Particle, an AI-powered news application developed by former Twitter engineers, has launched a significant new feature and expanded to Android devices. The app, which curates news stories from across the web, can now identify and present relevant clips from podcasts that discuss the same topics.
The new 'Podcast Clips' feature uses AI to scan episodes, find pertinent moments, and include them alongside related articles in the user's feed. This allows readers to hear commentary directly within the app without listening to entire episodes. Particle CEO Sara Beykpour, formerly Twitter's Senior Director of Product Management, stated the feature provides "a breath of what are people saying about this."
Responding to a Changing News Landscape
The addition reflects a broader shift in media consumption, where podcasts have become a primary news source for many and a platform for breaking announcements. Beykpour noted that public figures, particularly tech CEOs, increasingly use podcasts to communicate directly with audiences. Particle uses embedding models to understand the relationship between podcast content and news stories, and leverages ElevenLabs for transcription.
The company has also introduced its first paid tier, Particle+, priced at $2.99 per month. The subscription offers features like custom news summary styles, different audio voices for the "Listen to the News" function, unlimited crosswords, and private queries to an AI chatbot.
Android Launch and International Reach
Coinciding with the podcast feature, Particle's Android release includes an updated browse tab with timely story sections and enhanced entity pages. While not disclosing specific user metrics, Beykpour revealed that 55% of its weekly users are based outside the United States, with India representing its second-largest market at 15%.
The move to incorporate podcast analysis mirrors initiatives within traditional newsrooms. For instance, The New York Times reportedly uses AI tools to monitor conservative podcasts. Beyond news stories, Particle's system allows users to follow specific entities, such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, to see a feed of all his podcast appearances.