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.
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.
OpenAI just revealed its safety numbers from the 2024 U.S. election, sharing that ChatGPT rejected over 250,000 requests to generate DALL·E images of candidates like Trump and Harris. The company also routed around 3 million voting and results queries to trusted outlets like Reuters and CanIVote.org, noting no signs of viral influence operations.
Microsoft just added AI-generated themes to Outlook for Copilot Pro and business subscribers. Users can build custom backdrops inspired by over 100 locations or dynamically updated based on local weather and location, rendered in realistic, oil painting, or cartoon styles. It gives everyday inboxes a neat, personalized touch.
OpenAI just acquired the ultra-premium domain chat.com from HubSpot founder Dharmesh Shah, with Shah implying the $15M+ deal was paid in startup equity. The web address now redirects straight to ChatGPT. Why it matters: Owning the ultimate generic word for conversational AI hints that OpenAI might eventually drop the "GPT" branding altogether as it shifts toward new model architectures.
Apple just released the iOS 18.2 public beta, opening up the second wave of Apple Intelligence features to public testers. Users can now query ChatGPT directly through Siri without needing an account, and iPhone 16 owners get Visual Intelligence camera search. Image Playground and custom Genmoji are also included, though creative tools still sit behind a secondary waitlist.
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas just offered to step in and keep The New York Times running after its tech guild went on strike ahead of the election. The offer quickly sparked backlash on X with critics calling him a scab, prompting Srinivas to clarify that he offered infrastructure help for high-traffic days rather than replacing workers with AI.
Hume AI just launched a browser-based voice application combining its proprietary EVI 2 speech model with Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Haiku. Users can chat with various specialized AI personas through their microphone without creating an account. Early testing shows solid factual answers, though narrative modes still suffer from occasional repetition and voice shifts.
Microsoft just rolled out its new "Xbox Support Virtual Agent" to Xbox Insiders in the US, giving gamers an animated AI assistant to handle console and game support queries. It marks Xbox's first consumer-facing AI test ahead of a broader push across the platform.
Apple just introduced ChatGPT usage tracking and Plus upgrade shortcuts in iOS 18.2 Beta 2. Free users get a small daily allowance of GPT-4o requests and two DALL-E 3 images before Siri downgrades to a basic model. If you need more headroom, the Settings app now lets you sign in or subscribe directly to OpenAI's $19.99 monthly Plus tier.
Anthropic just launched Claude 3.5 Haiku, but it comes with a surprise 4x price hike and no image analysis at launch. While the new model matches or beats its previous flagship Claude 3 Opus on key benchmarks, input tokens now cost four times more than before. Anthropic will keep Claude 3 Haiku around for cost-conscious users.
OpenAI executives just hosted a Reddit AMA, revealing that autonomous agents capable of reaching out first and taking action on users' behalf will be a "big theme in 2025." CEO Sam Altman also claimed AGI is achievable with current hardware, while teasing upcoming upgrades to ChatGPT Search, DALL-E, and HIPAA compliance for enterprise customers.
Anthropic just updated Claude 3.5 Sonnet to analyze PDFs visually in public beta, meaning it can now read text alongside charts, tables, and embedded images. Files can be up to 100 pages and 32 MB, with processing available via Claude Chat preview and the API. It makes digesting complex financial reports and slide decks much easier.
Perplexity just launched an Election Information Hub to help voters navigate key issues, polling logistics, and live race results. The platform taps into data from The Associated Press and Democracy Works' API, offering source-backed summaries on candidates and ballot measures. It is a bold test of whether AI search can handle high-stakes civic info without hallucinating.
Amazon just delayed its generative AI-powered Alexa revamp into 2025, quietly shuttering its beta program in the process. Testers reported the new assistant was slow, hallucinated, and struggled with basic smart home commands like setting kitchen timers or turning off lights. Why it matters: Building a conversational bot is one thing, but reliably connecting an LLM to legacy smart home hardware is proving to be a massive headache.
Perplexity is quietly testing an in-platform shopping feature called "Pro Shop" that lets users research and buy products directly without leaving the site. Eligible items feature a "Buy with Pro" button with promised free shipping, turning the AI search engine into a full checkout loop.
Anthropic just launched official Mac and Windows desktop apps for Claude in public beta, alongside a new voice dictation feature on iOS, Android, and iPadOS. The dictation tool lets users record up to 10 minutes of audio that Claude then transcribes and answers. It isn't a live, conversational voice mode like ChatGPT's, but it makes firing off complex prompts on the go a whole lot easier.
Anthropic just launched official Mac and Windows desktop apps for Claude in public beta, available to both free and paid users. The dedicated app lets users invoke the assistant via keyboard shortcuts for focused work. Alongside the desktop rollout, mobile versions also gained a native voice dictation feature supporting recordings up to 10 minutes.
OpenAI just built web search directly into ChatGPT, serving up real-time answers with clickable source citations. Instead of sending you off to a traditional search engine, it blends conversational chat with live sports scores, weather, and breaking news. Why it matters: It turns ChatGPT into a full-blown search engine alternative backed by official publisher partnerships.
