Author: Frank Salvato
A new trend in software development shows a surge in so-called micro-apps — small, specialized applications created by individuals without traditional coding skills, often using AI-powered tools rather than purchasing traditional software. These micro-apps are typically designed for a narrow, personal purpose and may only be used temporarily before being discarded. Driven by advances in generative AI and accessible development platforms, people are rapidly “vibe coding” solutions, from dining-recommendation tools to chore trackers, effectively democratizing app creation and reducing reliance on subscription-based mainstream apps. This shift suggests a broader redistribution of software creation power from professional developers and big tech…
Iran’s government-ordered internet shutdown, now stretching well beyond a week since January 8, 2026, has become one of the longest and most comprehensive national blackouts in the country’s history as authorities seek to suppress widespread protests that began in late December 2025. According to cybersecurity monitor NetBlocks, nearly the entire nation remains cut off from global internet access, a tactic Tehran has used repeatedly during periods of civil unrest. Independent analysts warn that the blackout is designed not only to hinder domestic organization and communication but also to obscure the scale of the government’s violent crackdown on demonstrators, which human…
A California-based aerospace startup called Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU Space) has begun accepting reservations for what it bills as the first real hotel on the Moon, offering wealthy travelers the chance to lock in a future lunar stay with deposits ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000, with a target opening date around 2032 that hinges on ambitious construction timelines and the development of novel lunar habitat technologies. The company is backed by Y Combinator and investors tied to SpaceX and Anduril, and it plans to use proprietary modules and in-situ resource utilization to build durable lunar structures, though critics note…
Meta’s social media platform Threads now has more daily mobile users than Elon Musk’s X on iOS and Android devices, according to recent data from market analytics firm Similarweb. Threads reportedly reached roughly 141.5 million daily active mobile users as of early January 2026, compared with about 125 million for X, marking a notable shift in user behavior on mobile platforms. The increase comes after steady growth for Threads, driven in part by heavy cross-promotion via Instagram and Facebook as well as frequent introduction of new features designed to boost engagement, such as interest-based communities, direct messaging enhancements and long-form…
Apple has confirmed that sophisticated cyberattacks exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities are actively targeting a large number of iPhones, with full protection only available through the latest iOS 26 update — leaving hundreds of millions of users on older versions at serious risk. Reports say Apple rushed emergency patches that only work for iPhones upgraded to iOS 26, while devices still running legacy software are not receiving equivalent fixes. Experts warn these mercenary spyware campaigns can silently compromise devices without any visible user interaction, making updates and strong defenses critical. Adoption of iOS 26 has lagged, which means many users remain exposed…
Google is updating its Wallet app on Android and Wear OS to include a complete transaction history and search feature, replacing the old limited view that only showed the last ten tap-to-pay transactions on a single device. The new update, tied to Google Play Services version 26.01, will let Wallet users see all their payment activity — including transactions from other linked devices and online purchases using virtual card numbers — in one consolidated list, making it easier to track spending without resorting to bank apps. Early reports indicate this unified history and search capability will arrive gradually as Google…
In recent automotive coverage, the much-anticipated 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class prototype emerges as a conservative but meaningful update to the flagship luxury sedan rather than a wholesale overhaul, combining familiar design cues and powertrain options with subtle tech advancements that reinforce Mercedes’ market dominance while appealing to traditional luxury buyers. Early drives and spy reports confirm the refreshed S-Class will debut with the established lineup of powerful engines — including a super- and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, a plug-in hybrid variant, and a refined twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 — all with standard all-wheel drive and refined suspension tech that leverages cloud-linked damping systems…
Signal’s creator, privacy-focused cryptographer Moxie Marlinspike, is now applying his experience securing messaging to artificial intelligence by launching an open-source project called Confer, an AI assistant designed to keep user conversations private through end-to-end encryption so even the platform can’t read them — a direct response to concerns about mainstream AI platforms storing and exposing sensitive user data. Various reporting highlights that Confer runs on verifiable open-source software that prevents even operators, hackers, or law enforcement from accessing user prompts and responses, drawing a clear line between this initiative and centralized data collection by dominant AI providers. Marlinspike frames the…
Apple appears poised to begin mass production of its own AI server chips in 2026, marking a significant step toward vertical integration of its artificial intelligence infrastructure and reducing reliance on outside cloud providers, according to multiple industry reports and analyst commentary. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates Apple’s custom silicon for servers will enter production in the second half of 2026, with large-scale deployment in Apple’s data centers expected as early as 2027 as demand for on-device and cloud-linked AI grows. This development follows ongoing efforts by Apple to build out its Private Cloud Compute ecosystem and scale domestically manufactured AI…
Microsoft is beginning to let IT administrators remove the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant from Windows 11 managed devices, but the new option comes with strict limitations that fall well short of a full rollback of the feature. The capability arrives via Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) through a new Group Policy setting called RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, letting Enterprise, Pro, and EDU admins uninstall the free Copilot app — only if the Copilot app and Microsoft 365 Copilot are both installed, the Copilot app was not manually installed by a user, and the app hasn’t been launched in the past 28…