SpaceX Acquires xAI in Ambitious AI and Space Integration
SpaceX, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has acquired xAI, merging the two companies into a single entity, according to an announcement made Monday. The move aims to create a "vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth," encompassing artificial intelligence, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications, and a real-time information platform, according to SpaceX.
The acquisition signifies a major step in Musk's vision to scale the companies' missions, with the ultimate goal of "making a sentient sun to understand the Universe and extend the light of consciousness to the stars!" according to the company. Ars Technica reported that the merger combines SpaceX's resources with xAI's expertise in artificial intelligence.
Waymo Secures $16 Billion Investment to Expand Robotaxi Business
In other business news, Waymo announced a $16 billion investment round to expand its robotaxi business both in the United States and internationally. The funding round was led by Dragoneer Investment Group, a firm known for investing in late-stage tech companies before they go public, according to The Verge. Waymo's co-CEOs stated in a blog post that the funds would be used to purchase more vehicles and grow its fleets.
Crunchyroll Increases Subscription Prices After Removing Free Tier
Anime streaming service Crunchyroll has raised its monthly subscription prices by up to 20 percent, weeks after eliminating its free tier, Ars Technica reported. Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2020, at which time the service had 3 million paid subscribers and 197 million free users. At the time of the acquisition, monthly subscription tiers cost $8, $10, or $15.
Notepad++ Servers Compromised, Possibly by Chinese State-Sponsored Group
Users of the text and code editor Notepad++ may have unknowingly downloaded a malicious update after the app's shared hosting servers were compromised between June and December 2025. According to The Verge, the app's developer, Don Ho, posted an update on Monday detailing the attack, indicating that the hackers were likely a Chinese state-sponsored group.
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