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Elon Musk vs. the regulators | TechCrunch

Elon Musk vs. the regulators | TechCrunch

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Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for all things “future of transportation.” To get this in your inbox, sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility!

Elon Musk has never had the best relationship with regulators, often bumping up against or outright sidestepping local and state laws where his numerous companies operate. 

This week has been particularly active on the regulatory front. 

Musk’s tunneling and infrastructure firm The Boring Company is accused of nearly 800 violations by Nevada regulators, including digging without approval, dumping untreated water onto city streets, failing to install silt fences, and tracking dirt from construction sites onto nearby roadways, a ProPublica investigation discovered. 

Then there is Tesla, which was hit with an enforcement action by California’s Department of Insurance for routinely denying or delaying customer claims despite years of warnings from the state regulator. Reminder: Tesla is an insurance provider in certain states.  

Tesla also has the attention, once again, of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency opened an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving tech after receiving reports the software caused vehicles to run red lights or cross into wrong lanes. 

The NHTSA has investigated Tesla before. But this one is notable because it specifically targets Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance software. And Musk, as well as Tesla shareholders, have pinned the company’s future on its ability to be a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, as well as robotics and AI. 

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This single investigation likely won’t derail Tesla’s plans; the company just rolled out the newest version of FSD (v14). But it is another example of increased scrutiny on the technology that Tesla is trying to put front and center and raises questions about its robotaxis, which uses a version of its FSD software.

A little bird

Image Credits:Bryce Durbin

A Wired article from July discovered that General Motors repurposed a few Chevy Bolt EVs that had been part of the shuttered Cruise robotaxi program and was driving them on select highways in Michigan near Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area to develop simulation models and new driver-assistance technology.

Now it seems that General Motors might be moving forward with its autonomous vehicle development but in potentially surprising ways. When GM absorbed Cruise in December 2024, it said it would combine Cruise’s tech with its own ADAS efforts to develop fully autonomous personal vehicles.

We’re hearing chatter here and there that GM is building out an AV team across Austin and Mountain View. This comes just a couple months after GM started rehiring laid-off Cruise employees, per Bloomberg.

We’re poking around and if you know anything, reach out.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my Signal at kkorosec.07, or email Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.

Deals!

money the station
Image Credits:Bryce Durbin

Joby Aviation sold 30.5 million shares to raise about $514 million, money that the company said would be used to fund certification and manufacturing efforts and prepare for commercial operations, as well as for general working capital and other general corporate purposes. The company plans to start carrying passengers in its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in Dubai in 2026, followed by the United States. 

Investors didn’t react too favorably, though, because shares went for a discount. Under the deal, they sold for $16.85 per share, nearly 11% lower than the previous close.

Other deals that got my attention this week …

I forgot this one last week. Futurail, a European startup developing an autonomy stack for self-driving trains, raised €7.5 million in seed funding co-led by Asterion Ventures and Leap435, joined by EIT Urban Mobility and U.S. investors Zero Infinity Partners and Heroic Ventures. Side note: The Autonocast, a podcast I co-host, recently had Alex Haag, CEO and co-founder of Futurail, on the show. Take a listen. 

Nexcade, a London-based startup developing end-to-end automation for freight forwarders, raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed round led by Connect Ventures. MMC Ventures, Entropy Industrial Capital, and Inovia also participated.

Toyota and Metal Mining have struck a deal to work together on the mass production of cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries to be installed in battery electric vehicles.

Tycho AI, an autonomous drone navigation startup, raised $10 million in a Series A round led by FirstMark.

Utilimarc, a Minneapolis-based fleet analytics and benchmarking company, was acquired by Smith System. The terms were not disclosed.

Notable reads and other tidbits

Image Credits:Bryce Durbin

California governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that gives Uber and Lyft drivers in the state the right to unionize as independent contractors. 

Just last week, we featured DoorDash’s efforts to build its own autonomous delivery robot. But that internal program isn’t stopping the company from outside partnerships. DoorDash and Serve Robotics announced a multi-year partnership that would see them using autonomous robots to make deliveries across the United States.

Lucid delivered a record number of EVs in the third quarter. While it’s still nowhere near the projections it shared back when it was going public, the recent sales report does show progress.

Lyft has locked in another AV partnership — this time with Tensor Auto. The plan, the companies said, is to deploy robotaxis in Europe and North America starting in 2027. Tensor Auto might not sound familiar, but Chinese robotaxi company AutoX might. Tensor Auto’s roots are from AutoX, although the San Jose-based company has told TechCrunch in the past that AutoX’s Chinese operations were fully divested.

Transportation includes infrastructure like bridges. Climate tech reporter Tim De Chant looked into Allium Engineering, a startup developing paper-thin stainless steel that could change how bridges are built.

Tesla revealed bare-bones versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, which start at $36,990 and $39,990, respectively. These “standard” versions are pretty stripped down. Senior reporter Sean O’Kane provides more detail here. 

A few things jumped out at me. For one, I was surprised this standard version doesn’t include Autopilot. Also, Tesla is really known for innovating, from its manufacturing process and software-first approach to its business model. But this wasn’t an act of innovation or even cleverness. It was merely stripping away — and the end result wasn’t the deep discounts that had been previously touted. Remember, Elon Musk was once pushing a $25,000 vehicle, a program that was later scrapped. 

Zero Motorcycles has moved its key operations from California to a new European headquarters in the Netherlands. The company told TechCrunch the move is designed to accelerate growth and sharpen focus on global opportunities.

One more thing …

If you’re in San Francisco later this month, come say hello. I’ll be at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, which will be held October 27 to October 29 at Moscone West. And there are a few transportation-related talks you won’t want to miss.

For instance, TechCrunch will be interviewing Uber chief product officer Sachin Kansal and Nuro co-founder and president Dave Ferguson about the evolving relationship between AI and mobility. The discussion is expected to cover how predictive models and computer vision are improving road safety, why last-mile delivery is an autonomy proving ground, and what it will take to bring AI-driven transportation to scale.

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On May 4, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed an amended complaint to add the Elon Musk Revocable Trust dated July 22, 2003 (the “Revocable Trust”) as a defendant to this action. The amended complaint alleges that the defendants failed to timely file a beneficial ownership report with the Commission after the Revocable Trust acquired beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Twitter, Inc. common stock, in violation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).

The SEC simultaneously moved for entry of a consent final judgment as to the Revocable Trust. Without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint as to the Revocable Trust, the Revocable Trust consented to entry of a final judgment, subject to court approval, that would permanently enjoin it from violating Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-1 thereunder and order it to pay a civil penalty of $1.5 million.

As explained in the consent motion, if the court enters the proposed final judgment as to the Revocable Trust as proposed by the Revocable Trust and the SEC, the SEC will file a stipulated dismissal of Elon Musk in his personal capacity, which will resolve this case in its entirety.

#Elon #Musk #settle #feds #Twitter #lawsuit #pocket #changeElon Musk,Law,News,Policy,Tech,Twitter – X">Elon Musk will settle the feds’ Twitter lawsuit with pocket changeOn May 4, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed an amended complaint to add the Elon Musk Revocable Trust dated July 22, 2003 (the “Revocable Trust”) as a defendant to this action. The amended complaint alleges that the defendants failed to timely file a beneficial ownership report with the Commission after the Revocable Trust acquired beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Twitter, Inc. common stock, in violation of the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).The SEC simultaneously moved for entry of a consent final judgment as to the Revocable Trust. Without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint as to the Revocable Trust, the Revocable Trust consented to entry of a final judgment, subject to court approval, that would permanently enjoin it from violating Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-1 thereunder and order it to pay a civil penalty of .5 million.As explained in the consent motion, if the court enters the proposed final judgment as to the Revocable Trust as proposed by the Revocable Trust and the SEC, the SEC will file a stipulated dismissal of Elon Musk in his personal capacity, which will resolve this case in its entirety.#Elon #Musk #settle #feds #Twitter #lawsuit #pocket #changeElon Musk,Law,News,Policy,Tech,Twitter – X


Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures.

This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface.

For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found.

For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed.

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades | TechCrunch Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures. This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface. For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found. For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed. Image Credits:Appfigures Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out. Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.) Image Credits:Appfigures Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue. Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only 1,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release. Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue. Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars. OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said. Image Credits:Appfigures The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern. While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai
Image Credits:Appfigures

Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out.

Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.)

Image Credits:Appfigures

Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only $181,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release.

Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue.

Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars.

OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated $70 million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said.

Image Credits:Appfigures

The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern.

While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai">Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades | TechCrunch Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures. This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface. For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found. For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed. Image Credits:Appfigures Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out. Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.) Image Credits:Appfigures Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue. Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only 1,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release. Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue. Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars. OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said. Image Credits:Appfigures The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern. While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai

new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface.

For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found.

For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed.

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades | TechCrunch Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures. This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface. For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found. For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed. Image Credits:Appfigures Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out. Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.) Image Credits:Appfigures Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue. Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only 1,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release. Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue. Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars. OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said. Image Credits:Appfigures The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern. While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai
Image Credits:Appfigures

Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out.

Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.)

Image Credits:Appfigures

Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only $181,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release.

Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue.

Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars.

OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated $70 million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said.

Image Credits:Appfigures

The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern.

While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai">Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades | TechCrunch


Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures.

This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface.

For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found.

For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed.

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades | TechCrunch Image model releases are driving growth for AI mobile apps, generating 6.5x more downloads than traditional model updates, according to a new report from app intelligence provider Appfigures. This marks a shift from earlier days, when the release of new models powering the conversational experiences drove more demand, alongside the new features like a voice chat interface. For instance, ChatGPT and Gemini each added tens of millions of new downloads after releasing their respective image models, Appfigures found. For Google’s Gemini, the release of its image model Nano Banana drove an additional 22+ million downloads in the 28 days following the introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Flash image model last August. This launch lifted the app’s downloads by more than 4x over that period, the data showed. Image Credits:Appfigures Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out. Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.) Image Credits:Appfigures Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue. Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only 1,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release. Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue. Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars. OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said. Image Credits:Appfigures The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern. While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai
Image Credits:Appfigures

Meanwhile, ChatGPT added more than 12 million incremental installs in the 28 days after the introduction of its GPT-4o image model in March of last year. That’s roughly 4.5x more downloads than it saw for its GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 model releases, Appfigures pointed out.

Other model releases followed similar trends, though on a smaller scale. Meta AI’s introduction of its AI video feed Vibes added an estimated 2.6 million incremental downloads in the 28 days after its September 2025 release. (Yes, technically, this is a video model, but it’s ultimately about visual content, not just text.)

Image Credits:Appfigures

Still, the report cautioned, additional downloads don’t always translate into increased mobile revenue.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Instead, new image model releases give people a reason to install the app and try out its improved image-generation capabilities. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily convert to paying subscribers. For example, Appfigures noted that Nano Banana drove only $181,000 in estimated gross consumer spending during the 28-day window following its release, even though it produced a larger spike in downloads than ChatGPT’s 4o image model release.

Meta AI’s launch of Vibes also led to additional downloads, but no meaningful revenue.

Among the three, only ChatGPT turned the increased attention into actual dollars.

OpenAI’s 4o image-generation model led to an estimated $70 million in gross consumer spending over the 28 days after its launch, compared with its prior baseline, Appfigures said.

Image Credits:Appfigures

The company also looked at DeepSeek in its analysis, but it didn’t fit the pattern.

While DeepSeek R1 drove 28 million downloads after its January 2025 release, it wasn’t a typical model comparison event. This was DeepSeek’s breakout moment, when it went from being relatively unknown to an overnight sensation as the tech industry learned about the techniques it used to train its AI models at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This case highlights how curiosity can drive downloads — though in this instance, the interest wasn’t tied to an image model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Image #models #drive #app #growth #beating #chatbot #upgrades #TechCrunchai apps,ChatGPT,gemini,image models,meta ai
buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms.

Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed.

Are Digital Wallets the Ultimate Game-Changer for Online Purchases? Trust in online payments has never been as important as it is right now. For anyone who spends money across digital platforms, the tools we use to pay can shape the entire experience. Digital wallets stand out as more than a payment method, they’re a foundation for how fast, safe, and convenient every transaction can feel. Convenience might look like a buzzword, but for online shoppers, it’s the difference between an immediate purchase and a drawn-out checkout that breaks the flow. Speed and flexibility are at the center of this shift. Today’s gamers, content subscribers, and e-commerce buyers have come to expect instant access, not just to their products, but to funds as well. Digital wallets answer the call, letting users transfer, store, and spend money in ways that traditional cards or slow bank payments can’t match. For those looking to stretch their value further, methods to buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms. Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed. When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable. Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce. Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way. The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem. Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending. Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions. #Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable.

Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce.

Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way.

The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem.

Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending.

Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions.

#Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming">Are Digital Wallets the Ultimate Game-Changer for Online Purchases? Trust in online payments has never been as important as it is right now. For anyone who spends money across digital platforms, the tools we use to pay can shape the entire experience. Digital wallets stand out as more than a payment method, they’re a foundation for how fast, safe, and convenient every transaction can feel. Convenience might look like a buzzword, but for online shoppers, it’s the difference between an immediate purchase and a drawn-out checkout that breaks the flow. Speed and flexibility are at the center of this shift. Today’s gamers, content subscribers, and e-commerce buyers have come to expect instant access, not just to their products, but to funds as well. Digital wallets answer the call, letting users transfer, store, and spend money in ways that traditional cards or slow bank payments can’t match. For those looking to stretch their value further, methods to buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms. Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed. When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable. Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce. Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way. The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem. Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending. Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions. #Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms.

Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed.

Are Digital Wallets the Ultimate Game-Changer for Online Purchases? Trust in online payments has never been as important as it is right now. For anyone who spends money across digital platforms, the tools we use to pay can shape the entire experience. Digital wallets stand out as more than a payment method, they’re a foundation for how fast, safe, and convenient every transaction can feel. Convenience might look like a buzzword, but for online shoppers, it’s the difference between an immediate purchase and a drawn-out checkout that breaks the flow. Speed and flexibility are at the center of this shift. Today’s gamers, content subscribers, and e-commerce buyers have come to expect instant access, not just to their products, but to funds as well. Digital wallets answer the call, letting users transfer, store, and spend money in ways that traditional cards or slow bank payments can’t match. For those looking to stretch their value further, methods to buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms. Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed. When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable. Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce. Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way. The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem. Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending. Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions. #Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable.

Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce.

Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way.

The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem.

Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending.

Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions.

#Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming">Are Digital Wallets the Ultimate Game-Changer for Online Purchases?

Trust in online payments has never been as important as it is right now. For anyone who spends money across digital platforms, the tools we use to pay can shape the entire experience. Digital wallets stand out as more than a payment method, they’re a foundation for how fast, safe, and convenient every transaction can feel. Convenience might look like a buzzword, but for online shoppers, it’s the difference between an immediate purchase and a drawn-out checkout that breaks the flow.

Speed and flexibility are at the center of this shift. Today’s gamers, content subscribers, and e-commerce buyers have come to expect instant access, not just to their products, but to funds as well. Digital wallets answer the call, letting users transfer, store, and spend money in ways that traditional cards or slow bank payments can’t match. For those looking to stretch their value further, methods to buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms.

Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed.

Are Digital Wallets the Ultimate Game-Changer for Online Purchases? Trust in online payments has never been as important as it is right now. For anyone who spends money across digital platforms, the tools we use to pay can shape the entire experience. Digital wallets stand out as more than a payment method, they’re a foundation for how fast, safe, and convenient every transaction can feel. Convenience might look like a buzzword, but for online shoppers, it’s the difference between an immediate purchase and a drawn-out checkout that breaks the flow. Speed and flexibility are at the center of this shift. Today’s gamers, content subscribers, and e-commerce buyers have come to expect instant access, not just to their products, but to funds as well. Digital wallets answer the call, letting users transfer, store, and spend money in ways that traditional cards or slow bank payments can’t match. For those looking to stretch their value further, methods to buy Razer Gold online show how funding a wallet can help unlock exclusive game items, bonus points, or discounted content across many platforms. Traditional payment routes come with friction. Waiting on transfers, dealing with surprise foreign transaction fees, and entering card information again for each new site can stretch a simple moment into a tedious process. Digital wallets cut this down to a few taps or clicks. They unify purchase histories, hold multiple payment options, and mask your actual card number, drastically reducing fraud risk. These perks are not only attractive, they’re quickly becoming essential for buyers who value both privacy and speed. When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable. Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce. Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way. The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem. Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending. Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions. #Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

When looking for digital games, players often do a quick search only to find that platform stores like the PlayStation Store may have high prices or regional restrictions. Eneba gives those shopping for new titles or DLC a much wider range of game keys, often below standard store prices. Game keys are unique codes that can be redeemed for full games or content, buy a PlayStation code on Eneba, redeem it in your account, and the game appears in your library instantly. The catalog is vast, with instant code delivery, clear info about global versus region-locked content, and a support system in place. Gift cards for Xbox, PSN, and Steam are also available, turning top-ups into a hassle-free option. Crucially, Eneba verifies its merchants and maintains compliance checks so the buying experience is safe and reliable.

Digital wallets don’t just serve gamers, though. They unlock new ways to handle subscriptions, buy digital art, or access streaming services. Their real appeal is in how they make every transaction less of a process and more of a click. This shift in user expectation is subtle but profound, echoing through every part of digital commerce.

Security has become a hot topic. Payment fraud, identity theft, and data breaches drive demand for alternatives to typing out full card details. Digital wallets blend strong encryption with multi-factor authentication. These layers of protection help users manage risk without adding complexity to already busy lives. For those spending on unfamiliar sites, using a wallet adds an extra safeguard, keeping personal details out of harm’s way.

The integration of reward systems is another reason digital wallets have become staples for online buyers. Topping up with game-specific currency or third-party credits can give you cashback, bonus points, or early access offers. This builds loyalty without forcing users to stick to just one shop or ecosystem.

Digital wallets continue to grow by adapting to what users want next: more currencies, more integrations, and fewer barriers between platforms and regions. Their evolution keeps driving innovation, not just for gaming but for all forms of online spending.

Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital have helped refine what buyers now expect from every online purchase: instant, secure, and tailored to their needs. As competition heats up, it’s clear that digital wallets are here to shape the future of online transactions.

#Digital #Wallets #Ultimate #GameChanger #Online #PurchasesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

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