HBO Max is adopting TikTok's most effective strategy to assist you in discovering something to watch.

      The app now features a TikTok-style vertical feed.

      HBO Max

      Streaming platforms face a significant issue with content discovery: many users are turning to TikTok for viewing recommendations instead. In response, HBO Max has decided to incorporate a similar endless scrolling experience into its app.

      So, what is HBO Max Shorts?

      HBO Max Shorts is a fresh vertical, scrollable feed that showcases iconic and memorable scenes from the service’s content library. Users can access it by tapping a dedicated “Shorts” icon located in the bottom navigation menu.

      Digital Trends

      This feed includes trailers, clips, and additional content personalized based on your viewing history. If something piques your interest while scrolling, you can immediately dive into the full episode or film or add it to your “My List” without exiting the feed.

      Currently, this feature is being rolled out to select iOS users in the United States, with plans for broader device and market availability in the future.

      In the background, an internal AI tool analyzes scene-level metadata from thousands of hours of HBO Max content to identify impactful moments. Nonetheless, human editors retain the final decision on which impressive scenes and plot twists are included.

      What other innovations is HBO Max exploring concurrently?

      In addition to this, an experimental conversational search feature titled “Ask HBO Max” is also launching today, starting on Android and limited to adult users in the US.

      Collabstr / Unsplash

      Instead of focusing solely on exact keywords, it interprets user intent through natural language, allowing phrases like “dysfunctional family drama” or “best movie for a girls' night in” to yield relevant recommendations. This is one of the most notable updates the platform has seen in quite some time.

      HBO Max product executive Liesel Kipp states that both new tools are designed to align with existing user habits, such as browsing short clips and casually asking questions—now specifically tailored to HBO Max’s own content library.

      For years, streaming services have noted that users often discover content on TikTok before even accessing their app. HBO Max has evidently concluded that incorporating that scrolling behavior into its platform is more effective than continually losing viewers to another app and its algorithms.

      For over five years, Shikhar has actively simplified consumer tech developments and conveyed them…

      Sony is set to unveil two new budget-friendly headphones with increased color variety.

      Sony's upcoming headphones were leaked before the official announcement.

      Sony seems to be preparing an update for two of its affordable headphone lines, as recent import documents reveal potential successors to the WH-CH720N and WH-CH520. While the company has not yet made a formal statement, these filings give an initial glimpse at the model names and possible color choices, hinting that Sony's entry-level audio lineup may soon experience its first significant update in years. This leak follows reports indicating that Sony is also developing a new color variation for its flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones. However, this time, the focus is on products that target a much wider audience, where affordability is just as important as features.

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      TCL has created a 22-speaker soundbar to transform living rooms into movie theaters, but it’s not being released in the US.

      Here's an overview of TCL's new flagship Q95K soundbar, which features Bang & Olufsen tuning and 360-degree audio technology.

      Based on my experience with various soundbars, most claims of "360-degree audio" are typically marketing exaggerations. However, TCL's new flagship may indeed have the necessary hardware to substantiate that claim this time.

      The Q95K is TCL's flagship soundbar, designed with an 11.1.4 channel Hi-Fi setup and fine-tuned in partnership with Bang & Olufsen. It feels like a serious endeavor to compete with high-end home theater systems.

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      Lenovo introduces Bose-tuned Yoga headphones to the US at an affordable price.

      Lenovo has launched a Bose-tuned headset priced just under $200, targeting users who are fans of the Yoga laptop series.

      Entering the competitive noise-canceling headphone market, Lenovo offers the Headphone Yoga PC Edition, priced a penny below $200. These headphones feature Bose-tuned audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), and a design that matches the company’s Yoga laptops.

      Initially unveiled at CES 2026, the Cosmic Blue variant is now available directly from Lenovo in the US. While designed to pair with Yoga PCs, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and a 3.5mm input ensure compatibility with other smartphones, tablets, and computers.

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