Author: TechBrunch
Apple released iOS 18.5 on Monday. This will extend emergency satellite functionality to iPhone 13 owners for the first time. Previously, people running iPhone 14 or later could use the satellite function. Emergency satellite systems for iPhone are designed for use at critical times when cellular signals or Wi-Fi are not available to contact emergency services, send texts via satellite, share information with emergency contacts, and seek roadside assistance. The iOS 18.5 update focuses on providing access to carrier satellite services such as T-Mobile (using Starlink). You can check if you can access this feature from the Cellular menu under…
The buzzwords that have grown to the point of meaninglessness are as old as the tech industry itself. The top one is something like an “AI Agent” and its variations (agents). So of course, no one really knows what an AI agent is. Even people with software engineering backgrounds working at Andreessen Horowitz say there is no agreed definition, even Andreessen Horowitz, who is crazy funding AI startups. Three A16Z Infrastructure Investment Partners – Guido Appenzeller, Matt Bornstein and Yoko Li-, “What is an AI Agent?” For perspective, A16Z, a backer of hot AI companies such as Openai and Anysphere…
Mercury co-founder and CEO Immad Akhund today announced the launch of a $26 million fund to support early-stage startups. Axios first reported this in February. Akhund has been an active angel investor since 2016, supporting over 350 startups at its earliest stage. His portfolio includes companies such as Airtable, Applied Intuition, Decagon, Gecko Robotics, Linear, and Substack. “I love supporting entrepreneurs. Whether it's mercury building or investing, it gives ambitious founders energy, perspective and deep satisfaction to help them build their future. A dedicated fund can return to deeper and more meaningful.” By launching the fund, the CEO of one…
On Monday, Google announced the launch of the AI Futures Fund. This is a new initiative to invest in startups building the latest AI tools from Google Deepmind's latest AI tool, AI R&D Lab. The fund provides varying degrees of support, including supporting seed to late startups, allowing founders to access DeepMind's Google AI model early, and working with Google experts at DeepMind and Google Labs. Some startups also have the opportunity to receive direct investments from Google. “The AI Futures Fund does not follow a batch or cohort model,” a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch. “Instead, we will consider opportunities…
Saudi Arabia's ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, has launched an AI company called Humain to strengthen the country's artificial intelligence sector. The company plans to build the country's AI infrastructure, including the construction of data centers. The news comes as Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg will be attending US and Saudi investment forums on Tuesday, with AI likely to take the centre stage. President Trump is also preparing to visit the country this week as part of a tour of the region. Humain is funded by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF manages approximately $940 billion…
Eric Thlesinger stands out a bit as VCs are known to travel in packs. While most American investors are chasing AI startups or US-based defense technology startups, former CIA executives are looking for defence technology deals in Europe. In fact, Slesinger, founder of the 201 venture, recently shut down a $22 million fund focusing on seed stage European defence technology startups. His path from developing gadgets and software for CIA agents to becoming perhaps the only American VC to invest exclusively in European defence technology, also appears to be foresightful. What would force the CIA to leave “the best first…
Much of the world is now not paying close attention to Greece. That could be a mistake. Best known for its stunning islands, sun-soaked cities and deep historical roots, Greece has quietly laid the foundations of what is expected – the modern resilient technological economy. The international spotlight often misses it, but as this editor discovered this week in dozens of conversations in Athens, reality is happening on earth. A country that once stood on the cliff of economic collapse, has not simply rebranded itself as a “innovation country.” It is turning smart marketing into reality with policy change, investor…
The Whitney Wolf swarm returned in March for Lead Bumble, a dating app she founded and published, following the unexpected departure of CEO Lydian Jones. Now, in an interview with The New York Times, the Wolf swarm reveals what happened. “I wasn't planning on coming back,” Wolfe Herd said. Her post-bumble life initially brought existential questions about her identity, and ultimately gave way to daily meditation and veaudcoll from bystanders. That changed when Jones reached out to confess that she was overwhelmed. Shortly after that conversation, Jones resigned. The wolf flock dismisses speculations of conflict between them. “I think the…
On Tuesday, WhatsApp won a big victory over the NSO group, with ju-deciding to order the infamous spyware maker to pay more than $167 million in damages to the meta-owned company. The ruling concluded a legal battle that lasted over five years. This began in October 2019 when WhatsApp accused NSO groups of hacking over 1,400 users by exploiting a vulnerability in the audio call feature of chat apps. The verdict came after a week of ju trial featuring several testimonies, including NSO group CEO Yaron Shohat and WhatsApp employees who investigated in response to the case. Even before the…
Google I/O, Google I/O, is the biggest developer conference of the year and it almost makes it to us. The I/O, scheduled for May 20-21 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, will showcase product launches from across Google's portfolio. Expect a lot of news related to Android, Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and of course, Google's AI-driven chatbot, Gemini. This is what you're expecting. Gemini and ai Image credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/Lightrocket/Getty Images AI is the Tech du Jour, and Google, like its rival, has invested heavily in it. I/O's Shoo-in is a new addition (or number) to Google's flagship…