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ZDNET Highlights
- Cloud AI lets you connect to many third-party services.
- TripAdvisor, AllTrails, and Spotify are among the newest connectors.
- I used the cloud and its connectors to plan an upcoming hiking trip.
My wife and I love to travel, and I often use AI to help us plan trips. Typically, I ask the chatbot to recommend local hotels and attractions. Although I’ve typically turned to ChatGPT and Gemini for this type of planning, another AI I’ve been using more frequently is Anthropix Cloud. To assist with some requests, the cloud provides a feature called Connectors, through which you connect and work with third-party services.
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Introduced in July 2025, Cloud Connectors debuted with external services like Gmail, Slack, and Canva. Since then, AI has added additional services, mostly aimed at work and finance-related activities. But on Thursday, Claude 15 new connectors unveiledMany of them were directed more towards personal work. These include AllTrails, Audible, Instacart, Spotify, StubHub, TripAdvisor, and Uber, among others.
A few new things caught my attention, as I thought they might help with travel planning. In this case, my wife and I want to go to the Adirondacks this summer to hike and enjoy the area. With this in mind, I used some of the new cloud connectors to see how they could map our journey.
How to use connectors in the cloud
Connectors are available with all cloud plans – free and paid. You can use them here cloud website or through any of desktop or mobile apps.
To get started, sign in to the Cloud website or one of the apps and start a new chat. Click the plus icon in the prompt, go to Connectors, and then select “Add Connector” from the menu. In the Connectors directory, you can search for a specific service, filter the list by type, or sort it by name or another attribute. Simply click on the plus icon for the one you want to add. You will then return to the main chat window.
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To use a connector in a new chat, simply type your prompt as you normally would, and the cloud will try to determine which connector to use. If that doesn’t work, include the connector name in your request.
How I planned my trip with Connectors
To plan my trip, I connected TripAdvisor for hotels, AllTrails for hiking trails, Viator for guided tours, and Spotify to pass the time on the drive by playing my favorite music.
First, I consulted TripAdvisor for places to stay. On cue, I asked Claude to find me hotel rooms near Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks, where we planned to hike. Here, the AI asked me if I wanted to use Booking.com or TripAdvisor for assistance. I chose TripAdvisor.
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In response, the cloud displayed a map and descriptions for 15 different hotels. Each entry showed me the name of the hotel, the number of stars it received, and the average price. Clicking on a specific hotel name gave me more information. From there, I could book a hotel room through TripAdvisor.
Second, I started a new conversation and asked Claude to find and map hiking trails around Mount Marcy. Here, the cloud automatically turned to the AllTrails connector I added. The response showed me the names and descriptions of several routes in the area. Selecting a specific route displays a larger map and more details. From there, I can save the map directly into the AllTrails app to archive it for our trip.
Third, I wanted to see if there were any guided hikes or tours in the area. For this, I contacted a tour company called Viator, which my wife and I have used many times before. On a new chat prompt, I asked Claude to show me any guided hikes or tours in the Adirondacks, including but not limited to the Mount Marcy area.
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Claude initially looked on the web for information but then consulted Viator. No guided tours appeared on the list based solely on Viator’s offerings. The AI then consulted local licensed guide services and came up with several options that matched our needs.
Finally, I wanted to create a few playlists of songs that we could listen to on our long drives to the Adirondacks. Here, I specifically asked Claude to use Spotify and create a playlist of classic rock music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s for a long car trip. After submitting the prompt, I need to sign in and link it to my Spotify account.
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After this Cloud prepared several playlists. From the chat screen, I could preview each playlist and add it to my Spotify library. Clicking on a specific playlist took me to Spotify, where I could preview all the songs and manage the list. To fully utilize this feature, you need a Spotify Premium account.
Why I love Cloud AI?
Cloud AI and its interactive connectors definitely helped us plan and map our upcoming trip. ChatGPT offers similar capabilities with access to apps like Booking.com, Coursera, Expedia, and Zillow. But I like the range of services available through the cloud, especially for trip planning, and I’ll use it the next time my wife and I want to go somewhere.
