
Google's AI assistant Gemini is approaching a significant milestone, with over 950 million monthly users, as reported in the company's Q2 2026 call. This growth marks a substantial increase from 750 million users earlier in the year, positioning Gemini as a strong competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. New features like Daily Brief and Gemini Spark have contributed to its popularity, particularly on iOS, where it has been downloaded over 137 million times in the past year. This development highlights Google's expanding influence in the AI assistant market, challenging existing leaders and reshaping user interactions.
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© TechCrunch AIOpenAI has ventured into hardware with the launch of Micro, a keypad designed to enhance the ChatGPT experience. Developed with Work Louder, this device targets tech enthusiasts and coders, offering customizable keys for specific tasks within ChatGPT and Codex. While the keypad includes features like voice dictation and customizable commands, its $230 price tag and niche appeal have drawn mixed reviews. For those deeply integrated with ChatGPT, Micro could streamline workflows, but its utility may not justify the learning curve for casual users.
© TechCrunch AIPrentis, a new AI lab co-founded by Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus, is making waves with its ambitious plans to raise $100 million at a $1 billion valuation. The lab, launched in April, focuses on developing AI agents to automate routine office tasks, claiming its Hive-32B model outperforms competitors like OpenAI's GPT-5.4. With contracts worth up to $50 million already signed, Prentis is positioning itself as a cost-effective solution in a crowded market. The startup's approach of using smaller, cheaper models could redefine how AI is deployed in everyday workflows.
Atoms, the physical AI startup founded by Uber's Travis Kalanick, has attracted a significant $1.7 billion investment led by Andreessen Horowitz. This funding round is a testament to the growing interest in the digitization of industrial sectors, which Atoms aims to revolutionize. The week's funding landscape also saw substantial investments in AI for 3D models, battery technology, and cybersecurity, indicating a diverse interest in AI and technology sectors. Atoms' ability to secure such a large investment highlights the potential impact of physical AI on the industrial landscape, marking a pivotal moment in the sector's evolution.