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Some Google Chrome users are reporting problems connecting to websites, servers and firewalls following the release of Chrome 124 earlier this month, according to Bleeping Computer. The latest version of the browser introduced the new quantum-resistant X25519Kyber768 encapsulation mechanism, which was enabled by default. Testing of the post-quantum secure TLS key encapsulation mechanism started last August, but since its public launch, it has already caused a headache for the browser’s users. Quantum-resistant cryptography is breaking Chrome for some users An email sent on behalf of Chrome’s security workers explains the necessity behind implementing quantum-resistant tools now, despite the current threat being minimal: “This protects users’ traffic from so-called “store now decrypt later” attacks, in which a future quantum computer could decrypt encrypted traffic recorded today.” A separate blog post confirms the nature of the advanced tool: “This is a hybrid X25519 and Kyber768 key agreement based on an IETF standard.” Despite months of testing, the problem seems to have risen from web servers failing to adequately implement TLS, rather than an issue with Chrome. The error results in the rejection of connections that use the Kyber768 quantum-resistant key agreement algorithm, including connections with Chrome’s hybrid key. Clearly, this is not a simple fix that can be implemented by Chrome, but it requires a larger and more orchestrated effort to transform the Internet into one that can handle sophisticated quantum-safe cryptography. For now, affected users are being advised to disable the TLS 1.3 hybridized Kyber support in Chrome. However, long-term post-quantum secure ciphers will be essential in TLS, and the ability to disable the feature will likely be removed in the future, highlighting the importance of addressing the issue’s route cause earlier on so that websites can be prepared for quantum-based attacks in the future. More from TechRadar Pro Apple future-proofing iMessage to protect against the scary future of quantum computing hackingThese are the best privacy tools and anonymous browsersWe’ve rounded up a list of the best VPNs View the full article

Google is finally improving the way that both OneDrive and the web versions of Microsoft 365 staples like Word and Excel perform on Chromebooks. The new features will allow users to choose whether or not they want to work on Microsoft’s or Google’s productivity apps without having to sacrifice ease of use. According to a post on the ChromeOS Beta Tester Community blog, users will now be able to open an Office file and choose to open it in directly the Microsoft 365 app. Once you do that, you’ll be prompted to install a new app that will allow you to connect Microsoft OneDrive and the Chromebook Files app. Once you’ve set up your preference, ChromeOS will remember and you’ll be able to access your files easily! If you’d like to try it out yourself, you can search for the “upload-office-to-cloud” and you should be prompted to set up Microsoft 365 to open your files. (Image credit: Google via blog post ) Smoother and better It’s great to see a better way for people to use Microsoft 365 on Chromebooks, as a lot of students and professionals have to access a plethora of different files that won’t always be part of Google’s ecosystem, which means they can be difficult to open on a Chromebook compared to a Windows 11 laptop or MacBook. The best Chromebooks are excellent devices, but in the past, it was a lot easier to simply use the Google Drive software rather than Microsoft’s Office suite. I remember being given a Chromebook for a few weeks at university and absolutely dreading downloading classroom resources from lecturers as they were all in various Microsoft Office file formats and were subsequently a pain to move over and convert. This new feature could also open up ChromeOS to more people who at present may be intimidated by the operating system or under the (wrong, but not uncommon) impression you can’t use any non-Google features on a Chromebook. Hopefully, we’ll see more features like this introduced to ChromeOS in the future that help make Chromebooks more convenient for users. You might also like... Mysterious ChromeOS tablet could be the work of Lenovo - and might be the future of ChromebooksApple's M4 plans could make the latest MacBooks outdated alreadyMicrosoft can be slow to cure bugs at times – but you won’t believe how long it took to fix a CPU-related glitch preventing Windows 11 upgrades View the full article

Being cut off or having to hang up on important work calls when on the move could be a thing of the past thanks to a new Google Meet feature. The video conferencing service has announced a new tool that will allow users to transfer between a call on a mobile device to a laptop (or vice versa) with just a click. The new "Switch here" function should prove incredibly useful for those on the move, for example if you are heading into the office, but are running late for a call, so have to start it on your phone, before switching to your PC or laptop when you get to your desk. Switch here "In today's world, getting our work done can happen from many locations, across many devices," the company noted in a Google Workspace Updates blog announcing the news. "Beginning today, you can smoothly transfer between devices while on a Google Meet call without hanging up and rejoining." The Switch here option will be displayed when joining a meeting on a laptop or PC, allowing users to switch the call from a mobile device without losing or disrupting the conversation. (Image credit: Google) Once transferred, a notification will appear on the first device noting, “Call switched to another device”, meaning there's no need to manually rejoin or even hang up on the initial call. Google Meet promises "seamless" switching between devices, but in real life this may depend on network strength and the actual computing capabilities of your devices, but we're keen to try it out. The function will be available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts, across Google Meet on Android and iOS mobile devices. It is rolling out now, with no admin action required. The launch is the latest tweak to Google Meet as the company looks to make it more engaging and interactive for users. Recently, the platfom announced it would bringing its "Companion Mode” second screen tool to the Meet app for Android and iOS devices, offering a quick way to participate in meetings without opening a laptop, and giving more flexibility to the way users work and meet. More from TechRadar Pro We've also rounded up the best productivity tools around right nowThese are the best free office software choices we've foundThose company-wide Google Meet calls might just get a bit less painful View the full article

(Image credit: Shutterstock) If you’ve been using Google Chrome for the past few years, you may have noticed that whenever you’ve had to think up a new password, or change your existing one, for a site or app, a little “Suggest strong password” dialog box would pop up - and it looks like it could soon offer AI-powered password suggestions. A keen-eyed software development observer has spotted that Google might be gearing up to infuse this feature with the capabilities of Gemini, its latest large language model (LLM). The discovery was made by @Leopeva64 on X. They found references to Gemini in patches of Gerrit, a web-based code review system developed by Google and used in the development of Google products like Android. These findings appear to be backed up by screenshots that show glimpses of how Gemini could be incorporated into Chrome to give you even better password suggestions when you’re looking to create a new password or change from one you’ve previously set. Gemini guesswork One line of code that caught my attention is that “deleting all passwords will turn this feature off.” I wonder if this does what it says on the tin: shutting the feature off if a user deletes all of their passwords, or if this just means all of the passwords generated by the “Suggest strong passwords” feature. The final screenshot that @Leopeva64 provides is also intriguing as it seems to show the prompt that Google engineers have included to get Gemini to generate a suitable password. This is a really interesting move by Google and it could play out well for Chrome users who use the strong password suggestion feature. I’m a little wary of the potential risks associated with this method of password generation, similar to risks you find with many such methods. LLMs are susceptible to information leaks caused by prompt or injection hacks. These hacks are designed to trick the AI models to give out information that their creators, individuals, or organizations might want to keep private, like someone’s login information. (Image credit: Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff) An important security consideration Now, that sounds scary and as far as we know, this hasn’t happened yet with any widely-deployed LLM, including Gemini. It’s a theoretical fear and there are standard password security practices that tech organizations like Google employ to prevent data breaches. These include encryption technologies, which encode data so that only authorized parties can access it for multiple stages of the password generation and storage process, and hashing, a one-way data conversion process that’s intended to make data reverse-engineering hard to do. You could also use any other LLM like ChatGPT to generate a strong password manually, although I feel like Google knows more about how to do this, and I’d only advise experimenting with that if you’re a software data professional. It’s not a bad idea as a proposition and a use of AI that could actually be very beneficial for users, but Google will have to put an equal (if not greater) amount of effort into making sure Gemini is bolted down and as impenetrable to outside attacks as can be. If it implements this and by some chance it does cause a huge data breach, that will likely damage people’s trust of LLMs and could impact the reputations of the tech companies, including Google, who are championing them. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... 'The party is over for developers looking for AI freebies' — Google terminates Gemini API free access Google has fixed an annoying Gemini voice assistant problem – and more upgrades are coming soon Google Gemini is its most powerful AI brain so far – and it’ll change the way you use Google View the full article

The Google Pixel 9 is expected to show up around October time, and newly leaked photos have arrived to show off the flagship handset from all angles – and at the same time we've also got a predicted price for the Google Pixel 8a. First up the pictures, from Russian site Rozetked (via Android Police) – and you can see how the rear camera bar has become a rear camera island. The corners are more rounded, and the sides are flatter, compared to what we saw with the Google Pixel 8. As always with leaks, we need to be cautious when assessing the authenticity of these images, but the device on show here does match up with unofficial renders that have previously made their way on to the web. While the tweaked look may not be to everyone's tastes, this is still recognizable as a Pixel phone, thanks to that wide camera island. We can also see the USB-C port, the usual power and volume buttons, and a SIM tray slot at the bottom of the device. A pricier mid-range handset The Google Pixel 7a launched in May 2023 (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Next up there's the price leak for the Pixel 8a, which comes via PassionateGeekz (and Notebookcheck). This isn't a source we've heard a lot from in the past, so again take this as an unconfirmed rumor for the time being. Apparently, retail listings in Canada put the price of the 128GB version of the Pixel 8a at CA$708.99, while the 256GB edition comes in at CA$792.99 – backing up previous rumors that the mid-range handset is going to go up in price this year. Now Google won't use standard currency conversions for its global pricing of course, but for reference that works out as $515 / £415 / AU$805 for the cheaper variant and $575 / £465 / AU$900 for the more expensive one. The Google Pixel 7a originally went on sale for $499 / £449 / AU$749, and CA$599 in Canada, so a pretty substantial price hike could be in the offing. We'll most likely see the Pixel 8a unveiled at the Google I/O 2024 event on May 14. You might also like The Google Pixel 9 could get enhanced on-device AIThese Google Pixel 8a renders tease new colors but an older designGoogle's next foldable could be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold View the full article

When Google and then Samsung promised seven years of major OS updates for the latest Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 families, I was left agog. That’s longer than any other phone maker before; even longer than Apple, which quietly supports every iPhone with five years of iOS. Since then, I’ve been looking for potholes on the road to seven years. I’ve been looking for off-ramps where Google or Samsung renege on the promise. That’s why I hope Google doesn’t promise seven years for the rumored Pixel 8a. It would just be too stressful for me. See, I don’t think Google can do it. I don’t think Google can support the Pixel 8a for seven years of updates. I’m pretty sure that there will be disclaimers and caveats for the Pixel 8 by the time we reach the finish line. We’ve already seen hints. So I don’t want to deal with this promise on the Pixel 8a, the next bargain Pixel from Google, rumored to be coming in May at Google I/O 2024. I just want to enjoy the phone on its own merits, and not worry about Google disappointing us long term. Is seven years realistic? Nobody knows for sure Would a phone from seven years ago be able to run today’s version of Android? In 2017, Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 – certainly one of the best Galaxy phones. That phone had respectable specs, even by today’s standards. It used an Exynos or Snapdragon 8-core processor and packed either four or six gigs of RAM. It also used USB-C, had wireless charging, and even offered microSD card expansion. The Samsung Galaxy S8 from seven years ago By today’s standards, this would be a fine bargain phone. You can find cheap phones with less than 4GB of RAM. Therefore, you might expect that the Galaxy S8 would be upgradeable from its original Android 7 to Android 14. Sadly, Samsung never pushed the Galaxy S8 past Android 9. Yup, that flagship phone got two major OS updates, and that’s all, folks. The Galaxy S23 family only gets four years of updates, which will take that phone from Android 13 to Android 17 in 2027. The Pixel 7 family, launched the same year, only gets two measly years of Android updates. Google isn’t promising any new Android updates, even for the Pixel 7 Pro, after 2025. Now, Google and Samsung expect me to believe the newest phones will be supported for seven years. Google is more than tripling its support promise, from two to seven years, in one generation. Already, we’ve seen cracks begin to show, and some wavering on updates. One Pixel gets a new feature but another doesn't Google’s Gemini Nano large language model (LLM) was offered on the Pixel 8 Pro to live on that device and create generative AI language suggestions. For the Pixel 8, it was not offered, and the base model had to commune with Google’s cloud for AI answers. That seemed a bit odd, since the two phones use the same AI-forward Tensor G3 chipset, though the Pixel 8 admittedly has only 8GB of RAM to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 12GB. Can you tell if this phone has an AI inside? (Image credit: Future | Philip Berne) Still, the red flags went up. The alarms began to blare. If Google can’t add the same features to both devices now, only a few months after launch, how can it possibly keep that promise for the next seven years? What’s going to happen in two years when the Pixel 8 has been left woefully behind on feature after feature? Will we even be able to say that it’s an up-to-date phone if Google doesn’t update everything? Google changed course and ended up endowing the Pixel 8 with Gemini Nano, so for now the phones achieve parity. There have been no more unexpected omissions from the Pixel 8. We may question why the Pixel Fold has been so abused with missed updates, but Google’s most expensive phone never got the same promise as the Pixel 8 family, and it runs an older Tensor G2 chipset, like the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a should be a bargain phone with bargain promises Which brings me to the Pixel 8a. There is no Pixel 8a yet, though rumors suggest we will see the phone soon at Google I/O. If Google follows the same pattern as previous A-series phones, I expect some cool colors, reduced camera specs, and a cheaper price tag than the Pixel 8. The Google Pixel 6a came in some nice colors (Image credit: Future) It will probably cost $100 more than I want it to cost, just like the last two A-series phones, and I’ll suggest waiting for a price drop. The Pixel 8a should be a bargain phone. It will probably pack the same Tensor G3 chipset as the Pixel 8 because Google puts the same chips in everything launched in the same model year. It should also get the same 8GB of RAM as the Pixel 8, just like the Pixel 7a had the same RAM as the Pixel 7. But even if performance is similar between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, I won’t have the same expectations for software updates and support. I’ll expect less because buyers will pay less. That’s the idea of a bargain phone. It’s okay, as long as Google sets the right expectations. Google should learn how Apple makes people happy Just this once, I want Google to under-promise and over-deliver. Promise three years of updates for the Pixel 8a. Give us every single update on time, at the same time as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Make it happen. You know, just like Apple. Say what you will, Apple doesn't disappoint its fans (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) I really hope Google doesn’t promise seven years of updates, because then I’m going to have to hound company reps every single time the Pixel 8a misses an update. Every time the Pixel 8 gets a new AI search feature, and the Pixel 8a is left off the list, I’m going to ask why Google has forsaken its bargain phone. I don’t want to do that for the next seven years. I don’t want to do that at all. So don’t make me, Google. Don’t make me doubt and question the updates. Don’t bother promising so much for this bargain phone. Make it a bargain. Make it good. Then, make a promise for support that can be delivered. That’s what I want from the Pixel 8a for the years to come. Google Pixel 8a: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so farThe Google Pixel 8a leaks twice, hinting at its design, and four color optionsGoogle Pixel 8a leaks may have revealed the mid-range phone's specs and design View the full article

Navigating the complexities of the data-to-insights journey can be frustrating. Data professionals spend valuable time sifting through data sources, reinventing the wheel with each new question that comes their way. They juggle multiple tools, hop between coding languages, and collaborate with a wide array of teams across their organizations. This fragmented approach is riddled with bottlenecks, preventing analysts from generating insights and doing high-impact work as quickly as they should. Yesterday at Google Cloud Next ‘24, we introduced BigQuery data canvas, which reimagines how data professionals work with data. This novel user experience helps customers create graphical data workflows that map to their mental model while AI innovations accelerate finding, preparing, analyzing, visualizing and sharing data and insights. Watch this video for a quick overview of BigQuery data canvas. BigQuery data canvas: a NL-driven analytics experience BigQuery data canvas makes data analytics faster and easier with a unified, natural language-driven experience that centralizes data discovery, preparation, querying, and visualization. Rather than toggling between multiple tools, you can now use data canvas to focus on the insights that matter most to your business. Data canvas addresses the challenges of traditional data analysis workflow in two areas: Natural language-centric experience: Instead of writing code, you can now speak directly to your data. Ask questions, direct tasks, and let the AI guide you through various analytics tasks. Reimagined user experience: Data canvas rethinks the notebook concept. Its expansive canvas workspace fosters iteration and easy collaboration, allowing you to refine your work, chain results, and share workspaces with colleagues. For example, to analyze a recent marketing campaign with BigQuery data canvas, you could use natural language prompts to discover campaign data sources, integrate them with existing customer data, derive insights, collaborate with teammates and share visual reports with executives — all within a single canvas experience. Natural language-based visual workflow with BigQuery data canvas Do more with BigQuery data canvas BigQuery provides a variety of features that can help analysts accelerate their analytics tasks: Search and discover: Easily find the specific data asset visualization table or view that you need to work with. Or search for the most relevant data assets. Data canvas works with all data that can be managed with BigQuery, including BigQuery managed storage, BigLake, Google Cloud Storage objects, and BigQuery Omni tables. For example, you could use either of the follow inputs to pull data with data canvas: Specific table: project_name.dataset_name.table_name Search: "customer transaction data" or "projectid:my-project-name winter jacket sales Atlanta" Explore data assets: Review the table schema, review their details or preview data and compare it side by side. Generate SQL queries: Iterate with NL inputs to generate the exact SQL query you need to accomplish the analytics task at hand. You can also edit the SQL before executing it. Combine results: Define joins with plain language instructions and refine the generated SQL as needed. Use query results as a starting point for further analysis with prompts like "Join this data with our customer demographics on order id." Visualize: Use natural language prompts to easily create and customize charts and graphs to visualize your data, e.g., “create a bar chart with gradient” Then, seamlessly share your findings by exporting your results to Looker Studio or Google Sheets. Automated insights: Data canvas can interpret query results and chart data and generate automated insights from them. For example, it can look at the query results of sales deal sizes and automatically provide the insight “the median deal size is $73,500.” Share to collaborate: Data analytics projects are often a team effort. You can simply save your canvas and share it with others using a link. Popular use cases While BigQuery data canvas can accelerate many analytics tasks, it’s particularly helpful for: Ad hoc analysis: When working on a tight deadline, data canvas makes it easy to pull data from various sources. Exploratory data analysis (EDA): This critical early step in the data analysis process focuses on summarizing the main characteristics of a dataset, often visually. Data canvas helps find data sources and then presents the results visually. Collaboration: Data canvas makes it easy to share an analytics project with multiple people. What our customers are saying Companies large and small have been experimenting with BigQuery data canvas for their day-to-day analytics tasks and their feedback has been very positive. Wunderkind, a performance marketing channel that powers one-to-one customer interactions, has been using BigQuery data canvas across their analytics team for several weeks and is experiencing significant time savings. “For any sort of investigation or exploratory exercise resulting in multiple queries there really is no replacement [for data canvas]. [It] Saves us so much time and mental capacity!” - Scott Schaen, VP of Data & Analytics, Wunderkind How Wunderkind accelerates time to insights with BigQuery data canvas Veo, a micro mobility company that operates in 50+ locations across the USA, is seeing immediate benefits from the AI capabilities in data canvas. “I think it's been great in terms of being able to turn ideas in the form of NL to SQL to derive insights. And the best part is that I can review and edit the query before running it - that’s a very smart and responsible design. It gives me the space to confirm it and ensure accuracy as well as reliability!” - Tim Velasquez, Head of Analytics, Veo Give BigQuery data canvas a try To learn more, watch this video and check out the documentation. BigQuery data canvas is launching in preview and will be rolled out to all users starting on April 15th. Submit this form to get early access. For any bugs and feedback, please reach out to the product and engineering team at datacanvas-feedback@google.com. We’re looking forward to hearing how you use the new data canvas! View the full article

It took a while, but Google has released the long-awaited upgrade to its Find My Device network. This may come as a surprise. The update was originally announced back in May 2023, but was soon delayed with apparent launch date. Then, out of nowhere, Google decided to release the software on April 8 without major fanfare. As a result, you may feel lost, but we can help you find your way. Here's a list of the seven most important things you need to know about the Find My Device update. We cover what’s new in the update as well as the devices that are compatible with the network, because not everything works and there’s still work to be done. 1. It’s a big upgrade for Google’s old Find My Device network (Image credit: Google) The previous network was very limited in what it could do. It was only able to detect the odd Android smartphone or Wear OS smartwatch. However, that limitation is now gone as Find My Device can sniff other devices; most notably Bluetooth location trackers. Gadgets also don’t need to be connected to the internet or have location services turned on, since the software can detect them so long as they’re within Bluetooth range. However, Find My Device won’t tell you exactly where the devices are. You’ll instead be given an approximate location on your on-screen map. You'll ultimately have to do the legwork yourself. Find My Device functions similarly to Apple’s Find My network, so “location data is end-to-end encrypted,” meaning no one, not even Google, can take a peek. 2. Google was waiting for Apple to add support to iPhones (Image credit: Future) The update was supposed to launch in July 2023, but it had to be delayed because of Apple. Google was worried about unwanted location trackers, and wanted Apple to introduce “similar protections for iOS.” Unfortunately, the iPhone manufacturer decided to drag its feet when it came to adding unknown tracker alerts to its own iPhone devices. The wait may soon be over as the iOS 17.5 beta contains lines of code suggesting that the iPhone will soon get these anti-stalking measures. Soon, iOS devices might encourage users to disable unwanted Bluetooth trackers uncertified for Apple’s Find My network. It’s unknown when this feature will roll out as the features in the Beta don’t actually do anything when enabled. Given the presence of unwanted location tracker software within iOS 17.5, Apple's release may be imminent. Apple may have given Google the green light to roll out the Find My Device upgrade ahead of time to prepare for their own software launch. 3. It will roll out globally (Image credit: Future) Google states the new Find My Device will roll out to all Android devices around the world, starting in the US and Canada. A company representative told us other countries will receive the same update within the coming months, although they couldn’t give us an exact date. Android devices do need to meet a couple of requirements to support the network. Luckily, they’re not super strict. All you need is a smartphone running Android 9 with Bluetooth capabilities. If you own either a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll be given an exclusive feature: the ability to find a phone through the network even if the phone is powered down. Google reps said these models have special hardware that allows them to pour power into their Bluetooth chip when they're off. Google is working with other manufacturers in bringing this feature to other premium Android devices. 4. You’ll receive unwanted tracker alerts (Image credit: Apple) Apple AirTags are meant to be attached to frequently lost items like house keys or luggage so you can find them easily. Unfortunatley, several bad eggs have utilized them as an inexpensive way to stalk targets. Google would eventually update Android by giving users a way to detect unwanted AirTags. For nearly a year, the OS could only seek out AirTags, but now with the upgrade, Android phones can locate Bluetooth trackers from other third-party brands such as Tile, Chipolo, and Pebblebee. It is, by far, the most single important feature in the update as it'll ensure your privacy and safety. You won’t be able to find out who placed a tracker on you. According to a post on the company’s Security blog, only the owner can view that information. 5. Chipolo and Pebblebee are launching new trackers for it soon (Image credit: Chipolo) Speaking of Chipolo and Pebblebee, the two brands have announced new products that will take full advantage of the revamped network. Google reps confirmed to us they’ll be “compatible with unknown tracker alerts across Android and iOS”. On May 27th, we’ll see the introduction of the Chipolo ONE Point item tracker as well as the Chipolo CARD Point wallet finder. You’ll be able to find the location of whatever item they’re attached to via the Find My Device app. The pair will also sport speakers on them to ring out a loud noise letting you where they are. What’s more, Chipolo’s products have a long battery life: Chipolo says the CARD finder lasts as long as two years on a single charge. Pebblebee is achieving something similar with their Tag, Card, and Clip trackers. They’re small and lightweight and attachable to larger items, Plus, the trio all have a loud buzzer for easy locating. These three are available for pre-order right now although no shipping date was given. 6. It’ll work nicely with your Nest products (Image credit: Google ) For smart home users, you’ll be able to connect the Find My Device app to a Google Nest device to find lost items. An on-screen animation will show a sequence of images displaying all of the Nest hardware in your home as the network attempts to find said missing item. Be aware the tech won’t give you an exact location. A short video on the official announcement shows there'll be a message stating where it was last seen, at what time, and if there was another smart home device next to it. Next to the text will be a refresh option in case the lost item doesn’t show up. Below the message will be a set of tools to help you locate it. You can either play a sound from the tracker’s speakers, share the device, or mark it as lost. 7. Headphones are invited to the tracking party too (Image credit: Gerald Lynch/TechRadar/Future) Believe it or not, some insidious individuals have used earbuds and headphones to stalk people. To help combat this, Google has equipped Find My Device with a way to detect a select number of earbuds. The list of supporting hardware is not large as it’ll only be able to locate three specific models. They are the JBL Tour Pro 2, the JBL Tour One M2, and the high-end Sony WH-1000XM5. Apple AirPods are not on the list, although support for these could come out at a later time. Quite the extensive list as you can see but it's all important information to know. Everything will work together to keep you safe. Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Android phones for 2024. You might also like Google’s ‘affordable’ Pixel 8a may not be so affordable after allAndroid 15's tipped revamp of the status bar could be low-key awesomeGoogle could allow Android users to download up to five apps at once View the full article

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Google revealed its first custom Arm-based CPUs for data centers at its Google Cloud Next 24 event. The new Google Axion processors are intended for general-purpose workloads such as web and app servers, containerized microservices, open-source databases, and so on. The company’s investment in custom silicon dates back to 2015 when the tech behemoth launched its first Tensor Processing Units (TPU). Google has also developed its own Video Coding Unit (VCU) and Tensor chips for mobile devices. A significant milestone Google's main rivals for cloud services, Amazon and Microsoft, have their own CPUs based on Arm technology, but Amin Vahdat, Google's vice president of machine learning, systems and cloud AI boasted, "Axion processors combine Google’s silicon expertise with Arm’s highest performing CPU cores to deliver instances with up to 30% better performance than the fastest general-purpose Arm-based instances available in the cloud today." Axion CPUs will also have "up to 50% better performance and up to 60% better energy-efficiency than comparable current-generation x86-based instances," Vahdat added. Built using the Arm Neoverse V2 CPU and on the standard Armv9 architecture and instruction set, the new processors are underpinned by Titanium, a system of custom silicon microcontrollers and tiered scale-out offloads designed to optimize performance for customer workloads. "Google’s announcement of the new Axion CPU marks a significant milestone in delivering custom silicon that is optimized for Google’s infrastructure, and built on our high-performance Arm Neoverse V2 platform," Arm CEO Rene Haas said. "Decades of ecosystem investment, combined with Google’s ongoing innovation and open-source software contributions ensure the best experience for the workloads that matter most to customers running on Arm everywhere." The contributions to the Arm ecosystem that Haas mentioned include open-sourcing Android, Kubernetes, TensorFlow, and the Go language, and should pave the way for Axion's application compatibility and interoperability. Google says customers will be able to seamlessly deploy Arm workloads on Google Cloud with limited code rewrites, accessing an ecosystem of cloud customers and software developers leveraging Arm-native software. The new Axion processors will be available to Google Cloud customers later this year. Virtual machines based on the CPUs will be available in preview in the coming months. More from TechRadar Pro Google wants to bring AI-powered security to businesses everywhereGoogle is giving your security teams a major Gemini AI boostGoogle Vids is Workspace's new video creation app for your workplace View the full article

Google Workspace has announced a new video creation app as it looks to expand its services to all areas of busines content. Announced at the company's Google Cloud Next 24 event today, the new Google Vids app will allow users to create all kinds of content suitable for the workplace, from training videos to product pitches - all within their browser. Unsurprisingly, AI will play a key role in the new service, offering companies of all sizes a wide range of customization and optimization tools to help create truly original video content. Google Vids launch (Image credit: Google Workspace) "People tell stories at work every day, whether it’s HR onboarding new employees to the organization’s mission, the training team creating digital learning experiences, or a salesperson pitching a new client on the benefits of their offering," Aparna Pappu, VP/GM, Google Workspace, noted. "As a storytelling medium, video has become ubiquitous for its immediacy and ability to “cut through the noise,” but it can be daunting to know where to start." Sitting alongside existing Google Workspace apps such as Docs, Slides and Sheets, with full interoperability between the suite, the company says Vids can be an all-in-one video, writing, production, and editing assistant in one single package. Following your prompts, the app will be able to generate a storyboard for video editing, and once users have picked the exact visual style they want, Vids will bring pieces together a first draft with suggested scenes from millions of high-quality stock videos and images. It will also handle the audio for videos, adding in background music, and can help with providing a voiceover — whether that's a selection of several preset voiceovers, or using your own. Google Vids will be released on Workspace in June 2024, and will be available as part of a user's existing subscription. More from TechRadar Pro We've also rounded up the best video editing software for beginners right nowThese are the best free office software choices we've foundLots more AI could be coming to Google Workspace soon View the full article

If you are looking for the methods to perform G Suite to Office 365 migration step by step, then you should RecoveryTools Gmail Backup Tool. The software allows users to migrate complete data directly without losing any data. The Google Workspace migration tool comes with advanced and unique features and filters, which makes the software first choice of users. download the software for free to analyze the performance and features. Download and install the software. Enter the login details of Gmail or G Suite. Select the required folders and subfolders. Click on the Saving Option and needed option. Browse the location and hit the Backup button.

Google has added a Security Command Center Enterprise platform to unify the management of security operations (SecOps) to its Mandiant portfolio. The post Google Adds Security Command Center Enterprise to Mandiant Portfolio appeared first on Security Boulevard. View the full article

Google today introduced the Find My Device network for Android-based products, mirroring the functionality of Apple's ‌Find My‌ network that's designed to locate Apple devices. Like Apple ‌Find My‌, the Android ‌Find My‌ Device network is able to use the millions of Android devices (running Android 9 or later) out in the wild to track down lost, stolen, and missing Android products. A lost Android smartphone is able to ping nearby Android devices using Bluetooth, relaying location information back to the owner. Because the network uses Bluetooth, it works even when Android devices are offline and do not have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Some devices, such as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, will be locatable even when powered off or when the battery is dead. ‌Find My‌ offers the same feature set for iPhones. Starting in May, the ‌Find My‌ Device network for Android smartphones will also work with Bluetooth trackers from companies like Chipolo and Pebblebee, allowing Android users to attach trackers to items to locate them with the Android network. While Google isn't designing its own trackers, these third-party trackers will work in the same way that AirTags work. To keep iPhone users from being tracked without their knowledge using this new network, Google worked with Apple to create an industry specification that lets both ‌iPhone‌ and Android users get alerts about nearby unknown item trackers regardless of the brand of the tracking device. Google waited until Apple implemented support for third-party tracker alerts to launch its network, based on code found in iOS 17.5. iOS 17.5 appears to expand the "Found Moving With You" AirTag alerts to third-party item trackers, allowing the ‌iPhone‌ to recognize Android-based item trackers and those from other companies. "You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item," reads some of the iOS 17.5 code. Google was able to learn from the criticism that Apple faced after launching AirTags. There have been numerous news stories and reports of criminals using AirTags for stalking, car thefts, and more, leading Apple to make multiple changes to unwanted tracker alerts. Apple upped the frequency of notifications and also designed a Tracker Detect app for Android devices, but Apple's work with Google ensures a more permanent solution that keeps Android and ‌iPhone‌ users safe as another major tracking network launches.Tags: Google, Android This article, "Google Launches Android Find My Device Network" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Google's depreciating support for third-party cookies is here. While the loss of third-party cookies brings new challenge,s it also brings new opportunity.View the full article

Google Podcasts is gone. The streaming platform recently went offline on April 2, bringing the six-year saga to a close. Now it joins the likes of YouTube Stories and the Stadia console over in the Google Graveyard. If you open the app or go to the official website, you get a message stating the service is no longer available. Google asks you to transfer your subscriptions to either YouTube Music or export them to a third-party service. We recently published a guide teaching you how to migrate subscriptions over. Moving things to YouTube Music is pretty straightforward as it all can be done on the Google Podcasts app. Migrating to a third-party is a little trickier as it requires creating an OPML file then uploading that file to a supporting service. Be aware you have until July 31 to move your data. After that, you're out of luck. The push for YouTube Music YouTube Music will take the place of Google Podcasts as the company coalesces its audio content onto the app. As a service, it’s not the worst replacement, but it’s nowhere near the best. The main problem with podcasts on YouTube Music is it plays second fiddle to, well, music. It’s not the main appeal. Yes, the platform has made multiple updates to improve podcast support, however there’s a lot of work to be done. The search bar still prioritizes musical artists and playlists, even if the “Podcast” filter is on. Some people find the user interface to be really messy since it’ll be clogged with song recommendations, making it difficult to find shows. The list goes on. So, for those of you who are looking for a new podcast home besides YouTube Music, below is a list consisting of the best alternatives. 1. AntennaPod – Best alternative on Android (Image credit: Future) AntennaPod is a volunteer-built platform that is totally free. It has no ads whatsoever (unless the publisher of a podcast puts them in there), and you can subscribe to whatever show you want via RSS feed. New episodes will appear on the home screen with the option to download them for offline listening. You can set up a queue for back-to-back episodes with a history tab for future reruns. What’s more, it’s all easy to use. The UI is streamlined to minimize headaches. The developers posted a series of instructions last November teaching people how to migrate over to AntennaPod from Google Podcasts. Like we mentioned, it involves creating an OPML file. The main problem with this app is it's only available on Android. iPhone owners will have to look elsewhere. 2. PocketCasts – Best feature rich alternative (Image credit: Future) Compared to AntennaPod, PocketCast has way more features. It offers a wide array of resources to discover new shows. Categories include content that’s popular in the US, podcasts originating from Ireland, books, Women’s History Month, music, and so on. The player has an interesting set of tools as well. You can increase the playback speed to be twice as fast and trim the silent parts in episodes. You can even set up sleep timers. Everything we just mentioned is available completely for free. You can add more by purchasing a subscription. Pocket Casts Plus, for example, offers access to both a desktop and smartwatch app among other things. The app is available on Android and iOS. 3. Overcast – Best features for iOS (Image credit: TechRadar) Rounding the trio is the iOS-exclusive Overcast. It’s an incredibly popular app on iPhone, currently sitting with a near-perfect 4.7 out of 5 rating on the Apple App Store. Much of its praise is levied at its intuitive design, and reviews mention its “many useful features.” It’s similar to the previous entries as Overcast shares some of the same capabilities, like downloading episodes for offline listening, although it boasts some unique tricks up its sleeve. Voice Boost cleans up audio mixing so all podcasts play at the same volume. Smart Speed cuts out those awkward silences. Overcast does have ads, but you can get rid of them with the Premium subscription. We also want to give an honorable mention to Spotify. It’s done a lot of work in fostering that side of its business, becoming a major player in the podcasting world. However, it’s difficult to recommend it as a replacement to Google Podcasts for the same reason we can’t really suggest YouTube Music. Spotify is a space for a variety of content, not just one. If you want something solely for enjoying podcasts, go with the three above. Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best earbuds for 2024 while you're at it too. You might also like Spotify may be raising prices, here are my 3 favorite alternativesTidal's game-changing feature lets your friends open shared songs in SpotifySpotify will now automatically transcribe your favorite podcasts as you listen View the full article

Google today began letting Android customers know that it will soon launch a promised Android-based Find My Device network, reports 9to5Google. Google announced the upcoming ‌Find My‌ feature last year, but it has not yet debuted because Apple and Google were working to develop a cross-platform solution for unwanted tracking alerts. Code in iOS 17.5 suggests that Apple is adding support for discovering nearby third-party item trackers and alerting iPhone owners when one has been located. "You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item," reads some of the code. With Apple likely planning to add alerts for third-party trackers in iOS 17.5, Google is clear to launch its new ‌Find My‌ Device network, which will allow Android smartphones to be used to locate lost phones, Bluetooth trackers, headphones, and other accessories. Apple and Google first announced plans for an industry tracker specification in May 2023, with the aim of putting an end to the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for tracking individuals. Both companies have been working to implement AirTag-style tracking alerts so people will know when a tracker of any kind is nearby. After Apple launched the ‌Find My‌ network alongside AirTags, there were countless news stories and reports of criminals using AirTags for stalking purposes, leading Apple to make several changes to unwanted tracker alerts. iPhones were initially able to identify nearby AirTags and alert customers if they were being used for stalking purposes, but Android devices could not. Apple remedied this with a Tracker Detect app for Android, but the partnership with Google will allow for a more permanent and reliable solution that will work regardless of device. Google says that the ‌Find My‌ Device network will let Android users find their devices even when offline, and it will work with compatible Fast Pair accessories as well as Android-based electronics. Google plans to launch the network early next week.Tags: Google, Android, Find My This article, "Google to Launch Android Find My Network After Apple Adds Third-Party Tracker Alerts to iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The way that users get information from the web has evolved over the years. People used to rely on news sites and Google to keep abreast of what was going on in the world, but then Twitter arrived and cemented itself as an alternative (and often inaccurate) source of news. Although it’s facing the threat of being banned in the US, TikTok has become a major source of information for younger users, and AI chatbots have really come into their own as a valuable tool for delivering tailored, instant information. The rise of voice-activated AI assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant has also revolutionized the way we access information, allowing users to simply ask for what they want to know, rather than having to search for it manually. However, with this evolution comes the responsibility of discerning reliable sources from misinformation, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in the AI age. Recent surveys by Applause and Forrester indicate a significant shift in consumer behavior, with users increasingly favoring AI chatbots over traditional search engines for both research and basic queries. Similar findings Applause's 2024 Generative AI Survey reveals that 91% of respondents use chatbots for research, and 81% prefer them over search engines for basic queries. However, as is perhaps to be expected, concerns about data privacy, bias, and performance persist. Applause found ChatGPT is the most popular chatbot, used by 91% of users, ahead of Google Gemini (63%) and Microsoft Copilot (55%). Despite worries about providing private information to chatbots, with 89% of respondents expressing concern, the practical applications of Gen AI are now widely acknowledged. However, only 19% of users believe that chatbots understand their prompts every time, indicating room for improvement. Forrester's State of Consumer Usage of Generative AI 2024 echoes these findings, noting that GenAI has made AI more visible in consumers' daily lives. While companies race to incorporate AI, consumer adoption is still in its infancy due to concerns about its ethical implications. The report also highlights the demographic differences in GenAI adoption, with younger, male, and more highly educated consumers more likely to have used the technology. The report states that almost half of Millennial and Gen Z adults in the US, UK and France have used GenAI, compared with only 12% of Baby Boomers. Forrester also found 34% of US consumers used GenAI, compared to 27% in the UK and 25% in France. Work still needed Despite widespread concerns, the benefit of GenAI is widely recognized. Among online adults who had heard of GenAI, 50% agreed that it would make it easier to find information online. However, 45% agreed that GenAI posed a serious threat to society, indicating a split in consumer attitudes towards the technology. The surveys reveal that the golden era of search engines might be coming to an end, as consumers increasingly turn towards AI chatbots for their information needs. However, as Chris Sheehan, SVP Strategic Accounts and AI at Applause sums up, “Chatbots are getting better at dealing with toxicity, bias and inaccuracy – however, concerns still remain. Not surprisingly, switching between chatbots to accomplish different tasks is common, while multimodal capabilities are now table stakes. To gain further adoption, chatbots need to continue to train models on quality data in specific domains and thoroughly test across a diverse user base to drive down toxicity and inaccuracy.” More from TechRadar Pro These are the best AI chatbots for businesses around todayGoogle's non-profit arm launches AI accelerator to fund the next big thingNew search engines fueled by Generative AI will compete with Google View the full article

Google just released a new version of ChromeOS which comes laden with some impressive improvements, including the ability to implement custom keyboard shortcuts and to do the same with your mouse buttons. ChromeOS M123 delivers these new powers, and more besides, but the ability to actually define your own keyboard shortcuts will be the most welcome feature for owners of the best Chromebooks. If you’re familiar with working a certain way with a particular shortcut, you can now change over to that – and as Google points out (via The Verge), you can also change shortcuts to, say, make it easier to trigger them using just one hand (stretch that thumb and finger). Similarly, any of your mouse buttons can be redefined to trigger various functions outside of basic clicking, like taking a screenshot. That’s going to be really handy for those who have a mouse with plenty of side buttons. With the latest update for ChromeOS, tethering is now a thing, allowing the Chromebook to share its cellular connection with other devices. There’s now a switch in Network Settings to turn on the Hotspot, which is all you need to do before searching for and finding the network on your other device(s). Finally, ChromeOS 123 has new voices for its text-to-speech functionality – reading out text aloud – that are more natural sounding. These work offline and Google notes that they are available in 31 different languages. Analysis: Some handy additions, with the odd catch (Image credit: Future) There are some very useful goodies here, particularly for those newer to ChromeOS who are maybe more accustomed to using a Mac or Windows PC. Those users will have the shortcuts from those desktop operating systems ingrained in their muscle memory, no doubt, and so getting used to a whole new way of working might be an uphill struggle. Luckily, there’s no need to relearn anything now, as you can simply switch the default ChromeOS shortcuts to whatever you’re used to. The tethering feature could be pretty handy as well, although there is a slight catch here. Right now, the only network supported is T-Mobile in the US, so unless you have your phone with that provider, then you’re out of luck. However, Google says it is “working to add other networks in future releases” and we’d imagine it won’t be too long before support is expanded. If you're not seeing the update yet, fear not – Google says it's going to be "progressively rolling out over the coming days", so you should see it soon if your Chromebook supports it. You might also like Check out all the best Chromebook dealsGoogle is finally ready to make Chromebook apps easier to useHP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook review View the full article

Bad news: Google's apparently been storing your Chrome incognito browsing data. Good news. They've finally agreed to delete it. In a court document filed Monday (April 1) and spotted by BGR, Google has agreed to settle a nearly four-year-old class-action suit that challenged Google's private browsing (a.k.a. "Incognito Mode) data collection policies. The original lawsuit claimed, "Google tracks and collects consumer browsing history and other web activity data no matter what safeguards consumers undertake to protect their data privacy...even when Google users launch a web browser with 'private browsing mode' activated...Google nevertheless tracks the users’ browsing data and other identifying information." Google didn't entirely deny the claims, stating in 2020 that while incognito browsing mode data isn't saved locally, "websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session." Now, the search giant has, in principle at least, agreed to several adjustments in its messaging, data collection, and storage practices. However, if you thought this class action lawsuit might result in a small check arriving on your doorstep, you may be disappointed. The filing states that there will be "no release of monetary claims," though individuals retain the right to sue Google for damages. Among the changes Google will agree to when it appears before a judge on July 30: Deletion or remediation of all collected dataRewrite its incognito browser disclosuresGoogle must add, for the next five years at least, the ability in incognito mode to block third-party cookies by default.Google has to delete private-browsing detection bits. You probably want to read this splash page before browsing in incognito mode. (Image credit: Future) While this is probably good news and a big deal (Chrome currently has over 65% browser market share), the fact that incognito browsing never meant what you thought it did might be unnerving for some users. Now, no one is judging what you browse in incognito mode but it's probably good guidance to stop assuming that whatever you see while browsing in that mode is not being detected or "seen" in some way by others. It's not that random people or Google employees are looking at your browser history, Instead, Google's been doing what it always does, acting as a data middle-man to enable ad-targeting and some continuity in your browsing experience either by Google or through partners who use cookies to ensure that what you see on subsequent pages reflects what you were looking at on the page before. While the filing notes that Google has already undertaken some of these changes, it's not clear if the messaging on the incognito splash pages has changed. At the top, it reminds you that others using the same device won't see your browsing history and it notes that Chrome doesn't in this mode store browser history, cookies, and form information. It also notes, however, that your activity might be visible to the sites you visit, someone in control of your account (a school or employer), and your ISP. It's not clear if the changes Google's set to make will impact any of that. As for how Google feels about all this, the settlement notes that "Google supports final approval of the settlement, but disagrees with the legal and factual characterizations contained in the Motion." You might also like Microsoft Edge is better than Google Chrome, but I can't bring myself ...I'm sick of Chrome eating all my RAM – it's time for me to ditch it for ...Chrome's new Declutter tool may soon help manage your 100 plus ...My New Year's resolution is to finally ditch Chrome, Windows and ...Google Chrome just made it ridiculously easy to capture frames from ... View the full article

Ubuntu 24.04, codename noble, is with us, and among the first things you must do is to ensure you have your favorite browser all set. Time has proven that Google Chrome is the best web browser, and as we all know, it isn’t installed in Ubuntu. Instead, Ubuntu uses Firefox, but you don’t have to get stuck on it. Our focus in this post will be to detail all the steps you should follow to ensure you have Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04. Two Methods of Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 The Google Chrome package doesn’t come installed on Ubuntu 24.04. Moreover, you won’t find it as a Snap package or from the official Ubuntu repository. However, that shouldn’t scare you. You can use two methods to install and start using Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 quickly. Take a look! Method 1: Using the Terminal Method Before we discuss the installation steps, let’s quickly run the command below to confirm that we are running Ubuntu 24.04. $ lsb_release -a We can then proceed with the below steps. Step 1: Update the Repository Before installing anything, you should refresh the repository by running the below update command. $ sudo apt update Ensure the update runs to completion. Step 2: Download the Google Chrome Package The next step involves downloading the Google Chrome package from its official page. For this case, we use the wget download manager and add the URL to the package. $ wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb Once you run the command, wget will download the Google Chrome .deb file and save it in your current directory. Moreover, it will display a progress bar running to 100% when the download completes. Step 3: Verify the Download Once the download process is completed, the next task is to ascertain that the file has been downloaded. To do this, run the Linux ls command to list the contents of your directory. You will have an output showing the downloaded file if everything was successful. $ ls Step 4: Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 The downloaded .deb file can be installed using the dpkg utility. Run the utility and add the downloaded file to initiate the installation. $ sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb.1 The output will display the installation process, from unpacking the file to processing it. Step 5: Verify the Installation The last step for installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 is to confirm the installation was successful. To do so, we will check the version of the installed Google Chrome. $ google-chrome --version In our case, we’ve managed to install Google Chrome v123.0.6312. You will likely get a different version, depending on when you install it. That’s it. You’ve managed to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 using the terminal. Method 2: Using the GUI Method Let’s face it: not everyone is thrilled with using commands to install things on Ubuntu 24.04. The good news is there is an alternative way of installing Google Chrome without the hassle of running commands. Using the GUI, you can download the Google Chrome .deb file as we did in method 1, then utilize the Ubuntu App Center (what is Ubuntu Software in previous Ubuntu versions) to install it. Follow along! Step 1: Visit the Google Chrome Site Firefox is the default web browser on Ubuntu. Start by opening it, then search for Google Chrome to reach the page in the image below. Step 2: Download Google Chrome Click on the ‘Download Google Chrome’ option in step 1. Doing so will bring up the download page. Click the Download Chrome on the window. Step 3: Select the Version You must select what package you want to download. For Ubuntu 24.04, go with the first option for Debian/Ubuntu. Next, click the Accept and Install button. Step 4: Confirm the Download On your Firefox, click the download icon in the top right corner. It will open up the download history containing the currently downloading file, which is Google Chrome for this case. Step 5: Install Google Chrome Once your download is completed, you are ready to start the installation. First, open Files on your system and navigate to Downloads. You will find the downloaded .deb file. Right-click on it and select the option to Open with > App Center > Open. Once App Center opens, you will see Google Chrome displayed. Click the Install button to start the installation. You will be prompted to enter your password for authentication. Step 6: Verify the Installation Once the installation is complete, verify that Google Chrome is available by searching for it in your applications. That’s it. You have managed to install Google Chrome on Ubuntu using the graphical approach. Conclusion Installing Google Chrome on Ubuntu 24.04 shouldn’t trouble you. The trick is knowing what steps to follow; this post shares two practical methods. One involves using the command line, while the other involves installing it graphically. Try them out! View the full article

Gmail, the email service that almost started out as a joke but rose to become a dominant player in the space, is exactly 20 years old on April 1. It is for most of us, as hard to imagine a world without Gmail as it is for us to search without Google. But Gmail was a latecomer to the email game, arriving decades after we started using computers to deliver electronic messages to third-party providers who would, like the old-school post office, sort and send them along to their proper digital destination. It was well after MSMail and ccMail but early enough that we still demanded a hyphen between “e” and “mail.” Ever the cheeky upstart (despite by then being the most-used search engine), Google launched Gmail on April Fool’s Day to mostly widespread confusion. At PCMag, where I worked at the time, we admitted that “Google's release included language which sounded like a ruse” and no one was quite sure if the search giant was serious about entering the crowded email space. Part of that had to do with the quite limited availability of the platform. Google was among the first Internet companies to offer invite-only access to a new service. It was a brilliant bit of marketing but also had a more practical purpose. Google had struggled to launch Gmail and was still learning when it moved into public beta. Open access would’ve overwhelmed the system, forcing untold crashes, possibly un-delivered mail, and probably made it almost impossible to learn about what people wanted, needed, and used most often in the IMAP mail platform (there was no POP3 support at launch). Welcome to the party, pal On April 22, 2004, almost four weeks after the launch, I got access. I still have the welcome message, that told me I was “one of the very first people to use Gmail,” and thanked me for “agreeing to test Gmail.” The email described some of the key differences, like “searching instead of filing.” Gmail didn’t use folders, a time-honored way of organizing email, and instead focused on labels and conversations. To this day, the concept of folders in Gmail is foreign and I’m not sure I have ever loved the more amorphous “labels”. It had some advanced features like filters and address autocomplete. And, of course, it came with 1GB of storage, an amount unheard of at the time for a free email service, which now seems woefully inadequate. Google's pitch at the time was that we could stop wasting time deleting emails and save everything. I think I over-committed to this concept. While Gmail didn’t have pop-up or banner ads (thank God), there were text-based ads in a column to the right (Gmail ads now mostly live under the “Promotions” tab). This turned out to be Gmail’s most controversial “innovation”. To provide contextual ads, Google would have to “read” the contents of your email. That sounded like an insane privacy violation, and I wrote about the concern right before I gained access. I reminded readers that computers, at least back then, didn’t really “read” anything. They had neither the eyes nor the consciousness to understand the context. Google was, of course, already anonymizing the data and delivering contextual ads without delivering your private bits to third parties. I also noted that, without those ads, we might not get all that, at the time, free storage. It’s worth noting that those early concerns did nothing to hinder Gmail’s growth. Along with access to Gmail came some invites that I could dole out. They arrived in small bunches, and I would give them to co-workers, colleagues, and friends. Some people who knew I had a Gmail account sent me emails and AOL messages pleading for access. Whenever I gave someone access, Gmail would notify me of when they signed up and created their new Gmail address “so we could stay in touch with Gmail!” While not a social network, Google was aware of the inherently social nature of email. Keeping newbies connected was how it built that network and generated just enough FOMO to keep the service growing. All the information Google took a risk when it launched Gmail, and it knew it. In the original FAQ, Google had to explain why a Search company would launch an email service: “Why is Google offering email? I thought you were a search company. Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally useful and accessible. For many people, email contains valuable information that can be difficult to retrieve. We believe we can help with that.” It was further evidence that Google’s strategic aim was never just about search results, it was about information, yours, mine, and everyone else’s. Google wanted to organize the world’s information no matter the form, from search results, to mail, to video and images, and location. That quest never stops and not everyone is happy about it. Even so, it’s worth celebrating Gmail, an online service that entered an entrenched market and ultimately remade it in its image. It never was and will likely never be a joke. You might also like Yes, I used Google Lens to check a mole. What about it?Google says it will definitely ditch cookies...byWhat is Google Gemini? Everything you need to know about ...Google is bringing its AI-powered Circle to Search to older ...Google Gemini explained: 7 things you need to know about the new ...Google Gemini AI looks like it's coming to Android tablets and could ... View the full article

Step by Step Guide to create Application Load Balancers in Google cloud and allow HTTP and HTTPS both port to the vm running on 3000 port Creating an Application Load Balancer (ALB) in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to manage traffic on both HTTP and HTTPS, routing it to VM instances that serve content on port 3000, requires a series of steps involving several GCP services. This guide includes creating an instance template and managed instance group, configuring health checks, setting up the load balancer, and ensuring proper SSL configuration for HTTPS support. Step 1: Prepare Your GCP Environment Log in to your Google Cloud Console. Select or create a GCP project. Enable billing for your project. Enable the Compute Engine API if it’s not already enabled. Step 2: Configure Your Backend Service Create an Instance Template Go to Compute Engine > Instance templates in the Cloud Console. Click Create instance template. Set up the template with your VM configuration. Make sure the startup script or the application configuration is set to serve content on port 3000. Click Create to save the template. Create a Managed Instance Group Navigate to Compute Engine > Instance groups. Click Create instance group. Choose a Managed instance group type. Select the instance template you created earlier. Specify the instance group details like name, location, and the number of instances. Click Create. Create a Health Check Go to Compute Engine > Health checks. Click Create a health check. Name your health check and select HTTP or HTTPS for the protocol. Set the port to 3000. Configure additional settings as needed, then click Create. Step 3: Set Up the Load Balancer Create the Load Balancer Navigate to Network Services > Load balancing. Click Create load balancer. Select Start configuration under the HTTP(S) Load Balancing card. Choose From Internet to my VMs and click Continue. Set up the backend configuration: Click Create a backend service. Select the instance group you created earlier. Choose the health check you set up. Ensure the Named Port is set to serve on port 3000. Save and continue. Configure the frontend service: You’ll create two frontend configurations, one for HTTP and one for HTTPS. For HTTP: Click Create a frontend IP and port. Name your service, select HTTP as the protocol, and use port 80. For HTTPS: You need an SSL certificate. If you don’t have one, you can create or import one under Network Services > SSL certificates before proceeding. After securing the certificate, create another frontend configuration. Select HTTPS as the protocol, use port 443, and attach your SSL certificate. Click Create to finalize and deploy your load balancer. Step 4: DNS Configuration (Optional) For easier access, you may want to configure a DNS record to point to the IP address of your load balancer’s frontend configuration. This step makes it possible to access your VMs using a domain name instead of an IP address. Step 5: Verification and Testing After your load balancer is set up, test accessing your application through the IP addresses associated with the load balancer’s frontend services. You should be able to reach your application on port 3000 via both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. The post Google Cloud: Step by Step Guide to create Application Load Balancers in Google cloud appeared first on DevOpsSchool.com. View the full article

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