Welcome to the first edition of Here.Now.AI.!

The AI revolution is here. AI-powered technology will transform how we work, live, play, and stay healthy. But the sheer number of new products and services flooding the market can be overwhelming.

That’s why we’re launching Here.Now.AI.  Consider us your friendly guides to help you navigate this exciting, slightly unnerving, new world.

We’re on a mission to build an AI-curious community, one where we can share knowledge and grow together. By bringing the world of AI to novices and casual users with simple, practical insights we hope to close the coming “AI divide.”

Each week, we'll serve up the freshest news and reviews on smart tech, AI tools, and intriguing breakthroughs. You’ll get practical information and insider tips on how AI advances can genuinely improve your life.

Subscribe today (it’s free!) – and unlock the incredible possibilities that AI brings to the here and now!

Productivity

In our hyper-connected digital era, writing holds the key to effective communication. But many of us lack the built-in talent of a wordsmith or the dexterity of a grammar expert. Enter AI-powered tools to up your writing game!

You're probably familiar with Grammarly, the veteran grammar and spelling checker that's been around since 2009. It uses advanced algorithms to spot and fix text errors while offering suggestions to enhance your writing's clarity and impact. Even if you struggle with commas or passive voice, Grammarly can be a lifesaver.

Now, there are some new players in town. Meet Rytr, one of the most popular AI writing tools. It's incredibly easy to start using—just provide your email, name, and password to get going on the free plan. Rytr amazed us with its speedy content generation and an impressive plagiarism checker. Plus, the free plan comes with all the paid features, with a 5000 character per month limit.

Another user-friendly option is Wordtune, which is perfect for proofreading and paraphrasing. Copy and paste your text, highlight a sentence, and click 'rewrite.' Wordtune offers various phrasing options, to give your writing a powerful boost.

A quick heads-up: While many AI tools offer free versions, be cautious of the fine print when upgrading. Some may offer a monthly rate, then bill you for a full year upfront.

Here's a hot tip: These AI-powered tools can banish writer's block and save time on proofreading, but we recommend using them as helpers to preserve your unique writing style.

Career Building

Need a professional portrait shot for your business website? Looking to refresh your LinkedIn profile pic? Say goodbye to the hassle of traditional photoshoots and hello to the convenience of AI-generated headshots.

There are several apps and services touting great headshots without the photo session. This week, we’re focusing on HeadshotPro. Our team member, Justin, took the plunge and got his headshots done. Take a look at the image above - and you can see why we think this might be a smart, go-to solution.

How does it work?

• HeadshotPro tailors your look. You can choose between a classic, formal style or opt for a creative, modern vibe to perfectly reflect your professional image.

• Upload 20 selfies for best results. Headshot recommends a plain background with good lighting and a natural smile

• Advanced algorithms optimize each photo for lighting, focus and color. 120+ expertly crafted headshots, ready in just 2 hours.

• Browse through your headshots, select your favorites, then download!

Justin’s take on it: “It felt a bit weird, but worked very smoothly. Some of the results were hilarious AI failures (look closely at the fingers in the picture without a tie) but there were plenty of decent, recognizable shots. So approach this with a sense of humor, and a careful editor’s eye.”

Pricing starts at $29 per person with turnaround time in just 2 hours.

Health & Fitness

Are you into fitness tech? For those of you who own a Fitbit, your trusty fitness companion is about to get even smarter thanks to the power of AI.

Set to launch in early 2024, Fitbit Labs is a new feature that’s designed to bring a whole new level of insight to your health and fitness journey. Fitbit's goal is to create a personalized "health agent" that really gets you. Here's the scoop:

Deeper insights with AI: Fitbit Labs will dig into the details to explain why some workouts feel tougher than others.

Personalized tips and trends: Fitbit will sift through different data points, like your running pace and recent sleep patterns to offer tailored advice based on your unique fitness journey.

Comparisons and charts: Ever wonder why today's run left you more tired than yesterday's? Fitbit will compare different runs with similar distances and even factor in variables like terrain. It'll even whip up charts to illustrate the differences.

Google's AI magic: Fitbit is part of the Google family. This shows how AI is becoming a game-changer in the world of tech gadgets and services.

Rumor has it, Apple is also cooking up an AI-powered health coach for the Apple Watch. It looks like the competition is heating up in the world of smart fitness.

Food & Drink

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll showcase the best AI-powered recipe generators. You’re going to love how easy it is to prepare meals and satisfy your palette. The first one up is Taste Bud, created by two Atlanta-based cooks, Sarah Lawrence and Ryan Spitlog, and touted as a “cooking collaborator”. 

How it works: With its colorful digital board and friendly chatbot, you can get mouth-watering ideas (free!) to remake food items in your refrigerator or pantry. It’s great for generating recipes using leftovers.

Take a test drive: We asked for ideas for the frozen tuna steak we had sitting in our freezer. Within seconds, Taste Bud cooked-up the Tuna Tango. You can download the recipe as a PDF, or save it in a digital folder on the Taste Bud site. 

Happy eating!

AI in the news (in case you missed it.)

• AI & Gender: Why do AI assistants have ‘feminine traits’? Read here.

• AI teaches robotic dog new tricks. Watch the video here.

• AI breakthrough can detect diabetes through voice. Read here.

• Google Maps updates with AI for better navigation. Read here.

Did you receive this from a friend, colleague, or family member? Please subscribe.

Have you tried a new AI-powered product? Let us know what you think.

Know anyone who might like our newsletter? Forward it , and help grow our community!

See you next week!

Here.Now.AI Editorial team: Lori, Justin, and Lisa