apps
35 stories related to this topic, newest first.
TechCrunchApple Updates App Review Guidelines, Will Remove Unupdated or Low-Quality Apps and Restrict Variants in Established Categories
Apple said it may remove existing apps that are not updated or attracting users. The change targets well-established categories including dating, flashlight, and wallpaper apps.
macworld.comApple Announces Major Siri Update at WWDC 2026, Entering Beta Later This Year
The updated assistant will enter beta later this year and adds device awareness, web knowledge, and a dedicated app.
Poke Approved as First AI Agent on Apple Messages for Business, Will Pay Per-User Fees
The Palo Alto startup will add iMessage support after securing approval to operate on the platform previously limited to businesses. The move comes days before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
Poke Becomes First AI Agent Approved for Apple Messages for Business, Will Pay Apple Per-User Fees
Poke, launched in March 2026, will add iMessage to its SMS, Telegram and WhatsApp channels after securing Apple approval. The Palo Alto startup has relayed 100 million messages and recently raised its valuation to $300 million.
TechCrunchCash App Releases $25 NFC Star-Shaped Tap-to-Pay Wand
Cash App will begin selling a star-shaped wand on Thursday that links to its debit card and works at any Visa contactless terminal. The $25 device is the first in a planned line of NFC tags aimed at younger users.
TechCrunchSubstack Launches Reply Rules, Giving Creators Automated Tools to Filter Comments
Substack introduced Reply Rules on Wednesday, allowing creators to set automated guidelines for comments across posts, Notes, and Chat. The system learns from user actions to filter replies that do not match creator preferences.
TechCrunchGoogle Announces Fake Call Detection and Multiple Other Android, Photos, Books, and Search Updates
Google announced Tuesday that Android will add automatic fake call detection to Phone by Google on Android 12+ devices starting this month. The feature uses RCS signals to verify calls from contacts and warn users when a scammer impersonates a trusted number.
vitals.lifehacker.comNew App The Mall Scrapes Retail Sites to Let Users Track Thousands of Brands in One Place
A new app called The Mall lets shoppers create a digital collection of favorite brands and track sales and restocks in one place. The startup, founded in October 2025, is rolling out on an invite-only basis with plans for broader availability by the end of summer 2026.
finance.yahoo.comTikTok Applies for Brazil Fintech Licenses and Rolls Out In-App Hotel Booking
TikTok launched TikTok GO for U.S. hotel and activity bookings earlier this month and applied weeks ago to Brazil’s central bank for two financial licenses. The moves extend the platform’s expansion beyond video into commerce, payments, and local discovery.
TechcrunchSesame Releases iOS App for Conversational AI Agents
Sesame launched a public preview of its iOS app on Thursday. The app provides four AI agents with distinct voices and memory. The company plans future releases including intelligent eyewear in 2027.
androidpolice.comAudio App Huxe to Shut Down After Spotify Adds Similar Feature
Huxe, an audio generation app started by former NotebookLM developers, will stop working later this month. The company is removing the app from the App Store and Play Store and will delete user data after a seven-day period.
theverge.comSpotify to Reserve Concert Tickets for Top Fans Starting This Summer
Spotify will reserve tickets for top fans of select artists on newly announced tours. Eligible fans in the U.S. will receive an email and in-app notification to purchase two tickets during a dedicated window.
9to5google.comSpotify Releases Desktop App for AI Podcast Creation
Spotify launched a desktop app called Studio by Spotify Labs that generates podcasts from user data. The tool is available as a research preview in more than 20 markets to users aged 18 and older.
forbes.comInstagram Launches Instants App for Disappearing Photos
Instagram introduced Instants, a new photo-sharing feature available both inside the app and as a standalone download. The tool lets users send unedited photos that vanish after viewing or within 24 hours.
9to5google.comGoogle Releases Stable Android CLI for AI-Assisted App Development
Google announced the release of a stable Android command-line interface at its annual developer conference. The tools allow AI agents from multiple platforms to access Android development resources.
9to5google.comGoogle Adds Daily Brief and Video Model to Gemini App
Google announced updates to its Gemini app at its annual I/O event. The changes include a personalized morning digest, a new interface, and access to a video generation model.
EngadgetGoogle Launches Pics AI Design App for Workspace Users
Google announced a new AI-powered design app called Pics at its annual I/O event. The app lets users create and edit images using text prompts and is built into Google Workspace.
9to5google.comGoogle Adds Android App Creation Tools to AI Studio
Google announced new web-based tools in AI Studio that generate native Android apps. The features reduce setup and coding time from weeks to minutes and include discovery options in the Play Store and Gemini.
nbcnews.comKin Health Raises $9 Million for AI Doctor Visit Notetaker
Kin Health raised $9 million in seed funding for an app that records doctor visits and generates AI summaries with next steps. The patient-facing tool is built by physicians and former GoodRx executives.
NewsweekInstagram Releases Instants, a Default-to-Friends Disappearing Photo Feature, to All Users
Instagram on Wednesday introduced Instants, a new format for sharing authentic, disappearing photos that send automatically to a user's Friends list. The Meta-owned app includes an undo option and ways to disable the feature after users reported accidental sends. The global rollo…
app.buzzsumo.comPoppy AI App Launches With Access to Calendar, Email, Messages and Location Data to Offer Proactive Suggestions
Sai Kambampati, formerly of Humane, has introduced Poppy, an AI-powered personal assistant app that integrates multiple services to deliver reminders, tasks and context-aware suggestions. The San Francisco startup raised $1.25 million in pre-seed funding led by Kindred Ventures.
fonearena.comGoogle Adds 'Pause Point' App Launch Delay to Android 17
Google announced Pause Point on Tuesday as part of the Android 17 update. The built-in tool requires a 10-second pause before opening user-labeled distracting apps and cannot be disabled without restarting the phone. Dieter Bohn, Director of Product Operations for Google’s Platfo…
TechCrunchIndigo App Combines Mastodon and Bluesky Feeds in Paid iOS and Mac Client
Soapbox Software released Indigo on Tuesday, allowing users to browse a combined timeline from the two decentralized networks and cross-post from a single composer. The app builds on the company's prior Croissant tool and offers subscription tiers for advanced features including…
pymnts.comTikTok Launches In-App Travel Booking Feature Called TikTok GO
TikTok announced the launch of TikTok GO on Tuesday, enabling users to discover and book hotels, attractions and experiences directly in the app. The service, available to those 18 and older, builds on prior in-app commerce efforts including TikTok Shop and a Ticketmaster partner…
The VergeAmazon Rolls Out Short-Form Video Feed Called Clips to Prime Video App
The streaming service is rolling out a TikTok-style vertical feed of personalized clips from its shows and movies, starting with select U.S. users. The feature, tested earlier with NBA highlights, aims to improve discovery and includes direct options to watch, rent, buy or add ti…
wdwmagic.comDisney Executives Discuss Possible Unified App Merging Disney+ With Park and Cruise Reservations
Senior Disney executives are in early-stage talks to merge Disney+ with the Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line Navigator apps into a single platform internally called a “super app.” Josh D’Amaro, who became CEO earlier in 2026, has pushed to make Disney+ the central relatio…
cnet.comPerplexity Makes Its Personal Computer AI Agent Available to All Mac Users
Perplexity announced on Thursday that its Personal Computer product is now available to all Mac users through its desktop app. The tool, an expansion of Perplexity Computer, grants AI agents access to local files, native applications, connectors and the web. It was previously lim…
fse.futurelicensing.comTome Book-Tracking App to Shut Down on May 29
Tome, a community app built on the BookTok phenomenon that served 100,000 readers, will close its app, website and servers on May 29. The company cited inability to reach the scale required to sustain costs of a social platform supporting memes, GIFs and video. TechCrunch reporte…
app.buzzsumo.comChrome on Android Adds Support for Sharing Approximate Location With Websites
Google announced this week that Chrome on Android lets users share approximate rather than precise location data with websites. The update gives users more control while preserving precise sharing for tasks such as navigation. TechCrunch reported the details in an article posted…
app.buzzsumo.comX Releases Standalone Messaging App XChat, Initially for iOS
X has released its new standalone messaging app, XChat, to the public on iOS devices. The app supports messaging, file sharing, audio and video calls, and group chats with privacy features like end-to-end encryption. It also becomes the new home for X's Communities as the company…
medium.comMeta Announces Improved Account System for Simplified Management Across Apps and Devices
Meta has unveiled a new Meta Account system aimed at streamlining user logins and settings management. The rollout is planned over the next year, offering features like single passwords and passkey protection. This update builds on the existing Accounts Center to enhance security…
variety.comMeta's Threads Launches Live Chats for Real-Time Conversations During NBA Playoffs
Meta-owned Threads has introduced Live Chats, enabling real-time discussions during cultural events, starting with the NBA Playoffs. Hosts including Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols and Da Kid Gowie will lead chats for up to 150 active participants. The feature includes moderation…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSnapchat Introduces Place Loyalty Feature on Snap Map for Frequent Visitors
Snapchat has launched a new Place Loyalty feature that ranks users based on visit frequency to locations over the past year. Users can earn badges and share rankings if they opt to share their location. The update builds on Snap Map's growth, which now exceeds 400 million monthly…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewDuolingo Expands Free Access to B2-Level Language Courses in Nine Languages
Duolingo announced that its B2-level language learning materials are now available at no cost for users in nine languages. The content includes features like Advanced Stories and DuoRadio, accessible via web, iOS, and Android. This expands free access beyond previous A2 or B1 lev…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAI Music Startup GRAI Raises $9 Million in Seed Funding Round
GRAI, a new AI music company founded by Belarusian entrepreneurs, secured $9 million in seed funding to develop interactive music experiences. The funding supports apps for remixing and playing with tracks, emphasizing artist control. Investors include Khosla Ventures and Inovo v…