Awesome AI Apps for Video Creation and Personalized Playlists

Emerging Tech Roundup — April 12

The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.

This week in tech: Microsoft is establishing a new London hub for its consumer AI division, Spotify is launching personalized AI playlists for users to generate playlists from written prompts, Google has officially launched its Find My Device network, MIT researchers unveiled an new 3D printer that prints with sustainable materials, Google unveiled an AI-driven video creation app for work uses, Google announced big updates to its image generation models, and the messaging app Beeper is being acquired by Automattic.

Microsoft AI Gets a New London Hub Fronted by Former Inflection and Deepmind Scientist Jordan Hoffmann

(Tech Crunch, April 8)

Microsoft is establishing a new London hub for its consumer AI division, led by AI scientist Jordan Hoffmann, previously from Inflection AI. This move follows CEO Satya Nadella’s unveiling of the consumer AI division headed by Inflection AI’s founders, including Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind. With Microsoft’s £2.5 billion investment in the U.K. over three years, including expanding its data center footprint and AI training initiatives, the country’s prominence in AI R&D, alongside Google’s DeepMind, sets the stage for a potential talent competition in the race for AI dominance.

Spotify Launches Personalized AI Playlists that You Can Build Using Prompts

(Tech Crunch, April 8)

Spotify has unveiled personalized AI playlists, allowing users to generate playlists based on written prompts, following the success of its AI DJ feature. Initially launching in the U.K. and Australia on Android and iOS devices, the feature will expand over time, enabling users to create unique playlists tailored to specific themes or activities, such as “songs to serenade my cat” or “beats to battle a zombie apocalypse.” By incorporating a combination of genres, moods, artists, and decades in prompts, users can create the best playlists catered to their preferences.

Google’s Long-Awaited Find My Device Network Launches Today

(Engadget, April 8)

Google has officially launched its Find My Device network — utilizing a crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices to assist users in locating lost gadgets — with a rollout starting in the US and Canada. The app allows users to locate compatible Android phones and tablets, even when offline, and an upcoming integration with Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee will extend this functionality to everyday items like keys and wallets. With features like ringing devices remotely and displaying their location on a map, Google’s Find My Device network aims to provide users with a handy tool for locating misplaced items.

MIT Reveals New 3D Printer That Prints with Sustainable Materials

(Interesting Engineering, April 8)

MIT researchers have unveiled an upgraded 3D printer capable of producing objects using sustainable materials, streamlining production flow and reducing manual setup efforts. This advancement allows the printer to automatically determine printing parameters for renewable and recyclable materials, including medical applications where it fabricates tissues, surgical tools, and prosthetics. This innovation not only expands the scope of 3D printing to include complex items like eyeglasses and footwear but also promises more efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing processes across different sectors.

Google Unveils Vids, an AI-Powered Video Creation App for Work

(Venture Beat, April 9)

Google is simplifying immersive storytelling in the workplace with the launch of Google Vids, an AI-driven application facilitating video creation and real-time collaboration. This all-in-one tool allows users to write, produce, and edit videos directly from their browser, converting existing assets into creative content. Expected to debut in Workspace Labs by June, Google Vids offers convenience by integrating with familiar Google applications like Docs, Slides, and Sheet — streamlining the video production process without the need for additional software or extensive learning curves.

Google’s Imagen 2 Can Now Create Four-Second Animated Images

(Venture Beat, April 9)

Google has announced Imagen 2’s new text-to-live capabilities, allowing users to transform text prompts into animated images. These updates, including features like inpainting, outpainting, and digital watermarking, were unveiled at the Google Cloud Next conference, promising continuous enhancements for improved engagement, particularly in media and advertising. Imagen 2 is set to offer a range of camera angles and motions, along with safety filters and digital watermarks, addressing organizations’ concerns about generative AI.

Beeper Was Just Acquired by Automattic, Which Has Big Plans for the Future of Messaging

(The Verge, April 9)

Beeper, the messaging app integrating multiple platforms, is being acquired by Automattic — the parent company of Wordpress.com and Tumblr. With the acquisition, Beeper is ending its waitlist and opening access to all users across various platforms. This move aligns with Beeper’s vision of creating a unified messaging experience prioritizing users over platforms.