AI is now part of every paid Slack subscription, and the platform continues building out its agentic OS with new features including enterprise search connectors, writing assistance, and contextual definitions embedded in the app. The Enterprise+ plan, which scales AI company-wide, now includes AI for drafting documents and answering questions using information stored in Slack chats and connected apps. Business+ is adding recaps, translations, workflow generation and AI-powered search, while the entry-level Pro tier offers AI summarization for conversations in channels, threads and huddles, making it easier to stay current on communications. Continue reading Slack to Roll Out New AI Features for Enterprise Collaboration

AWS has released a new AI coding tool called Kiro in preview. This IDE for agent apps is described by some as a vibe coding platform. However, AWS says Kiro “goes way beyond,” getting prototypes into production systems with features such as specs and hooks. In fact, Kiro was designed specifically to reduce issues common to vibe coding, the process of creating software using AI agents reacting to natural language prompts. This makes it popular among non-coders, resulting in an often chaotic process that Kiro attempts to professionalize. Available for free during preview, Kiro supports most popular programming languages. Continue reading AWS Kiro Agentic AI Developer Tool Now Free During Preview

Nvidia-backed startup Perplexity AI is challenging Google with a new AI-powered web browser called Comet that is built on the company’s proprietary AI search engine. The new browser is initially available to those paying $200 per month to subscribe to the Perplexity Max plan and by invitation to those who register online for the company’s waitlist. The browser also comes with Comet Assistant, an agent that automates routine tasks such as summarizing emails and navigating webpages. Comet Assistant can be opened as a sidebar on any webpage to answer questions about the content being presented. Continue reading Perplexity Launches Comet AI Web Browser for Premium Subs

Meta Platforms has joined forces with Zoom on a standalone app for Meta Quest headsets that lets you initiate or take video calls appearing as a virtual avatar. Unlike the Quest app launched by Zoom in 2023, the new app does not restrict use to Meta’s Horizon Workrooms nor require a paid Zoom subscription to facilitate meetings. Meta says that now “any free or paid Zoom license” can set up meetings or simply participate in them using Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro, and Quest 2 headsets. Available now at the Meta Horizon Store, the Zoom app for Meta Quest lets you join a meeting with total VR immersion or see your surroundings in an augmented reality experience using Passthrough mode. Continue reading Zoom and Meta Unveil Standalone App for Quest VR Meetings

Moonvalley, the AI startup behind Marey, a high-quality video generator trained exclusively on licensed content, has just put the product in general release. The credits-based subscription pricing ranges from $15 to $150 per month. In addition to ethical training on 1080p native video, Marey also takes a non-traditional approach on its user interface, eschewing prompts for what it says is a more creatively intuitive process. “Directors need precise control over every creative decision, plus legal confidence for commercial use. Today we’re delivering both,” says Moonvalley CEO and co-founder Naeem Talukdar. Continue reading Moonvalley’s Production-Tailored AI Marey Publicly Released

Netflix is taking steps aimed at upgrading the viewer experience, rolling out AV1 Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) streams to the majority of its subscribers. While FGS has been part of the AV1 standard since the Alliance for Open Media introduced the format in 2018, Netflix began to apply it to a limited number of titles in 2021 and is is now enabling it at scale. The streamer says the open-source FGS compression system “revolutionizes video streaming” and will “preserve the artistic integrity of film grain” — a feature generally considered essential to achieving a cinematic look — while also optimizing data efficiency. Continue reading Netflix Is Implementing AV1 Film Grain Synthesis Tech at Scale

Google is making it easier to access its Gems customizable Gemini chatbots by bringing them to the side panel in Google Workspace apps, including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail. The task-specific Gems AI assistants are meant to help with common tasks and eliminate what Google calls “repetitive prompting.” Now they’ll be usable without even prompting Gemini to open. While Google offers pre-made Gems, they can also be customized or individually created to meet specific needs. Both custom and templated Gems can be installed in side panels, leveraging capabilities like @-mentioning or accessing files and folders. Continue reading Google Makes Gems Chatbots Available via Workspace Apps

While Samsung retains its spot as the top U.S. smart TV brand — followed by LG, Vizio and Sony — it was Roku and Amazon Fire TV that saw the greatest growth, according to new data from Hub Entertainment Research. The study found that among the “most-used TV sets” in the U.S., Roku doubled its share to 8 percent since 2024, while Fire TV increased usage to 5 percent. Hub’s Evolution of the TV Set study also found that people are using TV differently as a result of connectivity to the Internet, phones and gaming devices. Meanwhile, Pew Research reports that 83 percent of Americans say they watch streaming services, compared to 36 percent who indicate they subscribe to cable or satellite TV. Continue reading Research Points to Compelling Shifts in TV Viewership Trends

U.S. streaming viewership exceeded cable and broadcast audiences combined in May, an industry first. Streaming amassed a record 44.8 percent of total U.S. television usage, inching past cable and broadcast’s combined 44.2 percent of audience according to Nielsen. In the four years since Nielsen launched The Gauge measurement report in May 2021, U.S. streaming viewership grew by 71 percent while cable and broadcast viewing declined by 39 percent and 21 percent, respectively, with traditional TV showing “surprising resilience,” the current report notes. During those four years, “Netflix has gone wire-to-wire as the leading SVOD provider,” according to The Gauge. Continue reading Streaming Viewership Tops Cable & Broadcast for First Time

Netflix has struck a first-of-its-kind deal to carry live TV in France. Beginning in the summer of 2026, subscribers in France can view TF1 Group live channels as well as on-demand content from TF1+ on Netflix as part of their existing subscriptions. TF1 and Netflix have long worked together on co-productions including “Les Combattantes” and “L’Agence.” “This new kind of partnership will provide audiences in France with exciting new ways to enjoy TF1 programming and offer Netflix members in France even more variety and choice,” Netflix said. The agreement will see Netflix carrying all five of TF1’s broadcast channels in addition to some 30,000 hours of on-demand content. Continue reading Netflix Expanding into Live TV in France with TF1 Group Deal

Meta Platforms is opening its WhatsApp messaging service to advertising. The company revealed that three ad modules will roll out gradually. The ads will be positioned under WhatsApp’s Updates tab, a section discreet from WhatsApp’s users’ message inboxes and private chats. The Updates tab is also the entry point to WhatsApp’s Status feature, which lets users share photos, videos and text that disappear after 24 hours, similar to Instagram Stories. Meta says the Updates tab gets 1.5 billion visitors per day. The company is also seeking to monetize WhatsApp’s Channels feature by offering paid subscriptions and promoted Channels. Continue reading Meta Platforms Is Gradually Bringing Advertising to WhatsApp

China’s Manus AI has unveiled a text-to-video generator it says can transform “prompts into complete stories — structured, sequenced, and ready to watch. With a single prompt, Manus plans each scene, crafts the visuals, and animates your vision,” the company announced last week. Manus generated buzz in March for its agentic approach to AI, and now it is putting that autonomous technology to work on generative AI, promising story generation within minutes. Last month, the firm that developed Manus, Butterfly Effect, reportedly secured $75 million in funding led by U.S.-based Benchmark for a nearly $500 million valuation. Continue reading Manus AI Takes an Agentic Approach with Its Video Generator

Disney+ has toggled its one-off promotions to Always-On Perks that aim to build subscriber loyalty and boost renewals for its flagship streaming service and Hulu. Simultaneously, the company is also launching a program called Disney Pinnacle with game developer Dapper Labs. Disney+ subscribers will have early access to a monthly mystery capsule called Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs that comes with a $10 Dapper Credit. Subscribers will have access to discounts and various perks from the entertainment giant and its partners. Always-On Perks participants could win tickets to the “Freakier Friday” world premiere or a four-night cruise on the Disney Destiny. Continue reading Disney+ Offers Perks and Fan Experiences with New Program

The Norwegian browser company behind Opera is working on an AI-powered version with agentic powers. Called Opera Neon, users can chat using the browser’s native integrated AI agent that will search the web, get answers and provide context for webpages. To do this, Opera Neon draws on previously showcased Opera tech called Browser Operator, which automates routine web tasks like form completion, hotel bookings and even some shopping functions. “Neon performs these tasks locally in the browser, preserving users’ privacy and security,” according to Opera. The company, which has been around since 1996, was acquired by a Chinese consortium in 2016. Continue reading Agentic Browser Opera Neon Available Soon via Subscription

Amazon Music has unveiled an AI search tool for music discovery, rolling out in beta on iOS to select Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers in the U.S. Powered by Amazon Bedrock, the feature aims to help listeners learn more about their favorite artists. Called Explore, it provides richer recommendations, including curated music collections, and the search results can be used to create AI-generated playlists that are based on an artist, according to Amazon. “This experimental feature includes results for many of your favorite artists today and will continue expanding to include more over time,” Amazon adds. Continue reading Amazon Music Beta Tests AI Search in iOS for Unlimited Subs