Google Maps is adding a Gemini‑driven conversational feature called Ask Maps that lets users pose natural‑language questions about routes, places and real‑world needs. At the same time, the app receives an Immersive Navigation update with a 3D view, detailed road information and more natural voice guidance. Both upgrades aim to personalize travel planning and make driving safer and more intuitive, rolling out initially on Android and iOS in the United States and India. Read more →

A new analysis of subscription apps reveals that those marketed as AI‑powered experience faster subscriber loss than non‑AI counterparts, with annual churn occurring about 30% quicker. While AI apps convert trial users to paying customers at a higher rate and generate slightly higher revenue per download, they also see higher refund rates and lower long‑term retention. The findings suggest that artificial‑intelligence features can boost early monetization but may not sustain user value over time. Read more →

Shazam is now built directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to identify songs without opening the separate music‑discovery app. After linking Shazam from the Apps page, users can summon the service with prompts such as “Shazam, what’s playing?” A pop‑up box captures the audio, and ChatGPT returns the song title, artist and artwork, with an option to save it in Shazam. The feature works even if the Shazam app is not installed, and it is rolling out globally on iOS, Android and the web. Read more →