Thinking Machines wants to build an AI that actually listens while it talks

Right now, every AI model you’ve ever used works the same way. You talk, it listens. It responds, you listen. Thinking Machines is trying to change that by building a model that processes your input and generates a response at the same time, so it’s more like a phone call than a text chain.

Spotify’s launches a Wrapped-style recap of your entire listening history

Spotify’s new feature will show you the number of unique songs that you listened to until now

AI voice startup Vapi hits $500M valuation after winning Amazon Ring over 40 rivals

Vapi says its enterprise business has grown 10-fold since early 2025 as companies shift customer support and sales calls to AI agents.

AI is turning connected cars into pothole-finding machines

Fleet management company Samsara has developed an AI model to detect different kinds of potholes and gauge how fast they’re deteriorating.

TikTok now wants to be the place you book the trip you just saw on TikTok

TikTok is systematically converting its discovery engine into a transaction layer, which both deepens user retention and opens entirely new revenue streams for its new owners.

Dessn raises $6M for its production focused design tool

A new startup called Dessn has raised $6M to build AI-powered design tools that work directly with production codebases.

The hottest place for startups to strike a deal? The F1 paddock

F1 Grands Prix have emerged as a new place to see and be seen if you are a founder or investor.

We’re feeling cynical about xAI’s big deal with Anthropic

On the latest episode of the Equity podcast, we discussed what xAI’s deal with Anthropic might mean for parent company SpaceX.

Uber has always wanted to be more than a ride; now it has reason to hurry

The company has been trying to embed itself inside the AV industry — as a data provider, an investor, and a distribution platform — but the consumer-facing bet may be just as important.

TechCrunch Mobility: Lime’s IPO gamble

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part.