TechCrunch Daily Crunch OpenAI bets big on audio as Silicon Valley declares war on screens
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Jan 3, 2026 Tesla faces a challenging year with a 9% sales decline, undercut by BYD's rise as the leading EV manufacturer. OpenAI is pivoting towards audio technology, emphasizing an audio-first approach in their new device and models. Meanwhile, startups are exploring innovative audio wearables, signaling a shift away from screens. The tech landscape is increasingly embracing audio interfaces, reflecting a major industry transition. Imran also highlights funding successes in agritech, showcasing the diversity of investment opportunities.
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Tesla Slips As BYD Surges
- Tesla's global deliveries fell 9% in 2025 amid competition and the loss of a U.S. tax credit.
- BYD overtook Tesla as the global EV leader with 2.26 million deliveries in 2025.
Physical Keyboard Phone Returns
- Clix Technology is launching a Communicator phone with a physical keyboard targeting dual-phone users.
- The $499 device aims at people who do heavy messaging and document work and resembles a modern BlackBerry.
OpenAI Goes All-In On Audio
- OpenAI is reorganizing teams to build audio-first models and a personal device aimed to launch in about a year.
- The move signals an industry-wide shift toward audio interfaces replacing screens as primary interactions.