You can now open iCloud’s mobile website on your Android device

By and large, Apple’s ecosystem is a locked ecosystem, leading to the famous “walled garden” expression. However, many users do use multiple ecosystems interchangeably. They may have an Android phone and an iPad, for example. Google’s services can be accessed through apps on both Android and iOS as well as through well-designed mobile websites. On the other hand, Apple is lagging behind here. Out of all its services, the company offers only the Apple Music app for Android, while vital apps such as iCloud are not available. Google Drive can be accessed on any Internet-connected device, and it’s shocking to believe that iCloud didn’t have a mobile website up until now. It did have a desktop site available, which could be accessed by requesting the desktop version of the non-existent mobile site. However, like all desktop sites, it was cumbersome to use on mobile. This means that Android users didn’t have an easy way of accessing the iCloud account data on their Android phone. Apple has finally fixed this issue by developing a proper mobile site of iCloud.com, which works on both iOS and Android.

Source: The Verge

The development of iCloud’s mobile website means that iOS and Android users can access Apple services such as Notes, Photos, Reminders, and Find My iPhone from their phone’s web browser. The UI of the site looks similar to the iCloud mobile app on iOS. This makes it much easier to use on a smartphone as compared to using a desktop site with small touch targets. For Android users who use Apple devices such as iPads or secondary iPhones for work, the improvement will be particularly welcome. Even iPhone users will benefit from this as the Find My iPhone service will now work on an Android phone.

The new UI is live on iCloud.com, but it’s limited to the aforementioned four Apple services. Other iCloud features such as Contacts, Calendar, and iWork apps aren’t available yet. With iCloud, Apple proved to be shockingly late to the mobile website/web app business, as Google is so far ahead in offering services across ecosystems. Still, it’s better late than never.

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Via: The Verge

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Google will update Chrome to block three kinds of intrusive video ads

Ads are a controversial topic in web browsing and video streaming. The use of ad blocking software is held by web publishers to be counterproductive practice as it reduces or in some cases wipes out websites’ earnings by blocking their primary source of revenue. Equally, however, some users justify ad blockers because of intrusive ads that interfere with web browsing, reduce battery life on devices, and in general, lead to a deterioration in user experience. The theoretical solution is simple. To reduce ad blocker usage, ad providers have to agree on standardized forms of ads that aren’t intrusive. To that end, Google has been working the group responsible for developing the Better Ads Standards: the Coalition for Better Ads. Now, Google has announced that it will update Google Chrome to block three kinds of intrusive video ads.

The company notes that Chrome has a long history of protecting users from annoying experiences such as blocking popup windows and warning users if a page has malware. For the last years, Google’s focus has been to address annoying, intrusive ads. In 2018, it started removing the ads from websites that continually show intrusive ads that violate industry standards. It also updated its own advertising solutions to ensure that it’s not selling or serving the kinds of ads that users find the most annoying. Apparently, it has since seen ad blocking rates “drop significantly” in Chrome in North America and Europe.

For the determination of intrusive ads, Google relies on the Better Ads Standards. The Coalition for Better Ads has now announced a new set of standards that show during videos, based on research from 45,000 consumers worldwide. According to its research, while there are many types of video ads, there are three ad experiences that people find particularly disruptive on video content that is less than eight minutes long.

Source: Coalition for Better Ads

The first one is long, non-skippable pre-roll ads or groups of ads longer than 31 seconds that appear before a video and that cannot be skipped within the first seconds.

The second category is mid-roll ads of any duration that appear in the middle of a video, interrupting the original content.

The third type is image or text ads that appear on top of a playing video and are in the middle 1/3 of the video player window or cover more than 20% of the video content.

The Coalition for Better Ads has announced that website owners should stop showing these type of ads to their site visitors in the next four months. In compliance, Google has announced that Chrome will expand its user protections and stop showing all ads on sites in any country that reportedly shows these disruptive ads beginning August 5, 2020. Surprisingly, the company notes that YouTube, just like any other website with video content, will be reviewed for compliance with the standards. This is a significant announcement.

Google will also update its product plans across our ad platforms, including YouTube, as a result of the new standard. For websites that show ads, Google advises owners to consider reviewing their site status in the Ad Experience Report, which is a tool that helps publishers to understand if Chrome has identified any violating ad experiences on their site. The company will update the report this week with information to help publishers resolve any issues with the new video standards.

It’s fairly clear that these new video standards represent a momentous change for video ads, especially for YouTube. A strict implementation of the new standard will essentially change how YouTube currently serves ads on videos, and will represent a big step back from the brink of highly intrusive ads that cheapened the video content experience. For viewers, such a change is certain to be viewed in a highly positive manner.

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Source: Google

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Motorola Razr leaked renders reveal unannounced gold model

The era of foldable phones has officially kicked off. It has been looming over our heads for close to a decade, and it has been highly anticipated during this time. Last year, Samsung officially took the wraps off the Galaxy Fold, the first “mainstream” foldable phone to launch to the wider public. Other companies like Huawei have also had their dig at the concept, but one of the most interesting ones came from Motorola late last year, with the Motorola Razr. It’s a throwback to the RAZR flip phone launched in 2004, albeit in a newer form factor and carrying a foldable display.

Motorola Razr XDA Forums

Far from just appealing to the nostalgic crowd, something that the new Motorola Razr does an amazing job at, the device also showcases one of the foldable form factors that make the most sense to the wider public: a classic flip phone that can flip open into a regular, old-fashioned smartphone. Even Samsung themselves are taking a jab at this form factor as well with the launch of the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip, set to be announced alongside the upcoming Galaxy S20 lineup. The Razr is now available for pre-order, but leakster Evan Blass has now showcased a gold version of the device, featuring a gold bottom bezel and back.

It’s unclear whether this device will be released sooner or later, as Motorola didn’t initially announce any color variants for the Razr at all—we only got to know a black variant. It might be that this color variant doesn’t see a release at all either. There is the possibility, however, that Motorola could announce it by the same time as Samsung’s newest announcements in an attempt to try to sour interest in the Galaxy Z Flip. New device announcements at MWC 2020 are on the horizon, so we shall wait and see.

Source: Twitter

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YouTube will kill its classic desktop user interface in March

YouTube is the most popular video streaming service on the Web. Over the years, the Alphabet-owned company has redesigned its desktop user interface multiple times. In 2017, the desktop version of the service received a major redesign based on Google’s Material Design principles, including the use of more white space and bigger fonts. The redesign also included new features such as a dark mode (which arrived in Android in 2018) and better playback of portrait videos. It first started rolling out in March, and received a wider roll-out in August of that year. The interesting thing was that YouTube still retained an option for users to disable the new YouTube interface and switch back to its classic desktop UI. In fact, it was the default option on other web browsers for many months, until they were switched to the design incrementally. Now, the company has announced that it will kill the classic interface in March 2020.

Users who are still using the classic desktop interface will now get a notification that tells them to “Switch to the new YouTube”. The notification will also mention if their current browser is compatible with the new YouTube. YouTube’s reasoning for killing off the classic UI is that older versions of YouTube are missing “many of the new features and design improvements [that the company] has introduced over the past three years, including top requests based on [user] feedback”. The company also says that users may need to update their browser if it’s not compatible with the new version. The exact date for the transition was not mentioned.

It’s worth noting that the new YouTube design has a history of performing poorly in non-Chromium-based browsers such as the old Microsoft Edge and Firefox because of its reliance on a deprecated shadow DOM UI (it used Polymer 1.0 instead of newer versions such as Polymer 2.0 or Polymer 3.0). Specifically, it could even perform five times as slower in Firefox and Edge than in Chrome. The new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge has no problems with the new design, as expected. Users of older browsers that were still using the classic UI will have no choice but to upgrade their browser now to keep using YouTube, as it doesn’t seem as if any workarounds will be available to keep using the old UI. Therefore, the march to a Chromium-dominant web will continue.

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Via: 9to5Google

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10 Things That Everyone Traveling for Work Needs

Traveling for work is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you are not permanently stuck in the office. But life on the road definitely comes with challenges. Here are ten gadgets and accessories that can make the journey much smoother — now with up to 74% off MSRP at the XDA Developers Depot.

MP02: Minimalist 4G Mobile Phone

This push-button phone gives you access to key technology, without the distractions of push notifications and games. You get 4G LTE connectivity with support for VoLTE, and 180 hours of battery life on standby. Normally $349, the MP02 phone is now $299.99.

Genius Pack Travel Backpack

This smart backpack opens into three sections, with a laundry-compression section, and space for a laptop. It comes with a charger to keep your devices powered, and the shell is water resistant. Worth $198, the backpack is now only $129 after a major price drop.

Incase Reform 15″ Brief with TENSAERLITE

With a faux-fur lining and impact-resistant sides, this stylish brief is a safer way to carry a MacBook. The butterfly design lets you fly through TSA checks, and there is even a dedicated iPad sleeve. The Reform Brief retails for $89.95, but you can get it now for $57.95.

InstaSteam™: The World’s First Electricity-Free Clothing Steamer

Measuring just 6.5 inches long, InstaSteam lets you freshen up your clothes wherever you go. You can steam two or three garments at a time, and you don’t even need an electricity supply. The InstaSteam is currently 39% off MSRP at $14.99. 

Incase Nylon Backpack

Made from ballistic nylon with a faux-fur pocket for any 15-inch laptop, the Incase backpack can handle any trip. It has five smaller pockets for accessories, and adjustable shoulder straps for comfort. Normally $159.95, the backpack is currently 74% off at $39.99.

Tech Accessory Travel Bag

Perfect for wires, power banks, USB drives, action cameras, and more, this gadget bag keeps your small items secure. It has 12 elastic loops for cables, slots for SIM and TF cards, and a water-resistant exterior. Normally priced at $24.99, it is currently $13.99.

Genius Pack Compression Packing Cubes Set

Designed to fit inside any regular overnight bag or suitcase, these compression cubes help you fit more into your luggage. The set includes small, medium, and large cubes, each made from durable nylon. Worth $78, the set is now only $39.99.

Rollux 2-in-1 Expandable Suitcase

Thanks to an award-winning design, Rollux can transform from a carry-on bag into a full suitcase in seconds. It is made from high-quality materials, with detachable spinner wheels and a built-in USB port. Originally priced at $349, the bag is now only $224.99.

Omni-Travel Bundle

Meet the ultimate travel survival pack. This bundle includes a soft memory foam travel pillow, a light-blocking sleep mask, and a lightweight travel toothbrush. It comes in a bag that straps onto your suitcase. Worth $99, the bundle is now 39% off at $59.99.

EndlessID® Smart Luggage & Backpack Tags: 4-Pack

These smart luggage tags are NFC-enabled, meaning baggage handlers can look up your details in seconds. In addition, you can upload medical information and see the last known location of your bag via email. Order now for $42.49 to get this four-pack, worth $79.96.

Prices subject to change 

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Huawei Band 4 goes on sale in India for ₹1,999 ($28)

The fitness band market in India is heating up and a number of smartphone OEMs have entered this space with their own unique offerings. Late last month, Chinese OEM Huawei also launched its fitness band — the Huawei Band 4 — in India for ₹2,099. The new fitness band from Huawei features a 0.96-inch touch-enabled display and a design reminiscent of the fitness bands from its sub-brand Honor. Unlike the fitness band from Honor, however, the Huawei Band 4 features a built-in USB plug to charge the device which eliminates the need for a proprietary charging dock.

For your fitness tracking needs, the Honor Band 4 includes support for 9 exercise modes, including outdoor running, indoor running, walking, outdoor cycling, indoor cycling, free training, elliptical machine, rowing machine, and indoor walk. The band is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means that you can also take it swimming with you. For the health-conscious, the Huawei Band 4 includes a continuous heart rate monitor and a scientific sleep mode detector that can identify 6 most common sleep-related disorders. Additionally, the band features other quality-of-life features, including smart identification of cold calls, a phone finder, remote shutter capabilities, a smart clock, and a sedentary reminder to ensure you stay active.

Even with all the aforementioned features, the Huawei Band 5 boasts of up to 9 days of battery life on a single charge thanks to its 91mAh battery. The Huawei Band 4 is already available for purchase on Flipkart for an introductory price of ₹1,999 (~$28). If you’re interested in purchasing the new Huawei Band 4, you can follow the link to the Flipkart listing below. Do note that the introductory pricing is only available for a limited time, after which the band will be available for ₹2,099.

Buy Huawei Band 4 from Flipkart

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Google Chrome 80 stable update rolling out for Android and Desktop

Over the last few weeks, Google has been testing a bunch of new features for its popular browser Chrome. We’ve seen evidence of a radically new UI for Chrome’s new tab page on Android, a custom share sheet that was spotted in Canary, less intrusive notification prompts, and more. Now, Google has started rolling out some of these features in the latest update for Google Chrome. As per a recent report from BleepingComputer, Chrome 80 has now started rolling out to both Android and desktop. The update brings a wide array of security fixes, bug fixes, and several new features. Here are some of the major changes included in Chrome version 80.0.3987.87.

Back in May last year, Google announced new cookie controls to improve the way Google Chrome managed cookies. With the latest update, Chrome is enforcing the secure-by-default cookie classification system which is designed to treat cookies without a SameSite value SameSite=Lax. Google claims that only cookies set as SameSite=None; Secure will be available in third-party contexts, with the condition that they’re accessed from a secure connection. For a detailed explanation of what the SameSite cookie change is all about, you can check the video below.

The Google Chrome 80 update also auto-upgrades mixed content by rewriting the URL to HTTPS. The browser doesn’t provide an HTTP fallback and blocks the websites if they fail to load over https://. We learned about this feature back in October last year, and as per the schedule shared on the Chromium Blog, Chrome will now automatically update mixed audio and video resources. Mixed images, however, will still be allowed to load, but they will bring up the “Not Secure” label in the omnibox.

With Chrome 80, developers will also be able to use scalable SVG images as favicons. This could, in turn, help them reduce the number of such resources on any website or app. Additionally, the update also enables authors and users to link a specific portion of a webpage by adding a text fragment from the page to the website URL. When such a URL is opened in the browser, the added text will be highlighted in the page and Chrome will automatically scroll the highlighted fragment into view.

On top of all these changes, the latest Chrome update also brings a selection of changes and improvements to DevTools, along with a fix for 56 vulnerabilities identified in the browser.

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Source: Google (1,2), Chromium Blog

Via: BleepingComputer

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