logo
Livewire Partners with VergeIO to Modernize MSP-Centric Cloud Infrastructure

Livewire Partners with VergeIO to Modernize MSP-Centric Cloud Infrastructure

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 22, 2025--
Livewire, a cloud service provider focused exclusively on enabling Managed Service Providers (MSPs), has selected VergeOSfrom VergeIO as its alternate virtualization solution for those not wishing to upgrade to new VMware licensing. VergeOS is a private cloud environment tailored to the operational needs of its MSP partners.
As a cloud service provider (CSP) purpose-built to serve MSPs, Livewire chose VergeIO because it offers an integrated platform that combines virtualization, storage, and networking into a single software-defined codebase. This consolidation removes the complexity and unpredictability of VMware's multi-product architecture—particularly relevant after the Broadcom acquisition, which introduced new licensing models, contract structures, and provider uncertainty.
'Our goal wasn't just to cut costs—it was to future-proof our cloud offering for the MSP channel,' said Cliff Greenberg - CEO of Livewire. 'VergeOS gives us a platform that is operationally simpler, financially sustainable, and far more aligned with the needs of today's service providers.'
Livewire began evaluating alternatives as the VMware exit trend accelerated across the service provider ecosystem. Many of its MSP partners struggled with escalating VMware licensing fees, complex upgrade dependencies, and hardware constraints—making it challenging to scale profitably or meet client expectations.
VergeOS offered Livewire a smooth transition path with native migration tooling, an intuitive interface familiar to VMware users, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. VergeIO's support ecosystem was critical in the transition, providing guided proof-of-concept deployments, hands-on migration services, and 24x7 engineering assistance.
'We were able to deploy VergeOS alongside our VMware environment and migrate tenants gradually—on our timeline and without disruption,' said Greenberg. 'The VergeIO team worked closely with us at every step.'
The shift to VergeOS allows Livewire to consolidate infrastructure and simplify operations across its entire cloud footprint. Key benefits include:
'CSPs like Livewire are at the heart of VergeIO's mission,' said Yan Ness, CEO of VergeIO. 'We built VergeOS to deliver the efficiency and flexibility required to serve multiple tenants securely—without stacking on cost or complexity. Livewire's success shows what's possible when providers are empowered with the right tools.'
Livewire continues to expand its VergeOS-powered footprint while reinforcing its commitment to helping MSPs scale efficiently. Through its fully managed deployment and 24x7 support services, Livewire enables partners to adopt VergeOS confidently, avoiding the pitfalls of hyperscale lock-in or legacy virtualization bloat.
This announcement highlights VergeOS as a powerful VMware alternative for service providers optimized for multi-tenant cloud infrastructure and turnkey service delivery.
For more information on the VergeIO/Livewire VMware alternative for MSPs, check out https://www.verge.io/livewire/.
About Livewire
Livewire is a Cloud Service Provider for MSPs that powers infrastructure for MSPs nationwide. Focusing on removing friction and maximizing profitability for its partners, Livewire offers a complete, MSP-centric private cloud designed to support modern workloads and service delivery at scale.
About VergeIO
VergeIO is the leading VMware alternative. The company provides a software-defined data center operating system that consolidates virtualization, storage, and networking into a unified platform. VergeOS dramatically reduces complexity and cost while delivering the performance and multi-tenancy of modern IT environments. Organizations worldwide rely on VergeOS to simplify infrastructure and future-proof their operations.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422933752/en/
CONTACT: Media Contact
Judy Smith
JPR Communications
[email protected]
818-522-9673https://www.verge.io/livewire/
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA MICHIGAN
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DATA MANAGEMENT SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE
SOURCE: VergeIO
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 04/22/2025 08:53 AM/DISC: 04/22/2025 08:53 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422933752/en
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Human Osteoblasts Market to Reach US$ 87.1 Million by 2033
Human Osteoblasts Market to Reach US$ 87.1 Million by 2033

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Human Osteoblasts Market to Reach US$ 87.1 Million by 2033

The market is currently experiencing robust growth, fueled by a post-pandemic surge in orthopedic surgeries and significant investment in regenerative medicine. Innovations in 3D bioprinting and smart scaffolds are creating new therapeutic possibilities for bone repair. Chicago, Aug. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global human osteoblasts market was valued at US$ 48.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 87.1 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period 2025–2033. The future potential of the human osteoblasts market lies in the convergence of artificial intelligence with advanced biomanufacturing. AI-powered platforms are now capable of analyzing genomic data from 1000s of individuals to predict osteoblast response to new drug compounds, drastically reducing discovery timelines. This synergy is enabling the creation of patient-specific 3D-bioprinted bone grafts. As of 2025, researchers are successfully embedding patient-derived osteoblasts into custom scaffolds with 95% cell viability post-printing. These constructs are being tested in preclinical models for craniofacial reconstruction and spinal fusion, promising a new era of personalized regenerative medicine. Demand for highly characterized osteoblasts for these applications is projected to soar. Download Sample Pages: Another significant growth frontier of the human osteoblasts market is the application of osteoblast research to counteract microgravity-induced bone loss in astronauts. With 3 new long-duration space missions planned by international agencies before 2028, research into osteoblast function in simulated microgravity is intensifying. Furthermore, the veterinary orthopedics market represents a substantial, untapped opportunity. In 2024, an estimated 1.2 million companion animals in the U.S. alone underwent procedures for fractures or degenerative joint diseases. The development of canine and equine osteoblast cell lines for testing new veterinary implants and cell-based therapies is an emerging field that could create an entirely new vertical within the broader market. Key Findings in Human Osteoblasts Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 87.1 million CAGR 6.8% Top Drivers Rising prevalence of osteoporosis and degenerative bone diseases globally. Technological advancements in cell-based therapies and tissue engineering. Increasing geriatric population driving demand for orthopedic surgical procedures. Top Trends Shift towards personalized medicine using patient-derived osteoblast cultures. Development of 3D bioprinting for creating patient-specific bone grafts. Growing adoption of minimally invasive bone regeneration surgical techniques. Top Challenges Expensive cell-based therapies and procedures. Stringent and complex regulatory approval pathways for new biologics. Top 12 Key Players Strategically Dominate the Evolving Global Human Osteoblasts Market The competitive environment is both concentrated and highly specialized. Analysis in 2024 consistently identifies 12 key players shaping the industry. These include Sigma-Aldrich, Athersys Inc., Cerapedics Inc., CryoLife, Inc., and Cytori Therapeutics Inc. Other notable companies are USA Stem Cell Inc., Vericel Corporation, Wright Medical Group N.V, Biocomposites, BD, Zimmer Biomet, and PromoCell. In the crucial U.S. orthopedic biomaterials sector, a key application area, 3 major competitors—Medtronic, DePuy Synthes, and Stryker—were noted as dominant forces in 2024. Suppliers offer highly specific product lines to meet diverse research needs. As of 2025, PromoCell provides 4 primary product categories related to osteoblasts, including cells and specialized growth media. Similarly, Innoprot offers 2 distinct types of primary human osteoblasts as of 2024 Human Calvarial and Human Femoral Osteoblasts in the human osteoblasts market. InSCREENex provides 1 specific immortalized human osteoblast cell line, CI-huOB. Product quality and performance are paramount. Lonza guarantees 10 population doublings for its Clonetics™ Normal Human Osteoblasts, ensuring robust expansion for 2024 research. Innoprot's immortalized cells demonstrate a growth potential of over 30+ passages, a significant advantage. Recent Product and Technology Launches Signal Rapid Advancement Within the Market Innovation remains a cornerstone of human osteoblasts market growth, with companies actively launching advanced products. On April 15, 2024, CryoLife, Inc. introduced 1 new osteoblast culture system designed to enhance cell viability. Zimmer Biomet followed suit in February 2024, launching 1 new bioreactor system for osteoblast cultivation with improved scalability. Innovation extends to cell preservation. In 2024, PromoCell released 1 new protein- and animal component-free cryopreservation medium, Cryo-SFM Plus, featuring advanced antioxidant technology. Intellectual property is also a key competitive tool. Bone Solutions Inc. was awarded 5 new patents in fiscal year 2025 for its Mg OSTEOCRETE technology, a bone substitute that stimulates osteoblast activity. Practical usability is crucial for clinical adoption. Bone Solutions' Mg OSTEOCRETE boasts a preparation time of just 30 seconds, a significant handling benefit for 2025 applications. To support adjacent research fields, PromoCell also launched 1 new Cancer Media Toolbox in 2024 to facilitate the establishment of primary cancer cell lines and complex 3D tumor models. Active Clinical Trials for Osteoblast-Related Therapies Underpin Future Market Expansion The clinical development pipeline is a strong indicator of future commercial opportunities. In February 2024, Biocomposites initiated 2 Phase 2 clinical trials for its STIMULAN VG® bone graft substitute. These trials will assess efficacy in treating diabetic foot osteomyelitis and stage 4 pressure ulcers. Osteosarcoma research, a critical area for the human osteoblasts market, is also advancing. In 2024, the Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI) sponsored 1 Phase 2 clinical trial in Spain for OMO-103, a promising MYC inhibitor. A remarkable 25 months was the fast-tracked timeline to launch the OMO-103 trial, showcasing increased efficiency in clinical development. In the United States, a 2024 study was published on 1 FDA/IRB-approved GMP-manufactured stem cell product, PSC-01, for knee osteoarthritis. The study showed that a single treatment provided pain reduction and increased function for 2.5 years. Research methodologies are also being refined. A 2024 clinical trial enrolled 30 patients to analyze the effects of lasers on alveolar bone preservation. A Phase 1 trial protocol published in 2024 detailed a 3+3 dose escalation method for a study using human umbilical cord-derived osteoblasts for femoral head osteonecrosis. Favorable Regulatory Approvals in 2024 Create a Promising Outlook for Therapies The regulatory climate for cell and gene therapies in the human osteoblasts market became increasingly favorable in 2024. The FDA approved 7 new cell and gene therapy products Amtagvi, Aucatzyl, Beqvez, Kebilidi, Ryoncil, Symvess, and Tecelra. The pace of approvals is accelerating, with 3 of these therapies gaining approval in early 2024 alone. On December 19, 2024, the FDA approved 1 mesenchymal stem cell product, Ryoncil from Mesoblast. Another landmark approval was granted on November 13, 2024, for 1 gene therapy for AADC deficiency, Kebilidi from PTC Therapeutics. On November 8, 2024, the FDA approved 1 CD19-directed T-cell immunotherapy, obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl), from Autolus Inc. The recommended dose for Aucatzyl is 410x10^6 CAR-positive viable T-cells. StemCyte received approval for 1 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell therapy, Regenecyte, on November 26, 2024. Patent activity, a precursor to commercialization, is also strong. Innovators at the University of Pittsburgh were issued 5 patents in August 2024, while University of Minnesota researchers secured 111 US patents in 2024 for various health science discoveries. Significant Funding and Strategic Grants Accelerate Osteoblast-Focused Research and Development Robust financial investment is fueling the engine of scientific discovery across the global human osteoblasts market. The Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI) awarded $1,100,000 to 3 groundbreaking osteosarcoma research projects during its 2023–2024 grant cycle. One of these grants provided $500,000 in funding to Dr. David Lyden's team for a project focused on metastasis. The impact of such funding is often magnified. Building on an initial OSI grant, Baylor College of Medicine secured $4,500,000 in additional funding in 2024 to advance CAR-T therapy research. International collaborations are also being funded. In October 2024, one US–Israel Binational Science Foundation grant was awarded to a team including University of Vermont Cancer Center members to study osteosarcoma epigenetics. Wherein, government funding remains critical. In August 2024, Medical College of Georgia scientists received a five-year grant of $2,400,000 from the National Institute on Aging to study how stress hormones signal the skeleton. Philanthropic efforts are also significant, with over $4,600,000 raised from more than 1,000 donations in 2024 to support the OSI's vital mission. Diverse and Critical Applications Are Driving Widespread Adoption Across Multiple Fields The utility of human osteoblasts market extends across a wide spectrum of research and clinical applications. The dynamic interplay between 2 key cell types, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, is central to bone health, driving research into osteoporosis. In the laboratory, standardized protocols are essential. Human osteoblasts from PromoCell require approximately 3 weeks to show detectable mineralization in culture. Advanced 3D modeling is becoming a standard research tool. InSCREENex's immortalized human osteoblasts can form 3D "mini-bones" when cultured under specific conditions. Suppliers like PromoCell target 3 key application areas cell expansion, culture initiation, and differentiation. A 2024 study highlighted the use of 1 new 3D model based on human fetal osteoblasts to study osteocyte commitment. The clinical relevance is clear. The classic period for new bone formation after a tooth extraction, a process driven by osteoblasts, is 6-10 weeks. A 2025 study analyzed ion release from 3D printed scaffolds at 3 days, 7 days, and 15 days, key time points for osteoblast interaction. Quality Guarantees and Emerging Technologies Redefine the Global Human Osteoblasts Market The reliability of research outcomes depends on the quality of the underlying cell products. Suppliers in the market provide stringent quality guarantees. PromoCell guarantees >500,000 viable cells per cryovial after thawing. Innoprot similarly ensures >500,000 viable cells in each vial, cryopreserved at passage one, while Lonza guarantees ≥500,000 viable cells per ampule. For immortalized lines, Innoprot provides >1,000,000 viable cells per vial, and InSCREENex includes >0.5 million viable cells per vial. Longevity in culture is also specified. Innoprot guarantees 15 population doublings for its primary osteoblasts post-delivery. PromoCell recommends a split ratio of 1:3 to 1:6 for its primary cells. To support targeted research, PromoCell holds >100 HLA-typed cell donors in stock as of 2024, offering 4-digit high-resolution typing. The InSCREENex cell line was derived from a 63-year-old female donor. Concurrently, emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for the human osteoblasts market. Three key trends noted in the 2024 orthopedic biomaterials market are biodegradable materials, 3D printing, and nanotechnology. A September 2024 paper detailed 1 study using collagen-based 3D printed scaffolds to investigate osteoblast activity. A May 2024 publication described 1 new 3D in-vitro model using human fetal osteoblasts. A 2025 study utilized 2 cell lines to test 3D printed composite samples, using standards prepared from 1,000 mg/L stock solutions and a plating density of 10,000 cells/well for viability tests. Customize the Data Scope to Match Your Objectives: Strategic Alliances and Focused Regional Developments Indicate Strong Global Market Growth Corporate strategies and regional activities in 2024 and 2025 underscore a commitment to global expansion of the human osteoblasts market. On March 10, 2024, 1 major collaboration was announced between Athersys Inc. and Cerapedics Inc. to develop a novel osteoblast-based therapy. Service providers are also expanding. In 2024, Thermo Fisher launched its "Accelerator™ Drug Development" solutions, offering 360-degree support to biotech companies. Licensing agreements are expanding market access for key biologics. Bio-Thera Solutions entered into 1 exclusive licensing agreement on December 24, 2024, for its ustekinumab biosimilar. On the same day, GlycoNex announced 1 licensing agreement for its denosumab biosimilar, a therapy for bone loss. Regional market activities are intensifying. In 2024, 1 pivotal Phase 2 trial for osteosarcoma was opened in Barcelona, Spain. Stryker expanded with 1 new testing facility in India in February 2024. In May 2024, Sanofi announced 1 new partnership with OpenAI to accelerate R&D. The North American market saw the FDA grant 1 US approval to Pfizer's Beqvez on April 25, 2024. Europe showed activity with 1 approval by the UK's MHRA on January 15, 2025. The Asia-Pacific region is also growing, evidenced by 1 approval in Japan on January 7, 2025, for Biocon's ustekinumab. Global Human Osteoblasts Market Major Players: Athelas Bionova Scientific Cell Signaling Technology Corning EMD Millipore Invitrogen Lonza Merck Group NantKwest Promega R and D Systems ReproCELL Sigma-Aldrich Stemcell Technologies Thermo Fisher Scientific Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Product Human Cell Culture Osteoblast Cell Lines By Application Traumatic Injuries Road Accidents Regeneration Surgeries Orthopedics Musculoskeletal and Spine Neurology By End user Hospitals Specialty Clinics Ambulatory Surgical Centers By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Need a Detailed Walkthrough of the Report? Request a Live Session: About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us:Astute AnalyticaPhone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World)For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube CONTACT: Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Website: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

A closer look at Google's AI health coach and the redesigned Fitbit app
A closer look at Google's AI health coach and the redesigned Fitbit app

Engadget

time3 hours ago

  • Engadget

A closer look at Google's AI health coach and the redesigned Fitbit app

Alongside the Pixel Watch 4 (and family of Pixel 10 devices), Google also introduced a new 'personal health coach' today at its Made By Google event. A preview of it will begin rolling out in October as part of the Fitbit app to Premium users in the US. The app is also getting a redesign which the company says will be 'available with the latest Fitbit trackers, Fitbit smart watches and Pixel watches.' The first thing Fitbit users may notice is a visual refresh. In place of the current organization system, the bottom of the screen will feature four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep and Health. The home page (Today) will still feature daily progress stats in the form of bars and rings at the top, though these are now customizable so you can display your favorite metrics there. Below this is a feed of your upcoming workouts, recent activity and progress reports served in individual cards that you can tap into for more information. This layout, with data visualizations at the top and a feed that follows, is the same across all four tabs. Three screenshots showing the new redesigned Fitbit app, with the first showing the new home screen in dark mode, the middle showing a Fitness-specific card in dark mode and the rightmost shows a card offering suggestions around Sleep and activity. (Google) At a recent demo, the company's director of product management for Fitbit and health Andy Abramson showed us how his app surfaced his weekly cardio load in a ring, with bars to its right for his steps, readiness and sleep performance. 'We call these our focus metrics,' he said. These are in a color scheme that will be familiar to Fitbit users, with purple continuing to be the color representing sleep data and teal for steps. But there's a few more updates that Google says 'address common user suggestions,' and these include easier layouts, more intuitive data visualization, 'improved syncing — and of course, dark mode.' Google didn't just give the Fitbit app a makeover. It said that coaching and AI were at the core of the redesign, and that the 'entire app was rebuilt so the health coach can understand your goals, build your plan, contextualize your metrics and bring insights at the right moments.' Abramson said that his team sought to figure out 'How do we put the AI coach in every part of the app?' Instead of simply tucking the AI features into a dedicated tab, 'We actually need to tie it together.' To that end, a floating 'Ask Coach' button is on every page of the app at the bottom right, and tapping it will take you into a conversation window with the Gemini-powered AI. This button is accessible across all the tabs in the updated app, and you can ask it questions about all the data you've provided to Fitbit. On your first time using the new app, you'll be prompted to have a conversation with the AI coach, where it will ask about your goals, available equipment and any preferences, injuries or other relevant medical history. Those will go into an area called 'Coach Notes,' that you can access in the Health tab and see what the app knows about you. There, you can delete things you don't want in there any more. The redesigned Fitbit App on a Pixel phone held in mid-air, showing the home screen of the Today page. (Cherlynn Low for Engadget) If you only have a few free weights and a rowing machine, for example, the coach can build a custom plan that suggests a variety of weights-based exercises interspersed with sessions on your rower. But if you tell it at any point that you might be looking to incorporate outdoor runs into your routine, it can do so. Abramson told the app he wanted to get better at trail runs, for example, and in the version of the app I saw, that guidance affected a lot of the recommendations he was served. As he had told it he was traveling and had access to a hotel gym, it also suggested some activities on the facility's Peloton bike. In future versions of the AI coach, you might be able to integrate with Gemini Live and point your camera around your (or your hotel's) gym to get the system to identify what equipment is available and generate suggestions based on that. For now, all input to the app is limited to text, which means you may still need to know the difference between a barbell, a Y-bell and a dumbbell. The coach will build programs based on the info you supply, and these will come with detailed instructions and 'metric targets that focus on weekly progression.' If you're familiar with the cardio load and readiness score features that Google and Fitbit have rolled out in recent years, it's easy to see how the concept has been developing over time. Your activity progress should not be judged on a daily basis — too many variables could affect whether you were able to get in a run or 10,000 steps on any given day. Instead, a more forgiving and holistic approach would be to consider weekly movement. If, like me, you tend to get in two cardio days, two strength days and one HIIT day a week, you won't be penalized for not getting cardio in on a weights day. Or say you put in too many hours at work one day, writing a long article late into the night. The AI coach will recognize that you didn't get as much sleep as usual and adjust your target cardio load accordingly. Google said the coach will make 'real-time check-ins and adjustments' and that if you let the system know you've hurt your back, it will give you tips on how to modify your workouts. A screenshot of a card from the redesigned Fitbit app, with the title (Google) Part of the update to the Fitbit app includes new sleep algorithms that Google says make it more accurate, providing 'a more precise understanding of your sleep duration and stages.' The coach also guides you to get better sleep, by studying your patterns over the week and sharing insights on how to improve things over time. If it notices that on weekdays you take a longer time than usual to fall asleep, for example, it might recommend heading to bed or turning off your devices earlier. If it thinks you might be jetlagged, it could suggest sleep schedules to help you re-adjust to new timezones. Finally, the sleep coach might look at your energy expenditure each day and recommend a bedtime that could get you 30 minutes of extra rest to get over a particularly grueling workout you undertook that morning. In time, the Fitbit coach will get data from a variety of sources, as it will support Health Connect and HealthKit to get things like your glucose levels or your weight and body composition from your smart scale or other connected devices. Google also says that in addition to helping you get personalized insights based on your activity and rest, its AI coach can help make sense of an overwhelming amount of data noise. That's not just the information overload from all the different metrics your wearable might collect, but also the fact that there is a ton of content out there today that Google says is 'written for everyone in general and no one in particular.' Since it has access to a wealth of data about you and a gigantic knowledge base from the internet, the coach can filter out noise to give you pertinent answers to your questions. You can ask things like 'I'm feeling stressed right now. What can I do?' or 'What are the best exercises for weight loss' and, according to Google, 'get truly personalized answers that are backed by science.' The system will also serve up timely and regular reports on your performance and any trends or changes. Using AI to make sense of the overwhelming amount of data collected by our wearables seems like a smart approach, but it's not without its drawbacks or concerns. Will your sensitive information be safely guarded? What type of information will the AI Coach serve and how trustworthy is that guidance? A graphic comprising two screenshots from Google's redesigned Fitbit app, with the left showing a card describing the benefits of consistent bedtimes, while the one on the right talks about improving stride length and improving run efficiency. (Google) Google appears to be attempting to get ahead of those concerns, saying it is 'committed to building our personal health coach with leading industry experts and through scientific research.' It's partnered with Stephen Curry 'and his performance team,' and is 'working closely with our Consumer Health Advisory Panel, a diverse group of leading experts in medicine, AI and behavioral science.' I think it's imperative that Google state very clearly that its AI Coach can not replace a doctor, a registered dietitian or a certified coach, and that it has guardrails in place to prevent aggressively pushing a person towards dangerous outcomes. The good news is, Google is well aware that it will have work to do, and is clear that it is 'releasing this experience as a preview so you can help shape it as we make regular improvements.' For now, the AI is designed to help with fitness and sleep insights and recommendations, though it's worth noting that Fitbit has historically considered a broader range of areas including mental health and menstrual cycles as essential components of overall wellbeing. In future, the AI Coach may also cover those types of data. If you're keen to test the redesigned Fitbit app and new personal health coach out, you'll have to be a Fitbit Premium subscriber, be based in the US and sign up to get notified when the preview is available in October.

The NFL's Surface tablets get an AI upgrade
The NFL's Surface tablets get an AI upgrade

Axios

time6 hours ago

  • Axios

The NFL's Surface tablets get an AI upgrade

The National Football League's ubiquitous — and oft-maligned — Surface tablets are getting an AI-infused upgrade, officials from the league and Microsoft tell Axios. Why it matters: The league is trying to give coaches faster access to the data they want, while stopping short of letting the AI make decisions. Driving the news: The NFL and Microsoft on Wednesday announced an expanded, multiyear extension to their longtime partnership. As part of the upgrade, Microsoft is providing teams 2,500 new Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ tablets leaguewide. The tablets, which arrived before the start of the 2025 preseason, allow coaches and players to use Copilot to quickly pull up video clips from specific scenarios such as scoring plays or those on a certain down. Zoom in: Coaches up in the booth will have access to AI copilots that help them navigate massive Excel spreadsheets to track things like personnel groupings and snap counts. In the past, coaches would track everything in the game using Excel, but often resorted to pen and paper to do their analysis of the data. The league is also expanding its use of Microsoft devices to help folks on the business side with game-day operations. Some teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers, have already been using AI to help with tracking wait times at entrances and concessions. (The league has let teams experiment with AI for non-football operations on game day but has, until now, prohibited on-field use.) Catch up quick: The NFL has been using Microsoft's tablets since 2014. There were initial glitches and frustrations — including a few memorable moments of players and coaches manhandling the tablets. "Whatever's in their hand is going to be the receiving end of the displeasure of the results," NFL deputy CIO Aaron Amendolia told Axios. Adding insult to injury, the Microsoft-branded tablets were regularly referred to as " iPad-like tools." The big picture: Harnessing massive amounts of data to make better decisions has been a trend in sports for some time. The key is to ensure the technology is reliable and equitable, Amendolia said. The NFL is also using AI to help identify unsafe plays and develop better protective gear and practices, in partnership with Amazon, as Axios showed off at last year's AI+ Summit in New York. Yes, but: The league — at least for now — is using AI to allow coaches and players to get to the information they want faster, but not allowing the technology to offer its own play call suggestions. Between the lines: The league hopes that the new devices relieve frustrations rather than adding to them. The primary goal of the tablets has always been to get teams more information faster. Coaches only have about 40 seconds between plays. Before the Surface, it used to take several minutes to see data on what worked and what didn't in a play. "There was this time lag that was preventing coaches and players from making faster decisions," Microsoft corporate VP Bryson Gordon told Axios.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store