App Development 15 January 2026 - 17 January 2026

Apple and Google strike UK CMA app-store deal — what changes for developers
···

Apple and Google strike UK CMA app-store deal — what changes for developers

Apple and Alphabet’s Google have offered commitments to Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority to make the App Store and Play Store more transparent and predictable for UK app developers. The CMA said the proposals cover app reviews, rankings and use of developer data, alongside new steps aimed at improving access to Apple’s tools on iOS. The package is the first set of changes the regulator has secured since the UK’s digital markets competition regime took effect in January 2025 under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. Under the regime, the CMA can designate a firm with “strategic market status” — its label for substantial, entrenched market power — and then set tailored rules to curb unfair practices.
February 10, 2026
Micro-app boom: AI “vibe coding” lets non-programmers build apps instead of buying them
···

Micro-app boom: AI “vibe coding” lets non-programmers build apps instead of buying them

More non-programmers are turning to AI tools to craft their own “micro apps,” developing personalized software tailored to specific needs instead of signing up for yet another subscription service. The key point now is how much easier building has become. Users just need to describe their needs in plain English—often referred to as “vibe coding”—and large language models, AI systems that generate text and code, will create functional outputs. This is beginning to change what companies and everyday users expect, whether it’s for spreadsheets, group chats, or simple custom tools.
January 17, 2026