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  • AI Companion Apps Set to Generate $120M in Revenue by 2025

    New Wave of AI Chat Apps Take Over the App Store

    Forget the giants like ChatGPT and Grok – the next tier of AI “companion” apps is popping up faster than you can say “.” With 337 active, revenue‑driven apps out there, 128 of them hit the market in 2025 alone. Appfigures, a savvy app‑intel firm, crunches the numbers for TechCrunch, and the results are eye‑popping.

    What the Numbers Say

    • $82 million earned in the first half of the year.
    • Projecting a headline $120 million total by year‑end.
    • More than a 37% increase in active AI companion apps compared to last year.

    Why the Surge Matters

    These smaller apps are carving out their own niche, offering quirky personalities, niche interests, or ultra‑personalized support. They’re proving that you don’t need a behemoth to get people talking—and to fill their wallets.

    Bottom Line

    The AI companion market on mobile is buzzing, and it’s set to keep growing. Whether you’re a casual user or a developer, the wave of new, fun, and practical apps is heading your way.

    Meet Your New Digital Companion: The Rise of AI Chat Buddies

    Why settle for a generic chatbot when you can have a chatbot that feels like a best friend, a secret lover, or even a dragon friends? AI companion apps have taken the world by storm, letting users talk to virtual personalities that feel real—with the extra perks of a friendly avatar.

    What Are These Little Digital Sidekicks?

    Think of them as chat‑based role‑players for the 21st century. In this space, you can pick from a pre‑built lineup—including a dashing heartthrob or a wistful “girlfriend”—or even create your own personality using the app’s toolset. This personalized interaction is the secret sauce that keeps users coming back.

    Top Picks on the App Store

    • Replika: The friend that says you’re important.
    • Character.AI: Choose from a library of personalities from history to sci‑fi.
    • PolyBuzz: Chat with intelligent bots that study your likes.
    • Chai: A casual friend for everyday conversation.
    • … and many more!
    Numbers That Speak Volumes

    By July 2025, the apps across Apple’s App Store and Google Play had amassed a staggering 220 million downloads worldwide. In the first half of 2025 alone, downloads spiked by a whopping 88% year over year, striking a high of 60 million.

    So whether you need a listening ear, a comedic sidekick, or an AI that learns your quirky tastes, it’s time to dive into the world of digital companions. Trust us—your next conversation could be 100% more beyond ordinary.

    Image Credits:Appfigures

    Appfigures crunched the numbers and found that, as of July 2025, AI companion apps have driven $221 million in consumer spending worldwide. So far this year, these apps have generated 64% more revenue than during the same period in 2024.

    The top 10% of all AI companion apps generate 89% of the revenue in the category, the data shows. In addition, around 10% (or 33) of the apps have exceeded $1 million in lifetime consumer spending.

    App Downloads Are Finally Paying Off

    Revenue Per Download Blow‑Out: From a modest $0.52 in 2024 to a whopping $1.18 in 2025—yes, that’s a $0.66 hike.

    Why the Jump Works

    • More In‑App Purchases: Users are finally knocking on the purchase button.
    • Advertising Boost: Smart placement makes every ad worthwhile.
    • Market Demand: The category is on fire—people want what you’re offering.

    TechCrunch Spotlight

    The numbers were celebrated during a recent TechCrunch event, where developers shared winning strategies.

    Image Credits

    Appfigures has helped track these figures—and we’re giving a shout‑out to their awesome data.

    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.

    SF’s Tech Bash 2025: A Quest for Your New Digital BFF

    The Scene

    From October 27‑29, 2025 in San Francisco, tech lovers will flock to discover the latest “companion” AI buzz. It’s not just about fancy gadgets— it’s about finding a virtual buddy that feels, well‑you know, you.

    Enter xAI “Grok”

    July saw xAI drop its own little squad of AI sidekicks.

    • Anime Girl & Anime Guy – the dashing duo that’s as cute as Sailor Moon meets Cowboy Bebop. Perfect for a dramatic selfie.
    • The Snarky 3‑D Fox – because why not have a furry, sarcastic creature that can nudge you back when you’re losing focus at work?

    These characters aren’t just flashy; they’re meant to be your go‑to for chats, jokes, and those times you need a quick pep talk.

    ChatGPT’s GPT‑5 Shake‑Ups

    OpenAI rolled out GPT‑5, but chatty users felt a wistful déjà vu— they mourned the old model like a best friend who’s moved away.

    • Many felt that GPT‑5’s new persona sounded too sterile for their day‑to‑day dialogue.
    • Some users even started a “Memorial for GPT‑4” online— tweets, memes, tribute posts.

    Sam Altman’s Quick Fix

    To calm the AI‑soul quest, CEO Sam Altman temporarily swung back the 4o model. “If you had a favorite partner, you can’t just disappear,” he said.

    • 4o offers the relatable tone many users craved.
    • It’s a head‑butt between innovation and comfort— the older style has a warm touch for people ready to keep their digital connections intact.

    Wrap‑Up

    In a city where tech dreams swirl as fast as Marin County breezes, the battle is simple: keep your digital BFFs happy. Whether you choose xAI’s fun companions or ChatGPT’s classic vibe, remember that the best AI buddy is one that can listen, joke, and—sometimes—complain in the best way.

    Google’s Latest Move in the AI Companion Boom

    So, last year Google sniffed around the AI scene and scooped up the brain behind Character.ai—Noam Shazeer. Yep, the original mastermind who’d launched a whole universe of AI buddies that now draws tens of millions of users every month.

    Why “AI Girlfriend” Apps Are Taking Over

    According to the freshest data from Appfigures, the “best” AI companion apps are the ones people’re actually looking for a romance‑ish connection—yes, a virtual girlfriend.

    Stats at a Glance

    • ~17 % of the active apps on the market proudly include “girlfriend” in their names.
    • Only about 4 % toss around “boyfriend” or “fantasy” in their titles.
    • Other terms like anime, soulmate, and lover show up less often.

    So if you’re scrolling through app stores, don’t be surprised to see “Your AI Girlfriend” or something similar topping the charts. It looks like people are ready to chat, share memes, and maybe even enjoy a virtual dinner with their AI crushes, all while the big tech players race to keep up.

    Snapshot: What Happened in 2024 with AI Companion Apps

    The Hidden Side of App Stores

    We noticed a bunch of AI buddy apps popping up in the app stores since 2022. A few of them slipped into obscurity—or fell off entirely—because they couldn’t rack up enough cash or downloads. Those little outliers weren’t included in our latest numbers.

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  • TransUnion says hackers stole 4.4 million customers' personal information

    TransUnion says hackers stole 4.4 million customers' personal information

    Credit reporting giant TransUnion has disclosed a data breach affecting more than 4.4 million customers’ personal information.

    In a filing with Maine’s attorney general’s office on Thursday, TransUnion attributed the July 28 breach to unauthorized access of a third-party application storing customers’ personal data for its U.S. consumer support operations.

    TransUnion claimed “no credit information was accessed,” but provided no immediate evidence for its claim. The data breach notice did not specify what specific types of personal data were stolen.

    In a separate data breach disclosure filed later on Thursday with Texas’ attorney general’s office, TransUnion confirmed that the stolen personal information includes customers’ names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers.

    When reached by TechCrunch, TransUnion spokesperson Jon Boughtin would not answer questions related to the company’s data breach, or say what types of customers’ personally identifiable information were taken.

    TransUnion is one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the United States, and stores the financial data of more than 260 million Americans. It’s the latest U.S. corporate giant to have been hacked in recent weeks following a wave of hacks targeting the insurance, retail, and transportation and airline industries. 

    Several companies, including Google, insurance giant Allianz Life, Cisco, and HR giant Workday, reported data breaches of customer data stored in their Salesforce-hosted cloud databases. Following its breach, Google attributed the hacks to an extortion group known as ShinyHunters.

    It’s not clear who is behind the breach at TransUnion, or if the hackers made any demands to the company.

    Updated with a response from TransUnion, and updated with additional details from the Texas state filing.

  • Google Claims Hackers Stole Customer Data From Salesforce Breach

    Google in the Hot Seat: A Salesforce Data Slip‑Up

    Big news alert! Google just spilled the beans that a handful of its customers had their info stolen from a Salesforce database it hosts. It’s the latest episode in what’s becoming a pretty intense saga of data breaches in the cloud.

    What the Buzz Says

    • The culprit: A grey‑hat crew calling themselves ShinyHunters (officially UNC6040) hit one of Google’s Salesforce systems.
    • What got nabbed: Think “plain‑old name & number” – company titles and contact details that are as public as a Facebook profile.
    • Unclear scope: Google hasn’t released how many businesses were hit. Their spokesperson, Mark Karayan, stuck to the post and didn’t share extra gossip.
    • What we don’t know: No word yet on ransom calls or other demands. A detective job in progress.

    ShinyHunters 101

    These folks aren’t just cyber‑junkies; they specialize in voice phishing – basically pretending to be someone trustworthy to coax a user into giving them an open gate to a Salesforce database. The method is slick, the results devastating.

    Where the Pattern Fits In

    The ShinyHunters pattern is part of a broader trend. Google’s latest slip‐up follows recent thefts from:

    • Cisco’s cloud services
    • Qantas’s customer data pool
    • Pandora’s retail database

    Each of these incidents felt like an uncredited data breach in the public eye – until the back‑end details emerged.

    Adding a Dark Twist

    Reports from Google raise the specter that the ShinyHunters may be gearing up a “data leak site.” That’s the digital equivalent of a ransom note – a place where stolen goodies are put on display to pressure companies into dropping cash.

    And it’s not a solo act. The group supposedly shares territory with The Com, a notorious cyber‑criminal collective known for hacking, extortion, and, occasionally, threats that feel straight out of an old crime thriller.

    What Can You Do?

    Know more than your data’s about to be on a “leak” hotline? Want to check if Google has pinged you? Reach out securely and quietly via the encrypted Signal handle: zackwhittaker.1337 – that’s the best way to lock in a conversation on sensitive stuff without the risk of hacking.

    Remember: the cloud is convenient, but it’s like a guest bedroom – the fewer you let in, the less chance of unwanted guests. Stay cautious, keep your software beefed up, and let’s hope the next story is about a win, not a wipe.

  • Google's Circle to Search can now translate as you scroll

    Google's Circle to Search can now translate as you scroll

    Google is bringing improved translation to Circle to Search, its feature that allows users to quickly search for any information on their screen by using gestures like circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping. The company announced on Thursday that users can now see translations as they scroll.

    “Translation is one of the most-used features in Circle to Search — you can get more context for social posts from creators who speak a different language, or browse menus when you’re booking restaurant reservations while traveling abroad,” Google wrote in the blog post. “But until now, you had to restart the translation process every time you scrolled or the content on the screen changed.”

    Now, users can get continuous translation as they scroll down a page or even switch apps. For example, if you’re scrolling through Instagram and come across a post that includes images featuring text in a different language, you can use the new feature to see continuous translations as you swipe through the photos.Image Credits:Google

    To access the new functionality, users need to long-press the home button or navigation bar to start Circle to Search, tap the “Translate” icon, and press “scroll and translate.” 

    Google says the new update will begin rolling out this week on Android, starting with select Samsung Galaxy devices.

    Since its launch last year, Google has been updating Circle to Search with more functionality.

    At Samsung Unpacked 2025 earlier this year, Google announced that it was updating Circle to Search to make it easier for users to find information and get things done. These changes included expanded AI Overviews for visual searches and one-tap actions for phone numbers, URLs, and email addresses shown on screen.

    A few months ago, the tech giant made it possible to use AI Mode, its feature that lets users dig into complex topics and ask follow-up questions, when starting a search with Circle to Search.

  • iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and everything else announced at Apple's hardware event

    iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and everything else announced at Apple's hardware event

    Apple hosted its new hardware event today, releasing its iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods. For the iPhone 17 models, updates included larger screens and an improved camera system, as well as the introduction of an ultra-thin iPhone Air that replaces the Plus model.

    And the company may be announcing more new hardware soon, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reporting that a new iPad Pro, an updated Vision Pro, updated AirTags, a new Apple TV, a new HomePod mini, and updated MacBooks are coming in either 2025 or the first half of 2026.

    iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max

    Image Credits:Apple

    The iPhone 17 received a makeover to align more closely with the Pro models. It features a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen, which is an increase of 0.2 inches compared to the iPhone 16. It also has a 120 Hz display, a substantial upgrade from the current 60 Hz. The phone also has a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera.

    It comes in new colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage.

    The Pro’s upgrades are mainly on the back of the phone. The three rear cameras are now arranged in a rectangular bar that extends from one edge of the device to the other. The flash, light sensor, and microphone are positioned far to the right side. Where the MagSafe charger is, the Apple logo is centered for aesthetic reasons.

    Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro switched materials, replacing the titanium band around the screen with aluminum.

    The iPhone 17 starts at $799 and has a base storage of 256GB. In contrast, the iPhone 16 started at $699 for 128GB. The Pro model costs $1,099, and the Pro Max is $1,199.

    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
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    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

    While the event’s primary focus was on the iPhones, Apple announced new phone cases as a bonus. Called “TechWoven” cases, these feature a higher quality woven material compared to the discontinued “FineWoven” line of fabric cases Apple released in 2023.

    Missing from the keynote was any mention of an AI-enhanced Siri, which puts Apple way behind Google and its competitors.

    iPhone Air

    Image Credits:Apple

    The biggest announcement at the event was the debut of Apple’s slimmest phone ever, the iPhone Air, which replaces the iPhone Plus. 

    This device has a profile thickness of 5.6 mm, making it about 0.08 inches thinner than current iPhones. It also features a 6.6-inch screen and a 120 Hz ProMotion display. The device is eSIM only, which helps the product maintain its sleek design.

    This move appears to be Apple’s response to the trend of slimmer smartphones, following in the footsteps of other companies like Samsung and Huawei. The iPhone Air could potentially outshine the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which measures 5.8 mm thick. Additionally, it may pave the way for Apple’s long-rumored foldable phone, predicted to launch in September 2026.

    The device is priced at $999 and will be available in black, white, sky blue, and light gold.

    Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

    Image Credits:Apple

    After a two-year wait, Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which includes faster charging speeds, 5G support, and satellite connectivity. The watch also features a larger display.

    However, one of the most exciting upgrades for both the Ultra 3 and Series 11 is the incorporation of blood pressure-monitoring capabilities. This feature notifies users if their blood pressure levels are too high or too low.

    The third-generation Apple Watch SE, meanwhile, didn’t receive major updates, aside from an always-on display, thanks to a faster S10 chip.

    Prices for the watches are $249 for the Apple Watch SE 3, $399 for the Series 11, and $799 for the Ultra 3.

    AirPods Pro 3

    Image Credits:Apple

    After the release of the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, it’s about time for an upgrade. The AirPods Pro 3, priced at $249, features smaller earbuds, improved audio, and a new heart-rate-sensing feature. It also features live translation technology, powered by Apple Intelligence, to help users translate foreign languages in real time.

    This story has been updated.

  • Google revamps Google Finance with AI upgrades and live news feed

    Google Tinks Up Finance with AI

    Just when you thought your stock browsing was boring, Google tossed in a shiny AI update for Google Finance on Friday. Now you can ask anything about money—whether it’s why your bond is so slight or what a bull market really feels like—and get a full rundown, including handy links.

    Ask Anything, Get Everything

    • Drop a question like “Why is BTC trending up?”
    • AI pulls in data, analysis, and even feeds you the right addresses.
    • No more scrolling through endless pages—just one smart answer.

    Charts with a Twist

    Google’s new charting tools let you dig deeper than basic graphs. Think:

    • Visualizing moving averages with envelopes.
    • Switching to cool candlestick views.
    • Exploring technical indicators without juggling tabs.

    All that, plus real‑time updates and breaking news, so you can stay on top of your financial game without a PhD.

    Google Finance Gets a Power‑Ups Upgrade

    Picture this: Google Finance has just dropped a suite of fresh features that could send Yahoo Finance and Seeking Alpha scrambling for a comeback. We’re talking more market data, live news flashes, and a slick AI boost that makes the whole experience feel like a high‑speed money‑watching fiesta.

    What’s New?

    • More Data, More Fun – Not just stocks and bonds any more. Google now brings in commodities and a whole pile of extra cryptocurrency tickers.
    • Real‑Time Headlines – A brand‑new live news feed lets you see headlines snatch‑by‑snatch as they happen. It’s like having a financial news anchor at your fingertips.
    • AI‑Enhanced Graphics – Think charts that actually help you make sense of the market, not just pretty pictures. And smarter answers that try to cut the fluff from your research.

    Why This Matters

    The big idea? Keep users glued to Google’s ecosystem and sidestep the temptation to hop over to ChatGPT for the next big query. By turning Google Finance into a one‑stop shop for data and answers, the tech titan hopes to keep you swiping within the Google universe rather than venturing out to other AI‑heavy platforms.

    Rolling Out Across the U.S.

    Google says the updates will roll out over the coming weeks. And here’s the cool part: you’ll be able to switch between the new and old layouts whenever you feel like it. Whether you’re an old‑school chart nerd or a brave newcomer ready for a fresh look, there’s a version ready to match your vibe.

    In short, Google Finance is getting a hefty revamp that feels less like a corporate update and more like a high‑energy reality check. Time to grab that coffee, launch the app, and see what new bills of numbers, formats, and headlines await.