Starting 2026 With Better Systems | Austin's AI Newsletter

Hey friends,
Austin here.

First of all, Happy New Year 🎉
Hope you had a great reset and are starting 2026 feeling clear and energized.

Quick pulse check as we move deeper into the year.

This one already feels different in a good way.
Less noise. More leverage.
Less trying everything. More building things that actually compound.

This week’s newsletter is really about control. Control over your data. Control over your content. Control over your tools. And control over your time.

Let’s get into it.

In This Week’s Issue

Breaking News: California Just Gave People a “Delete My Data” Button
Syllaby: In Case You Missed It — Pick the Right AI Image Model
Austin’s Book: VIRALITY in the Wild (And It’s Working)
This Week in AI: Better Meetings, Habit Tracking, and Why AI Still Matters IRL
Top AI Tools: If You’re Upgrading Your Life in 2026, Start With These AI Tools
This Is a Meme. And a Lifestyle Choice.

Breaking News: California Just Gave People a “Delete My Data” Button

Big privacy move this week, and it’s overdue.

California just launched a new tool that lets residents demand data brokers delete their personal information in one shot. No chasing down dozens of sketchy companies. No endless opt-out forms.

One request. Sent everywhere.

What’s changing:
• A single verified request goes to hundreds of data brokers
• No more guessing who has your info, or how to reach them
• Brokers are legally required to comply (or face penalties)

Why this matters:
Your data has been bought, sold, and reshuffled for years, usually without you realizing it. This is one of the first real tools that gives regular people leverage instead of paperwork.

It’s not perfect. It’s not instant.
But it is a real step toward users having control again.

And if you’re a creator, founder, or professional?
Less exposed data = fewer risks, fewer surprises, more peace of mind.

Sponsored by Syllaby

In Case You Missed It, Pick the Right AI Image Model

Quick heads-up if you haven’t noticed yet 👀
Syllaby now gives you three AI image models, and choosing the right one makes a big difference in how your videos turn out.

Here’s the simple cheat sheet:

1. HyperFlux 16-Step (Default)
   Fast, reliable, and consistent. Ideal for daily faceless Shorts, Reels, and bulk content.

2. Seedream 4.0
   More detail, better depth. Best for storytelling, YouTube Shorts, and polished visuals.

3. Nano Banana (Pro)
   Top-tier, cinematic quality. Use this for ads, hero videos, and content that needs to stop the scroll.

Quick rule of thumb:
Speed → HyperFlux
Quality → Seedream
Impact → Nano Banana

Small choice. Big difference in results (and credits).

This Week in AI: Better Meetings, Habit Tracking, and Why AI Still Matters IRL

1. Plaud’s AI Pin + Desktop Notetaker Redefine Productivity

Plaud just made meeting notes way easier.

The Plaud NotePin S, a wearable recorder with a physical highlight button, now works with a brand-new desktop app that listens to Zoom, Meet, Teams, and automatically captures transcripts and AI-organized notes. You can wear the pin, hit the button, and get high-quality audio + summaries without juggling tools. 

This pairs physical capture with digital workflows, meaning no more frantic typing or messy meeting minutes for busy creators or founders.

👉 Read more

2. Drylendar — Track Habits With a Motivating Calendar

Need a little structure in 2026? Drylendar turns your drinking habits into a visual calendar, helping you see patterns, celebrate sober streaks, and stay motivated day after day. 

Key perks:
• Color-coded calendar tracking
• Streaks + milestone celebrations
• Optional reminders
• Share calendars with friends for accountability

Whether you’re doing Dry January, cutting back, or just curious — this turns habit tracking into something actually motivating instead of boring.

👉 Download Drylendar

3. Subtle’s New AI-Fueled Earbuds — Noise Cancelation That Actually Listens

Subtle just released earbuds with next-level noise cancellation that doesn’t just block sound — it models and understands it. The result? More intelligent filtering, adaptive silence, and a smarter listening experience that’s less “static cancel” and more context aware.

👉 Read more

Top AI Tools of the Week - If You’re Upgrading Your Life in 2026, Start With These AI Tools

1. Bibley: AI for Serious Scripture Study

If you’re tired of surface-level answers when studying the Bible, Bibley goes deeper.

It delivers verse context, sermon ideas, and breakdowns that actually make sense.

Think: a Bible scholar on demand, without the seminary bill.

👉Explore Bibley

2. FastRead: Turn Long Docs into Instant Clarity

Nobody has time to read 40-page PDFs.

FastRead cuts straight to the point by summarizing dense documents in seconds.

Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone drowning in information.

👉Try FastRead Now

3. FastPhoto: Scroll-Stopping Visuals, Zero Design Skills

Need great visuals without hiring a designer?

FastPhoto generates branded, high-quality images from a simple prompt.

No stock photo hunting. No design software. Just results.

👉 Create with FastPhoto

This Is a Meme. And a Lifestyle Choice.

When the group chat says “let’s go out”…
but passive income says “log into Syllaby.” 💻📈

That’s the theme I keep coming back to lately:

Less chaos.
More intention.
Better systems.

Whether it’s protecting your personal data, building faceless content that compounds, or choosing tools that actually earn their keep, the goal isn’t doing more in 2026.

It’s doing what works, consistently.

If this newsletter helped you think a little clearer or make one smarter decision this week, that’s a win in my book.

Appreciate you being here.
Let’s keep building the boring stuff that pays off later!

Stay awesome,
Austin Armstrong, CEO
Syllaby, Inc.