2026 isn't messing around.

First 2 weeks of the year and we've already got major drops from Google, Apple, and Anthropic. Plus ChatGPT is about to get into your bloodstream. Literally.

Let's get into it.

Google didn't just update Gmail. They rebuilt it.

Here's what's new:

"Help Me Write" is now live. You can polish emails or draft them from scratch. No more staring at a blank compose window wondering how to sound professional but not robotic.

They also upgraded Smart Replies. The old ones were useless. "Sounds good!" "Thanks!" Garbage. The new "Suggested Replies" actually read your conversation thread and match how you write. One click. Done.

But here's the real game-changer.

AI Overviews now summarize your email chains. You know those 47-message threads where everyone CC'd their entire department? Gmail will now give you the TL;DR.

And if you're on Google AI Pro or Ultra, you can search your inbox with natural language. Like: "Who was that plumber who quoted me for the bathroom last year?"

That's not a gimmick. That's actually useful.

They're also rolling out AI inbox filters that prioritize what matters. Bills due tomorrow? Front and center. Random newsletter you forgot you signed up for? Buried.

This is free for everyone. No upgrade required.

Apple Finally Took a Swing at Adobe

It's called Creator Studio. And it's a big deal.

For years, Adobe had no real competition. Creative Cloud costs $60/month and everyone just paid it because there was no alternative.

Apple just changed that.

For $12.99/month (or $129/year), you get:

Plus AI features in Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform.

Students and educators? $2.99/month. Twenty-nine dollars a year. That's wild.

Drops January 28th on the App Store.

You can still buy these apps individually. But the bundle makes way more sense for anyone doing creative work.

Adobe should be nervous.

This one's coming soon. Not live yet. But worth paying attention to.

OpenAI is launching ChatGPT Health. It's a dedicated section inside ChatGPT for health and wellness questions.

What it does:

It's not a diagnosis tool. Think of it as a learning companion that makes medical info actually understandable.

If you're into longevity or biohacking, this is huge. Imagine uploading your blood panel and getting an instant breakdown of what's off and what to ask about.

I'm watching this one closely.

Anthropic just dropped Cowork.

Here's how it works: You give Claude access to a folder on your computer. Claude can then read, edit, or create files in that folder.

Think about what that means.

Got a pile of screenshots? Claude can turn them into a spreadsheet.

Got scattered notes? Claude can produce a first draft.

You set the task. Claude makes a plan. Then it works through it step by step, checking in with you along the way.

It asks before taking any big actions. So you stay in control.

You can also connect it to your existing tools through connectors. And pair it with Claude in Chrome for tasks that need browser access.

This is the kind of AI assistance that actually saves hours.

Google's video AI tool just got more expressive.

You can now create vertical clips with livelier movement and better control. Works directly in Gemini, YouTube, and Google Vids.

If you're making UGC content or testing ads, this is powerful.

My only gripe? Google keeps shipping amazing AI features but spreading them across a dozen different apps. Even I have trouble keeping track of where everything lives.

But the tech itself is legit.

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I don't usually do reading recommendations. But these hit different.

Dan Koe: "If You Have Multiple Interests, Don't Waste the Next 2-3 Years"

Society told you that having multiple interests was a weakness. Pick one thing. Specialize. Get a job. Retire.

Dan argues the opposite. We're not in the Industrial Age anymore. Specializing in one skill is almost certain death.

Every CEO, founder, or creative we admire? They're generalists. They understand marketing, product, and people. They adapt when things change. They connect ideas across domains.

The key insight: When your interests become your work, most of them naturally filter out. You don't need to pick one. You need to start building.

This is a must-read if you've ever felt guilty about your scattered curiosity.

[Read it here]

Sahil doesn't do resolutions. He sets intentions. Big-picture mindsets that establish direction.

His six for 2026:

The "final 5%" concept stuck with me. Most things don't fail from lack of effort at the start. They fail from lack of care at the end. The last stretch is where most people ease up. And that's exactly where extraordinary outcomes happen.

Worth 10 minutes of your time.

[Read it here]

That's a Wrap

A lot happened this week. And we're only 14 days into the year.

Quick recap:

What are you most excited to try? Hit reply and let me know.

Talk soon.

I get asked the same questions a lot. Here's where I'd point you:

Want to talk shop? I interview founders on the podcast. No fluff, just real conversations about what's working. If that's you, let's chat.

Emails not converting? The team at Benatar Brands has helped my clients add 30-40% to their revenue just by fixing their email flows. Worth a call if you're leaving money on the table.

Need help but can't afford Bay Area rates? AssistantHub finds growth talent overseas at 40-80% less. I've seen the hires. They're legit.

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