Rather than downloading yet another app, a growing number of AI agents can simply be texted like an ordinary contact. You send them what you need, and they remember context, connect to the apps and services you already use, and complete tasks on your behalf—scheduling an appointment, organizing a calendar, researching a trip, sending an email, making a reservation, shopping online, or reminding you about something days later.
Instinct is currently one of the buzziest agents in this space, thanks to its $10 billion valuation following a $1 billion funding round. But it is far from alone. Below are the most notable text-based AI agents so far, spanning general-purpose personal assistants as well as agents built for families, travel, and work.
Caddy
Caddy is an AI assistant that turns the information scattered across your phone into things you can actually act on. It lives in iMessage for iPhone users and RCS for Android users, so there is no separate app or inbox to constantly check.
For example, an email might contain an appointment that needs to be added to your calendar, or a friend might send a list of things to pick up. Instead of letting those details get buried, Caddy connects to your calendars and conversations, then identifies items that may require action. It can add events to your calendar, set reminders, keep track of follow-ups, and even do research for you.
Caddy has been available in public beta since April 2026.
Comma
Comma is another text-native AI agent worth watching. Like Caddy, it operates inside your existing messaging threads rather than forcing you into a new interface, and it is designed to handle the kinds of everyday coordination tasks that tend to pile up in a phone—turning scattered messages, reminders, and requests into completed actions.
via TechCrunch AI