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This digest compiles the latest from TechCrunch.
Today’s TechCrunch Roundup
Apple opens up its App Store to competition in Japan
18 Dec 2025, 3:02 pm by Sarah Perez
Epic Games CEO says Fortnite won’t return to Japan, though, because the new rules still require high fees.
Trump Media is merging with fusion power company TAE Technologies in $6B+ deal
18 Dec 2025, 2:59 pm by Tim De Chant, Amanda Silberling
The merger would broaden Trump Media’s holdings into the nascent fusion power space while data centers clamor for more electricity amid the ongoing AI boom.
Luma releases a new AI model that lets users generate a video from a start and end frame
18 Dec 2025, 2:52 pm by Ivan Mehta
Luma AI’s new model is available through the company’s Dream Machine platform.
Vibe-coding startup Lovable raises $330M at a $6.6B valuation
18 Dec 2025, 2:26 pm by Rebecca Szkutak
Lovable has seen its valuation more than triple just five months after the company’s last funding round in July.
Amazon’s new Alexa+ feature adds conversational AI to Ring doorbells
18 Dec 2025, 2:00 pm by Ivan Mehta
Amazon said that the feature uses the Ring doorbell’s video descriptions to determine who the person in front the camera is based on their uniform, actions, and what they are holding.
Instacart’s AI-driven pricing tool attracted attention — now the FTC has questions
18 Dec 2025, 2:23 am by Connie Loizos
In an economy where everyone’s feeling squeezed, AI-driven price testing of kitchen essentials was bound to attract attention.
Adobe hit with proposed class-action, accused of misusing authors’ work in AI training
18 Dec 2025, 12:44 am by Lucas Ropek
The lawsuit is just the latest in a string of copyright-related legal complaints aimed at the AI industry.
End of today’s TechCrunch roundup.
