Author: Geek Planet

Some are sprinting into the future, using AI to produce, edit and post at a speed that would’ve been unthinkable even a year ago. Others are digging deeper into what makes them human — voice, vulnerability and imperfection.  For now, both are probably right. But the split is getting sharper. The recent arrivals of Meta’s Vibes tab and OpenAI’s Sora app are the reason. Meta because it’s building a scrollable stream of AI-created video. OpenAI for taking that one step further, making it possible for anyone to generate AI video on demand, no camera required. Together, they’ve condensed every hope,…

Google is shutting down a feature that many people used to check whether their personal information had ended up in data breaches. The company has confirmed that its dark web report tool will stop scanning for new leaks in mid-January and will be fully discontinued on February 16, 2026. The feature was designed to alert users if details like their email address, phone number, name, or other personal data appeared in known dark web breach dumps, but Google now says it did not go far enough in helping people act on those alerts. Why Google is pulling the plug on…

Many of the largest grocers in the U.S. have restructured to bring their advertising and traditional retail businesses closer together. In a move announced this summer, Kroger pulled its consumer insights (84.51°), loyalty marketing and retail media (Kroger Precision Marketing) businesses together under a single division called Kroger Precision Marketing powered by 84.51°. Albertsons overhauled its C-suite in May following the failure of its proposed merger with Kroger. That move brought together its digital experiences, marketing and loyalty functions as well as its advertising business, Albertsons Media Collective, under chief commercial officer Jennifer Saenz. These are just a couple of…

With how pricey DDR5 has gotten, a prebuilt that includes 32GB of RAM out of the box already feels like a win. The fact that this one also hands you an Intel Core i7-14700F, RTX 5060 8GB, and a 1TB NVMe SSD for under a grand makes it a very easy gaming PC to recommend if you just want something fast, clean, and ready to go. What you’re getting Inside the iBUYPOWER Slate Gaming Desktop, you’re getting an Intel Core i7-14700F, which is more than capable of handling high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming while you run Discord, Chrome, and whatever…

Google Photos already packs a bunch of useful AI tools to help you edit photos. From removing unwanted objects or bystanders to completely restyling images, the app makes it easy to enhance your memories. Now, Google is adding a playful twist with its newest feature, Me Meme, which lets you turn yourself into your favorite memes in just a few taps. According to a recent post on Google’s support forums, Me Meme is a generative AI feature that lets you star in trending memes using a template and a photo of yourself. It’s rolling out in Google Photos for Android…

Etsy sellers are voicing mixed opinions about the platform’s new partnership with OpenAI, which marks a major development in how consumers are using AI engines to shop. Last week, Etsy said it had enabled checkout directly through ChatGPT for U.S. buyers and U.S. sellers. The partnership means that Etsy users can browse and buy products from Etsy storefronts within ChatGPT, without having to go to Etsy’s website or app. The news comes two and a half months after the Financial Times reported that OpenAI was in the early stages of integrating checkout into ChatGPT. It’s still early days for the…

The Trade Desk’s CEO just gave his sharpest take yet on why publishers have become a central focus for the company.Speaking at the Prebid Summit yesterday (Oct. 14), Jeff Green boiled it down to one thing: the auction. It’s the common ground where buyers and sellers meet — and the key to keeping the open internet competitive with the walled gardens. That’s why, he said, The Trade Desk is taking a more active role in its health. It hasn’t always been that way; the company’s priorities once leaned more toward the buy side. But that balance is shifting — and…

The iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island could soon look a lot less intrusive, if a new leak is on target. A post from reputable leaker Ice Universe says Apple has trimmed the cutout width on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max from 20.76mm to 13.49mm, a drop of roughly 35%. That’s a meaningful design shift because it’s one of the few pieces of front hardware you notice dozens of times a day. Another rumor comparison post in your screenshots points in the same direction and frames it as a fresh look versus the iPhone 17 Pro. There…

OpenAI seems to be exploring how ChatGPT could move beyond an app and toward an operating system. The direction suggests ChatGPT could become a central software layer for apps and services, rather than just another app you open and close. This ambition became clearer after OpenAI hired Glen Coates as its new Head of App Platform, to “help turn ChatGPT into an OS”. The idea is not limited to one executive hire. Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of ChatGPT, has also been publicly focused on the same direction. Turley told TechCrunch that ChatGPT may one day operate more like an operating…

Retail media is changing the advertising game across all sectors — and that’s why many brands are planning to put more money behind such networks in the coming quarters. Earlier this fall, Digiday, Modern Retail and Glossy hosted the Retail Media Advertising Strategies event in New York City to go over the challenges and opportunities brands are seeing in the booming business. As the industry matures, brands are learning the importance of data and sussing out how effective the networks are in helping brands acquire and grow new customers. Modern Retail+ conducted a survey of 22 brands as part of…