Microsoft has acquired Osmos, a small Seattle startup focused on automating data engineering tasks. The team and tech will be integrated into Microsoft Fabric, with Osmos’ standalone products sunsetting in early 2026.
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are now each valued over $10 billion, with weekly trading in the billions. But behind the hype of “truth machines” lies a world of insider trading, absurd bets, and regulatory uncertainty. Is this the future of finance or just another speculative bubble?
AI software developer Iterate.ai is making a massive pivot to a channel-first model. CEO Jon Nordmark expects partner-driven revenue to jump from 20% to 95% by 2027, fueled by demand for private, on-premises AI solutions.
Apple has reportedly pulled back on its $3,499 Vision Pro headset after a dramatic sales collapse. The device now holds under 9% of the VR market, a stark contrast to Meta’s dominance.
Stord, the Atlanta-based startup challenging Amazon’s logistics dominance, has acquired the AI fulfillment platform Shipwire. The deal adds significant scale to Stord’s network as it continues its aggressive expansion.
According to a report, Palo Alto Networks is considering a $400 million acquisition of Israeli endpoint security startup Koi. This rumor follows CEO Nikesh Arora’s recent visit to Tel Aviv, where he also met with teams from CyberArk, the company Palo Alto is in the process of buying for $25 billion.
Microsoft has made its Seeing AI app completely free. The AI-powered tool acts as a talking camera, describing text, people, and surroundings for users who are blind or have low vision.
Trucking companies are using AI to automate driver onboarding and compliance. This tackles a massive administrative burden in an industry with over 90% annual driver turnover. The goal is to turn safety compliance from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.
Beatbot is launching a high-end robotic pool cleaner that empties its own filter. The AquaSense X, priced at $4,250, docks into a station that flushes debris into a disposable bag.
Qualcomm has unveiled its mid-range Snapdragon X2 Plus processors for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs. Announced at CES 2026, they promise major speed gains over the 2024 models and are set to land in devices by June. This is a key move in Qualcomm’s push to compete with Intel, AMD, and Apple’s Macs.
