Latest Software & Apps News
Apple Launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Singapore
Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to Singapore on December 2, allowing merchants to accept contactless payments using only an iPhone XS or later and a supported iOS app, without extra hardware. It supports contactless cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, with partners including Adyen, Stripe, and Revolut; Grab support planned for early 2026.
Samsung Wallet Money and Points Surpasses 1 Million Users in South Korea
Launched in October 2025, Samsung Wallet Money Points exceeded 1 million users in under two months by enabling direct bank account linking for payments without debit cards. Users earn redeemable points per transaction, with Samsung planning further ecosystem expansions.
Nvidia Licenses Assets from AI Chip Startup Groq in $20 Billion Deal
Nvidia agreed to license assets from Groq, a high-performance AI chipmaker, in its largest-ever deal valued at roughly $20 billion in cash. The move locks up AI talent and IP amid booming demand.
Backer Disruptive facilitated the transaction.
SoftBank Acquires DigitalBridge for $4 Billion to Bolster AI Infrastructure
SoftBank agreed to buy data center firm DigitalBridge for $4 billion at $16 per share, shifting focus from software to physical AI infrastructure ownership. The deal addresses bottlenecks in power and real estate for AI compute, with completion expected in H2 2026.
CEO Masayoshi Son pivots to active operation of critical systems.
Investor Warns of AI Data Center Financing Crisis by 2027-2028
Alex Davis of Disruptive predicts a 'significant financing crisis' in speculative data centers due to extreme capex, lack of customer traction, and mismatches between builders and users. Targets include REITs like Digital Realty, as tech giants like Microsoft build their own facilities.
Despite this, Davis remains bullish on AI innovation.
Satya Nadella: 2026 Shifts AI from Hype to Real-World Use
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella states 2026 will move AI beyond experimentation to practical adoption, addressing 'model overhang' where capabilities outpace applications. Emphasis on building complete systems with software, workflows, and safeguards for reliable use.
AI should act as cognitive tools enhancing human thinking, not replacing it.
Samsung Releases Galaxy A17 5G and Galaxy Tab A11+
Samsung welcomed the Galaxy A17 5G smartphone and Galaxy Tab A11+ tablet to its ecosystem on December 30, expanding affordable mobile options. These devices integrate with Samsung's growing hardware lineup for 2026.
Trump Media to Launch Fintech Brand Truth.Fi
Trump Media and Technology Group announced plans to launch fintech brand Truth.Fi, entering the financial services space. This is among 2025's top new fintech launches.
Nine European Banks Unite for Euro-Backed Stablecoin
Major banks including ING, Danske Bank, UniCredit, and others partnered to create a Euro-backed stablecoin, advancing blockchain finance in Europe. The initiative highlights collaborative fintech innovation in 2025.
Malaysia's Bank Muamalat Launches Digital Bank Atlas
Bank Muamalat debuted digital bank Atlas powered by Backbase, targeting modern banking in Malaysia. It joins key 2025 fintech launches amid regional digital transformation.
UK Government Unveils Private Capital Trading Platform PISCES
The UK government launched PISCES, a new platform for private capital trading to enhance market efficiency. This development caps major fintech stories of 2025.
Neobank Snappi Launches in Greece
Neobank Snappi entered the Greek market, providing digital banking services as part of 2025's fintech expansions. It reflects growing neobank presence in Europe.