New Claude features signal major update ahead of Amazon’s February 26 event

Anthropic is preparing for its upcoming releases, focusing on new reasoning features and web search capabilities that will be available on both web and mobile platforms. These updates are expected to coincide with the potential launch of new models. It is important to note that these new features will require a different model, as the existing Claude 3.5 Sonnet does not support them. Users are also eagerly anticipating the release of Claude Opus, which is expected soon.

In the latest update of the iOS app, several new features have been identified. The Analysis tool is now available in beta, enabling Claude to execute code, build charts, and analyze uploaded data. Additionally, the previous Artifacts toggle has been moved under the Tools menu, which now includes options for both Analysis and Artifacts. Another visible change is the introduction of the Tool Selector in the Prompt Composer, positioned next to the Style Selector, providing users with more flexibility when crafting prompts.

Besides these visible changes, there are also hidden updates within the app. A new toggle for Web Search, labeled as beta, has been added to the Tools menu. Although it is currently non-functional, the tooltip indicates that it will allow Claude to search the internet for up-to-date responses and perform deeper research. Free accounts now feature a new upsell for the Pro Plan, displayed as a disabled toggle labeled “Use Extended Thinking.” This feature aligns with previous indications that Anthropic is working on enhanced reasoning capabilities. Moreover, new icons such as Thinking, Stairs, and Magnifier have been added to the iOS app build, suggesting upcoming functionalities.

While these features are not yet available to users, they are expected to be launched soon, likely in conjunction with the release of a new model. This aligns with the broader strategy of enhancing Claude’s capabilities and expanding its feature set.

Looking ahead, Amazon is set to host an event on February 26th, which could highlight its partnership with Anthropic. There is speculation that Amazon will announce an improved version of Amazon Alexa, potentially powered by Claude models. Additionally, it is possible that Amazon will present new models or a deeper collaboration with Anthropic during this event. While Anthropic’s announcement could occur earlier—either this week or next—the timing suggests a coordinated effort with Amazon’s event on February 26th.