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.

    • Khosla backs Wajo’s bid to stand out with a trust-focused AI agent

      Investor Vinod Khosla is backing Wajo, a personal AI-agent startup founded by former Google and DeepMind engineer Shivani Poddar, arguing that its focus on trust and safety could help it compete in a crowded market. Wajo’s agent, called Fo, can carry out tasks for users across messaging apps and by phone, but early tests also…

    • Outlook will block two Windows app package formats in November

      Microsoft is adding .msix and .msixbundle Windows application packages to Outlook’s blocked attachment list, aiming to reduce the risk of users installing malicious software. The change applies to New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web in Exchange Online, where affected users will be unable to open or download these attachments by default. The…

    • Trump self-funds ads as Scotland battles fuel price spike

      President Trump is funding his own campaign advertisements after criticism of taxpayer-funded spots. Scottish islanders face record diesel prices, whilst the FCA reviews its handling of concerns raised by banker Simon Andriesz.

    • Emmys to stream free on Amazon worldwide from 2027 under six-year deal

      The Emmy Awards will move from broadcast television to Prime Video under a six-year deal beginning with the 2027 ceremony. The stream will be free to watch worldwide without a Prime subscription, giving the awards a global online platform as streaming services compete for major live events. Amazon reportedly paid around $20 million to $25…

    • Apple fixes difficulties activating revamped Screen Time across family devices

      Apple’s revamped Screen Time parental controls, released with iOS 27, are proving difficult for some families to activate. The author cannot use the new features on her 15-year-old daughter’s iPhone because Apple’s setup process appears to depend on updates and device records across the family’s connected devices, including her adult son’s MacBook. Apple says it…

    • Glimpse expands CT scanning software to detect defects in critical parts

      Glimpse is expanding its CT-scanning software beyond battery inspections with Explore, a product designed to help manufacturers find defects in critical parts. Faster checks could help companies catch quality problems earlier and reduce the risk and cost of recalls. The company says its software can make battery-cell inspections 10 to 30 times faster on existing…

    • Flai’s dealer AI schedules 50,000 monthly appointments amid expansion

      Flai says its AI software is now booking 50,000 appointments a month for car dealerships, as the company expands from handling calls to managing more customer interactions. Its growth matters because it reflects rising dealer interest in AI tools that can respond to customers and support sales and service operations. The startup works with more…

    • Broadcom pricing overhaul spurs vast majority of VMware clients toward alternatives

      A survey of 300 VMware users has found that 90 per cent are exploring alternatives to the virtualisation platform, primarily driven by Broadcom’s dramatic price increases since acquiring VMware. The exodus reflects widespread customer frustration over licensing costs that have risen by 100 to 1,000 per cent, and the company’s decision to end support for…

    • Type One Energy secures $200m for planned fusion station by 2034

      Type One Energy, a Tennessee-based fusion startup, has raised $200 million in Series B funding to build its first commercial fusion power station by 2034. This funding places the company among the top-funded fusion firms and represents a significant step towards commercialising fusion energy, which could provide a new source of clean electricity generation. The…

    • The planetary wave headed for California isn’t what you think it is 

      A powerful Kelvin wave, carrying warm water east across the Pacific, has reached South America and is moving north along the Americas. The wave is a normal feature often associated with El Niño, not a giant breaking surface wave, but it could worsen coastal flooding because it temporarily raises sea levels. Sea levels may rise…