AI is changing the publishing industry, for good
Emerging Tech Roundup — November 15
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Google’s AI ‘learning companion’ takes chatbot answers a step further, Particle launches an AI news app to help publishers, Apple Intelligence shares custom emojis with ‘Genmoji’ feature, Baidu announces its AI smart glasses, Chrome on iPhones can search using pictures and words at the same time, Channel 4 in the UK shares dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro, and Amazon steps up effort to build AI chips that can rival Nvidia.
Google’s AI ‘Learning Companion’ Takes Chatbot Answers a Step Further
(The Verge, November 11)
Google's new AI tool, Learn About, is an educationally-focused platform built on the LearnLM model, emphasizing interactive learning with visuals and structured educational elements. Unlike Google Gemini, which displays sourced information and diagrams, Learn About provides educational context, related learning content, and definitions to deepen understanding on topics like "How big is the universe?" The tool also includes "common misconception" markers and suggests follow-up topics — making it distinct from standard fact-focused chatbots by aiming to foster a more comprehensive learning experience.
Particle Launches an AI News App to Help Publishers, Instead of Just Stealing Their Work
(Tech Crunch, November 12)
Particle, an AI-powered newsreader app launched by former Twitter engineers, is aiming to support publishers rather than exploit their content by providing links back to sources underneath AI-generated summaries. Partnering with publishers like Reuters, AFP, and Fortune, Particle gives them prominent placement within the app, aiming to drive traffic and offer compensation. With backing from Lightspeed and $15.3 million in total funding, Particle’s approach focuses on helping readers delve deeper into news stories while supporting media industry sustainability.
Here’s How to Create a Custom Emoji with the Apple Intelligence Feature ‘Genmoji’
(Tech Crunch, November 12)
Apple has introduced the long-awaited "Genmoji" feature, allowing users to create custom emojis through Apple Intelligence. Genmoji enables users to generate unique emojis from written prompts or photos, integrating with Messages, Stickers, and Tapbacks for reactions. To create a Genmoji, users type a prompt in the emoji keyboard, select “Create New Emoji,” and can save their favorites to the keyboard or download Genmojis sent by others.
Baidu Announces its Own Pair of AI Smart Glasses
(Engadget, November 12)
Baidu has unveiled AI-powered smart glasses, featuring ERNIE generative AI technology that functions as a private assistant, allowing users to ask questions, play music, track calories, and take photos or videos. Set to ship next year, Baidu’s device could serve as a Chinese alternative to Meta’s and Snap's smart glasses, with Meta's Ray-Ban smart sunglasses unavailable in China due to server restrictions. Baidu's conference also highlighted advancements in AI, including a new image generator with fewer errors and a no-code software creation tool.
Chrome on your iPhone Can Search Using Pictures and Words at the Same Time
(The Verge, November 12)
Google’s Chrome browser for iOS is adding features from its Android version, including combined Google Lens image and text search, enabling users to refine searches with both visuals and keywords. New functionality allows users to save images and files directly to Google Photos and Drive, which helps users avoid filling up iPhone storage. Chrome for iOS also introduces Shopping Insights for deal alerts, a price tracker, and a mini-map viewer to quickly view locations without switching apps.
Channel 4 in the UK Now Has a Dedicated App for Apple Vision Pro
(Engadget, November 12)
UK broadcaster Channel 4 has launched a dedicated app for Apple's Vision Pro headset, making it the first UK broadcaster to offer a streaming app for Apple’s $3,500 mixed-reality device. The app provides a "cinema-style" experience, overlaying shows like *The Great British Bake Off* and *Taskmaster* onto the real world, with multi-screen and themed environments inspired by shows. While the app offers immersive viewing, it does not include the Taskmaster VR game, which remains exclusive to Steam VR and Meta Quest.
Amazon Steps Up Effort to Build AI Chips That Can Rival Nvidia
(Financial Times, November 12)
Amazon is set to unveil its latest AI chip, Trainium 2, as part of its strategy to compete with Nvidia in the AI processor market and reduce reliance on the chip giant. Developed by its Annapurna Labs unit, Trainium 2 is already being tested by companies like Anthropic and Databricks — offering significant cost savings with its Inferentia chips reportedly being 40% cheaper for AI model inference. Amazon plans to invest heavily in technology infrastructure, projecting $75 billion in capital spending for 2024, reflecting the escalating AI arms race among major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta.