Tinder has launched a new premium subscription tier called Tinder Select, which comes with a hefty price tag of $499 per month. The exclusive membership offers perks such as increased visibility to more users, including the most desirable profiles on the platform, as well as the ability to direct message others without the need for a match. Tinder is restricting access to this premium tier, with less than 1% of users being allowed to join.
In a move to bolster its position in the AI sector, Amazon has announced an investment of up to $4 billion in AI startup Anthropic. This investment is aimed at intensifying Amazon’s competition with other industry giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Nvidia in the generative AI field. Anthropic, similar to Google’s Bard and Microsoft-backed OpenAI, operates an AI-powered bot that analyzes and generates text.
Apple has provided insights into the new features of its latest-generation AirPods. In an interview with Apple executives, the enhanced capabilities of the AirPods were discussed, including adaptive audio, personalized volume, conversational awareness, and the Vision Pro connectivity of the AirPods Pro 2.
In a surprising move, Reddit has announced a contributor program that will reward users with real money for their engagement on the platform. Eligible users who meet certain criteria, including age and account duration, can convert their accumulated Reddit gold and karma into fiat currency on a monthly basis.
OpenAI, the renowned AI research organization, is reportedly seeking to raise more capital by selling shares. This move could potentially raise the company’s valuation to as much as $90 billion. OpenAI recently secured over $300 million in funding at a valuation of $29 billion and received a significant investment of approximately $10 billion from Microsoft earlier this year.
ChatGPT, the text-based AI search engine developed by OpenAI, is expanding its capabilities by introducing voice- and image-based features. Users can now ask ChatGPT to create a bedtime story on the spot and have it read back in one of five available voices. Additionally, users can search uploaded images for instructions or explanations by ChatGPT.
Telegram, the popular messaging app, is moving toward a super app model similar to WeChat. The company is working on a platform where third-party developers can build mini apps for users to interact with. This strategic shift aims to expand Telegram’s ecosystem beyond messaging to include various services such as games and restaurant reservations.
Uber, known for its disruptive impact on the taxi industry, has announced a multiyear partnership with Los Angeles Yellow Cab and its partner fleets in Southern California. Under this collaboration, taxi drivers will gain access to Uber trip referrals in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties. This partnership covers approximately 1,200 taxi vehicles across six fleets.
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