X updates video player to stop cropping vertical content
X has launched a new immersive video player on iOS, aiming to improve video consumption and stop cropping vertical content as it competes with platforms like TikTok.
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Apps & Consumer
889 storiesWordPress.com adds AI assistant for site design and content
WordPress.com has launched an AI assistant that allows users to edit site content and layout using natural language, utilizing Google Gemini for image generation.
Apple launches video podcast experience this spring
Apple is launching a video podcast experience this spring, allowing users to switch between watching and listening within the Apple Podcasts app to compete with rivals.
Snapchat launches creator subscriptions in the U.S.
Snapchat is launching creator subscriptions in the U.S. for select users, with plans to expand the program to Canada, the U.K., and France in the coming weeks.
Emergent hits $100M ARR eight months after launch
Emergent, a vibe-coding platform, has reached over $100 million in annual run-rate revenue just eight months after launch, driven by strong demand from non-technical users.
Airbnb expands 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' feature globally
Airbnb is rolling out its 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' feature globally after seeing 70% adoption in the U.S. and a positive impact on booking volume.
Alta brings virtual try-on tech to fashion brand websites
Alta is expanding its virtual styling technology into enterprise website integrations, starting with a partnership with fashion brand Public School to enable direct-to-consumer virtual try-ons.
Kate Barton debuts AI-powered fashion collection at NYFW
Designer Kate Barton is unveiling her latest collection at New York Fashion Week using a multilingual AI agent built with IBM watsonx, signaling a shift toward immersive retail tech.
Airbnb plans to integrate AI across search and support
Airbnb plans to integrate LLMs into its app for search, discovery, and support, aiming to become an "AI-native" platform while expanding its internal AI engineering tools.
Airbnb leans on AI to automate customer support and search
Airbnb is using AI to handle roughly a third of customer support in North America, with plans to scale this globally to more than 30% of tickets within a year.
Alibaba.com partners with India’s Startup India for export push
India’s Startup India has partnered with Alibaba.com on an export-focused program, signaling a nuanced approach to economic engagement despite ongoing restrictions on Chinese consumer apps.
Anthropic’s Claude app hits top 10 after Super Bowl ad campaign
Anthropic’s Claude app reached the U.S. App Store top 10, with estimated downloads surging 32% following the company’s recent Super Bowl advertising campaign.
Date Drop expands beyond campuses after raising angel funding
The Relationship Company has raised a few million in angel funding to expand Date Drop, a dating service that uses matching theory to facilitate real-world connections.
Ring cancels partnership with surveillance firm Flock Safety
Ring has cancelled its planned partnership with Flock Safety, citing resource constraints, amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the privacy and security of its consumer surveillance technology.
Score dating app returns with new verification tiers
Score, the dating app that uses credit scores for verification, is relaunching with a new two-tier system and plans for global expansion, starting with Canada.
Waymo enlists DoorDash drivers to close vehicle doors in Atlanta
Waymo is paying DoorDash drivers in Atlanta to manually close vehicle doors that remain ajar, highlighting the ongoing human-in-the-loop needs for autonomous fleets.
Bryan Johnson launches $1 million annual longevity program
Bryan Johnson has launched 'Immortals,' a $1 million-per-year longevity program, though he has not yet proven his capacity to outlive other humans.
YouTube launches dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro
YouTube has launched a dedicated app for the Apple Vision Pro, filling a major content gap as the headset reportedly faces lukewarm user engagement and production halts.
FTC probes Apple News over alleged conservative content suppression
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns over allegations that Apple News may be censoring conservative content, prompting an inquiry into its curation practices.
Apple reportedly delays AI-powered Siri revamp again
Apple has reportedly delayed its AI-powered Siri revamp due to testing issues, with features now expected to roll out gradually starting later this year.