Talk Fuse

    Software

    Software encompasses the digital tools, applications and systems that power modern life, from the artificial intelligence models reshaping how we work and create to the open-source projects offering alternatives to established platforms. This section covers developments across the full software landscape, including advances in machine learning, developer tools and infrastructure, cybersecurity concerns, and the underlying technologies that connect our digital world.

    The software industry is experiencing rapid evolution driven by artificial intelligence. Major technology companies are integrating new capabilities into widely-used applications, from interactive diagrams in chatbots to local file access in AI assistants. Simultaneously, developers continue building open-source alternatives to commercial software, whilst internet infrastructure providers work to expand the ecosystem of domain names and digital resources available online.

    Software developments matter to readers because they directly shape how we interact with technology daily, influence the tools available to businesses and creators, and raise important questions about security, privacy and competition in the digital economy. Whether through new features in familiar applications, emerging cybersecurity risks, or funding trends affecting startup innovation, software news determines how technology evolves and who benefits from it.

    • Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 preorders begin for September launch

      Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, alongside its new iPhone lineup, with preorders now open ahead of a launch on 18 September. Notably, there is no updated Apple Watch SE for this cycle and no price increases on either new model, in contrast to the iPhone range. Both watches retain…

    • Wolverine PS5 emphasises fury over the open-world formula

      Marvel’s Wolverine, the new PS5-exclusive action game from Spider-Man developer Insomniac, offers a deliberately linear, character-focused experience that stands apart from the open-world design of its predecessor. The game leans into the fury and brutality of its title character, blending fast, aggressive combat with cinematic set-pieces, and its stripped-back approach marks a notable departure from…

    • Azure SQL Data Sync stops taking newcomers before 2027 execution

      Microsoft has entered the final phase of retiring Azure SQL Data Sync, now blocking any subscription that has never used the service from starting to do so. This matters because it leaves customers who haven’t yet begun migrating with a shrinking window to plan a move, and Microsoft has not designated a direct successor, instead…

    • The iPhone Duo’s hardware doesn’t look special, but its software might be

      Apple’s newly unveiled iPhone Duo foldable enters an Android foldable market that has already matured, meaning many of its headline hardware features have already appeared on rival devices. The Verge’s hands-on assessment concludes that while Apple’s software polish makes these features feel fresh, the underlying hardware itself is unremarkable and in some respects trails the…

    • Why the current tech backlash feels different

      This is a Decoder mailbag episode in which The Verge’s Nilay Patel, producer Nick Statt and supervising producer Greg Ott discuss listener feedback and touch on why the current wave of criticism aimed at the tech industry feels different from previous backlashes. The episode responds to reader emails and comments accumulated since the show’s last…

    • 6.4 million records leaked in McKesson pharmaceutical breach

      Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) has confirmed that a cyberattack on medical and pharmaceutical supply company McKesson last month affected roughly 6.4 million individuals, giving the first clear indication of the breach’s scale. The data was leaked by the extortion group ShinyHunters, who had initially claimed to have stolen 284 million documents and demanded $55.2…

    • ECB raises interest rates to 2.5% amid warning Iran war is fuelling inflation

      The European Central Bank raised its key interest rate to 2.5% and warned that the risk of higher inflation has increased following renewed fighting in the Middle East, spooking investors who had expected the rise but not the hawkish tone accompanying it. The move came as oil and gas prices surged overnight after fresh US…

    • Lauryn Hill and Wyclef reunite for free Central Park concert this September

      Global Citizen has finalised the line-up for its 2026 Global Citizen Festival, a free concert taking place on 26 September on the Great Lawn in New York’s Central Park, hosted by Hugh Jackman. Headline performers include Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, marking the 30th anniversary of the Fugees’ album The Score, alongside Lenny Kravitz,…

    • Vari Electric Standing Desk Review (2026): Form and Value

      This is a WIRED review of the Vari Ergo electric standing desk, praising it as a well-built, easy-to-assemble option that the reviewer feels has been somewhat overlooked compared with its sibling model. The desk took just 10 minutes to set up and has performed well over several months of testing, offering sturdy, quiet height adjustment…

    • German optics giant ditches greenfield SAP migration

      Zeiss Group has abandoned its “greenfield” migration to SAP’s S/4HANA platform, opting instead for a “brownfield” approach that moves its existing R/3-based ERP landscape onto the new system rather than rebuilding processes from scratch. The industrial optics company, which posted revenue of around €11.9 billion, had pursued the more radical clean-core rebuild since around 2020…