Archive
Category: Consumer
Spotify Turns to Google’s NotebookLM to Transform Wrapped Into an AI-Powered Podcast
Spotify Wrapped has arrived. But this year, the audio platform’s annual personalized listening summary is changing, thanks to an infusion of artificial intelligence. In addition to our expected standard recap, Spotify is launching Your Spotify Wrapped AI podcast. It’s powered by Google’s NotebookLM, a popular AI-integrated application that transforms any content into a podcast hosted […]
Foursquare City Guide Shutting Down on Dec. 15; Swarm Will Stay Active
A decade after splitting its city guide feature from its social check-in service, Foursquare is streamlining further. The company will sunset the City Guide app on December 15, with the web version following in early 2025. Meanwhile, the popular Swarm check-in app will stay active, potentially receiving an update to enhance the user experience. Much […]
Strategic Leadership in the Age of Generative AI: A Guide for Long-Term Success
Can a new book finally help executives grasp the full potential of AI? In this issue of “The AI Economy,” we look at “Winning with Generational AI” and chat with one of its authors, Charlene Li, to understand if this 90-day blueprint can offer highly sought-after clarity. You have probably heard about NotebookLM, but what […]
FightCamp’s New Console Hardware Lets You Box and Kick With Friends and Family
Eight years ago, Tommy Duquette sat down to tell me about a startup he was co-founding with four other people. The tech industry—and the world—was very different compared to now, but for the team behind fitness tech Hykso, their mission today remains the same: To make boxing accessible to all. Their company has since rebranded […]
Checkout and Cash In: Tiptop’s Trade-In Feature Saves You Money on Online Purchases
Have you ever wanted a way to save when making purchases online? We scramble when sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday take place or use apps like Honey and Rakuten to save as much as possible. But what if there was a way to reduce the amount spent while decluttering our home? Tiptop could […]
Microsoft Build 2024: Copilot, Copilot, Copilot
Satya Nadella had his “developers” moment. Microsoft held its annual Build developer conference in downtown Seattle, Washington this week. On the heels of events by OpenAI and Google, what would the Windows maker bring to the table? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Microsoft’s chief executive came out in full force to hype up […]
The Apple, Google AI Pact Risks Further Big Tech Antitrust Crackdown
It’s no surprise Apple has AI ambitions, especially after falling behind its Big Tech peers. A new report reveals the company is in “active negotiations” with Google to bring its Gemini technology to the iPhone. Should a deal materialize, Apple would license Google’s generative AI offering to help bring such technology to iOS. This mega-deal […]
Foursquare’s Founder Revives Audio Vision With BeeBot to Make You Aware of the World Beyond Your Phone
Foursquare, a location-based service provider, once launched an audio guide application designed to seamlessly provide reviews and recommendations for captivating local spots directly to your AirPods. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered those efforts, resulting in the shelving of the app. Nevertheless, company co-founder Dennis Crowley retained his interest in the concept and has now revived […]
Disney Invests Big in Epic Games for a Magical Metaverse Adventure
Disney and Epic Games are teaming up, so you might soon be able to play as your favorite Disney, Marvel, or Pixar character in Fortnite! As part of this blockbuster partnership, The House of Mouse will invest $1.5 billion in Epic Games. In a release, Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, said, “Our exciting new relationship with […]
Samsung Shifts Gears to Embrace AI (Again), Putting Devices in the Backseat
Seven years ago, Samsung said it wanted to create “a corporate-wide AI voice system” powered by its acquisition of Viv Labs. The electronics maker had a strong foothold in the home, with many consumers owning at least a Samsung television, audio player, refrigerator, oven, or washer and dryer. A key component to its execution lay […]