Best of TechCrunch — January 2026

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   TechCrunch·16w

   Why Silicon Valley is really talking about fleeing California (it’s not the 5%)

   California's proposed billionaire wealth tax would calculate liability based on voting shares rather than actual equity ownership, creating potentially massive tax bills for founders with dual-class stock structures. Larry Page, who owns 3% of Google but controls 30% voting power, would owe taxes on the 30%. While the proposal includes deferral mechanisms and alternative valuation options, critics argue these provide little relief given the complexity of private company valuations and potential penalties. The ballot initiative faces fierce bipartisan opposition from Silicon Valley, with prominent figures forming resistance groups and some relocating to Miami, while Governor Newsom pledges to defeat it.

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   TechCrunch·14w

   Guys, I don't think Tim Cook knows how to monetize AI

   Apple CEO Tim Cook provided a vague, non-specific answer when asked during an earnings call how the company plans to monetize its AI investments. Despite Apple reporting $143.8 billion in quarterly revenue, Cook only stated that AI creates "great value" and "opens up opportunities" without detailing any concrete monetization strategy. The piece highlights how Big Tech companies, including OpenAI (which isn't expected to be profitable until 2030), have taken a largely unclear approach to AI profitability despite massive investments.

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   TechCrunch·16w

   The rise of ‘micro’ apps: non-developers are writing apps instead of buying them

   AI-powered coding tools like Claude and ChatGPT are enabling non-developers to build personal 'micro apps' for specific, temporary needs. These apps, often web-based but increasingly mobile, address niche use cases like restaurant selection, habit tracking, and household management. Users create them for personal use or small groups, then discard them when no longer needed. While quality and security concerns exist, this trend represents a shift from buying subscription apps to building custom solutions, filling the gap between spreadsheets and full-fledged products. Industry observers compare this movement to the democratization seen with social media content creation and Shopify stores.

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