OpenAI is testing SearchGPT, a new AI search experience to compete directly with Google. The feature aims to elevate search queries with “timely answers” from across the internet and allows the user to ask follow-up questions. The temporary prototype is currently only available to a small group of users and its publisher partners for testing and feedback, but curious minds can join the waitlist. Read more
CrowdStrike offered its partners $10 Uber Eats gift cards to apologize for the global IT outage caused by its botched update. A source told TechCrunch that they received an email from CrowdStrike offering them the gift card because the company recognizes “the additional work that the July 19 incident has caused.” However, some people claimed that when they went to redeem the offer, they discovered the voucher had been canceled. Read more
Wiz turned down a $23 billion acquisition offer from Alphabet, Google’s parent company. The offer represented a substantial premium over its last private valuation of $12 billion, but a source familiar with discussions says that Wiz’s management team has instead opted to remain independent. In a letter to staff, Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport said their sights are now set on “$1 billion in ARR and an IPO.” Read more
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News
Image Credits: Tesla
Optimus gets a sale date: Elon Musk announced that Tesla will begin selling its Optimus humanoid robot in 2026, which would make it the first to market if successful. We compiled a helpful directory of where the rest of the industry stands right now. Read more
Good news, Apple Maps users: Apple Maps can now be accessed directly from your browser in a new public beta as the company seeks to reach more users and take on its largest competitor, Google Maps. Read more
Don’t let X train Grok from your posts: X has automatically activated a setting that allows the company to train its Grok AI on users’ posts by default. Here’s how you can switch it off and delete your conversation history with the chatbot. Read more
Hello, Waymo-Zeekr: Waymo has started testing a new robotaxi built by Chinese electric automaker Zeekr on public roads in San Francisco. While not autonomous yet, it signals the next phase of the company’s journey. Read more
Colin Kaepernick launches an AI startup: The former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist is launching Lumi, an AI storytelling platform that aims to help creators tell and own their stories. Currently, Lumi is starting small with creator tools for manga and comic book artists. Read more
Alphabet commits $5B to Waymo: Alphabet will spend an additional $5 billion on its self-driving subsidiary, Waymo, in a new “multi-year investment.” The investment will allow Waymo to continue building upon its autonomous driving technology. Read more
Prop 22 is here to stay: The California Supreme Court ruled the ballot measure that classified app-based gig workers as independent contractors instead of employees can remain in place, affecting workers for companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart. Read more
Meta’s new AI selfie feature: Want to put yourself in a tranquil beach vacation? Or maybe you’re curious about what you would look like with bangs? Meta AI’s new “Imagine Yourself” feature lets you create AI-generated avatars in a snap. Read more
Cruise scraps the Origin: GM’s self-driving car subsidiary is scrapping plans to build the Origin, a purpose-built robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals, and will instead take a financial charge of $583 million. Read more
Google brings improvements to its Gemini chatbot: Google is rolling out performance updates to its AI-powered chatbot — and making it more widely available. Gemini 1.5 Flash will soon be available in 40 languages and around 230 countries. Read more
Move over, Steam Deck: Asus is releasing a refined version of its handheld PC gaming device, the ROG Ally X. The device features a bright seven-inch display with a 1080p resolution and is flanked by buttons and joysticks for easy, on-the-go gaming. Read more
Analysis
Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
There’s more to the Kamala Harris memes: If you’re seeing a deluge of coconut emojis and “Brat” green videos of Vice President Kamala Harris on your timeline (or even on cable news), you’re not alone. Following Harris’ bid to be the Democratic nominee, Amanda Silberling unpacks the influx of memes both as objects of Gen Z irony posting and as a potentially prescient political strategy. Read more
Strava’s next chapter: There comes a time in every startup’s life when the leaders and stakeholders have to start thinking about the endgame. This is the predicament that social fitness app Strava finds itself in. Paul Sawers caught up with Michael Martin six months into his new role as CEO about what’s next — and why it’s taken so long for the app to get dark mode. Read more
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