All articles tagged with #personalization
Microsoft is adding a movable Windows 11 taskbar that can be repositioned to the top or sides, with a smaller taskbar option planned for later this year; the feature will first roll out to Windows Insiders before reaching all users as part of ongoing UI and performance improvements.
Microsoft's Xbox Insider Update March 2026 adds fan-requested personalization features: expanded Home groups (up to 10 groups with easier rearrangement and pinning), Custom Colors for the Guide with hue/saturation/lightness controls and saved preferences, a per-game Quick Resume option to disable it for individual titles, and profile badges visible in the Guide. The changes are rolling out to Insiders who began testing them two weeks ago, with a broader public rollout planned and ongoing feedback encouraged.
Spotify announced Taste Profile, an opt-in, AI-powered feature that lets Premium users fine-tune its recommendations by describing what they want more of or less of—such as upbeat music for workouts or news podcasts during commutes—and by giving ambiguous prompts. The feature, demonstrated at SXSW, is rolling out in beta to New Zealand Premium users before expanding to other regions, and can cover music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Taste Profile adds to Spotify's existing AI tools like Prompted Playlist and remains optional for those who prefer to rely on the standard algorithm.
Tinder is rolling out AI-driven features to counter dating fatigue, including a limited Chemistry feature that offers AI-curated daily match suggestions, a globally available Learning Mode that continuously tailors recommendations, and a Photo Enhance tool in testing; safety enhancements like Are You Sure? and Does This Bother You? are being revamped with context-aware prompts and auto-blurring of flagged content. Features launch gradually across regions (Chemistry in the US/Canada; Photo Enhance in the US soon), with Bumble pursuing a similar AI push, though Gen Z remains wary of AI on dating apps, leaving it uncertain whether these changes will boost user numbers.
Solo dining is accelerating: solo orders account for 47% of fast-food visits (up from 31% in 2021), one-person reservations at full-service restaurants rose 22% in Q3 2025, and about 70% of solo diners skip discounts. Yum Brands notes menus are being redesigned for individuals, with personal-size pizzas appealing to Gen Z and millennials, signaling a shift toward personalization even as sharing remains common and solo bookings still represent a minority overall. The trend points to more customization in 2026.
Starbucks unveiled a reimagined Starbucks Rewards loyalty program with three levels—Green, Gold and Reserve—launching March 10, featuring faster Star earning, personalized benefits, and new redemption options (including a 60‑Star, $2‑off tier). Green Stars expire after six months (extendable by activity), while Gold and Reserve Stars never expire, and members can enjoy perks like a birthday reward, early access, and exclusive experiences, plus the option to link with Delta and Marriott programs to broaden rewards; the overhaul is designed to deepen engagement and drive purchases as part of the Back to Starbucks strategy.
Elton Jones tests ChatGPT by asking it to build a daily, sleep-aware TV schedule, which yields a seven-day lineup tailored to his interests and sleep goals, effectively ending his channel-surfing habit and making AI-curated viewing his go-to routine.
Spotify is expanding its Prompted Playlist beta to Premium listeners in the United States and Canada after testing in New Zealand in December 2025. The feature lets users describe what they want to hear in their own words—moods, moments, or cultural moments—and Spotify generates a playlist drawn from their listening history and current trends. Users can edit prompts, set daily or weekly refreshes, and receive one-line explanations for each track. The idea is a more intuitive, collaborative approach to discovery, with editors providing inspiration prompts; the rollout is in beta and may evolve with usage limits as Spotify learns from feedback.
OpenAI will begin testing ads inside ChatGPT in the United States with a global rollout planned later. Ads will appear in separate, clearly labeled boxes beneath the assistant’s responses and will not influence what ChatGPT says. OpenAI says it won’t sell user data to advertisers, and advertisers will see aggregate metrics; some conversation data may be used for targeting, with an option to disable data for ads. Ads won’t appear in sensitive topics or to users under 18, and won’t be shown to Plus/Pro/Enterprise subscribers. More details on advertising programs are expected in the coming weeks.
Facebook Reels enhances personalization by deploying the User True Interest Survey (UTIS), a survey-driven alignment layer atop the main ranking model. Daily in-context surveys measure how well videos match user interests, boosting niche content and engagement. Offline metrics improve from 59.5% to 71.5% in accuracy, 48.3% to 63.2% in precision, and 45.4% to 66.1% in recall; online A/B tests show higher engagement and fewer integrity issues. UTIS is integrated in late-stage ranking and early-stage retrieval via a Perception Layer to handle sparse feedback, with future work focusing on bias reduction and more advanced modeling.
Instagram is rolling out a global English version of its Reels personalization controls, enabling users to highlight top topics for 2026, adjust what they see, and remove topics based on their activity. The feature also includes a “build your 2026 algorithm” option to spotlight three themes. It does not allow seeing fewer ads, and early tests show the algorithm can misclassify content, indicating continued need for refinement.
Instagram has rolled out its manual 'Your Algorithm' controls to all English-speaking users globally, allowing people to refine their Reels feed by adding or removing topics of interest and selecting three top interests for 2026, accessible via the top-right slider in the Reels feed. The feature aims to give users more control over what they see, though experts say many users may not actively use it, and Meta is expanding algorithm controls across its apps.
Google's AI Overviews appear selectively based on user engagement and usefulness, with the system learning when to show them and expanding search queries under the hood to provide relevant information. The feature is designed to assist with complex questions and is gradually incorporating limited personalization, but overall, it prioritizes consistency across users. Fluctuations in AI Overviews' presence may reflect user behavior rather than algorithm changes.
iOS 26.2 introduces extensive customization features for lock and home screens, including the liquid glass effect, advanced widget integration, high-quality wallpapers, and accessibility enhancements, allowing users to create highly personalized and visually appealing interfaces.
Most AI companies, including Meta, keep detailed files on user interactions to improve services and personalize experiences, but this data can also be used for targeted advertising. Users can test their data privacy by asking their chatbots to roast them based on chat history, which indicates how well the AI knows them.