YouTube launches thumbnail editing tool for Shorts

If you use Google Maps and notice that your smartphone’s battery is about to die, you probably know how frustrating that situation can be. However, this problem may soon be resolved. According to a report by Android Authority, Google is working on a new feature called Power Saving Mode for Google Maps. The purpose of this feature is to allow Google Maps to continue working for a longer period even when the phone’s battery is close to running out. The feature was spotted in a new beta version of the Google Maps app for Android devices. According to the report, when users switch to this power-saving mode, the colourful user interface of Google Maps will change into a simple black-and-white view. Several details on Google Maps will disappear leaving only essential navigation information such as the next turn and the remaining travel time. The report further stated that the screen will switch to a monochrome display in this mode. Street names and traffic colors will disappear while the amount of on-screen text will also be reduced to help extend battery life. The process of switching to Power Saving Mode is also somewhat unusual. According to the report, the mode can be activated by pressing the phone’s physical power button while Google Maps is in navigation mode. Google has not yet officially announced the Power Saving Mode feature. Therefore, it is difficult to say when the feature will officially become available to all users. For now, the feature remains hidden in the beta code and Google may make further changes to it before its official release.

Instagram has introduced a new “Replace Audio” feature that allows users to change the music in their previously published feed posts. In a statement, Meta said the new update enables users to replace the soundtrack of an existing post without affecting its likes, comments, shares or overall reach. The company explained that the feature was designed to give users greater control over content they have already shared. Previously, users who wanted to change the background music of an old Instagram post had to delete the post and upload it again. With the new feature, they can simply replace the audio while keeping the original post intact. To use the feature, users need to open a previously published post, tap the menu in the top-right corner and select “Edit.” They will then see an option to replace the existing audio. Meta said the rollout of the feature has already begun and it will be made available to all Instagram users in the near future.

Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) app Gemini has surpassed one billion users. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the milestone in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He said Gemini has become Google’s fastest-growing service to reach the milestone of more than one billion users. With this achievement, Google Gemini has become the second-most popular AI assistant after ChatGPT. Sundar Pichai also hinted that more updates related to Gemini are being planned and will be announced soon. He said that one billion people use the Gemini app every month making it the 14th Google service to reach one billion users. ChatGPT reached the same milestone in June 2026 while Gemini achieved it within about two and a half years. Google introduced the app in early 2024. Google’s Android operating system may have contributed significantly to Gemini’s rapid growth as the AI assistant is available as the default assistant on many smartphones. Despite Gemini’s impressive growth, Google continues to face strong competition from OpenAI and Anthropic.

Google Maps is a highly useful navigation app. Although users may occasionally encounter some issues, it generally provides accurate directions for most routes. Over the years, Google Maps has undergone many changes and received several new features to improve the user experience. One of its most prominent features is the use of different colours to indicate traffic conditions. Google Maps uses various visual indicators to show different types of roads, highways, underground tunnels, railway tracks and other features. At the same time, specific colours are used to help drivers understand the traffic situation in a particular area. Basic colours on Google Maps Roads and highways are generally displayed as gray lines. There are some differences, however. Light gray is used for streets and smaller roads while dark gray is used for major roads. Railway lines are also shown in light gray but they are represented by thin lines so users can identify them as train tracks. When it comes to traffic conditions, users can turn on the traffic layer through the Layers button in Google Maps. Green indicates that traffic is moving smoothly and that there is little or no congestion. Yellow and orange indicate that vehicles are moving but at slower-than-normal speeds meaning you may experience some delays. Yellow indicates slightly heavier traffic while orange indicates more significant congestion. Red is primarily a warning colour indicating heavy traffic in an area and potentially longer travel times. It may mean that you could encounter a traffic jam. Light red indicates heavy traffic while dark red signals very heavy traffic or significant congestion. Blue is not related to traffic. Instead, it indicates route guidance. Dark blue is used for the preferred or selected route while light blue is used to show alternative routes.