This digest compiles the latest from TechCrunch.
Today’s TechCrunch Roundup
Google Maps now lets you access Gemini while walking and cycling
29 Jan 2026, 2:30 pm by Aisha Malik
When you’re walking around and navigating with Maps, you can now ask Gemini questions like “What neighborhood am I in?” or “What are top-rated restaurants nearby?”
Waymo robotaxi hits a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica
29 Jan 2026, 12:53 pm by Sean O’Kane
The child, whose age is not public, sustained minor injuries according to Waymo. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating.
Upwind raises $250M at $1.5B valuation to continue building ‘runtime’ cloud security
29 Jan 2026, 12:35 pm by Kate Park
The $250 million Series B was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Salesforce Ventures and Picture Capital.
Apple hires iPhone camera app Halide’s co-founder for its design team
29 Jan 2026, 12:30 pm by Ivan Mehta
Halide also released a public preview of its up coming app Halide Mark III.
Deezer makes it easier for rival platforms to take a stance against AI-generated music
29 Jan 2026, 8:00 am by Lauren Forristal
Last year, Deezer introduced an AI detection tool that automatically tags fully AI-generated music for listeners and removes it from algorithmic and editorial recommendations. The company announced on Thursday that it’s now making the tool available to other streaming platforms in an effort to help address the rise of AI and fraudulent streams, as well […]
Meta burned $19 billion on VR last year, and 2026 won’t be any better
29 Jan 2026, 12:20 am by Lucas Ropek
The reported financial losses follow a series of layoffs at the VR unit.
End of today’s TechCrunch roundup.
