May 12, 2016
South Korea’s government launches its first accelerator program for international startups
In a bid to make South Korea’s tech industry more diverse, the government has created an accelerator for startups from around the world.
Apple invests $1B in Didi Chuxing, China’s largest ride-hailing app
Apple made the bombshell announcement today that it has invested $1 billion in China’s top ride hailing app. Didi Chuxing (formerly called Didi Kuaidi) is often described in U.S. media…
In the singularity, we’ll still be using the same garbage trucks
Our cities face a choice: find creative ways to integrate today’s technology into their DNA or have entire systems get left behind. Urban populations are growing, infrastructure is aging and…
Accion Systems raises $7.5 million in Series A to accelerate production of miniature space thrusters
Accion Systems, the company developing miniature space propulsion systems, has raised $7.5 million in Series A funding led by Shasta Ventures. RRE Ventures, Founder Collective, and Slow Ventures also participated…
Tactical Technology educates women’s rights advocates on online safety
Progressive women’s advocates doing controversial work are often at risk of physical violence and online harassment because of their online presence. To help those advocates navigate social media safely, Tactical Technology…
Four ways African countries can ensure digital innovation benefits the entire population
When Rwanda’s socioeconomic turnaround is discussed, the country’s disciplined approach to economic growth and commitment to avoiding the pitfalls of corruption are usually highlighted. However, while these components certainly played…
A folding robot made of pig parts that removes batteries from stomachs with magnets
Researchers from MIT, the University of Sheffield and the Tokyo Institute of Technology joined forces for a project that reads like something out of a William Burroughs novel. Crafted from…
In today’s digital world, everyday functions such as making dinner reservations or hailing a taxi are done at the touch of a button. Similarly, other, more complex and esoteric functions,…
Researchers are using Land Cruisers in the Outback as a wireless network
Communication in the harsh, uninhabited and undeveloped environment of the Australian Outback is a huge challenge. That’s why Paul Gardner-Stephen, a senior lecturer at Flinders University in Adelaide, has partnered…
You know what to do at work today, but do you know why? Goals. Having clear goals is critical to keeping productivity and morale high on any team. Whether it’s…
NASA has announced that astronomers working with the Kepler space telescope have verified 1,284 new planets — more than doubling the number of previously confirmed planets from Kepler. In fact,…
Artificial intelligence. It’s dominating headlines with the promise of self-driving cars and virtual assistants becoming more real every day. But despite all the talk around AI, no one seems to…
Disney Research uses RFID tags to create powerless, low-cost interactive controllers
The team at Disney Research is up to its fun old tricks, this time finding some new uses for off-the-shelf RFID tags. Along with researchers from Carnegie Mellon, Disney’s laboratory wing…
Fender cashes in its cool with consumer in-ear monitor headphones
After 70 years of rocking musicians with its guitars and amps, Fender today released its first general consumer product: a range of headphones that double as in-ear monitors for performers.…
With the dawn of virtual reality, we are in the midst of a massive paradigm shift in how educators will perceive and incorporate video gaming experiences. Video games tend to…
Walmart begins testing 2-day shipping service to take on Amazon Prime
Walmart is making a notable to change to ShippingPass, its three-day shipping service and answer to Amazon Prime launched into beta testing last year. The company says this morning it…
The Roll helps you find the best photos on your phone
Wondering which of the tens of thousands of photos on your phone are worth keeping or sharing may be a thing of the past, thanks to The Roll, a new…
Google launches Gboard, an iOS keyboard that lets you search without a browser
Google this morning launched a new application for iOS devices called Gboard that puts the power of Google search directly into your mobile device’s keyboard. This keyboard had been rumored…
The skinny bundle will be neither skinny nor bundled — but it will be great
In-home video entertainment is a very big deal. $381 billion globally in 2019 big. About $100 billion in North America big. Triple the revenue of apps and games big. No…
Virtual reality is expensive. High-end headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive will run you $599 and $799 — and the cameras required to capture the content runs several…
European online travel marketplace Evaneos picks up $21M funding
Evaneos, the European travel marketplace, has beefed up its coffers once again. The French startup has raised a further $21 million in funding, money it will use to continue developing…
Theranos’ COO retires as the troubled bio-tech startup overhauls its organizational structure
The chief operating officer of Theranos, the beleaguered medical diagnostics startup currently under federal investigation for allegedly making misleading claims about its blood analysis technology, is stepping down as the…
TechCrunch Pitch-Off Stockholm! June 7! Apply to Pitch!
Our world-famous TechCrunch Pitch-Off is coming to Stockholm! We’ll invite a panel of investors to judge 10 two-minute pitches (no demos). If you want to pitch, make sure to apply…
Indian online lending platform Capital Float picks up $25M Series B
Capital Float, an online lending platform for small businesses in India, announced today that it has closed a $25 million Series B.
Opera adds power-saving mode to its browser
Opera is on a roll lately. Over the last few weeks, the company added a built-in ad blocker and VPN service to its desktop browser, for example. Today, the company is launching…
