Does AI know you better than you do? 🤯

Meet Your New (AI) Friend

Imagine a Tamagotchi that texts back. Meet “Friend,” a new AI companion designed not to help you get things done but to be there for you—anytime, anywhere. Avi Schiffmann, the brains behind Friend, envisions it as a supportive, intelligent buddy you can carry around your neck or clip onto your clothes.

You got a friend in AI: In an age when AI is primarily seen as a productivity tool, Friend focuses on companionship. This highlights the growing trend of AI being integrated into our daily lives not just as assistants but as—well, friends.

Features at a glance:

• Companion on the go: Friend is a round glowing orb with a built-in microphone. It records ambiently or can be spoken to directly, but it doesn’t talk back; it communicates via text through the Friend app.

• Conversation starter: Talk to Friend about anything. It’s designed to be supportive and validating, a companion for those moments when you need to bounce ideas or just need a friendly presence.

A league of its own: Unlike productivity-focused AI tools from tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, Friend isn’t trying to be an all-seeing assistant. “No one is going to beat Apple or OpenAI at building Jarvis,” Schiffman says. Instead, Friend is a companion, a brainstorming buddy, and a source of emotional support.

What’s next for Friend: Friend is still in its early stages, with the first 30,000 devices set to ship in January for $99 each. Schiffmann also plans to enhance the device with more features, possibly including a camera.

Is AMD Following in Nvidia’s Footsteps?

AMD is stepping up its game in the AI chip arena, aiming to follow the successful path of Nvidia. Known for its powerful CPUs and GPUs, AMD is making a significant shift in focus toward AI. The company’s Q2 2024 earnings report revealed nearly half of its sales now come from data center products, driven primarily by its AI chips.

By the numbers:

• $1 billion: Sales of the AMD Instinct MI300 accelerator in a single quarter, a massive leap from its previous cumulative sales milestone

• 115%: AMD’s data center segment’s rise in revenue, reflecting the growing demand for AI capabilities

Zooming out: Just like Nvidia, AMD is now focusing heavily on AI chip development, planning to release new models annually. While Nvidia still holds a significant lead, AMD’s aggressive push into the AI chip market suggests that the future of AI will be shaped not just by software advancements but also by the capabilities of the underlying hardware.

NVIDIA Unveils a New Release

NVIDIA’s ChatRTX is widely used as a personalized GPT LLM that you’re able to connects to your own content.

With its latest version released just yesterday, there’s even more that makes ChatRTX the go-to personalized chatbot.

Now using the Electron + Material UI framework, ChatRTX offers a cleaner, more polished experience. This also makes it easier for developers to add their own UI elements or extend the tech’s functionality, as well as more seamlessly integrate different UIs. Check out this newly minted makeover.

Apple’s Latest iOS 18.1 and Apple (Un)Intelligence

Apple’s new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, is now available in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, but there are significant limitations. Only users with the latest devices and U.S. settings can access the new features.

Feature highlights:

• Siri enhancements: Invoke Siri using text prompts and enjoy new animations

• Writing tools: Proofread, rewrite, and adjust the tone of your text with options like Friendly, Professional, and Concise

• Mail app upgrades: One-line email summaries and smart replies for quicker responses

• Focus mode: AI-powered “Reduce Interruptions” mode to filter essential notifications

The big but: Despite these exciting features, the rollout is limited and requires users to join a waitlist. Moreover, many features like ChatGPT integration and Image Playground are still missing due to ongoing bug fixes.

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