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All the AI agents that can live in your text messages
Confirmed
In Short: Poke, an AI assistant, becomes the first third-party agent approved for Apple's Messages for Business platform.
Poke, an AI assistant launched in March 2026, has become the first third-party AI agent approved for Apple's Messages for Business platform, according to Memeburn.
Poke's integration into Apple's platform marks a significant milestone in the evolution of conversational AI, as it allows users to interact with AI agents directly through text messages.
The AI agent, which operates like a personal assistant, can remember context, connect to existing apps and services, and complete tasks on behalf of users.
Poke had to meet stringent requirements set by Apple, including clear identification as an AI agent, availability of live support, and adherence to Apple's interface guidelines.
Scott Wu, an early investor in Interaction, noted that Poke has already relayed over 100 million messages across various platforms.
Cognition, the company behind Poke, highlighted the significance of this approval, stating that it opens up one of the hardest consumer surfaces to reach: Apple Messages.
In comparison, Meta's fees for third-party agents on WhatsApp are notably higher, reflecting the competitive landscape in the AI messaging space.
DoorDash is also entering this space with its own AI agent, which can take orders by text message, remember repeat orders, and even round up group orders.
The shift towards AI agents embedded in text messages represents a major evolution in how people interact with artificial intelligence, making it as simple as sending a text.
However, concerns about privacy and data security remain as these AI agents become more integrated into everyday communication.
Poke's success signals a growing trend of AI agents moving beyond dedicated apps and into the most basic communication tool: text messages.
The company's focus on quality and trust is evident in its approach to user interaction and interface design.
What this adds
The approval process highlights the stringent requirements set by Apple for third-party AI agents.
What's confirmed
- Poke, an AI assistant launched in March 2026, has become the first third-party AI agent approved for Apple's Messages for Business platform, according to Memeburn.
- Poke's integration into Apple's platform marks a significant milestone in the evolution of conversational AI, as it allows users to interact with AI agents directly through text messages.
- The AI agent, which operates like a personal assistant, can remember context, connect to existing apps and services, and complete tasks on behalf of users.
- Poke had to meet stringent requirements set by Apple, including clear identification as an AI agent, availability of live support, and adherence to Apple's interface guidelines.
- Scott Wu, an early investor in Interaction, noted that Poke has already relayed over 100 million messages across various platforms.
- Cognition, the company behind Poke, highlighted the significance of this approval, stating that it opens up one of the hardest consumer surfaces to reach: Apple Messages.
- In comparison, Meta's fees for third-party agents on WhatsApp are notably higher, reflecting the competitive landscape in the AI messaging space.
- DoorDash is also entering this space with its own AI agent, which can take orders by text message, remember repeat orders, and even round up group orders.
- The shift towards AI agents embedded in text messages represents a major evolution in how people interact with artificial intelligence, making it as simple as sending a text.
- However, concerns about privacy and data security remain as these AI agents become more integrated into everyday communication.
- Poke's success signals a growing trend of AI agents moving beyond dedicated apps and into the most basic communication tool: text messages.
- The company's focus on quality and trust is evident in its approach to user interaction and interface design.
What's still developing
- Cognition's own announcement said people have exchanged more than 100 million messages with Poke in the last three months, and Scott Wu wrote that he and Walden were early angel investors in Interaction.
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- Rather than downloading another app, a growing number of agents can simply be texted like an ordinary person.
- While Instinct is one of the buzziest AI agents at present, thanks to its $10 billion valuation after its latest funding round of $1 billion, there are many others also making a play for this space.
- Below are some of the most notable options so far, from general-purpose personal assistants to agents designed for families, travel, and work.
- Caddy is an AI assistant that turns the information scattered across your phone into things you can actually act on.
- For instance, an email contains an appointment that needs to be added to your calendar or a friend sends a list of things to pick up.
- Instead of worrying about all the details getting buried, Caddy connects to your calendars and conversations, then identifies things that may require action.
- It can add events to your calendar, set reminders, keep track of follow-ups, and even do research for you.
- DoorDash wants you to ditch the app and start texting your orders.
- The delivery app’s new AI agent remembers your go-to orders, hunts for deals and can even round up the group lunch order.