August 02, 2026

TechCrunch Top 3

India is starting to pay for apps, not just download them: India's app market generated a record $345 million in Q2. Read More

YouTuber Hank Green says his AI usage is ‘not healthy’: Green offered a remarkable apology, saying that "the level of dopamine that I've been getting from interacting with LLMs ... is not healthy for me or good for the world." Read More

Uber is building an autonomous vehicle empire, and here's every company it's using to do it: Uber has partnered with — and in some cases made direct investments in — about 30 autonomous vehicle companies over the past two years. Here's the list and the latest on the partnerships. Read More

Sunday Must-Reads

These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era: Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever. From smarter bookmarking tools and neighborhood marketplaces to digital pen pals and nature journals, here are the latest App Store finds worth adding to your Home Screen. Read More

Sam Altman is still making the case for parenting via ChatGPT: OpenAI's CEO seemed excited to share a "cool use case" for parents. Read More

VC-backed startups commit more fraud, and researchers think they know why : New research from the U.K.’s Imperial College and France’s Emlyon Business School mapped out how Silicon Valley founders commit fraud — and the role investors play. Read More

Rivian spinoff Also to start delivering e-bikes after months of delays: Also has big plans beyond the TM-B. The startup mostly refers to itself as a "vehicle" company and has plans to make four-wheel pedal-assist cargo vehicles for Amazon. Read More

Judge denies xAI’s request to block Minnesota ban on ‘nudify’ apps: Despite a lawsuit from xAI, a Minnesota ban on apps that allow users to “nudify” images can move forward. 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.

Last but Not Least

Google nixes its Earth AI feature one day after launch, amid criticism it would spread misinformation: A tool that allowed anyone to generate fake AI-generated imagery and superimpose it over real Google Earth maps quickly spurred backlash. Read More