ChatGPT can now run third-party apps, including Spotify, for an experience that OpenAI says is closer to an operating system than an app store. “The magic of this new generation of apps in ChatGPT is how they blend familiar interactive elements–like maps, playlists, and presentations–with new ways of interacting through conversation,” OpenAI wrote in a blog post.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/you-can-now-add-spotify-zillow-to-chatgpt-but-dont-call-it-an-app-store
“We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” Governor Newsom said in a press release. “By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenience across streaming platforms, which had previously not been subject to commercial volume regulations passed by Congress in 2010.”
https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/07/california-bans-loud-commercials-on-netflix-hulu-and-other-streaming-services/
Over 25 years Audacity has gone from simple audio editor, to a UX nightmare. If you can get past the terrible logo, version 4 looks like it might fix that. It was no surprise that when Audacity revealed its new logo people on the internet got a little worked up. And look, there’s no two ways about it, the logo is pretty bad. The font it quite nice, but the bewildering take on its traditional headphone icon is rough.
https://www.theverge.com/news/792368/if-you-can-get-past-the-terrible-logo-audacity-4-looks-pretty-great
On Tuesday, OpenAI released Sora 2, the latest version of its video and audio generation tool that it promised would be the “most powerful imagination engine ever built.” Less than a day into its release, it appears the imaginations of most people are dominated by copyrighted material and existing intellectual property.
https://gizmodo.com/the-first-24-hours-of-sora-2-chaos-copyright-violations-sam-altman-shoplifting-and-more-2000666216
Microsoft is officially unveiling its new Office icons today, after they leaked earlier this year. The icons have a modern design that’s more colorful and playful, with subtle changes that match Microsoft’s recent work with its Fluent illustrations.
https://www.theverge.com/news/789533/microsoft-office-new-icons-design
After introducing for Google Search in May, the gradient ‘G’ icon will now be used across the company. Google used “brighter hues and gradient design” to “symbolize the surge of AI-driven innovation and creative energy across our products and technology.” The aim was to stay “true to Google’s iconic four colors,” with the last design refresh taking place 10 years ago.
https://9to5google.com/2025/09/29/google-g-gradient-company-icon/
OpenAI is launching a new feature inside of ChatGPT called Pulse, which generates personalized reports for users while they sleep. Pulse offers users five to ten briefs that can get them up to speed on their day, and is aimed at encouraging users to check ChatGPT first thing in the morning — much like they would check social media or a news app.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/openai-launches-chatgpt-pulse-to-proactively-write-you-morning-briefs/