This week's top tech news stories from TechCrunch don't want to be missed

This Week at TechCrunch: The Latest News and Updates

As we gear up for Disrupt SF, the news cycle continues to move at a rapid pace. From the launch of iOS 9 to the latest developments in the tech world, there’s always something new to stay on top of. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the biggest stories of the week.

iOS 9: A Powerful iPad Experience

After months in beta, iOS 9 finally hit iPhones and iPads. One of the most exciting features of iOS 9 is its attention to detail. As Greg Kumparak notes in his article on 15 Hidden Features in iOS 9, there are many tweaks and refinements that make the operating system feel more polished and user-friendly.

Romain Dillet also weighed in on iOS 9, calling it a "powerful iPad experience" with many improvements that make it easier to use. In particular, he highlights the new low power mode feature, which can extend battery life by up to an hour.

The Ahmed Mohamed Incident: A Cautionary Tale

In other news, Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old Texas student, made headlines this week when he was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school. The incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for increased understanding of the importance of STEM education.

However, it also highlighted some disturbing trends in how schools respond to potentially suspicious items. As Ahmed himself noted, he was interrogated by police at school before being allowed to go home with his parents.

Apple’s Commitment to Privacy

As we all know, Apple has long been vocal about its commitment to user privacy and security. In a recent article, Matthew Panzarino explores how the company is using this stance as a sales tool, highlighting the benefits of choosing an iPhone or iPad over other devices.

The article also touches on the new features introduced in iOS 9, including Live Photos and the "Hey Siri" feature, which are designed to make it easier for users to capture and share memories without compromising their personal data.

Ad Blockers Take Center Stage

One of the most notable trends of the week has been the rise of ad blockers. As Anthony Ha notes in his article on Why People Hate Ads, there’s a growing desire among consumers to avoid ads altogether.

With iOS 9, content blockers have become even more powerful and effective, allowing users to customize their browsing experience with ease. Sarah Perez also took a closer look at three popular content blockers for iOS 9, highlighting their features and benefits.

Snapchat Introduces Lenses

In other social media news, Snapchat announced this week that it’s acquired facial recognition startup Looksery to power its new Lenses feature. The feature allows users to add fun and creative effects to their photos and videos using machine learning algorithms.

The company also announced that it will start charging $0.99 for three replays of each video, which has sparked some controversy among users who prefer the old system.

Facebook’s Empathy Button

Mark Zuckerberg made headlines this week when he announced that Facebook is working on a new button to help users connect with each other more empathetically. While it won’t be a traditional "Dislike" button, it will allow users to express their emotions in a more nuanced way.

Josh Constine explores the possibilities of this new feature and how it might work in practice, including some potential emoji reactions that could be used to convey different emotions.

The DOJ Confirms FBI Operation

In government news, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed this week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been conducting an operation to mass-delete Chinese malware from thousands of US computers. The operation is part of a broader effort to combat cybercrime and protect national security.

Fundraising Update: Synthesia Snaps Up $180M

Finally, we have some fundraising news from Synthesia, which announced this week that it’s raised $180 million at a valuation of $2.1 billion for its B2B AI video platform. This is just one example of the many exciting developments in the world of startups and venture capital.

Stay tuned for more updates from the tech world and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletters for the latest news and insights.