7 Fascinating AI Tools You've NEVER Seen Before (Underground AI #4)
TLDRIn this edition of 'Underground AI', the host explores lesser-known AI tools developed by solo creators and small builders, focusing on unique concepts that differentiate them from mainstream AI offerings. The video plays a game called 'Should this be a standalone app?', where the host evaluates whether these tools offer enough value to justify their existence as separate apps. Tools discussed include Locus, an AI-powered Chrome extension for enhanced search and summarization, Intellis XYZ, a task list generator from spoken instructions, Blog Fox, which converts YouTube videos into blog posts, GEOS spy, a tool that identifies the location of a photo, Rec craft, for generating AI images, and Brainy Docs, which turns PDFs into explainer videos. The host also highlights a fun AI game where elements can be mixed to create new things. Throughout, the host provides free alternatives to the paid tools and encourages feedback on whether to continue showcasing such tools alongside their free counterparts.
Takeaways
- ๐ **Locus Extension**: An AI tool that enhances the browser's find function, providing context even if the exact word isn't in the text. It faces competition from existing tools like Perplexity.
- ๐ **Intellis XYZ**: A simple app that turns spoken daily tasks into a checklist. While useful, it may not offer enough unique features to justify its cost when compared to free alternatives.
- ๐ **Blog Fox**: Converts YouTube videos into blog posts. It's a convenient all-in-one tool, but its pricing might be considered high for the functionality it provides.
- ๐ **Geosy**: Determines the location where a photo was taken using AI. It performed well but might not offer features beyond what's possible with free tools like Claude.
- ๐จ **Reccraft**: Generates AI vector images that are infinitely scalable. A unique offering for creating logos and other vector graphics, with no close free alternatives.
- ๐ **Brainy Docs**: Transforms PDFs into explainer videos. It saves time by condensing many steps into one but is expensive for the service provided.
- ๐งฉ **Infinitec**: A creative game that uses AI to combine elements and create new things. It's a fun, free tool with endless possibilities that engages the player in a unique way.
- ๐ก **AI Tools Value**: The video discusses the value proposition of various AI tools, emphasizing the need for them to offer unique features or cost-effectiveness to stand out.
- ๐ฐ **Pricing Concerns**: Several tools mentioned have pricing models that may not align with the value they provide to users, especially when free alternatives exist.
- ๐ง **Tool Functionality**: The script evaluates tools based on their standalone functionality and compares them with what can be achieved through free tools or existing subscriptions.
- โ **Future of Standalone Apps**: Raises questions about the longevity of standalone AI apps that don't differentiate themselves or offer clear advantages over free options.
- ๐ข **Feedback Request**: The video creator asks for viewer feedback on the content format, whether to focus on paid tools with free alternatives or just highlight unique AI tools.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of the 'Underground AI' series?
-The main purpose of the 'Underground AI' series is to uncover and showcase lesser-known AI tools created by solo creators and smaller builders who are experimenting with current AI technology.
What is the name of the website where the host curates AI tools?
-The website where the host curates AI tools is called Future Tools.
What is the game the host plays in this episode to evaluate AI tools?
-The host plays a game called 'Should this be a standalone app' to evaluate AI tools, considering if they offer unique value or if similar functionality can be found in free alternatives or with existing subscriptions.
What is the name of the first tool discussed in the script and what does it do?
-The first tool discussed is called Locus. It is a Chrome extension designed to improve the find function, providing context-based search results even if the specific search term is not mentioned in the text.
What is the issue the host has with the pricing transparency on the Locus website?
-The host finds it problematic that the Locus website lists the paid plan as '$9' without specifying that it is a monthly fee, which could mislead users into thinking it is a one-time payment.
What is the name of the tool that the host finds to be a good alternative to Locus?
-The host finds Perplexity to be a good alternative to Locus, as it provides a similar service for free.
What is the concept behind Intellis XYZ and how does it differ from other task management tools?
-Intellis XYZ is a tool that turns spoken instructions into a task list. It differs from other task management tools by providing a voice interface and the ability to knock down uncompleted tasks to a previously uncompleted items list.
What is the host's opinion on the pricing of Intellis XYZ?
-The host believes that the pricing of Intellis XYZ is not transparent, as it is listed simply as '$3' without specifying that it is a monthly fee.
What is the name of the tool that can convert YouTube videos into blog posts?
-The tool that can convert YouTube videos into blog posts is called Blog Fox.
How does the host feel about the effectiveness of Blog Fox?
-The host finds Blog Fox to be fairly useful and impressive, as it saves users from having to use multiple tools to achieve the same result.
What is the host's concern regarding the pricing of Blog Fox?
-The host is concerned that the pricing for Blog Fox seems excessive for the service it provides, especially when considering that users can achieve similar results with free tools.
What is the name of the tool that can determine the location of a photo based on its content?
-The tool that can determine the location of a photo based on its content is called GEOS spy.
What is the host's assessment of GEOS spy's accuracy?
-The host finds GEOS spy to be quite accurate, as it correctly identified the locations of three different photos.
Outlines
๐ Exploring Lesser-Known AI Tools
The speaker introduces the 'Underground AI' series, which aims to showcase lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and small builders. The episode focuses on evaluating whether certain AI tools should exist as standalone applications. The speaker runs a site called Future Tools, which curates cool AI tools but is facing a challenge with many tools starting to look the same and often requiring payment when free alternatives exist. The goal is to provide feedback to tool creators and encourage the development of truly novel and useful AI applications.
๐ Locus Extension: A Chrome Extension for Text Summarization
The speaker reviews the Locus extension, a Chrome tool that uses AI to provide a better 'find' function and summarize text. Despite its free plan, there is a paid plan costing $7.50 per month. The speaker criticizes the lack of audio in the explainer video and the use of the free GPT 3.5 model, which is also available in other free tools. The tool's ability to summarize and create study cards is tested, but the results are underwhelming compared to existing tools like Perplexity and the free version of GPT.
๐ Intellis XYZ: Task List Creation from Voice Commands
The speaker discusses Intellis XYZ, an app that creates a task list from spoken instructions. The app costs $3 per month, and the speaker suggests that the pricing could be more transparent. After subscribing and testing the app, the speaker finds it basic but functional, creating a checklist from a list of tasks provided. However, the speaker notes that free alternatives like GPT 3.5 can achieve similar results without the need for a subscription.
๐ BlogFox: Converting YouTube Videos into Blog Posts
The speaker tests BlogFox, a tool that converts YouTube videos into blog posts. Despite some initial formatting issues, the tool successfully generates a blog post from a video URL, including an outline, transcription, and a written post. The speaker is impressed with the result but finds the pricing, at $9 for three blog posts per month, to be excessive, as the same result could be achieved for free using multiple tools.
๐ Geosy: Identifying Locations from Images
The speaker explores Geosy, a tool that claims to determine the location of a photograph based on its content. After testing with personal photos, the tool successfully identifies the locations of two out of three images. The speaker notes that while the tool is impressive, it is unclear if the same results could be achieved with free tools like GPT 4's vision feature or Claude. The tool is free, making it a potentially useful resource for location identification.
๐จ RecCraft: AI-Generated Vector Graphics
The speaker reviews RecCraft, a tool for generating AI images, specifically vector graphics like logos, which can be scaled without losing quality. The tool offers various styles and options for creating images, and the speaker demonstrates creating a line art image of a wolf howling at the moon. The tool also allows for rasterized images to be vectorized and exported as SVG files. The speaker praises the tool for its unique offering of vector graphics, which are not commonly available in other free AI tools.
๐ Brainy Docs: Creating Explainer Videos from PDFs
The speaker examines Brainy Docs, a tool that turns PDFs into explainer videos. The tool has a limited free version and offers paid plans that the speaker considers expensive for the service provided. After uploading a PDF, the tool generates a video and slides, incorporating visuals from the document. The speaker acknowledges the time-saving potential of the tool but reiterates the high cost for what could be achieved manually with more effort.
๐ Infinitec: A Creative AI Game for Element Mixing
The speaker presents Infinitec, a free AI game where users can mix elements to create new things, with the possibilities being nearly infinite. The game uses AI to determine the outcome of each element combination, allowing for creative and sometimes unexpected results. The speaker admits to spending a lot of time playing the game and encourages viewers to try it for its unique and engaging experience.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กAI Tools
๐กStandalone App
๐กLocus Extension
๐กIntellis XYZ
๐กBlog Fox
๐กGeosy
๐กRecCraft
๐กBrainy Docs
๐กInfinitec
๐กFree Alternatives
๐กAI Technology
Highlights
Uncovering lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and smaller builders.
Discussing the dilemma of AI tools starting to look the same and the prevalence of paid tools with free alternatives.
Introducing a game to determine if an AI tool should be a standalone app.
Curating AI tools on Future Tools site and the challenge of differentiating between submissions.
Locus extension, a Chrome tool that provides a better 'find' function by understanding context, even if the word isn't present.
Comparing Locus extension with Perplexity, a similar but more effective free tool.
Intellis XYZ, an app that turns spoken tasks into a checklist.
The simplicity and cost of Intellis XYZ, with a critique on its pricing transparency.
Blog Fox, a tool that converts YouTube videos into high-quality blog posts.
Geosy, a tool that determines the location of a photo based on its content.
Reccraft, a platform for generating AI images, particularly vector graphics for logos and scalable designs.
Brainy Docs, a service that turns PDFs into explainer videos using AI.
The high cost and limited use of Brainy Docs in comparison to free tools.
Infinitec, a creative game that uses AI to mix elements and create new things.
The importance of differentiating AI tools and providing value beyond what can be achieved with free alternatives.
Seeking viewer feedback on the format of the video and whether to focus on paid tools with free alternatives or just unique AI tools.