More AI assistants now work through text messages, not apps

In short: More companies are building AI assistants you can text inside the messaging apps you already use, instead of downloading a new app.

What's going on

TechCrunch published a list of notable “AI agents” that can live in your text messages. An AI agent is a chatbot that can also do actions for you, like making a reservation or adding something to your calendar (like a helper who can both talk and run errands).

Many of these tools work through iMessage on iPhones, RCS on Android (a newer type of texting), or apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Examples include Caddy, which tries to spot things in your messages that need follow-up, and Folk, which can handle tasks like reminders and restaurant bookings through chat.

Some tools focus on specific parts of life. Miso focuses on travel planning and booking through iMessage. Family-focused options include Fambot, Ohai, Ollie, and Orbits, which aim to pull together school messages, calendars, and to-do lists into one plan and then send summaries by text.

Money and business interest is also showing up. Instinct, an assistant that can take actions on your behalf, was valued at $10 billion after a $1 billion funding round, according to TechCrunch. Tab also recently surfaced with a reported $300 million valuation.

What to watch

These assistants often need access to personal information like emails, calendars, and messages to be useful. That makes privacy and security an important issue to watch, especially for agents that can send emails, place calls, or shop for you. Some products are responding by emphasizing safeguards, like asking permission before acting, or by keeping more data on your device instead of in the cloud (like keeping files in your own desk drawer rather than a shared storage room).

Source: TechCrunch AI