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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.

    Your Voice Matters

    We’re always tinkering and growing, and your feedback can steer us to better things. Drop us a line via this quick survey and you’ll not only help shape our next move but also snag a chance to win a cool prize—just for saying what you think.

    • Share what you love (or hate) about our TechCrunch content.
    • Suggest new events or topics that should be on the radar.
    • Tell us how we can improve our coverage to keep you hooked.
  • Plex urges users to change passwords after data breach

    Plex urges users to change passwords after data breach

    Streaming giant Plex is urging its customers to change their passwords after it disclosed a data breach of one of its user databases.

    The company said in a post on Monday that it was aware of a security incident involving the theft of Plex customer account information, including user names, email addresses, scrambled passwords, and unspecified authentication data.

    Plex said while the passwords were scrambled in a way that made them unreadable to humans, it’s unclear if the passwords can be deciphered or if the stolen authentication data could be used to gain access to customer accounts.

    The company said customers should change their passwords by visiting Plex’s password reset form. Plex is also asking users to sign out of connected devices. 

    While it is common for organizations who experience data breaches of user information — even if that data is scrambled — to force-reset passwords to prevent malicious access to customer accounts, it’s unclear why Plex chose not to take this approach.

    Plex has said little else about the breach, though it did say that the company “addressed the method that this third party used to gain access to the system.” Plex did not specify more details, or what the risks to its customers may be. 

    When reached by email, Plex spokesperson Jessica Finn did not provide answers to TechCrunch by press time. In a later email, Finn provided a statement that reiterated the company’s post, but would not answer specific questions about the incident.

    Plex also would not say, when asked, what specific hashing algorithm the company uses to scramble customer passwords. Hashing algorithms can vary by strength and efficacy, and some weaker algorithms can be cracked to decipher the scrambled data.

    The company did not say how many customers are affected. Plex has around 25 million users across the world, according to its website. It’s also not known when the breach happened or how long the hackers had access, when Plex discovered the breach, or if the incident is limited to Plex’s own systems. 

    Plex has not yet described the nature of the cyberattack, or if the company has received any communication from the hackers, such as if a ransom demand has been made.

    Updated to note a post-publication response from Plex.

    Do you know more about the Plex data breach? Were you notified about the breach? Securely contact this reporter via encrypted message at zackwhittaker.1337 on Signal.

  • Microsoft Launches OpenAI\’s Tiny Model for Windows Users

    Microsoft Unleashes OpenAI’s New GPT‑OSS‑20B on Windows 11

    In a move that feels like a friendly hand‑shake between Microsoft and OpenAI, the tech titan has just made GPT‑OSS‑20B—OpenAI’s latest free and open‑source language model—available to Windows 11 users. It’s all happening through Windows AI Foundry, Microsoft’s playground that lets folks jack into AI features, APIs, and popular open‑source models straight from their desks.

    Why the Buzz?

    • Tool‑savvy and lightweight, the model is primed for “agentic tasks” (you know, stuff like running code, calling tools, or orchestrating bots).
    • It runs smoothly on a range of Windows hardware—no need to up your PC to a super‑power. Just make sure you’ve got at least 16 GB of VRAM.
    • You can embed it into real‑world workflows even in bandwidth‑constrained environments—perfect for folks who want AI help without the luxury of a fiber connection.
    • Microsoft promises more devices coming soon, so your Mac or other tech is on the horizon.

    What’s Inside the Model?

    The 20‑billion‑parameter monster was born from a high‑compute reinforcement learning training regime. That means it’s great at powering AI agents that actually walk the chain of thought—think web searches, Python code execution, you name it.

    The good news? It’s text‑only, so you won’t get any blurry selfies or audio hallucinations from it. You’ll get sharp, word‑based magic.

    Not All Sunshine and Rainbows

    However, like any good AI, GPT‑OSS‑20B has a tendency to hallucinate. In a benchmark called PersonQA—used to test what a model knows about people—it turned up bizarre answers to 53% of the questions. So keep an eye out and cross‑check those facts.

    Where Will It Be?

    • Already live on Windows 11 via Windows AI Foundry.
    • Coming soon to macOS and probably other devices.
    • Microsoft is also hosting both the 20B and the older GPT‑OSS‑120B on its Azure AI Foundry.
    • Amazon’s AWS has both models available, just in case you’re snowing to the clouds.

    Bottom Line

    Microsoft’s push essentially turns your everyday laptop into a potent AI lab, with the new GPT‑OSS‑20B ready to help you automate tasks, build bots, and drive real‑world workflows—all while staying light enough to fit in your pocket computer. Just remember—when the model starts writing you an ancient myth about a medieval wizard, treat it with caution. Happy AI‑slinging!

    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

    Hey, adventure seekers! The Bay Area is ready to roll out the red carpet for a weekend you won’t forget. From the iconic Golden Gate to the buzzing tech corridors, we’ve lined up a jam-packed schedule that’s all about learning, networking, and a sprinkle of fun.

    • Keynotes from industry trailblazers
    • Hands‑on workshops that keep the energy high
    • Live‑streamed tours of the city’s hidden gems

    All this—and a whole lot more—awaits you. Don’t let your seat slip away; it’s not just a spot, it’s a front‑row pass to the next big thing.

    REGISTER NOW

  • Explore Instagram Maps Wisely: Stay Private While Navigating Social Trends

    Following Wednesday’s launch of Instagram’s new Snap Map-like opt-in “Instagram Map” feature — which lets U.S. users share their most recent active location with others and discover location-based content — Instagram head Adam Mosseri is having to reassure people that their location is only visible to others if they decide to share it. Although Meta has made it clear that location sharing is off by default, there have been numerous posts on social media urging users to turn off location sharing, incorrectly claiming that it’s automatically turned on.

    “We’re double checking everything, but so far it looks mostly like people are confused and assume that, because they can see themselves on the map when they open, other people can see them too,” Mosseri said in a Threads post. “We’re still checking everything though to make sure nobody shares location without explicitly deciding to do so, which, by the way, requires a double consent by design (we ask you to confirm after you say you want to share).”

    Mosseri also said that some people are “confused” about how the feature works. For instance, people are accessing the feature and then seeing the map populated with the location information of some users. This is because the feature automatically pulls in location tags from recently posted Stories or Reels that include a tagged location. 

    It’s worth noting that this isn’t new, as Instagram already had location tags visible to users in its map view. However, the new Instagram Map feature makes this information a lot easier to access. The new feature might make you rethink whether you want to post your Stories and Reels with location tags (especially if you’re still at the location).

    If you turn on your location on Instagram Map, your location only updates when you open the app or have it running in the background, meaning it doesn’t provide continuous, real-time location updates. This is different from Snap Map, which lets users choose whether their location is updated only when they open the app or in real time. 

    For those who want to ensure their location is turned off on Instagram Map, we’ll walk you through the steps below. 

    How to access Instagram Map

    The Instagram mapImage Credits:Instagram

    To access the new feature, you need to navigate to your DMs page (direct messages) and tap the new “Map” option at the top. If it’s your first time accessing the feature, you’ll likely see a pop-up message notifying you about the new Map.

    The pop-up will tell you that no one can see your location until you share it with them, and that you can change your settings at any time. 

    How to set your location-sharing preferences

    Image Credits:Instagram

    The first time you open Map, you will see a page that reads “Who can see your location.” From there, you can choose to share it with your Friends (followers you follow back), your Close Friends list, select users, or no one. 

    To change your preferences, you need to click on your profile, tap the settings option in the top-right corner, select the “Story, live and location” option, and then tap the “Location sharing” button. Here, you will be able to change your settings. 

    Note that if you have location sharing turned off, others can still share their location with you, which means you’ll be able to see them on the Map. 

    How to use Instagram Map

    When you open the app, you will see the locations of friends who have shared their location with you. You will also see location-based Stories and Reels from people you follow. 

    For example, if your friend attended a nearby music festival and posted a story while there, it will appear on the map. Similarly, if a creator you follow posts a reel about a new restaurant in your city, you’ll be able to discover it on Instagram Map. 

    You will still see location-based content on the Map even if you have your location turned off. 

    You also can leave short, ephemeral messages, or “Notes,” on the map for others to see. Instagram Notes are the short messages that currently appear at the top of your direct messaging feed, but with the launch of Instagram Map, you will now see these posts on the map if they’re shared with a location.

    This story was updated with new information.

  • 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.