Techin' Geek

On Wednesday, Facebook revealed that it is transforming its Creator Studio tool into an independent AI companion application aimed at assisting creators in expanding their audiences on the platform.

By offering creators this AI companion app, Meta aims to retain creator engagement on Facebook while competing for their focus against competitors such as TikTok and YouTube. The company likely also envisions that this app will reduce creators’ reliance on external tools like ChatGPT for content brainstorming and performance analysis.

The new application, presently in testing with a select group of creators, will incorporate Facebook’s recently introduced AI creator assistant. This assistant offers personalized suggestions based on the user’s content style, performance metrics, audience interactions, and objectives.

Creators typically need to parse through graphs and dashboards to gauge their performance, but with the AI assistant, they can receive swift answers to inquiries such as “When is the best time to post?” and “What do users think in my comments?” The conversational nature of the AI assistant also allows them to pose follow-up questions regarding audience changes over time. 

In addition to the integrated AI assistant, the Creator Studio application will feature a variety of new functionalities, including an AI-enhanced comment tool that will highlight the most significant comments and suggest replies in the creator’s unique voice. Facebook states creators can modify and approve these suggested replies before making them public.

When creators log into the app daily, they will encounter a stream of daily tasks: assessing the performance of their latest post, monitoring goal progress, and identifying comments that warrant a response.

The announcement made on Wednesday contributes to Meta’s recent spate of app releases. Last month, the firm introduced a standalone application for Facebook Groups named Forum, which operates similarly to Reddit. In April, Meta launched a new application called Instants that allows users to share temporary photos with their Instagram contacts.

The development pipeline is continuously expanding. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Meta is in the process of creating its own Polymarket-like application, internally referred to as “Arena,” although it is yet to debut.

The pace of development is intentional. The Wall Street Journal disclosed in April that CEO Mark Zuckerberg informed staff that AI-enhanced efficiencies would allow the company to produce more applications than it has done in the past.

On Wednesday, global music streaming platform Deezer unveiled its latest feature, “Remix Lab,” allowing fans to creatively remix songs with approval from the original artists and rights holders. Additionally, the company asserts that artists receive compensation for each stream of these remixed tracks. 

Users can access the new Remix Lab feature in the app on the pages of select artists. In contrast to rival platforms that utilize AI for remixing, Deezer offers in-app tools for remix creation, including tempo adjustments and reverb, as well as “more complex transformations like changes to musical genre and style,” as detailed by product head Pierre Trochu in today’s blog entry. 

In comparison, YouTube allows creators to remix tracks utilizing AI tools, while Spotify has recently partnered with Universal Music Group for AI-generated covers and remixes. Nevertheless, some critics argue that this methodology introduces an influx of AI-generated music onto these platforms, potentially overshadowing human artists and complicating their ability to gain visibility.

Deezer has maintained a firm opposition to AI for a significant period and recently rolled out a new feature that analyzes playlists from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music to identify AI-generated tracks. The platform is also acknowledged as one of the few streaming services actively withdrawing AI tracks from its suggestions and omitting them from curated playlists.

“This remix tool is a true reflection of our vision to provide a product that enhances the listening experience for fans, allowing them to engage in the creative process and forge a deeper bond with their favorite music, directly within the Deezer app,” stated CEO Alexis Lanternier. “True to our essence, these features are developed with the full involvement of the artists, adhering to rights, and optimizing earnings for each track.”

Although Remix Lab is initially available in France (with ambiguous plans for eventual expansion to other regions), this feature stands out in the streaming domain due to its divergence from the AI-centric trajectory that many services are adopting. If it resonates positively with music enthusiasts and artists alike, it could indicate that the AI encroachment on streaming platforms isn’t the singular path the music industry can take.

It could also set a precedent for other services regarding how artists can receive compensation for their work while fans enjoy remixes. Currently, users can remix tracks from a select lineup of French artists, including Céline Dion, Alain Souchon, Alonzo, Ronisia, Mosimann, Tiakola, and Zaho.

Furthermore, users can join contests in the Deezer Club, with winners being announced in early September. Winning remixes will be showcased in a dedicated Deezer playlist, and each winner will obtain two tickets to a Deezer Purple Door event, along with exclusive merchandise from the corresponding artist.

On Wednesday, Figma revealed an update that introduces a new coding layer, capabilities for motion and shaders, along with the option to develop custom plug-ins for various functions utilizing AI.

The design platform has been dedicating time to incorporating code integration into its toolkit for some time. Last year, Figma introduced an AI-based prompt prototyping tool, Figma Make, and has subsequently initiated partnerships with Claude Code and Codex to enhance the transition between coding and design.

The company is now integrating code layers right into the collaborative canvas, allowing teams to duplicate repositories and transfer flows from code to design layers for testing purposes.

According to Figma’s chief product officer, Yuhki Yamashita, code layers facilitate easier iteration for designers, product managers, and developers, allowing them to concentrate on brainstorming ideas rather than merely crafting immaculate production-ready code.

“We believe the multiplayer canvas is incredibly effective because this environment doesn’t emphasize code quality. If you’re quickly experimenting or exploring numerous new avenues, this spatial approach enables that. We anticipate this feature will encourage different interactions not only among designers but also with engineers and PMs,” he remarked during a call.

Figma is now enhancing supports for animations, transitions, and 3D transformations. Previously, designers had to create animations in separate software and convert them into code compatible with the application. Now, designers can incorporate animations and transitions straight into Figma.

Users can now utilize AI to create some assets, and the update includes support for adding shader effects and fills with AI as well.

Last year, Figma acquired the node-based tool Weavy, which assists designers in executing workflows through various models for output comparison, and is currently striving for improved integration between the two applications. In an update set to roll out later this year, users will have the capability to generate Weavy workflows straight within Figma.

The company is also rolling out features to enhance the usefulness of its AI assistant on the collaborative canvas. Users can now input text prompts to create repeatable skills that AI agents can utilize. Additionally, users can integrate tools such as Notion, Granola, Excel, and GitHub, or attach files to provide the AI bot with more context about your desired actions.

Moreover, the company is introducing a function that aids users in crafting custom plug-ins, like layout generators or vector path tracers, guided by prompts.

Zoox has revamped its specially designed robotaxi — and it’s not just about enhancing its appearance. On Wednesday, the Amazon-owned firm announced a range of upgrades to the comfort and functionality of its electric, self-driving vehicle, driven by rider insights and in anticipation of a commercial rollout later this year.

The fundamental aspects of the Zoox robotaxi persist. This cube-shaped electric, autonomous vehicle still does not have a steering wheel or other controls. The moonroof and starry ceiling lights remain, along with 40 cameras, radar systems, lidar, and infrared sensors that allow the robotaxi to comprehend its surroundings. Additionally, the vehicle still operates bidirectionally, features four-wheel steering, and can carry four passengers at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.

Instead, Zoox has implemented numerous design and product modifications necessary for a robotaxi that transports thousands of riders. At least, that’s what Zoox aspires to.

Internally, Zoox has incorporated extra cushioning and ergonomic designs into the seats and headrests, alongside a refreshed color scheme, materials, and finishes featuring a lighter aloe-green for seating and stone-grey for flooring and trims.

According to Zoox, this lighter color scheme fosters a more serene environment.

It also offers a contrasting background that facilitates the identification of common items, such as smartphones. Additional changes to the interior include adding fluting to the charging pad to secure phones, enlarging the cup holders, and improving the visibility of the touchscreen.

Externally, Zoox has repositioned its bidirectional reflectors for enhanced visibility and introduced a new speaker and microphone at the door interface, enabling two-way audio. The company stated that these enhancements will facilitate communication with passengers and other motorists, as well as between Zoox Support and emergency services.

The concept, according to Chris Stoffel, director of robot industrial design and studio engineering at Zoox, focuses on a streamlined interior design that doesn’t distract riders as many features in contemporary passenger vehicles do.

“The enhancements we’ve implemented in this version of our specifically designed robotaxi continue to set the Zoox experience apart from anything else currently available,” he stated.

There are also sensible motivations behind the design alterations.

Last year, Zoox launched a manufacturing facility in Hayward, California, where the company aims to eventually produce 10,000 robotaxis annually. These enhancements were developed in anticipation of mass production, which Zoox indicates could reach 100 vehicles weekly.

However, Zoox faces a significant obstacle before it can commence full-scale production — or provide paid rides.

The firm has sought a commercial exemption for its robotaxi since it lacks standard controls required by federal regulations. A public comment period has concluded, and Zoox is now awaiting a ruling from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which granted the company an exemption in August 2025 to allow its custom-built robotaxis to be tested on public roads.

Should it gain approval, Zoox intends to start offering paid rides, the company stated.

Currently, the company is conducting tests and providing complimentary rides in Austin, Texas; San Francisco; Las Vegas; and Miami, Florida.

Envision yourself as Guy Fieri. (Bear with me.)

It’s late 2024, and your company’s president contacts you to inform that 24,000 bottles of your tequila have gone missing. Presumably, you would have several inquiries, but foremost among them is probably: How did this occur?

The response lies in the fact that global cargo theft is evolving into a more sophisticated issue, while the shipping and logistics sectors are struggling to adapt. Unfortunately for the industry, a significant portion of the world’s cargo effectively becomes invisible between checkpoints at ports or distribution facilities.

On Wednesday, fleet management firm Samsara is unveiling its own answer to this dilemma in the shape of a business-card-sized adhesive tracking label. Dubbed the Samsara Tracking Label, it resembles a variety of shipping labels that could be attached to cargo of all sizes. However, that label conceals a small zinc battery and Bluetooth low energy technology that can be detected by Samsara’s extensive network of devices, providing real-time location tracking in a disposable format.

This isn’t Samsara’s first tracking device. The company has been assisting clients in monitoring “assets” for several years, albeit through various means, as David Gal, Samsara’s vice president of connected equipment, shared in an exclusive discussion with TechCrunch. Yet, those solutions often turned out to be bulky and pricey, he remarked.

“Customers primarily expressed: ‘We need something that operates in real time, and we require something compact enough to affix to any equipment’,” Gal stated. This demand inspired Samsara to develop a product the size of a wine cork, named the “Asset Tag.”

The Asset Tag provided real-time visibility for some clients, but the tag still jutted out from whatever it was fastened to, and was not economically feasible to use on items beyond valuable cargo. Customers also sought its return at the conclusion of a shipment, making it less practical for one-way shipping.

This feedback drove Gal’s team to innovate further, leading to the creation of the Tracking Label.

The key differentiator from other tracking solutions, according to Gal, is Samsara’s pre-existing network of devices. Over the past few years, the company has equipped customer fleets with cameras and sensors to enhance and protect their operations. The Tracking Label utilizes that existing infrastructure as a Bluetooth network to offer customers accurate location information at any moment.

Samsara has already identified additional ways to leverage that network to create new business avenues. In May, it introduced a toolkit called “Ground Intelligence” that employs AI to detect hazards like potholes in real time.

However, that initiative involves collaboration with municipalities and local authorities. The Tracking Label holds the potential for a much larger market, as the shipping and logistics sectors seem to be perpetually turbulent. Companies seek assurance regarding shipments, whether they’re trying to ensure timely delivery of a product or awaiting an essential component.

Customers will receive the Samsara Tracking Labels in a sort of dormant state, which Gal noted could last up to nine months. Once a customer activates a label, that zinc battery will energize the Bluetooth transmitter for approximately 45 days. When the label is no longer necessary, Samsara has designed it for disposal. (A lithium battery, Gal mentioned, would have complicated this objective.)

Gal anticipates that Samsara’s label will remain in the realm of “critical shipments,” primarily assisting large enterprises — perhaps even those of Guy Fieri’s. And it’s not solely about cargo theft, he emphasized. Real-time tracking empowers companies to react swiftly if a shipment is delayed or redirected.

“It transforms the approach from reactive to proactive. If you are aware of a delay, you can address it beforehand,” he stated.

Samsara is not the sole player striving to enhance visibility in shipping; UPS recently revealed a plan in April to implement RFID sensors for real-time package tracking.

However, as Gal highlights, RFID only proves beneficial if a shipment remains near an RFID scanner. Should a package fall from a truck — literally or metaphorically — he believes Samsara’s Tracking Label will be considerably more effective due to the company’s constantly moving network of sensors.

And while it’s just one aspect to consider, Gal was candid about the effect he envisions the Tracking Label could have on cargo theft.

“I suspect we’ll disrupt some crime rings with this,” he remarked.

On Wednesday, OpenAI introduced its inaugural custom-designed inference processor, which was created and produced in conjunction with Broadcom. Named Jalapeño, this innovative processor was tailored to meet the distinct requirements of OpenAI’s inference systems. The development of the chip was supported by OpenAI’s own AI models, according to the company.

Although testing is still ongoing, OpenAI reports that initial findings indicate a much improved performance-per-watt compared to existing state-of-the-art alternatives.

The collaboration was formally revealed in October, though rumors about OpenAI’s chip initiatives have circulated for some time as a means to lessen the company’s reliance on Nvidia’s GPUs. Both Google and Amazon have crafted custom chips aimed at achieving a similar objective, frequently referred to as “AI accelerators” — silicon specifically created to enhance machine learning workloads.

Greg Brockman, president of OpenAI, discussed the organization’s strategy for chip creation on its in-house podcast, shortly following the announcement of the Broadcom partnership.

“We possess a profound comprehension of the workload,” Brockman stated during the episode. “We’ve been seeking out particular workloads that are not adequately served, [and pondering] how can we develop something that will accelerate what’s achievable?”

Jalapeño is specifically engineered for inference, the method of executing pre-existing AI models based on user inputs. In the announcement, OpenAI highlighted the chip’s minimal operating expenses when executing real-time coding models. It is probable that more resource-intensive activities like pre-training will still depend on Nvidia hardware, but even slight reductions in inference costs could significantly enhance the company’s profit margins.

Improving that inference system may become an essential element in the financial aspects of AI in the future — and it is expected to occur at every tier of the stack. OpenAI is already creating agentic products such as Codex and the models that drive them, along with data centers to operate those models. Transitioning to purpose-built chips enables the company to advance even further in that journey, as articulated in its announcement.

“OpenAI is not solely developing cutting-edge models or constructing products on top of them; it is also designing the underlying infrastructure: chip architecture, kernels, memory systems, networking, scheduling, deployment systems, and product experience,” the company stated. “Because OpenAI functions across the stack, each layer can be enhanced towards the same objective: making its models quicker, more dependable, and more cost-effective for users.”

For many years, I’ve imposed screen time restrictions on my iPhone, permitting just 30 minutes for social media daily. How frequently have I ignored the limit notification and kept scrolling through unproductive Reels? The answer would astound me.

It turns out that all I needed was a $59 chunk of grey plastic (though self-discipline would have been cheaper, it was unavailable). The Brick — a compact, magnet-equipped device — has achieved what no screen time app ever could. It effectively reduced my phone usage and enhanced my sleep routines.

Unlike your typical screen time app, Brick elevates the experience into the tangible realm. This gadget is a branded, NFC-enabled square that allows you to deactivate your custom screen time limits only if you tap your phone against the Brick, just like making a transaction at a tap-to-pay point. Evidently, if I must physically rise and tap my phone on the Brick to access Instagram, I won’t do it.

“Brick emerged from a personal need: our phones were interfering with our lives,” co-founder Zach Nasgowitz explained to TechCrunch via email. “We looked for answers to this issue in our lives, but nothing seemed quite right, so we decided to create something ourselves to tackle this challenge.”

I employed Brick to enhance my sleep habits, and I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that it has surpassed my expectations.

Like many millennials — particularly those of us with online-dependent careers — I tend to crawl into bed at night and absentmindedly scroll my phone, complicating my ability to fall asleep. To make matters worse, I sometimes stay in bed on my phone after waking up, beginning the day with a foggy mind.

I set up a “Sleep” mode on the Brick app, activating each night at 10:30. Consequently, my phone automatically restricts all apps except for messaging (I want to stay reachable, just in case) and audio apps (I occasionally listen to podcasts or audiobooks as I drift off). When I awaken, I cannot spend time on my phone without getting out of bed, heading downstairs, and tapping my phone on the Brick. (If you prefer to keep your phone entirely out of your bedroom but wish to utilize podcasts for sleep, I recommend the Dreamie alarm clock.)

It’s tough to acknowledge that I required a $59 piece of plastic to initiate a lifestyle change, but without the Brick, reverting to old patterns would be too effortless. I have been trialing a Brick unit provided by the company for review, and it’s proven so effective that I plan to purchase one to continue its use (we return or donate our review devices for ethical reasons). If motivated, it’s even possible to create a DIY solution similar to Brick using an NFC tag and Apple Shortcuts.

“Software-only solutions like Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing are simple to bypass, and what truly works is introducing some friction,” Brick co-founder TJ Driver expressed to TechCrunch via email. “This enables physical technology to enter the scene and create genuine separation that software prompts cannot replicate. By requiring you to go back to the device physically to unblock your apps, the choice to reconnect transforms into a deliberate decision instead of a subconscious reaction.”

Users receive a limited amount of “emergency unbricks” in case your phone becomes locked and you absolutely need to access a specific app, such as Google Maps or Uber, to return home safely. However, I find it simpler to include those apps in my sleep mode for those rare instances when I’m out late, thereby conserving an emergency unbrick. Knowing that I can access the Uber app doesn’t disrupt my sleep. I don’t doomscroll on Uber.

“Instead of persistently depending on willpower, it can be more effective to design your environment to minimize the strain on your willpower or brain,” Driver stated. “Devices like Brick assist individuals in deciding how they want their phone to optimally serve them for a specific moment or task, and then tailor their digital surroundings so that they no longer have to think about it.”

This focus on personalization and autonomy has made the product effective for numerous customers.

“One user had been wishing for a dumb phone for years but couldn’t let go of his primary messaging app, KakaoTalk, for staying in touch with his wife and friends in Korea,” Nasgowitz noted. “He reported that, ‘Brick has transformed my phone into what I’ve always desired – a phone that can text, call, take some photos, and use Kakao. It’s just right.’”

Interest in transitioning to “dumb phones” is rising as people grow increasingly disenchanted with Big Tech. However, flip phones are unsuitable for our current lifestyles, where we rely on our phones for tasks like scanning tickets for events, making payments for public transport, and fulfilling job responsibilities that require specific two-factor authentication applications. (Some companies, like Dumb.Co and Commodore, are attempting to address this by modifying flip phones to support apps like authentication tools and WhatsApp, or by inventing entirely new hardware.)

If you’re hesitant to embrace a more drastic shift, such as switching to a flip phone, the Brick serves as a middle ground — it’s effective, but it’s not as severe an adjustment. You can customize your phone to be as “dumb” as you wish, whenever you desire.

“When you take a broader view of the screen time movement as a whole, it’s not about rejecting technology,” Driver remarked. “It’s about regaining control and being intentional again.”