Google’s AI-Powered Store Reviews: A Game-Changer for Shoppers or a Nightmare for Businesses?

Web browsing researcher Leo discovered a new AI-powered feature recently added in Google Chrome. The upcoming addition in Google Chrome will let users give a quick summary of websites or stores that they are visiting online. This will be done with the help of artificial intelligence so users can have short reviews about the websites they are about to visit. This new feature is called “Store Reviews”. The reviews won't be summarized randomly, rather AI reviews will come from trusted review websites like ScamAdvisor, Trustpilot and some other review websites that users use to write their reviews.

The website summary will be in the page info bubble. Page info bubble is in the address bar, next to the website URL, and it is usually denoted with a lock icon or ‘i’ icon. When users click on it, some tabs about site information are present there and “Store Reviews” will be one of them. For instance, if a user visits X on a website, they can click on the lock icon to have information about the website. Once a user clicks on Store Reviews, they will be able to see what other people are saying about X and multiple sources will be used.

It will be a great feature to help users understand the trustworthiness and credibility of the website. Another thing is that this feature isn't the only AI update coming to Google Chrome. AI is also going to provide protection from viruses, dangerous downloads and suspicious sites. It is being referred to AI-Powered Protection and it will be on Google Chrome in upcoming months.

The introduction of Google Chrome's AI-powered "Store Reviews" feature could significantly impact eCommerce websites, SEOs, webmasters, and marketers. For eCommerce platforms, trust signals from credible reviews might boost conversions if the reviews are positive. However, businesses with less favorable reviews could face declining traffic or sales as users make decisions directly from the page info bubble. For SEOs, this feature emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stellar online reputation on sites like Trustpilot and ScamAdvisor, as these reviews will influence user trust more than organic search results alone. Webmasters must prioritize building secure, credible sites to avoid being flagged by Chrome’s AI-Powered Protection for suspicious behavior. Marketers may need to pivot their strategies to incorporate robust reputation management and leverage these summaries to highlight brand strengths.

On the other hand, Google might integrate its ecosystem further by incorporating Google Maps data or ads into these summaries, offering businesses new advertising opportunities while also presenting challenges to those aiming to rank organically. This evolution could reshape how users interact with websites and make decisions online.

The "Store Reviews" feature has sparked debate among users. Some fear the risks of LLM hallucinations falsely labeling malicious websites as trustworthy, potentially misleading users into dangerous interactions. Others argue that even an imperfect LLM is an improvement, as it offers quick insights and helps less tech-savvy users navigate online risks, though more discerning users may still rely on personal judgment and tools for protection.

These updates also come at a time when Google faces increasing pressure from the DOJ regarding Chrome’s dominance in the browser market. If such features lead to a tighter integration of Google services, critics might argue it further solidifies Google’s market hold, raising antitrust concerns. This could intensify scrutiny over whether Chrome’s innovations truly serve users or unfairly promote Google’s ecosystem.

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• Baby Boomers Embrace Digital, Spending More Time Online Than Ever Before
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Baby Boomers Embrace Digital, Spending More Time Online Than Ever Before

According to a recent research by WARC, Baby Boomers and seniors are spending more time on digital media as compared to the past decade. Baby Boomers spent an average 19 hours a week online. In 2023, 69.8% of Baby Boomers (45-54) were offline as compared to only 30.3% who were online. There was only a slight decrease in the percentages over the next three years.

But in 2023, 47.2% Baby Boomers (55-64) were offline while 52.8% of them were online. In 2024, 45.6% Baby Boomers were offline and 54.4% shifted to digital content. Most of them are spending their time watching connected TV or going online on different apps at home. 83% of Baby Boomers are going online if they need to learn about something new.

Digital audio and online video have seen the biggest growth in daily media consumption among 55-64 year-olds, doubling since 2019. Social media and online press have also grown significantly, while traditional media like print press, broadcast radio, and linear TV have seen declines.

Data shows, Facebook dominates social media usage among Baby Boomers in the US, with 29% using it weekly. Instagram follows with 16%, while TikTok and Snapchat lag behind with 9% and 7% respectively.

The sudden shift in Baby Boomer going online has also made marketers aware of the situation. Whether they would mostly focus on millennials and Gen-Z, some marketers have also started planning their marketing strategies around Baby Boomers.

Read next: Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

OpenAI is Considering A New Ads Business Model

It's the fear that most of us thought would become true one day and now we can confirm that ads could soon be coming to ChatGPT.

A recent report from the Financial Times just spoke about the firm’s CFO experimenting with a new ads business model. While nothing is final yet, the company seems to be busy weighing in on the prospects.

This includes considering where the ads would appear and how frequently they would be seen. For now, CFO Sarah Friar says no active decision was made on the ordeal. However, that does not mean the idea isn’t possible.

So far, OpenAI has gone strong in terms of subscriptions to give more support to Generative AI tools. However, the expenses related to production and service are very high. Moreover, it might be hard to convince the investors of today to say yes to the plan.

Whatever the case might be, it’s quite the opposite of what OpenAI’s founder wanted. We’ve seen Sam Altman mention time after time in interviews how ads would be the final option for the company. He never said the idea was not possible but if it were up to him, it would be the last resort. Similarly, Altman expressed his opinion on why he detests advertising models. For him, it’s a personal preference that’s unsettling.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech

The Australian government’s announcement to ban children under 16 from social media has sparked an uproar. Meta, X, and TikTok have joined the opposition chorus. But why such resistance? These platforms already restrict users under 13, so what’s the big deal about raising the age limit?

The real issue is that enforcing this law will likely require a fundamental shift in how social media works. Right now, these platforms thrive on a simple system. A user states their age during signup with no proof required. Anyone can bypass this with a quick lie. It’s seamless, it’s easy, and it’s exactly how the companies want it. Frictionless onboarding ensures a steady flow of users, which fuels their business.

This ban threatens to disrupt everything. To enforce an under-16 restriction, platforms would need to verify everyone’s age. That’s where things get tricky. Age verification isn’t impossible, but it’s far from simple. It often involves documents like passports, credit cards, or driver’s licenses—things many 16-year-olds don’t even have.

Australia is testing solutions like facial recognition, but even this creates hurdles. Social media companies argue for delaying the legislation until the implementation details are sorted. Yet, from the government’s perspective, no proposed solution will ever sit well with these platforms.

The truth is that enforcing age verification could impact every user, not just kids. To ensure compliance, platforms may require all users to confirm their identities. This would fundamentally change how users interact with social media platforms.

The fallout could be massive. Requiring ID or biometric scans might deter new signups and alienate existing users. Many casual users might simply walk away, unwilling to jump through hoops. Dormant accounts—tens of millions of them—would vanish entirely.

This isn’t just a user experience problem. It cuts to the heart of these companies’ business models. Advertising relies on large, active user bases. Fewer users mean fewer impressions, less data, and ultimately, less revenue.

• Also read: Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable

The fear doesn’t stop at Australia’s borders. Other countries, especially in Europe, are watching Canberra closely. Utah tried similar legislation, and while it was overturned, the interest remains. For social media giants, this isn’t just an Australian problem—it’s a global threat.

There are valid arguments against the ban. It might fail to achieve its goals, limit children’s access to valuable information, or even face legal challenges. But beyond these debates lies an unspoken truth. This law is bad for business. And that’s why big tech is truly scared.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable

Energy costs vary widely across the U.S., with some states feeling the pressure far more than others.Wallethub calculated energy costs in different states in the USA. The calculation was done by keeping the electricity, gas, heating oil and motor fuel consumption in mind. Their prices were added together and then the 50 states were ranked according to their energy costs. According to the calculations, Wyoming was the state with the highest energy costs in 2024. The state has extremely cold weather and most of the consumption is of gas and residential oil. The average energy cost in Wyoming is $1591.

The second most expensive state in terms of energy cost is North Dakota with an average energy cost of $840. Heating oil is the most expensive in the state which takes up most of the energy cost. Iowa is the third most expensive state with an energy cost of $798 average. Other states with high energy costs are Montana ($787), Minnesota ($782) and Massachusetts ($759).

The states with lowest energy costs are Nebraska ($453), Texas ($437), Kansas ($436) and Arizona ($400). The state which is at the bottom of the list is New Mexico which has the average energy cost of $376.

State	Total Energy Cost
Wyoming	$1591
North Dakota	$840
Iowa	$798
Montana	$787
Minnesota	$782
Massachusetts	$759
Connecticut	$750
Alaska	$716
South Dakota	$709
Virginia	$694
Rhode Island	$690
Utah	$684
Alabama	$677
Pennsylvania	$669
Maryland	$665
New Hampshire	$662
West Virginia	$659
Wisconsin	$659
Indiana	$645
Maine	$645
Vermont	$644
New Jersey	$643
Ohio	$630
Illinois	$622
Washington	$618
Idaho	$591
Oregon	$591
New York	$589
Hawaii	$583
Michigan	$583
Missouri	$578
Delaware	$564
North Carolina	$557
Kentucky	$556
Arkansas	$541
Nevada	$538
Georgia	$533
South Carolina	$533
Tennessee	$524
Oklahoma	$477
Californa	$476
Louisiana	$474
Colorado	$470
Florida	$462
Mississippi	$457
Nebraska	$453
Texas	$437
Kansas	$436
Arizona	$400
New Mexico	$376

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Oxford Names Brain Rot As 2024’s Word of the Year And You Might Be Suffering From It

Most of us (particularly young generation) think scrolling mindlessly on social media platforms will cause no harm. After all, you’re lying down on your bed relaxing and trying to keep in touch with the world.

But wait, Oxford says there’s a specific term for what might happen when you do just that. And it’s called Brain Rot. The world captures the major concerns linked to taking in extra amounts of low-quality content from the web. This is very true for social media.

The world saw a 230% rise from last year and now so it’s a serious issue.

As per one leading psychology expert and Oxford University professional, the term is a symptom of the era we live in. It ended up beating five other leading shortlisted terms such as demure and dynamic pricing.

When diving down deep to figure out what it means, we saw that its definition has to do with the deterioration of an individual’s mental state. It’s usually viewed as the consequence of taking in too much material that’s trivial or not challenging.

While the first use of this term was before the internet came into, we can confirm it dates back to 1854. This is where society’s ability to devalue complex data comes into play and how this could turn into an overall decline in mental efforts.

The word first became famous thanks to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Now, it’s used on a mainstream level to describe poor quality and low-valued material seen on different social media platforms.

There is actually very little evidence of brain rot being a real thing, the professor says. But it’s a feeling of not being happy with the internet’s offerings. It gathers all the anxieties seen on social media.

The head of Oxford Languages mentioned how when we stare at the term of the year in the past 20 years, we can see society's growing preoccupation linked to virtual lives changing. It’s the way the internet culture works and taking in a lot of what we are and what we discuss.

Last year’s term, 'Rizz,' highlighted language designed to benefit online communities. This year’s term, however, serves as a warning about the growing dangers of virtual life. It underscores that how we spend our free time online can have real consequences, a reality now made evident by the term 'Brain Rot.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Major Blow to Apple Users As WhatsApp Plans To Drop Support For Versions Older Than iOS 15.1
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Major Blow to Apple Users As WhatsApp Plans To Drop Support For Versions Older Than iOS 15.1

WhatsApp’s latest announcement for Apple users is causing a major stir online. The company just confirmed that it would drop support for the app on all devices older than iOS 15.1.

This includes all iPhones and macOS with the deadline outlined to be May of next year. The news is startling as it will affect those with iPhone 5 and 6. Clearly, there is a need to upgrade and this might be one of the many reasons why. And if anyone does not wish to be a part of the upgrade change, they can bid farewell to the popular messenger because it won’t work.

The Cupertino firm usually does provide iPhone updates for a long period of time but some devices don’t run the newest iOS version. This has to do with the fact that iPhones get so old and aren’t even up for grabs in the market. That’s just how much users love their ancient devices, and don’t wish to let go.

These are the same kinds of users who will face the most problems when using the messenger app after this new requirement. Until now, the iPhone cut-off for WhatsApp support is iOS 15. Anyone who does not follow this will need to provide more details about it in the usual app FAQ page.

As far as Android users are concerned, the announcement says it’s for those having Android version 5.0. While iOS was 12 before, it’s jumped to 15 and many Apple fans aren’t happy. For so long, the app has worked towards providing great support to several iOS variants.

This made sure users on different devices would enjoy the services offered by the platform. Such an approach has enabled the platform to cater to wide audiences and provide support to a number of Apple models within limits. Now, it seems like Meta’s agenda on this front changed.

The tech giant says it needs to stay on top of the game and explore possibilities where users can make the most of tech advancements that work best on newer devices.

Users will get a notification if they're still using older iPhones and it will ask them to update before it's too late. The new Apple software has the right APIs and tech that can deliver WhatsApp’s new changes and features.

Meta just wants to make sure all Apple users get the absolute of its offerings and for WhatsApp, this is the way to go. Outdated systems provide challenges not only for the company but also for the user base. This is why Meta is steering clear and making room for change.

So if you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus - it’s about time you upgraded. The deadline is May 5, 2025, before all support is removed for the world-famous texting app.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World