With the first week of April coming to a close, we’re wrapping up the top tech headlines from across the web. From YouTube Shorts to Gmail Encryption and more, we have you covered on the news you won’t want to miss. Check it out in this week’s tech news blog!
YouTube Shorts Adds Powerful TikTok-Style Editing Tools for Creators
YouTube is rolling out a suite of new editing features for Shorts this spring. The new Shorts feature includes a revamped timeline editor that offers TikTok- and Reels-like controls. The tools offer new cutting and rearranging clips, zooming, overlaying text or music, and previewing edits in real time. Creators can now easily sync video footage to a selected track’s beat. In addition, you’ll have access to Shorts filters, overlays, and image stickers that can be quickly added to jump on viral trends or personalize content. Coming soon are AI-generated text-to-image stickers, further expanding creative options. These additions to Shorts follow previous TikTok-inspired updates like robotic voiceovers and adjusted view counts. Of course, these updates make YouTube’s Shorts platform increasingly appealing to creators seeking robust and familiar short-form editing tools.
Google Simplifies Gmail Encryption for Enterprise Users
Google is rolling out a new encryption model in Gmail. The update lets enterprise users send encrypted messages to any inbox with just a few clicks. Likewise, this requires no custom software or certificate exchanges required. The feature is currently in beta for Gmail users within the same organization. Expansion to to all Gmail inboxes is slated to take place “in the coming weeks” and will eventually support third-party email providers. The new method allows users to toggle on “additional encryption” in the draft window. Recipients without S/MIME can access and reply to secure emails via a guest Google Workspace account. Of course, those with S/MIME will still receive messages using the existing protocol. Although Google calls this new system “end-to-end encryption,” it’s technically client-side encryption. Likewise, this grants administrators the ability to manage and revoke encryption keys as needed.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper Launches 27 Satellites to Challenge Starlink
Amazon is set to launch 27 Project Kuiper satellites next week, taking a big step toward competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. Liftoff is scheduled for April 9th from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket. Over 80 missions are planned to eventually place more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit. They will circle the planet in about 90 minutes at speeds of 17,000 mph. Amazon expects to begin offering high-speed, low-latency internet service later this year. Users will connect through new terminal antennas, including a tiny seven-inch dish that delivers speeds up to 100Mbps. Larger residential and enterprise models will reach 1Gbps, each costing under $400. The satellites feature a special coating to reduce reflection for astronomers. Project Kuiper’s vice president, Rajeev Badyal, says it’s just the start of a long journey with many more launches planned.
Adobe Premiere Pro Gains Powerful AI Tools for Faster Video Editing
Adobe has released Premiere Pro 25.2 with new AI-powered features. These include Generative Extend, powered by the Firefly model, which expands clips by up to two seconds in 4K and adds up to ten seconds of ambient audio. The feature is free for a limited time, after which users will need Firefly generative credits. The update also introduces an AI-powered Search panel for automatic object and camera angle detection, plus Premiere Color Management to convert log and raw files directly into SDR or HDR. Premiere Pro can now automatically translate video captions into 27 languages, letting users display multiple caption tracks during editing. Performance has improved on Apple silicon and Windows devices. After Effects 25.2 launches alongside it, bringing HDR monitoring, new animation controls, 3D FBX model support, and better caching for smoother previews.
Roblox Adds Rewarded Video Ads for New In-Game Bonuses
Roblox is introducing Rewarded Video ads that grant players items like in-game currency or power-ups if they watch up to 30 seconds of full-screen ads. These ads will be sold through Google’s advertising solutions and Direct IO. Only public experiences managed by creators aged 18 or older can display ads, and Roblox will only show them to players aged 13 and up. This launch is part of Google’s broader “Immersive Ads” initiative, which also includes billboard ads and sponsored areas in virtual environments. Roblox plans to sell other formats, like home page billboards and rows, through Google in the coming months.
Runway’s Gen-4 AI Model Enables Consistent Multi-Shot Video Generation
AI startup Runway has launched its Gen-4 video synthesis model, promising improved continuity and control across multiple shots. Creators can use a single reference image to generate consistent characters and objects, then describe the desired composition to produce multiple angles of the same scene. Paid and enterprise users can begin testing Gen-4, which reportedly allows storytellers to maintain character appearances in different contexts while adapting to various lighting conditions. This release follows the Gen-3 Alpha model introduced less than a year ago, a launch that drew criticism over reports of training on YouTube and pirated film content.