The rise of 'micro' apps: non-developers are writing apps instead of buying them

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories to start your morning

View this email online in your browser  January 16, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 The rise of 'micro' apps: non-developers are writing apps instead of buying them: A new era of app creation is here. It's fun, it's fast, and it's fleeting. Read More Silicon Valley's messiest breakup is definitely headed to court: OpenAI and Microsoft tried to dodge a courtroom showdown with Elon Musk, but a federal judge on Thursday rejected their requests to dismiss the case. Read More X is down for the second time this week: Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, is down for the second time this week. Nearly 80,000 reports have spiked on Down Detector since around 10am ET Friday morning. Read More Be the first to know when news breaks Subscribe to our News Alerts, and you won't miss a thing. Breaking news, exclusives, and special reports—straight to your inbox. Sign up for News Alerts! A message from DTOCS LLC Sustainable single-use disposable tableware launching in Europe in 2026 DTOCS brand offers premium, compostable tableware made from natural raw materials for modern gatherings. Trusted by families, caterers, and conscious brands, we're proud to announce our upcoming Amazon Europe launch in 2026—bringing sustainable dining solutions to a global audience. Learn More Morning Must-Reads Taiwan to invest $250B in US semiconductor manufacturing: The U.S. struck a trade deal with Taiwan as the country looks to help boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Read More OpenAI invests in Sam Altman's brain computer interface startup Merge Labs: Merge Labs is a "research lab" dedicated to "bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability." OpenAI wrote the largest check in Merge Labs' $250 million seed round at an $850 million valuation. Read More Chinese EVs inch closer to the US as Canada slashes tariffs: The country is dropping its import tax from 100% to just 6.1%, with an initial annual cap of 49,000 cars. Read More The US imposes 25% tariff on Nvidia's H200 AI chips headed to China: The Trump administration formalized its 25% cut of H200 chip sales in China with a tariff that applies to certain semiconductors. Read More AI video startup, Higgsfield, founded by ex-Snap exec, lands $1.3B valuation: Higgsfield says it's on a $200 million annual revenue run rate. So it opened its previous Series A round back up and sold another $80 million in shares. Read More A message from LILT Power Global Marketing with AI-Driven Translation AI-driven translation is now that powerhouse that can scale your multilingual campaigns while staying true to your brand. Download this eBook and learn how global teams combine adaptive AI and expert verifiers to deliver consistent, culturally resonant content—faster, smarter, and at lower cost—across every channel and market. Download Your Guide  You missed these chats from Disrupt: Kindred talks home-swapping platform for travelers, Chef Robotics introduces AI into commercial kitchens, and Character.AI addresses chatbot safety with teens. Watch on Cheddar.com Watch on Streaming Last but Not Least Anthropic taps former Microsoft India MD to lead Bengaluru expansion: Irina Ghose joins Anthropic as India managing director after 24 years at Microsoft. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107