Apps Archives - Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng/category/tech/apps/ Tech | Business | Economy Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:29:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cropped-techeconomy-logo-32x32.jpeg Apps Archives - Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng/category/tech/apps/ 32 32 AI Fraud in 2026: How Windows, iPhone and Android Are Working to Verify Digital Content https://techeconomy.ng/ai-fraud-in-2026-how-windows-iphone-and-android-are-working-to-verify-digital-content/ https://techeconomy.ng/ai-fraud-in-2026-how-windows-iphone-and-android-are-working-to-verify-digital-content/#respond Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:29:48 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=185341 Artificial intelligence is making online fraud more convincing than ever. Across the world, cybercriminals are using AI to create fake identities, cloned voices, realistic images and manipulated videos that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine content. Today’s image-generation models can produce convincing identity cards, fake photos of family members, fabricated evidence and political propaganda […]

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Artificial intelligence is making online fraud more convincing than ever. Across the world, cybercriminals are using AI to create fake identities, cloned voices, realistic images and manipulated videos that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine content.

Today’s image-generation models can produce convincing identity cards, fake photos of family members, fabricated evidence and political propaganda within minutes.

As these tools become more accessible, concerns over misinformation, digital trust and AI-enabled fraud also increase.

To address this, technology companies are moving beyond traditional AI detection tools. Instead of relying solely on software that attempts to identify AI-generated content, operating system developers and chipmakers are building verification technologies directly into their platforms.

This approach differs from invisible watermarking systems such as Stable Signature or Google’s SynthID. Rather than depending only on hidden watermarks added to AI-generated files, these newer technologies allow operating systems and hardware to verify the origin and authenticity of supported content using cryptographic signatures and trusted provenance data.

In practical terms, your phone, computer or processor can help confirm where supported images, videos or documents came from and whether they have been edited or created using AI.

Android: Built-in Content Verification

Google is gradually expanding Android’s ability to verify digital content at the operating system level instead of leaving the task entirely to third-party applications.

As AI-generated images, videos and documents become more common, Android is being designed to support industry standards that record where digital content originated and whether it has been altered. This gives compatible apps a trusted way to verify content without creating separate verification systems.

Rather than analysing pixels to guess whether an image was generated by AI, Android focuses on reading Content Credentials and cryptographic signatures attached to supported files.

When an image or video includes verified provenance information, compatible Android apps can display details such as where the content originated, whether it has been edited and whether generative AI tools were involved in its creation.

Because this verification is handled by the operating system, it offers stronger protection than software-only approaches.

Apple: iPhone and Mac Verification

Apple is taking a similar direction through its Apple Intelligence platform and security architecture across iOS and macOS.

Instead of relying on AI models to detect manipulated media, Apple is focusing on preserving and verifying the history of supported files.

This is made possible through Content Credentials, an industry standard that stores cryptographically signed information about a file’s origin and editing history. When supported images or videos are opened on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, compatible applications can verify this information and indicate whether AI tools were used during creation or editing.

Because the verification process is backed by Apple’s secure hardware and software, it provides a higher level of trust than ordinary file metadata, which can be altered.

Windows 11: Verifying Authenticity

Microsoft is also strengthening content verification in Windows 11 through its support for Project Provenance and the Content Credentials standard.

Rather than introducing another AI detection tool, Microsoft is enabling Windows to verify digital content using trusted metadata and cryptographic signatures. This allows supported applications to confirm where media originated and whether it has been modified.

When compatible images or videos contain verified provenance information, Windows can validate that information through its built-in security features. Applications can then display details about the content’s origin, editing history and AI involvement without relying solely on AI detection systems.

Snapdragon and Intel: Security at the Chip Level

Content verification is also moving into computer hardware.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platforms and Intel’s latest processors include dedicated security components that establish a hardware “root of trust”. These secure environments store cryptographic keys and perform verification without exposing sensitive information to the rest of the system.

When an operating system or application needs to verify an image, video or document, it can use these hardware security features to confirm that digital signatures and Content Credentials are genuine. Since the process takes place inside protected hardware rather than standard software, it is significantly more difficult for malware or attackers to interfere with the verification process.

Google’s SynthID

Google’s SynthID remains one of the leading software-based approaches to identifying AI-generated content.

Unlike system-level verification, SynthID embeds an invisible watermark into AI-generated content, making it possible to determine whether supported images were created using Google’s AI models.

The technology currently supports content produced by Google’s AI tools, including Imagen, Veo and Nano Banana, while coverage continues to expand to video, audio and some text outputs.

Several technology companies, including OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Kakao and NVIDIA, have also adopted or integrated aspects of SynthID’s watermarking technology into parts of their services, helping broaden its adoption across the AI ecosystem.

The Bigger Picture

What AI can do keeps improving, so do the methods used by fraudsters to deceive people online.

The industry’s response is moving from software-only detection to a bigger trust framework that combines operating systems, processors, secure hardware and cryptographic verification.

These technologies will not eliminate AI-enabled fraud overnight. However, combining system-level verification with watermarking and trusted content credentials gives users a stronger way to assess whether digital content can be trusted before acting on it.

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WhatsApp Introduces Usernames, No Need to Share Your Phone Number Again https://techeconomy.ng/whatsapp-introduces-usernames-no-need-to-share-your-phone-number-again/ https://techeconomy.ng/whatsapp-introduces-usernames-no-need-to-share-your-phone-number-again/#respond Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:28:56 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=184433 WhatsApp has taken its most significant privacy step in years, one that could fundamentally change how its more than three billion users connect, communicate, and protect their personal information online. The Meta-owned messaging platform announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, the global rollout of username reservations, a feature that will allow users to create a […]

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WhatsApp has taken its most significant privacy step in years, one that could fundamentally change how its more than three billion users connect, communicate, and protect their personal information online.

The Meta-owned messaging platform announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, the global rollout of username reservations, a feature that will allow users to create a unique identifier for their WhatsApp account that others can use to contact them, without ever seeing or needing their phone number.

The feature addresses one of the most persistent friction points in digital communication: the discomfort of sharing a personal phone number with someone you have just met, barely know, or are not yet ready to trust with such direct access to your life.

“When someone new walks into your life, a classmate, a neighbour, someone you meet at an event, sharing a phone number can feel like a big step,” WhatsApp said in its announcement made available to Techeconomy. “That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.”

How it works

A WhatsApp username is a unique handle that users choose for themselves, one that does not have to match their identity on any other platform. Unlike social media handles on Instagram, X, or TikTok, a WhatsApp username is not discoverable through a public directory and will not appear in search suggestions.

The only way someone can contact you using your username is if they already know your exact username, a design choice that WhatsApp describes as a deliberate privacy safeguard rather than a social media growth mechanism.

For users who want an additional layer of protection, WhatsApp is introducing an optional username key, a secondary code that contacts will need to provide the first time they attempt to reach someone through their username.

The combination of a non-discoverable username and an optional access key creates what WhatsApp describes as two layers of protection for users who want maximum control over who can reach them.

Once the username feature is fully launched, users who enable it will no longer have their phone number visible to people they message for the first time, a change that meaningfully shifts the privacy architecture of one of the world’s most widely used communication platforms.

Why WhatsApp is acting now

The username announcement comes at a moment of heightened global attention to digital privacy, data protection, and the risks of personal information exposure on communication platforms.

WhatsApp Usernames
WhatsApp Usernames

For Nigerian users in particular, operating in an environment where phone number exposure has been linked to SIM swap fraud, financial scams, and unsolicited commercial contact, the ability to communicate without revealing a phone number carries practical safety value beyond the abstract privacy argument.

WhatsApp’s timing also reflects competitive pressure. Telegram has offered usernames since its early years, and the feature has been cited repeatedly as a reason users prefer the platform for certain kinds of group communication and public-facing interaction.

WhatsApp’s adoption of usernames, while designed with a deliberately more private architecture than Telegram’s public channel model, acknowledges that the phone number as the sole identifier for a platform of this scale has become an increasingly inadequate design.

What it means for group conversations

WhatsApp specifically called out group conversations as one of the primary use cases driving the feature’s development.

“You want to join the parent chat for the soccer team but you’re not ready to give your phone number to people you’ve never met,” the company said, a scenario that resonates across school associations, community groups, professional networks, and event-based conversations where users currently face the choice between privacy and participation.

With usernames, users will be able to join group conversations and interact with other members without exposing their phone numbers to the full group, a significant change for the millions of Nigerians who use WhatsApp for community and professional group communication.

Implications for businesses and creators

For small businesses, creators, and organisations, three categories that WhatsApp explicitly named in its announcement, the username feature opens a new channel for professional-grade communication without the personal boundary erosion that comes with sharing a business owner’s direct phone number.

WhatsApp has also provided a specific pathway for creators and businesses with established presences on Instagram or Facebook: an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp, ensuring brand consistency across Meta’s family of platforms.

That option positions WhatsApp usernames not merely as a privacy tool but as a professional identity infrastructure, particularly relevant for Nigeria’s rapidly growing creator economy and the millions of small businesses that already use WhatsApp as their primary customer communication channel.

How to reserve a username

Username reservations began rolling out globally on Monday, June 29, 2026. Users can reserve their preferred username now, ahead of the feature’s full in-app launch later in 2026, by visiting the WhatsApp username reservation page. WhatsApp has also built a username generator for users who want assistance selecting a handle.

Given that more than three billion people use WhatsApp globally, the platform has flagged name overlap as a significant challenge and is opening reservations early specifically to give users the opportunity to secure their preferred username before the feature launches.

Reservations will be made available gradually across countries, with users notified within the app when the option becomes available in their region.

To reserve a username once available, users should update to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigate to Settings, then Account, then Username.

For Nigeria’s three billion-strong global WhatsApp community, and for the millions of Nigerian users for whom the platform is not merely a messaging app but the primary infrastructure for business, community, and commerce, the username feature represents a meaningful expansion of what WhatsApp can do, and a long-overdue solution to the privacy cost of being reachable.

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Beyond Voice Assistants: TECNO’s New EllaClaw AI Agent Takes Mobile Intelligence to the Next Level https://techeconomy.ng/beyond-voice-assistants-tecnos-new-ellaclaw-ai-agent-takes-mobile-intelligence-to-the-next-level/ https://techeconomy.ng/beyond-voice-assistants-tecnos-new-ellaclaw-ai-agent-takes-mobile-intelligence-to-the-next-level/#respond Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:55:45 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=183946 From cross-app automation to system-level device optimization, TECNO EllaClaw explores how AI agents can deliver more practical, user-controlled, and intuitive mobile experiences.

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TECNO, the AI-driven innovative technology brand, today showcased the next stage of evolution for TECNO EllaClaw, its exploratory Beta-stage mobile AI agent designed to bring practical agentic AI into everyday mobile experiences.

As the mobile AI landscape shifts from reactive conversation to proactive agentic AI, TECNO EllaClaw reflects TECNO’s Practical AI vision to make advanced AI more useful, accessible, and relevant for users in emerging markets.

This latest evolution moves beyond system-level autonomy to introduce cross-app intelligence and foundational device management, optimizing mobile data, battery life, and storage, enabling the agent to handle a broader, more complex range of tasks on users’ behalf.

Operating as an advanced cloud-based agent, EllaClaw works efficiently in the background, simplifying complex workflows while strict permission safeguards keep users in full control.

TECNO EllaClaw Agentic AI

With TECNO EllaClaw, we are exploring how agentic AI can become genuinely practical in real mobile life,” said Jack Guo, general manager of TECNO. “Our goal is to create AI that helps simplify everyday tasks, reduce friction, and make advanced experiences more accessible, while ensuring transparency and user control remain central to the experience.”

One-Tap Phone Caretaker: System-Level Smarts for an Optimized Device

Powered by over 40+ Smart Skills, TECNO EllaClaw introduces deep system-level integration to act as a dedicated device caretaker. With simple prompts, EllaClaw can leverage features like Smart Clean Up Boost to resolve system lag by freeing up RAM and CPU resources, deploy Smart Power Drain Check to identify power-hungry apps to extend battery life, and provide Instant Cool-down Relief during high-demand tasks by optimizing background activity.

Furthermore, for users in emerging markets, Smart Data Guardian adds further everyday value by monitoring mobile data consumption against personal usage habits, helping reduce data anxiety.

To balance this deep intelligence with absolute user control, EllaClaw follows a confirmation-first approach for major system adjustments, keeping users in the loop before key actions are completed.

TECNO EllaClaw Agentic AI
TECNO EllaClaw | Agentic AI

Proactive AI That Makes Every Day Easier

Further realizing its potential as an intuitive digital companion, EllaClaw combines system-level intelligence with persistent memory to safely learn user habits and preferences over time.

This allows the agent to support recurring everyday needs, from thoughtful morning briefings that integrate calendars, itineraries, weather, and curated news, to acting as a Trip Prep Assistant that arranges rides, sets departure alarms, and organizes schedules into clearer, more actionable insights.

EllaClaw can also help users stay connected with loved ones, monitor real-time weather changes, and deliver eminders to reach out to family members or partners, adding a more human dimension to practical mobile AI.

4-Gif-trip pre assistant
Trip assistant

Cross-App Intelligence That Bridges Digital Divides

A key breakthrough of the upgraded EllaClaw lies in its ability to bridge different software ecosystems securely. With opt-in access, EllaClaw can interact with third-party app categories, including shopping, transportation, food delivery, and smart home. Unlike a black-box AI, it uses non-intrusive GUI comprehension to navigate apps in a visible, human-like way, so users can follow each step and remain in control.

With this secure foundation, EllaClaw can support One-Sentence Ride Hailing through natural conversation, Device Status Monitor for connected smart home routines, and Shopping Buddy that intuitively finds the best product options within e-commerce apps like Lazada.

Smart ride hailing |  TECNO EllaClaw Agentic AI
Smart ride hailing

While currently an exploratory concept undergoing internal testing and closed beta development, TECNO EllaClaw demonstrates TECNO’s commitment to democratizing advanced seamless mobile experiences for a broader global audience. More details on its capabilities and future availability will be shared as development progresses.

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WWDC: Why Does Apple’s New Siri AI Need Google’s Help? https://techeconomy.ng/wwdc-why-does-apples-new-siri-ai-need-googles-help/ https://techeconomy.ng/wwdc-why-does-apples-new-siri-ai-need-googles-help/#respond Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:02:52 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=183295 Earlier this week, Apple unveiled its next-generation Siri AI experience, which is arguably the most interesting part of the Apple Intelligence package coming to iOS 27.  Presented by Tim Cook himself at WWDC as part of what is expected to be one of his final keynote appearances before transitioning from CEO to Executive Chairman of […]

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Earlier this week, Apple unveiled its next-generation Siri AI experience, which is arguably the most interesting part of the Apple Intelligence package coming to iOS 27. 

Presented by Tim Cook himself at WWDC as part of what is expected to be one of his final keynote appearances before transitioning from CEO to Executive Chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors, the announcement is a significant software development for the iOS ecosystem.

Coming after years of watching competitors like Google, Microsoft and OpenAI push the boundaries of AI assistance, the new Siri sounds exactly like what most users expected.

Siri is becoming smarter, more conversational and far more useful than previous versions. It can understand context and offer greater utility to users in a more natural way.

These capabilities form part of Apple’s broader intelligence initiative unveiled by Tim Cook.

What the New Siri Can Do and Why Google Matters

Unlike previous versions, the new Siri is designed to operate beyond simple voice commands.

Instead of responding to one-off requests, it can now hold extended conversations, understand follow-up questions and carry out more complex tasks involving multiple apps.

Users can ask Siri to summarise emails, organise schedules, search for information and create content across the Apple ecosystem without repeatedly issuing commands.

Apple also took personalisation further with this update. Based on demonstrations at WWDC, Siri can now understand information stored across apps such as Messages, Notes, Photos and Calendar, allowing it to generate responses that are more aware of a user’s daily activities and workflow.

But the most significant part of the announcement was Google’s involvement.

While Apple has always emphasised privacy and on-device processing, Google’s AI technology provides much of the reasoning and language capability needed to power these advanced features.

In practical terms, Apple is combining its ecosystem expertise with Google’s AI infrastructure to deliver an experience that Siri has struggled to provide for years.

But Why Is Apple Relying on Google?

Apple’s decision to depend on Google’s AI infrastructure for this Siri upgrade immediately changes the conversation. As one of the world’s biggest and wealthiest technology companies, the question is no longer what Siri can do, but why Apple needs Google’s help to do it.

Apple has built its reputation on controlling its hardware, software, chips and services, creating one of the most tightly integrated ecosystems in technology. That philosophy has long been one of Apple’s greatest strengths, but artificial intelligence appears to present a different challenge.

Rather than aggressively competing to build the most capable AI models, Apple seems comfortable allowing others to handle that layer while it focuses on delivering the final user experience.

By partnering with Google, Apple gains access to some of the most advanced AI capabilities available today while avoiding the enormous costs associated with building and scaling world-class AI infrastructure from scratch. Some observers, however, may argue that Apple is large enough to undertake that challenge on its own.

The AI industry is increasingly being defined by companies that control both the models and the platforms that run them. Apple’s reliance on Google therefore raises questions about whether the company is being strategically patient or whether large-scale AI deployment simply falls outside its core strengths.

The Apple Intelligence features arriving with iOS 27 are unlikely to be as revolutionary as the marketing surrounding them suggests. Many of the capabilities announced already exist in one form or another on competing platforms.

What Apple is offering is not necessarily a technological breakthrough, but a carefully designed and tightly integrated version of AI for hundreds of millions of iPhone users.

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Reasons Google Deactivated the Pixel 9 Series Signature AI App https://techeconomy.ng/reasons-google-deactivated-the-pixel-9-series-signature-ai-app/ https://techeconomy.ng/reasons-google-deactivated-the-pixel-9-series-signature-ai-app/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:34:03 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=183189 The rumours are correct. If you have recently switched to a newer Pixel phone, you may have noticed that you can no longer use Google’s Pixel Studio app as before. Google rolled out the app alongside the Pixel 9 series, where it was initially exclusive to Pixel users. The app immediately received attention as one […]

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The rumours are correct. If you have recently switched to a newer Pixel phone, you may have noticed that you can no longer use Google’s Pixel Studio app as before.

Google rolled out the app alongside the Pixel 9 series, where it was initially exclusive to Pixel users. The app immediately received attention as one of Google’s flagship AI tools, allowing users to create images, stickers and wallpapers from simple text prompts.

Google has now officially disabled Pixel Studio’s image-generation functions and redirected users to Nano Banana through Gemini.

This migration happened gradually, not immediately. Most users first noticed that Google removed the prompt-based generative AI tools and the sticker-creation features, leaving only the screenshot editor.

Now, opening the app, if it is still on your phone, greets users with a direct “Open Gemini” button. Users are now being directed to Gemini, marking Google’s latest move to consolidate its AI features into a single platform.

Pixel Studio’s Functions and Repeated Abuse

When the app was first launched, it was designed to show what an on-device AI app can do. It took simple text prompts and turned them into digital art, stickers, and wallpapers. But shortly after launch, users began reporting that the app sometimes generated inappropriate or unexpected results from certain prompts.

The app went on to generate questionable and controversial content in some cases, prompting Google to enhance the system through a series of updates and tight security.

Google’s Endless Cycle of Decommissioning Apps

If you are a long-time Android or Google user, this story might sound familiar. Google is well known for launching promising standalone apps, building a dedicated user base and later shutting them down or folding their features into other products.

While Google usually relies on its massive user base and global footprint to cushion the effect of these changes, some users still complain of the inconvenience caused by the discontinuation of popular services.

On the other side, Google has consistently worked to refine its ecosystem and reduce overlap between products offering similar features. Keeping Pixel Studio running while expanding Gemini’s image-generation features may no longer have made sense in 2026.

Google is also placing greater emphasis on refining its AI services and improving user safety. Recently, the company introduced additional security features, including technology designed to detect and block AI-powered voice scams in real-time.

This stresses the fact that we have evolved past the era of AI experiments.

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Instagram Introduces Grid Reorder Feature For Profile Customisation https://techeconomy.ng/instagram-introduces-grid-reorder-feature-for-profile-customisation/ https://techeconomy.ng/instagram-introduces-grid-reorder-feature-for-profile-customisation/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:24:21 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=183186 Meta’s popular social media platform, Instagram, has finally rolled out one of its most requested features, allowing users to rearrange posts on their profile grid without deleting and reposting content. The update is an essential transition from the platform’s long-standing chronological display, which had frustrated creators and casual users alike for years. The grid reorder […]

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Meta’s popular social media platform, Instagram, has finally rolled out one of its most requested features, allowing users to rearrange posts on their profile grid without deleting and reposting content.

The update is an essential transition from the platform’s long-standing chronological display, which had frustrated creators and casual users alike for years.

The grid reorder update was announced on Instagram’s official Creator account, which said the feature is “perfect for highlighting your best work or making your profile feel more like you.”

The Reorder Grid feature by Instagram is designed to give users greater flexibility in enhancing their online presence, whether that means curating a specific visual aesthetic, drawing attention to key posts, or presenting content in a more intentional order.

Previously, posts on an Instagram profile appeared in reverse chronological order, with the most recent content always displayed first.

The new “Reorder Your Grid” feature removes that restriction, allowing users to place any post anywhere on their profile grid, regardless of when it was originally published.

The rollout comes nearly a year after Instagram head Adam Mosseri first teased the functionality and several years after app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi uncovered a hidden “Edit Grid” feature within Instagram’s code in 2022, suggesting the platform had been developing the capability for some time.

Using the feature is simple. Users can head to their Instagram profile, press and hold any post, and select the new “Reorder Grid” option from the pop-up menu.

From there, posts can be dragged and dropped into a preferred position, with changes saved instantly and becoming visible to anyone visiting the profile.

Demand for profile grid customisation has been a persistent theme among Instagram users, particularly creators and influencers who rely on their profiles as visual portfolios.

The platform’s decision to finally make the feature widely available reflects growing demand for greater control and personalisation across social media platforms.

The changes are applied immediately after saving, and no content needs to be deleted or re-uploaded.

With the update now live, users have a new tool to shape how their profiles are perceived at a glance. The addition may be small, but it offers greater creative control for anyone looking to curate their Instagram presence more effectively.

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X Introduces Video Reactions, Giving Users New Ways to Join Conversations https://techeconomy.ng/x-introduces-video-reactions-giving-users-new-ways-to-join-conversations/ https://techeconomy.ng/x-introduces-video-reactions-giving-users-new-ways-to-join-conversations/#respond Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:18 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=182701 X is a making conversations on the platform more visual with the launch of a new feature on June 2, that allows users to react to posts using a video. Announcing the feature, X Head of Product, Nikita Bier, said commentary remains one of the platform’s most important pillars. According to him, “Sometimes the best […]

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X is a making conversations on the platform more visual with the launch of a new feature on June 2, that allows users to react to posts using a video.

Announcing the feature, X Head of Product, Nikita Bier, said commentary remains one of the platform’s most important pillars. According to him, “Sometimes the best way to share your thoughts is with video.”

The new feature called “React with Video,” enables X users record video responses directly from a post by tapping the repost button. Users can react using formats such as green screen, split screen, and picture-in-picture, making it possible to comment on a post while appearing alongside the original content.

For many X users, this could change how conversations happen on the platform. Instead of replying with texts or reposting with comments, users can now share their reactions, opinions, explanations and critiques through video.

According to X user Ogbeni Adugbo, “React with Video is exactly what commentary on X neeeded, so clean and creative. A smart way to  add your thoughts to a video without leaving the app.”

The new feature may be particularly useful for content creators, journalists, analysts, sports commentators, and everyday users who prefer speaking to typing. It also brings X closer to the style of video-first engagement that has become popular on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

This feature arrives as social media platforms continue to compete for user attention through video content. Across the industry, video has become one of the fastest-growing means of communication, enabling users to add tone, personality, and context that can sometimes be lost in a text-based posts.

The React with Video feature is currently on iOS, with no announcement yet on when it will be available for for Android users.

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I/O 2026: Google Search Officially Transforms to AI Search https://techeconomy.ng/i-o-2026-google-search-officially-transforms-to-ai-search/ https://techeconomy.ng/i-o-2026-google-search-officially-transforms-to-ai-search/#respond Sat, 23 May 2026 09:00:10 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=182029 For more than 20 years, accessing the internet has worked almost the same way. You type something into the Google Search bar and Google returns a variety of links that suit what you want. This experience has become very popular and familiar so much so that “Googling” itself turned into a globally used verb. However, […]

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For more than 20 years, accessing the internet has worked almost the same way. You type something into the Google Search bar and Google returns a variety of links that suit what you want.

This experience has become very popular and familiar so much so that “Googling” itself turned into a globally used verb.

However, according to Google, that era is now changing permanently or maybe redefined.

During the keynote presentation by Liz Reid at this year’s edition of the Google I/O event, she officially declared that Google Search is now AI Search; a statement that shows the trajectory of the internet currently.

It was not just marketing language; it represents the biggest transformation of Google Search since the company launched in 1998.

What Exactly Does this Mean?

Google Search has evolved many times over the years. From voice search, to image recognition and, recently, AI overviews. However, these upgrades cannot be compared with the scale of what was announced at the Google I/O 2026 event.

Google is not just adding AI features to search like the recent AI overviews. This time, the company is redesigning the entire interface around AI itself.

The main part of this transformation is the newly redesigned search box which is now powered deeply by Gemini. For the first time in nearly 25 years, Google is changing not only how the Search Bar looks, but also how it behaves.

Instead of encouraging short keyword phrases, the new Search interface is now optimised to be more conversational. This implies that users can now ask longer and more detailed questions naturally and get answers. They can also follow up with previous queries without needing to start all over again in a new tab.

Gemini will also be able to perform tasks directly from within the search itself, making it feel less like a tool for finding websites to a personal assistant.

Some of the new Google Search features announced at the Google I/O 2026 include:

  • AI agents inside Search that can help users complete tasks like booking restaurants, purchasing tickets, researching products or planning activities automatically.

  • More Personal Intelligence support, allowing Gemini-powered Search to understand a user’s preferences more deeply and personalise responses across more regions globally.

  • A smarter AI shopping experience featuring an intelligent shopping cart that can track the prices of specific products and compare them, and even help complete purchases automatically.

  • More advanced conversational follow-up capabilities that allow users to continue refining searches naturally without repeating information multiple times.

Naturally, this raises concerns.

For some time now, publishers, creators and webmasters have worried about the growing dominance of AI overviews in Google Search results.

People fear that if Google continues to answer questions from users directly using AI, fewer people may actually visit websites. And honestly, this is very understandable, even Google recognises this.

So the company repeatedly emphasised during the I/O 2026 that classic search results are not disappearing anytime soon. This is good news for users who still prefer exploring the internet manually.

According to Google, AI Search is supposed to improve information discovery, not try to replace the open web entirely.

The company also argues that AI-powered Search can actually help users ask better questions, discover deeper information faster and complete tasks more efficiently than before.

Google believes the future of Search is not about removing websites, but about reducing friction between users and information.

However, what is undeniable, is that Google Search has entered its biggest identity shift in its history. For over 25 years, Google defined what searching the internet looked like. Now the company is trying to change it again for the AI era.

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New Gmail Accounts Could Soon Get Only 5GB Storage under Google’s Latest Test https://techeconomy.ng/new-gmail-accounts-could-soon-get-only-5gb-storage-under-googles-latest-test/ https://techeconomy.ng/new-gmail-accounts-could-soon-get-only-5gb-storage-under-googles-latest-test/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 17:22:38 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=181886 Since 2013, creating a new Gmail account has automatically come with the benefit of 15GB of cloud space, shared across Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail. However, Google is now testing a new policy to reduce this advantage. According to recent reports confirmed by Google to AndroidAuthority, some newly created Gmail accounts are now receiving […]

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Since 2013, creating a new Gmail account has automatically come with the benefit of 15GB of cloud space, shared across Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail. However, Google is now testing a new policy to reduce this advantage.

According to recent reports confirmed by Google to AndroidAuthority, some newly created Gmail accounts are now receiving just 5GB of cloud space instead of the usual 15GB. And interestingly, this major policy testing is reportedly focused on African markets for now.

Google fans are not surprised because Google has been making unusual adjustments to its longstanding policies lately.

Earlier in April, the company finally introduced the ability for users in the U.S. to change their Gmail addresses. Now, attention is shifting towards storage policies and account verification.

Verification Requirement and Who is Not Affected

Under this new test, users creating fresh Gmail accounts may see their cloud storage capped at 5GB, unless they add their active phone number to the account. As soon as they fulfil this requirement, the full 15GB allocation will be restored.

For users who are already deeply integrated into Google’s ecosystem, there is currently no need to panic. Existing Gmail accounts will not be affected by this experiment, and the policy only affects target accounts.

The company might intend to use this as a way to reduce spam account creation and encourage identity verification.

They might even intend to use it as an opportunity to grow cloud infrastructure cost.  But for users, it changes one of the most attractive features for newcomers.

While Google has not yet verified a permanent plan for this policy yet, this move is already creating discussions online, especially in regions where most users rely on free cloud storage for photos, school files and backups.

What makes this more interesting is the broader pattern formed by Google of recent.

From tightening restrictions around sideloading Android apps outside of the Play Store, to introducing the long-requested Gmail editing feature. Now, they are experimenting with reduced storage access for unverified accounts.

Google seems to be entering a phase of more aggressive ecosystem control and policy restructuring. This is a limited test for now, with no guarantee of global rollout, but as Google I/O 2026 draws closer, it is becoming clearer that 2026 could end up being one of the most interesting years yet for the Android ecosystem.

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The Machine That Can Create Anything – Inside Gemini Omni https://techeconomy.ng/the-machine-that-can-create-anything-inside-gemini-omni/ https://techeconomy.ng/the-machine-that-can-create-anything-inside-gemini-omni/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 07:30:33 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=181836 Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google Deepmind Technologies, did not arrive at Google I/O 2026 to announce a feature update. The DeepMind chief came to announce a new kind of AI altogether. Standing at the podium, he described Gemini Omni as a world model, a system that does not merely process inputs and generate […]

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Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google Deepmind Technologies, did not arrive at Google I/O 2026 to announce a feature update. The DeepMind chief came to announce a new kind of AI altogether.

Standing at the podium, he described Gemini Omni as a world model, a system that does not merely process inputs and generate outputs, but builds an internal understanding of reality deep enough to simulate what should happen next within any scene it is given.

The ambition behind that description is not trivial. Earlier AI video tools, including Google’s own Veo series, were primarily trained to generate clips from text prompts. Gemini Omni works differently.

It accepts any combination of images, audio, existing video, and text, and outputs video that is grounded in Gemini’s real-world knowledge, including accurate simulation of physics, gravity, and motion.

Hand it a selfie and a prompt, and it does not just transform your appearance; it understands the light source, the implied space around you, and what the world behind you might logically contain.

Omni combines Gemini’s reasoning engine with DeepMind’s generative media systems, including Veo and Genie, its game-world simulation platform.

Crucially, unlike earlier generation-only tools, Omni is built for editing through conversation.

Users can modify scenes, characters, and visual elements by simply describing what they want changed, no timeline, no export, no specialist skill required.

The model even carries SynthID digital watermarks on all output, a measure Google says will help address misinformation concerns.

“Gemini Omni can create anything from any input, it is a leap forward in world understanding, multimodality, and editing.”
Google I/O 2026 Official Announcement

The first version, Gemini Omni Flash, is rolling out today through the Gemini app and Google Flow for AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers globally.

YouTube Shorts will receive Omni next week, while developer API access is expected in the coming weeks. A more capable version, simply called Gemini Omni, is in development for a later date.

What This Means for Nigeria

Nigeria’s creative economy, spanning Nollywood, Afrobeats music video production, social media content creation, and advertising, is one of Africa’s most dynamic.

Gemini Omni Flash arriving in YouTube Shorts Remix next week means that any Nigerian creator with a smartphone and a YouTube account will soon be able to edit and enhance their video content using conversational AI, at no additional cost.

For independent filmmakers and digital marketers working with lean budgets, this is a professional-grade tool arriving without a professional-grade price tag.

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