TechCrunch Top 3

BuzzFeed debuts AI slop apps in bid for new revenue: BuzzFeed unveiled new AI-powered social apps at SXSW, but its demos drew muted reactions. Read More

Apple rolls out first 'background security' update for iPhones, iPads, and Macs to fix Safari bug: Apple's first-ever "background security improvement" fixes a vulnerability in its Safari browser running its latest software. Read More

The Pentagon is developing alternatives to Anthropic, report says: After their dramatic falling-out, it doesn't seem as though Anthropic and the Pentagon are getting back together. Read More

Disrupt 2026: Where deals and ideas ignite

Oct 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, 10,000 founders, investors, and operators gather for high-signal insights, curated connections, and real momentum.

A message from UK Office for Investment

UK Quantum – Enhancing trading data

Quantum computing has the potential to reshape financial services, from risk management to data analysis. HSBC and IBM have demonstrated this through a hybrid-quantum approach to European corporate bond trading. This revealed complex patterns in noisy financial data, and a 34% improvement in predicting winning customer trade inquiries.

Learn More

Afternoon Must-Reads

Meet Vurt, the mobile-first streaming platform for indie filmmakers embracing vertical video: Micro-drama apps make billions in consumer spending, so VURT launched its streaming app to allow indie filmmakers to capitalize on the vertical video trend. Read More

Gecko Robotics lands the largest US Navy robotics deal yet: Gecko Robotics inked a five-year deal to help the U.S. Navy monitor and predict needed maintenance on its fleet of ships. Read More

Google's data center power playbook comes into focus: Google has long procured clean power for its operations and data centers, but recent deals show the company is changing tactics. Read More

World launches tool to verify humans behind AI shopping agents: As AI agents take the reins for online shoppers, Sam Altman's unconventional startup is looking to expand its verification offerings to support agentic commerce. Read More

MacBook Neo, AirPods Max 2, iPhone 17e, and everything else Apple announced this month: From a new iPhone to a budget-friendly MacBook, Apple announced a series of new products this week. Read More

A message from Fidelity

Your Pitch Isn't the Only Thing Investors Are Evaluating.

Investors don't just listen to what you say - they look at how your company operates. Is ownership clear? Do your numbers match your story? Can you answer follow-up questions without digging through spreadsheets? The Fundraise-Ready Startup Kit equips founders with the materials investors expect to see, before pressure is on. Because confidence in the room doesn't come from slides. It comes from preparation.

Download the Kit

You missed these chats from Disrupt:

Kindred talks home-swapping platform for travelers, Chef Robotics introduces AI into commercial kitchens, and Character.AI addresses chatbot safety with teens.

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Last but Not Least

Gamma adds AI image-generation tools in bid to take on Canva and Adobe: The company's new product, called Gamma Imagine, will let users employ text prompts to create brand-specific assets like interactive charts and visualizations, marketing collateral, social graphics, and infographics. Read More