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Alphabet’s X moonshot factory is shifting how it brings ambitious technology projects to market, increasingly spinning them out as independent companies rather than keeping them within the Alphabet corporate structure, X’s head honcho, Astro Teller, revealed at TechCrunch Disrupt this past week. The strategy hinges on a dedicated venture fund that exists solely to invest in X spinouts, and in which Alphabet is only a minority investor. “If Alphabet was the sole LP, the fund would be inside of Alphabet, and then when they invested in something from X, it would still be inside Alphabet,” Teller explained onstage. “So Alphabet…

Rode Wireless Micro system captures amazing audio anywhere HomeContent Creators Gadget Flow Editors It’s a pocket-sized audio studio for creators!Editor’s QuoteRØDE Wireless Micro SystemHurry up! This item is 11% OFF!Capture clean wireless audio with the RØDE Wireless Micro system. This ultra-compact set works with smartphones or cameras and pairs instantly for quick setup.Built-in microphones: The twin clip-on transmitters use a patent-pending acoustic chamber. It produces clearer speech for videos and interviews.Intelligent GainAssist: Loud and quiet sounds balance in real time, so recordings avoid clipping and keep dialogue crisp.Fast pairing and simple mounts: Transmitters auto-pair out of the box and include…

Kevin Rose has a visceral rule for evaluating AI hardware investments: “If you feel like you should punch someone in the face for wearing it, you probably shouldn’t invest in it.” It’s a typically candid assessment from the veteran investor, and one born from watching the current wave of AI hardware startups repeat mistakes he’s seen before. Rose, a general partner at True Ventures and early investor in Peloton, Ring, and Fitbit, has largely avoided the AI hardware gold rush that’s consumed Silicon Valley. While other VCs rush to fund the next smart glasses or AI pendant, Rose is taking…

Casio G-SHOCK Nano DWN5600 HomeBeautiful Watches Gadget Flow EditorsCasio G-SHOCK Nano DWN5600 Ring WatchMeet the Casio G-SHOCK Nano DWN5600, a digital ring watch built for daily wear and tough conditions. It pairs the classic square case with reliable timekeeping and simple controls.Shock Resistance: Built to resist impact, the DW-5600-1 absorbs shocks and drops so it keeps accurate time during work, travel, and outdoor activities.200M Water Resistance: Rated to 200 meters, it handles swimming and snorkeling without special care. Seals protect the module from moisture and dust.Backlit Square Display: The backlight keeps the display readable in low light, and the clear…

The Trump administration has begun taking direct equity stakes in American companies, not as temporary crisis measures, as in 2008, but as permanent fixtures of industrial policy. The moves raise interesting questions, including what happens when the White House appears on your cap table. At TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco last week, Sequoia Capital’s global steward Roelof Botha fielded exactly that query, and his response drew knowing laughter from the packed house: “One of the most dangerous words in the world are: ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” Botha, who describes himself as “sort of libertarian, free…

Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 gen 2 keeps you ahead of the rest HomeComputer Accessories Gadget Flow Editors Presets for Call of Duty, Fortnite, and others help you hear footsteps!Editor’s QuoteSteelseries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2Game for hours on end with the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2! This gaming headset is designed for long sessions across platforms.App Presets & EQ: Choose from 200+ pro EQ presets or build custom profiles, right on the app. You can emphasize footsteps, reduce clutter, or tailor music and voice.Dual Wireless Mix: Connect game audio over the 2.4GHz USB-C dongle while pairing your phone…

Google says it has removed Gemma from its AI Studio after a U.S. senator accused the AI model of fabricating accusations of sexual misconduct against her. In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Senator Marsha Blackburn — a Republican from Tennessee — said that when Gemma was asked, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?” it responded by falsely claiming that during a 1987 state senate campaign, a state trooper alleged that Blackburn “pressured him to obtain prescription drugs for her and that the relationship involved non-consensual acts.” “None of this is true, not even the campaign year which…

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite features a triple-camera system! Home5G Gadgets Gadget Flow EditorsNothing Phone (3a) LiteCapture stunning shots and videos with the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, featuring a bright 6.77-inch AMOLED screen and a powerful camera.Distinctive Design: Boasts a glass back with subtle transparent accents and an internal aluminum battery frame for a premium look and durability.50 MP Triple Camera: 50 MP main sensor uses TrueLens Engine 4.0 and a 1/1.57″ Samsung sensor to deliver bright, balanced photos and 4K video.Bright 6.77″ AMOLED: 6.77-inch FHD+ flexible AMOLED screen offers a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 10-bit color, and up to…

The Redmi K90 Pro Max only lasted a single week on top of our trending chart as the newly announced OnePlus 15 replaces it this time around. The Redmi top dog gets the silver, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max completes the podium. In fourth we have the Oppo Find X9 Pro, which got a considerable boost in popularity following its global rollout. We’ll see if it manages to climb even higher come next week. The Samsung pair of Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S25 Ultra follows and then we have the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. Each of…

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. To get this in your inbox, sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility! We’re mixing things up a bit this week to focus on what was said on, and off, the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. In short, it was a banger with a number of high-profile execs and founders working on the future of transportation.  Here are a few: Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Slate CEO Chris Barman, Nuro co-CEO and founder Dave Ferguson, Uber CPO Sachin Kansal, Wayve…