On Tuesday, HBO Max launched two new AI-powered mobile features in the United States, including a TikTok-style vertical video feed called “HBO Max Shorts,” aiming to revolutionize how users discover new movies and TV shows on their smartphones, the streamer said on Tuesday.
How ‘HBO Max Shorts’ Changes Content Discovery
The new vertical video feature, dubbed HBO Max Shorts, is specifically designed to make finding your next binge-watch much easier. Currently, the platform is testing this tool with a select group of iPhone users in the US. However, according to the official press release, plans are already underway to expand the feature to more devices, international markets, and even introduce a dedicated sports shorts category.
For users who currently have access to the beta test, a new Shorts icon has appeared in the navigation menu at the bottom of the mobile app. Tapping this icon allows users to seamlessly swipe through trailers, exclusive clips, and bonus promotional content.
By leveraging your unique viewing history, HBO Max customizes this vertical feed to match your personal tastes. If a particular clip catches your attention, you can instantly start watching the full movie or series, add the title to your “My List” queue for later, or simply swipe up to keep browsing.
The AI Tech Behind the Vertical Feed
Unlike competitors like Netflix and Disney Plus, which have also introduced vertical feeds to drive engagement toward their long-form catalogs, HBO Max Shorts does not feature standalone original programming. Instead, it serves as a highly optimized gateway to existing content.
To generate these short-form clips, HBO Max is utilizing an innovative in-house AI tool. This technology assists human editors by scanning through thousands of hours of video library footage to identify and extract the most engaging, high-impact scenes—a process the company refers to as “verticalizing” content.
“We’re thrilled to launch this application of AI to accelerate the creation of these clips and look forward to quickly expanding to make even more of our amazing content offering discoverable through this new feature,” stated Deepna Devkar, HBO Max’s Senior Vice President of Machine Learning Engineering.
Introducing ‘Ask HBO Max’ Conversational Search
In addition to the vertical feed, the streaming giant is testing a second AI-driven feature called “Ask HBO Max.” This conversational search tool allows subscribers to find content using natural language queries. Instead of typing specific titles, users can input intuitive prompts like “in the mood for a comedy” or ask for the “best movie for a girls’ night in.”
Much like the Shorts feature, Ask HBO Max is currently in its initial testing phase, with plans to roll out to a broader audience across more devices and global markets in the near future.