New features and launches in ChatGPT, Cursor, Perplexity and other AI tools, plus changes to pricing and availability.
Yahoo Mail just updated its mobile app with AI-powered one-line email summaries, quick actions, and a chat-inspired layout. It lets you rewrite replies into different tones and gamifies inbox cleanup to make clearing unread emails less of a chore. Currently available on iOS in the US.
XRHealth just launched an AI-powered medical XR platform designed to tailor immersive treatment environments for patients. Clinicians can use its AI Generator Space to build custom 360-degree scenes and dynamic avatars, backed by AI-driven session analysis and treatment recommendations across physical rehab and mental health.
Wondercraft just integrated ElevenLabs' voice technology to let creators edit and personalize Google NotebookLM podcasts with custom cloned voices. Over 10,000 users jumped on the feature within its first week, generating thousands of hours of audio. Why it matters: it turns raw, generic AI banter into polished, branded audio ready for publication.
DeepL just launched DeepL Voice, its first voice product that translates spoken conversations into real-time text captions. It can listen to 13 languages and output text in 33, aiming at face-to-face chats and Teams meetings. Why it matters: DeepL delivers text-only output for ultra-low latency, though API access and direct audio generation aren't available yet.
Apple just released Final Cut Pro 11, introducing AI-powered Magnetic Mask to isolate subjects without green screens alongside automatic closed captions. It also adds native spatial video editing for Apple Vision Pro, eliminating tedious manual rotoscoping workflows for Mac editors.
OpenAI is reportedly launching a new autonomous agent called Operator in January, according to Bloomberg. The tool can navigate web browsers to handle multi-step actions like booking flights or writing code on your behalf, rolling out as a research preview and developer API. It marks a clear pivot across big tech from conversational bots to software that actually gets work done.
Google just detailed how to deploy Gemma models on Dataflow using vLLM for streaming inference. By leveraging continuous batching and Dataflow's model manager, developers can spin up an end-to-end serving pipeline in minimal code, boosting inference throughput by over 23x in benchmarks.
Hitachi Energy just unveiled Nostradamus AI, a specialized forecasting tool built for the power grid. It predicts renewable generation, load demands, and power prices with over 20% higher accuracy than certain industry benchmarks. The cloud-native tool scales from single turbines to thousands of grid points, giving operators a cleaner grip on volatile green energy.
Adobe just rolled out generative edits and variations for Adobe Stock powered by Firefly, letting you remove backgrounds, expand aspect ratios, or use stock photos as composition references before buying. Contributors can't opt out, but they will get paid whenever an AI-generated variation of their work is downloaded.
Former Twitter engineers just rolled out Particle, an AI newsreader that breaks down complex stories without stealing publisher traffic. The app offers multi-angle perspectives, an in-story chatbot, and prominent source links to send readers back to the original outlets. It's now free on iOS.
Apple rolled out notification summaries in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, but the on-device LLM is already producing unhinged results. While it handles basic smart-home updates fine, it turns sensitive texts, breakup messages, and chaotic group chats into unintentionally hilarious, deadpan bullet points. It might not actually save you time, but at least your notification shade is now deeply entertaining.
Jasper just launched an AI knowledge layer featuring Brand IQ and Marketing IQ at Web Summit, built specifically for enterprise marketing teams. The technology embeds brand guidelines directly into models across text and visuals to automatically ensure brand compliance, while integrating built-in best practices like search optimization. Why it matters: It stops generic LLMs from drifting off-brand without requiring endless manual reviews.
Google just launched Learn About, an experimental AI learning companion powered by its LearnLM model. Instead of standard chatbot summaries, it delivers textbook-style answers with interactive visuals, vocabulary builders, and "why it matters" sidebars to actively guide curiosity.
Google just started testing a dedicated Gemini app for iOS, bringing its conversational Gemini Live voice assistant to the iPhone for the first time. Previously, iOS users were stuck accessing a limited version hidden inside the main Google app. The new standalone app even works from the lock screen, though it is currently limited to select regions like the Philippines.
The Washington Post just launched Ask The Post AI, an experimental chatbot that answers user questions based strictly on its reporting since 2016—no paywall required. It limits training to its own archive to curb hallucinations and provides article citations. The catch: non-subscribers still can't click through to read the full source stories.
Microsoft and the Vatican just unveiled an AI-powered digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica, letting anyone explore the historic site in ultra-detailed 3D. The team used drones and scanners to capture nearly 500,000 high-res photos, using AI to stitch them together. Beyond virtual visits, conservators are already using the scan to spot hidden structural cracks.
X is finally testing free access to its AI chatbot Grok, kicking off with users in New Zealand. Previously locked behind a Premium paywall, the free tier caps Grok-2 at 10 queries every two hours and requires a phone-verified account. Opening up to non-paying users should give xAI a much broader feedback loop to take on ChatGPT.
Near Protocol just unveiled the alpha of its NEAR.AI Assistant, a crosschain agent capable of launching memecoins in seconds and shopping online. Powered by chain abstraction to swap assets across Bitcoin and Ethereum, it aims to let autonomous agents collaborate to handle everyday Web2 tasks like booking flights and ordering food.
Apple just made its Image Playground app available in the iOS 18.2 developer beta, bringing built-in generative art to iPhone 16 and Pro users. The tool turns simple text prompts into stylized animations or illustrations, with recent updates speeding up rendering and prompt accuracy. It is Apple's latest push to make everyday generative AI feel native on mobile.
Mistral just rolled out a new content moderation API powered by a fine-tuned Ministral 8B model. It classifies raw or conversational text across nine safety categories in multiple languages, covering everything from hate speech to PII. The startup also launched a batch API that cuts query costs by 25%.
