editorial Archives

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

Malaysia’s AI agent-powered messaging app Respond.io raises $62.5M, eyes acquisitions

In 2017, Respond.io was founded to help businesses adapt to customer shifts towards messaging applications. It is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and recently raised million in a Series B funding round, following a million Series A round in 2022. The company reported an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of million, a 169% year-over-year increase, with a 30% profit margin. Co-founders include Gerardo Salandra (CEO), Hassan Ahmed (CTO), and Yaroslav Kudritskiy (COO), who initially started the company in Hong Kong before relocating to Malaysia. Respond.io's platform caters to mid- to large-sized B2C enterprises, facilitating customer interactions across various messaging channels and utilizing AI for efficiency. The target market consists of "high-consideration" businesses, with an ideal customer profile of companies having 200 to 10,000 employees. Respond processes 2 billion messages quarterly and has a unique pricing model based on conversation volume rather than per user. The company emphasizes a data flywheel effect that enhances AI capabilities through increased message volume. Plans for growth include hiring, organic expansion, and strategic acquisitions, particularly in Europe and North America, which are projected to become larger revenue segments. Currently, revenue is distributed with 30% from APAC, 30% from Latin America, and 20% from the Middle East and Africa, with the remaining 20% from North America and Western Europe. Salandra expressed a cautious approach to growth and aspirations for a future public offering on Nasdaq.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Meta’s AI agent for WhatsApp Business is now available globally

Meta has launched the Meta Business Agent, a customer support AI bot, on WhatsApp, following nearly two years of testing in India and Mexico. The bot can respond to inquiries, recommend products, schedule appointments, qualify sales leads, and escalate queries to human representatives. It will also be available through Instagram DMs. Meta is testing a feature for the Business Agent that provides daily briefings on chats and insights. Future functionalities under exploration include market research, product showcases, calendar management, and integration with competitive insight tools. Meta is developing a platform for larger enterprises to create custom agents that connect with systems like Shopify and Zendesk. The Business Agent will be incorporated into WhatsApp Business Premium subscriptions, with charges based on usage.

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

After Apple yanks Max from App Store, VIPs still toast the Kremlin-linked messenger at SPIEF

A private VK Night party celebrated the launch of the Max messenger during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, hosted by Ksenia Sobchak and attended by Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadaev and VK CEO Vladimir Kiriyenko. The event featured performances by pop singers Vanya Dmitriyenko and Lolita Milyavskaya. The Max messenger was removed from the App Store on June 3 due to compliance with sanctions, despite previously ranking ninth among the most-downloaded apps in Russia.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max vanishes from App Store

Meduza uses an AI model to assist journalists in translating original Russian texts into English while adhering to strict editorial standards. Each translation is reviewed by a Meduza editor before publication to ensure quality and accuracy. Readers are encouraged to report any discrepancies or errors in the translations. Subscriptions to a newsletter are available for access to exclusive English-language content.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Playing 007 First Light? Send us gameplay videos galore and you could win a $500 Amazon gift card

The launch of 007 First Light allows players to experience the role of James Bond through various missions involving gadgets and vehicles. Players can record and share their gameplay clips for a chance to win a 0 Amazon gift card, with submissions featured on social media. The competition is open only to residents of the US and UK. Clips should be under 10GB and can showcase creative or humorous moments from the game. A dedicated Clips page has been established by PC Gamer to curate and reward the best gaming videos monthly.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Google’s AI Studio enables rapid Android app creation in minutes

Google has introduced enhanced web-based AI tools in its AI Studio platform, allowing users to generate complete native Android applications from natural-language prompts. This process enables individuals without programming skills to create installable APKs in minutes. The Build mode accepts plain-English descriptions to construct comprehensive native Android projects, which can then be customized in Android Studio. The tools support integration with third-party APIs and Web3 SDKs, allowing AI-generated apps to interact with blockchain functionalities. This development offers opportunities for the cryptocurrency sector, enabling decentralized finance protocols or wallet providers to create lightweight companion apps without extensive engineering teams. The integration with the Android ecosystem positions Google to reshape competitive dynamics in mobile app development. However, there are security concerns regarding the AI-generated code, particularly related to vulnerabilities in rapidly generated mobile apps that interact with smart contracts.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Spotify logo change divides users as new feature introduced

Spotify has transformed its logo to a disco ball for its 20th anniversary as part of a temporary campaign called “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s).” User reactions to the new design have been mixed, with some expressing enthusiasm and others confusion or criticism. Alongside the logo change, Spotify introduced a feature that allows users to reflect on their personal listening history, including milestones and a personalized playlist with their top 120 songs. This feature is accessible in 144 markets and 16 languages. Additionally, Spotify has launched editorial playlists celebrating significant cultural moments from the past two decades.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2026

Gen Digital stock (US3687361044): Cybersecurity firm reports steady growth amid market shifts

Gen Digital Inc. operates in the cybersecurity and software sector, headquartered in the United States. The company focuses on consumer protection against cyber risks through a subscription-based model, primarily offering products under the Norton and Avast brands. In fiscal Q1 2026, Gen Digital reported revenues of million, a 3% increase year-over-year, with subscriptions accounting for 95% of total revenue in fiscal 2025. The company serves over 150 million users globally, with endpoint protection revenue reaching million and identity and privacy services contributing million in fiscal Q1 2026. The average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to .30 during this period. Gen Digital holds approximately 20% of the global consumer antivirus market share and is positioned favorably against competitors like McAfee and Bitdefender. The cybersecurity market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 12% through 2030, with 50% of Gen Digital's revenue generated from North America.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

You could win a $500 Amazon gift card by playing Subnautica 2 this month, so remember to send us your best video clips!

Subnautica 2 is the most wishlisted game on Steam and will be released this week. Gamers can win a 0 Amazon gift card by recording and sharing their gameplay clips. PC Gamer Clips showcases user-generated content and highlights the best submissions on social media. Monthly winners receive a 0 Amazon gift card. Submissions must be under 10GB and are limited to residents of the US and UK.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Android adds a feature to stop you from doomscrolling

Google has introduced a feature called Pause Point for its Android operating system, which imposes a mandatory 10-second delay when users attempt to open apps identified as distractions, such as TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. This initiative addresses concerns about technology's impact on well-being and aims to help users disconnect from habitual app usage. Unlike traditional app timers, Pause Point disrupts the app-launching process, encouraging users to reflect on their engagement with the app. During the delay, users are prompted to engage in alternative activities, such as breathing exercises or using productivity apps. Users can also set personalized app timers and must restart their phones to disable Pause Point, fostering intentional engagement with their digital habits.