Latest Software & Apps News
Microsoft open-sources XAML Studio and doubles down on AI development tools
Microsoft has **open‑sourced XAML Studio**, a rapid‑prototyping tool for Universal Windows Platform XAML apps, aiming to broaden community collaboration on UI tooling. The move is part of a wider 2026 strategy featuring **AI‑driven platform acquisitions** and tighter integration of automation and security into its software development ecosystem.
Snowflake to acquire Observe for AI-powered observability at enterprise scale
Snowflake announced its intent to **acquire Observe**, a cloud‑native observability platform built natively on Snowflake, to deliver AI‑powered analysis of logs, metrics, and traces. The deal is expected to shift observability competition toward vendors that tightly integrate data planes and AI execution environments within a single enterprise data platform.
Gmail adds Gemini 3 AI to become a proactive personal assistant
Google is integrating **Gemini 3 AI into Gmail** to transform it into a proactive assistant that can help with tasks like search, generative editing, translation, and summarization. The upgrade is part of Google’s broader push to infuse AI into consumer services as it competes with OpenAI’s latest GPT models.
Lenovo debuts Qira, a cross-device AI assistant for PCs and phones
Lenovo introduced **Qira**, a system‑level AI assistant that runs across Lenovo PCs and Motorola phones, blending on‑device models with cloud AI. Qira can tap OpenAI and Microsoft models via Azure, as well as Stability AI and productivity tools like Notion and Perplexity, to orchestrate cross‑device workflows.
Meta to acquire AI agent startup Manus to strengthen Meta AI and WhatsApp
Meta plans to **acquire Manus**, a Singapore‑based general AI agent startup reportedly valued at $2–3 billion, to boost its advanced AI capabilities. Manus gained attention for an autonomous AI agent that can execute complex tasks with minimal prompting and claims to outperform OpenAI’s DeepResearch, with Meta eyeing integration into Meta AI and WhatsApp SMB tools.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT App Directory and developer SDK for in-app experiences
OpenAI has released a **ChatGPT App Directory** that showcases tools operating inside ChatGPT, alongside an SDK for building new interactive experiences. Existing connectors are now classified as apps—such as file search, deep research, and sync—and partners including Spotify, Zillow, DoorDash, and Apple Music expand ChatGPT’s role in media, shopping, and productivity workflows.
Enterprise AI software shifts to AI-native architectures and agentic UIs
SAP executives highlight that **enterprise applications are moving to AI‑native architectures**, where AI agents and multimodal natural‑language interfaces sit at the core of business software. They forecast “no‑app ERP” and “gen UI” experiences, where users express intent in natural language and AI agents coordinate analytics, CRM, and workflow systems in the background.
Generative AI media software market surges with demand for automated content tools
The **generative AI media software market** is projected to grow from $6.39 billion in 2024 to $8.61 billion in 2025, a 34.6% CAGR, driven by automated content creation. Growth is fueled by AI video editing, music composition, and graphics tools, alongside rising social media engagement and launches such as enterprise prebuilt AI apps and text‑to‑video acquisitions.
CES 2026 spotlights AI-first software from FPT across mobility and manufacturing
At CES, Vietnam-based FPT showcased an **AI‑first portfolio** spanning AI‑defined mobility, smart manufacturing, engineering, and next‑generation digital experiences. FPT emphasized deploying dependable AI in real‑world conditions—such as low‑latency in‑vehicle intelligence and digital twins—as AI shifts from experimentation to production‑grade software across industries.
New AI orchestration platforms and evaluation tools attract major funding
A recent AI digest highlights funding for **i10X**, which offers a unified workspace to access major AI models and over 500 agents to automate workflows for SMBs and creators. **LMArena** also raised $150 million at a $1.7 billion valuation to scale its AI evaluation platform, aiming to benchmark and assess models using feedback from more than 5 million monthly users.
Startups build AI software for cloud cost optimization and government cyber resilience
UAE‑based **MilkStraw AI** secured $2 million in seed funding to expand software that uses AI to automate cloud infrastructure cost management for businesses. In parallel, the UK government’s **Cyber Action Plan** commits over £210 million to strengthen the security and resilience of online public‑service software, addressing growing cyber threats.