Google Search on the desktop gains (almost) endless scrolling
Google's search engine may be the go-to tool for millions of daily users looking to track down information online, but there has long been room for improvement. As anyone who has conducted a search that returned a huge number of results will know, clicking through page after page of suggestions can be time consuming.
Now Google has come up with a solution. Having delivered continuous scrolling to mobile users last year, the company has now brought the time-saving feature to the desktop. While not quite endless / infinite scrolling, you can now whizz through more results without the need to manually move to the next page.
Google announces long-overdue desktop VPN apps for Windows and macOS
Google has just offered an incentive to subscribe to Google One. The company is launching a desktop client that makes it possible to use its VPN service on Windows and macOS -- something that was previously only possible on iOS and Android devices.
While Google's VPN service and the associated apps are free, you need to be signed up to Google One Premium in order to access it.
ChromeOS Redesigned shows us a possible future of Google's Linux-based operating system
Google’s ChromeOS is incredibly popular, particularly among students. It’s easy to see why as it’s lightweight, fast, and secure.
There is a slight learning curve to it though, especially if you’ve been using a different operating system for years, like Windows or macOS.
YouTube promotes a 'live' crypto scam for Taylor Swift
On my YouTube home page at the moment is a promoted 'live' ask me anything from Taylor Swift. Seeing as her latest album Midnights is currently breaking records everywhere, that’s not surprising.
The thing is this live video isn’t what it seems to be.
Google Chrome will no longer be supported on these Microsoft Windows versions
Google Chrome is a great web browser for many reasons, including its cross-platform nature. You can run Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android, for instance, and use the same Chrome web browser on all of those operating systems. Thanks to cloud data syncing, you can have a seamless experience too.
With the upcoming Google Chrome 110, however, there will be two fewer operating systems supported. You see, early next year, Google will be dropping support for its web browser on both Windows 7 and 8.1. In other words, if you use Microsoft's desktop operating system, you will need to be on Windows 10 or 11.
Google launches My Ad Center to give you more control over the ads you see
Ads are now part and parcel of using the internet and many apps, and much of what you see is because of Google. It is going to be a long time before Google changes its business model and is no longer reliant on showing you ads, but the company is aware of the annoyance people experience when they see advertising that is is completely inappropriate or touches on sensitive topics.
As such, Google has announced My Ad Center, a portal through which it is possible to gain more control over your ad experience. What this means in practice is that you will be able to do things such as choose whether or not you'd like to see tailored ads, control what sort of information Google is able to use to personalise your ads, and even opt out of seeing ads for certain topics.
Google open source project aims to boost supply chain security
Software supply chain security is at the top of a lot of agendas at the moment, more so since the Log4j vulnerability was discovered and since the US Executive Order on cybersecurity.
Google is seeking contributors to a new open source project called GUAC (Graph for Understanding Artifact Composition), which although in its early stages yet is poised to change how the industry understands software supply chains.
Google warns YouTube Premium Family subscribers of massive price rise
Google has started the process of informing YouTube Premium subscribers about an impending price rise for its Family plan. The hike is a significant one, with subscribers in the US looking at a $5 jump from $17.99 per month to $22.99.
The new pricing takes immediate effect for new subscribers, but existing users have at least 30 days from the date of receiving the email from Google. For those who signed up for YouTube Red when it existed, there is a brief stay of execution.
Some searches relating to emoji are breaking Google
Emoji -- you either love 'em or you hate 'em, and at the moment it seems that Google dislikes them quite a lot.
Confused internet users are reporting that performing certain searches about emoji is causing Google to time out and display a server error. The bizarre problem is yet to be explained, but there are theories about what is happening.
Biggest tech acquisitions of 2022
The economic downturn of 2022 hasn’t stopped the tech industry from engaging in merger and acquisition activity. Though deals have decreased by 40 percent in the first half of 2022, several firms and solution providers have negotiated pacts of up to billions of dollars.
Most of the acquisition activity is because of the overall decline in the stock market. When prices plunge and company valuations reduce, firms step in to bargain.
Passkey support comes to Chrome and Android
Google has announced today that it's bringing passkey support to both Chrome and Android. Passkeys offer a significantly safer replacement for passwords and other phishable authentication factors and mark another step towards a passwordless future.
If you're unfamiliar with passkeys, they're a joint initiative from Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Unlike a password the key is stored exclusively on your devices and never gets shared with anyone else.
YouTube launches @ handles for channels
YouTube has announced that creators can now make use of @ handles for their channels. The move is a long time coming and the aim is to help increase engagement on the platform.
With the introduction of handles, YouTube is making it easier for users to mention others in their comments and more. Handles are rolling out over the next month, and YouTube says that it will notify creators when they are able to choose one for their channel.
Google Pixel Watch is finally here, but the smartwatch is very underwhelming
Are smartwatches popular? Well, the Apple Watch certainly is. Other brands? Not so much. Quite frankly, Android users have had to deal with watches that are far inferior to the excellent Apple Watch. Being an Android user has not been very fun in recent years.
Earlier today, Google unveiled its newest flagship Android phones -- the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Unfortunately, the Pixel line has been disastrous lately, and I am not expecting anything different with the new models. With all of the bugs and issues that have plagued the past several Pixel phones, I am surprised anyone would still buy one, but I digress.
Google unveils the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, keeps the pricing the same as last year
At its fall hardware event today, Google took the wraps off the next generation of its flagship smartphones -- the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Powered by a next-generation Google Tensor G2 processor, and running Android 13, the new devices sport an aluminum enclosure made entirely of recycled content. What’s somewhat unusual about the Pixel 7 is Google has opted to make in smaller than its predecessor, the Pixel 6.
Picking up Good Vibrations from Google Maps
In the years since Google Maps arrived on the scene, millions of people have come to rely on it. Yes, there have been a few less-than-successful results, nothing is without fault, but for the most part, it has guided travelers to their destinations with few problems.
The company has also continued to keep up with the times, adding new features and updating directions based on the many constant changes to roads and conditions. It doesn't always get it right -- for instance, at the time of writing this story, the route for driving from Sarisota, Florida to Sanibel Island, Florida still shows as open.
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