Google Chrome - News, Updates & Discussions

[Siva]

Most of the source code for Chrome is open-source under the Chromium project, but some features are only available on official Chrome builds. One exclusive feature is Chrome Sync, which synchronizes your bookmarks, history, tabs, and other data across all your devices. Third-party Chromium browsers were never supposed to have access to Chrome Sync, and now Google is cutting access.

"During a recent audit," Google said in a blog post, "we discovered that some third-party Chromium based browsers were able to integrate Google features, such as Chrome sync and Click to Call, that are only intended for Google’s use.

Google cutting off Chrome Sync access to third-party Chromium browsers

 

[Sparker0i]

Most of the source code for Chrome is open-source under the Chromium project, but some features are only available on official Chrome builds. One exclusive feature is Chrome Sync, which synchronizes your bookmarks, history, tabs, and other data across all your devices. Third-party Chromium browsers were never supposed to have access to Chrome Sync, and now Google is cutting access.

"During a recent audit," Google said in a blog post, "we discovered that some third-party Chromium based browsers were able to integrate Google features, such as Chrome sync and Click to Call, that are only intended for Google’s use.

Google cutting off Chrome Sync access to third-party Chromium browsers

This is what happens when open source projects are controlled by a single company. If they release control over Chromium to a foundation, that will help make the web better, but doing so will thwart any advantage Google had over the web...

 

[Bapun]

Easily fix weak passwords

We’ve all had moments where we’ve rushed to set up a new login, choosing a simple “name-of-your-pet” password to get set up quickly. However, weak passwords expose you to security risks and should be avoided. In Chrome 88, you can now complete a simple check to identify any weak passwords and take action easily.

New Year, new password protections in Chrome

 

[Bapun]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1352527134112141316

Source

 

[Siva]

If you've ever had an annoying (and perhaps private) Chrome notification pop up while sharing your screen, you're in luck — Chrome will now mute notifications by default when it detects you're sharing your screen. It should be hitting all accounts soon, but you can manually enable it now if you'd like.

This is rolling out now, and it should reach virtually all G Suite users within the next three days. If, however, you want to try it out now, you can manually do so by enabling it in flags (chrome://flags/#mute-notifications-during-screen-share). Our resident Chrome expert, Kent, has had this flag enabled for a long time and hasn't had any issues with it

Chrome now mutes web notifications while screen sharing

 

[Bapun]

In a blog post, Googles group product manager for user trust and privacy, Chetna Bindra, sought to ease fears about the project, saying the proposals will help publishers and advertisers succeed while also protecting peoples privacy as they move across the web.

Google said it was releasing new data on one proposed technology, which does away with individual identifiers" and instead groups users into large demographic flocks.

The technique hides individual users in the online crowd and keeps a person's web history private on a device's browser. Tests results showed it can be an effective replacement for third party cookies, and advertisers can expect to see at least 95% of the conversions per dollar spent when compared to cookie-based advertising," Bindra said.

Google says it's making progress in revamping Chrome user tracking technology

 

[Siva]

iCloud for Windows was updated yesterday (via MacRumors) to version 12.0, and the release notes mention “support for iCloud Passwords Chrome extension.” In the main list of available services, there’s a new “Passwords” item. Tapping “Apply” to proceed at the bottom opens a prompt that further confirms the existence of this new tool and its functionality:

iCloud Passwords extension for Chrome is required

Download the extension to automatically fill website passwords with your iCloud Keychain.

The “Download…” button opens a Chrome Web Store listing that’s not yet live. This extension will allow the usernames and credentials saved on your iPhone and iPad to be accessed on Windows desktops

iCloud Passwords Chrome extension for Windows coming - 9to5Google

 

[Siva]

Google launched the stable version of Chrome 88 last week, and that means the beta is up for a new release. And indeed, Google has just promoted Chrome 89 to the beta channel. You can download it from the Play Store or over on APK Mirror right now.

According to the Chromium project, the release adds a few new features that you might not notice at first as a user, but you could appreciate them in the long run.

Chrome 89 is now available in the beta channel (APK Download)

 

[Siva]

Apple quietly published the iCloud Passwords extension to the Chrome Web Store on Sunday evening:

iCloud Passwords allows you to use the same strong Safari passwords you create on your Apple device, with Chrome on Windows.

iCloud Passwords Chrome Windows extension now available - 9to5Google

 

[Siva]

Yesterday, Chrome was patched to fix a major vulnerability discovered by researchers, which was actively exploited in the wild. Precise details aren't known right now, but an update rolled out for Chrome yesterday, and you'd be wise to install it as soon as you can.

Google isn't explaining too much about how this vulnerability works "until a majority of users are updated," and the corresponding item in the bug tracker is currently locked down.

Update Chrome now: Google just patched a major exploit