TechCrunch Top 3

DeepSeek previews new AI model that 'closes the gap' with frontier models: DeepSeek says both models are more efficient and performant than DeepSeek V3.2 due to architectural improvements, and have almost "closed the gap" with current leading models, both open and closed, on reasoning benchmarks. Read More

Another spyware maker caught distributing fake Android snooping apps: Researchers have found a new case where government authorities used a fake Android app to plant spyware on a target’s phone. The company that allegedly developed the spyware was not previously known to sell this type of software. Read More

In another wild turn for AI chips, Meta signs deal for millions of Amazon AI CPUs: Meta has commandeered a big chunk of Amazon's homegrown CPUs (not GPUs) for AI agentic workloads, signaling that a new kind of chip race has begun. 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.

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Morning Must-Reads

Porsche is adding an all-electric Cayenne coupe to its lineup: Porsche will start selling the Cayenne Coupe Electric in late summer. Read More

Bret Taylor's Sierra buys YC-backed AI startup Fragment: Sierra, the AI customer service agent startup founded by technologist Bret Taylor, announced today that it has acquired the YC-backed French startup Fragment. Read More

Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga joins stacked StrictlyVC SF lineup for April 30 event: Surprise! StrictlyVC San Francisco, which will kick off this year’s events lineup for TechCrunch on April 30 at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center, is getting a new addition to its increasingly stacked lineup of speakers. Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga will join the rest of the lineup to discuss operating at scale in the age of AI. Read More

Trump's pick to run US cyber agency CISA asks to drop out: Sean Plankey has requested to withdraw his name to run the U.S. cybersecurity agency after a tumultuous year of chaotic temporary leadership. Read More

Nothing introduces an AI-powered dictation tool: Nothing's new on-device dictation tool supports over 100 languages. Read More

A message from TechCrunch Events

StrictlyVC San Francisco takes off on April 30

StrictlyVC kicks off the event series in SF next week. Join unfiltered fireside chats on fundraising, what it takes to build a physical AI breakthrough, and more with industry leaders like Eclipse Ventures co-founder Lior Susan, Replit co-founder Amjad Masad, and more. Make high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited.

Last but Not Least

Instagram tests a new 'Instants' app for sharing disappearing photos: The app lets users share disappearing photos with their friends that can be viewed only once and remain available for 24 hours. Read More