Google Chrome may soon stop supporting some extensions
Google Chrome users are noticing an unwanted change, the browser has started displaying a warning that reads “These extensions will soon be no longer supported“. This message appears on the extensions page, but what is it about? Why are add-ons leaving?
The reason for this is Manifest V3. This is an API used to access certain privacy-related features in Chrome. But, unlike its predecessor, Manifest V2, the new version lacks support for certain specifications that would reduce the capabilities of content blockers. Even though Manifest V3 has been included in Chrome since 2019, Google has not removed support for the older version. But that’s what’s changing, Chrome is discontinuing support for Manifest V2 later this year, which is why users will be warned that some of the extensions they use will stop working. It’s up to extension developers to update their add-ons to support the new API. The developers of uBlock Origin warn that the add-on will not be able to block ads as effectively, and users are advised to switch to Mozilla Firefox for optimal ad blocking.
YouTube has a new way to circumvent ad blockers, but it’s not working
Users who use ad blockers to access YouTube say they are facing a new issue. The streaming service is preventing them from watching videos, and instead displaying a black screen. This is reportedly caused by ads that are embedded directly into the video, i.e. server side ads. The black screen lasts for 6 seconds before the video starts.
Since last year, Google has been harassing ad blocker users to subscribe to YouTube Premium. First, it started displaying a pop-up message to ask users to disable their ad blocking software. Many users have reported that YouTube was slowing down on Firefox and other browsers, but it did not affect Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
It is clear that YouTube’s fight against ad blockers has gotten more aggressive, but ad blockers are not giving up. uBlock Origin has been updated to counter every obstacle that Google keeps putting on content blocker extensions. Google is trying its best to annoy users, hoping they will buy a YouTube subscription. The main problem here is that it is quite expensive, $13.99 per month
Firefox is getting automatic picture-in-picture mode for videos
Mozilla is adding a new feature to Firefox. The open-source browser will soon automatically play videos in picture-in-picture mode, so to speak, in a pop-up window. This is not a particularly new feature in Firefox, but it used to have to be toggled manually. To use it, play a video and click on the PiP button displayed on the overlay. This will allow the video to play in a small window that you can drag to any part of the screen, resize it, and it also stays on top of other windows. It’s a handy way to watch videos while doing something else.
However, the new implementation of this feature will turn on the pop-up overlay automatically, i.e. when you play a video, it will automatically switch to picture-in-picture mode, without requiring any input from the user. This feature is available in the latest version of the Nightly channel as an experimental option that you can toggle. The current version is Firefox Nightly 130.
Update your iPhone, iPad and Mac now to avoid security issues
Apple has released some Important Updates For iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices. The update patches critical security vulnerabilities in multiple versions of the operating systems.
macOS 14.6 allows M3 MacBook Pro users to connect their computer to multiple monitors. iPhone users in Japan can now use the Emergency SOS Satellite feature to contact rescue services. iOS 17.6 also has the CatchUp feature, which was revealed a year ago. This option is currently available exclusively to MLS Season Pass subscribers in the Apple TV app. CatchUp displays a group of clips showing highlights in an ongoing game, and users who join the video stream later can watch the video in the Key Plays carousel.
iOS 17.6 for iPhone XS and above comes with more than 30 security patches, similarly iPadOS 17.6 fixes most of the vulnerabilities on modern iPads. Apple has also released iOS 16.7.9 and iOS 15.8.3 to fix some security issues affecting older iPhones and iPads to protect users who are still using older models.
OpenAI wants SearchGPT to become the best AI-powered search engine
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT, has announced its plans to compete in the search engine market. It has launched a new service called SearchGPT.And just like ChatGPT, SearchGPT will also be powered by artificial intelligence.
The company aims to scale greater heights than traditional search engines by revolutionizing the way people search for things on the internet. SearchGPT uses a conversational style similar to ChatGPT to provide users with relevant information about their queries. The service will display answers quickly, and cite the sources from where it has obtained the data for transparency. Users will be able to ask follow-up questions to interact with the AI to maintain context, ChatGPT’s main drawback is that it is trained on a database, which means the results it provides are often out of date. Hopefully SearchGPT will not fall prey to such limitations, and provide relevant information in real-time. SearchGPT is currently available in closed beta, it is unclear when the service will be launched for all users.
According to a study, not every AI tool is useful. recent surveyMany employees have said that AI is harmful to work. It has reportedly affected the productivity of employees, and also reduced the quality of work. This has resulted in increased workload.
Google has Gemini, while Microsoft has Copilot which incidentally is powered by ChatGPT, so OpenAI will have a lot of difficulty competing with its rivals. Whether it will succeed is a question that only time will answer.
