Tags: Mobile Apps

Meta’s AI app vaulted from No. 57 to No. 5 on the U.S. App Store on Thursday, driven by the debut of its new Muse Spark model. Market data shows an 87% jump in iOS downloads and a modest 3% rise on Android, while total installations have topped 60 million worldwide. The upgrade expands multimodal capabilities and paves the way for integration across Meta’s family of apps. Read more

ElevenLabs has quietly introduced ElevenMusic, a free iOS app that lets users create and discover AI‑generated songs using natural‑language prompts. The app offers daily limits, customizable song length and style, and a suite of listening features such as live stations and mood‑based mixes. A Pro tier priced at $9.99 per month expands limits to 500 tracks monthly and provides over 500 GB of storage. The launch reflects ElevenLabs' broader push beyond voice models into creative AI tools, positioning the company to compete with other AI music platforms. Read more

Google Maps is adding a Gemini‑driven conversational feature called Ask Maps that lets users pose natural‑language questions about routes, places and real‑world needs. At the same time, the app receives an Immersive Navigation update with a 3D view, detailed road information and more natural voice guidance. Both upgrades aim to personalize travel planning and make driving safer and more intuitive, rolling out initially on Android and iOS in the United States and India. Read more

A new analysis of subscription apps reveals that those marketed as AI‑powered experience faster subscriber loss than non‑AI counterparts, with annual churn occurring about 30% quicker. While AI apps convert trial users to paying customers at a higher rate and generate slightly higher revenue per download, they also see higher refund rates and lower long‑term retention. The findings suggest that artificial‑intelligence features can boost early monetization but may not sustain user value over time. Read more

Shazam is now built directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to identify songs without opening the separate music‑discovery app. After linking Shazam from the Apps page, users can summon the service with prompts such as “Shazam, what’s playing?” A pop‑up box captures the audio, and ChatGPT returns the song title, artist and artwork, with an option to save it in Shazam. The feature works even if the Shazam app is not installed, and it is rolling out globally on iOS, Android and the web. Read more

Anthropic’s Claude has risen to the top of the free AI chatbot rankings in the United States App Store, displacing OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The surge follows a wave of public criticism over OpenAI’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defence, prompting a social media movement urging users to cancel ChatGPT. Anthropic’s emphasis on strict usage policies and ethical safeguards resonated with users seeking reassurance about how AI is deployed, highlighting the growing importance of trust and transparency in the consumer AI market. Read more

A growing number of mobile applications let users create AI‑generated images of themselves enjoying luxury experiences they cannot afford. Developers such as Tim Wijaya and Laurent Del Rey have observed that many middle‑low‑income users in Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities share these fabricated vacation photos on social media. Apps like Endless Summer, Manifest AI Coach, ManifestMe and others market themselves as tools for “manifestation” or “visualization,” often offering limited free images before prompting users to purchase additional credits. While the novelty can be entertaining, critics note the artificial aesthetic and the cost may outweigh any emotional benefit. Read more

Google Photos is set to launch an AI-driven "Me Meme" feature that lets users insert their faces into popular meme templates. The tool will scan backed‑up photos for a clear selfie, then automatically place the user’s face into well‑known meme formats. While the convenience could delight casual users, the rollout raises questions about the impact on the organic, imperfect style that defines meme culture. Critics note that AI‑generated memes may lack the human touch and chaotic charm that make memes resonate, even as the feature promises speed and ease of creation. Read more

OpenAI has revealed that its ChatGPT integration within WhatsApp will cease operation on January 15, 2026, citing a policy and terms change from WhatsApp. The company posted a blog announcement stating its preference to continue the service but emphasizing a smooth transition for users. WhatsApp does not support chat exports, and there will be no automatic method to transfer chats after the cutoff. OpenAI suggests a workaround through the 1‑800‑ChatGPT contact profile, allowing users to link their accounts and merge query history. The move comes amid speculation about competitive tensions with Meta, which is also expanding its AI offerings. Read more

London‑based smartphone maker Nothing introduced Playground, an AI‑driven app store that lets users generate simple apps from text prompts. Built on Android, Playground is part of the broader Essential brand, which encompasses the company’s AI‑related products such as a search tool and a voice‑note organizer. Founder and CEO Carl Pei described the launch as a first step toward an AI‑native operating system, emphasizing that the platform will evolve to allow more seamless, on‑device app creation and a potential new creator economy. The company says it is not abandoning Android and has no immediate monetization plan for the store. Read more

Emergent, a startup that lets non‑technical users create mobile apps through AI‑driven prompts, announced a $23 million Series A funding round led by Lightspeed. The round also included participation from Y Combinator, Together and several high‑profile angels. Emergent’s platform abstracts the entire software development lifecycle, handling everything from code generation to deployment and bug fixing. Since its launch, more than 1 million people have built over 1.5 million apps on the service. The company aims to broaden its capabilities, including a forthcoming native mobile client and new tools for ideation and discovery. Read more

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users translate messages directly within the app on both Android and iPhone devices. Users can long‑press a foreign‑language message and tap “Translate,” choosing the source and target languages from a list that includes dozens of options. Android users may also enable automatic translation for an entire chat thread. The translations happen on the device, preserving end‑to‑end encryption, and the feature is being introduced to the platform’s more than 3 billion users in over 180 countries. Read more

WhatsApp is now offering on-device message translation for its iOS and Android apps. Users can translate messages between a range of languages by long‑pressing a chat, and Android users gain an optional automatic‑translation mode for entire conversations. The feature works in one‑on‑one chats, groups, and channel updates while keeping conversations private, as translation happens locally on the device. Initial language support includes English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic, with plans for additional languages in the future. Read more

Google announced a major redesign of the Play Store aimed at personalizing app discovery and boosting user engagement. The update introduces a refreshed Apps tab, interest‑based curated spaces, a new You tab for subscriptions and rewards, and AI‑powered Guided Search that lets users find apps by describing goals. For gamers, a revamped Play Games experience adds a unified profile, AI sidekick assistance, and league competitions. The changes build on recent efforts to make the Play Store a broader content destination, leveraging Gemini AI across multiple new functionalities. Read more

OpenAI has introduced a new thinking‑time toggle for the ChatGPT‑5 model that lets Plus and Pro subscribers choose how long the system spends reasoning on a response. The web‑only feature offers Standard and Extended modes for Plus users, while Pro users gain two additional options—Light for the quickest answers and Heavy for deeper reasoning. The toggle appears in the chat window when the Thinking model is selected, but it is not yet available on iOS or Android apps. OpenAI says the control will roll out to mobile in coming weeks. Read more

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a preliminary injunction that restricts Google’s conduct in the Google Play Store for a three‑year period ending on November 1, 2027. The order bars Google from tying revenue sharing, payment terms, pre‑installation, and billing requirements to developers’ distribution choices, and it prevents the company from blocking communication about alternative payment methods or app availability outside the Play Store. Both Google and Epic Games will each appoint a member to a three‑person Technical Committee to resolve disputes arising under the order. Read more

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how developers build applications, delivering speed and automation across the software lifecycle. At the same time, AI tools are empowering threat actors to reverse‑engineer code, generate sophisticated malware, and exploit mobile apps at unprecedented scale. The convergence of rapid app deployment and AI‑enabled attacks is expanding the attack surface, prompting security professionals to embed protections such as runtime application self‑protection (RASP) and continuous testing directly into development pipelines. Read more