TechCrunch Daily Crunch

News about Substack adding a built-in recording studio, livestreaming, TV apps, and a $20M creator accelerator. Peacock is rethinking mobile with AI-driven clips, avatars, personalized Bravo playlists, vertical live sports and mobile-first gaming. Apple quietly cuts App Store commissions in China amid shifting regulatory and market pressures.

Stories on a major streamer buying an AI post-production startup for a reported nine-figure sum. A studio rolls out a TikTok-style vertical feed to change how viewers discover short-form content. A dating app tests an AI assistant that learns preferences to suggest matches and plan dates.

Amazon is linking its site to other retailers so shoppers can buy across stores without leaving its platform. A new healthcare AI rollout on Amazon’s apps and privacy training claims get attention. TikTok now supports full Apple Music playback and a social Listening Party feature. Google’s big Wiz acquisition and a new electric medium-duty truck also make the news.

Coverage of new AI tools from Adobe, including a Photoshop assistant and generative editing features. Zoom unveils AI-powered avatars, an office suite with Docs/Slides/Sheets, and in-meeting deepfake detection. YouTube pilots likeness detection to help officials and journalists flag AI deepfakes. Quick startup funding news rounds out the tech headlines.

Coverage of OpenAI acquiring a red‑teaming tool to secure AI agents. Discussion of employees rallying in support of Anthropic amid a Pentagon supply‑chain designation. Breakdown of the DOJ’s tentative settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster and why many state attorneys general oppose it. Quick startup updates including leadership moves and decentralized social experiments.

A rundown of Nintendo suing the U.S. for tariff refunds after a Supreme Court ruling. A look at Claude’s surprising consumer growth following the Pentagon controversy. A description of X testing product suggestions beneath posts and new paid partnership labels for creators and marketers.

Plus - Amazon is rolling out a redesigned Fire TV app; FBI investigating hack on its wiretap and surveillance systems Presented by Adaptive. Learn more at ⁠adaptivesecurity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

News about TikTok choosing not to add end-to-end encryption for direct messages to keep content accessible to safety teams. Google rolling out Canvas in AI Mode across the US to help organize projects and draft documents with Gemini integration. X tests a new payments service called X Money and involves a high-profile promotional tie-in for its beta invites.

News of ChatGPT uninstalls surging after a DoD deal sparks a shift toward alternatives. A rival AI app sees growth as safety and ethics debates heat up. X launches a standalone chat app for iOS, raising questions about encryption and missing features. Apple reveals new M5 MacBook Air and Pro models built for AI workloads with upgraded batteries, cameras, and performance claims.

A major streaming merger is unpacked, including plans to combine two big services and preserve a premium brand and theatrical slate. Apple’s iPad Air gets an M4 boost and iPhone 17e specs are previewed. X rolls out a paid partnership label to help creators disclose sponsored posts and monetize content.