January 05, 2026

TechCrunch Top 3

Amazon's AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com: Amazon is bringing Alexa+ to the web with a new Alexa.com site, expanding its AI assistant beyond devices and positioning it as a family-focused, agent-style chatbot. Read More

Luminar claims founder Austin Russell is dodging a subpoena in the bankruptcy case: The Luminar founder claims he has been cooperative. Read More

Kodiak taps Bosch to scale its self-driving truck tech: There is no timeline for when these systems will become available. But once they do, Kodiak could bring its tech to more trucks, faster. Read More

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Morning Must-Reads

Amazon revamps Fire TV, launches its own 'Artline' televisions with frames at CES: Fire TV's new interface focuses on your content and offers easier, speedier navigation, Amazon says. Read More

Plaud launches a new AI pin and a desktop meeting notetaker: Plaud is going after the likes of Granola to launch a desktop app that records online meetings Read More

Google previews new Gemini features for TV at CES 2026: Google TV will let you ask Gemini to find and edit your photos, adjust your TV settings and more. Read More

French and Malaysian authorities are investigating Grok for generating sexualized deepfakes: France and Malaysia have joined India in condemning Grok for creating sexualized deepfakes of women and minors. Read More

California residents can use new tool to demand brokers delete their personal data: A new tool should make it easier for California residents to limit data brokers' ability to store and sell their personal information. Read More

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You missed these chats from Disrupt:

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

Flutterwave buys Nigeria's Mono in rare African fintech exit: Africa's largest fintech company, Flutterwave, has acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock deal valued between $25 million and $40 million, according to people familiar with the transaction. Read More