The Comunicano for Monday March 31st 2025
Final Four Time
There was a time when planning a trip meant stacks of guidebooks, yellow highlighters, and hours lost to logistics. There was a time when learning about artificial intelligence seemed like a job for someone else’s kids. There was a time when health advice came from doctors who knew your name—but only after an appointment, a wait, and a bill.
Well, that time is passing.
Well, Google is turning your phone into a travel companion that sees the world the way you do—highlighting hidden gems from screenshots, suggesting stops from stories and reviews, even whispering when a hotel price drops. And while they’re mapping your next getaway, they’re also mapping minds—introducing AI literacy into classrooms, helping a new generation learn not just what AI is, but how to live with it, shape it, and maybe even make it better.
Apple? Apple is listening to your heart. Literally. With whispers of a health coach that learns your rhythms, and a virtual doctor—Project Mulberry—that might one day offer personalized advice before you even know you need it. It's high-tech care with the bedside manner of the future. But not all is harmony. In France, regulators aren’t smiling. A $162 million fine reminds us that power—even in the name of privacy—must play fair.
Meanwhile, way above our heads, Apple and SpaceX are duking it out in orbit. One wants no more dropped calls. The other wants to own the sky. Somewhere in between, a deal is made—but the tension remains.
And beneath all of this, the AI revolution surges. Cheaper. Faster. Smarter. Tools like DeepSeek are tearing down the walls that once kept cutting-edge capabilities locked away. Creators now create faster, students now learn deeper, and even Hollywood is blurring the line between trailer and truth.
It’s a lot to take in. That’s why, now more than ever, we pause. We think. We breathe. Because in the race toward tomorrow, it’s the quiet moments—the reflective ones—that give meaning to the noise.
The future isn’t coming. It’s here. And it sounds... a lot like now. A lot like, what’s in THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
Google Watch
Google Introduces AI-Powered Travel Planning Tools (TravelPulse)—Google has unveiled new AI-driven features across its platforms to enhance travel planning. Google Maps now allows users to identify and save locations directly from screenshots, streamlining itinerary creation. An updated AI Overview in Google Search assists users in building travel itineraries for specific regions or countries, offering insights from user reviews and photos. Additionally, global price drop alerts for hotel searches have been introduced, enabling users to track hotel prices and receive notifications via email. These innovations aim to simplify and personalize the travel planning experience. Read more here
Google Launches AI Literacy Initiatives for Education (Google Blog)—In recognition of National AI Literacy Day, Google has announced five new initiatives aimed at equipping parents, educators, and students with essential AI skills. These programs focus on integrating AI education into classrooms, providing resources for understanding AI concepts, and promoting responsible AI usage. By fostering AI literacy, Google aims to prepare young learners for a future where AI plays a significant role across various industries. Read more here
Apple Watch
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference Set for June 9 (Apple Newsroom)Apple has announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place online from June 9 to 13, 2025. The event will spotlight the latest advancements in Apple software, offering developers unique access to Apple experts and insights into new tools, frameworks, and features. A special in-person event at Apple Park on June 9 will allow developers and students to celebrate the conference's kickoff. WWDC25 will be free for all developers, emphasizing Apple's commitment to supporting its global developer community. Read more here
Apple's WWDC 2025: A Pivotal Moment for Apple Intelligence (Tom's Guide)—Apple's upcoming WWDC 2025 keynote, scheduled for June 9, is anticipated to be a landmark event. The focus is expected to be on significant software updates, notably iOS 19, which promises a major interface overhaul aimed at enhancing cross-device integration. Additionally, attention will center on Apple's AI suite, Apple Intelligence. Since its introduction in 2024, Apple Intelligence has faced mixed reviews, particularly due to delays in enhancing Siri's capabilities. This keynote is seen as a critical opportunity for Apple to address these delays, outline a clear roadmap for AI advancements, and reassure users about the future direction of its AI initiatives. Read more here
Apple Developing AI Health Coach for Enhanced Wellness Tracking (TechCrunch)— Apple is reportedly revamping its Health app to include an AI-powered health coach, tentatively named Health Plus. This feature aims to provide personalized health recommendations by analyzing data from users' medical devices, including food tracking and fitness coaching. The AI coach is currently being trained on data from staff physicians, with plans to incorporate additional expert content. The service could launch as part of the iOS 19.4 update in spring or summer 2026. Read more here
Apple's AI 'Doctor' Feature Aims to Revolutionize Personal Health Monitoring (Android Authority)—Apple is reportedly developing an AI-driven virtual health service, codenamed Project Mulberry, designed to function as a virtual doctor. This feature would provide personalized health advice by analyzing data collected from devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch. The AI agent is being trained to replicate a real doctor's guidance, potentially offering recommendations on nutrition, sleep, and exercise. The service may debut with the iOS 19.4 update, expected in spring 2026. Read more here
Apple Fined 162 Million by French Antitrust Regulator Over Privacy Tool (Channel News Asia)—The French antitrust authority has imposed a 150 million euro fine on Apple, citing abuse of its dominant market position through its App Tracking Transparency privacy tool. Introduced in 2021, ATT requires apps to obtain user consent before tracking activity across other apps. Critics argue that this implementation disproportionately affects smaller publishers reliant on third-party data, while favoring Apple's own services. Despite the fine, Apple is not mandated to alter the ATT tool but must display the ruling on its website for a week. Read more here
SpaceX Watch
Apple and SpaceX Compete Over Satellite Communication Services (The Wall Street Journal)—Apple and Elon Musk's SpaceX are engaged in a competitive race to dominate satellite-based cellphone communication. Apple is investing heavily in satellite technology to eliminate cellphone dead zones, while SpaceX has launched over 550 satellites for its Starlink service. Both companies are vying for limited spectrum rights necessary for their signals, leading to increased tensions. Despite the rivalry, an agreement was reached to allow Starlink services on newer iPhones, though Apple maintains strict control over its software ecosystem. Read more here
AI Watch
DeepSeek Redefines AI Efficiency and Accessibility (CoreX Gaming)—DeepSeek has introduced an AI model that challenges existing paradigms by employing a Mixture-of-Experts architecture, activating only 37 billion of its 671 billion parameters per token. This approach enhances efficiency in tasks like software development and complex reasoning. Notably, DeepSeek's cost structure is groundbreaking, charging just 0.14 dollars per million input tokens and 0.28 dollars per million output tokens, democratizing access to advanced AI capabilities. Furthermore, its open-source MIT license fosters collaborative innovation, allowing developers to customize the model for diverse applications. This combination of efficiency, affordability, and openness positions DeepSeek as a transformative force in the AI landscape. Read more here
Manus AI Introduces Subscription Plans Following Viral Surge (WinBuzzer)—Manus AI, developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect Hong Kong Limited, has launched subscription plans priced at 39 and 199 per month after experiencing overwhelming demand. The Starter plan offers 3900 monthly credits for up to two concurrent tasks, while the Pro plan provides 19900 credits for five concurrent tasks. Previously accessible only via invite codes, some of which were resold for up to 7000, Manus distinguishes itself by functioning autonomously without continuous human prompts, setting it apart from competitors like OpenAI's Operator and Google's Project Mariner. Read more here
Emerging AI Models and Their Applications (TechCrunch)—TechCrunch provides an overview of the latest AI models released in 2025, highlighting their functionalities and access requirements. Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro Experimental excels in building web apps and code agents, available through a 20 dollar monthly Gemini Advanced subscription. OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o has been upgraded to generate images, accessible via a 20 dollar per month ChatGPT Plus subscription. Stability AI's Stable Virtual Camera can generate 3D scenes from a single 2D image, though it struggles with complex elements like humans and moving water. These advancements reflect the rapid evolution and diversification of AI capabilities across various platforms. Read more here
Bill Gates Envisions an AI-Centric Microsoft (Windows Central)—Reflecting on Microsoft's 50th anniversary, co-founder Bill Gates expressed that if he were to restart the company today, he would focus it as an AI-centric firm to compete with entities like OpenAI and Google. Gates emphasized the necessity of developing a unique approach to designing AI systems, acknowledging the substantial capital required to initiate such a venture and the challenge of catching up with established leaders in the AI space. This perspective underscores the transformative potential Gates attributes to artificial intelligence in shaping the future of technology enterprises. Read more here
Playground AI Offers Free Advanced Image Generation (Tom's Guide)—Playground AI emerges as a compelling alternative to ChatGPT's image generation features, providing users with advanced text-to-image capabilities at no cost. The platform supports the creation of custom designs and graphics, utilizing models like Playground v2.5 and v3 to produce high-quality images up to 1024 by 1024 pixels. Users can start with a blank canvas or explore various templates for logos, art, stickers, and more. This accessibility and versatility make Playground AI a valuable resource for individuals seeking to generate realistic and creative images without incurring subscription fees.Read more here
Productivity Watch
Why Taking a Strategic Pause Is the Secret to Peak Productivity (Inc.)—Inc. highlights the importance of incorporating strategic pauses into the workday to enhance productivity and prevent errors. Taking deliberate breaks can lead to better decision-making and more efficient workflows, ultimately driving improved results. The article emphasizes that pausing is not a sign of inefficiency but a proactive approach to maintaining high performance. Read more here
Social Watch
Breaking Down the Creator Economy (Sprout Social)—Sprout Social examines the burgeoning creator economy, valued at 250 billion dollars and projected to reach 500 billion by 2027. The ecosystem comprises approximately 50 million content creators worldwide who monetize their skills across various platforms. Brands benefit from partnering with creators, as 92 percent of marketers report that sponsored content outperforms organic posts. The article underscores the necessity for businesses to integrate creator marketing into their strategies to effectively engage audiences and drive growth. Read more here
VC Watch
2024 VC Fund Performance: A New Reality for Venture Capital (Carta)—Carta's analysis of over 2,000 venture funds indicates a significant shift in the VC landscape by 2024. The median number of Limited Partners (LPs) for funds between $100 million and $250 million has nearly halved to 47, while the median anchor check size has risen to $35 million. These trends suggest a consolidation of capital sources and a move towards larger individual investments, reflecting a new reality for venture fund managers adapting to a downsized LP base. Read more here
Border Watch
Why Canadian Brands Are Embracing 'Elbows Up' (Fast Company)—In response to U.S. tariffs and political pressures, Canadian brands are adopting an assertive "Elbows Up" stance, inspired by hockey legend Gordie Howe's aggressive playstyle. This movement signifies a departure from Canada's traditionally polite image, as businesses and citizens rally to protect national interests. Initiatives include boycotting U.S. products and promoting Canadian alternatives, reflecting a unified, proactive approach to international challenges. Read more here
TikTok Watch
Trump Anticipates TikTok Sale Deal Before April 5 Deadline (The Independent)—President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a deal for TikTok's sale by its Chinese parent company ByteDance will be finalized before the April 5 deadline. This follows concerns over national security and data privacy. Various non-Chinese buyers, including private equity firm Blackstone, have shown interest in acquiring TikTok's US operations. The White House has been actively involved in negotiations to ensure the app's continued operation in the US, with Vice President JD Vance expecting an agreement by the deadline. Read more here
YouTube Watch
Hollywood Studios Profit from AI-Generated Fake Trailers on YouTube (Deadline)—Hollywood studios including Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount, and Sony Pictures have been monetizing AI-generated fake movie trailers on popular YouTube channels like Screen Culture and KH Studio. These trailers, which often combine clips from real movies with AI-generated content, are sometimes mistaken for official releases. Despite calls from the SAG-AFTRA union to enforce copyright protections against such content, studios continue to profit by monetizing these videos. In response to a Deadline investigation, YouTube has suspended the monetization abilities of these channels for violating its policies on video duplication and misinformation. Read more here
WorkPlace Watch
U.S. Executives Affirm Enduring Presence of Remote Work (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research)—Recent surveys by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research reveal that remote work has stabilized, accounting for approximately 20% of all paid workdays in the U.S. Despite some companies implementing return-to-office mandates, many executives report no significant changes in their remote work policies over the past year. The data suggests that hybrid work models are becoming a permanent fixture in the corporate landscape, balancing in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This trend indicates a sustained shift in work culture, with implications for urban development, transportation, and employee well-being. Read more here
