Instagram tests Picture-in-Picture feature for Reels
Instagram is testing its Picture-in-Picture (PiP) playback for the app’s reels section, which is said to enable users to continue watching reels outside the app.
The update was posted by an app researcher, Radu Oncescu, on threads, sharing screenshots of the to-be-introduced feature. As per the threads user, the former platform is prompting some users to try out the new picture-in-picture option, while there’s also a new toggle for PiP in the playback settings.
The PiP is a functional option for viewing content, not creating it, as noted by a media report.
Both TikTok and YouTube already offer the PiP feature.
Posting Frequency Is Key to LinkedIn Success
Are you looking to grow your presence on LinkedIn?
The platform’s seeing “record high” levels of engagement, and with 1.2 billion members (and an estimated 480 million active users), it could be worth exploring your opportunities on how you can reach this professional audience, and build your brand reputation to facilitate potential connections and deals.
And if you are looking to build your LinkedIn presence, then this new data from Buffer will help. Based on analysis of more than 2 million LinkedIn posts, from more than 94,000+ LinkedIn accounts, Buffer’s team has determined that there’s a simple secret to maximizing your LinkedIn reach: Posting frequency.
Yep, that’s it. Post more often on LinkedIn and you’re going to get more reach.
Google launches Nano Banana AI photo editor
Last evening Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted emojis of three bananas, confirming that his company is indeed behind the viral sensation Nano Banana. Hours later Google officially introduced the AI tool, which is aimed at letting users edit and modify photos with simple prompt. Although code named Nano Banana, the new tool has been introduced as the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image.
The generative image AI model is now integrated into the Gemini app and promises high-quality, context-aware image generation capabilities, while keeping the original subjects consistent.
Showing the capabilities of this AI new image editor, Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared a series of playful images of his dog Jeffree, edited with the new tool in celebration of International Dog Day. In the pictures, Pichai reimagined Jeffree surfing waves, donning a cowboy hat, turning superhero, and even dressing as a chef. The new AI model has seemingly edited the dog’s photos with different themes, all while keeping his look recognisably the same.
Google Launches Image-To-Video Tool for Product Promotions
Google’s got a new way to spice up your product listings, with improved AI image-to-video generation via its Veo-powered Google Vids tool, which is being made available to all paid Google Workspace customers.
As you can see in this overview, Google’s updated Vids option enables brands to create product videos from still image assets.
As per Google:
“Now, with a new image-to-video capability powered by Veo, teams can transform their photos into dynamic eight-second video clips with sound. This means you can upload a product shot, or company stock photography, and use a text prompt to create animated video clips with native audio that are aligned with your brand.”
And with Google also rolling out improvements to its video generation process this week, which are focused on maintaining the core elements of your source image within such generations, it should mean that these updated video clips are more true to your product, and accurately reflect your core brand elements.
Microsoft Launches New Speech Generation AI Model MAI-Voice-1
Microsoft announced the release of the MAI-Voice-1 artificial intelligence (AI) model in a blog post published on the tech giant’s website on August 28.
Microsoft has made it available as part of its AI companion Copilot and also the tech giant’s Podcasts service feature. Notably, Microsoft claims that MAI-Voice-1 is a “highly expressive” natural speech generation AI model.
Furthermore, the Satya Nadella-led company has begun public testing of the MAI-1-preview on LMArena, a platform focused on community AI models’ evaluation.
The tech giant says that the MAI-1-preview represents Microsoft AI’s first foundation model that is trained “end-to-end” and offers a glance into future offerings as part of Copilot.
Microsoft Rolls Out AI Models, But Can They Compete With Bigwigs?
Microsoft claims in its blog post that MAI-Voice-1 is a “lightning-fast” speech generation AI model, which can produce one minute of audio in less than one second with the help of a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
Meanwhile, the tech giant has apparently developed the MAI-1-preview to provide services to customers who want AI models that specialise in following instructions and returning helpful responses to day-to-day questions and queries.
Indians Spend 20 Hrs a Month on Social Media
India’s social media ecosystem has entered a new phase of scale and influence, with video content, influencer-led engagement, and connected TV (CTV) consumption reshaping user behavior, according to The State of Social Media – India Edition 2025 report by Comscore.
India Among the Top Global Social Media Markets
The report highlights that 89.3% of India’s digital population uses social media, placing the country among the most penetrated global markets. On average, Indian users spend 20 hours per month per visitor on platforms – a sharp rise from 2020 levels. Entertainment remains the top driver of consumption, followed by news and sports, underscoring social’s role as a primary gateway to information and leisure.
Platform Dynamics: YouTube Leads, Instagram Surges
YouTube continues to dominate with 456 million users in India, while WhatsApp follows closely at 430 million. Instagram has surged to 337 million users, outpacing Facebook (332 million) in momentum. Messaging apps like Telegram (+15% year-on-year growth) and Pinterest (+16%) also saw traction, while Snapchat and X (formerly Twitter) recorded declines.
Age group dynamics reveal platform preferences:
- 15–24 years: YouTube (91%) and Instagram (71%) dominate.
- 25–34 years: Facebook retains strength (76%), but YouTube leads (87%).
- 35+ years: Facebook remains relevant, though YouTube continues to command the widest reach (84%).
Flipkart taps majority stake in Pinkvilla to deepen Gen Z engagement
E-commerce marketplace Flipkart announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Pinkvilla India, a digital infotainment platform. The move is part of Flipkart’s strategy to expand its content footprint and enhance engagement with Gen Z and millennial audiences, leveraging Pinkvilla’s established brand, capabilities and loyal audience base.
Movies and celebrities play a significant role in shaping trends and influencing consumption habits. With a majority of Gen Z users consuming content on these themes, the acquisition of a leading infotainment platform is a natural fit as Flipkart looks to strengthen its appeal to this audience, says the brand’s press note. The deal also offers Flipkart an opportunity to gain trend insights and create content for commerce opportunities, further consolidating its position in the Indian market.
BC WEB WISE ARCHIVES
And from BC Web Wise studio do check the film we produced for LIC Housing Finance celebrating the Ganesh Chathurti festivities. Have a great week ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNyh8VhyAcU
