India’s neobank Fi is discontinuing banking services on its platform more than four years after launching them in partnership with Federal Bank, directing customers to access their savings accounts through the bank’s mobile app as it winds down the Fi interface. Founded in 2019 by former Google Pay India executives…
Zendesk acquires agentic customer service startup Forethought
Zendesk is acquiring Forethought, a company that builds software to automate customer service interactions, the companies announced on Wednesday. The deal is expected to close by the end of March. While AI agents, particularly for customer service, may be all the rage now, Forethought was years ahead of its time.…
Chinese brain interface startup Gestala raises $21M just two months after launch
Elon Musk’s Neuralink and OpenAI-backed Merge Labs are pushing forward with brain–computer interface (BCI) technology in the U.S. Meanwhile, Chinese serial entrepreneur Phoenix Peng is building rival efforts through two startups: NeuroXess, which develops implantable BCI systems, and a second company, Gestala, developing non-invasive ultrasound-based BCIs. Gestala has raised $21.6…
Ride-hailing inDrive acquires Pakistan’s Krave Mart to bolster grocery delivery
Global ride-hailing company inDrive, known for its bid-based pricing model, has acquired Pakistan-based quick-commerce startup Krave Mart, TechCrunch has learned, as it pushes further into grocery delivery and commerce services in South Asia. The all-stock deal, agreed last year, has received approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan, allowing the…
Ford’s new AI assistant will help fleet owners know if seatbelts are being used
Ford rolled out an AI assistant this week that can monitor and analyze millions of data points to help its Ford Pro commercial customers boost their bottom line. The bet, and one that most other automakers are making, is that there’s money to be made in software. Ford Pro AI…
Nuro is testing its autonomous vehicle tech on Tokyo’s streets
Nuro, the Silicon Valley-based startup backed by Nvidia, Uber, and SoftBank, is testing its autonomous vehicle technology in Japan. Toyota Prius vehicles equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software — and human safety operators behind the wheel as backup — began testing on public roads in Tokyo last month. The testing marks…
4 ways you’re using your USB cables wrong
USB isn’t the sexiest topic out there, I’ll admit. But it goes without saying that our lives are pretty dependent on it, even in an age of Wi-Fi and Qi2 chargers. Nikola Tesla’s dream of wireless power isn’t quite here yet, and wired data connections are often far faster than…
AI ‘actor’ Tilly Norwood put out the worst song I’ve ever heard
When the production company Particle6 debuted its AI-generated “actor” Tilly Norwood last fall, the move was not warmly welcomed by Hollywood. “Good Lord, we’re screwed,” Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt said in an interview with the industry publication Variety. “Come on, agencies, don’t do that. Please stop.” If only Particle6…
How to Fix “Suspicious Login Prevented” on X or Twitter
Not being able to log in to your X account is not ideal, especially since it is known for posting and receiving the latest updates. Several users online have reported that X blocks them from logging in to their accounts. The X app flags the login attempt as suspicious and…
Google Play is adding new paid and PC games, game trials, community posts, and more
Google on Wednesday announced a slew of new gaming-focused updates to Google Play at GDC 2026. The tech giant revealed that Google Play is expanding its catalog to include anticipated paid and PC indie games, launching game trials, introducing “buy once, play anywhere” pricing, rolling out a wishlist tool, and…