The Comunicano for Thursday October 17th 2024

Ah, we find ourselves in an age where technology is not just advancing—it’s hurtling forward at breakneck speed. And while everyone’s fixated on the shiny new toys, let’s not be distracted. The real mission here is to understand what’s changing and how to use it to your advantage. So, let’s get to it….First, the Canvas interface for ChatGPT. It’s designed for efficiency—letting you see your original work side-by-side with revisions. A handy tool if you’re juggling multiple projects, trying to make sense of what’s been edited without losing track. You’ve got one-click shortcuts to trim the fat or add a bit of polish. But as always, there’s a catch. It’s available only to those paying for the premium tier. The tool’s there, but if you want the full set of gadgets, it’ll cost you a little extra.

Moving swiftly on, Salesforce’s Marc Benioff is taking a jab at Microsoft’s Copilot AI, comparing it to that forgettable nuisance, Clippy. He claims it’s more flash than substance, unable to deliver any real value. Meanwhile, Salesforce is positioning itself as the leader with Agentforce, boasting that billions of AI agents will be running the show soon enough. It’s classic strategy—discredit the competition while laying the groundwork for your own dominance….But there’s a bigger game afoot. IBM’s AI agents are poised to revolutionize enterprise IT. These agents are not just passive tools—they’ll plan, act, and even coordinate with other agents autonomously. It’s a future where AI can handle everything from HR to sales without breaking a sweat. This isn’t just about saving time, it’s about transforming the entire landscape of business. Speed, precision, and above all, the ability to make decisions on the fly—that’s the sort of efficiency that could tilt the balance of power.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Uber, which seems to be eyeing a massive acquisition. They’re sniffing around Expedia, looking to add another asset to their already impressive portfolio. Ride-hailing, food delivery, logistics—Uber has its hands in many pies, but acquiring Expedia could bring them into the world of travel in a big way. A risky move, but if it pays off, Uber could dominate not just the streets, but the skies as well…..Airbnb is also evolving, offering a Host and Co-Host Matchmaker service. It’s a clever solution, allowing hosts to hand off tasks to experienced co-hosts. The system is designed to improve professionalism, giving hosts more time and freedom while boosting their revenue. It’s efficient, practical—like having a trusted ally at your side, ready to take on the burden.

Lastly, we turn to the FTC with their Click-to-Cancel rule, This is consumer protection at its finest. Companies have long relied on making it difficult for customers to cancel subscriptions, trapping them in cycles of recurring payments. But this rule changes the game. Now, companies must make it as easy to cancel as it was to sign up—no more hidden barriers. It’s clean, simple, and ensures fairness, a move that’ll keep businesses honest.

All of this—AI agents, acquisitions, efficiency tools, and regulations—and more are signaling a world where the right combination of technology and strategy can shift power and fortune. But the key, as ever, is knowing how to use these changes to your advantage. Adapt, act swiftly, and always stay one step ahead. That’s how you win. And for all that and more, that’s why you are reading The Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

AI Watch

It’s Your New Helper—The new Canvas interface in ChatGPT is a game-changer for productivity, especially for those frequently revising and editing projects. This interface allows users to view their original project side-by-side with the edited version, making it easy to track changes and compare outputs. It eliminates the need to scroll through long conversations, as the initial and revised versions remain visible. Key features include one-click shortcuts for adjusting text length, reading level, or adding polish, and the ability to highlight specific portions for targeted edits. Powered by GPT-4o, it delivers advanced and precise revisions. However, the feature is only available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers for $20 a month.

Getting Clipped—Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff criticized Microsoft's Copilot AI, likening it to the infamous Clippy, suggesting it lacks value and doesn't perform as expected. He argued that Copilot doesn't deliver transformational results for customers and predicted it might fade away, similar to other failed Microsoft products. In contrast, Benioff emphasized Salesforce's AI capabilities, particularly its Agentforce, which he claims offers real, easy-to-see benefits. He expressed confidence that Salesforce would dominate the AI market with billions of agents in the coming year.

Trust But Verify—Adobe has introduced "Project Know How" at its Sneaks event, an AI tool that enhances content with embedded tutorials and how-tos, offering an interactive learning experience. Part of Adobe's push for transparency and trust, it ties into the company's "Content Credentials" initiative. This feature helps verify and trace the origins of creative content, ensuring authenticity and credit for creators. With these tools, Adobe aims to boost both creativity and ethical use of AI-generated works, rolling out broader adoption across its platforms.

It’s Time To Get An Agent—IBM is predicting a significant shift in enterprise IT with the rise of AI agents, which will automate complex tasks and work alongside humans. These agents will plan, use memory, access tools, and act autonomously, transforming areas like HR, coding, and sales. The introduction of “Super AI” systems will help coordinate multiple AI agents to complete intricate processes. Developers, business users, and end-users are expected to benefit the most from these advancements, potentially revolutionizing workflows and productivity across various industries.

What The Agent Can Do For You—AI agents, especially OpenAI's o1 model, are seen as the future of business automation. These agents can handle repetitive tasks, boost productivity, and drive innovation by automating workflows. The o1 model excels in coding, scientific applications, and natural language processing. It allows businesses to create custom AI solutions, reduce human error, and improve efficiency. With features like problem-solving algorithms and scalability, integrating AI agents into business strategies can enhance profitability and competitiveness.

Ad Killers—AI is poised to disrupt traditional websites and advertising by allowing AI agents to handle tasks like information gathering, form filling, and content delivery. These agents could bypass ads and provide personalized, relevant content in the format users prefer (e.g., text, voice, or images). This shift would force advertisers to rethink their strategies, moving from ads to marketplace-like offerings. AI agents, with different business models (premium, freemium, or hybrid), could dominate internet interactions, transforming marketing and user experiences.

Social Watch

Changing The Game—AI is transforming social media engagement by automating tasks like content creation, post scheduling, and audience analysis. It helps brands tailor content to specific audiences, enhancing interactions through personalized messages and predictive analytics. AI tools can monitor engagement patterns, optimize posting times, and provide insights into customer behavior, allowing marketers to create more relevant and engaging content. This technology also enables chatbots and AI-driven customer service, improving response times and user satisfaction.

Getting Personal—The blog post from Optimizely discusses how to develop an effective personalization strategy by addressing common challenges like disjointed workflows and fragmented data. It emphasizes the importance of defining clear customer personas, focusing on relevant business outcomes, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration. The post also highlights the need for a unified platform for data analysis and personalization execution, recommending a Customer Data Platform (CDP) for better data management. The post underscores the necessity of a well-planned framework to scale personalization efforts successfully.

Uber Watch

Life In The Fast Lane—Uber is reportedly exploring a potential bid to acquire Expedia in an effort to expand its business beyond ride-hailing. Discussions are in the early stages, and no formal negotiations are underway. This acquisition, if successful, would mark Uber’s largest deal to date and further diversify its operations, which already include food delivery, logistics, and partnerships with autonomous vehicle companies. While Expedia's stock surged on the news, Uber's shares fell slightly. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's past as Expedia’s former CEO adds an interesting dynamic to the potential deal.

Airbnb Watch

A Better Way To Stay—Airbnb has launched a new "Host and Co-Host Matchmaker" service to connect hosts with experienced co-hosts to help manage their listings. This network allows hosts to delegate tasks like guest communication, cleaning, and booking management to co-hosts, helping to ease operational burdens. Co-hosts, often experienced Superhosts, can earn a fee based on services provided, and the platform facilitates matching based on location, experience, and property type. This initiative seeks to boost host professionalism and revenue while simplifying property management for multi-listing owners.

Consumer Watch

Easy Come. Easy Go—The FTC has finalized its "Click-to-Cancel" rule, making it easier for consumers to cancel recurring subscriptions. Companies must now offer a cancellation process as simple as signing up and avoid deceptive practices related to recurring charges. The rule also mandates clear disclosure of terms and obtaining informed consent before billing. The rule will be implemented 180 days after its publication. This update aims to combat unfair practices as digital subscriptions grow, with the FTC receiving thousands of complaints annually about difficulties in canceling services. Read more from The Verge.

Apple Watch

Apple’s Strictly Business—Apple has introduced new business tools to help companies manage their digital presence across various platforms, including email, phone calls, and payments. These tools, part of Apple Business Connect, allow businesses to enhance their branding in customer interactions. With "Branded Mail" and "Business Caller ID," businesses can customize how their logo and name appear in emails and phone calls. Additionally, companies can now feature their logo when accepting payments via "Tap to Pay" on iPhone, improving trust and recognition. These features are aimed at both physical and online businesses, boosting customer engagement across Apple’s ecosystem.

The Doctor Will See You Now—Surgeons are praising the Apple Vision Pro for helping reduce physical strain during procedures, particularly preventing neck and back injuries that result from long hours of surgery. The device's augmented reality features allow surgeons to visualize and navigate through intricate operations without the need for uncomfortable head positions. The precision and ergonomic benefits offered by the Vision Pro have reportedly left medical professionals impressed, making it a groundbreaking tool in the operating room.

Sucking Wind—Apple TV+ has struggled with marketing, failing to build awareness for its original content compared to competitors like Netflix and Disney+. Despite critically acclaimed shows, its promotion strategies have been inconsistent, underplaying its offerings. Factors include a lack of big promotional campaigns and not effectively leveraging its massive ecosystem of Apple devices. Perhaps Apple needs a more aggressive and cohesive marketing strategy to highlight the platform’s unique value proposition.

Robot Watch

Talk About Hooking Up—Toyota and Boston Dynamics have partnered to advance humanoid robot development. The collaboration will combine Boston Dynamics' expertise in robotic design, particularly their Atlas robot, with Toyota's generative AI technology. The goal is to create versatile humanoid robots that can handle various tasks, with a long-term vision of deploying these robots in factories and homes, particularly for elderly care. This partnership aims to push the boundaries of human-robot interaction and physical intelligence in robotics. Both companies see great potential in this collaboration but haven't disclosed a project timeline or budget.

5G Watch

A Need for Speed—T-Mobile is set to launch its 5G Advanced network, which builds on its existing 5G infrastructure with enhanced speed, capacity, and latency. The upgrade will enable advanced applications such as augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. This next step in 5G evolution will also provide better support for businesses and enterprise solutions. T-Mobile plans to roll out these improvements by leveraging its extensive mid-band spectrum, aiming further to solidify its leadership in the 5G space.

Sphere Watch

Here Comes Another—Sphere Entertainment has announced plans to expand their innovative venue concept to Abu Dhabi, marking the second location after Las Vegas. The Abu Dhabi Sphere will replicate the immersive, high-tech design of the Las Vegas Sphere, which features a massive 160,000-square-foot LED display, delivering cutting-edge audio-visual experiences. The project is part of Sphere's broader ambition to bring this technology to global cities. Talks with Abu Dhabi investors are reportedly in advanced stages, reflecting the city’s growing status as a hub for futuristic entertainment venues.

Travel Watch

Covid Blocking—To reduce the risk of COVID-19 during flights, experts recommend several strategies: wear a well-fitted mask, especially in crowded areas; use the airplane’s air vent to improve air circulation; minimize mask removal by eating before your flight; and maintain proper hand hygiene. Additionally, plan to get vaccinated about two weeks before your trip to ensure maximum immunity. Following these tips can help protect you from airborne viruses while traveling.

Flying High—Global Airlines, a relatively new player in the aviation industry, aims to carve out a niche in long-haul travel by focusing exclusively on the Airbus A380, the world’s largest commercial aircraft. Founded by James Asquith in 2021, the airline is preparing for its official launch with plans to start flying by 2025. The company has already secured several A380s and is working on refining its cabin design and onboard experience, seeking to provide a more luxurious and spacious option for transatlantic flights. This unique focus sets it apart as it seeks to disrupt the traditional airline market.

Fly Cheaper—Google Flights is introducing a new "Cheapest" tab, making it easier to find the absolute lowest-priced flights. Unlike the default algorithm, which factors in trip length, stops, and travel times, this new tab sorts results solely by price. Google Flights will also suggest itineraries with long layovers, mixed airlines, or even nearby cities to provide the best deals. While these budget options may come with some inconvenient trade-offs, they’re ideal for travelers on a tight budget. The update is rolling out globally in the coming weeks, making budget travel more accessible.

Web Watch

Going Wayback—A significant outage at the Internet Archive, which affected access to the Wayback Machine raised concerns about potential data breaches, although there is no confirmation of any data being compromised. The Wayback Machine, a critical tool for accessing archived web content, experienced service disruptions that impacted users' ability to retrieve historical web pages. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining the security and reliability of digital preservation platforms.

What’s Up With Webflow—At Webflow Conf 2024, Webflow unveiled its new "Website Experience Platform," expanding beyond site-building to include tools for analyzing and optimizing website performance. Key announcements include Webflow Analyze, for built-in visitor behavior insights, and Webflow Optimize, for A/B testing and personalization powered by AI. New features also enhance collaboration, design systems, and content creation through AI tools. Webflow aims to streamline workflows and empower teams to build, manage, and optimize websites efficiently while integrating privacy and data ownership.

Retail Watch

Poping In for Pizza—Pizza Hut is launching pop-up retail locations in response to the growing trend of experiential dining and nostalgia marketing. The pop-ups will feature the iconic Personal Pan Pizza, aiming to evoke a sense of nostalgia and connect with customers who have fond memories of the brand. This initiative follows a broader industry trend where fast-food brands leverage nostalgia to attract attention and boost engagement, reflecting how retail experiences are evolving to include brand storytelling and emotional connections.