OpenAI is testing SearchGPT. A new AI search experience that competes directly with Google. The feature aims to improve search queries with “timely answers” from across the internet, allowing users to ask follow-up questions. A preliminary prototype is currently only available to a small number of users and publisher partners for testing and feedback, but interested parties can join a waitlist. read more
CrowdStrike offered partners $10 in Uber Eats gift cards The company apologized for the global IT outage caused by the failed update. A source told TechCrunch that they received an email from CrowdStrike offering gift cards because the company is aware of the “additional work caused by the July 19 incident.” However, some people claim that when they tried to redeem the offer, they found that their vouchers had been cancelled. read more
Wizz turned down a $23 billion takeover offer from Alphabet. The proposed acquisition was significantly higher than the company’s previous undisclosed valuation of $12 billion, but sources familiar with the negotiations said Wizz’s management chose to remain independent. Wizz CEO Assaf Rapaport said in a letter to employees that the company is now on target for “$1 billion in annual recurring revenue and an IPO.” read more
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news
Optimus release date announced: Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will start selling the Optimus humanoid robot in 2026. If successful, it will be the first of its kind on the market. We’ve put together a helpful directory to see where others in the industry are currently standing. read more
Good news for Apple Maps users: As Apple looks to reach more users and take on arch rival Google Maps, a new public beta now lets you access Apple Maps directly from your browser. read more
Prevent X from training Grok from your posts: X automatically enabled a setting that allows Grok AI to train itself based on your posts by default. Here’s how to disable it and delete your conversation history with your chatbot: read more
Hello, Waymo-ZeekrWaymo has begun testing a new robotaxi built by Chinese electric vehicle maker ZhiKer on San Francisco roads, and while it’s not yet self-driving, it signals the next stage of the company’s journey. read more
Colin Kaepernick launches 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. For now, Lumi is starting small with creator tools for manga and comic book artists. read more
Alphabet to invest $5 billion in WaymoAlphabet plans to pour an additional $5 billion into its self-driving subsidiary Waymo in a new “multi-year investment” that will allow the company to continue developing its self-driving technology. read more
Prop. 22 is here to stayThe California Supreme Court has ruled that a ballot measure that would classify app-based gig workers as independent contractors rather than employees can stand, affecting workers for companies including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart. read more
Meta’s new AI selfie feature: Looking to enjoy a tranquil beach vacation? Or curious what you’d look like with a haircut? Meta AI’s new “Imagine Yourself” feature makes it easy to create an AI-generated avatar. read more
Cruise discontinues OriginGM’s self-driving car subsidiary has scrapped plans to build Origin, a purpose-built robot taxi with no steering wheel or pedals, and will instead take a financial hit of $583 million. read more
Google revamps Gemini chatbot: Google is rolling out performance updates to its AI-powered chatbots to make them more widely available: Gemini 1.5 Flash will soon be available in 40 languages and around 230 countries. read more
Steam Deck is out: Asus is releasing an improved version of its handheld PC gaming device, the ROG Ally X. The device sports a bright 7-inch display with 1080p resolution, with buttons and joysticks on either side, making gaming on the go easy. read more
analysis
There are still more Kamala Harris memes to come.If you’ve seen a flurry of coconut emojis and videos of Vice President Kamala Harris “brat” green on your timeline (or cable news), you’re not alone. In the wake of Harris’s run for the Democratic nomination, Amanda Silberling examines the influx of memes as both a target for Gen Z’s sarcastic posts and a potentially prescient political strategy. read more
The next chapter for StravaThere comes a time in every startup when leaders and stakeholders have to start thinking about the end goal. This is the predicament that social fitness app Strava finds itself in. Paul Sowers spoke to Micheal Martin six months into his role as CEO about what’s next and why it took so long for the app to support dark mode. read more
