Grok Bot gains ability to manage apps and smart home devices

From chat to action

Grok Bot is undergoing a significant transition from a simple conversational AI to a functional personal assistant. While it previously focused on generating text and answering questions, the latest update allows it to interact directly with various apps on your phone. This change is part of a steady stream of updates from xAI to make the tool more practical for daily use.

The new capabilities allow the bot to perform actions that usually require opening multiple different applications. Instead of manually navigating to a calendar to see your schedule, you can now ask the bot to look at your day for you. This integration aims to streamline how users interact with their mobile devices by centralizing common tasks.

As digitaltrends.com reported, these updates are rolling out now to users on both iOS and Android platforms. The goal is to provide a more cohesive experience where the AI can handle the logistical

How the integration works

The update enables Grok Bot to tap into six specific apps and services on a user's mobile device. These include core productivity tools like Calendar, Reminders, and Contacts. By connecting to these services, the bot can read and send messages or use your location to find nearby places.

One of the most practical features is the ability to manage your schedule and personal data. You can ask Grok to add new events to your calendar or set specific reminders for later. It can also find and add new contacts, making it easier to organize your professional and personal life through voice or text commands.

Beyond productivity, the bot now has the power to control your physical environment through the Home app. This means you can give the bot instructions to turn off your lights or lock your doors. You no longer have to open a separate smart home app to perform these basic household tasks.

Privacy and user control

A major concern with AI assistants is how much access they have to private data. To address this, the new update includes a granular permission system. You do not have to give Grok Bot access to every app on your phone at once.

Each individual app comes with its own specific "Allow" button within the interface. This design choice gives you the power to decide exactly which services the AI can interact with. For example, you might choose to let it manage your reminders while keeping it away from your private messages.

This approach ensures that the user remains in control of their personal information. By opting into permissions on a per-app basis, you can enjoy the convenience of an automated assistant without sacrificing the privacy of your most sensitive data.

New hardware and media updates

Amazon has rebranded Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+, keeping the monthly US price at $11.99. This update expands the catalog to include thousands of audiobooks, some of which feature narrations produced by AI technology.

The subscription continues to offer access to ebooks, comics, manga, and magazines. Users can also find companion audio for thousands of existing ebooks as part of this new bundle.

Gaming and mobile hardware news

The Delta 2.0 update for the popular iPhone emulator brings a Liquid Glass redesign and support for Sega Genesis emulation. It also introduces RetroAchievements, animated controller skins, and support for the foldable iPhone Duo.

In hardware news, the Oppo Find X10 features two 200MP cameras and a price point of around $1,400. This new series follows the Find X9 Pro and Ultra models, showing a trend of high-specification hardware from the manufacturer.