News/New Launches
Seattle’s new AI travel assistant speaks 45 languages for global tourists
Visit Seattle has launched Emerald, an AI-powered travel planning tool developed in partnership with GuideGeek technology from Matador Network, a travel media company. The AI assistant provides personalized recommendations and itinerary planning for Seattle visitors, leveraging extensive local data and supporting over 45 languages to enhance accessibility for international travelers. What you should know: Emerald serves as Visit Seattle's digital concierge, trained on comprehensive destination data and enhanced by GuideGeek's award-winning technology platform. The AI tool draws from Visit Seattle's extensive database of landmarks, festivals, restaurants, and hidden gems, plus over 1,000 travel information integrations from GuideGeek. Visitors can access...
read Jun 23, 2025Salesforce launches Agentforce 3 with real-time monitoring tools
Salesforce has launched Agentforce 3, a major upgrade to its AI agent platform that introduces comprehensive observability tools and support for emerging interoperability standards. The release addresses critical enterprise challenges around AI agent deployment at scale, with new features including a Command Center for real-time monitoring and native Model Context Protocol (MCP) support that enables secure connections across hundreds of business tools without custom coding. What you should know: Enterprise adoption of AI agents is accelerating rapidly, with Salesforce reporting 233% usage growth in six months and over 8,000 customers now deploying the technology. Early adopters are seeing measurable returns:...
read Jun 23, 2025Chinese VC firm launches AI benchmark testing real-world business value
Chinese venture capital firm Hongshan Capital Global has launched Xbench, an AI benchmarking system that evaluates models on both traditional academic tests and real-world task execution. The platform addresses a critical gap in AI assessment by testing whether models can deliver actual economic value rather than just pass standardized tests, with regular updates designed to keep evaluations current and relevant. What you should know: Xbench takes a dual approach to AI evaluation that goes beyond conventional benchmarking methods. • The system includes traditional academic testing through Xbench-ScienceQA, which covers postgraduate-level STEM subjects from biochemistry to orbital mechanics, rewarding both correct...
read Jun 23, 2025Perplexity launches Comet browser for Windows as Apple eyes $14B acquisition
Perplexity is expanding its AI browser Comet to Windows users through a selective testing program, following its initial macOS beta launch in May. This development comes amid reports that Apple executives are considering acquiring the AI search company for what could be Apple's largest acquisition ever at $14 billion. What you should know: Comet is a Chromium-based browser that replaces traditional search engines with Perplexity AI's conversational search experience. The browser provides curated responses to queries similar to Google's AI Mode, complete with source links and product purchase options. Built-in features include an ad blocker, page summarization, and an Ask...
read Jun 23, 2025Google’s ChromeOS adds practical AI features that outshine competitors
Google has quietly unleashed a suite of artificial intelligence features for ChromeOS that could reshape how business users interact with their computers. Unlike flashy AI chatbots that require separate applications, these tools integrate directly into everyday workflows, offering contextual assistance without interrupting productivity. The standout feature, Text Capture, demonstrates Google's strategic approach to practical AI implementation. Rather than forcing users to learn new interfaces, it works seamlessly within existing applications, analyzing on-screen content and suggesting relevant actions. This represents a significant shift toward ambient computing, where AI assistance becomes invisible infrastructure rather than a separate tool. For business users evaluating...
read Jun 23, 2025“Baywatch” stars, in 2025? OhChat charges $30 monthly for AI celebrity chats
OhChat, an eight-month-old AI startup, has launched a platform where users can interact with AI-powered "digital twins" of celebrities and creators, including former British glamor model Katie Price and "Baywatch" actress Carmen Electra. The platform, which has attracted 200,000 users primarily in the United States, allows subscribers to engage in intimate conversations and receive personalized content from these AI avatars that operate autonomously 24/7. How it works: OhChat creates lifelike digital replicas using just 30 images and a 30-minute voice recording from creators. The platform uses Meta's large language model (the AI system that powers Facebook) to generate avatars "within...
read Jun 20, 2025Meta launches $499 Oakley smart glasses with 3K video and 8-hour battery
Meta has announced a new line of smart glasses developed in partnership with Oakley, with the limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model priced at $499 and available for preorder starting July 11th. The collaboration marks Meta's expansion into the athletic performance market while building on the success of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have sold over two million pairs to date. What you should know: The Oakley Meta glasses target athletes and active users with enhanced durability and performance features. • The glasses offer IPX4 water resistance rating and double the battery life of Meta Ray-Bans, providing 8 hours of use...
read Jun 19, 2025Google Maps uses AI to reduce European car dependency with 4 major updates
Google Maps is rolling out four significant updates across Europe, marking the tech giant's most comprehensive push yet to reduce urban car dependency. These changes, powered by artificial intelligence and expanded infrastructure data, aim to make sustainable transportation options more appealing and accessible to millions of European commuters. The timing reflects growing pressure on major tech companies to support environmental initiatives, particularly in Europe where cities increasingly restrict vehicle access through low-emission zones and congestion pricing. For business travelers and daily commuters alike, these updates could fundamentally change how people navigate European cities this summer and beyond. 1. AI-powered transport...
read Jun 19, 2025Midjourney launches 5-second video tool amid Disney lawsuit
Midjourney, a leading AI image generation company, has launched its first video creation tool, allowing users to transform still images into 5-second video clips with the press of an "Animate" button. The release comes just one week after Disney and NBCUniversal filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the company, alleging it has profited from their intellectual property by generating images of characters from Marvel, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and other major franchises. What you should know: Midjourney's new video model charges approximately eight times more than image generation but claims to be "over 25 times cheaper" than existing market alternatives....
read Jun 19, 2025Google launches Search Live for real-time voice conversations with AI
Google has launched Search Live, a new voice chat feature that enables real-time conversations with Google Search through AI Mode. The feature allows users to have back-and-forth verbal exchanges with Google's search tools, similar to experiences offered by Gemini Live or ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, marking Google's push to make search interactions more conversational and intuitive. How to access it: Search Live is currently available through Google Labs' AI Mode signup for US users only. Once enrolled, a Live icon appears under the Search bar in the Google app for Android and iOS as the leftmost option. Users can tap...
read Jun 19, 2025Eye in the stinky sky: AI drones detect methane leaks ahead of 2026 EPA rules
Percepto, a company specializing in autonomous inspection technology, has launched an AI-powered emission detection system that uses autonomous drones to identify methane leaks in real-time across major US oil-producing regions. The technology addresses growing regulatory pressure and operational challenges by making emissions tracking faster and more cost-effective for energy operators, particularly as new EPA rules take effect in 2026. How it works: The system combines autonomous drones with AI-powered analysis to detect methane emissions without human intervention. Drones fly scheduled missions capturing Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) video footage across oil and gas facilities. Percepto's AI algorithm analyzes the footage in...
read Jun 19, 2025Snapchat launches AI ad tools to challenge Google and Meta dominance
Snapchat has launched Smart Campaign Solution, an AI-powered advertising suite designed to compete with Google's Performance Max and Meta's Advantage+ tools. The platform is targeting advertisers who are frustrated with returns from Meta and Google, positioning itself as a credible alternative rather than trying to beat the tech giants outright. The big picture: Snap believes it doesn't need to surpass Meta and Google entirely—it just needs to give enough underwhelmed advertisers a compelling reason to diversify their ad spending. Chief business officer Ajit Mohan argues that Meta and Google have become "the equivalent of broadcast television; you can't get fired...
read Jun 18, 2025Globant launches 5 AI agents to automate full-funnel marketing workflows
Globant, a digital transformation company, has launched FUSION, a comprehensive suite of five AI agents designed to automate and optimize marketing workflows from initial strategy through final campaign execution. Unveiled at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the platform represents a significant shift toward AI-powered marketing operations that promise to deliver measurable business outcomes rather than just technological novelty. The announcement comes as marketing departments increasingly struggle with the complexity of managing campaigns across multiple channels while maintaining brand consistency and measuring performance. Traditional marketing workflows often involve disconnected tools and manual processes that slow execution and create inconsistencies....
read Jun 18, 2025Salesforce embeds AI agents across platform with Agentforce Summer ’25 update
Salesforce has rolled out its Summer '25 update for Agentforce, introducing embedded AI capabilities, multimodal support, and industry-specific agents designed to automate enterprise workflows beyond pilot projects. The comprehensive upgrade positions Agentforce as a no-code AI engine woven directly into core business functions, targeting enterprises ready to deploy AI for real-world digital execution across sales, employee support, and industry-specific use cases. What you should know: The Summer '25 release transforms Agentforce from a modular tool into a comprehensive AI platform embedded across Salesforce's entire ecosystem. Sales Cloud now automatically suggests and applies CRM field updates, including "Next Steps" and "Stage"...
read Jun 18, 2025Airfairness launches AI tool for delayed, cancelled flights that checks compensation claims in 2 minutes
Airfairness has launched Flight Navigator, an AI-powered tool that determines flight compensation eligibility in under two minutes, following the company's acquisition of FlightorFight.ai through an 11-comment LinkedIn exchange. The Toronto-based startup, named Collision 2024's #1 startup to watch in 2025, is positioning itself to capture a share of the $350 million in potential daily flight compensation claims. What you should know: Flight Navigator simplifies the complex process of determining compensation eligibility for delayed or cancelled flights. The tool checks passenger itineraries against international passenger rights legislation in Canada and Europe, informing travelers if they might be eligible for up to...
read Jun 18, 2025Former Cloudflare exec launches archive of pre-AI human content in time capsule-style move
Former Cloudflare executive John Graham-Cumming has launched lowbackgroundsteel.ai, a catalog that preserves pre-2022 human-generated content from before widespread AI contamination began. The archive draws its name from scientists who once sought "low-background steel" from pre-nuclear shipwrecks to avoid radiation contamination, creating a parallel between nuclear fallout and AI-generated content polluting the internet. The big picture: The project treats pre-AI content as a precious commodity, recognizing that distinguishing between human and machine-generated material has become increasingly difficult since ChatGPT's November 2022 launch. Why this matters: AI contamination has already forced at least one major research project to shut down entirely—wordfreq, a...
read Jun 18, 2025Google Meet adds AI-generated backgrounds powered by Gemini. Here’s how to partake.
Google Meet has quietly rolled out one of its most engaging new features: AI-generated backgrounds powered by Gemini, Google's advanced artificial intelligence assistant. This capability transforms the standard video conferencing experience by letting users create custom, unique backgrounds through simple text prompts rather than choosing from the same tired selection of conference rooms and coffee shops that everyone else uses. For professionals spending significant portions of their workday in virtual meetings, this represents more than just visual novelty. Custom AI backgrounds offer a way to maintain professional presentation standards while adding personality to remote interactions. Rather than cycling through Google...
read Jun 17, 2025Max rolls out AI-powered video previews to improve content discovery
Max is rolling out AI-powered autoplaying video previews that will automatically select "standout" scenes from its library of shows and movies. The feature represents a significant shift in how streaming platforms curate content discovery, with Warner Bros. Discovery betting that AI can dramatically reduce the manual effort required to create engaging previews while improving user experience. What you should know: The video previews are launching to US users now, with the AI-assisted clip selection coming in the "coming weeks." Users will see previews when hovering over content, similar to Netflix's interface. Max will include options to turn off audio or...
read Jun 17, 2025Ultrahuman launches $800 AI blood test analyzing 120+ health markers
Ultrahuman has launched Blood Vision, an AI-powered blood-testing platform in the US that analyzes over 120 blood markers for $800 annually, requiring users to provide 8-10 vials of blood at medical labs. The service promises to predict future health risks including cancer susceptibility and longevity markers, positioning itself as a comprehensive alternative to traditional blood testing in the growing convergence between wearable technology and healthcare services. What you should know: Blood Vision represents Ultrahuman's expansion beyond its smart ring product into predictive health analytics using extensive blood work. Users visit medical labs to provide eight to ten vials of blood,...
read Jun 17, 2025Adobe launches Firefly AI image and video generator for iPhone
Adobe has officially launched its Firefly AI image and video generation tool as a dedicated iPhone app, bringing professional-grade creative AI capabilities directly to mobile devices. This marks a significant expansion of Adobe's AI strategy, making sophisticated content creation tools accessible anywhere inspiration strikes. Adobe Firefly, the company's flagship generative AI platform, gained popularity as a web-based tool for creating images and videos from text prompts. The new iPhone app delivers the same core functionality in a mobile-optimized interface, addressing the growing demand for on-the-go content creation among creative professionals and business users. What sets this app apart from other...
read Jun 17, 2025UK’s “Humphrey” AI suite transforms government across 4 departments
In the corridors of Whitehall, where centuries of bureaucratic tradition meet cutting-edge technology, a quiet revolution is reshaping how government works. The UK has deployed Humphrey, a comprehensive suite of AI tools designed to accelerate planning decisions, analyze public consultation responses, and streamline the daily work of civil servants across the nation. Named after the fictional permanent secretary from the British political satire "Yes Minister," Humphrey represents more than just technological modernization. This initiative embodies a fundamental shift in how democratic societies balance AI efficiency with accountability—a challenge that's playing out very differently across the globe. The Humphrey suite includes...
read Jun 16, 2025Adobe launches LLM Optimizer to track brand visibility in AI chatbots
Adobe has launched LLM Optimizer, a platform designed to help brands track and boost their visibility across AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. The tool addresses a fundamental shift in how consumers search for information online, as traditional Google search gradually competes with conversational AI interfaces that are reshaping digital marketing strategies. What you should know: The platform provides marketers with comprehensive visibility into how their brands appear across various large language models and AI chatbots. Marketers receive real-time updates when their content appears in LLM responses to user queries, offering insights into how, when, and where their brands...
read Jun 16, 2025Dia browser impresses with speed but lacks basic features
A forum user has shared their initial experience with Dia, a new AI-powered browser that appears to be positioning itself as an alternative to Arc browser. The early feedback highlights both promising features and current limitations that could influence its adoption among users seeking AI-integrated browsing experiences. What you should know: Dia browser offers impressive performance and AI capabilities, but several key features remain underdeveloped. The browser delivers fast performance with a sleek interface design that users find appealing. AI features show promise but haven't been tested extensively enough to determine if they could replace dedicated AI tools like Perplexity...
read Jun 13, 2025Google tests AI audio overviews directly in mobile search results
Google has rolled out a test feature that integrates AI-generated Audio Overviews directly into mobile search results, allowing users to generate podcast-style discussions about their queries. The experiment, available through Google Labs, expands the company's audio AI capabilities beyond existing tools like NotebookLM and Gemini, bringing conversational AI content directly to the search experience. How it works: Users can generate AI-powered audio discussions for certain search queries through a new button that appears on the first page of mobile search results. When searching for topics like "How do noise cancellation headphones work?", a "Generate Audio Overview" button appears beneath the...
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