Technologies

Airbnb Testing Option for Guests to Order Instacart Supplies Ahead of Their Stay

If you don’t want to haul your own groceries to your next Airbnb, this could be for you.

Heading to an Airbnb, but you don’t want to haul along six boxes of your kid’s favorite macaroni and cheese? You might soon be able to have your choice of groceries waiting for you when you arrive. Airbnb is testing a new service in three US cities that will allow travelers to place an Instacart order ahead of their trip.

The program will launch Jan. 5 in Phoenix, Orlando and Los Angeles and will continue for a few months to see if it gains traction among guests. Currently, guests can place an Instacart order during their stay if they desire, but this feature would mean the items would already be there when they arrive.

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The new option would mean more work for Airbnb hosts, who’d have to unpack and put away the order before guests arrive. However, Airbnb plans to pay hosts for each completed order.

«By offering this service, they [hosts] not only receive rewards, including a one-time payment of $100 plus $25 for each delivery that opts in for kitchen stocking, but they will be helping to make their guests’ stay even better,» an Airbnb spokesperson told CNET.

Guests can use Instacart through the Airbnb app to order groceries, household essentials and other items up to three weeks in advance. After they place an order, the hosts are notified. The host then selects a date and time that works for them to receive the order.

«While the order can be placed up to three weeks in advance of a stay, hosts can coordinate delivery and kitchen stocking to be a part of the general turnover process between guests, similar to cleaning,» the Airbnb spokesperson said.

On delivery day, hosts receive updates on the order’s status and can notify guests that their groceries have been packed and are ready for pickup. Hosts can accept the delivery up to 24 hours in advance and at least three hours before the guest’s check-in time. Hosts are also expected to follow food safety guidelines when unpacking and stocking items.

This isn’t the first time Airbnb has experimented with unique services for guests. They previously teamed up with Chargepoint, the electric car charging service, and offered guests discounts on EV chargers.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im