Chrome OS notification center redesign borrows from Windows 10 Action Center
Google is about to change how Chrome OS users will see and interact with notifications. In a new redesign, a change to the notification center shows that Google will merge notifications with some system quick settings in a move that mirrors Microsoft's Windows 10 Action Center.
Apple’s first-generation MacBook is Amazon’s Deal of the Day
If you're shopping for a thin and light laptop, Amazon offers significant savings on Apple's first-generation MacBook -- if you're willing to settle for an older, refurbished model. The laptop comes with its own trade-offs, but you should be warned to be prepared to live the dongle life if you're getting this!
20 million Chrome users are fooled into downloading fake ad blockers
Even though Google had removed five ad blockers from its Chrome stores for using malicious code to harvest your browsing data, the lesson is to beware of fakes! These ad blockers, combined, generated more than 20 million downloads. Just remember to only download software from authors and sources you trust.
Hackers modify ransomware to deliver a Coinhive cryptocurrency-mining payload
Trend Micro discovered two variants on the XiaoBa ransomware that carries a cryptocurrency-mining payload. More specifically, it injects the Coinhive script into HTM and HTML pages cached on your PC while browsing the internet. But these variants are also highly destructive by infecting binary files.
Microsoft gives OneNote Windows 10 a promotion, kills off OneNote 2016
If you've been using the OneNote desktop application since it was first released in 2002, then you are going to have to make a decision sometime this year. Microsoft is demoting OneNote 2016 and making its OneNote for Windows 10 app its note taking favorite going forward.
AMD’s second-generation Ryzen desktop CPUs hit the market starting at $199
AMD's second-generation family of Ryzen desktop processors are now available on Amazon, Newegg, and more with a starting price of $199. There are four chips in the refreshed family, replacing two Ryzen 7 chips and two Ryzen 5 CPUs. AMD also introduced a new motherboard chipset for enthusiasts,
Intel to close its New Devices Group, signaling a retreat from wearables
Intel hinted that its getting ready to shut down its New Devices Group, the division responsible for its wearable devices. Sources say that the company will either move these developers over to other divisions, or end their employment. According to Intel, sometimes tough choices must be made.
Amazon patent wants to unmask Bitcoin users, sell data to law enforcement, others
An Amazon patent filing from 2014 that has only just been given approval suggests that the retail giant is interested in identifying both parties behind Bitcoin transactions by teaming up with telecom companies. This suggests Amazon could sell access to that information to groups like law enforcement.
Chrome’s desktop browser now supports web-based VR on the Oculus Rift
The latest stable version of Google's Chrome browser for desktop now supports the Oculus Rift headset via WebVR. The browser will automatically detect the headset, determine its capabilities, and render web-based virtual reality experiences at a compatible framerate. Firefox supports the Rift too.
Porsche’s Design Book One sale makes this luxury laptop more affordable
Thanks to a $1,000 price drop, the Porsche Design Book One is an affordable competitior to Microsoft's Surface Book. It's unclear what Porsche Design's plans are for its notebook, but the huge discount could signal a refreshed model is incoming, which could deliver even better performance and battery life.
Would you buy a Pixelbook if it could boot into Windows and Chrome OS?
Newly discovered code reveals that Google could allow Chrome OS users to dual-boot into a secondary operating system. This potentially means that Pixelbook users could run Windows 10 in addition to Chrome OS, or Google could use the feature to allow users to test its unreleased Fuchsia OS prior to launch.
Wikipedia is making it easier to explore the internet with page previews
Far be it from us to tell you to read less Wikipedia, but now, the online encyclopedia is making it a bit easier to stay on track and not get too distracted by the plethora of knowledge available on the internet -- page previews. It's the biggest change Wikipedia has made to its platform since 2010.
Localblox data breach is the latest nightmare for Facebook, LinkedIn
An ethical data breach hunter may have stopped the leak of personal data from 48 million people from Localblox’s unsecured locker, but the fact that this data exists creates a new headache for Facebook. Localblox claims that it used data scraped from LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for its database.
Microsoft Windows Defender extension offers Chrome users extra protection
Chrome users will have a little bit of extra protection when they surf the internet. Microsoft has brought its Windows Defender protection to Chrome as a browser extension in a bid to help users identify malicious websites and thwart phishing. Microsoft notes that Windows Defender is 99 percent effective.
Google Chrome 66 arrives to stall those noisy autoplay videos
With Chrome 66, Google finally begins blocking many autoplay videos, at least those with sound and on some sites. There are some rules that apply to how Chrome will block those annoying videos, and the ability to mute entire sites remains. Chrome 66 also trials a new Spectre mitigation.
Yahoo Mail is about to make RSVPing to an event a whole lot easier
Yahoo has announced a slew of updates to Yahoo Mail that includes not only new features, but also a ton of performance improvements. New features include the likes of Photo Themes, allowing you to customize your inbox, and RSVP cards, which allow you to respond to an event quickly and easily.
Cambridge Analytica designed cryptocurrency to sell back your personal data
Two wrongs don't make a right, and that's especially true for Cambridge Analytica, which had collected information from more than 87 million Facebook users. Now, a former employee reveals that the company has been working on its own cryptocurrency designed to sell your own personal data back to you.
Epson shrinks its cartridge-free ink, but it’ll still last you two years
The latest Epson WorkForce Pro printer uses a smaller design and smaller ink tanks, but the ET-8700 still ships with enough ink to last the average small business two years. The all-in-one printer uses Epson's eco-friendly, cartridge-free ink design with refillable ink tanks.
Researchers claim hackers can create havoc in the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
A recent paper published by researchers from the University of New Haven in Connecticut shows that a vulnerability in OpenGL enables the team to alter the playing space and virtual environment on the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets. It's just a proof-of-concept but possible nonetheless.
IRS E-File system crashes on Tax Day, promises to reopen within 8,000 years
April 17 is Tax Day, America's favorite holiday, and to celebrate, the Internal Revenue Service experienced an unscheduled outage. Don't worry though, it's back up, and you can get in there and file your taxes -- possibly with a bit of an extension.
Want to hide your Pornhub browsing? Use digital currency to make payments
Adult-oriented site Pornhub is now accepting cryptocurrency as payment for all products, including its monthly subscription service for premium content. More specifically, the site now accepts Verge Currency, a cryptocurrency that relies on TOR and I2P technologies to hide your transactions.
Microsoft wants to stuff Linux, not Windows 10, into Internet of Things devices
Microsoft introduced a new end-to-end platform for Internet of Things devices called Azure Sphere. It consists of a new microcontroller chip backed by a new Linux-based operating system. Microsoft likely chose Linux due to its open-source roots, given Azure Sphere is an open platform.
Ad-free Facebook access could cost as much as $168 a year
Seeing ads on Facebook may be annoying, but the alternative could wind up costing you up to $168 per year. Even though Facebook hasn’t commented on its subscription plans, an analysis suggests that the feature could come as high as $14 per month, a pricey sum to pay for those of us accustomed to free.
Google makes it even easier to get into A.I. with Raspberry Pi bundles
Getting involved with artificial intelligence for voice and vision doesn't require a massive investment in server farms and expensive audiovisual equipment. Instead, Google offers kits that include everything you need, and it now throws in the required Raspberry Pi single-board computer.
Tech companies pledge to not help governments pull off cyberattacks
Some 34 technology companies have signed the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, pledging to help keep the internet safe from cyberattacks and committing to not helping any government from carrying out attacks This may be the first step in creating a digital Geneva Convention, even if a few big names are missing from the list.
Intel, Microsoft using integrated graphics to thwart next Meltdown-style threats
Intel announced its refreshed security push during the RSA security convention The company revealed a collaboration with Microsoft that places Intel's new GPU-based Advanced Memory Scanning technology in Windows Defender. The company also introduced its Intel Security Essentials platform.
New benchmarks show increased MacBook Pro performance using external graphics
Benchmarks show increased performance in the 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar when bypassing the internal discrete Radeon Pro 460 graphics chip and using an external Radeon RX 580 add-in card. The benchmarks are testing the new external graphics support in MacOS, but expect limitations.
Intel leaks suggest a 40th-anniversary CPU is coming soon
It's been nearly 40 years since Intel's first x86 chip, the 8086, hit the market and to commemorate the momentous occasion, rumor has it Intel is planning to roll out a special edition processor with a few tricks up its sleeve -- and it could be one of the fastest six-core chips on the market.
Hackers stole digital coins while a YouTube broadcaster advised about ICOs
YouTube streamer Ian Balina was advising about initial coin offerings during a live-stream when hackers stole around $2 million in digital coins from his virtual wallet. He believes the hackers used an old college email address to break into his Gmail and Evernote accounts to access private keys.
Samsung now offers a Chromebook Pro with a backlit keyboard for cave dwellers
Samsung introduced the Chromebook Pro in May 2017. Nearly one year later, the company now offers nearly the same model but with a backlit keyboard and a reduced Bluetooth component. Everything else in the backlit version is identical to the original model -- same processor, memory, and so on.
Virtually all banking web apps are vulnerable to hackers, study finds
Banking and finance web applications, which many people use on a daily basis for managing some of their most sensitive personal information, are among the most vulnerable to attack with every app tested being affected, according to a recent study by security firm Positive Technologies.
AMD indirectly blasts Nvidia’s GeForce Partners Program in open letter
After allegations surfaced on Nvidia's anti-competitive and restrictive GeForce Partners Program, AMD penned an open letter blasting its rivals. AMD highlighted freedom as part of its philosophy, stating that freedom of choice is a staple of PC gaming, and that freedom will also extend to AMD's partners.
City of Austin is hoping the blockchain can help protect the homeless
Austin is seeking to use the tech behind Bitcoin to help solve some of the issues that its homeless population faces.
Oath revamps Yahoo, AOL privacy policies to allow email and photo scans
Users of Yahoo and AOL services may want to read over Oath's new privacy agreements as Verizon has recently changed them. The sites Oath owns can now scan emails, instant messages, photos, and other user data. The agreement also says that the data may be shared with Oath's parent company, Verizon.