Four new launches today — two brands inside ChatGPT's new ad format, a French retailer's rebuilt app, and a Japanese brokerage's support upgrade — plus reception updates on three platforms. Full record: the site.

New launches — Enterprise

Wayfair puts a branded shopping agent inside ChatGPT ads

US online home-furnishings retailer.
OpenAI began piloting "Sponsored Agents" on September 16: tap a labeled ad in ChatGPT and an advertiser-run agent takes over, answers follow-ups in the same chat, then hands off to the brand's site. Wayfair joined at limited scale; its agent answers detailed furniture questions and recommends products from its catalog.
How to try it: limited US pilot — tap a labeled Wayfair sponsored unit in a relevant ChatGPT conversation.
Sources: AI Weekly, Martin Cid, Yahoo Finance

Angi launches a homeowner-facing agent inside ChatGPT

US marketplace connecting homeowners with local service pros.
Angi is among the first Sponsored Agents pilot brands. Its agent can appear in ChatGPT conversations about home services; homeowners describe their project to it and, when a pro is needed, move into Angi's service-request flow.
How to try it: limited US pilot — tap a labeled Angi sponsored unit in a relevant home-services conversation.
Sources: GlobeNewswire, Angi investor relations

Boulanger's rebuilt app adds a conversational AI — and pushes repair over resale

Major French consumer-electronics and appliance retailer.
Boulanger rebuilt its app in under six months and added an in-house conversational AI (built in about four months) that advises shoppers 24/7, plus an after-sales assistant for maintenance, diagnostics and repair help. Boulanger says it proposes repair and advice rather than sales offers; the app reportedly has nearly 1.5 million users.
How to try it: open the redesigned Boulanger app and use the AI assistant.
Sources: Républik Retail, RelationClientMag, Les Clés du Digital

Rakuten Securities swaps its old chatbot for a generative-AI support chat

One of Japan's largest online brokerages.
Live since September 2, the new "AI Chat Support" understands conversational Japanese and keeps 180 days of history. For now it only handles questions about account procedures; personalised procedure help and investment questions are only under consideration.
How to try it: log in, open Customer Support and choose "Rakuten Securities AI Chat Support," or tap the "R" icon at lower left.
Sources: Rakuten Securities, Nikkei, Impress Watch

Platform Watch

• Google AI Mode — on September 22 Google began auto-enabling native checkout in AI Mode and Gemini for eligible Shopify merchants, opt-out rather than opt-in; some merchants complained publicly. Sources: PPC Land, Talon.One
• Microsoft Copilot — the September 25 "super app" merges consumer and enterprise Copilot, but coverage frames it as a push to lift lagging adoption (under 7% of commercial Office seats licensed) while several consumer features were retired in August. Sources: GeekWire, CNBC, Fortune
• Wix — reviews of the Harmony AI builder are mostly positive on speed and built-in business tools, with generic first-draft copy the main complaint. Sources: FireBear, Work-Management.org

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