OpenAI and Microsoft's preliminary deal to revise partnership terms and OpenAI securing Microsoft's blessing to transition its for-profit arm illustrate evolving business structures in AI, while California's impending bill regulating AI companion chatbots, Ted Cruz's controversial AI bill aiming to block state regulation, and an FTC inquiry into AI chatbot companions highlight the intense focus on governance; Box CEO Aaron Levie's vision for AI tools in enterprise, discussions on humanoids and AI hardware at TechCrunch Disrupt, Apple's new live translation feature facing EU limitations, and Perplexity's substantial funding round also mark significant progress and challenges in the sector.

• OpenAI and Microsoft sign preliminary deal to revise partnership terms — Ars Technica -
• A California bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots is close to becoming law — TechCrunch -
• OpenAI secures Microsoft’s blessing to transition its for-profit arm — TechCrunch -

• Ted Cruz AI bill could let firms bribe Trump to avoid safety laws, critics warn — Ars Technica -
• FTC launches inquiry into AI chatbot companions from Meta, OpenAI, and others — TechCrunch -
• Humanoids, AVs, and what’s next in AI hardware with Waabi and Apptronik at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -
• Box CEO Aaron Levie on AI’s ‘era of context’ — TechCrunch -
• Apple’s new live translation feature for AirPods won’t be available in the EU at launch — TechCrunch -
• Perplexity reportedly raised $200M at $20B valuation — TechCrunch -

Apple's latest iPhone security feature aims to thwart spyware makers, while France's notification of new spyware attacks on Apple users and reports of kids in the UK hacking their own schools highlight ongoing threats, as the US emerges as the largest investor in commercial spyware.

• Apple’s latest iPhone security feature just made life more difficult for spyware makers — TechCrunch -
• France says Apple notified victims of new spyware attacks — TechCrunch -
• Kids in the UK are hacking their own schools for dares and notoriety — TechCrunch -

• The US is now the largest investor in commercial spyware — Ars Technica -

OpenWav's new app aiming to change the music industry, Gmail's new dedicated purchase tracker and easier package delivery tracking enhance user experience, while Google's decision to shut down Tables signals market shifts and HBO Max's impending price increase reflects changes in streaming services.

• The music industry is broken: OpenWav’s new app aims to change that — TechCrunch -
• Gmail gets a dedicated place to track all your purchases — Ars Technica -
• Gmail makes it easier to track upcoming package deliveries — TechCrunch -

• Google is shutting down Tables, its Airtable rival — TechCrunch -
• HBO Max is going to get more expensive, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO says — TechCrunch -

Tesla's robotaxi plans in Nevada moving forward with a new testing permit, Elon Musk's Boring Company suspending work on a Vegas tunnel after a crushing injury, and the Justice Department suing Uber over alleged disability discrimination characterize the dynamic landscape, alongside discussions on humanoids and AVs at TechCrunch Disrupt.

• Tesla’s robotaxi plans for Nevada move forward with testing permit — TechCrunch -
• Elon Musk’s Boring Company suspends work on Vegas airport tunnel after ‘crushing injury’ — TechCrunch -
• Justice Department sues Uber for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities — TechCrunch -

• Humanoids, AVs, and what’s next in AI hardware with Waabi and Apptronik at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -

NASA's intriguing rock findings on Mars raise questions for the Mars Sample Return mission, a new black hole merger bolstering Hawking's area theorem advances astrophysical understanding, and the Pentagon beginning deployment of a new satellite network marks a strategic defense development.

• NASA found intriguing rocks on Mars, so where does that leave Mars Sample Return? — Ars Technica -
• New black hole merger bolsters Hawking area theorem — Ars Technica -
• Pentagon begins deploying new satellite network to link sensors with shooters — Ars Technica -

VC leaders sharing their scaling playbook at TechCrunch Disrupt highlights strategic business insights, with 35 percent of VMware workloads expected to migrate elsewhere by 2028 indicating shifts in enterprise infrastructure, and Bill Gates' fellowship program adapting to global uncertainty reflecting broader tech-driven philanthropy.

• VC leaders from 01 Advisors take the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 to share the scaling playbook — TechCrunch -
• 35 percent of VMware workloads expected to migrate elsewhere by 2028 — Ars Technica -
• How Bill Gates’s fellowship program is adapting to global uncertainty — TechCrunch -

The **latest TRON: Ares trailer taking us back to 1982 offers a nostalgic glimpse into the future, and an analysis explores the perceived difficulty of Hollow Knight: Silksong**.

• Latest TRON: Ares trailer takes us back to 1982 — Ars Technica -
• Is Hollow Knight: Silksong too hard? Well, it depends on what you mean by “hard.” — Ars Technica -

A child's death from a horrifying measles complication in Los Angeles brings a tragic health concern to light.

• Child dies of horrifying measles complication in Los Angeles — Ars Technica -