Anthropic launches a cheaper Claude Sonnet 5 for AI agents, the Supreme Court takes up Apple’s App Store fight with Epic Games, and Threads expands Live Chats with new features.

• Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 as a cheaper way to run agents | TechCrunch
• Supreme Court Will Hear Apple's Appeal in Epic Games App Store Fight
• Threads adds new features to Live Chats as it expands access | TechCrunch
• Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite | TechCrunch
• Apple Creator Studio Gets New AI Features

WhatsApp’s new username reservations, a Supreme Court privacy win limiting geofence warrants, and a major ruling that lets presidents fire FTC commissioners and weakens agency independence.

• WhatsApp now lets you reserve usernames | TechCrunch
• In major privacy win, Supreme Court rules geofence warrants are protected by privacy rights | TechCrunch
• Supreme Court allows firing of FTC commissioners, ends agency independence
• OpenAI teases Codex-branded hardware collaboration coming, here's what to expect - 9to5Mac
• South Korean tech giants commit over $550B to ease 'RAMageddon' | TechCrunch

OpenAI’s restricted GPT-5.6 rollout after a government request, its poaching of Apple’s Vision Pro and smart glasses chief, and Tesla settling an FSD crash lawsuit while federal investigations continue.

• OpenAI limits GPT-5.6 rollout after government request, says restrictions shouldn’t be the norm | TechCrunch
• OpenAI poaches Apple Vision Pro and smart glasses chief - 9to5Mac
• Tesla settles FSD crash lawsuit as federal investigations continue | TechCrunch
• Samsung will soon start charging to access its smart home API
• TikTok's road to becoming a super app | TechCrunch

Apple raising Mac and iPad prices by hundreds of dollars, the Trump administration blocking Polestar’s new EV sales in the US, and Xbox consoles jumping another $100 or more.

• Apple raises prices on Macs, iPads, and more by hundreds of dollars
• Trump admin bars Polestar from selling its new EVs in the US | TechCrunch
• Xbox prices spike another $100 or more
• Google Finance gets a dedicated app for Android | TechCrunch
• Adobe acquires image and video enhancement tool maker Topaz Labs | TechCrunch

OpenAI debuts its first custom Broadcom-built chip, Figma rolls out code layers and new AI-powered design tools, and Zoox updates its robotaxi ahead of commercial launch.

• OpenAI unveils its first custom chip, built by Broadcom | TechCrunch
• Figma adds code layers, support for animations, more AI features in new update | TechCrunch
• Zoox upgrades its robotaxi as it prepares for commercial service | TechCrunch
• Google’s New Smart Speaker Takes the Lead
• GTA VI finally gets a price tag

Meta’s cheaper new smart glasses, Anthropic’s Claude Tag learning company context from Slack, and LastPass disclosing stolen customer support case data in the Klue breach.

• Meta debuts new, cheaper smart glasses under its own brand | TechCrunch
• Anthropic’s Claude Tag is learning your company, one Slack message at a time | TechCrunch
• Zuckerberg reportedly wants a Polymarket clone — but without real money
• Password manager maker LastPass says hackers stole customer support case data during Klue breach | TechCrunch
• tvOS 27 beta code references Siri AI for HomePod, Apple TV - 9to5Mac

Valve’s $1,049 Steam Machine pricing, Google’s A24-backed push into AI movie tools, and Meta naming a new WhatsApp chief while backing CRED founder Kunal Shah with a $900 million investment.

• Valve prices the Steam Machine at $1,049
• Google invests in A24 to build AI movie tools
• WhatsApp gets new chief as Meta taps India's CRED founder Kunal Shah and invests $900M in startup | TechCrunch
• SpaceX inks compute deal with Reflection AI, an open source AI lab | TechCrunch
• Instagram looks to take on streaming services with longer-form, episodic and live formats for its TV app | TechCrunch

Apple explaining why watchOS 27 is dropping support for many older models, Nobel winner John Jumper leaving Google DeepMind for Anthropic, and NASA selecting Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for a 2028 Mars mission.

• Apple Explains Why watchOS 27 Drops Support for So Many Models
• Nobel Winner John Jumper to Leave Google DeepMind for Anthropic
• NASA selects Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for a 2028 mission to Mars
• Norway imposes near ban on AI in elementary school
• India's largest telecom and digital service Jio Platforms files for IPO

Adobe expanding its AI assistant into Premiere, Illustrator, and InDesign, Waymo recalling nearly 4,000 robotaxis over construction-zone driving risks, and Apple making major App Store changes in Brazil including alternative app marketplaces.

• Adobe adds its AI assistant to Premiere, Illustrator and InDesign | TechCrunch
• Waymo recalls nearly 4,000 robotaxis to stop them driving into highway construction zones | TechCrunch
• Apple announces major App Store changes for Brazil - 9to5Mac
• Spotify's reserved ticket sales to music superfans are now going live | TechCrunch
• OpenAI is bringing on some big guns in the lead-up to its IPO  | TechCrunch

The White House presses Anthropic to stop jailbreaks, Google finally launches its Gemini-powered Home speaker, and Matter 1.6 adds NFC setup, cross-ecosystem device sharing, and smarter thermostat features.

• The White House Wants Anthropic to Block All Jailbreaks. That May Not Be Possible
• The Gemini-Powered Google Home Speaker Is Finally Here
• Matter 1.6 Announced With NFC Setup, Cross-Ecosystem Device Sharing, and Smarter Thermostats
• Only 16 percent of Americans think AI will have a positive impact on society, a new study shows | TechCrunch
• OpenAI launches scheduled tasks in ChatGPT, details here - 9to5Mac