Engadget News + Next Anthropic launches Claude Cowork, a version of its coding AI for regular people
Jan 19, 2026
The show dives into Anthropic's new Claude Cowork, designed to simplify tasks for everyday users by automating file organization and more. Listeners learn how it can convert receipts to spreadsheets and navigate websites efficiently. The discussion also highlights the privacy considerations and limits of the AI's capabilities, ensuring users understand the risks. Additionally, details on claiming a $20 credit from Verizon for a recent service outage provide practical tips for listeners.
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Verizon's Small Credit After Outage
- Verizon offered a $20 credit after a massive outage that prompted over 1.5 million reports to DownDetector.
- Customers must redeem the credit in the My Verizon app and expect it in one or two billing cycles.
Claude Cowork Brings Agent Power To Everyone
- Anthropic released Claude Cowork to let non-developers grant Claude controlled access to folders and perform file tasks.
- The feature can read, edit, create files, and navigate websites with a Chrome plugin and connectors.
Grant Access Carefully And Give Clear Instructions
- Be cautious when granting Claude file access because it can perform destructive actions like deleting important files.
- Give very clear instructions to reduce misinterpretation and the risk of harmful changes.