DevPick

A Verge columnist examines the cute mascot design of Meta's Muse AI agent and the behavioral characteristics of the AI behind it.

• •Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song discusses the design and features of Meta's Muse AI agent, named Blorbo.
• •It explores the boundary between friendliness and creepiness when AI agents assist with personal tasks like health settings.
• •The article is part of Verge's weekly newsletter, "Optimizer."

Google rolls out new Chrome features, enhancing cross-device tab memory and Gemini's media analysis and learning quiz generation capabilities.

• •Cross-device tab switching is upgraded to save browsing progress on new devices.
• •Gemini in Chrome is enhanced to analyze more types of media.
• •A new feature generates interactive learning quizzes to support research and learning on complex topics.

Google Photos' AI Virtual Closet feature is now widely available on both Android and iOS following a June Android early release.

• •An AI feature creates a virtual wardrobe from user photos.
• •The feature was released early for Android users in June before expanding to iOS.
• •It is now widely available on both Android and iOS platforms.

ElevenLabs CEO argues that companies should disclose AI voice usage in customer service calls as AI adoption grows.

• •ElevenLabs provides AI voices for many customer service calls.
• •The CEO stated that companies should inform customers they are speaking with AI until such interactions become commonplace.
• •The interview also covers the company's profit margins and views on the timing of an IPO.

Google offers an early experiment for Pixel 11 where Gemini handles phone calls, automating contacts with local businesses for reservations and stock checks.

• •As an "early experiment" on Pixel 11, Gemini handles calls for restaurant reservations, stock checks, and changes.
• •Users do not need to dial; Gemini calls businesses directly.
• •Google released this feature to reduce user waiting time and effort.

Google is testing a Gemini-powered phone proxy feature, initially available to US Pixel 11 owners with Gemini subscriptions.

• •Google is testing an AI feature that makes business calls on behalf of users.
• •The feature will first be offered to US-based Pixel 11 owners who have paid Gemini plans.
• •Attention is focused on how AI phone proxies will change daily tasks for smartphone users.

A Sydney tutoring company announced it will close by next week, stating that the spread of AI has rendered its services unnecessary.

• •The Sydney-based tutoring company plans to cease operations by this weekend.
• •The company informed customers that the emergence of artificial intelligence has made its services effectively unnecessary.
• •This case is being reported as a direct blow to the traditional educational support services industry due to AI advancements.

Lovable's annual revenue surpassed $600 million, with apps built on its platform reaching approximately 1 billion monthly views.

• •Lovable's annualized revenue has exceeded $600 million.
• •Co-founder Fabian Hedin stated that apps created on the platform receive nearly 1 billion views per month.
• •This growth is attributed to the rise of Vibe Coding.

A discussion presents a dynamic ablation method using engram steering to non-destructively suppress model refusal responses.

• •A dynamic ablation method utilizing engram steering is discussed.
• •The method aims to suppress refusal responses without destructively modifying the model.
• •Thoughts on technology, life, and other topics are shared.

Ando raised $20 million from investors including Accel and Index Ventures to develop a team messenger where humans and AI agents collaborate.

• •Ando raised $20 million in pre-seed and seed rounds from investors including Accel, Index Ventures, and Emergence.
• •The company is developing a team messenger application that challenges Slack.
• •The application's main feature is that it allows humans and AI agents to work together.