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  • Tinder evolves some features into dating 'modes'

    Tinder evolves some features into dating 'modes'

    In a bid to retain users and increase engagement, Tinder is overhauling some of its existing features into new, redesigned “modes,” in addition to revamping its home screen.

    The app is getting two new modes, Double Date and College Mode — essentially extensions of existing features — alongside a “For You” mode on the home screen that presents the classic Tinder experience. The company said it will add more dating modes that will lean into interests, dating intentions, and different ways to connect.

    Tinder in June launched the Double Date mode, which lets users pair up with a friend and match with other pairs. The feature was limited to certain geographies at launch, and the company is now rolling it out globally. Tinder said that since July, it has seen users being more engaged and sending 25% more messages per match as compared to one-on-one chats.

    Meanwhile, College Mode builds on the existing Tinder U feature, which was introduced in 2018 to let adult students register using their college or university email IDs and find potential matches on their campus or around. Last year, the company updated the feature to let students update their profiles to include details such as graduation year, major, clubs, and Greek life. College Mode now lets students match with others anywhere.

    “Gen Z has been craving easier, low-pressure ways to connect, because what you’re into and how you want to connect can change from day to day. We’ve heard our users loud and clear, and they’re looking for better matches, not just more of them,” Cleo Long, senior director of global product marketing at Tinder, said in a statement.

    Tinder’s parent company Match Group mentioned these dating modes during its Q2 2025 earnings call last month.

    Tinder said that the redesign and Double Date feature are rolling out globally, but College Mode will be available to compatible users later in the fall.

    Techcrunch event

    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

  • Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store

    Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store

    Google is tightening security measures around Android app distribution, the company announced on Monday. Starting next year, Google will begin to verify the identities of developers distributing their apps on Android devices, not just those who distribute via the Play Store. The changes will affect all certified Android devices once live, though the global rollout will be more gradual.

    The tech giant stresses that this does not mean developers can’t distribute outside of the Play Store through other app stores or via sideloading — Android will remain open in that regard. However, developers who appreciated the anonymity of alternative distribution methods will no longer have that option. Google says this will help to cut down on bad actors who hide their identity to distribute malware, commit financial fraud, or steal users’ personal data.

    According to its own survey, Google says that more than 50 times more malware came through internet-sideloaded sources compared with Google Play, where it has required developer verification since 2023.

    Initially, Google will allow interested developers to sign up for early access starting in October 2025 to test the system and provide feedback. In March 2026, verification will go live for all developers. By September 2026, any app installed on an Android device in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand will have to meet the new requirements. Starting in 2027, the requirements will begin rolling out globally.

    Developers will have to provide their legal name, address, email, and phone number, which could push independent developers to register as a business for their own privacy’s sake. Apple implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that now requires app developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution.

    Google notes that student and hobbyist developers will be able to use a separate type of Android Developer Console account when this system rolls out, as their needs differ from commercial developers.

    The changes could have a significant impact on the Android app ecosystem and app distribution, as Google works to cut down on the security issues and malware that have typically plagued its platform.

    Techcrunch event

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

  • TSMC\’s Q2 earnings skyrocket 60% fueled by booming AI chip demand

    TSMC’s Sales Rocket: The AI Chip Craze Is Paying Off

    Why Big Numbers Matter

    TSMC, the global heavyweight in contract chip manufacturing, just blew past analysts’ expectations. The tech giant’s quarterly earnings show that demand for AI chips is doing more than just powering machines—it’s filling the company’s coffers.

    What the Numbers Say

    • Revenue jump: A 15 % rise from the last quarter, thanks to the AI boom.
    • Profit boost: Net income hit an all‑time high, climbing 12 % year‑over‑year.
    • Future outlook: Forecasts predict continued growth as AI applications expand into everything from self‑driving cars to smart home gadgets.

    Behind the Success

    It’s not just the sheer volume of chips being produced. TSMC has been front‑lining cutting‑edge process technology—like the famed 5‑nanometer nodes—allowing AI processors to pack more power into smaller footprints.

    When the demand for AI accelerators spikes, TSMC’s production lines go from “just another chip” to “the chip that powers the future,” which translates to higher margins and stronger cash flow.

    What This Means for You (and Your Roomba)

    Even the humble smart vacuum’s next upgrade will probably tap into TSMC’s latest chip. As AI-driven appliances grow, so will TSMC’s influence on everyday life—turning the world’s commodity chip maker into a silent engine of innovation.

    Bottom line: The chip giant’s results go beyond crunching numbers—they’re a sign that the AI revolution isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a market‑making catalyst.

    TSMC’s Q2 2025 Rocket‑Ride: Numbers, Hopes, and a Dash of Humor

    Chip maestro TSMC just handed in a Q2 report that’s as bright as a freshly baked chip and as warm as a coffee in a Silicon Valley office. It blew past expectations and even nudged up its 2025 forecast—talk about keeping investors on their toes!

    Key Highlights – Quick‑scan Success

    • Net income shot up 60.7% to NT$398.2 bn (€11.7 bn)
    • Revenue climbed 38.6% YoY to NT$933.7 bn (€27.35 bn)
    • Compared to Q1 2025: revenue +11.3%; net income +10.2%
    • Guided Q3 sales growth >30% YoY (previously 25%) – a hefty lift!
    • Expected Q3 revenue range: $31.8 bn to $33.0 bn

    Why the Numbers Are So Juicy

    Apple, Nvidia, and a host of other tech titans are all chasing the AI boom, and TSMC’s chips are the match‑make to fuel that appetite. “AI‑related demand keeps the growth engine roaring,” says CFO Wendell Huang, while analysts like Ben Barringer of Quilter Cheviot note that even amid a stronger Taiwanese dollar, margins stayed solid.

    Analyst Takeaway

    Ben Barringer sums it up: “TSMC delivered a strong beat, ahead of expectations. Margins remained solid despite currency headwinds.” He added, “AI‑related demand continues to be the engine of growth, while non‑AI segments are beginning to recover more steadily.”

    Company’s Own Voice

    Wendell Huang says, “Our second‑quarter business was powered by the relentless AI and HPC demand we see today. As we head into Q3, strong demand for our leading‑edge process tech will keep the momentum going.”

    What This Means for 2025

    With the new guidance, TSMC not only shows resilience against chip tariff headwinds but also sends a clear signal: the semiconductor market’s high‑end side is still sizzling, especially within the AI arena. The company’s new outlook paints a hopeful picture that investors and tech lovers alike can keep looking forward.

    In short, TSMC is proving that when big‑tech hunger meets top‑tier manufacturing, the results are both sweet and profitable—an outcome that keeps the cash registers ringing while the AI dreams keep growing louder.

    With Trump’s tariff policy, uncertainty is also in the cards

    Trade Wars, Chips & Teasing Markets – Taiwan’s Tightrope Walk

    Washington’s tariff drama is playing a mean game of “hide-and-seek” with Taiwan’s bright‑future skies. The island nation’s leaders are huddling with their U.S. counterparts to try and dodge the 32% tariffs that President Donald Trump threw out in April.

    What’s the Jinx?

    • US Re‑tariff Riddles – Taiwan is poised to receive a memo from the President that could reduce its export duties, but keep an eye out: Trump’s letters lately have been drumming up a 30% hit on the EU if a trade deal misses the new 1 August deadline.
    • Semiconductor Shock – Earlier this month, Trump warned that the U.S. could impose new tariffs on chips, throwing the market into a quick dip.

    ASML’s Roller‑Coaster Earnings

    In a twist that’s got investors gripping their beads, the Dutch‑based fab‑equipment giant ASML ditched the 2026 upside after a geopolitical storm brew, even as the tech world was buzzing about AI‑fuelled bullishness. The tick‑tock situation ties back to the dizzying rise of Nvidia – the first company to cross the $4 trillion valuation mark. But it turns out that a single company’s wobble can ripple through the entire market mood.

    TL;DR: TSMC’s Winning Bet?

    Meanwhile, TSMC’s latest earnings told a different story: a 4% pre‑market cheer in the U.S. market, leaving investors feeling a little less raw.

    In short, the big, bad tariffs are a psychological mine‑field, and all that means is: keep your fingers on the pulse and, as the saying goes, you never know when the next trade temp will turn the whole picture around.

  • Aussie Students Spend The Most Time In School, Polish Kids The Least

    Aussie Students Spend The Most Time In School, Polish Kids The Least

    Students in OECD countries and economies receive an average of 7,604 hours of compulsory instruction during their primary and lower secondary education.

    However, as Statista’s Anna Fleck shows in the chart below, a wide gap exists between countries, with students in Poland receiving an average of just 5,304 hours, compared to Australia where children must attend nearly double that at 11,000 hours.

    Infographic: How Much Time Do Students Spend in the Classroom? | Statista

    You will find more infographics at Statista

    In the United States, children spend 8,917 hours on average in compulsory classes across primary school and early secondary school.

    This is according to a new report by the OECD titled Education at a Glance.

    Primary education lasts six years on average across OECD countries and economies, ranging from four grades in Poland to seven in Australia and Denmark.

    In the U.S., children have six school years at the primary level.

    Lower secondary education lasts three years on average across the OECD member states, ranging from two years in the French Community of Belgium to six years in Lithuania.

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