7 Fascinating AI Tools You've NEVER Seen Before (Underground AI #4)

Matt Wolfe
6 May 202429:36

TLDRIn this edition of 'Underground AI,' the host explores lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and small builders, focusing on their uniqueness and value proposition. The video plays a game called 'Should this be a standalone app?' highlighting tools like Locus, an AI-powered Chrome extension for summarizing and brainstorming; Intellis XYZ, a task list generator from voice commands; Blog Fox, which converts YouTube videos into blog posts; GEOS, an image geolocation identifier; Reccraft, a vector image generator; Brainy Docs, which turns PDFs into explainer videos; and an AI-based game for creating elements. The host discusses the potential of these tools, their pricing, and compares them with free alternatives available, encouraging viewers to share feedback and consider the longevity of such tools against free options.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 **Locus Extension**: A Chrome extension that enhances the find function, providing context for unmentioned search terms, but is questioned for its necessity when similar free tools like Perplexity exist.
  • 📝 **Intellis XYZ**: A simple app that converts spoken daily tasks into a checklist, offering a paid version with additional features, but its value is weighed against free alternatives.
  • 📈 **Blog Fox**: Converts YouTube videos into blog posts, saving multiple steps but with a pricing model that may be considered high for the utility it provides.
  • 🌍 **Geosy**: Determines the location of a photo based on its content, with impressive accuracy, and stands out as a unique free tool without clear free alternatives.
  • 🎨 **Recraft**: A tool for generating AI images, particularly vector graphics suitable for logos, with a free version that outshines the need for paid subscriptions to similar services.
  • 📚 **Brainy Docs**: Transforms PDFs into explainer videos with AI, a time-saving tool, but its pricing is critiqued as potentially expensive for the output it provides.
  • 🧩 **Infinitec**: A creative and addictive game that uses AI to combine elements and create new things, offering endless possibilities and standing as a unique entertainment tool.
  • 💡 **Tool Evaluation**: The video discusses the value and uniqueness of various AI tools, often comparing them with free alternatives and contemplating their necessity as standalone apps.
  • 💰 **Pricing and Value**: A common theme is the scrutiny of pricing models of the featured tools, emphasizing the need for developers to differentiate their products to justify costs.
  • 📈 **Market Differentiation**: Encouragement for tool developers to find ways to make their products stand out in a market where free alternatives may offer similar functionalities.
  • 📢 **Feedback and Improvement**: The video creator invites feedback from viewers to improve the content, showing a commitment to providing value and adapting to the audience's interests.
  • 🔧 **DIY Alternatives**: The script often describes how to achieve similar results to the paid tools using a combination of free services, providing a cost-effective approach for users.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the 'Underground AI' series?

    -The 'Underground AI' series aims to uncover and showcase lesser-known AI tools created by solo creators and smaller builders, focusing on novel concepts and ideas that utilize the current AI technology.

  • What is the game the host plays called?

    -The game the host plays is called 'Should this be a standalone app?'

  • Why does the host feel that many tools submitted to Future Tools are starting to look the same?

    -The host feels that many tools are starting to look the same because they often require payment for functionality that can be found in free alternatives or with existing subscriptions to other AI services.

  • What is the name of the first tool discussed in the script?

    -The first tool discussed in the script is called Locus.

  • What is unique about the Locus extension?

    -The Locus extension is unique in that it is designed to be a better find function for web browsing, providing context and answers even if the specific search word is not mentioned in the article.

  • What is the issue the host has with the Locus extension's pricing?

    -The host finds the pricing of the Locus extension to be odd because it charges a monthly fee for using GPT 3.5, which is available for free, and does not offer more advanced models like GPT 4 or Claude Opus.

  • What is the name of the tool that the host suggests as a free alternative to Locus?

    -The host suggests using the Perplexity Chrome extension as a free alternative to Locus.

  • What is the name of the second tool discussed in the script?

    -The second tool discussed in the script is called Intellis XYZ.

  • What feature does Intellis XYZ offer that chat GPT and CLA lack?

    -Intellis XYZ offers a feature where users can speak into the app to create a task list for the day, and it provides a checkbox interface to manage the tasks.

  • What is the host's opinion on the pricing transparency of Intellis XYZ?

    -The host believes that Intellis XYZ should be more transparent with its pricing, as it lists the price as '$3' without specifying that it is a monthly fee.

  • What is the host's approach to providing feedback on the tools discussed?

    -The host aims to provide constructive feedback, encouraging tool builders to differentiate their products and improve upon them to stand out in the market.

  • 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.

  • What does the host find impressive about Blog Fox?

    -The host finds it impressive that Blog Fox can generate a blog post from a YouTube video, including an outline, written content, and an FAQ section, all in one process.

  • What is the host's concern regarding Blog Fox's pricing?

    -The host is concerned that Blog Fox's pricing is excessive for the service it provides, as similar results can be achieved for free using other 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 opinion on the pricing of Brainy Docs?

    -The host believes that the pricing of Brainy Docs is too high for the service it offers, especially considering the number of pages and videos one can produce with the subscription.

  • What is the name of the game that uses AI to combine elements and create new things?

    -The game that uses AI to combine elements and create new things is called Infinitec, available at neal.fun.

  • What is the host's final recommendation for viewers interested in AI tools?

    -The host recommends that viewers provide feedback on the video, subscribe to the channel for more AI-related content, and share their thoughts on whether they prefer to see more paid tools with free alternatives or just unique underground AI tools.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Exploring Lesser-Known AI Tools

The host introduces the 'Underground AI' series, which is dedicated to showcasing lesser-known AI tools created by solo developers and small builders. The episode focuses on evaluating whether certain AI tools should be standalone applications. The host discusses the saturation of AI tools and the common issue of them appearing similar or redundant, especially when they offer functionalities that can be found in free alternatives or with existing subscriptions to other AI services.

05:02

📚 Locus Extension: A Chrome Extension for Enhanced Search

The host reviews the Locus extension, a Chrome tool that aims to provide a better 'find' function within web pages. It summarizes and generates study cards from articles, but requires a subscription for full access. The host compares it to existing tools like Perplexity and finds Locus to be less impressive, questioning its necessity as a standalone app.

10:05

🗓 Intellis XYZ: Task List Generator from Voice Commands

Intellis XYZ is a simple app that creates a task list from spoken commands. The host tests it by dictating daily tasks and finds it useful for generating a checklist, although it lacks some features like a progress bar and Google Calendar integration. The host also uses free alternatives like GPT 3.5 to perform similar tasks and questions the need for Intellis XYZ as a separate, paid tool.

15:05

📝 Blog Fox: Converting YouTube Videos to Blog Posts

Blog Fox is a tool that converts YouTube videos into blog posts. The host tests it with a video URL and finds the transcription and outline generation to be time-consuming but effective. The resulting blog post includes a title, subheadings, and an FAQ section. The host also manually recreates the process using free tools like chat GPT and concludes that while Blog Fox is useful, its pricing may be excessive for the value it provides.

20:08

🌍 GEOS Spy: Geolocating Photos with AI

GEOS Spy is a tool that attempts to determine the location where a photo was taken based on the image content. The host tests it with personal photos and finds it successful in identifying the locations. The host also attempts to use free alternatives like Claude but finds GEOS Spy to be more effective and appreciates its free availability.

25:10

🎨 RecCraft: AI-Powered Vector Image Generator

RecCraft is a tool for generating AI images, specifically vector graphics, which are infinitely scalable. The host creates a vector image of a wolf howling at the moon and appreciates the quality and scalability of the output. The host notes that while other tools generate raster images, RecCraft's focus on vector graphics is unique and valuable, especially for creating logos and scalable designs.

📈 Brainy Docs: PDF to Explainer Video Conversion

Brainy Docs converts PDFs into explainer videos using AI. The host finds the tool impressive for its ability to extract text and visuals from a PDF and generate a video presentation. However, 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 it offers. The host suggests that while the tool saves time, it may be more cost-effective to manually create videos using free alternatives.

🌐 Infinitec: AI-Powered Element Mixing Game

Infinitec is a game that uses AI to allow players to mix elements and create new things. The host describes it as highly addictive and creatively stimulating, as it enables the creation of an almost infinite number of combinations. The host emphasizes that while it's a fun and unique tool, it doesn't have a direct practical application but serves as an entertaining way to engage with AI.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Tools

AI Tools refer to software applications or platforms that utilize artificial intelligence to perform tasks such as data analysis, automation, or simulation. In the video, the host discusses various lesser-known AI tools that are not from major companies like Open AI, Microsoft, and Google, but are created by solo developers or smaller teams.

💡Standalone App

A Standalone App is a software application that is self-contained and does not require any additional software to run. The video explores whether certain AI tools should exist as standalone applications, comparing them to free alternatives or tools that can be used with existing subscriptions.

💡Locus Extension

Locus Extension is a specific AI tool mentioned in the video that enhances the browser's find function. It is designed to provide context-based search results within a document, even if the exact search term is not present. The host questions the necessity of Locus as a standalone app, comparing it to other tools like Perplexity.

💡Intellis XYZ

Intellis XYZ is a tool that converts spoken instructions into a task list. It is an example of a tool that provides a unique feature (a checklist with a progress bar) that differentiates it from free alternatives like GPT 3.5. The host evaluates whether the additional features justify its cost.

💡Blog Fox

Blog Fox is an AI tool that transforms YouTube videos into blog posts. The video discusses the tool's ability to save time by combining multiple steps into one process, although the host finds the pricing for the service to be excessive compared to what can be achieved with free tools.

💡Geosy

Geosy is a tool that claims to determine the location where a photo was taken based on the image content. The video demonstrates the tool's accuracy with personal photos and compares it to the capabilities of free AI models like GPT 4, noting that Geosy offers a unique service that is difficult to replicate for free.

💡Reccraft

Reccraft is a platform for generating AI images, specifically vector graphics, which are infinitely scalable and do not lose quality. The host highlights Reccraft's ability to create logos and other vector art, noting that it is a unique offering not easily replicated with free tools.

💡Brainy Docs

Brainy Docs is a tool that converts PDF documents into explainer videos using AI. The host tests the tool with a document from archive.org and discusses the time-saving potential of the service, despite concerns about its pricing model.

💡Infinitec

Infinitec is a game that uses AI to combine elements and create new things. The host describes it as a fun and addictive game where players can discover new combinations and creations, showcasing the creative potential of AI in a recreational context.

💡Underground AI

Underground AI refers to the theme of the video series, where the host uncovers and showcases lesser-known AI tools. It represents a niche within the AI community, focusing on innovative and unique applications of AI technology that are not widely recognized.

💡Free Alternatives

Free Alternatives are options that provide similar functionality to paid tools without any cost. Throughout the video, the host compares paid AI tools with free alternatives, discussing the value proposition of each and whether the paid tools offer significant advantages to justify their cost.

Highlights

Underground AI series uncovers 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 uniqueness and necessity of each AI tool.

Locus, an AI tool, attempts to improve the browser's find function by providing context even if the specific word is not in the article.

Intellis XYZ is a simple app that turns spoken daily tasks into a checklist.

Blog Fox converts YouTube videos into high-quality blog posts with the ability to generate an outline and FAQ section.

Geosy is an AI tool that can determine the location of a photo based on the image content.

RecCraft is a unique platform for generating AI images, particularly vector graphics that are infinitely scalable.

Brainy Docs converts PDFs into explainer videos using AI, condensing a complex process into a single step.

The host discusses the challenge of differentiating paid AI tools from what can be achieved with free alternatives.

Infinitec is a creative game that uses AI to mix elements and create new things, offering endless possibilities.

The host emphasizes the importance of transparency in pricing and the need for builders to improve their tools or offer unique value.

The video provides a critical perspective on the current state of AI tools, encouraging both developers and users to think about utility and cost.

The host invites feedback from viewers on the format of the video and the balance between showcasing paid tools and free alternatives.

A call to action is made for viewers to subscribe for more AI-related content, emphasizing the channel's focus on AI news, tools, and tutorials.