Airbnb is adding AI, hotel bookings, and social features in its biggest app overhaul in years

Airbnb is becoming Airb-n-bigger. In an attempt to become what is something of an all-encompassing trip platform, Airbnb announced several new features and offerings on Wednesday, including a redesigned homepage, new service categories (such as airport pickups, grocery-delivery options, luggage-storage, and car rentals, along with new experiences), and even the ability to book rooms at boutique or independent hotels. That’s right: the company that built a name for itself offering alternatives to hotels is now folding some of them into its platform. Airbnb inflates The new features are wide-ranging, and users can even take advantage of social elements , like the ability to add friends or family members as connections to see their previous itineraries. There’s a new AI assistant feature, too, and later this year, the platform will incorporate a travel map, which will allow users to see nearby points of interest, among other things. In all, Airbnb is making it easy to plan an entire trip