Microsoft launches Copilot Merchant Program to integrate retailers into AI shopping

Microsoft launched the Copilot Merchant Program to allow third-party retailers to integrate product catalogs into its AI platform, providing real-time suggestions, price alerts, and in-app purchases, aligning with its broader AI commerce strategy.

🗞 #microsoftcopilot

Gemini’s Scheduled Actions may offer AI task scheduling

Google is testing a Scheduled Actions feature in its Gemini app, allowing users to automate tasks like daily news delivery or image generation. The rollout timeline and whether it's tied to paid tiers remain unclear.

🗞 #gemini

OpenAI prepares Custom GPTs for native GPT-4o image generation

OpenAI is preparing to enable image generation using the GPT‑4o model in Custom GPTs, replacing DALL‑E 3. This change will allow user-built bots to create images directly within conversations using a unified multimodal model.

🗞 #chatgpt

Microsoft Copilot AI Podcast feature enters early testing

Microsoft is adding AI-generated podcasts to Copilot, enabling users to convert topics or documents into noscripted dialogues between synthetic hosts. The feature supports real-time queries and will roll out across platforms later this year.

🗞 #microsoftcopilot

OpenAI and Shopify poised for partnership as ChatGPT adds in-chat shopping

OpenAI is integrating a native shopping flow into ChatGPT, enabling users to complete purchases via Shopify checkout within the chat. This positions ChatGPT as a full-funnel commerce platform with minimal setup for Shopify merchants.

🗞 #chatgpt

ShengShu rolls out Vidu Q1 with full-stack AI video and audio generation tools

ShengShu Technology’s Vidu Q1 lets users generate 5-second 1080p clips with audio from two images and a prompt, delivering render coherence and integrated sound tools that surpass current rivals in speed and accuracy.

🗞 #ai

Google AI Studio experiments with live UI preview for Gemini apps

Google AI Studio is testing a hidden canvas rendering feature responding to developer feedback, allowing live UI previews from Gemini-generated code. A new "Usage" tab is also in development to show API consumption metrics directly.

🗞 #aistudio

New AvatarFX model lets Character.AI users create realistic avatars

Character.AI introduced Avatar FX, a model generating photorealistic video from a single image with synchronized speech, facial, and body movements. It supports long clips, dialogue, and user-directed scenes, now live in labs and coming to the app.

🗞 #characterai

OpenAI expands o3 capabilities with higher limits and task scheduling

User reports suggest OpenAI has raised the ChatGPT o3 model’s usage quota to 50–100 messages per day. Both o3 and o4-mini now support task scheduling, signaling broader integration ahead of a possible “o3 Pro” tier launch.

🗞 #chatgpt

Google readies native image generation in Gemini ahead of possible I/O reveal

Google is preparing to launch native image generation in Gemini, with backend updates and content rights warnings hinting at an imminent release. A public reveal may coincide with Google I/O, though no official timeline has been confirmed.

🗞 #gemini

OpenAI tests Deep Research Mini tool for free ChatGPT users

OpenAI is introducing “Deep Research Mini,” a scaled-down version of its Deep Research tool, to ChatGPT users, including those on the Free tier, offering topic-specific breakdowns without requiring a premium subnoscription.

🗞 #chatgpt

Google quietly tests Search Agent in Gemini's prompt composer

Google is testing a "Search" agent within Gemini, aiming to expand its role in information retrieval. Integrated under a new "Agents" UI, it auto-verifies answers using Google Search, signaling a shift toward modular, task-specific tools in its ecosystem.

🗞 #gemini

Claude Max plan could bundle Claude Code in push for broader adoption

Anthropic is testing the inclusion of Claude Code in the Max plan and a referral contest offering free subnoscriptions, aligning with its strategy to attract developers and expand user adoption through subnoscription value and viral growth incentives.

🗞 #claude

New NotebookLM feature will let users choose Audio Overview length

Google is testing a NotebookLM feature that lets users adjust audio overview length, supporting brief recaps or extended formats. This aligns with efforts to evolve the platform into a versatile AI research tool for varied professional needs.

🗞 #notebooklm

Meta limits AI features in EU over Llama 4 licensing and data concerns

Meta has launched its AI assistant in the EU, offering only text-based features due to regulatory constraints. Full capabilities remain restricted, with future training on public user content planned, raising privacy concerns among watchdogs.

🗞 #meta

Lovable 2.0 introduces Chat Mode Agent alongside Multiplayer support

Lovable 2.0 introduces real-time collaboration, a security scan for Supabase apps, a smarter Chat Mode Agent, and new pricing tiers, positioning the platform closer to competitors like Replit and Bubble while targeting freelancers and startups.

🗞 #ai

Meta AI will get new Reasoning, Canvas and Connected apps tools at LlamaCon

Meta’s upcoming LlamaCon will showcase major upgrades to its AI web app, introducing new modes like Reasoning, Canvas, Research, Talk, and video creation, as well as expanded voice options, app integrations, and a personalized Memory feature.

🗞 #meta

Alibaba Cloud debuts 235B-parameter Qwen 3 to challenge US model dominance

Alibaba Cloud's Qwen team launched Qwen 3, a family of open-weight language models up to 235B parameters using a mixture-of-experts design. Models are Apache-2.0 licensed and support both cloud and local deployment options.

🗞 #ai

Google expands NotebookLM with Audio Overviews in over 50 languages

Google expanded NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews to over fifty languages, allowing users to generate voice summaries of documents, slides, and trannoscripts. The update improves accessibility, with options for tone, depth control, and offline playback.

🗞 #notebooklm

Anthropic tests custom integrations for Claude using MCPs

Anthropic is testing custom integration support in Claude's web app via the Modular Component Protocol, enabling third-party tools and data connections without local setups, signaling a move toward broader modular and web-based deployments.

🗞 #claude

Google prepares new Gemini AI subnoscription tiers with possible Gemini Ultra plan

Google is preparing new Gemini AI subnoscription tiers, including a possible "Gemini Ultra" plan, with code references suggesting expanded access and usage limits. This move supports its growing push toward a subnoscription-based model.

🗞 #gemini