• Threads rolls out ads to all users worldwide

    Meta on Wednesday announced it’s expanding ads on Threads to all users globally. The expansion, which starts next week, will be gradual, the company says, noting it may take months for the full rollout to complete. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly praised the social app and X rival, which has now grown to over 400 million monthly active users, as the company’s next big hit. Shortly after the app’s debut, the exec told investors that Threads had a good chance of reaching 1 billion users in a few years’ time. The app has rapidly grown since its July 2023…

  • The best winter tech for 2026 to help get you through the coldest months

    My alarm is set for 6AM three days a week in the ambitious hope that I’ll make it to a 6:30AM yoga class. In the winter, it is midnight-dark at that hour and the only reason I occasionally find myself doing an early morning vinyasa is the sunrise alarm clock feature in the Hatch Restore 3. I schedule mine to start filling the room with a gradually brightening glow about 20 minutes before the sounds of singing bowls start playing. The light helps my brain wake up before I do and the subtle bongs of the bowl sort of seep…

  • YouTube TV’s multiview is getting a huge upgrade, letting viewers mix and match channels

    YouTube TV has been slowly expanding its multiview feature over the past few years, which initially allowed sports fans to watch up to four channels simultaneously on one screen. Soon, viewers will finally have the chance to watch any content they choose.  ​In his annual letter published on Wednesday, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan revealed that the platform will soon introduce a “fully customizable multiview” experience. This upgrade aims to provide greater personalization by letting viewers create their own multiview layouts, tailoring their screens to their individual interests across sports, news, entertainment, and more. ​YouTube TV first rolled out the multiview…

  • TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets now on sale: Lowest rates all year 

    We’re kicking things off earlier than ever this year! TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets are officially on sale. Lock in the lowest rates of the year with the Super Early Bird pricing — available through February 27 — and be among the first 500 registrants to score a plus one pass at 50% off. Once either limit is hit, these deals disappear. Register now to save up to $680 on your pass and get 50% off a +1 pass. Don’t miss these one-time, limited-time deals. Immerse yourself in the epicenter of tech innovation at Disrupt 2026. From October 13–15, San Francisco’s Moscone West transforms into a global hub for technology and venture capital. Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty…

  • PraxisPro raises $6M seed from AlleyCorp to coach medical sales reps

    It all began in sales. That’s where Cam Badger got his start, at a pharmaceutical company. He expected to find structure and mentorship on the job but instead found “fragmented training, inconsistent coaching, and no real way to scale learning in a meaningful way,” he told TechCrunch.  He spent four years as a sales rep, then a sales trainer, and then worked for a medical startup where he met Bhrugu Giri. The two lamented about how awful many sales reps were at life science companies like pharma businesses, medical device startups, and so forth. The duo decided to try and…

  • How to check if your VPN is working

    One of the disconcerting things about using a virtual private network (VPN) is that it can be hard to tell when it’s doing its job. The best VPNs all work in the background to keep your IP address hidden and your communications with their servers encrypted. The better the VPN, the less you notice it, which can make a top-performing VPN feel (uncomfortably) like one that isn’t working at all. Luckily, you’ve got options for checking whether your VPN is working — other than just taking the app at its word. In this article, I’ll cover the basics, then go…

  • Zanskar thinks 1 TW of geothermal power is being overlooked

    The ground beneath our feet holds so much energy that experts at the Department of Energy think geothermal power could generate 60 gigawatts — or nearly 10% of U.S. electricity — by 2050.  Zanskar co-founder and CEO Carl Holland thinks that lofty number is too low, mostly because it’s discounting conventional geothermal’s potential. The DOE’s figures assume advances in enhanced geothermal, which uses fracking techniques to access hot rock deep underground. Companies like Fervo and Sage Geosystems have been pursuing that angle, and experts agree it has tremendous potential. By contrast, conventional geothermal, which taps naturally fractured hotspots, has been stagnant,…

  • Consumers spent more on mobile apps than games in 2025, driven by AI app adoption

    In 2025, consumers spent more money on non-game mobile apps than they did on games for the first time, according to the findings from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower’s annual “State of Mobile” report. While this milestone had been seen in particular markets, like the U.S., or during certain quarters, 2025 marked the first time it occurred globally. Worldwide, consumers spent approximately $85 billion on apps last year, representing a 21% year-over-year increase. The figure was also nearly 2.8x the amount spent just five years ago. Image Credits:Sensor Tower Generative AI, a defining trend over the past year, led the…

  • The best robot vacuum for 2026

    Looking to keep your home clean without having to vacuum and mop every day, pick up dirt, the dinner your child threw on the floor or your furry friend’s endless pet hair? Join the club. Smart home gadgets have come a long way over the years, and that includes robot vacuums. With newer technology including voice controls, object detection and more automation features, investing in a robot vacuum cleaner makes more sense now than ever before. Some of the best robot vacuum cleaners even have mopping capabilities, roller brush options and self-emptying bases, too, and there are plenty that don’t…

  • UStrive security lapse exposed personal data of its users, including children

    Online mentoring site UStrive has resolved a security lapse that exposed the personal information of its users, including children.  The exposed data included the full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other non-public and user-provided information of UStrive users, which was accessible to any other logged-in user. The nonprofit, previously known as Strive for College, provides online mentorship to high school and college students through its platform. The organization would not say whether it plans to inform users about the security incident.  Last week, a person who asked not to be named alerted TechCrunch to the security flaw on UStrive’s…