OpenAI-backed 1X raises another $100M for the race to humanoid robots
The race to perfect the humanoid form factor will be one of 2024’s defining tech stories. Last year saw the category heat up, as companies like Tesla, Apptronik and Figure debuted their systems, while Agility inched closer to the finish lining, announcing a warehouse pilot with Amazon. 1X is a
Read moreWhen zeros at natural numbers implies zero everywhere
Suppose a function f(z) equals 0 at z = 0, 1, 2, 3, …. Under what circumstances might you be able to conclude that f is zero everywhere? Clearly you need some hypothesis on f. For example, the function sin(πz) is zero at every integer but certainly not constantly zero.
Read moreAs Disney pushes towards streaming profitability, Pixar to undergo layoffs in 2024
Disney-owned animation studio Pixar is poised to undergo layoffs this year, TechCrunch has learned and the company confirmed. While sources at the company said the layoffs would be significant and as high as 20% — or reductions that would see Pixar’s team of 1,300 dropped to under 1,000 over the
Read moreeBay to pay $3M over cyberstalking campaign that involved sending fetal pig, live insects to couple
eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million fine in connection with a corporate cyberstalking campaign targeting a Massachusetts couple in 2019. The cyberstalking campaign was conducted by several eBay employees, some of whom were executives, who targeted the couple after they posted a newsletter that was critical of the
Read moreGoogle pens letter in support of Oregon right to repair legislation
Google today issued an open letter voicing support of pending Oregon right to repair legislation. The note, penned by Devices and Services Director of Operations Steven Nickel, calls the proposal “a compelling model for other states to follow.” Google also used the opportunity to issue a white paper aimed at
Read moreCES 2024: Everything revealed so far, from Nvidia and Sony to the weirdest reveals and helpful AI
One of the year’s biggest tech events has kicked off in Las Vegas, and we’re here to bring all the reveals before the show floor opens. © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Read moreA comprehensive list of 2023 & 2024 tech layoffs
Last year’s techwide reckoning continues. The tech industry has seen more than 240,000 jobs lost in 2023, a total that’s already 50% higher than last year and growing. Earlier this year, mass workforce reductions were driven by the biggest names in tech like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo, Meta and Zoom.
Read moreUS spot bitcoin ETFs begin trading, Circle files for IPO and India continues crypto pullback
Welcome back to Chain Reaction. This past week has been all about U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs in the crypto world. © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Read moreEyeQ takes a fresh look at video call eye contact
Video calls, while essential, often lack the naturalness of in-person conversations, causing fatigue and reduced engagement. There are a ton of tools out there that help you keep eye contact when talking with people online – some (Plexicam, CenterCam) place the camera in front of your screen. Others use AI to
Read moreFlutterFlow attracts cash for its low-code mobile app dev platform
Low-code dev platforms have gained momentum in recent years, in large part because they promise to shorten what’s otherwise typically a lengthy app development cycle. According to data from analytics firm GlobalData, there was a fivefold increase in VC funding into low-code dev platforms from 2021 to 2022. Demand has
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