Tech World Sees Setbacks and Innovations in Early 2026
The tech landscape experienced a mix of setbacks and advancements in early February 2026, ranging from software shutdowns and launch delays to the introduction of new AI tools and apps addressing mortality concerns.
Adobe announced it would discontinue sales of its 2D animation software, Adobe Animate, on March 1st, according to a FAQ posted on the company's website. Existing users would have one year to download their files, The Verge reported. The company cited the emergence of newer platforms as the reason for the shutdown.
In space exploration, NASA announced a delay in the launch of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to the Moon in over five decades, Ars Technica reported. The launch was postponed until March due to hydrogen leaks detected during a fueling test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "Engineers pushed through several challenges during the two-day test and met many of the planned objectives," NASA said in a statement following the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). A second WDR would be conducted to review data.
On the artificial intelligence front, OpenAI launched a desktop application for macOS for its Codex AI coding system, VentureBeat reported. The tool allows developers to delegate multiple coding tasks simultaneously, automate repetitive work, and supervise AI systems that can run independently for up to 30 minutes before returning completed code. Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief executive, described the Codex app as a "command center for agents," and called it "the most loved internal product we've ever had."
Meanwhile, MIT Technology Review highlighted the rise of deepfake technology, reporting on a civilian online marketplace where users can buy custom instruction files for generating celebrity deepfakes. A study by researchers at Stanford and Indiana University found that some of these files were specifically designed to create pornographic images, despite site bans. The study analyzed user requests for content, called "bounties," between mid-2023 and the end of 2024.
In a more unusual development, NPR reported on the increasing popularity of apps like "Are You Dead?" The Chinese app, called Sileme, requires users to check in daily to confirm they are still alive. If a user misses a number of check-ins, the app notifies a designated emergency contact. Johnny Miller, 57, told NPR, "It's kind of nice. It's almost like someone cares," regarding his use of the app.
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