TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: First Day
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Day 1 brings 10,000+ startup leaders to San Francisco for Startup Battlefield pitches and sessions on AI, climate tech, fintech and more.
Antonio Banderas to Play Hernán Cortés in AI-Driven Film
Antonio Banderas will play Hernán Cortés in a big-budget historical film expected to rely heavily on AI, though filmmakers haven’t revealed how it will be used.
Apple’s new smart home lineup includes a lock, thermostat and video doorbells
Apple’s new Home Collection adds a smart lock, video doorbell, thermostat and more, developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric and due in December.
Apple updates HomePod mini with a new chip and $149 price tag
Apple’s refreshed HomePod mini costs $149 and adds an S10 chip, but its headline Siri AI upgrade won’t arrive until a future software update.
India Delays Digital Payments Fee After Retailer Pushback
India has delayed a planned 0.4% fee on some UPI merchant payments after retailers and petrol pump operators pushed back.
Apple unveils new Apple TV 4K with Siri AI and hands-free controls
Apple’s $299 Apple TV 4K adds hands-free Siri via built-in microphones, an A19 chip and AI-powered content discovery.
Apple makes another smart home push with HomeView
Apple’s $299 HomeView smart home hub recognizes up to six people, personalizes its display and brings Siri controls, FaceTime, music and video to the home.
Amex sets rules to stop AI agents from making unauthorized purchases
American Express’s Intent Intelligence Framework aims to keep purchase instructions attached to transactions and prevent AI agents from making unauthorized purchases.
Giraffe Bio targets looming copper shortage with custom biomolecules
Giraffe Bio uses custom biomolecules to help mines recover up to 5% more copper, addressing a looming supply gap without adding microbes to mining sites.
Five years in, chatbot platform Character.AI files for bankruptcy
Character.AI has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing lawsuits and scaling challenges. Court documents put its assets and liabilities at $50M–$100M.