Streets Ahead: Microsoft New Agentic Tools, Apple Maps Recommendations
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Microsoft unveiling over 50 new AI agentic web tools and Apple Maps adding curated recommendations.
Microsoft Adds New AI Agentic Web Tools
The News At its Build 2025 conference, Microsoft outlined a sweeping strategy to lead the evolution of the “open agentic web,” unveiling more than 50 new AI tools and platforms. These innovations—spanning GitHub, Azure, Windows, and Microsoft 365—are designed to help developers build autonomous AI agents that can make decisions and complete complex tasks with little to no human input.
Unlike traditional AI, which mainly responds to commands, Microsoft’s vision centers on proactive AI agents that initiate actions, collaborate with other systems, and manage workflows independently. It’s a fundamental shift in how AI operates—moving from reactive tools to intelligent, self-directed systems.
Key to this shift is the integration of memory-enhancing technologies like structured Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), enabling agents to better understand context, retain information, and act more effectively. This leap in capability is essential for building AI systems that are not only autonomous, but deeply aligned with user intent.
Why This Matters Businesses and developers now have access to Microsoft’s robust and expansive AI toolkit, enabling them to build and deploy autonomous systems that significantly enhance both innovation and operational efficiency. This strategic move not only empowers enterprises to stay ahead in the AI-driven economy but also solidifies Microsoft as a leader at the center of the emerging agentic AI ecosystem—where intelligent agents act independently to deliver real-world impact.
Apple Maps Adds Curated Recommendations
The News Apple Maps has upgraded its local search experience by incorporating curated content from trusted sources like the MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation, and Golf Digest. U.S. users can now filter restaurant searches by Michelin ratings, making it easier to find top-tier dining options. Michelin’s content also includes hotel recommendations, complete with Michelin Key ratings for high-quality accommodations.
The Infatuation adds breadth to this feature, offering curated suggestions across a wider range of dining experiences to suit various tastes. For golf enthusiasts, Apple Maps now features Golf Digest insights, enabling users to locate and filter highly rated courses—bringing premium recreational options into the fold.
These additions reflect Apple’s broader strategy to position Maps as a go-to destination for discovering high-quality experiences. By blending expert curation with Apple’s own data, the company is not only enriching the user experience but also signaling its intent to compete more directly in the local search and discovery space.
Why This Matters To boost visibility and stay competitive, local businesses and marketers should proactively manage their listings via Apple Business Connect—especially as curated recommendations play a growing role in shaping consumer choices.
For more about Agentic AI and the future of Listings, please join us at Street Fight LIVE 2025 on September 30th at Microsoft’s Playa Vista (Los Angeles) HQ.
