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Startups

Eazewell: Russell Westbrook's AI-Powered End-of-Life Planning Startup

Donnell Beverly Jr. and NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker launched Eazewell, an AI-driven platform designed to streamline end-of-life and funeral planning.

Eazewell's AI agent offers 24/7 assistance, helping users with tasks such as finding funeral homes and canceling credit card accounts.

The platform partners with service providers, offering free access with premium feature options.

Eazewell has already assisted over 100,000 families and is introducing an enterprise platform for hospice companies and insurers.

Future plans include managing digital assets post-mortem, addressing the growing challenge of handling numerous online accounts.

Westbrook emphasizes the importance of helping underserved communities through this platform.

Health & Fitness

Simple Secures $35M in Series B Funding Led by Kevin Hart's Venture Firm

Simple, an AI-powered health coaching app, has raised $35 million in a Series B funding round led by Kevin Hart's HartBeat Ventures. The company, which boasts $160 million in ARR and 700,000 subscribers, offers personalized coaching through its AI coach, Avo, to help users lose weight without restrictive dieting. Avo handles over 100,000 coaching conversations daily, providing tailored advice and real-time meal feedback. Simple aims to expand its features to include GLP-1 medication support and specialized programs for women's health, with the ultimate goal of becoming a comprehensive health companion.

AI and Software

Deta Surf: AI Browser Meets Knowledge Management

Deta has launched Surf, a new knowledge management app that combines an AI browser with features similar to Google's NotebookLM. Surf allows users to create notebooks on various topics and use AI to generate summary reports in a Notion-style document. As a browser, it enables users to summarize web pages, PDFs, and YouTube videos, and extract key insights. Users can also mention multiple tabs to the AI chatbot for context and generate code for mini apps, interactive graphs, or charts.

Deta's co-founder, Max Eusterbrock, emphasized that Surf differs from other AI browsers by allowing users to edit and work offline on notebooks, making it suitable for students and researchers. The tool is currently free, with plans for a premium subscription that includes features like cloud backup, collaboration, and multi-device clients. Deta previously raised $3.6 million in a seed round and an additional $500,000 in funding.

Data Security

WestJet Cyberattack Exposes Personal Data of 1.2 Million Passengers

WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, reported a data breach affecting 1.2 million passengers. The breach, disclosed in a filing with Maine's attorney general, included the personal information of 240 residents of Maine.

The stolen data potentially involves passenger names, birth dates, addresses, travel documents, and reward account details. WestJet detected the security incident in June and found unauthorized access to its network.

The breach has been linked to the hacking group Scattered Spider, known for targeting corporate networks. Earlier this year, the FBI warned that this group was targeting the transportation and aviation industry.

Data Privacy and Security

UK Government's Renewed Attempt to Access Encrypted iCloud Data Sparks Privacy Concerns

The U.K. government is reportedly making a second attempt to gain access to encrypted iCloud data, filing a secret order demanding Apple build a backdoor. The Home Office requested Apple create a system to access encrypted cloud backups of British citizens. Privacy activists are warning against complying with the order, stating it would impact global user privacy. This follows a previous attempt where the U.K. government sought access to cloud-stored backups protected by Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP), forcing Apple to disable ADP for U.K. users. Apple has affirmed it has never built a backdoor and never will. The previous effort failed after negotiations with the Trump administration, and Apple challenged the legal demand in court.

Technology

Meta to Leverage AI Interactions for Targeted Advertising

Meta will start using data from user interactions with its AI products to sell targeted ads across Facebook and Instagram. The privacy policy will be updated by December 16 to reflect this change. This policy applies globally, excluding South Korea, the UK, and the EU due to privacy laws.

Meta's core business relies on detailed user profiles for targeted ads. Now, data from conversations with Meta AI will enhance these profiles. Over a billion users chat with Meta AI monthly, providing a rich source of information.

For example, if a user discusses hiking with Meta AI, they might see ads for hiking gear. This also includes data from AI features in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and AI-video feed Vibes. Conversations will only influence ads if a user is logged into the same account across products.

Meta says sensitive topics discussed with AI will not be used for ads. Other tech companies are also exploring ways to monetize AI products, like OpenAI's in-app purchases in ChatGPT and Google's plans for ads in AI-powered search.

Currently, Meta has no immediate plans to put ads in its AI products, but it is a possibility in the future.

Smart Home

Google Home App Overhaul: Enhanced Performance, Nest Integration, and Gemini AI

Google has redesigned its Google Home app to improve performance, centralize device management, and integrate Gemini AI. The update addresses previous performance issues with 70% faster startup and 80% fewer crashes.

The app now supports Nest devices, aiming to be the only app Nest users need. Key improvements include better camera features, a streamlined interface with three tabs (Home, Activity, Automation), and gesture support.

The Activity tab features a Gemini-powered "Home Brief" for summarizing daily events. Users can interact with Gemini through the "Ask Home" feature for natural language queries and automation creation. Some AI features require a Google Home Premium subscription.

The Automation tab is now natively built into iOS and Android for improved performance. The Google Home 4.0 update will roll out globally starting October 1.

Smart Home Security

Google Enhances Smart Home Security with AI-Powered Nest Devices

Google has introduced updated Nest devices, including the Nest Cam Outdoor ($149.99), Nest Cam Indoor ($99.99), and Nest Doorbell ($179.99), integrating Gemini AI for enhanced smart home functionality.

Key features include 2K HDR video for sharper images, wider field of view, and improved low-light performance.

Gemini AI provides smarter notifications, offering contextual alerts and summaries of home activity through the 'Home Brief' feature.

The Nest Aware subscription is rebranded as Google Home Premium, with existing tiers and pricing unchanged, and is included in some Google One subscriptions.

Functionality is integrated into the Google Home app, eliminating the need to switch between the Nest app and the Google Home app.

Smart Home Technology

Google's Gemini AI Transforms Smart Homes with New Devices and Features

Google has unveiled its Gemini-powered smart home lineup, including refreshed Google Home and Nest devices, showcasing its AI assistant, Gemini AI. The company is also revamping its Google Home software platform and business strategy for the AI era.

Key highlights include:

New Nest devices (Nest Cam Outdoor, Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Doorbell) leveraging Gemini.
An upgraded Google Home speaker (coming in spring 2026).
Partnership with Walmart for low-cost cameras and doorbells.
Gemini AI will enhance existing devices through software updates.
Focus on natural conversations with AI-powered devices, allowing for complex questions and interactive experiences.
Redesigned Google Home app for faster performance and Gemini AI integration.
Introduction of "Gemini Live" for free-flowing conversations with the AI assistant.

Google aims to make Gemini accessible across various devices and price points, fostering a more intuitive and helpful smart home experience.

Wearable Technology

Oura Unveils Ring 4 Ceramic Collection and New Health Features

Oura has announced the launch of the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic collection, featuring zirconia ceramic rings in Tide, Cloud, Petal, and Midnight colors, priced at $499 with a $5.99 monthly membership. The company also introduced a charging case ($99) that holds up to five full ring charges. Additionally, Oura's new Health Panels feature allows members to schedule bloodwork via the Oura app at Quest Diagnostics labs for $99, providing insights into 50 biomarkers. Users can now pair and switch between different Oura Ring 4 colors under a single account.