Google Chrome is adding a performance overlay to help web devs build faster websites

When Google launches Chrome 90 later this year, the browser will feature an optional new overlay that will provide developers with vital stats for how a website is performing.

Chrome’s new Performance Heads-Up Display (HUD) was detailed by Google Engineering Manager Addy Osmani. The new overlay, which will become part of the Chrome DevTools, will provide developers with both Core Web Vitals and smoothness metrics. Once the HUD is enabled, it will be persistent and display on each tag.

The new performance overlay arrives following Google’s launch of Web Vitals, an initiative that aims to provide “unified guidance for quality signals that are essential to delivering a great user experience on the web.”

Here’s what we said about Core Web Vitals back in May of 2020:

Core Web Vitals are a subset of all the Web Vitals that apply to all web pages, should be measured by all website owners, and will be surfaced across all Google tools. Currently, these Core Web Vitals focus on three aspects of the user experience — loading, interactivity, and visual stability — and include the following metrics (and their respective thresholds):

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): measures loading performance. To provide a good user experience, LCP should occur within 2.5 seconds of when the page first starts loading.
• First Input Delay (FID): measures interactivity. To provide a good user experience, pages should have a FID of less than 100 milliseconds.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): measures visual stability. To provide a good user experience, pages should maintain a CLS of less than 0.1

It’s in a developer’s best interest to create a website with an experience that’s fast and smooth. That’s because Google will rank websites based on “page experience” beginning May 2021. Google started labeling websites as meeting Core Web Vitals metrics in August of last year, telling users in Chrome 85 whether a link led to a “fast page.”

According to Osmani, the HUD is still being polished, so things like stability and performance will come with time. You can head over to crbug.com under the Internals > GPU > Metrics component to try the HUG out for yourself.

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Inspired by The Queen’s Gambit? Learn to play chess with up to 92% off these courses

Looking back at 2020, there was one bright spark: watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. This historical drama kept millions gripped by games of chess. If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Beth Harmon, here are four great courses for learning to play.

How to Play Chess for Beginners Course Bundle

With 32 hours of beginner-friendly training, this bundle can help you master the fundamentals of chess. You learn from international-standard players, as you walk through beginning moves and game strategies.

Get the How to Play Chess for Beginners Course Bundle for $49.99 (reg. $434), a saving of 88%. 

Advanced Chess Strategies & Tactics for Intermediate Players Course Bundle

If you have played chess before but want to improve your game, this bundle can help. It includes 37 hours of training on decision making, pawn structures, and more from three world-renowned masters.

Get Advanced Chess Strategies & Tactics for $49.99 (reg. $486), a saving of 89%. 

Mastering Chess for Advanced Players Course Bundle

You can play chess for many years and still find yourself struggling against certain opponents. This bundle gives you the tools to dominate, with 44 hours of tutorials on advanced endgames, schematic thinking, and crystal-clear positional vision.

Get the Mastering Chess for Advanced Players Course Bundle for $49.99 (reg. $456), a saving of 89%. 

The Complete Chess Bundle for Beginners to Advanced Players

Bringing together all the courses into one huge collection, the bundle provides a complete education in chess. You get 121 hours of coaching from grandmasters and international masters, helping you go from complete beginner to competitive player.

Get The Complete Chess Bundle for Beginners to Advanced Players for $99.99 (reg. $1,376), a saving of 92%. 

Prices subject to change 

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These rugged cases for the Galaxy S21 Plus will ensure you don’t crack your new phone

The Samsung Galaxy S21 series just launched recently and if you’ve pre-ordered one of the new devices, you’re going to probably want to protect your purchase. If the protection of your smartphone is paramount, then we’ve picked out some of the best Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus rugged cases that you can get already. Rugged cases aren’t the prettiest, but they get the job done. There isn’t a lot to choose from at the moment, but we’ll be sure to add more as they’re announced!

Samsung Rugged Protective

Complete with kickstand

This is the official Samsung rugged protective case, and it's military drop tested too.

$39.99 at Samsung

Spigen Rugged Armour

Spigen's best

It's not quite as protective as the rest, but it's a good compromise between looks and protectivity.

Buy at Amazon

YOUMAKER Full Body

Full body protection

With a built-in screen protector, the YOUMAKER full body case protects your phone from all angles.

Buy at Amazon

MMY Military Case

Complete with kickstand

Complete with a kickstand, this case from MMY will protect your phone from some painful drops.

Buy at Amazon

ArmadilloTek Vanguard

High-end protection

With military grade protection, the ArmadilloTek Vanguard will protect your device from nasty falls.

Buy at Amazon

Feitenn Rugged

Shock proof

You'll have to build this one yourself as the case screws onto your phone, but it helps make it sturdy.

Buy at Amazon

A rugged case isn’t for everybody, as some people prefer to show off their phone’s design. Cases can be quite ugly, and with the Galaxy S21 series sporting a unique enough design already, it can be hard to come to terms with covering it up. If you don’t mind that though, then you can choose from any of the cases above! Samsung’s very own protective case is the one to go for if you want something official, though there are arguably even more protective cases listed here too. The YOUMAKER full body case has a built in screen protector that sits over the display of your smartphone, while the Feitenn case will need to be screwed together. If you want something not quite as protective as any of those, but still more protective than a simple plastic case, then the Spigen Rugged Armor is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is the middle child in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC and a premium build, along with a decent display and camera setup.

Pre-order on Samsung.com

If you’re looking for more options, we have collated a list of best cases for the Galaxy S21 Plus as well. And if you want something specific, we got you covered with great options for clear cases as well. And since the device has a flat display, it’s also a good idea to pick up a screen protector for the Galaxy S21 Plus as well, just to be doubly sure.

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Apple working on thinner, more powerful MacBook Air alongside new MacBook Pro with SD card slot

We’ve already heard a few rumors about Apple’s upcoming MacBook products for 2021. Last week, we heard that the company is working on new MacBook Pro models (14-inch and 16-inch) that could launch this year with newer and more powerful ARM-based in-house chips. It has also been speculated that these might ditch the Touchbar but include a new magnetic ‘MagSafe’ charging port.

A new report from Bloomberg now offers more information regarding Apple’s plans for its future Mac lineup. Firstly, a new MacBook Air model is in the works. Considering the recently launched model is similar to the last-gen Intel variant, Apple is going to launch a redesigned variant with thinner bezels around the 13-inch display, and it will include the previously rumored MagSafe charging port. It is also expected to feature the next-generation of Apple’s M1 chipset, a pair of USB 4 ports, and will be offered as a higher-end version of the current MacBook Air. It is also expected that it could feature a mini-LED panel and a 2022 launch cycle. A 15-inch variant of the MacBook Air could also be on the cards, however, don’t expect that to arrive anytime soon.

As for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are expected to launch later this year, we could see Apple bringing back an old but very useful feature. Bloomberg reports that the upcoming MacBook Pro models will include an SD card slot which is great news for creative professionals who need to handle a lot of photo or video footage. Prior to the 2016 MacBook Pro refresh, Apple did offer an SD card slot which has now slowly phased out and is missing from a majority of laptops today. In line with the previous report, the new report also states that the new MacBooks will be powered by more powerful M1 chipsets and include the MagSafe charging port. The new report also reiterates the fact that Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the MacBook Pro lineup.

Lastly, the report says that Apple has managed to develop the tech to introduce support for cellular connectivity on Mac. Additionally, the company is also ready to introduce Face ID, the company’s facial recognition system, to Mac systems. However, neither of the features will be coming anytime soon. FaceID was set to arrive with this year’s iMac redesign, however, it seems that the plan has been delayed indefinitely.

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Download: POCO X2 is getting its Android 11 update with MIUI 12

Launched back in February last year, the POCO X2 (our review) offers some solid specifications, such as a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G SoC, a 4,500mAh battery with 27W fast charging support, and a 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor as the primary rear camera. The factory-installed operating system on the phone was MIUI 11 on top of Android 10, but the underlying Android layer remained unchanged in the subsequent MIUI 12 update. Now, close to the one-year anniversary of the phone’s release, POCO has begun the rollout for the stable version of Android 11 to POCO X2 owners in India.

Thanks to Twitter user AviSaHa_01 for the screenshot!

Bearing version number V12.1.2.0.RGHINXM, the update is 2.4GB in size for its recovery flashable ZIP. It also bumps the Android security patch level (SPL) to January 2021. In terms of what’s new, users can look forward to all the new Android 11 goodies, including Chat Bubbles, smart device controls, wireless Android Auto support, and much more.

The build number clearly suggests that the Android 11 update for the POCO X2 is still based on MIUI 12, not MIUI 12.5. However, the Chinese variant of the phone, i.e. the Redmi K30 4G, has already received a taste of MIUI 12.5 through the closed beta channel.

POCO X2 XDA Forums

You can either wait for the update to arrive on your phone or you can sideload the new build after downloading the update package linked below. Notably, the company treats the current release as a “stable beta”, which means an authorized Mi Account might be required to sideload the update package.

Download Android 11 with MIUI 12 for the POCO X2 (codename: phoenixin) — V12.1.2.0.RGHINXM

In case the bootloader of your POCO X2 is unlocked and you want to install the updated build right now, you can flash the recovery ROM using a custom recovery like TWRP, effectively bypassing the Mi Account validation. A server-side switch is required to remove the need for such authorization, which usually occurs as soon as the Fastboot-flashable firmware is up.

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Here’s why the Termux app is no longer receiving updates on Google Play

As many of you may well be aware, the Android operating system is powered by the Linux kernel underneath. Despite this, Android and Linux apps are not readily exchangeable because of different runtime systems and libraries. You can, however, get a terminal emulator app like Termux up and running on any Android device. For years, crafty Android users have been using Termux as a handy terminal emulation software as well as a powerful GNU/Linux environment, thanks to its substantially large Linux Package Collection. Unfortunately, the app is now at a pivotal junction of its life, as its developers have decided to stop updating the Play Store version altogether and migrate to F-Droid due to recently introduced Google Play policy and Android SDK behavior changes.

Since November 2, 2020, all updates to existing apps in Google Play were required to target Android 10 (API level 29) or higher. While the precondition might sound like good news sprinkled with a lot of optimism, things haven’t exactly gone that way for Termux. In a post on the project’s GitHub Wiki, Leonid Pliushch AKA xeffyr, a major contributor to the software, explained the app’s compatibility issue with the aforementioned API level. Google has been enforcing the W xor X security feature since Android 10, which is why an untrusted app that sets targetSdkVersion to “29” or higher can’t invoke exec() on files within the app’s home directory. Such a design effectively breaks Termux when compiled against API level 29, as all its packages contain executables.

You can still find the app on the Play Store but the build is severely outdated. Since the Play Store version doesn’t officially support Android 10 (or higher), it will not start a shell on certain devices unless SELinux is set to permissive mode, which admittedly has serious security implications. Moreover, non-rooted users can’t access /proc/net, which means netstat and other utilities using data from this interface do not work anymore.

Why are all these changes not affecting the F-Droid build of Termux? That is because there is no strict Android SDK version requirement while submitting a package for inclusion in the F-Droid repository. Unlike the Play Store variant, a build targeting an older version of Android than 10 is unaffected here, so the team can continue to push updates without worrying about losing core functionality.

Termux (Free, F-Droid) →

The Termux development team now wants users on the Play Store release to migrate to the F-Droid variant to continue getting updates. The migration process isn’t exactly straightforward because the builds are signed with a different set of keys, hence a seamless update can’t be performed. As expected, these changes do effectively create a barrier for regular users who prefer to stick with the Play Store update channel for convenience.

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If you already have a Termux instance on your Android device, let us know what you are using it for below!

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Protect your brand new Galaxy S21 Ultra with these durable rugged cases

Samsung just dropped the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and if you’re planning on getting one, you surely don’t want to drop yours. At a starting price of $1,200, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the most expensive phones from Samsung so far. And while its glass-sandwich design may look pretty, it’s definitely not durable enough to survive a drop or five. So, in order to protect your $1,200  investment, we’d recommend slapping on one of the following Galaxy S21 Ultra rugged cases on your phone.

Samsung Rugged Protective Cover

Best overall

The Samsung Rugged Protective Cover is the best rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra as it offers great protection at a relatively affordable price. The case has been drop-tested to military-grade standards, which means that your device will survive even after you drop it from a height of 1.5m. But while that definitely is reassuring, the case also features a textured rim around the edges to ensure that you don't drop it in the first place. Additionally, the case has two kickstands on the back to help you prop up your device whenever you want to stream some movies on it.

$39.99 at Samsung

Ringke Onyx

Best budget pick

If you don't want to spend an additional $40 on a protective case for your $1,200 phone, then the Ringke Onyx TPU case is the best option for you. While the soft shell case doesn't provide the same level of protection as some of the alternatives mentioned here, it's enough to protect your phone from the occasional drop. The case features grippy sides to prevent any drops in the first place, it has a raised lip around all edges and the camera module to protect them from the full force of the drop, and it has tiny feet on the back panel to prevent the camera module from touching any surface and picking up scratches.

$10.00 at Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor

As slim as it gets

The Spigen Rugged Armor case is a great pick for those of you who don't want to add too much bulk to your phone with a heavily ruggedized case. The soft TPU case has a raised lip around the screen and the camera module to protect them while the phone is kept on a surface, and it even has reinforced sides to prevent any damage when dropped. The slim form factor and affordable price tag makes the Spigen Rugged Armor case my top pick. Spigen also has a great reputation, so you are getting a lot of value here.

$12.99 at Amazon

ArmadilloTek Vanguard Case

Cheap yet reliable

If you're on the lookout for a $20 case for your Galaxy S21 Ultra that offers the best protection from drops, then the ArmadilloTek Vanguard case is the one for you. At just $18.98, the case offers a ruggedized back panel with reinforced edges to protect your device from drops, a protective front frame to protect the display from scratches, and a kickstand on the back. Much like the official rugged case from Samsung, the ArmadilloTek Vanguard also offers military-grade drop protection for your device.

$18.98 at Amazon

Urban Armor Gear Monarch

Ultimate protection

The Urban Armor Gear Monarch case offers a multi-layer design with a soft impact-resistant core and a protective outer shell that can help your device withstand all kinds of abuse. The precision-engineered case offers a snug fit, tactile buttons, and MIL-STD 810G X2 rating for drop resistance. While it may seem a bit expensive, $60 is a small price to pay to protect your $1200 phone, and we recommend shelling out now to avoid the pain of a cracked phone.

$59.95 at Amazon

Otterbox Defender Pro Case

The gold standard

The Defender Series Pro is the toughest case that renowned ruggedized case manufacturer Otterbox has on offer. It has an outer polycarbonate shell to protect your phone from impacts, a synthetic rubber slipcover to cushion your device, and it comes with a polycarbonate holster to help you easily clip it to your belt. It also has a port cover to prevent dust and lint from getting into your device's USB Type-C port, an antimicrobial coating to block the growth of common bacteria on the case, and a MIL-STD 810G X4 rating.

$64.95 at Otterbox

That rounds up our list of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra rugged cases. These cases will not only protect your device from drops, allowing you to use it without any worries, but they’ll also ensure that it doesn’t pick up any micro-scratches on the glass back. As you can see, we have made a point to include cases in all price points so you can choose one that fits your budget. We have also considered different design choices, so you can find at least one case that suits your liking. The last thing you want to do is buy a beautiful phone and slap an ugly case on it.

If you’re still confused about which case to pick, I would recommend going with the Spigen Rugged Armor case because it offers a perfect blend of ample protection and minimal design. It’s also comparatively slimmer than the other rugged cases on this list. That’s kinda crucial for people with small hands, as the Galaxy S21 Ultra is already a big phone and a bulky case will end up making it unmanageable. That being said, if you want the best protection, you should go with the Samsung Rugged Protective Cover, as it offers the best protection and it can handle the occasional drop with relative ease.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate overkill in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC, a premium build, a great display, and an amazing camera setup, as well as all the extras expected on a premium flagship.

Pre-order on Samsung.com

So, which of the aforementioned cases do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below. Also, if there’s a good case we missed out on, drop a link in the comment so that we can add it to our list and help other Galaxy S21 Ultra users out there.

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