**The Great AI Hype: A Conversation with TechCrunch’s Kirsten Korosec and Sean O’Kane** I just got back from the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, and I’m still trying to process all the drama that went down. This year, the tech industry took center stage, with some of the biggest names in the game, like Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Satya Nadella, delivering high-profile speeches. Amidst all the usual discussions on climate change and poverty, AI seemed to be the star of the show. Or was it? To get the lowdown on what really went down in Davos,…
Author: Naveed Ahmad
**Meet Sparkli: The AI-Powered Learning App for Kids Revolutionizing Education** As a parent, I’ve always been on the lookout for learning tools that would spark my kid’s curiosity and love for learning. But let’s be real, most learning apps out there can be a snooze-fest. That’s why I was excited to hear about Sparkli, a new learning app founded by three former Google employees who are determined to change the game. Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang, all parents themselves, were fed up with the limitations of traditional learning tools. They knew that kids needed something more – an…
**The SEC’s Surprise Move: A Win for Gemini and the Winklevoss Twins** In a move that’s got the crypto community buzzing, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to drop its lawsuit against Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. This decision comes as a major relief to the Winklevoss twins, who have been facing intense scrutiny over their involvement in Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and their backing of his family’s business ventures. So, what’s behind this sudden change of heart from the SEC? It seems that the agency has been influenced by a 2024 settlement…
**The Great AI Lab Mystery: Are They Making Money?** As I delve into the world of AI, I’m constantly fascinated by the sheer number of labs building their own foundation models. From veteran business leaders to legendary researchers, everyone’s getting in on the action. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the tech – it’s about the money. Or, at least, the potential to make a lot of it. As I see it, the ambition of these AI labs can be gauged on a five-stage scale. Not their success, mind you, but their willingness to take risks and potentially…
**The Quiet Revolution in NYC’s Food Cart Scene** As a New Yorker, you’re probably no stranger to the sounds of honking horns, rumbling generators, and the chatter of street vendors. But for some food cart owners, the noise and pollution from these generators can be a major headache. Enter PopWheels, a Brooklyn-based startup that’s been working on a game-changing solution: using e-bike batteries to power food carts. For David Hammer, PopWheels’ CEO and co-founder, the idea started as a side project. As an ex-Googler, he was no stranger to innovation, but he knew there had to be a better way…
**TikTok’s Future Secured: ByteDance Signs Deal with Non-Chinese Investors to Create Majority American-Owned Entity** Finally, the six-year saga surrounding TikTok’s ownership has come to an end. The social media giant’s parent company, ByteDance, has announced a deal with non-Chinese investors to create a majority American-owned entity, effectively avoiding a US ban. The new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, will be led by Adam Presser, who has been appointed as the CEO. TikTok CEO Shou Chew will serve as a director, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. The company’s unique ownership structure is an interesting one, with three managing investors…
**The Rise of Microdramas: Why These Cringe-Worthy Shows are Making Bank** Have you stumbled upon those super-short, super-dramatic shows on ReelShort and DramaBox? Yeah, they’re a thing now. And, spoiler alert, they’re making a killing. Like, a LOT of money. ReelShort raked in a staggering $1.2 billion in 2025, while DramaBox brought in a respectable $276 million. Yeah, that’s a whole lotta cash. But, let’s be real, these shows aren’t exactly the most sophisticated pieces of art. They’re like the drama equivalent of a trashy novel – over-the-top, melodramatic, and cringe-worthy. But hey, people can’t get enough of ’em. So,…
**Microsoft Hands Over Encryption Keys to FBI, Raising Concerns About User Privacy** As the debate over encryption and data privacy rages on, Microsoft has quietly handed over a set of BitLocker encryption keys to the FBI as part of a federal investigation. This move has raised serious red flags about the potential threat it poses to our user privacy. For those who don’t know, BitLocker is a full-disk encryption technology developed by Microsoft, which is enabled by default on many Windows computers. The idea is that it prevents anyone from accessing the data on a locked and powered-off computer, except…
**The Week in Gear: New Partnerships, New Exits, and a Whole Lot of Android Options** Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Welcome back to our weekly rundown of the latest and greatest in the world of gear. This week’s got some interesting developments, from a new phone that’ll make you question your life choices to a major partnership that’s got everyone talking. **The NexPhone: Because Why Not?** Who needs just one phone when you can have three? The NexPhone is a beast of a device that packs a Qualcomm chip, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 6.58-inch, 120Hz display. But…
**A Man’s Quest to Send Ashes to Space, and the Startup That’s Following** I was sitting down with Ryan Mitchell, the founder of Space Beyond, and he couldn’t help but gaze up at the stars. It’s a habit he’s developed over the years, one that’s not just a result of his work on NASA’s space shuttle program or his stint at Blue Origin, but also a reflection of his personal connection to the cosmos. And it was this personal connection that sparked the idea for his company. It started on a sad note. Mitchell was reflecting on a loved one…