Meta’s new Pocket app is supposedly nothing like the old Pocket, but does it really stand up to the hype? Let’s dive in and find out!

First off, the claim that Pocket now lets you create and share interactive “gizmos” built from AI prompts is pretty neat. But wait—how different can it be if it still shares a name with its beloved predecessor? The old Pocket was all about saving articles for later reading; this new one seems to be more about playing with AI-generated widgets. It’s like swapping out your trusty Swiss Army knife for a fancy laser pointer—you’ve got the basics, but where’s the utility?

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is betting big on AI as the next social media frontier, and Pocket is his flagship app in this arena. Yet, isn’t it a bit premature to call AI the “new social media”? Sure, interactive gizmos sound fun, but are they enough to replace the depth of human connection we get from platforms like Twitter or Instagram? Plus, Meta’s track record with acquisitions suggests that some ideas might be more hype than substance—think Oculus Rift or Instagram before it became a photo-sharing juggernaut.

The hiring of engineers from Atma Sciences Inc., which developed an app called … (the article leaves this tantalizing bit unfinished), hints at a strong AI foundation. But does Pocket truly leverage their expertise, or is it just another shiny feature added to Meta’s ever-growing list? We’ve seen plenty of AI-driven features flop—remember Facebook M or Messenger Rooms?

Finally, the promise of sharing these AI-generated gizmos with friends could be a game-changer, but only if they’re engaging enough. Interactive widgets are great, but will users actually spend time tinkering with them, or will it become another forgotten feature like Meta’s AR filters? The Verge story suggests optimism, but until we get our hands on Pocket, the jury’s still out on whether this AI-powered Pocket lives up to its billing.

So, Meta, you’ve given us a fresh take on Pocket—now let’s see if it can stand tall among the giants of social media!