Microsoft Scout is a new AI personal assistant built on OpenClaw
The Verge AI1h agoNew ToolMicrosoft is launching Scout, an always-on AI personal assistant built on OpenClaw. It integrates with Microsoft 365 apps including Outlook, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams, enabling businesses to assign virtual assistants to employees. Mentioned tasks include calendar organization, expense reporting, and drafting emails, while the supplied excerpt does not fully explain how Scout differs from Copilot.
GitHub Copilot’s new token-based billing spurs dev backlash★ 72
TechCrunch AI3d agoBusinessTechCrunch reports that GitHub Copilot will move to token-based billing on June 1, replacing a more predictable flat or request-based model. Some developers say their expected monthly costs could jump dramatically, citing examples from about $29 to nearly $750 or $50 to around $3,000. Others argue the worst cases may reflect heavy vibe-coding usage, while critics say Microsoft encouraged that behavior before changing the economics.
As browser wars heat up, top Chrome and Safari alternatives in 2026
TechCrunch AI3d agoCommentaryTechCrunch frames 2026’s browser competition around alternatives to Chrome and Safari. The roundup covers AI-centric browsers like Perplexity Comet, Dia, Opera Neon, OpenAI Atlas, and Aside, alongside privacy-focused options such as Brave, DuckDuckGo, Ladybird, and Vivaldi. It also highlights niche products including Opera Air, SigmaOS, and Zen Browser, showing how browsers are becoming AI assistants, productivity hubs, privacy layers, and wellness-oriented tools.
Coders are refusing to work without AI — and that could come back to bite them
TechCrunch AI3d agoCommentaryTechCrunch reports that developers have become so attached to AI coding tools that METR struggled to repeat a no-AI control study. Earlier research found developers felt more productive with AI, while measured task completion could be slower due to debugging, steering, and waiting. The article warns that token usage and code volume are weak productivity proxies if AI-generated code creates more bugs, review work, and long-term maintenance costs.
Tech companies desperately want to film you doing chores
The Verge AI4d agoEthicsThe Verge reports that AI training startup Shift is offering to clean New Yorkers’ homes for free, with plans to expand to cities including London. The catch is that Shift wants footage of people doing chores and cleaning at home. The story highlights how tech companies are seeking real-world household data for AI and robotics training, raising questions about privacy and consent in domestic spaces.
Cognition’s Scott Wu says AI coding agents shouldn’t replace humans
TechCrunch AI4d agoCommentaryCognition makes Devin, described by TechCrunch as the first and arguably most successful AI coding agent. Scott Wu says the product is not meant to supplant human programmers. The key takeaway is a positioning statement: AI coding agents are being framed as tools for software work, not as a direct removal of humans from development.
Kiwibit’s AI-powered bird feeder is my new backyard buddy
TechCrunch AI4d agoHardwareTechCrunch spotlights Kiwibit’s AI-powered bird feeder as a playful way to connect with nature. The product is framed around using an app to collect bird species, similar to a Pokémon-style experience. The available excerpt does not provide specs, pricing, or model details, but it clearly positions Kiwibit as consumer AI hardware for backyard wildlife observation.
Waymo Is Too Costly, Uber Too Slow: Fatal Flaws in Two Robotaxi Models
INSIDE 硬塞 AI4d agoBusinessThe article contrasts two robotaxi commercialization strategies. Waymo controls technology and distribution through vertical integration, gaining tighter control but facing high costs. Uber relies on partnerships and its ride-hailing platform, keeping a lighter model but risking slower execution and less control. The broader question is whether value in autonomous mobility will accrue to core technology owners or demand-distribution platforms.
Adobe’s conversational AI agent is a mediocre design intern
The Verge AI4d agoCommentaryThe Verge tested Adobe’s Firefly AI Assistant beta, a conversational tool that can perform multi-step image edits using Adobe-style capabilities. It explains its process, asks follow-up questions, and is open about limitations, making it more instructive than many creative chatbots. But the actual edits are often imperfect, with weak blending and middling generative results, so it feels more useful for casual users than professionals.
From Map Data to National Security: A Deep Dive into Amap Risks in Taiwan★ 74
INSIDE 硬塞 AI4d agoRegulationINSIDE examines how China’s Amap has become controversial in Taiwan beyond ordinary mapping or navigation use. The article says its service relies on user data and AI-based inference rather than full official data integrations. That model could send movement traces and behavioral signals back to China, creating risks for hybrid warfare intelligence, influence operations, and Taiwan’s broader governance of map data and digital infrastructure.
Siri Redesign and Customizable Camera? Biggest iOS 27 Leak Ahead of WWDC 2026
INSIDE 硬塞 AI4d agoReleaseINSIDE reports that a major iOS 27 leak points to a redesigned Siri experience, potentially arriving as a standalone app rather than only a system voice assistant. The new Siri is said to integrate deeply with Dynamic Island, suggesting a more visible and persistent interaction layer. The headline also mentions camera customization, but the available text does not provide enough detail to confirm how that feature would work.
Glean’s top line crosses $300M as AI budget-cutting becomes its major selling point
TechCrunch AI4d agoBusinessTechCrunch reports that enterprise AI search startup Glean has crossed $300 million in annual revenue. The company tripled its annual revenue even as major tech companies entered the same category. Its pitch is increasingly centered on helping enterprises reduce or rationalize AI budgets, not only on AI-powered workplace search.
Microsoft 365 Copilot gets a speed boost and cleaner design
The Verge AI4d agoReleaseMicrosoft is launching a revamped Microsoft 365 Copilot with a cleaner design and claimed 2x faster loading. The update also aims to make Copilot responses more reliable, structured, and easier to scan. The redesign is rolling out across desktop and mobile devices, focusing on everyday usability rather than a stated model upgrade.
The Age of Async Agents — Cognition's Walden Yan & OpenInspect's Cole Murray
Latent Space5d agoCommentaryLatent Space interviews Cognition's Walden Yan and OpenInspect's Cole Murray on the rise of async coding agents. The discussion centers on Devin-related workflows, including 80% Devin commits, spec-to-PR development, full VMs, agent memory, and PMs shipping code. The key theme is not a model release, but a shift toward agents that can work asynchronously inside more complete software delivery loops.
Sneak peek at new Siri app reveals Apple’s plans to take on ChatGPT and more
TechCrunch AI5d agoReleaseTechCrunch reports that new renders provide a closer look at Apple’s planned AI overhaul for iOS 27. The preview points to a redesigned Siri experience and a standalone Siri app, suggesting Apple may reposition Siri as a more central AI interface. The article frames the move as part of Apple’s effort to compete with ChatGPT, though the provided text does not specify models, features, APIs, or launch details.
These new iOS 27 renders hint at Siri’s big redesign
The Verge AI5d agoReleaseThe Verge reports that Bloomberg renders offer an early look at Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul for iOS 27. The redesigned assistant appears to move toward a ChatGPT-style app and chat interface, with Apple’s Liquid Glass visual language layered on top. The images are based on information Bloomberg reviewed and sources familiar with Apple’s plans, so they should be treated as previews rather than official Apple assets.
Rivian’s software chief thinks you don’t need CarPlay or buttons
The Verge AI5d agoBusinessThe Verge interviews Rivian software chief Wassym Bensaid, who also co-leads RV Tech, Rivian’s platform joint venture with Volkswagen. The episode focuses on Rivian’s software-first approach to the in-car experience, including its resistance to CarPlay and reduced reliance on physical buttons. It also covers Rivian’s newly launched AI-powered voice assistant and how vehicle software may become a broader platform strategy.
Dcard Launches EntryDesk and VibeHost for Agent-Native Enterprise AI Workflows
INSIDE 硬塞 AI5d agoBusinessDcard introduced EntryDesk and VibeHost, products aimed at helping companies move toward Agent-Native operations. The first wave supports both cloud and on-premises deployment, with integration into internal enterprise systems. The article says Dcard’s method shortened process time by over 80%, but the provided text does not include detailed case data, pricing, or technical architecture.
Budget Cuts and Acceptance Disputes May Stall Taiwan’s Counter-Drone Shift
INSIDE 硬塞 AI5d agoCommentaryThe article examines Taiwan’s counter-drone modernization amid budget cuts and unresolved acceptance disputes. It argues that while foreign and domestic defense firms study combat data in Ukraine, Taiwan must build its own counter-drone and electronic warfare datasets. The larger issue is not only whether individual systems pass review, but whether local testing, technical iteration, and operational doctrine can keep developing.
YouTube will let you ask AI to make a custom video feed
The Verge AI5d agoReleaseYouTube is rolling out a new AI feature for creating personalized video feeds based on descriptions of what users want to watch. The company says custom feeds can reflect specific interests, moods, or favorite topics. Once created, users can pin those feeds to the top of the YouTube homepage, making them easier to revisit as tailored viewing entry points.
NetApp Taiwan on AI Storage Bottlenecks, Hybrid Cloud, and Data Management
INSIDE 硬塞 AI5d agoBusinessINSIDE interviews NetApp Taiwan technical director Hsu Hung-chun about enterprise AI infrastructure challenges. The article emphasizes nonstop scaling, automated data tiering, preprocessing, vectorization, hybrid cloud, and dual-site backup. NetApp frames storage as an active data management layer for AI projects, also integrating ransomware protection to simplify operations and improve resilience.
Vertu wants CEOs to run companies from an AI foldable starting at $6,880
TechCrunch AI5d agoHardwareVertu has introduced a luxury AI foldable phone starting at $6,880, aimed at executives and CEOs. Built on the open-source Hermes project, it combines AI-agent workflows, enterprise integrations, and ultra-premium finishes. The available summary positions it as a high-end mobile business control hub, but does not specify supported enterprise platforms, model providers, hardware specs, or concrete agent capabilities.
Europe EV Sales Surge in April as Tesla Jumps 40% and BYD Doubles Sales
INSIDE 硬塞 AI5d agoBusinessEurope’s new-car market grew in April, supported by strong demand for electric vehicles. EV sales have now increased for 16 consecutive months, showing continued momentum in the region. Tesla sales jumped 40%, but BYD doubled sales and surpassed Tesla, highlighting the rapid expansion of Chinese EV brands in Europe.
Debunking the “On-Premises Equals Safe” Myth in Digital Sovereignty
INSIDE 硬塞 AI5d agoCommentaryThe piece frames Taiwan’s digital sovereignty debate through war and earthquake scenarios. It challenges the assumption that keeping infrastructure on premises automatically means safety. In an era of rising compute demands, the core issue for public agencies is not only where systems are hosted, but whether essential national services can survive physical disruption and continue operating under extreme conditions.
Payroll startup Remote says revenue per employee rose 50% with AI
TechCrunch AI6d agoBusinessPayroll service provider Remote recently surpassed $300 million in annual recurring revenue and became cash-flow positive. The company attributes the milestone partly to AI adoption, saying revenue per employee rose 50% without adding headcount. The report does not specify which AI models, vendors, or internal workflows drove the improvement.
Your SEO strategy is optimized for a search engine that no longer exists.
TechCrunch AI6d agoCommentaryTechCrunch’s Equity podcast discusses how Google I/O made AI-generated answers central to search. For brands that built strategies around the classic list of blue links, the rules of visibility are changing. The key concern is that many companies have little insight into how AI systems describe them to customers, making brand monitoring and SEO strategy more uncertain.
Meta launches Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp subscriptions, with AI plans ahead
TechCrunch AI6d agoBusinessMeta is rolling out paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp worldwide, expanding subscriptions across its major social and messaging products. The company is also testing additional AI, creator, and business-focused offerings under the broader Meta One subscription brand. The report signals a business model shift, but does not yet detail specific AI features, models, pricing, or launch timing for those future plans.
ITBench-AA: Frontier Models Score Below 50% on Enterprise IT Tasks★ 72
Hugging Face Blog6d agoBenchmarkArtificial Analysis and IBM present ITBench-AA, described in the title as the first benchmark for agentic enterprise IT tasks. The headline result is that frontier models score below 50%, suggesting current systems still struggle with enterprise-grade agent workflows. The original article text is unavailable here, so task design, evaluated models, scoring methodology, and rankings cannot be confirmed.
This smart bird feeder captures more of my backyard drama
The Verge AI6d agoHardwareCoolfly Aura is a smart bird feeder designed to record backyard bird visits, interactions, and species sightings. Its modular camera placement can capture more angles, while the app adds AI identification, albums, bird info, and sharing features. The review finds the concept engaging but uneven, with AI limitations in some orientations, app annoyances, subscription limits, and feeder design issues.
Business Owners, Do You Really Know How to Use AI?
INSIDE 硬塞 AI6d agoOpinionThe article argues that many companies use AI mainly to improve efficiency, without creating meaningful revenue or strategic advantage. It proposes distributed AI, placing intelligence closer to where data is generated to reduce latency and support faster decisions. The key message is that firms should balance centralized and distributed architectures to strengthen competitiveness while preserving greater control over data and digital sovereignty.