# AI Integration and Service Expansion in Tech Giants

**Podcast:** TechCrunch Daily Crunch
**Published:** 2026-04-18

## Transcript

This is TechCrunch.
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Uber will now pick up your returns from your doorstop.
I'm Imran Shake and your weekend crunch, featuring three big tech headlines, starts right now.
Netflix is going to launch a TikTok-like vertical video feed within its apps this month and plans to use AI broadly for content creation and recommendations.
Short video feature could help users with discovering video podcasts along with the current slate of shows and movies.
The company's also leaning more into using AI for recommendations after launching a ChatGPT-powered search feature last year.
Co-CEO Ted Sorando said he sees AI tools improving the entire content creation process.
In general, we expect Gen AI to make content better, better tools, better processes.
It takes a great artist to make great art, and AI won't change that, but AI will give those artists better tools to bring those visions to life, he said.
Last month, Netflix bought Ben Afflex AI Creation Company Interpositive, which Sorando said has garnered interest from creators.
Netflix also mentioned that it wants to use AI to improve its ad suite and allow for new formats and customization to get better returns.
The company expects to generate ad revenue of $3 billion this year.
Netflix reported revenue of $12.25 billion in Q1 2026, up 16.2% year over year, and said profit jumped 83% to $5.28 billion dollars.
Alongside the first quarter results, Netflix said its co-founder and chair Reed Hastings is leaving the company's board this summer.
Notably, the company hiked subscription prices in the US late last month, which could have a positive impact next quarter.
The company said it ended 2025 with 325 million paying subscribers.
Google's rolling out new features that are designed to help with planning summer travel.
You see, the Tech Giant announced on Friday that its agentic AI within AI mode can now help check whether what you need is in stock at a nearby store, and they can also now track prices for individual hotels directly in search.
With its latest AI mode update, Google can now contact local stores on your behalf to find out what shop carries the specific item you're looking for.
This feature launched directly on search last November and is now rolling out on AI mode in the coming weeks in the United States.
You can describe what you need, like, I forgot to pack my prescription sunglasses, so I'm trying to find a pair of clip-on polarized ones that fit over my current glasses.
Where can I get some nearby?
Google will then make the calls and send you the details afterwards.
Although you can already track hotel prices at the city level, the new update lets you do so for a specific hotel that you're interested in.
On desktop, you can do this by looking up a hotel by name and then tapping the new price tracking toggle.
On mobile, you'll find the option under the prices tab after you search.
Now, once you set this up, you'll receive an email alert if the price changes during your chosen dates.
As part of its announcement, Google shared that the top-trending international and domestic destinations on Google Flights for summer 2026, St.
Martin, Stockholm, Kansas City, Missouri, and Sarasota, Florida.
Uber launched a new feature on Friday that lets customers return purchased items without leaving their home.
The new returns feature, which is accessed through the Uber Eats app, is the latest effort by Uber to add stickiness to its app by offering services that extend beyond its core ride hailing and delivery businesses.
There are limitations to the new service, and there is, of course, a courier fee.
The return fee is calculated based on the courier's time and distance.
According to Uber, customers can only send back eligible retail items purchased on Uber Eats, and they must comply with each store's return policy.
Participating retailers include At Home, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, GNC, Michael's Pet Food Express, Paxon, Petco, and Target.
Uber said more retailers will be added in the future.
Uber has also placed price limitations on the service.
Customers can only return items with retail prices above twenty dollars, according to the company.
Uber has never experimented with retail returns.
However, the company has launched a number of other features outside of its traditional business, ride hailing, and food delivery businesses.
Have a great weekend, folks, and remember, you can find us at TechRunch.com.
Bei Amazon werden jetzt mehr als 50% der Bestellungen mit weniger Verpackung geliefert, zum Beispiel in Papiertüten oder auch ganz ohne zusätzliche Verpackung.
Wenn dein Nachbar also Gitarre spielt, liefern wir dir deinen neuen Kopfhörer mit Geräuschunterdrückung in der Verpackung des Herstellers, basierend auf Amazon Verpackungsdaten aus dem Jahr 2025 in Großbritannien und der EU.