Microsoft adds agent mode to Office apps

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The "vibe coding" movement is fascinating in a slightly unnerving way. Making app development accessible to non-technical people sounds democratizing until you realize we're optimizing for speed of creation over understanding what you're actually building.

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3. Overcut: Automate your SDLC with Agentic workflows

TODAY IN AI
Microsoft adds Agent Mode to office apps

Microsoft is rolling out Agent Mode for Excel and Word, pitching it as “vibe coding” for Office. Instead of just tweaking text or formulas, Copilot can now plan and execute complex tasks step by step, almost like a junior consultant building reports, spreadsheets, or presentations in minutes.

Excel gets smarter but stays transparent with auditable and verifiable outputs, while Word turns into a conversational writing partner that suggests, clarifies, and refines as you go. On the presentation side, a new Office Agent in Copilot chat, powered by Anthropic’s models, can generate full PowerPoint decks with research and live previews, aiming to fix AI’s sloppy track record with slides.

It’s not perfect yet, accuracy trails humans but it outperforms rival AI tools. The bigger play is Microsoft blending OpenAI and Anthropic models to power Office, signaling it wants flexibility and a competitive edge against the flood of third-party AI productivity apps. For now, it’s available in preview through Microsoft’s Frontier program, starting on the web.

TECH BARISTA
Google rolls out new gradient G logo

Google just gave its classic “G” a makeover, and this time it’s going gradient. After nearly a decade of sticking with the flat four-color design, the company is rolling out a brighter version that blends red, yellow, green, and blue into one smooth gradient. If it looks familiar, that’s because the style already popped up in the Gemini logo earlier this year.

The move isn’t just cosmetic. Google says the new look is meant to represent its evolution in the AI era, a visual nod to the shift happening across its products. The update is already live in the Google app on Android and iOS, and it’s heading to Gmail, Drive, Meet, Calendar, and even Google Home in the coming months.

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GADGETS BARISTA
Nothing Phone 4a Pro spotted in IMEI database

Nothing’s next mid-ranger is official in the shadows the Nothing Phone (4a) series has popped up in the IMEI database, with the Pro model carrying the code A069P. That matches Nothing’s naming tradition from the 3a lineup and confirms the new generation is on the way.

Specs aren’t out yet, but the 3a and 3a Pro give us a blueprint. Last year’s models ran on Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, packed a 120Hz AMOLED display, solid triple cameras, a 5000 mAh battery, and the signature Glyph lights. The Pro version took things further with a 50 MP periscope zoom lens, a 50 MP selfie shooter, and eSIM support.

For the 4a Pro, expectations lean toward a faster Snapdragon 7 Gen chip, stronger video and camera upgrades, and maybe faster charging. Nothing’s strategy has always been balancing clean design with standout hardware, so the real test will be how much innovation they pack in without losing that minimalist identity.

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Anything raises $11M

Vibe coding is taking off, but most platforms still struggle to move beyond prototypes. Anything is trying to fix that by bundling the full stack databases, storage, payments so nontechnical users can launch apps that actually work in the real world.

The idea is resonating. Just weeks after launch, Anything hit a $2 million run rate and has now raised $11 million at a $100 million valuation, with backing from Footwork, Bessemer, Uncork, and M13. Founded by ex-Googlers Dhruv Amin and Marcus Lowe, the startup wants to be the “Shopify of vibe coding,” already powering apps like a habit tracker, a CPR training tool, and even a hairstyle try-on app.

Competition is heating up with players like Lovable, Replit, and newcomers such as Mocha and Rork, but Anything’s bet is that owning its infrastructure gives it the edge to help people go from idea to business, not just prototype.