🎬 Vireel launches automated ad generator 🎬
Automated short-video ad generation for social platforms

Vireel, a new platform that promises to be the easiest way to create hundreds of viral video ads. The tool uses a simple three-step process: users input their website URL, Vireel automatically generates hundreds of reels using proven viral formulas, and then users can post these across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts to attract visitors "on autopilot." This tool represents the newest entry in the growing "vibe marketing" space, helping brands create content that resonates with social media audiences without requiring extensive video production expertise.

🚖 Uber and WeRide target global expansion 🚖
Robotaxis coming to 15 more cities

Uber and WeRide plan to expand their robotaxi partnership to 15 additional cities over the next five years, focusing on markets outside China and the U.S., including parts of Europe. This expansion follows their successful launch in Abu Dhabi, where WeRide provides the autonomous technology while Uber handles the app and routing. The arrangement mirrors Uber's setup with Waymo, which is currently active in Austin and will soon launch in Atlanta. Dubai is next on their expansion list as the companies push to make self-driving taxis a global reality.

📱 Google accidentally reveals Android redesign 📱
Material 3 Expressive leaks

Google accidentally leaked its next major Android redesign, Material 3 Expressive, in a now-deleted blog post spotted by 9to5Google. The update focuses on improved usability through color, shape, and motion, and is based on 46 rounds of testing with over 18,000 users. Google claims the new design helps people find UI elements up to 4x faster and even equalizes performance across different age groups. More details are expected at the upcoming Google I/O conference this month.

INTERESTING NEWS

🏛️ OpenAI keeps nonprofit in control 🏛️

OpenAI has abandoned plans to become a for-profit company, instead restructuring its business arm into a public benefit corporation (PBC) that will remain under nonprofit control. This reverses the December 2024 plan where the PBC would eventually take over operations. Under the new arrangement, the nonprofit will retain both control and a major stake in the company, while hiring a dedicated team to pursue charitable initiatives in healthcare, education, and science. The change follows significant backlash from critics including Elon Musk, who had argued the original plan gave the startup too much power.

💰 OpenAI buys Windsurf for $3 billion 💰

OpenAI has agreed to acquire Windsurf (formerly known as Codeium) for approximately $3 billion, according to Bloomberg. The deal marks OpenAI's largest acquisition to date and puts it in direct competition with other AI coding assistants like Cursor, Copilot, and Replit. Windsurf had recently sought funding at a similar valuation after being valued at $1.25 billion last year. This acquisition follows OpenAI's push to improve coding performance with its o3 and o4-mini models, while competitors like Apple and Anthropic are building their own AI coding tools based on Claude Sonnet.