LE APP SONO FINITE? Dobbiamo parlarne 🍪

Summary

The episode’s main discussion is whether AI coding agents could make paid software applications less necessary. The host uses ArtCraft, a free project that aims to replicate Adobe-style creative tools, as an example. According to the episode, it was built with AI coding agents by observing how existing applications work rather than decompiling their code. The project is still in development, with its progress tracked on GitHub.

The host sees a possible future in which people can ask increasingly capable AI models to create customized versions of familiar apps. But there are uncertainties: developing and updating software with AI can be expensive, and today’s low-cost AI subscriptions may not remain affordable. Free replicas could also reduce the incentive for established companies to invest in new features. The episode considers whether paid software subscriptions might still make sense if they cost less than generating and maintaining equivalent tools with AI.

Other Technology News

• Google Gemini: A new model, referred to as Gemini 4, is described as more agentic, more integrated with apps, and able to carry out tasks with less ongoing user interaction. For free users, model selection has been removed; Gemini uses an automatic mode that may switch to a more capable model for harder requests.
• WhatsApp compatibility: Support is ending for older Android and iOS versions. The host recommends checking older phones used by relatives, noting that service may be disabled server-side rather than restored by simply avoiding an app update.
• WhatsApp chats as evidence: Chat records may be accepted as evidence in legal disputes, but a screenshot alone may not be sufficient; the original device and conversation may be needed to verify them.
• Apple smart-home products: The episode discusses a new Apple home-automation platform and a screen-based device called HomeView. It is described as having a responsive interface, switching profiles based on who is using it, and checking whether that person’s iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby. The host says Apple’s smart-home ecosystem remains relatively limited in compatibility, and that the service is not yet available in Italy.
• Touchscreen MacBooks: Rumors point to MacBooks with touchscreens arriving near the end of October. The host questions how Apple might adapt macOS for touch while keeping the experience usable.
• Voice cloning: Voice Box is described as an offline computer tool that can clone a voice from a very short sample—around three seconds, according to the episode. The concern is that even imperfect clones could be used in high-volume scam calls.
• Preinstalled Android malware: “Midnight Mimosa” is described as malware found on some Android phones, particularly counterfeit-looking devices. It reportedly disguises itself as a system component, installs apps without the user’s knowledge, and may exploit system permissions to evade security checks. The host advises owners to check whether their phones are affected, while cautioning against assuming that any named brand is necessarily responsible.

Guides, Reviews, and Practical Advice

There is no full product review or step-by-step tutorial. The episode gives practical checks: verify whether older family phones will still support WhatsApp, and consult the linked article to check whether an Android phone may contain the reported malware. It also directs viewers to the accompanying articles for details on the other news items.

Main Speaker and Sources

• Main speaker: An unnamed SmartWorld host presenting the weekly Cookies technology-news roundup.
• Other sources referenced: SmartWorld articles linked in the video description, the ArtCraft project’s GitHub development page, and reported rumors about Apple’s future laptops.