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jeudi 4 février 2021

Microsoft Edge Beta 89 blocks annoying auto-playing videos

If you use Microsoft Edge, your browsing experience is about to get a lot quieter. That’s because the newest beta update introduces a vital improvement that blocks auto-playing videos, among other features.

There’s actually a lot to the new beta release. But the one we’re most excited about will block media from automatically playing. Here are the full release notes:

Feature updates:

  • Kiosk mode enables additional lockdown capabilities. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 89, we have added additional lockdown capabilities within kiosk mode to enable customers to get the job done in a productive and more secure experience. Learn more.
  • The Enterprise Mode Site List Manager tool will be available in the browser through the edge://compat page. You can use this tool to create, edit and export your site list XML for Internet Explorer mode on Microsoft Edge. You can enable access to this tool as needed through group policy. Learn More.
  • Reset your Microsoft Edge sync data in the cloud manually. We are introducing a way to reset your Microsoft Edge sync data from within the product. This ensures that your data is cleared from Microsoft services, as well as resolving certain product issues that previously required a support ticket.
  • Improvements to text selection experience within PDF documents. Users will begin to get a smoother and more consistent text selection experience across PDF documents opened in Microsoft Edge starting with version 89.
  • The “Disable developer mode extensions” warning can be permanently dismissed. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 89, you can turn off the warning “Disable developer mode extensions” by selecting the ‘Don’t show this again’ option.
  • Manage your extensions from the toolbar. The new extensions menu on the toolbar will let you to hide/pin extensions easily. The quick links to manage extensions and find new extensions will make it easy for you to find new extensions and manage your existing ones.
  • Support for natural language search on the address bar, history search page, and the history hub. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 89, finding an article/website will be easier with the natural language search on the address bar, history page, and history hub. Users can search for previously viewed page content/description/timing (such as “cake recipe from last week”) in addition to titles/URL keyword matches.

Productivity:

  • Date of birth field now supported in autofill. Today Microsoft Edge helps you save time and effort while filling out forms and creating accounts online by auto filling your data like addresses, names, phone numbers, etc. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 89, we are adding support for another field that you can have saved and auto-filled – date of birth. You can view, edit and delete this information anytime in your profile settings.
  • Extend autofill suggestions to include content from the clipboard. Clipboard content is parsed when you select a profile/address field (For example, phone, email, zip code, city, state, etc.) to show as autofill suggestions.
  • Support blocking auto-playing video. Starting with Microsoft Edge version 89, users will have the option to block media from automatically playing.

If you’re a Beta Channel Insider, you can grab the update to Edge 89 now. The beta updates arrive on the heels of another robust release that saw Microsoft Edge get new themes and and performance improvements.

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Google vows to improve Meet and Zoom performance on Chromebooks

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced students and educators around the globe to adapt to a remote learning environment. As a result, tools like Meet and Zoom are an important part of everyday life. These services are only good, however, if they’re able to perform to expectations.

With Chromebooks often at the center of most education programs, Google on Thursday announced plans to improve the performance of these devices, so they can batter handle frequent video conferencing.

“These Chrome OS updates will help students run video calls at home while they’re using apps like Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides and other tools, regardless of the device or the strength of their internet connections,” Google said in a blog post.

With the performance updates, students will be able to more easily multitask. That means the performance of other apps won’t be bogged down while in a Meet call. Google said this applies to Meet’s more advanced features, like Grid View, which displays all participants in a call at once.

Google said that it’s also improving the camera and video feed performance in Chromebooks. It’s doing this by making sure that audio and video data doesn’t require any unnecessary processing.

Meet will also dynamically adjust based on what you’re doing. If you need to share you screen, for example, Meet’s video resolution or frame rate may be decreased slightly so video performance doesn’t suffer. And if your network speeds slow down—say it’s congested from multiple device connections—Meet will turn off some video feeds to make sure you’re not interrupted.

Similarly, Google said it has teamed up with Zoom engineers to improve the performance of the platform on Chromebooks. For example, Zoom will also dynamically adjust video performance depending on what’s going on.

Google has introduced several new improvements to Meet over the last few months that make remote learning less difficult. It introduced hand-raising, digital whiteboards, Q&A breakout rooms, and a virtual green room. These latest performance improvements to Chrome OS will ensure Meet is even better, hopefully allowing students and teachers to focus on learning, not  about the quality of their video chat.

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Galaxy Watch 3 update adds support for SmartThings Find to track your lost device

Samsung has introduced an update to the Galaxy Watch 3 that brings support for SmartThings Find to the wearable. The feature arrives alongside several other changes, including reduced auto workout detection.

Introduced last year, SmartThings Find helps you locate your lost Samsung Galaxy devices. The feature makes use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. So, if you misplace your Galaxy Watch 3, you should be able to see its location, whether it’s in your home or at the coffee shop you just left. The feature works even if your missing device is offline.

Here’s the full changelog (via TizenHelp):

  • Improved Samsung Health Function
    • You can now enjoy a group-walking challenge with your friends
    • Reduced auto workout recognition time (running, rowing machines, elliptical)
    • Enjoy home workout with a variety of fitness programs
  • SmartThings Find
    • You can find the location of the watch on the map.
  • Hand Wash
    • After downloading the Hand Wash app, your watch can automatically detect and time, when you start washing your hands.
  • Improved system stability and reliability

If you do lose your Galaxy Watch 3, SmartThings Find should be able display its location on a map. Once you’re nearby, the app will also give you the option to make the device ring. Additionally, the service supports a nifty AR-based Search Nearby function, which will display color graphics that will intensify as you get closer.

If the device you’re looking for has been offline for 30 minutes, it will produce a BLE signal that can be received by other nearby devices. That means if you report your device as lost in SmartThings Find, other Galaxy devices not owned by you can be used to uncover its location. It’s a nifty system that’s also used by other item tracking services, including Tile.

If you don’t see an update for your Galaxy Watch 3, you should see it soon in the U.S., India, and South Korea. The SmartThings Find feature is compatible with Galaxy smartphones running Android 8 or later, and Galaxy Watches running Tizen 5.5 or later.

SmartThings (Free, Google Play) →

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Xbox Series X and Series S Restocks: Stock at Walmart going live at 3PM ET!

It’s time for a new gaming console generation, so you know what that means… time to hopelessly try to get a new console! Like most new generational launches, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is difficult to find, and many are left waiting for seconds-long Xbox Series X and S restocks. It’s a frustrating situation for sure, and while we can’t offer you a surefire way to get an Xbox Series X or Series S, we can help by gathering everything you need to know in one place. Check out the below and happy hunting!

By the way, we also have a restock guide for the PlayStation 5!

When and where will the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S be restocked?

While we believe the information below is accurate, it’s important to note that sometimes restocks don’t happen as planned. Restocks may go up late, websites may break, or retailers may just change their minds. This information is to help you plan for possible restocks.

Stock for the new Xbox series of systems seems to be doing a bit better than the PlayStation 5, but it’s still difficult to grab one. A Microsoft spokesperson even told CNET that stock will be limited until April 2021.

Thankfully, there’s some hope! Walmart is offering another chance with more stock going live on February 4 at 3 PM ET. Get your information ready now and you may be able to snag a console before the site crashes!

Amazon and Best Buy have occasionally been dropping stock of the new consoles, but it’s often without warning. You can check the store page occasionally, but it’s often best that you follow Twitter accounts or bots that provide minute-to-minute updates on the Xbox Series consoles for grabbing one on.

If you really need an Xbox Series X or S before Christmas, you can pick one up for an inflated price at StockX. Xbox prices seem to be less inflated than the PlayStation 5, at least! Also, StockX is a bit safer at the moment for buying a reseller console. eBay is unfortunately full of misleading listings and flat out scams. If you’re going this route, stick with StockX!

General advice for restocks

Trying to get your hands on something with limited stock is really, really stressful. Make sure to give yourself the best chance you can by following the advice below!

  • Make sure you have an account at the store, and all personal information is updated. Restocks of popular items like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S put huge strains on websites. On top of that, when it comes to items like these, retailers will only allow you to hold it in your cart for a few minutes. Don’t waste your chance trying to update your address or payment information!
  • Start refreshing the page early. Often, retailers won’t put stock up at EXACTLY the moment they say. It may be a few minutes early or late. Get to the store page of the item you want before the restock time. You might get lucky!
  • Use Ctrl+F5, not just F5. This gives you a hard refresh, that doesn’t pull store information from the cache. So, you won’t get outdated information and will be able to see the “Buy” button as soon as possible!
  • It’s usually better to be on the computer, rather than your phone. While that is not always the case, mobile websites aren’t always optimized for fast refreshing. Or optimized for mobile viewing at all, sometimes. However, sometimes you can have better luck on a mobile app than a browser site. It’s not very often, though, so it’s best to start trying with your computer browser, first.

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Store Links

Don’t waste time and effort searching for store links when going for an Xbox Series X restock. We’ve gathered all the potential US retailers and the store pages you need below!

Xbox Series X links, online-only:

Xbox Series X links, in-store only:

Xbox Series X links, membership required:

Xbox Series S links, online-only:

Xbox Series S links, in-store only:

Xbox Series S links, membership required:

The post Xbox Series X and Series S Restocks: Stock at Walmart going live at 3PM ET! appeared first on xda-developers.



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PlayStation 5 Restocks: Walmart stock going live at 3PM ET!

The PlayStation 5 has, in short, been a nightmare to actually get your hands on, so far. With the limited pre-order stock, site outages, and random seconds-long PlayStation 5 restocks, consumers are being left frustrated and without a (massive) new console to adorn their entertainment center. It’s a frustrating situation for sure, and while we can’t offer you a surefire way to get a PlayStation 5, we can help by gathering everything you need to know in one place. Check out below and happy hunting!

By the way, we also have a restock guide for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S!

When and where will the PlayStation 5 be restocked?

While we believe the information below is accurate, it’s important to note that sometimes restocks don’t happen as planned. Restocks may go up late, websites may break, or retailers may just change their minds. This information is to help you plan as much as possible for possible restocks.

Things might look a bit rough, but there is hope for some PlayStation 5 restocks! Sony has announced via Twitter that more PS5s will come in stock throughout December:

 

Walmart is offering another chance with more stock going live February 4 at 3 PM ET. Get your information ready now and you may be able to snag a console before the site crashes!

Your next best bet at this time will be with PlayStation Direct, who is doing something a little different with their PlayStation 5 restocks. They allow you to enter a queue daily, giving you a chance to order the PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. So far, this seems to be a more effective method of trying for the PlayStation 5, but being in the queue doesn’t guarantee a console.

Amazon and Best Buy has the consoles come in and out of stock at random intervals. If you check in occasionally, you may get lucky. However, with no way of knowing when they’ll come in stock, it’s hard to recommend them unless you’re also following a bot or Twitter account that follows stock from minute to minute.

Some other retailers had console stock during Black Friday, but have been silent about PlayStation 5 availability for the rest of the holiday season. Hopefully, we’ll know more soon!

Finally, if you don’t mind paying a hugely inflated price, you can pick up a PlayStation 5 from StockX. While it’s not something I’d recommend, if you need a PlayStation 5 in time for your holidays, then StockX will be the better reseller place to buy from. Unfortunately, eBay is rife with misleading listings that can turn your happy holidays into something miserable.

General advice for restocks

Trying to get your hands on something with limited stock is really, really stressful. Make sure to give yourself the best chance you can by following the advice below!

  • Make sure you have an account at the store, and all personal information is updated. Restocks of popular items like the PlayStation 5 put huge strains on websites. On top of that, when it comes to items like this, retailers will only allow you to hold it in your cart for a few minutes. Don’t waste your chance trying to update your address or payment information!
  • Start refreshing the page early. Often, retailers won’t put stock up at EXACTLY the moment they say. It may be a few minutes early or late. Get to the store page of the item you want before the restock time. You might get lucky!
  • Use Ctrl+F5, not just F5. This gives you a hard refresh that doesn’t pull store information from the cache. So, you won’t get outdated information and will be able to see the “Buy” button as soon as possible!
  • It’s usually better to be on the computer, rather than your phone. While that is not always the case, mobile websites aren’t always optimized for fast refreshing. Or optimized for mobile viewing at all, sometimes. However, sometimes you can have better luck on a mobile app than a browser site. It’s not very often, though, so it’s best to start trying with your computer browser, first.

PlayStation 5 Store Links

Don’t waste time and effort searching for store links when going for a PlayStation 5 restock. We’ve gathered all the potential US retailers and the store pages you need below!

PlayStation 5 Links, online-only:

PlayStation 5 Links, in-store only:

PlayStation 5 links, membership required:

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition links, online-only:

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition links, in-store only:

The post PlayStation 5 Restocks: Walmart stock going live at 3PM ET! appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google just booted The Great Suspender off the Chrome Web Store for being malware

People love to joke about Google Chrome eating a lot of RAM, but there’s definitely some truth to it, especially if you’re a tab hoarder. Currently, I have about 40 tabs open and 20 extensions installed, and Windows Task Manager reports that Chrome is using almost 3GB of RAM. I have plenty of RAM in my PC so that’s not a problem for me, but for those of you running Chrome with 8GB or less of RAM installed, you may run out of memory for other programs. Fortunately, there are a few solutions to this problem. You could close some tabs, but that means you won’t be able to easily pick up where you left off. Alternatively, you can use an extension like The Great Suspender to suspend tabs, freeing up some memory. If you’re one of many who loved The Great Suspender extension, then we have bad news: it’s probably malware.

For some people, this isn’t news. Since November of 2020, close followers of the extension have warned that it may be running malicious code. The old maintainer of the extension sold it to an unknown party in June of 2020, and users alleged that the unknown party quietly slipped some trackers into version 7.1.8 of the extension. Although version 7.1.9 removed the tracker, many users were understandably suspicious of the extension. Then in early January of this year, multiple media outlets picked up on the news, and many, including myself, decided to ditch it. Earlier today, however, Google pulled the plug entirely on the popular Chrome extension, forcibly removing The Great Suspender from people’s Chrome installations and removing the extension’s listing on the Chrome Web Store.

Chrome’s removal message for The Great Suspender. Credits: Redditor /u/justingolden21

Many users on Reddit and Twitter report that The Great Suspender was removed from their PCs. Two threads on Reddit’s /r/Chrome subreddit are full of comments from people complaining about the sudden decision, as the removal resulted in the closing of all their suspended tabs. Fortunately, there’s a way to recover your suspended tabs, as pointed out by Redditor /u/avatar_ENG. Simply open your search history and search for “klbibkeccnjlkjkiokjodocebajanakg”. If that doesn’t work, you can try the other options outlined here.

If you’re looking for an alternative to The Great Suspender, community member TheMageKing — who brought the malicious changes to light back in November — recommends Tabs Outliner, Auto Tab Discard, or Session Buddy. If you enjoyed using The Great Suspender, you can also manually compile the last known safe version of the extension (7.1.6) from the GitHub repo and sideload it by enabling Chrome’s developer mode and selecting “load unpacked extension.” A precompiled version of 7.1.6 is available on the Chrome Web Store under the name “The Marvellous Suspender“, but we can’t vouch for its safety.

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Google considers “less stringent” version of Apple’s anti-tracking features for Android

Apple made waves when it introduced its App Tracking Transparency feature, which it set to release in iOS 14.5. The tool essentially requires developers to ask for permission to track iOS users for ad targeting. Now, Google is apparently developing a similar feature of its own.

Bloomberg reports that Google is exploring an alternative to Apple’s App Tracking Transparency in an effort to limit data collection and cross-app tracking on Android. Google’s version would be “less stringent,” according to the report’s sources.

“Google is trying to balance the rising demands of privacy-conscious consumers with the financial needs of developers and advertisers,” Bloomberg said.

In a statement to the publication, a Google spokesperson didn’t confirm or deny a feature is incoming, but said the search giant is always looking to balance privacy with an app ecosystem that’s healthy and ad-supported. That means Google’s upcoming version of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency will likely be less strict and may not even require developers to get permission from users to track their data.

“To keep advertisers happy while improving privacy, the discussions around Google’s Android solution indicate that it could be similar to its planned Chrome web browser changes,” Bloomberg said.

Google previously announced plans to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome within two years. Instead, the browser will use an alternative that allows some ad targeting with less specific data collection. Advertisers will be able to target groups of people with similar interest, but not individuals. This could potentially be the approach Google takes on Android.

After introducing App Tracking Transparency last year, Apple has come under fire from companies who claim the new policies will harm small business. Facebook has been one of the most vocal critics of Apple’s new feature, and is even considering an antitrust lawsuit. Apple, meanwhile, says the new features are designed to stand up for users.

“Users should know when their data is being collected and shared across other apps and websites—and they should have the choice to allow that or not,” Apple said last year.

It will be interesting to see how far Google goes when it ultimately introduces its own version of App Tracking Transparency. After all, a big portion of Google’s business is advertising, but with privacy becoming more of a concern for users, the search giant may be forced to follow in Apple’s footsteps—or at least find a happy medium.

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