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AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team

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Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation tool that was launched in 2021 with the goal of becoming the new Zapier, is shutting down, and some of its staff — including its top executive — are joining Google’s Chrome team.

Jacob Bank, Relay’s founder and CEO, shared a company announcement Monday that reveals the app will be shutting down access for paying customers on September 14. Free customers would have already lost access as of August 15. The app’s closure was initially announced in July.

Bank, who previously spent a little over six years at Google, revealed that he would now be rejoining the tech giant as VP of Product for Google Chrome, where he will lead the product and developer relations teams for Chrome, according to his LinkedIn.

“I’ve spent my whole career doing one thing: building tools that help people get more done with AI, without sacrificing their personal creativity or insights,” said Bank in a post on X. “And joining the Chrome team is an ideal opportunity to bring those experiences to many, many more people.”

“We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, and I’ll have more to share soon,” he added.

Bank originally joined Google in 2015 after his previous startup, a scheduling app called Timeful, was acquired by the search giant. At Google, he worked in a number of different areas, including as product lead for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat, before eventually leaving to launch Relay.

Similar to Timeful, Relay offered users productivity upgrades via workflow automation, allowing businesses to streamline repetitive tasks like document drafting and copyediting, as well as various project management tasks. TechCrunch reached out to Google and to Relay for more information.

Just how Bank and others plan to further integrate AI into Chrome is a hanging question, though Bank calls Chrome “a perfect place to collaborate with agents.”

The move follows a steady path of AI integration into Google’s user experience. The integration of Gemini into search has fundamentally altered Google’s front end — not to mention the rest of the internet. Gemini has also been integrated into Chrome, where it serves as an optional in-browser assistant.

Overall, users seem to be responding well to these integrations, as Google recently reported that Gemini had crested 1 billion users.

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NiMet predicts three-day rain, thunderstorms nationwide from Monday

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast cloudy skies, thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rains across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

NiMet disclosed this in its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, advising residents to take precautions during thunderstorms.

For the northern region, the agency forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Adamawa, Kebbi and Taraba states on Monday morning.

It predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

For the North-Central region, NiMet forecast thunderstorms with light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Plateau and Benue.

Other areas include Kogi, Nasarawa and Kwara states, particularly during Monday morning.

NiMet said thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains were expected over most parts of the North-Central region during the afternoon or evening.

For the southern region, NiMet forecast cloudy skies, with prospects of light rains over parts of Ebonyi, Edo and Delta states.

Other affected states include Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states, particularly during the morning hours.

The agency predicted light rains over parts of the South-East, South-South and South-West later on Monday.

For Tuesday, NiMet forecast patches of clouds over the northern region, with chances of thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Adamawa, Sokoto and Kebbi.

Taraba State was also expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by light rains during the morning hours.

The agency predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states later on Tuesday.

It forecast cloudy skies across the North-Central region during the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the day.

NiMet anticipated cloudy skies across the southern region on Tuesday, with prospects of light morning rains over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency, however, forecast light rains over most parts of the southern region later in the day.

For Wednesday, NiMet envisaged partly cloudy skies across the northern region, with chances of morning thunderstorms over several states.

The affected states include Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The agency predicted thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Adamawa later on Wednesday.

Taraba, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Gombe states were also expected to experience heavy rains.

For the North-Central region, NiMet forecast cloudy skies during the morning hours, followed by thunderstorms with heavy rains later in the day.

It also forecast cloudy skies across the southern region, with chances of morning light rains over parts of Imo, Abia, Rivers and Cross River states.

Akwa Ibom State was also expected to experience light morning rains, while most parts of the southern region could record heavy rains later.

NiMet warned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms and urged residents to fasten loose objects to prevent accidents.

The agency advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy rainfall and urged residents to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms.

It also advised residents to stay away from tall trees to avoid injuries from falling branches or broken trees.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.

NiMet urged residents to remain informed through regular weather updates and take appropriate precautions during periods of severe weather. 

(NAN)

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NPFL: Kano Pillars edge Tornadoes, Plateau United secure first win

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Kano Pillars defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-2 in a thrilling Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday two encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts scored twice in the first half through Ubong Friday and Fabian Nworie.

Nworie scored his second and Kano Pillars’ third nine minutes after the break.

Niger Tornadoes scored twice through Godfrey Joseph and Wasiu Jimoh but were unable to find the equaliser.

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At the New Jos Stadium, Plateau United recorded their first win of the season, edging Kwara United 1-0.

Alex Aghahowa’s 29th minute strike separated the two teams on the night.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United scraped past Bendel Insurance 1-0 courtesy of Sam Pam’s 55th minute strike.

In the day’s other fixture, Kun Khalifat FC were held to a 0-0 by Barau FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Full Results

Kun Khalifat 0-0 Barau

Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Bendel Insurance

Plateau Utd 1-0 Kwara Utd

Kano Pillars 3-2 Niger Tornadoes

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