software vs. a special software

[Tak]

Hello again!

While reading "The Husband" by Dean Koontz, I ran across the following passage, "... But when you process it with a special software, the photos and text combine and re-form into ...."

I am fully aware that "software" is an uncountable, so I googled "a special software", assuming that this is a case of writers' privileged whim. To my surprise, I got 183,000 hits.

My question is: Is this the case of an uncountable noun transformed into a countable noun when used with an adjective? If it is, is it widely accepted?

One another example taken from the New York Times.
"I.B.M. Is Joining Metaphor To Create a New Software"

Thank you for your time and help!

Tak

[David L.]

Yes, this is a style of 'journalese' and is a short form of:

...process it with a special kind/sort of software.

"I.B.M. Is Joining Metaphor To Create a New Kind of Software"
or
"I.B.M. Is Joining Metaphor To Create a New Software Program"
or
"I.B.M. Is Joining Metaphor To Create a New Generation of Software."

[Tak]

Thank you, David. I will use "software" as an uncountable until the time comes when a majority of native speakers of English say it's okay to say "a new or special software".