AI is revolutionizing pricing and value delivery for software companies, moving towards usage-based and hybrid models. Nearly 39% of SaaS companies now primarily utilize usage-based pricing, necessitating advanced billing systems that are accurate, flexible, and scalable. This guide outlines the critical components for establishing a profitable AI billing infrastructure, emphasizing real-time metering of high-frequency events like token usage or API calls. Effective hybrid pricing strategies, combining pay-per-use and subscriptions, help align revenue with actual usage, attracting both enterprise and self-serve customers. Additionally, automated invoicing and tax management are essential for global billing complexities. Developers benefit from an API-first, composable architecture that enables quick iterations and integration with existing systems. Security and compliance remain paramount, with options for both cloud hosting and self-hosting. Ultimately, adopting the right billing infrastructure is key to confidently monetizing AI services and supporting global growth while minimizing manual errors.
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Lago Blog – Building a Robust AI Billing Infrastructure: Essential Requirements and Key Steps
Yahoo Collaborates with Brands to Develop AI Tools for Its Platform – June 19, 2025
At Cannes Lions, discussions on generative artificial intelligence (GAI) sparked innovation among brand executives, agencies, and platforms. Yahoo introduced Yahoo Creative, a suite of co-developed advertising tools, which saw a 112% increase in active monthly advertisers since its launch in 2024. Approximately 10-15% of its new features are co-created with brands, leading to a 43% year-over-year revenue growth and a projected 200% increase. Yahoo Creative has partnered with hundreds of brands for data-driven campaigns across various screens. Future developments will include enhanced AI integration for optimization, faster creative tools, and personalized options for improved advertising effectiveness. Additionally, Yahoo introduced Yahoo Blueprint, an AI-driven optimization engine that streamlines real-time bidding and boosts return on ad spend (ROAS). With over 75% adoption for relevant ad spends, advertisers using Blueprint reported better efficiency and focus on strategy and creativity. Yahoo plans to invest further in GAI tools to enhance performance while reducing manual workload.
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Craft Your Comprehensive Business Plan in Just 5 Minutes!
Take a short, 5-minute AI-powered quiz to share your business idea, goals, and target market—it’s free and quick. For a one-time payment of $149, unlock a personalized business plan without any subscriptions or hidden fees. Once your payment is processed, you’ll receive a professional PDF of your custom business plan via email. This plan is designed to assist with funding, planning, and launching your business effectively.
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Midjourney Unveils V1 Video Model for Clips Ranging from 5 to 20 Seconds
On June 18, 2025, Midjourney launched its first video model, V1, available to its approximately 20 million subscribers. Users can animate still images, generating four 5-second clips extendable to 20 seconds. With two motion modes—low for subtle movements and high for larger shifts—users can opt for automatic or text-prompted motion. Each clip costs around eight image credits, with a starting price of $10 per month. Although V1 lacks audio and is capped at 1080p, it is competitively priced compared to rivals like Runway Gen-4 and OpenAI’s Sora. While testers commend its coherence, some note flickering issues in high-motion scenes. Reactions vary, with some praising its performance and others highlighting limitations compared to higher-end models. The San Francisco-based lab, which generated $300 million from its image service in 2024, is currently facing a copyright lawsuit related to its training data. V1 is seen as an initial step toward more advanced capabilities.
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Gemini’s Scheduled Actions Are Launching—But There’s a Twist
Google Gemini has introduced Scheduled Actions, allowing users to automate prompts like daily summaries. This feature is available exclusively to Gemini AI Pro and Ultra subscribers on Android devices, with a limit of 10 active schedules per user, based on the location where they were created. Scheduled Actions can help users manage reminders for calendar events, emails, and tasks at specified times. Users can input prompts, such as summarizing unread emails every morning at 7 AM, and manage these through the app’s interface. However, access is restricted to paid subscribers, and the feature is not available on iOS or web platforms yet. This development signifies Gemini’s evolution from a simple chatbot to a more robust digital assistant, reminiscent of Google Assistant but requiring a subscription for enhanced functionality. The rollout of Scheduled Actions marks an important advancement for Google Gemini while phasing out the older Assistant features.
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Wix Enhances Vibe Coding Capabilities Through Recent Acquisition
Wix.com Ltd. has acquired Base44, an AI-powered platform that simplifies custom software creation through natural language, enabling users to build applications without traditional coding. This acquisition enhances Wix’s AI portfolio and aims to broaden its global reach by making digital creation more accessible and intuitive. Base44 employs an automated, chat-based interface that manages technical aspects like databases and deployment, streamlining the development process for users regardless of their technical skills. With established partnerships, Base44 is seen as a perfect fit for Wix’s goals of democratizing innovation in digital environments. Wix CEO Avishai Abrahami emphasized the strategic alignment and shared vision of customer-centric innovation between the two companies. The acquisition, valued at approximately $80 million, underscores Wix’s commitment to evolving online creation tools and maintaining a competitive edge in the digital landscape. Base44 will retain its unique identity while benefiting from Wix’s infrastructure and scale.
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The Unexpected Motivations Behind iPhone Purchases (Spoiler: It’s Not AI)
Apple doesn’t disclose iPhone sales numbers, but estimates suggest they sell hundreds of millions annually. A report from CIRP reveals that a significant portion of iPhone purchases is motivated by issues with existing phones rather than new features. Specifically, 40% of buyers replaced their iPhones due to problems like slow performance or damaged displays, while 27% upgraded from completely inoperable devices or after loss or theft. Only 13% of US buyers sought new models for enhanced features like improved cameras or displays. This statistic includes some Android users switching to iOS. Despite Apple’s marketing efforts and feature advancements, the data indicates that most iPhone sales stem from users needing to replace malfunctioning devices rather than a desire for new technology. The relatively low percentage of feature-driven upgrades sheds light on consumer behavior in the smartphone market.
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Google, XAI, and OpenAI Scale Back Following Meta’s Investment in Scale AI
Tech companies such as Google, OpenAI, and xAI are distancing themselves from Scale AI following Meta’s $14.3 billion investment in the data labeling startup. Internal communications revealed that Google paused multiple projects with Scale AI shortly after Meta’s announcement, leading to concerns about the startup’s business stability. Contractors stated many projects have been halted or canceled, significantly affecting their work availability. One contractor noted a sudden loss of access to active projects, while others reported difficulty finding new assignments. Google had previously been Scale AI’s largest customer, spending $150 million last year. Amidst these disruptions, Scale AI’s interim CEO insisted on the company’s independence and highlighted multiple promising business avenues. However, an investor selling their stake questioned the viability of Scale AI’s valuation amidst the loss of major clients. The competitive landscape for Scale AI may shift dramatically due to this recent investment and the subsequent fallout.
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Introducing Brand Stori: AI-Driven Website Audits in Just 2 Minutes, Tailored for Enterprise Buyers!
The article on Brandstori discusses the growing importance of storytelling in branding and marketing. It emphasizes that companies can create deeper connections with consumers through relatable narratives rather than just product features. The piece outlines various strategies for effective storytelling, including understanding the audience, crafting authentic experiences, and leveraging different media platforms to engage users. It highlights that successful brands often weave their values and mission into their stories, making them resonate more with their target audience. Additionally, the article provides examples of brands that excel in storytelling, showcasing how narratives can enhance consumer loyalty and brand identity. Overall, it underscores the need for brands to shift their focus from traditional advertising to compelling stories that foster emotional connections.
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Sam Altman Alleges Meta Attempted to Lure OpenAI’s Leading Researchers with $100 Million Bonuses
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has accused Meta of attempting to recruit OpenAI employees with substantial financial offers, including signing bonuses up to $100 million. Speaking on the Uncapped podcast, Altman noted that Meta is targeting top researchers and engineers with lucrative compensation packages, yet none from OpenAI have accepted. He emphasized the team’s strong commitment to OpenAI’s mission, asserting that financial incentives alone would not entice them to leave. Meanwhile, Meta is ramping up its AI efforts, investing $14.3 billion in Scale AI and forming a new ‘superintelligence’ team. However, Meta faces challenges, such as scrutiny over its AI chatbot and delays in releasing its ‘Llama 4 Behemoth’ model. Altman criticized Meta’s innovation track record, suggesting that despite its willingness to spend on talent, success in AI development requires a clear mission and cultural focus. Additionally, Meta is targeting Google DeepMind researchers for recruitment.
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