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Meta has a new app called Pocket that is absolutely nothing like the old Pocket
The Verge AI
AppsYesterday

Meta has a new app called Pocket that is absolutely nothing like the old Pocket

Meta is launching a new application named Pocket, which bears no relation to the former Mozilla read-it-later service. The app introduces a social feed centered on interactive, AI-generated experiences called 'gizmos.' These gizmos can respond to touch, device tilt, and camera input, allowing users to create and share playable content. The technology appears to stem from Meta's acquisition of licensing rights from Atma Sciences Inc., creators of the original Gizmo app. Mark Zuckerberg envisions this as a key part of his strategy to integrate AI deeply into social media interactions. Currently, the app is not available in the United States, with users seeing region restriction notices on app stores. This launch signals Meta's continued pivot toward AI-driven user-generated content and interactive social experiences.

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Yep, we’re using OpenClaw to date now
TechCrunch AI
Apps2d ago

Yep, we’re using OpenClaw to date now

A content creator named Ben Guez has automated his dating strategy using OpenClaw and Claude to post Instagram reels about World Cup losses, claiming to have received over one million views and 200 DMs. Guez uses the AI agent to trigger nearly identical posts targeting women from specific countries, directing them to his AI language learning app, Canary. He argues that recipients are impressed by the creativity rather than feeling played, provided the automation is transparent. Another tech founder, Jeff Weisbein, uses OpenClaw to research date locations in South Florida, streamlining his planning process. While Guez's approach is more outrageous, both examples highlight how AI agents are being repurposed for personal and social tasks. The article notes that TechCrunch could not independently verify the women's reactions, relying on Guez's word. This story illustrates the emerging trend of using autonomous agents for unconventional personal automation.

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The Download: a startup has a solution for AI’s groupthink problem
MIT Technology Review
Apps2d ago

The Download: a startup has a solution for AI’s groupthink problem

MIT Technology Review highlights a new startup named Springboards that has developed an LLM called Flint to combat the groupthink problem in large language models. Mainstream chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT often produce predictable, repetitive responses, such as always choosing the number 7 when asked for a random number between 1 and 10. This lack of creativity hinders brainstorming and planning tasks where diverse ideas are crucial. Flint is specifically trained to generate a wider variety of responses to open-ended questions, offering a potential solution to this limitation. The newsletter also covers other major tech news, including the creation of the first synthetic cell and OpenAI's proposal for government stakes in AI companies. These developments underscore the ongoing industry focus on improving AI creativity and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The article serves as a daily digest of significant technological advancements and business shifts.

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SpaceX has an AI device prototype, and it sure sounds phone-ish
TechCrunch AI
Apps3d ago

SpaceX has an AI device prototype, and it sure sounds phone-ish

SpaceX has reportedly demonstrated a prototype of a sleek, handset-like AI device to investors, sparking speculation about its potential as a competitor to existing AI hardware. The device is said to run on a proprietary operating system and integrate technology from Musk's xAI, aiming to create a native AI interface independent of major tech platforms. Elon Musk has publicly denied the report, calling it 'utterly false,' which adds a layer of mystery to the company's hardware ambitions. This move aligns with SpaceX's broader strategy to expand into wireless services through Starlink Mobile, potentially challenging traditional carriers like Verizon and AT&T. The article highlights the growing trend of major tech figures entering the AI hardware space, following similar efforts by OpenAI and its partners. However, it also notes the historical difficulty of the AI device market, citing the struggles of companies like Humane and Rabbit. Despite the denial, the report underscores Musk's intent to leverage his manufacturing expertise to disrupt the current smartphone ecosystem.

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LLMs are stuck in a groupthink groove. This startup is trying to get them out.
MIT Technology Review
Apps3d ago

LLMs are stuck in a groupthink groove. This startup is trying to get them out.

Large language models exhibit a significant 'groupthink' tendency, producing highly predictable and homogeneous responses to open-ended prompts. An Australian startup named Springboards has developed a new model called Flint designed to break this pattern by encouraging greater diversity in outputs. The article demonstrates that while mainstream models like ChatGPT and Claude often converge on identical answers, Flint generates varied results for the same queries. Co-founder Pip Bingemann argues that this homogeneity limits creativity, whereas Flint welcomes the variation that others might consider hallucinations. This issue is gaining attention as researchers publish papers highlighting the artificial hivemind effect across different AI systems. The startup aims to provide a solution for users seeking novel ideas rather than the most statistically probable answers. This development highlights a growing niche for AI tools focused on creativity and divergence from standard model behaviors.

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Gemini Spark, Google’s agentic assistant, is now available on Mac
TechCrunch AI
Apps3d ago

Gemini Spark, Google’s agentic assistant, is now available on Mac

Google has expanded its Gemini Spark agentic assistant to macOS, positioning it as a direct competitor to Claude Desktop and Microsoft Copilot. The update includes deep integrations with Google Tasks, Keep, and third-party apps like Canva, Dropbox, and Instacart, enabling complex tasks such as grocery ordering and file organization. Users can now leverage real-time topic tracking for news and sports, alongside support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for custom app connections. The feature is currently available in beta exclusively for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the United States. This launch marks a significant step in Google's strategy to embed AI agents directly into desktop workflows. By enabling multi-step task execution and file manipulation, Google aims to enhance productivity for professional and personal use cases. The addition of MCP support suggests a broader ecosystem approach to AI assistant customization.

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The Download: Anthropic launches Claude Science, and California’s carbon manure math
MIT Technology Review
Apps3d ago

The Download: Anthropic launches Claude Science, and California’s carbon manure math

Anthropic has officially launched Claude Science, a new flagship product designed to support scientific research in fields like computational biology and drug development. This launch mirrors the success of Claude Code for software engineering, positioning AI as a critical tool for autonomous scientific work. The company is also lifting restrictions on its Mythos and Fable models in the US, signaling a broader expansion of its capabilities. Beyond AI, the newsletter covers California's controversial carbon offset program for cattle manure, highlighting flaws in current climate policy. Additionally, it explores the emerging frontier of longevity research through cellular reprogramming and the ongoing search for dark matter amidst neutrino interference. These diverse topics provide a comprehensive snapshot of current technological and scientific developments. The AI-focused content is particularly relevant for professionals interested in the intersection of AI and life sciences.

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Claude Science is Anthropic’s newest flagship product
MIT Technology Review
Apps3d ago

Claude Science is Anthropic’s newest flagship product

Anthropic has launched Claude Science, a flagship product designed to support scientific research, positioned alongside Claude Code for software engineering. The tool autonomously executes tasks and provides specialized access to tools for computational biology and drug development, available to all paid subscribers. This launch marks a significant escalation from earlier life sciences plugins, signaling a serious commitment to AI for science. The announcement coincides with a strategic move to challenge Google DeepMind's dominance, highlighted by the recent defection of DeepMind researcher John Jumper to Anthropic. Dario Amodei's scientific background and the focus on rare disease research underscore the company's mission-driven approach. This development suggests a intensifying competition in the AI for science sector as frontier labs vie for influence in pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

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OpenClaw is finally available on Android and iOS
TechCrunch AI
Apps3d ago

OpenClaw is finally available on Android and iOS

OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent that went viral earlier this year, is now available as a mobile app on iOS and Android. Users can pair their phones with the OpenClaw Gateway to run agents from their pockets, extending capabilities from coding to meal planning. The platform gained significant attention through MoltBook, a social media site populated by agents, which later revealed human impersonation as part of a marketing stunt. OpenClaw's creator, Peter Steinberger, announced his departure to join OpenAI in February, adding a layer of intrigue to the project's credibility. Despite the controversy, the launch highlights the expanding agentic future of AI, with agents increasingly embedded across the landscape. This release marks a significant step in bringing autonomous AI agents to mobile devices for everyday tasks.

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Gemini’s personalized AI image generation is now free for US users
TechCrunch AI
Apps3d ago

Gemini’s personalized AI image generation is now free for US users

Google has made its personalized AI image generation feature in the Gemini app free for all U.S. users, previously restricted to Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers. The feature, powered by 'Nano Banana,' creates images based on user preferences inferred from Gmail, Photos, YouTube, and Search data without requiring specific prompts. Users can opt-in or opt-out of this Personal Intelligence feature, which now defaults to enabled for every prompt. Google recently expanded this functionality to users in India and Japan and announced upcoming updates like a Daily Brief and AI video model. This move supports Google's Gemini chatbot, which recently surpassed 750 million monthly active users, reinforcing its position in the AI market. The free access strategy aims to broaden adoption and demonstrate the value of AI-driven personalization. This represents a significant shift in how AI tools leverage user data for tailored experiences.

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Google’s NotebookLM can sum up your research in a TikTok-style clip
The Verge AI
Apps4d ago

Google’s NotebookLM can sum up your research in a TikTok-style clip

Google is expanding NotebookLM with a new feature that generates 60-second vertical AI videos from uploaded research sources. This TikTok-style clip functionality is currently available to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers. The videos combine AI-generated images and narration to summarize specific topics within a notebook. Users can create these clips by selecting the 'Short' option in the Studio column on the web or app. This addition builds on existing features like AI podcasts and cinematic videos, offering more ways to interact with research. The feature is initially rolling out in English, with support for free users coming soon. This update highlights Google's push to make AI research tools more visually engaging and accessible.

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Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite
TechCrunch AI
Apps4d ago

Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite

Google has released Nano Banana 2 Lite, a faster and cheaper version of its AI image generator built on Gemini 3.1 Flash. The model produces images in just four seconds with low latency, making it ideal for high-volume, rapid iteration workflows. Pricing is set at $0.034 per 1,000 images, positioning it as a cost-effective solution for developers drafting content at scale. This release follows the launch of Nano Banana 2 and the original Nano Banana, with the legacy model now being phased out. Alongside this, Google announced a wider release of Gemini Omni Flash for video output and a new demo app called Omni Product Studio. The move comes as Google deepens ties with Hollywood, including a $75 million deal with indie studio A24, despite ongoing criticism from creative communities about AI-generated imagery. These tools are available via Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and the Enterprise Agent Platform.

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