WhatsApp adds new media reply feature

Google rarely makes changes to the homepage of its search engine. So, whenever the company makes such a change, it is considered significant. In fact, a seemingly small but important update is being tested on the page where users conduct online searches through Google. According to a report by Android Authority, Google has been continuously introducing features based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology for its users. Now, the company is testing an AI-based change to its search homepage with the redesigned homepage being tested among a limited number of users. Google has replaced the traditional Google Search button with shortcuts to several AI-powered features. The new version of the Google Search homepage has been spotted by a limited number of users. Instead of the traditional Google Search button, three AI feature buttons are displayed: Create Images, Ask About Files and Brainstorm. According to the report, the new design was seen by some users who visited the Google homepage without signing in. By clicking the Create button, users can generate images using Nano Banana. The Ask About Files option allows users to upload files and ask questions about them while Brainstorm enables users to discuss a topic with Google. Google Search Vice President Robbie Stein confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the change is being tested among a limited number of users. According to him, replacing the Google Search button will not affect the basic search functionality. It is currently difficult to say when the redesigned homepage will be rolled out to all users.

Facebook, the world’s most popular social media platform is set to undergo a major transformation that will significantly change how people use the app. Meta has announced a new “Reimagined Experience” for Facebook which is expected to fundamentally reshape the platform. The company is essentially moving Facebook toward a more TikTok-like experience. Under the new design, users will see a full-screen video feed as soon as they open the Facebook app. According to Meta, this change reflects what users want most as video content has become the platform’s highest priority. The company said it aims to provide an experience that is both entertaining and helps users discover content from trusted creators. However, users who do not like the new interface will have the option to switch back to the classic Facebook feed which will remain available as a secondary tab in the app’s navigation. Meta plans to roll out the video-first feed later this year initially in selected countries where users consume more video content. Interestingly, TikTok was the first platform to popularize this type of full-screen video feed and Meta now appears to be adopting a similar approach for Facebook. The company has not yet released any screenshots or images of the new interface.

Google has announced a major change to its cloud storage policy ending a long-standing free benefit for Google account users. Almost every internet user today relies on a Google account which comes with limited cloud storage. When users approach their storage limit, Google typically recommends upgrading to a paid plan for additional space. Until now, a user’s Google storage quota included Google Photos media files, Google Drive files and Gmail emails. Under the new policy, however, Android phone backup data will also count toward the account’s storage limit. Google informed users of the change through email giving them 45 days notice before the new policy takes effect. Once implemented, Android backup data including system settings, app data, SMS messages and call history will be included in the storage quota of a Google account. The company said the advance notice is intended to give users enough time to manage their storage or adjust their backup settings before the policy is enforced. Previously, only certain Android content, such as Google Photos uploads and MMS messages counted toward storage usage. Under the updated policy, complete Android backups are expected to consume a much larger portion of users available cloud storage. Google warned that if Android backups cause users to exceed their storage limit, they will either need to free up space in their Google account or subscribe to a paid Google storage plan for additional capacity. A Google spokesperson previously said that the average Android backup is expected to use around 40 MB of storage. The company also noted that users will have greater control over which data and apps are included in their backups. This marks another change to Google’s account storage policies. Earlier, in May 2026, the company began testing a reduction in free storage for new Google accounts lowering the limit from 15 GB to 5 GB.

YouTube has introduced a new feature that users have been requesting for a long time. The platform has launched new tools that make it easier for creators to edit and customize the thumbnails of their videos. However, the feature is currently available only to users who are part of the YouTube Partner Program those who earn money from their videos. Eligible creators can now upload custom thumbnail images for their YouTube Shorts. This will allow their short videos to attract more viewers by displaying more eye-catching thumbnails. Creators will also be able to change the thumbnails of their previously uploaded Shorts by using YouTube Studio on a desktop or laptop computer. According to YouTube, the feature will be expanded to more users in the near future. On desktop, creators will be able to choose one of three suggested video frames as the thumbnail. This option has long been available for regular videos and is now being extended to Shorts. On the mobile app, users will continue to be able to select any frame from the video as the thumbnail. YouTube also said that the suggested thumbnails will be generated based on the video’s theme and overall style.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT has acknowledged that two of its most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models successfully hacked another company’s systems on their own during an internal cybersecurity evaluation. In a blog post, OpenAI described the incident as unprecedented saying it occurred during internal testing of the cybersecurity capabilities of its AI models. According to the company, an autonomous AI agent powered by its recently introduced GPT-5.6 Sol model and another advanced model that has not yet been publicly released managed to move beyond its controlled testing environment and access the open internet. The AI agent then used previously compromised login credentials to identify a previously unknown security vulnerability on the servers of AI company Hugging Face. It subsequently exploited the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access. OpenAI said the incident demonstrated that autonomous AI agents can go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish their assigned objectives during testing. Commenting on the incident, Clément Delangue, co-founder of Hugging Face said the company initially suspected that a frontier AI laboratory was behind the cyberattack adding that it did not believe OpenAI had any malicious intent. He said, “It is mind-blowing that an AI agent carried this out autonomously. This is the first known incident of its kind.” Delangue also warned that AI technology is advancing at an extremely rapid pace while comprehensive regulations to ensure its safe development and deployment are still lacking. Experts have long expressed concerns about AI-powered cyberattacks warning that increasingly capable AI models could eventually operate beyond meaningful human control if appropriate safeguards and regulations are not put in place.