OpenAI has launched a ChatGPT app directory allowing users to connect and interact with popular third-party services like Spotify, DoorDash, and Zillow directly within ChatGPT, enhancing its functionality and user experience.
Google's Gemini app is removing direct '@' mentions for apps like YouTube and Google Maps to promote more natural prompts, while maintaining full functionality through natural language commands. The change is reflected in the app's interface and support pages, aiming for a seamless user experience without explicit app invocation.
Apple is testing a new version of Siri that will allow users to operate apps and perform actions across various services using only voice commands, with plans for a broader release expected in spring 2026.
Disney will stop reporting subscriber numbers for its streaming services and will fully integrate Hulu into Disney+ by 2026, replacing the standalone Hulu app with a unified platform to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Google's Gemini AI will soon be able to access connected apps on Android devices to improve functionality, with a new update on July 7 allowing users to control app access and maintain privacy, even if App Activity is disabled, enhancing user experience and personalization.
Life360 has fully integrated Tile trackers into its app, allowing users to set up and manage Tile devices without the Tile app, and is likely phasing out the standalone Tile app. The update also reorganizes Life360's paid plans, adding new features like SOS Alerts, and emphasizes its role as a comprehensive family safety app, while clarifying its data sharing policies.
The Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro is a highly advanced, camera-equipped bird feeder that connects to an app, allowing users to observe, identify, and learn about backyard birds remotely. It features high-quality video, AI-powered bird recognition, and social sharing options, making bird-watching more interactive and educational, though it has some limitations in bird identification accuracy and requires a subscription for premium features.
Google Maps has begun integrating Waze incident reports, allowing users to see and confirm road conditions such as police presence and road closures. This feature is part of Google's initiative to cross-pollinate data between the two apps, enhancing navigation experiences while maintaining their separate operations. The integration was first noticed by a Reddit user, marking the beginning of this collaborative feature rollout.
Anthropic has introduced the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source tool designed to enable AI assistants to access data from any app securely. This protocol allows developers to create AI-to-app integrations without needing direct collaboration with major tech firms like Google. While promising to streamline AI integration across apps, MCP raises potential privacy concerns as it facilitates broader data access for AI agents. Companies like Zed, Replit, and Sourcegraph have already adopted MCP, and Apple is expected to introduce similar AI functionalities soon.
iOS 17.4 introduces a significant change for personal finance apps, allowing them to easily access Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Apple Card Savings accounts information and import that data. This update comes after the shutdown of Mint, which previously offered integration with Apple Card. Budgeting apps like Copilot, YNAB, and Monarch Money have already added support for this feature, enabling users to seamlessly track their Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts alongside accounts from other institutions.
Microsoft's latest update to OneDrive on Windows 11 required users to provide reasons for closing the app, as part of its strategy to heavily promote its services within the operating system. However, Microsoft has since reverted the changes, allowing users to close the app without providing feedback. The update also included other tactics to push OneDrive, such as prompts to enable backup and integration with Windows features.
TikTok is testing a search partnership with Google, allowing users to search on Google.com within the TikTok app. This move could potentially boost traffic and ad revenue for both companies. The feature is being trialed globally and is not an ad unit. While Google declined to comment on any financial agreement, experts believe a long-term partnership between the two platforms could greatly benefit both in reaching younger audiences. This comes as Google faces a trial against the US Justice Department over alleged monopoly practices. TikTok has been enhancing its search function, including adding snippets from Wikipedia and IMDb, and making search ads available to all advertisers.