026-08-21 · Rebecca Bellan · TechCrunch_ Anthropic forbids its Claude models from generating sexually explicit content. But a series of tests conducted by TechCrunch found that it didn't take much to get past the restriction. ## [Nvidia partners with data center developer Cloverleaf](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/nvidia-partners-with-data-center-developer-cloverleaf/) _2026-08-21 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ Nvidia continues to pour money into data center development — just as AI data centers bring lots of money into Nvidia. ## [How AI accounting startup Rillet raised $100M and became a unicorn in 48 hours](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/how-ai-accounting-startup-rillet-raised-100m-and-became-a-unicorn-in-48-hours/) _2026-08-21 · Dominic-Madori Davis · TechCrunch_ Rillet CEO Nicolas Kopp shared growth numbers at a board meeting and set off a fundraising frenzy from Iconiq, Sequoia and others. Without even trying. ## [Apple is reportedly cutting hundreds of jobs from Siri, Vision Pro teams](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/apple-is-reportedly-cutting-hundreds-of-jobs-from-siri-vision-pro-teams/) _2026-08-21 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ Apple has admitted that some roles are being impacted as it shifts its focus away from certain initiatives. ## [TikTok reaches $400M settlement over children’s privacy lawsuit](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/tiktok-reaches-400m-settlement-over-childrens-privacy-lawsuit/) _2026-08-21 · Lauren Forristal · TechCrunch_ Two years after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, it has reached a $400 million settlement. ## [The $225 Pebble Time 2 is a refreshingly fun smartwatch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/the-225-pebble-time-2-is-a-refreshingly-fun-smartwatch/) _2026-08-21 · Sarah Perez · TechCrunch_ The $225 Pebble Time 2 pairs quirky watch faces and apps with physical buttons, an e-paper display, weeks of battery life, and a playful hacker spirit. ## [Nvidia just showed that the harness, not the AI model, is now the real hero](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/nvidia-just-showed-that-the-harness-not-the-ai-model-is-now-the-real-hero/) _2026-08-21 · Julie Bort · TechCrunch_ Nvidia research shows that AI agents can perform well, and not go off the deep end, through fine-tuning, even if the AI model isn't that great at the task. ## [Tesla’s solar roof is dead — here’s what went wrong](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/teslas-solar-roof-is-dead-heres-what-went-wrong/) _2026-08-21 · Tim De Chant · TechCrunch_ Tesla's solar roof was an experiment that never really caught on for the company. But does that mean the concept of roof-integrated solar is dead? ## [Waymo hands over documents in NHTSA’s child collision probe](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/waymo-hands-over-documents-in-nhtsas-child-collision-probe/) _2026-08-21 · Sean O'Kane · TechCrunch_ The responses to NHTSA's questions so far are redacted entirely, citing "confidential business information." ## [Why is the DOJ investigating Andreessen Horowitz’s board seats?](https://techcrunch.com/video/why-is-the-doj-investigating-andreessen-horowitzs-board-seats/) _2026-08-21 · Theresa Loconsolo · TechCrunch_ Andreessen Horowitz has two partners sitting on the boards of companies that now compete with each other: Ben Horowitz at Databricks and Martin Casado at Fivetran. Nothing too scandalous on the surface, except the Department of Justice has reportedly been investigating the arrangement for almost a year, dusting off a 112-year-old antitrust law that’s rarely used against VCs. Board conflicts aren’t… ## [Ultra-Quiet Business Mini (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/dO4kZI4ARJEO) _2026-08-21 · **Sponsored**_ Compact business mini, ultra-quiet for focused work. ## [Tesla, Uber, and Waymo all get the OK to operate thousands of robotaxis in Nevada](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/tesla-uber-and-waymo-all-get-the-ok-to-operate-thousands-of-robotaxis-in-nevada/) _2026-08-21 · Kirsten Korosec · TechCrunch_ Together, these permits would allow up to 8,000 robotaxis to be deployed over the next 12 months. ## [AI data startup Micro1 reaches $500M gross run rate amid AI training boom](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/ai-data-startup-micro1-reaches-500m-gross-run-rate-amid-ai-training-boom/) _2026-08-21 · Marina Temkin · TechCrunch_ Surging demand for AI training data is driving rapid growth for the startup and its rivals. ## [Learn what VCs actually want, from a founder who’s raised $1B](https://techcrunch.com/video/learn-what-vcs-actually-want-from-a-founder-whos-raised-1b/) _2026-08-20 · Maggie Nye · TechCrunch_ Investors want founders who understand the financial reality of their business. Messy data, misunderstood metrics, or waiting until you’re nearly out of cash to start fundraising can cost founders leverage, valuation, and even a term sheet. In this episode of Build Mode, host Isabelle Johannessen sits down with Sasha Orloff, founder and CEO of Puzzle \[…\] ## [OpenAI is gaining on Anthropic with business users, new data indicates](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/openai-is-gaining-on-anthropic-with-business-users-new-data-indicates/) _2026-08-20 · Julie Bort · TechCrunch_ Businesses are willing to flop back and forth as each lab releases new models, volatility that should give both companies' investors pause about how "sticky" enterprise AI spending really is. ## [ChatGPT can now send texts for you with new Apple Messages plug-in](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/chatgpt-can-now-send-texts-for-you-with-new-apple-messages-plugin/) _2026-08-20 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ Ever wanted someone else to do your texting for you? ChatGPT is being offered up as an automated text scribe via a new Apple Messages integration. ## [The Enhanced Games — tech’s steroid extravaganza — didn’t pay off, as company posts $60 million loss](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/the-enhanced-games-techs-steroid-extravaganza-didnt-pay-off-as-company-posts-60-million-loss/) _2026-08-20 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ An effort to transform the world of sports through steroid use doesn't exactly seem to be bearing financial fruit. ## [OK, can we actually cool data centers with our pee?](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/ok-can-we-actually-cool-data-centers-with-our-pee/) _2026-08-20 · Amanda Silberling · TechCrunch_ Jason Kelce joked that people should cool data centers with their pee, rather than potable water -- but his suggestion is not completely ludicrous. ## [Someone targeted security researchers using a fake crypto conference as a lure](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/someone-targeted-security-researchers-using-a-fake-crypto-conference-as-a-lure/) _2026-08-20 · Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai · TechCrunch_ A hacker pretending to work for a leading cryptocurrency news website targeted several cybersecurity professionals using Google Docs as a way to deliver malware. ## [Mark buys a castle](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/mark-buys-a-castle/) _2026-08-20 · Dominic-Madori Davis · TechCrunch_ Mark Zuckerberg just bought a cozy abode somewhat close to Meta’s international headquarters in Ireland. ## [Mark buys a castle](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/mark-buys-a-castle/) _2026-08-20 · Dominic-Madori Davis · TechCrunch_ Mark Zuckerberg just bought a cozy abode somewhat close to Meta’s international headquarters in Ireland. ## [Non-Custodial Crypto Gateway (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/cGOSj23vNnUI) _2026-08-20 · **Sponsored**_ Accept multi-chain crypto, automated fee handling, and trustless escrow with real-time settlement. ## [Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/google-gives-publishers-a-new-way-to-fight-ai-driven-traffic-losses/) _2026-08-20 · Sarah Perez · TechCrunch_ Google is giving publishers a new button that lets readers make them a preferred source across Search, Discover, and Google News, potentially boosting their traffic as AI search sends fewer clicks to the web. ## [Binance now lets AI agents trade, but keeping them in check is largely up to users](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/binance-now-lets-ai-agents-trade-but-keeping-them-in-check-is-largely-up-to-users/) _2026-08-20 · Jagmeet Singh · TechCrunch_ Binance's Agent OS works with tools including ChatGPT, Claude Code, and Cursor. ## [Stripe didn’t really buy OpenRouter because of the ‘singularity’](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/stripe-didnt-really-buy-openrouter-because-of-the-singularity/) _2026-08-19 · Julie Bort · TechCrunch_ What does a payments giant want with a startup that routes prompts between different AI models? Stripe says it's because of "the singularity" but it's really for a far more real and powerful reason. ## [Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/waymos-cheaper-next-gen-robotaxi-is-now-open-to-all-riders-in-these-three-cities/) _2026-08-19 · Kirsten Korosec · TechCrunch_ The next-generation robotaxi, called the Waymo Ojai, is central to the company's push towards mass scale, and eventually, profitability. ## [OpenAI seeks to one-up Anthropic with new customer privacy protections](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/openai-seeks-to-one-up-anthropic-with-new-customer-privacy-protections/) _2026-08-19 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ A competition is developing between OpenAI and Anthropic over who can provide the best privacy protections for enterprise customer data. ## [Cognition CEO denies report that SpaceX tried to acquire the startup](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/cognition-ceo-denies-report-that-spacex-tried-to-acquire-the-startup/) _2026-08-19 · Rebecca Bellan · TechCrunch_ SpaceX was reportedly in talks to buy AI coding startup Cognition. SpaceX has already acquired Cursor as it races to catch up to rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic in enterprise AI. ## [Travis Kalanick kicks off another round of VC bashing: ‘1% are helpful’](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/travis-kalanick-kicks-off-another-round-of-vc-bashing-1-are-helpful/) _2026-08-19 · Julie Bort · TechCrunch_ After raising $1.7 billion for his new robotics company Atoms, Travis Kalanick is introspective about the role VCs have played in his career. ## [Rillet raises $100M Series C at $1B valuation — 2 years after emerging from stealth](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/rillet-raises-100m-series-c-at-1b-valuation-2-years-after-emerging-from-stealth/) _2026-08-19 · Dominic-Madori Davis · TechCrunch_ AI-native account startup Rillet became a unicorn, led by Iconiq, after it doubled its ARR in the past three months, it said. ## [Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly set to throw dinner in honor of Sam Altman](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/gwyneth-paltrow-allegedly-set-to-throw-dinner-in-honor-of-sam-altman/) _2026-08-19 · Dominic-Madori Davis · TechCrunch_ The actress' firm Kinship Ventures is an investor in the company. ## [Gambling on the Little League World Series? Sports bettors have gone too far](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/gambling-on-the-little-league-world-series-sports-bettors-have-gone-too-far/) _2026-08-19 · Amanda Silberling · TechCrunch_ Have we tried turning off society and turning it back on again? ## [AI was supposed to win people over by now — it hasn’t](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/ai-was-supposed-to-win-people-over-by-now-it-hasnt/) _2026-08-19 · Sarah Perez · TechCrunch_ As AI becomes harder to avoid, consumers are growing more wary of the technology — and Silicon Valley is discovering that widespread adoption doesn’t necessarily lead to acceptance. ## [AI isn’t close to curing cancer. This startup says it knows what it will take.](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/ai-isnt-close-to-curing-cancer-this-startup-says-it-knows-what-it-will-take/) _2026-08-19 · Tim Fernholz · TechCrunch_ It's the data, stupid. ## [You can Venmo your college tuition, for some reason](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/you-can-venmo-your-college-tuition-for-some-reason/) _2026-08-19 · Amanda Silberling · TechCrunch_ Kids these days don't know how good they have it. ## [Relativity Networks raises $22 million to bring a faster kind of fiber to data centers](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/relativity-networks-raises-22-million-to-bring-a-faster-kind-of-fiber-to-data-centers/) _2026-08-19 · Russell Brandom · TechCrunch_ Relativity Networks deals in hollow-core fiber, a rarely deployed technology that allows data to be transmitted 30% faster than conventional fiber. ## [Cursor capitalizes on GitHub frustration, launches rival hosting platform](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/cursor-capitalizes-on-github-frustration-launches-rival-hosting-platform/) _2026-08-18 · Lucas Ropek · TechCrunch_ Cursor, known for its AI Code Editor, is launching a new code-hosting platform to rival developers' long preferred favorite, GitHub. ## [DOJ’s probe into Andreessen Horowitz over board seats baffles VCs](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/dojs-probe-into-andreessen-horowitz-over-board-seats-baffles-vcs/) _2026-08-18 · Marina Temkin · TechCrunch_ Since portfolio companies often pivot and expand into competing markets, investors view occasional conflicts of interest as unavoidable for large VC firms. ## [TikTok explores peer-to-peer payments via DMs, report says](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/tiktok-explores-peer-to-peer-payments-via-dms-report-says/) _2026-08-18 · Aisha Malik · TechCrunch_ If rolled out, the feature would use the social media service’s TikTok Pay offering, which is already available in Southeast Asia for TikTok Shop purchases. ## [OpenAI institutes new safeguards after Hugging Face breach](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/openai-institutes-new-safeguards-after-hugging-face-breach/) _2026-08-18 · Russell Brandom · TechCrunch_ The new safeguards include more detailed monitoring of models during the development process, as well as greater emphasis on alignment and security during the post-training process. ## [Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/save-up-to-300-on-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-pass-until-august-21/) _2026-08-18 · TechCrunch Events · TechCrunch_ If you’ve been circling around Disrupt, then now’s the best time to lock in your pass and start getting ready to join the rest of the startup community gathering in San Francisco from October 13-15 at Moscone West! ## [Etched’s valuation doubles to $21B in a month](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/etcheds-valuation-doubles-to-21b-in-a-month/) _2026-08-18 · Julie Bort · TechCrunch_ Jane Street has installed Etched's first shipped AI cluster system, and was so impressed, it led another massive round, the startup says.