Avec launches mobile email app with $8.4 million in funding
Avec has launched a mobile-first email app featuring swipe-based navigation and voice replies, backed by $8.4 million in funding and currently available for Gmail users in the U.S.
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Apps & Consumer
889 storiesX brings back voice notes to its standalone chat app
X has reintroduced Voice Notes to its X Chat messaging service, a move that may help the platform compete with other messaging apps.
Spotify adds global controls to disable in-app video
Spotify is rolling out global controls allowing users to disable all in-app video, a move likely aimed at addressing regulatory scrutiny regarding video content's impact on younger users.
Instagram expands teen content restrictions internationally
Instagram is expanding its teen content restrictions internationally, introducing stricter filters as Meta faces ongoing legal scrutiny regarding its impact on teen mental health.
WireGuard and other developers locked out of Microsoft accounts
WireGuard and other developers are locked out of Microsoft accounts without notice, preventing them from shipping critical software updates to Windows users around the world.
Startup Poke brings agentic AI to SMS and messaging apps
The Interaction Company of California has launched Poke, a $300 million-valued AI agent accessible via text messaging, aiming to simplify automation for non-technical users.
Tubi becomes first streamer to integrate with ChatGPT
Tubi has become the first major streaming service to launch a native app within ChatGPT, allowing users to search its library of more than 300,000 titles via natural language.
Volkswagen and Uber begin autonomous microbus testing in Los Angeles
Volkswagen subsidiary MOIA America and Uber have begun testing autonomous ID. Buzz microbuses in Los Angeles, aiming to launch a commercial robotaxi service by late 2026.
Astropad launches Workbench to manage autonomous AI agents
Astropad has launched Workbench, a remote desktop tool designed to help users monitor and manage autonomous AI agents running on Mac hardware.
VeraCrypt developer locked out of Microsoft account
Microsoft locked the VeraCrypt developer's account, which may cause boot-up failures for Windows users who have enabled system encryption.
YouTube pushes for deeper engagement on living room screens
YouTube is hiring to expand interactive 'living room' features as connected TVs account for over 44% of its U.S. watch time, though interactive TV remains a niche challenge.
Atlassian adds visual AI and third-party agents to Confluence
Atlassian launched the Remix visual AI tool and three third-party agents in Confluence, continuing the industry trend of embedding AI directly into existing enterprise software workflows.
X adds automatic translation and AI photo editing
X is rolling out automatic translation and AI-powered image editing worldwide via Grok, though Android availability and potential paywall restrictions remain unclear.
Google launches offline-first AI dictation app on iOS
Google has released an offline-first AI dictation app for iOS called Google AI Edge Eloquent, which competes with existing transcription tools by offering local processing and text cleanup.
Google Chrome adds vertical tabs to manage browser clutter
Google Chrome is rolling out a vertical tabs feature to all markets, a move likely influenced by competition from alternative browsers like Arc.
Binge launches as a movie tracker with jump scare warnings
Indie developer Shihab Mehboob has launched Binge, a cross-platform movie and TV tracking app that uses Apple’s Live Activities to provide real-time jump scare warnings.
Google Maps adds AI-powered photo captioning
Google is integrating Gemini to generate photo captions on Maps, currently available in English on iOS in the U.S. with global and Android expansion planned.
Giggles raises $1,234,567 for meme prediction market app
Giggles, a meme-focused prediction market app, has raised $1,234,567 in funding led by 1k(x) to combat bot-swarmed social media platforms.
Adobe launches Student Spaces to compete in AI study tools
Adobe has launched Student Spaces, a free, standalone AI-powered tool for students to generate study materials, aiming to compete with platforms like Google’s NotebookLM.
Waymo launches robotaxi service in Nashville with Lyft partnership
Waymo has launched its robotaxi service in Nashville, its 11th city, utilizing a slow-roll approach and a new fleet partnership with Lyft subsidiary Flexdrive.