Digital Platforms Evolve: Latest Features and Updates from Tech Giants

by | Apr 23, 2025 | Tech News & Updates

The digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly as major technology companies roll out new features and improvements to enhance user experience and functionality. From messaging applications to search engines and e-commerce tools, these updates reflect the ongoing competition to provide more intuitive, efficient, and AI-integrated services. This article highlights the most recent developments from WhatsApp, Google, Microsoft, and other platforms that are reshaping how we communicate, search for information, and conduct business online.

WHATSAPP JUST GOT A BUNCH OF NEW FEATURES, INCLUDING DOCUMENT SCANNING

WhatsApp has released a significant software update that includes a variety of new features intended to enhance user experience.

  1. Chat Reactions: Users can now utilise tappable reactions in chats, similar to social media platforms, allowing them to express agreement or appreciation quickly.
  2. Online Presence Indicator: Group chats have a new feature displaying how many users are currently online, positioned beneath the group name for easy visibility.
  3. Event Creation in Solo Chats: Users can now set up events within one-on-one conversations, including an RSVP feature and the ability to pin the event to the chat for easier access.
  4. Exclusive iPhone Features: Special tools are available solely for iPhone users, such as the direct scanning and sending of documents from the app and the option to designate WhatsApp as the default messaging and calling application on their devices.
  5. Dedicated Calls Tab: A distinct tab for calls has been introduced, streamlining the process of making calls, sharing call links, and managing call history.
  6. Enhanced Video Calling Functionality: For video calls, there’s a new pinch-to-zoom feature exclusive to iPhone users, alongside improved technology for smoother video performance.
  7. Channel Admin Enhancements: Channel administrators now have the capability to record and share short videos with followers and access voice message transcripts directly in the Channels tab. Furthermore, QR codes can now be shared to facilitate direct access to the channel.

Find out more details here

GOOGLE ADDS SEARCH TERMS VISIBILITY TO PERFORMANCE MAX CAMPAIGNS

Google is introducing important improvements to its Performance Max campaigns to boost transparency and control for advertisers.

 

Key changes include:

  • Advertisers can view which search terms trigger their ads in the Search Terms report.
  • They can directly add negative keywords from the report.
  • This update aligns with Google’s new negative keyword features for Performance Max.

 

Previously, advertisers had difficulty knowing which search terms activated their ads. Now, they can monitor and control ads as effectively as with standard Search campaigns.

 

This change was first noted by digital marketer Hana Kobzová. Google’s updates are being slowly introduced, so they might not be available to everyone yet.

 

Google continues to ensure its automated campaigns are transparent while keeping AI optimization benefits intact.

 

For advertisers skeptical of Performance Max due to its complexity, this new visibility might increase its appeal.

MICROSOFT INTRODUCES COPILOT SEARCH

Bing has introduced a new feature called Copilot Search, bringing exciting changes to the search engine. This feature is available worldwide, except in Russia and China.

Here are some key aspects to note:

  • The answers provided are summarized with clear sources, making it easier to understand information.
  • The search style is conversational, which allows users to interact as if they are having a chat.
  • The design is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring a smooth experience on smartphones and tablets.

 

As big search engines increasingly use AI tools, it’s crucial to update your approach. Make sure to focus on producing high-quality content that keeps users engaged. With AI-generated summaries becoming more popular, maintaining a top position in traditional search results will be more competitive.

 

Find out more details here

NEW MERCHANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE

Google has updated the name of its Search Console Shopping Tab to the Merchant Opportunities Report, bringing new tools to simplify Google Shopping services.

The new tools offer:

  • Payment options: Businesses can now add and manage electronic payments such as Google Wallet, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Amazon Pay.
  • Store ratings: There are features to help gather and display customer reviews.
  • Shipping and returns: Businesses can access enhanced tools to set shipping and return policies for each country they serve.

 

Take action: Explore these tools if you use Google Shopping. They can help boost your business’s visibility in shopping search results.

 

Find out more details here

GOOGLE OFFICIALLY ROLLS OUT LINKS IN AI OVERVIEWS TO ITS OWN SEARCH RESULTS

Google has officially integrated a feature in its AI Overviews that connects certain terms to its search results.

This change was made to assist users in exploring topics and finding relevant websites more easily. A Google representative noted that links are added when Google’s systems determine they could be beneficial.

 

When you see underlined links in the AI Overview, clicking them will open a new Google Search. Additionally, small icons next to the links take you to side panel options, leading to publishers and external sites.

 

Find out more details here

GOOGLE SEARCH IS GOING TO BE GOOGLE.COM GLOBALLY

Google shared on Tuesday that it plans to change the way people access Google Search through country-specific web addresses, called country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). Rather than using local addresses like google.ng for Nigeria or google.com.br for Brazil, everyone will be directed to google.com in the coming months. This update aims to make using Search more straightforward, as mentioned in Google’s blog post.

 

During this gradual transition, you might need to reset some of your Search settings. Despite this, your online experience will remain the same otherwise. Google assures that although your browser will display google.com, how Search functions and Google’s compliance with local laws will remain unchanged.

 

Since 2017, Google has delivered consistent local search results whether users accessed their country’s specific domain or google.com. This development means having separate domain addresses for each country is no longer necessary.

 

Find out more details here

CONCLUSION

The recent updates from major tech platforms reflect an industry-wide push toward more intuitive, AI-integrated, and user-friendly experiences. 

 

WhatsApp’s comprehensive feature expansion showcases Meta’s commitment to enhancing communication tools across multiple dimensions. Meanwhile, Google’s various improvements to search functionality, merchant tools, and advertising transparency demonstrate its ongoing evolution toward a more unified and intelligent search ecosystem. Microsoft’s entry into AI-powered search with Copilot further intensifies competition in this space. 

 

For users and businesses alike, staying informed about these changes is essential to maximize the benefits of these increasingly sophisticated digital tools and maintain competitive advantage in an ever-evolving online landscape.

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