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Sensor Tower reports Meta's agentic AI assistant Muse has surpassed 5 million downloads roughly three weeks after its US launch, faster than ChatGPT, Grok, or Claude reached the same milestone. The app, which can browse the web and perform tasks like booking travel or sending emails, has held the top spot on the US App Store for 12 consecutive days.
Fujifilm has assumed control of the Google Photos Print Store, rebranding it as the Fujifilm for Google Photos Print Store. The camera maker now handles operations, customer support, and the product catalog, while Google Photos remains the interface users order through. The relaunch adds more print formats, frames, décor, gifts, and select in-store pickup at major retailers in the US.
Android Authority found new code in Play Store version 53.3.21-34 showing a more developed layout for paid game listings, featuring larger banner graphics and color-matched interface elements. The update also appears to replace numeric ratings with descriptive labels such as 'Absolute peak' or 'Controversial,' and is expected to add more detailed feature information for shoppers.
Teardown of Google Play Store version 53.3.21-34 uncovered code strings referencing a new 'playlist' feature that would let users group at least three games into a custom collection. The strings suggest users could name, describe, and color-code these playlists, plus add, remove, or delete games from them later. Google has not confirmed the feature publicly.
An amended franchise disclosure document from Checkers Drive-In Restaurants shows the Checkers and Rally's burger chains have seen a net decline in store locations. The filing details where closures have been concentrated as the chains' overall U.S. footprint shrinks.
T.J. Maxx, owned by TJX Companies, is closing a small number of longtime store locations, including two notable ones already shuttered this year. The closures come even as the parent company continues to pursue overall growth and open new stores elsewhere.
Google confirmed it has resolved a bug that caused the Google Photos app to freeze after users interacted with its editing tools. The company says the fix is included in the latest app update, version 7.94.0.988717361, available now on the Play Store.
Apple sent Rep. Jamie Raskin a letter last July explaining its decision to pull ICEBlock and similar ICE-tracking apps from the App Store, citing agent-safety concerns raised partly by the Trump administration after a fatal shooting at a Dallas ICE facility. Raskin has now sent a follow-up letter questioning Apple's justification, according to CNN.
At its Dev Day event, OpenAI unveiled a plugin/extension architecture that lets developers build interactive apps inside ChatGPT's chat interface, alongside new agentic assistants called Dots and updated AI models. The company also introduced ways for users to carry their ChatGPT identity into third-party apps and use existing AI usage allowances there. OpenAI says ChatGPT now has 1.2 billion weekly users and will begin surfacing app suggestions mid-conversation.
Apple confirmed shoppers can begin its 'Get ready' process for the iPhone Duo on Monday, October 12, letting buyers pre-select color, storage, carrier, and payment method ahead of time. Actual pre-orders open Friday, October 16 at 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT, and completing the setup early is meant to speed up checkout that morning.
Google announced new subscription billing tools for Google Play, including usage-based billing that lets apps like AI services charge from a prepaid balance that auto-tops-up. It's also adding multi-quantity subscriptions for organizations, mixed one-time/subscription checkouts, and cross-developer subscription bundles, alongside tests of smarter grace periods, cancellation discounts, and winback offers.
Rep. Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Apple this week arguing the company has no evidence to support claims that apps like ICEBlock endangered ICE officers, following Apple's removal of such apps from the App Store. Apple had earlier told Raskin the apps were pulled after a fatal shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, but Raskin disputes DHS and FBI claims linking that shooter to app usage, calling the justification unsupported.