Summary
- HBO Max launched Shorts (TikTok-style clips) and a conversational search to simplify mobile discovery.
- Shorts uses AI-curated dramatic clips that tempt endless scrolling and can easily spoil big moments.
- Conversational search (Android) finds shows by mood or vague prompts to make picking faster.
HBO Max just launched two new mobile features in the US: Shorts, which is basically a TikTok-style feed of quick highlights from their shows and movies, and a Conversational Search Tool that lets you find stuff to watch just by saying what you’re in the mood for. It’s all about making it easier to scroll, sample, and maybe actually pick something from their massive library.
HBO Max Shorts will show you the best scenes before you’ve watched the show.
Does everything need short-form content now?
If you need something to watch while you eat, this is a great way to get lost in scrolling and totally forget about your food.
The clips are picked by an in-house AI that scans through hours of shows to find the most dramatic or jaw-dropping scenes. Editors then choose the best ones, and boom, you get a vertical video feed. HBO Max says Shorts will eventually show up on more devices, add sports, and get better as people use it.
The idea is to showcase the best scenes and help you choose what to watch. But honestly, isn’t this just a spoiler minefield? Imagine getting the big Sopranos twist ruined in a random clip. Or having the ending of The Pitt spoiled before you even start. Why bother watching if the app spoils it for you?
If you actually want to try it, just tap the Shorts icon at the bottom to scroll through trailers, clips, and extras. The feed is tailored to your interests, so if something catches your eye, you can watch it right away or save it for later. Right now, it’s only on iOS for some users, but it’ll roll out to more people soon.
There’s also a new experimental search tool for adults in the US, starting on Android. Just hit “Ask HBO Max” on the search page and type in stuff like “in the mood for a comedy” or “best movie for a girls night in.” The app tries to figure out what you want, even if you don’t use the exact title. This will show up on more devices soon too.
“These new mobile features build on intuitive, familiar behaviors subscribers use every day. Both ‘HBO Max Shorts’ and ‘conversational search’ translate those behaviors into new ways to discover programming across the HBO Max service, making it easier and more seamless for subscribers to find something to watch,” said Liesel Kipp, Executive Vice President, Product Management, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Honestly, given how much time you spend scrolling through its Shorts, just rewatch Succession. It’s the main reason I’ve kept my HBO Max subscription for so long.
