TechCrunch Top 3

SpaceX alum nabs $22M to turn rocket engines into geothermal power plants: Critical Energy is turning rocket engines into geothermal power plants, and it wants to build 300 GW per year by 2045. Read More

Pinterest launches an experimental AI shopping app called 'Ask Pinterest': Pinterest has launched 'Ask Pinterest,' an experimental AI-powered shopping app that lets users seek recommendations and inspiration through a conversational interface. Read More

Apple plans to change its Hide My Email privacy feature that could make it less effective: In the coming weeks, Apple will move anonymously generated emails addresses to a different domain. Read More

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Morning Must-Reads

Android 17 launches with new multitasking tools as Google expands Gemini features: Google has released Android 17 and Wear OS 7, introducing new multitasking features, parental controls, security tools, and smartwatch upgrades. The launch is also accompanied by a Pixel Drop that brings Google’s latest AI models to its devices. Read More

Uber will bring its premium robotaxi service to Houston in 2027: This will be the second market to have an Uber robotaxi service outfitted with Lucid EVs equipped with a self-driving system from Nuro. Read More

Bug in FIFA World Cup internal system gave anyone ability to modify TV stream: A security researcher said a flaw in FIFA’s online platforms allowed her to access several internal systems, including one that could have allowed her to take control of the TV stream of every World Cup match. Read More

Anthropic's latest feud with the Trump admin may actually help it, sales data suggests: Anthropic's popularity with business users is growing so well that the latest beef with the government might actually boost it, data from Ramp suggests. Read More

SpaceX valuation balloons to $2.6T, briefly passes Amazon: SpaceX's valuation has increased by $1 trillion since its shares started trading on Friday. Read More

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Last but Not Least

Pramaana Labs raises $27M seed round from Khosla Ventures to bring formal verification to AI: Pramaana will focus on highly sensitive verticals like law, drug discovery, and tax preparation — where errors can be costly and reliability is at a premium. Read More