December 16, 2025

TechCrunch Top 3

OpenAI continues on its 'code red' warpath with new image generation model: OpenAI rolls out GPT Image 1.5 for ChatGPT, promising 4x faster generation, better instruction-following, and precise edits. The launch escalates its rivalry with Google Gemini. Read More

Meta's AI glasses can now help you hear conversations better: Conversation focus uses the AI glasses' open-ear speakers to amplify the voice of the person you're talking to, says Meta. Read More

How Luminar's doomed Volvo deal helped drag the company into bankruptcy: Luminar says trouble with Volvo started as early as 2022, and that the Swedish automaker made -- but then backed away from -- large orders of its lidar sensors. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Hacking group says it's extorting Pornhub after stealing users' viewing data: The Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters hacking collective stole Pornhub premium users' data, including email addresses and viewing history. Read More

Databricks raises $4B at $134B valuation as its AI business heats up: The data intelligence company has just raised more than $4 billion in a Series L funding round at a $134 billion valuation — up 34% from the $100 billion valuation that it achieved just three months ago. Read More

Google tests an email-based productivity assistant: Google's new email-based assistant will be available to AI Pro and Ultra plan users over the age of 18 in North America. Read More

Instagram brings Reels to the big screen, starting with Amazon Fire TV: By bringing Reels to TVs, Instagram can better compete with YouTube, which largely dominates the TV space. Read More

Slate crosses 150,000 reservations despite waning EV truck enthusiasm: It took Slate Auto about seven months to grow its customer list by 50%, but new reservations appear to be outpacing any cancelations. Read More

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Kindred talks home-swapping platform for travelers, Chef Robotics introduces AI into commercial kitchens, and Character.AI addresses chatbot safety with teens.

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Last but Not Least

Adobe Firefly now supports prompt-based video editing, adds more third-party models: Adobe is updating its AI video-generation app, Firefly, with a new video editor that supports precise prompt-based edits, as well as adding new third-party models for image and video generation, including Black Forest Labs' FLUX.2 and Topaz Astra. Read More