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My fellow AI explorers

Welcome to 2026! I hope you all had a fantastic break. It’s been over three years of us diving into the digital unknown together, and I have to say, the energy entering this year is unlike anything I’ve seen.

From ChatGPT’s new "App Store" evolution to a model that can literally pull the layers out of a flat image, we’re starting 2026 with a bang.

In today’s edition:

• 📱 ChatGPT’s "App Store" moment: Real integration is finally here

• 🎞️ Image Layering: Qwen-Image-Layered is a designer’s dream (and nightmare)

• 📦 3D Printing via AI: Meta’s SAM 3D turns 2D photos into printable objects

• 📓 Google NotebookLM updates: Sheets, slides, and cross-app synergy

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OpenAI

ChatGPT Apps: The Real "Plug and Play" is Finally Here 

OpenAI has been shipping consistently, and their latest move is a major upgrade to how ChatGPT interacts with the tools you already use. Forget the clunky plugins of two years ago; the new "Apps" interface brings the software directly into your chat window.

• Universal Access: Connect your Notion, Airtable, or Spotify accounts directly in the settings.

• Native Tooling: Use Photoshop tools or create Spotify playlists without leaving the interface.

• Developer Floodgates: OpenAI recently opened submissions for all devs, so expect a 10x explosion of utility soon.

We’re in an "in-between" stage right now where these aren't all complete game-changers yet, but the implementation is lightyears ahead of what we had. Instead of just linking out to a website, the functionality is baked into the chat.

🔮 Prediction: ChatGPT is officially moving from a "chatbot" to a "universal assistant." Soon, you won’t be opening apps; you’ll just be telling your LLM to execute tasks across your entire digital stack. It’s the Siri/Alexa evolution we’ve been waiting for.

Check out your Year with ChatGPT Here

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Image Models

Qwen-Image-Layered: Dissecting Graphics Automatically

A new image model from Qwen just dropped that can take any flat image and split it into various independent layers. It doesn't just "select" an object; it interprets the entire composition and breaks it down into a stack you can manipulate.

• Auto-Extraction: Throw in a movie poster or YouTube thumbnail and watch it separate the text from the background.

• Creative Dissection: Perfect for studying graphic design layouts or "sampling" visual elements.

• High Efficiency: Works like "stems" in music production, giving you the bass, drums, and vocals of a visual file.

It’s a bit scary because it definitely automates away some of the tedious work humans used to do in Photoshop, but that’s the spirit of the show—finding the advantage before everyone else does.

🌍 Takeaway: This is the worst this tech will ever be. Imagine a year from now when you can "remix" any image on the internet by simply dragging and dropping its layers.

Explore the Qwen Model Here

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Google AI

Gemini + NotebookLM: The Ultimate Synergy 

Google is finally letting its best AI products talk to each other, creating a powerhouse workflow for researchers. You can now link your NotebookLM notebooks directly inside Gemini, combining deep context with general reasoning.

• Notebook to Sheets: Convert your research data into organized Google Sheets with one click.

• Cross-Context: Combine multiple notebooks to build "mega-context" for complex projects.

• Multimedia Outputs: Go from a raw PDF to a slide deck or a podcast-style audio overview instantly.

NotebookLM remains the "must-try" app for anyone dealing with heavy data. It’s free, and it’s getting smarter every week. 💬 Use case: Use it for market analysis—dump 10 industry reports into a notebook, link it to Gemini, and ask it to build a financial projection sheet for you. Try the new NotebookLM features Here

30-Second AI Play

🎨  Turn Any 2D Photo Into a 3D Printed Masterpiece For Free 

Want to take a character from a game or a photo of your house and turn it into a physical 3D object? Meta’s SAM 3D (Segment Anything Model) makes this shockingly simple.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Meta’s SAM Playground (it’s free and open weights).

2. Upload any image (like a movie character or a piece of furniture).

3. Click the object you want to extract. If it misses a spot, click "Add" to include it or "Remove" to clean it up.

4. Click Generate 3D. In seconds, you’ll have a 3D model you can rotate and scale.

5. Download as .GLB, convert it to .STL (using a free online converter), and load it into your 3D printing software.

6. Pro Tip: Use the "Create 3D Bodies" feature if you have an image of people; it approximates the entire skeleton and spine perfectly for animation or VFX. Check Out Meta SAM 3D Here

Other Relevant AI News!

📺 Samsung just turned heads at CES 2026 by teasing AI-powered OLED displays embedded in "cassettes" and futuristic turntables Read More.

🇸🇪 Sweden is officially being dubbed a "Unicorn Factory" after producing the highest concentration of AI startups outside of Silicon Valley Check it out.

⚡ DeepSeek just dropped a new training method that promises to make building AI models significantly cheaper and more efficient than current standards Read the breakdown.

🏗️ Eric Schmidt is reportedly eyeing massive data center expansions in Texas as the race for AI infrastructure hits a fever pitch Full story.

⚠️ Elon Musk’s AI company issued a public apology after its chatbot was caught generating highly inappropriate and harmful imagery Read more.

Golden Nuggets

• 🍎 ChatGPT is officially becoming your OS with the new "Apps" integration.

• 📐 Qwen-Image-Layered is the "Stem Player" for graphic designers.

• 🏗️ Meta SAM 3D makes 3D printing accessible to anyone with a smartphone camera.

Would love to hear your thoughts on ChatGPT Apps! Send me your thoughts by replying to this email (yes, I read them all :)

Until our next AI rendezvous,

Anthony | Founder of Uncover AI