Warner Bros is testing a new feature for HBO Max called “HBO Max Shorts” with select iPhone users in the United States, according to reports. The trial focuses on a new video feed presented in a vertical format. Instead of appearing as traditional horizontal videos, the Shorts are delivered as short clips designed for viewing on mobile screens in portrait orientation.
Both outlets report that the content selection is driven by an AI tool, with one describing the clips as “AI-picked.” The testing is limited to a portion of users rather than a general rollout, suggesting Warner Bros is evaluating user engagement and the practicality of the format before any broader release. The news coverage frames the effort as part of a broader push toward vertical short-form video experiences, but the common points across sources are the presence of the Shorts feed, the vertical orientation of the clips, the fact that the test is on iPhone in the U.S., and that AI is involved in how videos are chosen.
