🚨 AI News | TestingCatalog

Visiting IFA 2026 Berlin today!

IFA is a major annual Berlin trade show where global brands unveil new consumer electronics, home appliances, and future technology.

IRL testing time 👀

What a week - we've got top models from 4 of the biggest AI labs in a single week: Gemini 3.8 Flash, Claude Fable 5.1, Muse Spark 1.3, GPT-6 Astra!

> A full recap is coming in a couple of hours in TestingCatalog's newsletter.

> ✴️ Bonus! A secret Muse agent waitlist join link is included.

Opt in below if you haven't yet 📩
https://www.testingcatalog.com/#/portal/signup

GOOGLE 🔥: Gemini Business now supports custom MCPs!

> New: custom MCP server connections - Connect private data and internal tools.

It's happening! 👀

How long until we see them on consumer Gemini too?

GPT-6 Astra from OpenAI claimed a top spot on WebDev Arena, surpassing recently released Claude Fable 5.1 by 35 points.

> “It also reshapes the Pareto frontier as the best-performing model at $40/Mtoken, which matches the latest Claude model pricing.”

Are we set to hit 2k by the end of this year?

SpaceXAI did a usage reset for all Grok Bot users.

I was planning to properly test those for a while. Looks like it the time since Astra ate all my banked resets already.

Grok Imagine Agent got an upgrade and is now using Image 2.0 image model underneath.

> "Make me an ad banner for @testingcatalog"

That's quite a good result 👀

GOOGLE 🔥: Gemini desktop app keeps being transformed into a superapp with "Ask" and "Assign" modes, computer use, and more!

> Nano Banana 2.5 Flash is in the works.
> Integration with Obsidian spotted.
> Users will also be able to "Ask Gemini" directly from Finder.

Google keeps transforming Gemini desktop into superapp

Google is testing major Gemini desktop upgrades: Ask and Assign modes, folder-scoped agent tasks, remote computer links, local app control, Obsidian support, customization options, Finder integration, and prep for future models.

🗞 #google @testingcatalog

OpenAI is testing a new Writing Style feature for ChatGPT.

> Users can connect documents, emails and messaging apps as reference examples.

> ChatGPT will be able to write text in “user’s voice”, based on provided references.

> Availability is limited to a small group of users.

DAILY AI BRIEF 🗞 — Sept 5

OPENAI 🔥

- Astra is rolled out to all Plus and Business — not just Pro / Enterprise. API live at $10 / $50. GPT-6 Pro in Chat is Astra.
- Full banked reset today for Plus, Pro, and Business. Lands EOD. Create or upgrade before 8pm PT and you get it too.
- Tibo: internal Astra pulled some shipping plans 6 months forward to DevDay.

ANTHROPIC 🔥

Claude Code

weekly limits reset

Friday —

Max plans only

. Fable 5.1 + long weekend. Pro/Team did not get this flush.

GOOGLE 🔥

Lyria 3.5

is in Gemini, AI Studio, and the API. Better vocals, richer arrangements, short or full tracks. Tools > Create music.

META 🔥

Muse Spark 1.3 max

is public in Muse Code and the Meta Model API. Wang: use max even if you already tried high / xhigh.

* Used Grok to compose this brief, cherry-picking the news and doing some post-editing.

Astra testing time 👀

> This is GPT-6, a new generation of intelligence. Astra is state-of-the-art in coding, computer use, science, and professional work. Give it a hard problem, a half-formed idea, or anything you've been meaning to build. See where it takes you.

* Got it on a Business (not Business Premium) plan already.

** Plus users should have it as well!

OpenAI launches GPT-6 Astra across ChatGPT and API

OpenAI launched GPT-6 Astra, a computer-use and software model rolling out across ChatGPT, API, Azure, and AWS.

🗞 #openai @testingcatalog

OPENAI 🔥: GPT-6 Astra is now available on the OpenAI Platform and APIs.

> $10 Input & $50 Output.

A new update regarding the rollout:

> Access in ChatGPT Work and Codex may take a few days to reach Plus and all Business users.

ANTHROPIC 🔥: Claude Code usage limits have been reset!

That’s new 👀

AI space feels like a battleground these days tbh.

OPENAI 🔥: GPT-6 Astra is rolling out to ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium accounts!

> "Some of you should start seeing it across ChatGPT Work and Codex."

Astra is also being prepared for the API release.