Anthropic releases Opus 5.5 with lower prices and Fable-level performance

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  September 22, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Anthropic releases Opus 5.5 with lower prices and Fable-level performance: Anthropic called it "the strongest-performing model we've tested to date." Read More Hacking group ShinyHunters claims it breached the FBI, stole agents' and applicants' data: The theft of agents' personal information could present a major counterintelligence threat, where agents and their families are extorted into cooperating with a foreign government. Read More Waymo's latest expansion strategy: teenagers: Waymo is opening its robotaxi service to teenagers aged 13 to 17 in Nashville, its second city to offer rides to minors. Read More A message from Carepredict Peace of Mind for You. Independence for Them. Everyday patterns reveal meaningful changes. SilverKin learns daily routines like activity, rest, and movement to catch shifts before they become a crisis. Get the peace of mind that comes from understanding your loved one’s well-being, keeping them safe and cared for. CarePredict is part of Santander X 100, global community of Santander X. Try Now Afternoon Must-Reads OpenAI launches GPT-6 Sol and Luna, boasting lower cost and fewer mistakes: OpenAI is launching two new models, which it says are cut from the same cloth as Astra. Read More Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory: Meta is giving plastic recycling a boost in a new deal with startup MacroCycle, which is building its first commercial plant. Read More Meta admits Muse's likeness to OpenClaw isn't a coincidence: Meta says Muse was built from scratch, but acknowledges the AI assistant was "heavily inspired" by OpenClaw — down to some of its workspace filenames and content. Read More Apple could take on Whoop with a new fitness tracker, report says: Apple may be developing a new fitness tracker as part of its new generation of hardware devices. Read More Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy bets these 21 startups will shape energy’s future: To the investors at Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, the coming wave of electrification will make data center energy demands look quaint by comparison. Here's how they're preparing. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events 4 days left to save up to $200 at Disrupt Four days until Disrupt savings end. Get access to 250+ speakers, 200+ sessions across six industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts, plus make connections with AI-powered matchmaking and ad hoc meetings to help move your startup forward. Register by September 25. Register now Last but Not Least Nscale’s IPO will test Wall Street's appetite for concentrated AI bets once again: The British AI data center developer depends on tech giants Microsoft and Anthropic for most of its revenue. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107

Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories to start your morning

View this email online in your browser  September 22, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory: Meta is giving plastic recycling a boost in a new deal with startup MacroCycle, which is building its first commercial plant. Read More Nscale’s IPO will test Wall Street's appetite for concentrated AI bets once again: The British AI data center developer depends on tech giants Microsoft and Anthropic for most of its revenue. Read More Meta's Muse is outpacing ChatGPT’s early mobile launch: Meta’s new AI agent Muse has racked up more downloads and daily active users in the U.S. and Canada than ChatGPT did over the same period after its mobile debut, according to new estimates from Appfigures. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events 4 days left to save up to $200 at Disrupt Four days until Disrupt savings end. Get access to 250+ speakers, 200+ sessions across six industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts, plus make connections with AI-powered matchmaking and ad hoc meetings to help move your startup forward. Register by September 25. Register now Morning Must-Reads TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Aaron Edsinger brings Hello Robot’s Stretch 4 to life onstage: Hello Robot CEO and co-founder Aaron Edsinger will bring Stretch 4 for a live demo on the Real World AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register before September 25 to save up to $200, plus get a second pass at 50% off. Read More Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy bets these 21 startups will shape energy’s future: To the investors at Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, the coming wave of electrification will make data center energy demands look quaint by comparison. Here's how they're preparing. Read More OpenAI forms math advisory group as its AI resolves more than 100 open problems: The group won't be given leeway to slow down or redirect OpenAI's ongoing mathematical research. Read More Exhibit tables added: One last chance to showcase your startup at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: We have reopened our exhibitor program for 1 more week. Book your exhibit table by September 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT and showcase your startup in front of 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders at SF's Moscone West from October 13-15. Read More 4 days to save up to $200: Reason 2 of 5 to be at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Save up to $200 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass, plus 50% off a second pass before prices increase on September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register today. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Extended: Get your Disrupt exhibit table by Sept 30 Missed the original deadline? 10 more tables have been added to the Expo Hall. You have more time to get your company in front of 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt 2026. Demo your product, meet potential customers and partners, connect with VCs and build your pipeline from the center of the event. Secure your table by Sept. 30, while inventory lasts. Book now Last but Not Least The man who built Apple's stores doesn't buy Silicon Valley's bet on AI shopping: Apple Store architect Ron Johnson says Apple's secret sauce has always been its people. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107