Microsoft said it’s making these changes due to the increased cost of cloud gaming. “Moving to monthly limits allows us to keep offering the service while continuing to invest in its reliability and performance,” the company said in the post. “We understand that for some players the practical result is a higher cost.”
The limited hours will impact 4% of Xbox Game Pass subscribers, Microsoft said. If you fall into that group, you’ll have the option to purchase more cloud gaming time, and it will also be available to gamers without an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Details about how much additional playtime will cost will be revealed in November, but Microsoft did say cloud gaming features will vary by market. However, it’s unclear whether that means it will be priced differently in certain cities or whether there will be throttling to reduce stream quality.
Microsoft also noted that the service change gives Xbox One owners an opportunity to play Xbox Series X and S games without buying a new console, which has gone up in price due to the sharp rise in hardware costs driven by ongoing component shortages. The Xbox division has been hit with setback after setback, starting in May 2025 with the first price hike for the Xbox Series X and S consoles.
Xbox Cloud Gaming was a central part of Microsoft’s This is an Xbox campaign in late 2024 that pushed the idea of gamers using their phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs as their Xbox through the Xbox app and cloud gaming. The marketing move was to drive more people to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass while also masking disappointing hardware sales for the Xbox Series consoles.
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Carjacking in Grand Theft Auto games has been, as the title denotes, a staple of the series. Up until now, it’s largely been the same. While there have been more details and animations added over the years, the premise has remained that you’ll walk up to a car, press Y or Triangle, throw the driver out, get in and drive away. If the car was parked, you’d execute the same button press to smash the window and steal it. With GTA 6, carjacking is getting a complete overhaul. Here, we’ve got all of the information we know so far on how to steal cars in GTA 6.
There are two ways to steal a car: taking one that’s stationary, or taking one that someone’s driving around in. However, there are more details that make GTA 6 feel more like true simulation gameplay now.
How to steal a parked car
As we saw in the GTA 6 extended look gameplay, when Jason approached a car, he had multiple options to choose from. The first option is a slim jim–a classic tool used to break into older vehicles. It slides down the window frame to adjust the lock, and in GTA 6, it seems like this is done via a lockpicking minigame. However, based on what we’ve heard so far, that won’t work for every car. Depending on the year and model of the vehicle, you might not be able to use a slim jim.
However, newer and more expensive cars might not work with this method. On top of that, there are trackers, meaning that the police can track your location when you steal a car. This changes the whole carjacking aspect of Grand Theft Auto. Normally, if you’d steal a car, you might catch some heat; maybe a nearby police officer sees you and follows you, but it’s pretty easy to get away cleanly. This time, that isn’t the case.
If you do want to get away cleanly, you need an item to disable the tracking device. It seems like that item, along with the slim jim, is not something you start out with, meaning you’ll need to progress through the story or complete side objectives to obtain them.
Another interesting thing about the tracker is that apparently if you drive fast enough, the cops won’t be able to track you. That adds an extra element of tension, because if you slow down and try to play it safe, they’ll know exactly where you are and you’ll need to get moving right away.
Stealing cars isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.
How to steal occupied vehicles
In some cases, driven vehicles aren’t locked, so you’ll be able to just walk up and open the door. It seems like there’s a quick time minigame to complete, which will wrestle the driver out of the car, and then you can drive away. If there is a passenger, they will also try to prevent you from stealing the car. However, just because you steal a car doesn’t mean the cops can’t track you–the tracker is still there and you will need to find a way to disable it.
Vehicle security and impound lots
How do you know what kind of security a given car on the street has? The app Waink allows you to scan vehicles, and it’ll tell you the security systems on board as well as how much it’ll cost to register it as your own vehicle.
One other interesting detail about registered vehicles that was in one of TGG’s videos is that if you ditch one of your own cars while you are wanted, the police will set up a perimeter around your car so that if you return to it, in theory, they will be waiting for you. If you wait too long, they will impound it. This leads to some interesting gameplay implications. Perhaps you’ll have to sneak into the impound lot to retrieve it, or if you have the money, you could show up and pay the fee before driving off.
There’s certainly something deeper going on with the Grand Theft Auto mechanics we’ve known for years. Supposedly, when you start the game you won’t have access to a lot of these tools. You won’t be able to instantly steal cars; you’ll have to progress to that point. It seems like better vehicles will slowly be introduced throughout the game.
You’ll have to pre-plan your robberies a little more.
If you want better vehicles, you’ll have to work for them, whether that’s through stealing or more legitimate means. This also leads to interesting repercussions when it comes to robberies and other activities. You’ll want a fast getaway car–previously, you could just acquire the nearest suitable one, but in GTA 6 you’ll have to plan ahead. If a nearby car is parked, you might not have the equipment to stealthily steal it. Even if you do, maybe you don’t have the gear to remove the tracker, which will bring more heat on you.
This means that robberies need to be pre-planned. Perhaps Jason or Lucia will be on watch with a vehicle, so the other character can run out, hop in, and drive away. Maybe you’ll choose a vehicle as your getaway car early on, steal it, park it nearby, and then complete the robbery knowing you have a method of escape.
GTA 6 is bringing about many more changes for the series. While many thought Jason and Lucia would be in a romantic relationship, it turns out that’s not actually necessary. The game has also removed the need to button mash to sprint–something I’ve been desperate for.
WeatherNext 3 is also supposed to be much better at predicting precipitation.
Google
Google DeepMind has released the WeatherNext 3, an updated version of its last AI-powered weather model that it claims offers even more detailed forecasts across key variables like temperature, moisture and wind speed. DeepMind notes the new model should be particularly useful to companies working in renewable energy production, because of its ability to forecast “100-meter wind speeds (roughly at turbine-height) for precise wind-energy output, alongside high-resolution cloud cover and sun radiation levels to help solar farms.”
WeatherNext 3’s ability to offer hourly and higher-resolution forecasts (in a 5-kilometer square grid rather than the 25-kilometer square grid of WeatherNext 2) is all due to the new data it’s trained on, DeepMind says. Rather than primarily relying on data from numerical weather prediction models, which include a six-hour lag, WeatherNext 3 incorporates live satellite data, which gives the model “a rich, continuously updating view of the atmosphere.” The model’s ingestion of sparse weather station data means it can also offer more detailed forecasts of variables like humidity, which can usually change dramatically from one kilometer to the next.
Combining precipitation data from NASA and Google’s own satellite analysis also means WeatherNext 3 is better at predicting things like rain and snow. DeepMind says the model produces “up to 50 percent more accurate precipitation forecasts — with the greatest improvements in regions where forecasts have historically been less reliable.”
WeatherNext 3 will power weather experiences in Google Search, the Gemini app and Google Maps, along with the Google Maps Weather API and the Google Earth Engine. If you’re curious about experimenting with the model yourself, you can give it a spin right now in the Google Weather Lab. If you want to take the next step and build something with Google’s model, the original WeatherNext model is also open-source as of August 2026.
Good product design is critical for any business or brand to succeed. The design must fulfill the needs and wants of the end user. Designing and developing a new product is very challenging and requires research and expertise in order to transform the product concept into a working prototype and finally, create a final product that is ready to launch to the market. Cad Crowd helps brands bring their product to life by connecting them with a worldwide network of design professionals who can assist companies from conception to completion. You can easily choose a freelance designer who is customized to meet your product’s particular requirements and features.
There are many benefits to outsourcing product design. First is cost savings. Hiring an in-house designer means the company needs to pay salaries, allocate office space, and provide necessary equipment and resources, which all contribute to increased overhead costs. Outsourcing the product design process allows the team to save on all these extra expenses when hiring a freelance supplier who will provide the necessary specialized service. Another benefit would be a shorter timeline and a simplified process. The current company’s team can work in parallel and focus on operations while the outsourced designer handles the entire product design and development process.
While outsourcing the design of physical products and goods is quite common, many companies are still apprehensive about working with outside service providers. The reason why many brands and businesses are still hesitant to outsource specific processes and projects is because of many myths that have become widespread in the industry. Here are some of the top misconceptions among most companies about outsourcing the design of new products development:
1. Businesses and companies do not have full control over the product design process.
False. Most brands believe that outsourcing the design of their physical products firm and goods to external suppliers will result in losing total control of the final output. This is a myth because actually, it’s the company itself that dictates every step of the project and process, provides detailed instructions, requirements, and specifications, and ultimately approves every design decision, no matter how small.
Most, if not all, design projects that are outsourced always go through regular reviews. Designers are required to check in through every major step of the design process for approval or revision. In reality, it’s the company that makes the final decision, keeping full control of the entire process. The outsourced designers serve as an extended arm of the team only for the duration of the project.
You don’t have to worry about your outsourced team taking over the project. They defer to the company and will work collaboratively at all times.
2. Outsourcing product design will result in poor-quality outcomes.
There is a mistaken belief among companies that having design work outsourced will mean that the end product will be low quality because in-house design is better and superior. This assumption is completely wrong because outsourcing actually gives companies access to designers with specialized expertise and skill, and years of knowledge and experience to back it up.
Outsourced designers from other countries may be even better candidates than existing in-house applicants. Many outsourced designers have had working experience in different industries consultation and businesses and can probably bring tons of insights and best practices from previous projects. Sometimes, the quality of work depends on the person you hire, regardless of where they are located.
3. Only large companies can benefit from outsourcing product design.
Outsourcing is not just limited to big companies. In fact, it can be very helpful and beneficial for small startup companies and businesses. Most of the time, smaller organizations do not really have enough resources to hire an in-house team of designers who can work full time, so outsourcing is the more reasonable and affordable option.
Hiring a full-time team can mean a lot of additional overhead costs that need to be allocated for salary, employee benefits, equipment, office space, etc. If a product needs to scale up, more people need to be hired, which means a lot more in-house employees. With outsourcing, companies can hire only what they need. This model allows smaller businesses to create physical products and goods and compete with bigger, well-known brands without incurring unnecessary expenses.
Plus, outsourced designers are very experienced professionals with specialized skills and expertise to complete the project within a timeline or schedule.
4. Communication and collaboration become difficult when outsourcing.
This is definitely a myth because modern technology has made it easier and simpler to communicate and collaborate with designers remotely, even if they are located in other cities or countries. Distance and time zone differences are no longer an issue because you can reach external team members all over the world with a variety of digital software design.
Companies and their outsourced design teams now have access to a range of instant messaging, video calling, project management, and even shared drives where everyone can easily access files like sketches, models, or prototypes.
In this day and age, it is very much possible to work with transparency, have clear documentation, and organized workflows thanks to various tools. Companies can review designs, make immediate decisions, and give feedback in real time. Plus, outsourced designers are used to scheduled meetings, time-based deliverables, and milestone reporting. A structured workflow makes it easier to track and document each phase of the design process so that everyone is aligned with the current status and the necessary steps that need to be done next. Basically, thanks to modern tools and software, collaboration and communication are now possible and very doable despite any distance.
5. Outsourcing product design is risky and unsafe for a company’s intellectual property.
Concerns about intellectual property are valid. For startup companies and small businesses, protecting original ideas and design concepts agency is a major issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You have every right to be worried and hesitant about handing over proprietary designs to outsiders.
However, these fears are misplaced because professional outsourced designers with credible reputations regularly deal with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and contracts in their day-to-day dealings with projects that are sensitive in nature. These legal documents are in place to protect confidential information and safeguard the client’s ownership and usage rights of their designs. Also, clients can utilize secure file-sharing platforms to ensure that their intellectual property is safe and protected.
6. The only benefit of outsourcing is that it’s cost-saving
Yes, it is true that outsourcing is cheaper for businesses in the long run. Many companies use it as a strategy to really cut down on costs. While outsourcing’s main advantage is reducing overhead costs that come with hiring a full in-house team, the bigger benefit is actually the opportunity to work with specialized experts and experienced design professionals.
Building an entire design team takes up a lot of resources, and sometimes the people that a start-up company needs to create a product may not be available in their location, or may be too expensive to hire full-time. Not only does outsourcing avoid incurring expenses from retaining employees, but you also get access to experienced designers who have already worked on previous projects involving the design of physical products. This helps businesses avoid starting completely from scratch and going through trial and error.
As a result, the design and development timeline becomes shorter and more efficient. Instead of wasting time and resources on research and experimentation process, outsourced designers bring with them technical know-how and even proven best practices from past projects that can guide the entire team, both the company and the outsourced team. The outsourced team can also finish the project in less time because they are dedicated solely to the design task.
Plus, with the design work outsourced, managers can focus time and money, and even other staff, on core operations of the company like marketing and building relationships with partners and customers. In the end, it’s not just about lower costs but more innovative design, better work results, and improved efficiency in terms of schedule and timeline.
7. Outsourced designers will probably not understand the product’s brand.
This is completely untrue. Many companies believe that external designers will not be able to understand the brand, its philosophy, target market, or end users’ positioning. While this is valid because, after all, the brand is essential in order to capture the market’s attention, influence perception, and build the reputation, professional designers already know about all of this.
Before starting any project, any professional designer will address this by researching the brand ahead of time and learning about it. The research involves checking the brand book or guidelines, asking about the target audience, finding out the positioning of the product and its competitors in the market.
Once the designer understands the brand and learns how the physical product answers the company’s strategic goal, they can easily develop tons of product ideas consultancy that fit the brand’s identity. Creating mood boards, sketch studies, and design concepts is one way that companies can see if it fits their brand and also make any revisions for elements that don’t reflect the company. This will not be successful without regular feedback. The company also needs to check for consistency and be partly accountable for any or all decisions when it comes to the design of the product.
8. Outsourcing is limited only to simple designs for physical products and goods.
Outsourcing is not just for simple projects that can be done through sketching or modeling in CAD. What happens in real life is that companies hire outsourced external designers who are experienced in handling all stages of the entire product development life cycle. These professionals already know how to design and develop a product from the concept sketch to the preparation of the final files that are ready for manufacturing.
This kind of reliable support gives clients the ability to move through the entire project or process without having to hire many different kinds of people. Companies can be assured of seamless continuity and fewer coordination problems because the same team understands and is working on the project from the beginning all the way to the end, where the final product is packaged and ready for shipment.
9. The outsourced designers do not care about the success of the product.
Completely False. The success of an outsourced design professional is the overall satisfaction of the client because they rely on positive referrals and feedback from companies and businesses. So, outsourced designers feel very strongly about maintaining relationships with their clients by delivering very good products. In reality, they probably are more committed to the project compared to some in-house employees who think that a design project is just another routine task.
Any design work is important to an outsourced designer because successful projects immediately become part of the portfolio. The stronger the portfolio, the more chances for other companies to hire them for repeat projects or even long-term, sustainable collaborations in the future. Any successful project becomes a valuable addition to their capabilities, expertise, and experience. That’s why they will make sure to provide great work that ensures the client is always satisfied.
Another thing is that most outsourced designers see new design projects as a challenge and an opportunity to expand their knowledge. By working on a wide range of products from different opportunities, they get to develop innovative and unique design solutions.
10. Outsourcing product design takes much longer to finish than in-house design work.
Not True. Some companies probably think that working with outsourced designers is difficult to manage and that they will be a factor in slowing down the timeline of the project. It is the exact opposite. More often than not, outsourcing can shorten the design and development process and make things go faster in the timeline.
Why? Outsourced designers have specialized expertise. They have spent their entire design career focusing totally on developing new products. They already know how to work efficiently and fix common design mistakes in order to present sound product options, pinpoint any potential errors, and troubleshoot any issues and problems early on.
Also, outsourced designers are dedicated to working on a specific project during the duration of the contract. They are laser-focused on working with one designer during a time period. This is better than in-house teams, which are usually doing multiple tasks and jobs. Outsourcing can definitely be faster and have shorter timelines as long as they are managed properly.
11. Outsourcing product design can result in companies not learning anything.
This is also completely false. Businesses are worried that by outsourcing design work, the internal team will not learn anything. In reality, companies learn a lot when they work with outsourced designers. These experienced professionals are able to share knowledge about working with different products and companies from different industries.
Companies get to learn new insights and methods about the process, about the materials, and even about manufacturing the product. By sharing their expertise with the company’s representatives, there is a huge potential for improving the development of new and better product ideas in the future. The outsourced design can also prompt the company to discuss more about different kinds of materials, techniques for production, and even tips on better and innovative design.
Plus, companies also have access to all the documents, processes, design studies, and even technical information process of the entire project. In the end, partnering with outsourced freelance designers can be a great source of mentorship and a way to strengthen internal knowledge and design capabilities among companies.
12. Outsourced designers cannot coordinate with manufacturers.
It’s very common for companies to think that external designers do not know much about manufacturing or designing a product that is ready for mass production. In truth, product designers actually have a strong relationship and solid experience working with manufacturers. These outsourced people already understand how to create a production-ready design.
From the start of the conceptualization stage, professional designers already know how to develop and implement specific features into the product that can match the requirements of manufacturing. Their previous experience allows them to understand how materials should be utilized, how parts need to be assembled, and even how to suggest alternatives that can control rising production costs.
Outsourced designers already have experience with the development of the prototype, communicating and negotiating with suppliers while providing complete documentation for every step of the project. It’s this valuable experience of working with many manufacturers that results in outsourced designers being able to prepare for potential challenges and bring physical products and goods to life.
13. Outsourcing product design tasks is very limited.
Definitely a myth. There are many product design and development services that can be outsourced, from the product design concept to the prototype and features, to the packaging and label design, video presentations, marketing collateral, 3D animation services, and even other communication and visualization materials. All aspects of the design and development process for physical products and goods can be successfully outsourced to ensure that these are not just attractive and appealing but functional and can solve user problems as well.
Outsourcing these services saves you money on hiring multiple in-house designers to the team with varying skills and backgrounds. Thus, you don’t have to exhaust resources in maintaining and managing a large group of internal employees. Instead, you can choose different specialized designers with different skills and expertise and assemble these outsourced professionals together to form a multi-disciplinary team.
14. Making revisions is difficult when working with an outsourced designer.
False. Revisions are a necessary part of the design process. There will always be instances of multiple feedback, and these clients will always request changes. Just because you are working with an outsourced design team doesn’t mean it is easier or more complicated. What’s important is that the designer is experienced enough to work with multiple revisions, changes, and iterations.
Outsourced designers are already aware of this workflow. They manage the inevitable revisions by already presenting multiple design studies and variations in the concept stage alone. This way, clients can explore different ideas before picking the final concept. Also, with the help of digital design tools expert, designs can be revised and adjusted quickly and with just a few mouse clicks. Afterward, the new and updated versions can automatically be presented to the client for approval through shared drives and messaging platforms. Once approved, everyone moves on to the next phase of the project easily.
15. Outsourcing negatively affects innovation in the long run.
One last misconception is that companies are afraid of outsourcing because their capability to innovate as a small start-up business will be weakened and limited. To be clear, outsourcing does not replace innovation or design thinking. Outsourcing complements the internal company’s vision by adding outside expertise.
Outsourced designers provide specialized knowledge, new insights, different perspectives, and best practices from different industries and technologies. These new ideas and new learning can inspire the company to come up with more creative solutions. Outsourced technical skills are a valuable source of knowledge and internal improvement, and as a result, push for better products on the market.
The bottom line is that outsourcing product design for physical products and goods makes it easier and more affordable for companies that are in the product development stage. Instead of worrying about an in-house team of employees, you can choose from Cad Crowd’s wide pool of professionals. All you have to do is describe the project, the duration, the timeline, and any software requirements. Afterward, Cad Crowd will connect companies with a pre-qualified expert who not only fulfills your product requirements but also brings with them a lifetime of experience and expertise.
Whether you need a product for corporate or individual end users, Cad Crowd offers a wide variety of services that can be fulfilled by world-class designers who will ensure that your product is functional, attractive, and ready to be launched into the market. Cad Crowd will transform your vision into reality, your sketch into production-ready projects. Our roster of skilled designers has the right experience you need to help you with every stage of the design process. Hire a highly specialized product designer from Cad Crowd today and get the service you need. Contact Cad Crowd today for a free quote!
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
Square Enix has finally announced a release date for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. The finale to the remake trilogy based on the original 1997 RPG will be released on April 8, 2027. But that’s not all that Square Enix had to reveal about the final chapter in the Final Fantasy 7 remake project.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi appeared during today’s State of Play to announce the release date with a new trailer. Square Enix also shared over ten minutes of gameplay. Combat received significant, showing off the new FITS system that allows characters to use abilities tied to outfits. It is sort of like how Final Fantasy X-2 and Lightning Returns tie traditional jobs to different outfits. The Highwind airship will be the gang’s base of operations and can be customized throughout the game. A silly addition to Revelation is the ability to fast-forward through cutscenes. It is meant to let players enjoy the game at their own pace, but watching a cutscene at 2x speed was almost incomprehensible.
You’ll also be able to switch between party members at will in the open world. That will have an impact on how you approach quests. Small story beats and interactions with characters in the world will change depending on which party member you put in the lead. Some characters will have their own special quest lines as well. Fans of the card game Queen’s Blood will want to pursue the new saga starring Red XIII.
What we know about Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Square Enix revealed the finale to the remake trilogy during Summer Game Fest earlier this year, announcing it would be titled Revelation. The reveal trailer offered a brief look at the game’s new systems and characters. Revelation will introduce the complete party, including Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind. Players will also pilot the Highwind airship around Revelation‘s open world. While the finale will introduce new locations on top of returning areas from Remake and Rebirth, Hamaguchi has assured fans that it won’t have the same level of content bloat as the second game in the trilogy. A trailer shown during Gamescom Opening Night Live gave a look at the Weapons, superbosses that will offer some of the most challenging fights in the game.
As for how Revelation will handle the trilogy’s conclusion, Hamaguchi has said the development team isn’t changing their plans based on player feedback. The director has said the team has had a clear vision for the series since the beginning, and that hasn’t changed. But exactly what that plan is remains unclear. The remake trilogy’s first two entries have played around with events from the original game, so players are still unsure if Cloud and the rest of the party will be able to change their fates.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will be released on April 8, 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
The Builders Stage is returning to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, bringing together founders, startup operators, and investors for practical conversations on what it takes to build and scale successful companies.
Hear from startup and venture leaders shaping the tech ecosystem, including Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma; Leah Solivan, founder and general partner at Precedent.vc; Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google; and more. Through candid conversations and real-world case studies, speakers will share actionable insights on fundraising, hiring, go-to-market strategy, AI, and the operational decisions that fuel startup growth.
Join more than 10,000 founders, investors, startup operators, and technology leaders at Moscone Center in San Francisco on October 13-15. Register today and save before our next ticket price increase.
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Built for founders who are ready to scale
Building a startup is one thing. Building a company that can scale is another challenge entirely. The Builders Stage is one of six industry-focused stages at Disrupt 2026, dedicated to helping founders navigate the challenges of growth, from raising capital and hiring top talent to building go-to-market engines and preparing for the jump from seed to Series A.
Every session delivers practical strategies you can put to work immediately, plus opportunities to engage directly with speakers during live Q&A. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2026 today and save up to $330 before rates increase.
Without further ado, here’s your first look at the Builders Stage agenda, with more speakers and sessions to be announced as we get closer to the event.
Builders Stage agenda
How to Win When You’re Not Building AI
With Shan Shan, Investment Manager, Baillie Gifford; and Yuri Sagalov, Managing Director at General Catalyst
AI may dominate the world of venture, but many enduring companies won’t be those that sell AI models or agents. This session is for founders competing for attention in an AI-obsessed market. Panelists break down what actually matters now: efficient growth, retention, revenue quality, and disciplined execution, and why fundamentals, not hype, still build breakout businesses.
Nearly all AI founders have the same worry these days: What if OpenAI or Anthropic launches a product that competes with mine? Even strong products are at risk of becoming features of the larger players. This session explores where defensibility exists and what founders can do if they do face competition from rapidly evolving AI giants.
AI startups are scaling faster, and demanding more capital, than any generation before them. Jas Khaira, Global Head of Blackstone N1, shares what separates enduring companies from early momentum, how founders should think about capital as they scale, and what Blackstone looks for when backing the next generation of category-defining businesses.
Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention
The growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention more difficult for every tech company. From competing for AI talent to navigating secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human infrastructure of their startups. As incentives and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed market.
Founders are increasingly expected to compete for capital before they even have a product. At the pre-seed stage, investors are betting on story, conviction, and founder-market fit. This session breaks down how to build credibility before revenue exists so investors will cut that first check.
From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale
The instincts that win when building your first minimum viable product can break you at a billion-user scale. In this fireside, Robby Stein shares how product decision-making changes when every update impacts billions of users. Hear how teams balance speed with trust and innovation with reliability at one of the world’s largest product organizations.
Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder
With Josh Reeves, CEO and Co-founder, Gusto; more speakers to be announced
Early-stage companies are no longer just building with AI; they’re hiring it. As AI agents take on engineering, support, and operations, the definition of an early team is being rewritten. This session explores how founders decide what humans should own versus what gets delegated to AI, and how high-growth startups are building hybrid teams without losing speed, accountability, or culture.
AI isn’t just adding features, it’s forcing product teams to rethink how people search, discover, communicate, travel, and make decisions. Leaders from Reddit, Square and Uber discuss how they’re redesigning products used by millions, what users actually want from AI, and where product leaders should resist the temptation to automate everything.
The smartest founders today aren’t just building for IPOs; they’re also building with possible acquisitions in mind from day one. As exits shift and capital tightens, understanding M&A early has become a competitive advantage. This session breaks down how founders can create the possibility of such an option through product strategy and partnerships. It delves into how big-dollar startup outcomes actually happen, even for small companies.
Series A is getting harder, with VCs growing more demanding. For founders planning to raise in the next one to two years, this session breaks down what “fundable” will actually mean in 2027. Hear how top investors are redefining the metrics, teams, and traction that matter now, what outdated fundraising playbooks no longer work, and how companies can separate from the pack in the next funding cycle.
The 90-Day GTM: Why $0–$10M ARR Is the New Baseline (and How to Actually Get There)
With Ryan Meadows, Chief Revenue Officer, Lovable; and Tomasz Tunguz, General Partner and Founder, Theory Ventures; Ben Broca, Founder, Polsia
The definition of traction has changed. What once took years is now expected in months, and $0 to $10 million ARR is increasingly becoming the new early-stage baseline. This session breaks down how AI-enabled execution, faster distribution, and shifting investor expectations are compressing GTM timelines, and the tactical levers founders need in the first 90 days to accelerate revenue and stand out fast.
The Real Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World
With Mo Jomaa, Partner, Capital G; and Zuzanna Stamirowska, CEO and Co-founder, Pathway; more speakers to be announced
The frontier is moving faster than any single model can keep up with, and the teams building the most successful AI products are increasingly orchestrating across many models rather than betting on just one. This panel brings together founders and operators at the center of that shift to discuss how they evaluate new models, manage cost and reliability at scale, and architect products that can evolve as quickly as the underlying technology.
The AI conversation is shifting from what models can say to what they can actually do. Agents are navigating the open web and completing work, AI systems are taking on increasingly ambitious research, intelligent machines are beginning to operate beyond the screen, and a new infrastructure layer is emerging to make all of this possible at scale.
Greenfield Partners’ Shay Grinfeld sits down with founders building across these emerging areas to separate what’s real today from what’s coming next, and explore where the biggest new opportunities are taking shape. The conversation will culminate in the reveal of Greenfield Partners’ 2026 AI Disruptors 60, spotlighting the companies Greenfield and TechCrunch believe are pushing AI into new territory.
PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It
With Rajeev Dham, Managing Director, Sapphire Ventures; and Rahul Vohra, Founder and Head of Superhuman Mail; more speakers to be announced
In an AI hype cycle, product-market fit signals are easier to fake and harder to trust. Founders are mistaking early excitement, usage spikes, and pilot wins for durable traction. This session breaks down what false PMF actually looks like, how investors and operators separate real retention from hype-driven adoption, and the signals that indicate whether a company has true pull or just temporary momentum.
The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget
With Grant Lee, CEO and Co-founder, Gamma; Leah Solivan, Founder and General Partner, Precedent.vc; andElia Wallen, Founder and CEO, Engine
Early customer acquisition is not about marketing spend; it’s about founder-led distribution and relentless execution. Most startups at zero to one do not have budget, brand, or scale, only urgency and creativity. This session breaks down how founders are landing their first customers through community building, product-led growth, founder-led sales, strategic outbound, and word-of-mouth momentum.
Yes, It’s Hard to Be a Founder: An Honest Conversation
With Nell Daly, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Revenge Capital; David H. Rosmarin, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School; and Jack Withinshaw, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Airspeeder
Company building is as psychologically demanding as it is strategic, and most founder narratives understate that reality. In this candid conversation, founders and mental performance experts unpack the hidden costs of high-growth environments, from burnout and decision fatigue to the identity strain of sustained pressure, and share the systems, habits, and mental frameworks that help leaders endure and perform at a high level.
So You’ve Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?
Most startups stall out because they build a single great product instead of a repeatable multi-product engine. Join a venture capitalist and two founders as they reveal the precise operational playbook for capital allocation, systemizing internal innovation, and engineering a compounding “Second Act” before the core product’s growth curve flattens.
Hiring, Compensation and Culture in the Most Competitive Market Ever
With Matt Birnbaum, Founder, Wylder.co; and Atli Thorkelsson, VP, Talent Network, Redpoint Ventures; more speakers to be announced
No question about it, the growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention for all tech companies more difficult. From competing for AI talent to secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human infrastructure of their startups. As hiring, incentives, and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed startup environment.
Startups can go from zero to viral overnight, but sustaining that momentum is a completely different challenge. In this fireside, Zach Yadegari shares how Cal AI navigated rapid growth, product pressure, and the realities of building in a distribution-driven market. Hear the lessons behind turning breakout attention into durable retention and long-term company building.
The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned From the Battlefield
With Alexa von Tobel, Inspired Capital; and Chi-Hua Chien, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Goodwater Capital; more speakers to be announced
What separates the breakout companies from the rest at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026? In this candid debrief, Startup Battlefield judges unpack the trends and founder qualities that stood out in real time, from shifting investor expectations to the narratives that resonated most this year. The conversation will also explore how startup storytelling is evolving and what happens after the spotlight, including the realities of maintaining momentum and surviving the critical 12 months after a major launch, funding round, or Startup Battlefield appearance.
What makes an investor say yes? In this audience-led Q&A, the Startup Battlefield finals judges take your toughest questions on what separates a fundable startup from the rest: team, traction, market opportunity, pitch delivery, red flags, and more. Come ready to ask and get candid answers straight from the investors making the decisions.
Join the conversations and make the connections at Disrupt
Kitchen appliance sales can get silly fast. Half the time, you’re looking at a supposedly huge discount on something that seems to be permanently on sale anyway. I went through Amazon and Best Buy’s Labor Day deals and pulled out six that actually caught my attention, from cheap coffee gear to a full-size air fryer oven.
Ninja Prestige Smart XL Air Fryer & Countertop Oven
Digital Trends
The Ninja Prestige Smart XL is the big-ticket pick here, but Best Buy is making the price much easier to swallow. It’s $249.99, down from a comparison value of $429.99, and it’s explicitly labeled a Labor Day Deal. We’ve previously highlighted its roomy two-rack design and versatility, and I’d look at this one if you want something capable of replacing several smaller countertop appliances.
bella PRO 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Digital Trends
This is the kind of deal I like because there’s very little to overthink. Best Buy has the bella PRO for $29.99 instead of $59.99, and it’s marked as a Labor Day Deal. It’s a straightforward 12-cup programmable coffee maker, so if your morning routine doesn’t need an app, a touchscreen, or a minor engineering degree, this does the job.
Outin Nano Portable Electric Espresso Machine
Digital Trends
The Outin Nano is easily the strangest pick here, but that’s also why I like it. Best Buy has the Space Gray model for $109.99, down from $149.99, with a Labor Day Deal badge. It’s battery-powered and portable, so this makes a lot more sense for travel, camping, or the office than for someone building a serious home espresso setup.
Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-Quart
Digital Trends
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is still one of those appliances that can justify taking up permanent counter space. Amazon has it for $169.95 instead of $229.99, which takes about $60 off. Our Instant Pot Pro Plus review found plenty to like about its versatility and usability improvements, and the ability to replace several one-purpose appliances remains its biggest appeal.
Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender
Digital Trends
The Ninja Blast Max is down to $69.95 from $99.99 at Amazon, where it’s currently marked as a limited-time deal. I wouldn’t buy this expecting countertop-blender performance, but that’s not really the point. It’s rechargeable, compact, and built for smoothies or protein shakes when you don’t want to drag out a full-size blender or hunt for an outlet.
Cuisinart TOA-70NAS Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Digital Trends
The Cuisinart TOA-70NAS is the one I’d choose if the Ninja Prestige feels like too much appliance. Amazon has it for $158.40 instead of $219.95, so you’re saving about 28%. We’ve covered this Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven before, and it still handles the everyday air-fryer and toaster-oven basics at roughly $90 less than the Ninja.
The city of Gildenarch has fallen. Once a holy jewel, it is overrun by demons, undead, vampires, and Hellgrowth abominations. Humanity’s last hope is the Order of the Crimson Moon, and its most feared weapon is you. Zad Archery Whether you crusade alone or slay together in co-op, the prophecy is yours to fulfill. Embody a Nephilim, a human-angel hybrid forged to defend the world from Hell. Master supernaturalpowers, weapons, melée combat, and angelic transformations to fight through brutal missions and survive boss encounters with the Dead Gods.
Blood-soaked Melée Combat Fight hordes of abominations with relentless, visceral combat
Single Player or Co-Op Crusade solo or slay together
High Risk, High Reward Missions Every successful run presents new missions, modifiers, and skill achievements
Upgrade to Superhuman Evolving Nephilim powers bestow temporary abilities for devastating attacks
Seek Sanctuary Between Runs The Church is your home base for upgrades, NPC interactions, and War Table planning
Set Your Difficulty Dynamic difficulty scaling allows every mission to match your skill but with higher difficulties come greater rewards
Screenshots
SystemRequirements
Minimum Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 11
Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 / Intel Arc A580
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 50 GB available space
Support the game developers by purchasing the game on Steam
InstallationGuide
TurnOff Your Antivirus Before Installing Any Game
1 :: Download Game 2 :: Extract Game 3 :: Launch The Game 4 :: Have Fun 🙂
