• Human In The Loop
  • Posts
  • Smarter AI search 🧠, Claude builds apps by chat 💬, Gemini turns camera into notes 📸

Smarter AI search 🧠, Claude builds apps by chat 💬, Gemini turns camera into notes 📸

June 27, 2025

⭐ Reviews

Perplexity AI emerges as the top choice in an in-depth comparison of AI search engines, praised for its accuracy and well-sourced answers that seamlessly blend AI capabilities with traditional search functions. This is a game-changer in a field where hallucinations often muddy results. While Google impresses with visuals and Brave champions privacy, Perplexity’s focus on reliability positions it ahead of the curve. As tech-savvy users crave dependable, fact-checked responses, Perplexity offers a glimpse of search’s future.

🛠️ Product Updates

Text

Anthropic's Claude AI app now lets users with no coding skills create and share AI-powered apps by simply describing ideas in natural language. This clever feature uses the runner’s subscription for shared apps, sparing creators from API cost hassles. While restricted by API call and output limits for now, it smartly democratizes AI app creation—a noteworthy play against rivals like OpenAI. Expect growth in user-generated tools, from adaptive games to writing assistants, as AI creation goes mainstream.

Google is integrating Gemini Apps into its Gemini Live feature, starting with Google Keep, allowing users to create notes via AI during camera interactions. This move signals a clever twist in Google's strategy, blending AI with real-time productivity, somewhat like playing a game of tech leapfrog with Microsoft’s Copilot. While it's initially for select users, the promise of future integrations hints at a richer, interactive AI ecosystem. Keep your camera ready—your recipe lists may never be the same.

Canva’s bold move to integrate ChatGPT directly into its platform makes it the first design tool with OpenAI’s prowess under the hood. This clever twist lets ChatGPT tap into users’ past designs and templates for personalized, context-aware design advice, all safeguarded by Canva Shield. With the new Model Context Protocol Server, users can command both ChatGPT and Salesforce’s Agentforce to whip up tasks like resizing designs or drafting copy. This leap elevates Canva from a mere tool to an AI-powered creative powerhouse, trumping traditional design platforms.

Anthropic has launched a custom style feature in Claude AI, allowing users to replicate their own writing style across all plans, including the free version. This move smartly positions Claude amid fierce competition from Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot and OpenAI by emphasizing nuanced stylistic mimicry over sheer coding prowess. For writers, this means your distinct voice can now shine through AI-generated content, elevating personalization. So, while Claude’s not ghostwriting your next novel, it’s certainly a step towards writerly AI collaboration.

Microsoft has launched general availability for agent publishing from Microsoft Copilot Studio to Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling organizations to craft and control custom low-code AI agents within Microsoft Teams. This move distinguishes Microsoft by allowing seamless integration of tailored automation directly into its suite, eclipsing Google Workspace's simpler collaboration tools. For tech-savvy businesses, the practical benefit is substantial: deploy AI solutions for HR, finance, or IT securely while leveraging Teams’ comprehensive workplace tools. It's a strategic leap forward in enterprise productivity AI.

Google has launched an annual subscription for its Google AI Pro service, priced at $199.99—offering two months' worth of savings compared to its $19.99 monthly rate. This move sets Google apart from ChatGPT Plus, which currently only offers monthly billing. Committed users of Google's platform find a financially savvy option, encouraging platform loyalty and potentially enticing ChatGPT users to switch teams. While Google's AI Ultra lacks an annual option, this deal could prompt some to put Gemini on their calendar year-round.

Google has resumed the rollout of its AI-powered "Ask Photos" feature after enhancing its speed and recall capabilities. The update, driven by Gemini AI, cleverly merges the swiftness of classic search with AI’s knack for detailed insights, addressing earlier user concerns. This strategic reboot positions Google favorably amid rivals like Apple and Microsoft, balancing rapidity with detail. Now available in the U.S. to English-speaking users over 18, the feature promises a smoother, smarter photo search experience.

Microsoft is rolling out new AI-powered features for educators via Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot+ PCs, designed to elevate teaching efficiency. The Microsoft Learning Zone app and Copilot Chat for students, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, are at the heart of this update, offering personalized learning and robust content creation tools such as lesson plans and quizzes. This move not only bridges educators' AI skill gaps but also challenges Google Workspace by integrating cutting-edge AI into educational workflows—proving Microsoft still has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Coding

Mend.io has announced a native integration with Cursor, directly embedding its Static Application Security Testing (SAST) engine into the AI-first code editor. This means vulnerabilities are caught in real-time as code is written or AI-generated, with instant automated fixes suggested. Mend.io smartly steps ahead in the AI coding revolution, ensuring security isn't an afterthought but built-in from the start. Developers can now scale AI securely, while DevSecOps teams enjoy reduced pipeline friction and enhanced control—a win-win for the forward-looking coder.

💡 Insights

Synthesia, the AI video platform, solidifies its corporate dominance by empowering businesses to create multilingual training videos rapidly and affordably, serving 70% of the Fortune 100. The strategic pivot toward corporate video addresses a clear market gap for resource-stretched professionals, distinguishing Synthesia from competitors like HeyGen with a rigorous ethical framework—demanding consent for avatar creation. While rivals battle feature wars, Synthesia holds the ethical high ground, making it a compelling choice for enterprises seeking secure AI-driven communications. It's a story of innovation meeting responsibility.

Anthropic's research reveals that users' sentiments tend to become more positive during extended conversations with its AI chatbot, Claude. This positions Claude uniquely in a crowded market where rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Bard prioritize factual exchanges. By emphasizing empathetic interactions, Anthropic taps into a niche focused on mental wellness without treading into therapy territory. Collaborating with crisis support organization ThroughLine further reinforces Claude’s role in offering responsible, non-intrusive support. So, while some chatbots chase facts, Claude opts for feelings—a move that might just change the conversation.

🧪 Use Cases

AccuWeather has partnered with the AI-driven search engine Perplexity to deliver exclusive hyperlocal weather data and alerts. Leveraging AccuWeather’s MinuteCast and RealFeel Temperature, this collaboration enhances Perplexity's weather page and AI-generated responses, filling skies with precision. Surprising? Not quite—it's a savvy reply to Google and Microsoft’s broader but less specialized approaches. Users benefit from immediate, accurate forecasts and warnings on-demand. Rain or shine, this duo aims to weather-proof your search experience.

GitHub Copilot shines within the PhpStorm IDE, demonstrating how AI tools like Copilot enhance, but don't replace, developers. The AI leverages project context to generate relevant starter code, kickstarting new features from simple comments and even offering debugging help. A sharp reminder remains: AI's "hallucinations" mean developers must scrutinize output carefully. Copilot’s utility underscores Microsoft’s strategy of embedding AI in development workflows—ensuring developers’ value while AI does the heavy lifting. AI is the sous-chef, not the chef.

📚 How-To

An insightful guide advises AI enthusiasts on crafting effective prompts for chatbots like ChatGPT by skipping politeness and modal verbs such as “can” and “could.” Shockingly, your manners may add unnecessary tokens and costs! The emphasis is on direct and decisive language for clearer AI interactions. As prompt engineering gains traction, this advice aligns with the broader trend of efficient AI-dialogue tactics, enabling users to glean sharper insights while being easier on the environment and the pocket.

 

Reply

or to participate.