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 created by solo developers and small builders. The episode features a unique segment titled 'Should this be a standalone app?' where the host evaluates the necessity of each tool as an independent application. The host discusses several tools, including Locus, an AI-powered Chrome extension for better search functionality within articles, Intellis XYZ, a task list generator from spoken instructions, and Blog Fox, which converts YouTube videos into blog posts. Additionally, the host tests GEOS, an image analysis tool that deduces the location of a photo based on its content, and Reccract, which generates vector art from AI. The episode also covers Brainy Docs, a tool that creates explainer videos from PDFs, and a creative game that uses AI to mix elements and create new things. The host emphasizes the need for these tools to differentiate themselves from free alternatives and invites feedback on whether to continue showcasing paid tools alongside free options.
Takeaways
- ๐ **Locus Extension**: A Chrome extension that enhances the find function, providing context even if the exact word isn't in the article. It has a free tier but also offers a paid plan at $77.50 annually.
- ๐ **Intellis XYZ**: A simple app that turns spoken daily tasks into a checklist. It costs $3 per month and, while basic, provides a checkbox feature not found in free alternatives.
- ๐ **Blog Fox**: Converts YouTube videos into blog posts. It's impressive and saves multiple steps, but the pricing seems high for what can be achieved with free tools.
- ๐ **Geosy**: Determines the location where a photo was taken based on the image content. It performed well and is free, with no direct free alternatives offering the same functionality.
- ๐จ **Recraft**: Generates AI images, particularly vector graphics, which are infinitely scalable. It's free and useful for creating logos and other vector art, with no close free alternatives.
- ๐ **Brainy Docs**: Transforms PDFs into explainer videos using AI. It's time-saving but has a complex pricing structure that may not be cost-effective for the features provided.
- ๐ฅ **Infinitec**: A creative game that uses AI to mix elements and create new things. It's free and offers endless possibilities for combinations, providing entertainment and a unique experience.
- ๐ก **Tool Evaluation**: The video discusses the value and necessity of differentiating paid AI tools from what can be achieved with free alternatives like Chat GPT or Claude.
- ๐ฐ **Pricing Concerns**: Several tools reviewed have useful features but are questioned for their pricing models, especially when free alternatives exist that require more steps but similar outcomes.
- ๐ง **Free Tool Alternatives**: The script provides methods to achieve similar results to the paid tools using free tools like Chat GPT, which may involve more effort but save costs.
- ๐ **Market Differentiation**: AI tool developers are encouraged to find unique selling points or improvements to stand out in the market, especially when free alternatives are available.
- โ **Viewer Feedback**: The video creator seeks feedback on whether to continue showcasing paid tools with free alternatives or to focus on unique underground 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.
Why does the speaker play a game called 'Should this be a standalone app'?
-The speaker plays the game 'Should this be a standalone app' to determine if the AI tools he reviews are unique enough to justify their existence as standalone applications, or if they can be replicated with free tools or existing subscriptions.
What is the issue the speaker has with many of the AI tools he reviews?
-The issue the speaker has is that many of the AI tools he reviews are starting to look the same, and most require payment, despite the existence of free alternatives or tools that can perform similar functions with existing subscriptions.
What is the name of the first tool discussed in the script, and what does it claim to do?
-The first tool discussed is called Locus, and it claims to be an extension for Chrome that enhances the 'find' function, providing context and answers even if the specific search term is not mentioned in the text.
What is the speaker's criticism of Locus's pricing and features?
-The speaker criticizes Locus for charging a monthly fee for features that can be found in other tools for free or with existing subscriptions. He also finds their pricing presentation to be unclear and untransparent.
How does the speaker evaluate the usefulness of the AI tools he reviews?
-The speaker evaluates the usefulness of the AI tools by comparing them to existing free tools or tools with existing subscriptions, assessing their unique features, and determining if they provide significant differentiation or added value.
What is the name of the tool that claims to convert YouTube videos into blog posts?
-The tool that claims to convert YouTube videos into blog posts is called Blog Fox.
What feature does the speaker find lacking in Blog Fox, and what does he suggest could improve it?
-The speaker finds it lacking in the generation of multiple images throughout the blog post, suggesting that adding more images would improve the tool.
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.
How does the speaker feel about the pricing of the tools he reviews in the script?
-The speaker generally feels that the pricing of the tools he reviews is excessive or not transparent, and he suggests that many of the functionalities can be achieved for free with existing tools or with more cost-effective solutions.
What is the name of the tool that generates AI images on a vector canvas?
-The tool that generates AI images on a vector canvas is called Rec craft.
What is the speaker's opinion on the pricing and value of Brainy Docs?
-The speaker finds the pricing of Brainy Docs to be too expensive for the value it provides, especially considering the number of pages and videos one can create with the subscription plans.
Outlines
๐ Exploring Lesser-Known AI Tools
The speaker introduces the 'Underground AI' series, which focuses on showcasing lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and small builders. The episode's unique approach involves evaluating whether these tools should exist as standalone applications. The host runs a site called Future Tools, where they curate AI tools and face the challenge of tools starting to look the same and often requiring payment when free alternatives exist. The goal is to uncover truly novel concepts that haven't been submitted to Future Tools before and to provide feedback to tool creators to help them improve and differentiate their products.
๐ Locus Extension: A Chrome Extension for Contextual Search
The host reviews the Locus extension, a Chrome tool that enhances the find function for web articles. It promises to provide context even if the searched word isn't in the text. The speaker criticizes the Locus website for its lack of audio in the explainer video and for charging a monthly fee for a service that uses the free GPT 3.5 model. They also compare it to the free and well-established Perplexity tool, which offers a similar service with better summarization and question-asking capabilities.
๐ Intellis XYZ: Task List Generator from Voice Commands
Intellis XYZ is introduced as a simple app that turns voice-given daily tasks into a checklist. The host finds value in the app's ability to create a checklist with selectable and checkable items, which is missing in free alternatives like GPT 3.5. However, they take issue with the pricing transparency, pointing out that the advertised '$3' is actually a monthly subscription. Despite this, the app successfully generates a checklist from the host's spoken tasks, although without additional details.
๐ BlogFox: Converting YouTube Videos to Blog Posts
BlogFox is highlighted as a tool that converts YouTube videos into blog posts. The host tests it with their latest AI news video, noting that the process includes transcription, outlining, and final touches to generate a post with an FAQ. They find the tool impressive, considering it uses multiple AI steps in one process, although they wish it generated more images. The host also demonstrates how to achieve similar results for free using chat GPT and other tools, but acknowledges that BlogFox saves time by condensing these steps.
๐ GEOS Spy: Geolocating Photos
GEOS Spy is a tool that claims to determine where a photo was taken based on its content. The host tests it with personal photos and finds that it accurately identifies the locations of a photo of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, California, and a landscape in Maui, Hawaii. However, it is less specific about a photo taken in Milford Sound, New Zealand, only identifying it as New Zealand. The host notes that while the free chat GPT or Claude models might not replicate this specific functionality, the GEOS Spy tool is impressive and worth using due to its accuracy and being free.
๐จ RecCraft: AI-Powered Vector Image Generator
RecCraft is presented as a tool for generating AI images, specifically vector graphics, which are infinitely scalable and can be exported as SVG files. The host demonstrates creating a line art image of a wolf howling at the moon and appreciates the tool's ability to generate vector graphics, which are not commonly found in other AI image creation tools. They also highlight the tool's free aspect and its potential for creating logos and other scalable designs.
๐ Brainy Docs: PDF to Explainer Video Conversion
Brainy Docs is a tool that converts PDFs into explainer videos using AI. The host criticizes the pricing model, which limits the number of pages and videos that can be created per month, making it expensive for the value provided. They test the tool with a six-page research paper from archive.org and find the resulting video to be of good quality, with incorporated visuals from the PDF. However, they note that similar results could be achieved with free tools, albeit with more steps involved.
๐ฒ Infinitec: AI-Powered Element Mixing Game
Infinitec is a game that uses AI to combine elements, such as water and fire to create steam, leading to the creation of more complex things like plants, swamps, and even more abstract concepts. The host describes it as a fun and addictive game where players can discover new combinations that no one else has found before. They emphasize that while it may seem simple, it offers endless creative possibilities and is a unique use of AI technology.
Mindmap
Keywords
AI Tools
Standalone App
Locus Extension
Intellis XYZ
Blog Fox
Geosy
Reccraft
Brainy Docs
Infinitec
Free Alternatives
Underground AI
Highlights
The video explores lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and small builders.
The host plays a game called 'Should this be a standalone app?' to evaluate the necessity of each tool.
Many AI tools submitted to the host's site, Future Tools, seem redundant and overly commercialized.
The host emphasizes the importance of novel ideas and transparency in tool development.
Locus, an AI tool, is critiqued for its lack of audio in its explainer video and questionable pricing model.
Locus offers a Chrome extension that enhances the 'find' function but is compared unfavorably to the free tool Perplexity.
Intellis XYZ is a task-list app that converts spoken tasks into a checklist but is considered overpriced at $3/month.
Blog Fox converts YouTube videos into blog posts, offering a time-saving tool for content creation.
GEOSpy is a free tool that can determine the location of a photo based on its content, impressing the host.
RecCraft is a vector image generator that creates infinitely scalable graphics, useful for logos and design work.
Brainy Docs turns PDFs into explainer videos, but its pricing is criticized for being too high for the service provided.
The game on neal.fun allows users to mix elements to create new things, showcasing the potential of AI for creative applications.
The host discusses the challenge of differentiating paid tools from what can be achieved with free alternatives.
The video concludes with a call for viewer feedback on the format and content of future 'Underground AI' videos.
The host expresses appreciation for the viewers and an eagerness to provide value through informative content.