VODAFONE is bringing the fight to BT and Virgin Media with the launch of a brand-new service designed to keep customers connected even when their fixed-line broadband goes down.
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BT and Virgin Media are facing some fresh competition from Vodafone, which has launched a new “unbreakable” broadband deal that will always keep you online – even if there’s an issue with the fixed-line connection. Dubbed Pro Broadband, this new service not only beams the web into your property via a standard phone or fibre line, but also has a built-in 4G network connection.
That way, should the worst happen and a broadband outage hits Vodafone, the router will automatically switch over to a 4G signal meaning you are never left without access to the web. Along with a constant and reliable connection coming into your home, Vodafone also says it will make sure every room is covered thanks to its “Super Wi-Fi” signal boosters.
Vodafone is so confident that these additional devices will end blackspot that it says customers who aren’t satisfied with their home Wi-Fi coverage will be offered the opportunity to leave their contract fee-free.
Another advantage of this new broadband service is that it comes with instant access to help. Vodafone’s Wi-Fi Xperts are a dedicated team of highly trained broadband and Wi-Fi engineers who will proactively monitor and fix customers’ issues. They’ll even be in touch in the first ten days to make sure you are set-up and your broadband is tailored to each customer’s home setup.
If you’re after the best speeds available, Vodafone also says that customers can upgrade for free to this full-fibre to the premise (FTTP) broadband as soon as it rolls out to their street.
Now, you might be wondering how much all this is going to cost you and there’s good and bad news when it comes to price.
Vodafone says that its new Pro Broadband packages start from just £35 which sounds pretty good value. However, that is for 35Mbps speeds which certainly aren’t the fastest. The quicker you want your downloads to be, the more you’ll need to pay.
As a good example, BT is currently offering its basic broadband with the same 35Mbps for just £24.99 per month. Of course, this doesn’t include any 4G backup or tech support which is clearly what Vodafone is hoping will set it apart from its rivals.
If you want to add even more to this broadband package then Vodafone is offering the option to upgrade to Pro Xtra plans for £8 a month extra, which includes a 4K Apple TV, unlimited landline and mobile calls, plus no in-contract price rises, as well as Apple TV+ which is included free for 12 months.
Max Taylor, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK, said: “We’ve built Vodafone Pro Broadband to provide our customers with unbreakable broadband without breaking the bank. Our customers tell us that fast, reliable and secure connectivity is more important than it’s ever been, and even when there is a return to ‘normal’ their demands for great broadband will continue.”
Like Vodafone, this service offers a standard fibre connection alongside a new Hybrid Connect router that can also access EE 4G. That means – whenever things go wrong and the broadband goes down – the clever router automatically switches over to EE’s mobile network to allow homes to stay online at all times.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838262/bt-and-virgin-face-tough-competition-as-vodafone-reveals-its-unbreakable-new-broadband.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:262021-03-05 12:57:26BT and Virgin face tough competition as Vodafone reveals its 'unbreakable' new broadband
USE CHROME? You need to update your web browser as soon as possible to avoid a serious security threat that’s only just been discovered and fixed by Google.
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Google Chrome users should update their browsers now (Image: GETTY)
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If you’re using Google Chrome to read this – or have the browser installed on any of your devices at home, you really need to make sure it’s updated to the latest version as soon as you can. That’s because of a new warning from Google, which has revealed that a serious security threat has been discovered that puts all users at risk of attack.
Google has fixed the loophole used by hackers to attack your Mac, Windows 10, and smartphone. However, you will only be protected if you update to the very latest version of the web browser, which includes this all-important patch.
What makes this latest threat so serious is that it’s a so-called “zero-day,” which means that hackers already know about the bug and how to take advantage of it. In other words – this isn’t theoretically, people using Google Chrome are being attacked with this method right now.
The issues are so bad that the company has given the vulnerability a high severity tag. In a message on its Chrome update page, Google said that “it is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2021-21166 exists in the wild.”
Google outlines latest Chrome updates to keep users safe
The flaw was first reported to Google in February by Alison Huffman from Microsoft’s Browser Vulnerability Research team. Google has been working on a fix since the issue was first disclosed.
There’s no more word on how many users may have been impacted by the zero-day bug. Since this is already being used by some hackers, Google won’t reveal any more details – and risk alerting more bad actors to the issue – until its vast userbase has installed the latest patch.
“Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix,” Google said. “We will also retain restrictions if the bug exists in a third party library that other projects similarly depend on, but haven’t yet fixed.”
So, how do update to the latest version of Chrome?
Firstly, it’s a good idea to check which version of Chrome you are using. This can easily be found by clicking on Chrome in the menu bar and selecting About Chrome.
The latest version is named 89.0.4389.72.
If you have that installed then you are safe. If not then you need to get things switched ASAP. If you don’t have automatic updates enabled on your PC then updating Chrome is very easy.
On your computer, open Chrome the go back to the About Chrome menu. If you’re running older software Google will alert you to hit the update button. The only thing to be aware of is that the browser will need to restart so make sure you aren’t in the middle of something important.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838264/chrome-users-update-your-browser-now-google-warns-its-the-only-way-to-avoid-new-threat.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:252021-03-05 12:57:25Chrome users update your browser NOW! Google warns it's the only way to avoid new threat
ROKU is no stranger when it comes to bringing boxsets and movies from Sky, Amazon and Netflix into living rooms, and now the firm is offering its most radical device ever at a much lower price. Here’s all you need to know.
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Roku deal (Image: ROKU)
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For those that don’t want to sign-up for an expensive Sky Q, Virgin Media or BT TV contract for the next year-and-a-half, opting for a streaming box or dongle can be a much cheaper alternative. There’s plenty of competition on the market right now, including the hugely popular Fire TV Sticks from Amazon and the recently released Chromecast with Google TV.
However, one of the most interesting streaming boxes to launch in recent months has to be the Streambar from Roku. Not only does this device bring instant access to popular services such as Sky’s NOW TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, All4, and BBC iPlayer, but it also boosts the audio with its bombastic built-in speakers.
Hence the name “Streambar”, it’s basically a soundbar with that trademark Roku streaming experience baked-in too. To help achieve this ear-pleasing sound, Roku has included four 1.9″ full-range drivers inside the speaker which have the power to produce rich Dolby Audio.
Roku says that its mini soundbar can create crisp, clean audio that makes dialogue easier to hear while its angled side drivers should help fill a room with noise. Alongside that booming audio, the Streambar can also beam content to your TV in glorious pin-sharp 4K High Dymamic Range (HDR).
Sky Q explain simple way to navigate the home screen
For those who don’t know, HDR can display a higher level of contrast between light and dark areas of the screen – so you won’t lose any detail in a movie scene when someone is in a darkened room, looking out of a small window to the brightly lit outdoors.
If there’s nothing on the telly then the Streambar has Spotify Connect, which allows viewers to listen to their favourite playlists straight from this speaker.
Everything can be controlled via a neat little remote with quick access to services such as Netflix via the tap of a dedicated button.
When the Streambar went on sale late last year it would have set you back £129.99 but things have just got a whole lot cheaper. From now until March 23, Roku’s Streambar has been dropped to under £100 with most UK retailers applying the discount.
Roku has confirmed that stores including Argos, Very, Curry’s PC World and Amazon are all taking part in the promotion which lowers the price to £99.99.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838266/streaming-netflix-sky-and-amazon-prime-gets-cheaper-thanks-to-a-great-sounding-roku-deal.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:242021-03-05 12:57:24Streaming Netflix, Sky and Amazon Prime gets cheaper thanks to a great sounding Roku deal
WhatsApp is now allowing voice calls from the desktop app (Image: WHATSAPP • GETTY)
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WhatsApp might be famed for its messaging service but its call feature has also boomed in popularity in recent years. The Facebook-owned firm launched the ability to make a voice call back in 2015 with Android and iOS-powered smartphones the first to get this feature.
Since then, users across the world have made millions of calls with WhatsApp recently breaking its own record with more than 1.4 billion voice and video calls made on New Year’s Eve 2020, the most ever in a single day.
Now it seems this feature is about to get even more useful with WhatsApp confirming that it’s bringing voice and video calls to its desktop app. That means Windows 10 and Apple Mac users can now phone a friend for free anywhere in the world without needing to reach for their smartphone.
WhatsApp says to make desktop calling more useful, it has made sure it works seamlessly for both portrait and landscape orientation, appears in a resizable standalone window on your computer screen, and is set to be always on top so you never lose your video chats in a browser tab or stack of open windows.
The firm is also keen to point out that all voice and video calls made via desktops are end-to-end encrypted.
That means WhatsApp, or anyone else for that matter, can’t hear or see what is being said, whether you call from your phone or your computer.
The initial phase of this rollout will begin with simple one-to-one from the desktop to another user although WhatsApp says it will be expanding this feature to include group voice and video calls in the future which will allow more people to join the conversation.
In a post on its blog, WhatsApp said: “Throughout the last year we’ve seen significant increases in people calling one another on WhatsApp, often for long conversations.
“Last New Year’s Eve, we broke the record for the most calls ever made in a single day with 1.4 billion voice and video calls. With so many people still apart from their loved ones, and adjusting to new ways of working, we want conversations on WhatsApp to feel as close to in-person as possible, regardless of where you are in the world or the tech you’re using.
“We hope people enjoy private and secure desktop calling with their friends and families.”
Here’s what you need to make desktop calls on WhatsApp
• A PC with Windows 10 64-bit version 1903 and newer
• A Mac with macOS 10.13 and newer
• An audio output device and microphone for voice and video calls.
• A camera for video calls.
• An active internet connection on your computer and phone. The call won’t go through your phone, but it needs to be online to establish the call.
NOTE: To grant WhatsApp permission to access your computer’s microphone and camera. WhatsApp needs access to your computer’s microphone for calls and camera for video calls.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838268/whatsapp-update-brings-voice-calls-to-your-windows-10-pc-and-mac.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:232021-03-05 12:57:23WhatsApp update brings voice calls to your Windows 10 PC and Mac
The Government is looking into new ways to scrap the TV licence (Image: GETTY • BBC)
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Paying your annual TV licence fee could be scrapped …just as soon as broadband speeds across the country are up to scratch, the Government has hinted. The new suggestion comes from Minister of State for Media and Data John Whittingdale MP, who claimed that moving to a Netflix-style subscription for the TV licence could work – but only when fast broadband speeds are universal across the UK.
As it stands, the TV licence costs £157.50 a year, although that’s set to increase to £159 next month. The cost of an annual black-and-white TV licence is also set to rise, from £53 to £53.50 a year. Anyone who watches live broadcasts – including those airing on streaming services, like Amazon Prime Video, ITV Hub, and NOW TV – needs to be covered by a TV licence. However, you won’t need a TV licence to watch on-demand or catch-up shows, like those found on Netflix. The one exception to this rule is BBC iPlayer, which requires a TV licence regardless of whether you’re watching on-demand boxsets, films or live channels.
The cost of the TV licence is determined by the UK Government. Back in 2016, it confirmed the price would rise in line with inflation for five years, starting from April 2017. The latest increase, which was announced earlier this year, was calculated using an inflation figure of 1.075 percent. This was the average Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation in the year ending September 2020. BT and EE use the same CPI to adjust their television, broadband and mobile phone plans each year too.
The Government is currently conducting a mid-term review of the Royal Charter, investigating whether to change how the cost of the TV licence will change between 2022 and 2027. Although there have been suggestions of moving to a Netflix-style monthly subscription in 2022, John Whittingdale MP says this is more likely to happen in 2027 due to broadband speeds nationwide.
Broadband speeds will need to increase nationwide before a Netflix-style subscription would be viable (Image: GETTY)
According to Ofcom, there are around 600,000 homes and businesses in the UK without access to broadband speeds above 10Mbps. Until that changes, a radical rethink of how the TV Licence model could work really isn’t going to be possible
Speaking to The Times, Whittingdale said: “Young people are turning more and more to video-on-demand services. That does beg the question about whether or not the licence fee model, which has been based on the fact that everybody used the BBC, can continue. The rollout of broadband is very fast, we will reach universal coverage, and there will come a time when it would be possible for us to move towards a full subscription service for everybody, but that time has not yet arrived.”
Following the rise of video on-demand services – most of them imports from the United States – there has been increased scrutiny around the TV licence. Under the current rules, anyone found to be “watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally” will be fined a maximum of £1,000 (£2,000 if you live in Guernsey) as well as legal costs and compensation you might be ordered to pay too.
As more people download shows from the likes of Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, All4, Apple TV+, Shudder, StarzPlay, and dozens more… it’s becoming harder to justify the current TV licence model.
For its part, the BBC has suggested alternate funding models. Last year, it outlined plans to drop the TV licence in favour of a new levy or tax on broadband bills – as this is increasingly the delivery method for viewers to watch shows, live sporting fixtures, Hollywood blockbusters, and more.
TV licence fee: BBC ‘need new business model’ says expert
It’s increasingly clear that whatever happens to the TV licence going forward, it’s highly likely to be tied with home broadband. John Whittingdale MP clearly believes that an optional monthly subscription service à la Netflix would work, while the Beeb has suggested a non-negotiable levy for anyone planning to use their home internet connection to stream telly is the best option.
Either way, it’s unfortunate that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has decided to quietly walk-back his pledge during the General Election to “level up” broadband infrastructure across the country with future-proofed gigabit-capable cabling to every home by 2025. It’s a pledge that Boris Johnson repeated during multiple daily coronavirus briefings last year too as journalists and members of the public stuttered and buffered as they used Zoom to ask questions to the Prime Minister.
However, in its subsequent national infrastructure strategy filing, the Government walked back its commitment – stating that faster internet speeds will now only be available to 85 percent of premises within the next five years.
Gigabit-capable connections provide speeds up to 1,000Mbps. Given that Netflix only recommends 5Mbps for High Definition streaming and 25Mbps for 4K quality video, these future-proofed broadband connections are more than enough to handle working from home, videoconferencing, boxset binges at the weekend, on-demand content from Sky and other providers, downloading updates to smartphones and games on next-generation video game consoles, and uploading back-ups.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of the UK is struggling with speeds much, much slower than that.
Glacial home internet speeds continue to be a problem – something the requirements to work from home and stay inside during the national lockdowns has thrown into relief. According to the latest research, published back in September by Cable.co.uk, shows the UK is now 47th when it comes to downloads with an average speed of 37.82Mbps. At that rate, it should take roughly 15 minutes to download a feature-length movie in High Definition (HD).
As it stands, you need to be covered by a valid TV Licence to watch anything on iPlayer (Image: GETTY)
The UK manages to trump 174 other countries globally but falls way behind 46 other nations in the speed league, including 21 in Western Europe. This puts the UK among the slowest in Europe when it comes to average broadband speed. To make matters worse, Britain has lost ground between the measurements in 2019 and those recorded last year. Yikes.
The 2020 test confirmed the UK had fallen behind Jersey (218Mbps), Gibraltar (183Mbps), Iceland (116Mbps), Switzerland (110Mbps), Norway (67Mbps), France (51Mbps) and Estonia (70Mbps). The Government has pledged to bring full-fibre broadband – with speeds comparable to these European nations – to more households soon, but these speedy new connections aren’t expected to be plugged in until the mid-2020s.
If you want the very best speeds right now, moving to Liechtenstein could be the answer as this country is ranked top for downloads with an average speed of 229Mbps. At that rate, it takes just 2 minutes 30 seconds to download an HD blockbuster – six times quicker than in the UK.
BT boss Philip Jansen has previously warned that the rollout target of 2025 would likely be missed by more than eight years without sweeping reforms to the sector, including business rate cuts and relaxation of major planning laws.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to bring gigabit speeds to every household, but that’s not going to happen (Image: GETTY )
The UK has some of the worst broadband speeds in Europe, something that makes a rethink of the TV Licence more difficult (Image: GETTY)
Without the Government’s commitment to bringing full-fibre cable across the UK, commercial roll-outs of the future-proofed infrastructure is widely-believed to reach some 80 percent of homes and businesses. However, connecting the remaining 20 percent is too pricier to be commercially viable without subsidies from the Government. Without those, broadband providers could leave thousands with drastically outdated internet connections.
According to Ofcom, there are around 600,000 homes and businesses in the UK without access to broadband speeds above 10Mbps. Until that changes, a radical rethink of how the TV Licence model could work really isn’t going to be possible.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838270/tv-licence-could-be-scrapped-as-long-as-your-internet-speed-is-good-enough.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:222021-03-05 12:57:22TV licence could be SCRAPPED ...as long as your internet speed is good enough
DOWNLOADING music and videos from YouTube is now blocked by the biggest internet firms in the UK, including Virgin Media, BT, Sky, EE, TalkTalk and others following an order from the High Court.
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YouTube download ban as fans blocked from some popular ripping sites (Image: GETTY)
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YouTube fans will soon find themselves blocked from a number of popular websites that enable them to download music videos, movie clips and more from YouTube. These tough new bans are designed to stop users from downloading music from YouTube videos and listening offline without paying for the privilege. The move isn’t a surprise. Express.co.uk recently reported that a block was being sought from BPI, an association of record labels, and now the High Court has agreed to a ban being put in place.
The latest rules mean all of the major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including BT, EE, PlusNet, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media, will now have to ban users accessing the sites, known as stream rippers, highlighted by BPI in their complaint to the High Court. These services allow music fans to rip songs from platforms, like YouTube, and download them straight to a PC. These ripped songs can then be loaded into Apple’s Music app or other devices to listen on-the-go – like you would with a track purchased from iTunes, Amazon, or other legitimate stores.
What has upset the BPI is that these songs can then be listened to over and over again without any payments being made to the songwriters, performers, music publishers and the record companies who create and invest in that music. The BPI says that these sites are the music industry’s current biggest piracy threats. They are responsible for part of the £200 million a year that is illegally ripped out of the music industry ecosystem.
Illegal streaming: Expert warns ‘police will come after you’
Another issue for the music industry are cyberlockers, which are deliberately designed to encourage and reward users to upload music and other valuable copyright material, and illegally share links to it with others who can then illegally download it.
The sites that are now banned include 2conv, flvto, 2Convert, H2Converter, H2Download, Flv2mp3, Flvtool and Ytbapi. Cyberlocker Nitroflare was also included in the block. Of course, blocking a cloud storage solution could have far-reaching consequences for widely-used options like Apple’s iCloud, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and more, however, the record labels argued that Nitroflare is “essentially structured for infringement” and therefore an exception had to be made.
Some of these blocked sites also provided or linked to a downloadable app, like MP3 Studio. All in all, these sites attract over a billion visits a year worldwide, and tens of millions a year from the UK alone.
Speaking about the news Kiaron Whitehead, BPI General Counsel responsible for the UK litigation said: “The High Court has confirmed what we all believed, namely that the operators and users of these egregious cyberlocker and stream-ripping sites – together with the associated stream-ripping app – infringe copyright in multiple ways and should be blocked in the UK. The illegal sites have more visits to them than even global brand websites like Coca-Cola and McDonalds, and they deprive those who create and invest in music from their rightful rewards. These two new judgments are important both legally and practically.
“They are not a silver bullet, but they develop existing European law and represent a significant step forwards in copyright law in the UK. We are grateful to the High Court in dealing with this group litigation so efficiently in an online hearing. The BPI will be taking further actions following these judgments.”
And Amanda Solloway, Minister for Intellectual Property added: “This result is good news for artists and performers, and I am grateful to BPI for its defence of our country’s intellectual property laws. These ‘stream ripping’ providers steal hundreds of millions of pounds which should be going to our world-renowned music industry. The Government will continue working closely with the music industry to combat piracy, protect jobs and maintain one of the strongest intellectual property frameworks in the world.”
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838272/downloading-music-from-youtube-now-blocked-by-bt-virgin-media-sky-ee-and-more.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:212021-03-05 12:57:21Downloading music from YouTube now BLOCKED by BT, Virgin Media, Sky, EE and more
VIRGIN Media has kickstarted a new upgrade across the UK that could guarantee UK broadband can cope with the digital onslaught of the future.
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Virgin Media is testing a new technology to help boost speeds (Image: VIRGIN MEDIA)
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Virgin Media already offers some pretty impressive broadband speeds, with some areas of the UK already able to access downloads at speeds in excess of 1Gbps. At that speedy pace, which is around 16 times faster than the average UK home broadband connection, customers can beam a feature-length HD 1080p blockbuster to their TVs in under 40 seconds.
You might be wondering whether you really need expensive 1Gbps broadband blasted into your home. In short – no. As it stands, most homes will manage on much lower speeds. After all, Netflix recommends speeds of just 25Mbps to access its popular 4K streaming service.
However, as our homes get ever more connected and packed full of gadgets, faster downloads could become a necessity.
The launch of next-gen consoles and 8K TVs will also place added strain on networks with game downloads expected to get far bigger in the future and pin-sharp 8K needing much more bandwidth to make sure the image stays stutter-free.
Virgin is clearly aware that the demands placed on its services are only going to increase with the firm now testing multi-gigabit speeds. The trial, delivered on the operator’s network in Reading, saw Virgin Media install prototype Infinera XR Optics technology in its network.
Virgin Media announce the release of TV 360 service
This upgraded equipment plugs into the existing network and is able to send and receive data at much higher speeds than was previously possible – reaching transfer rates of a whopping 400Gbps in a single fibre.
Before you get too excited, this doesn’t mean you’ll get speedy 400Gbps beamed into your home but it does mean that Virgin will be able to offer improved downloads to more homes all at the same time. Virgin Media says this new technology could help support the rapidly growing demand for data which is being driven by high-quality video streaming, remote working and immersive entertainment, as well as the need to carry 5G traffic to and from mobile phone masts as well as other emerging bandwidth-intensive technologies.
Speaking about the update, Jeanie York, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Virgin Media, said: “Our next-generation network already offers gigabit connectivity to more than 7 million homes, but with data use and demand for hyperfast speeds surging, we’re continually investing in our network to prepare for whatever the future brings.
“Innovations like this ensure our customers continue to benefit from the UK’s fastest widely available speeds, pave the way for future network upgrades and help support the rollout of multi-gigabit broadband and mobile services.”
The speeds have been made possible thanks to something called Passive Optical Network (PON) technology which makes data transmission more efficient. The trial, which took place in Vodafone’s Eschborn lab in Germany last month, could pave the way for homes to see vastly improved speeds in the coming years.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/838274/virgin-media-upgrade-could-finally-spell-the-end-of-dismal-download-speeds.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 12:57:202021-03-05 12:57:20Virgin Media upgrade could finally spell the end of dismal download speeds
Each Google Chrome user can now set their own paint-job and settings independently of others (Image: GETTY • GOOGLE • EXPRESS NEWSAPERS)
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Google Chrome has plenty of strengths – every website is designed to work with the browser, it’s stable even when juggling dozens of tabs, and has a thriving library of extensions. But it does have some issues and anyone who shares a laptop or desktop PC with multiple people in the same household will be keenly aware of one of its most egregious.
Switching between separate user profiles on Google Chrome hasn’t been easy. And it seems Google was aware of the issues as it’s now rolled out a comprehensive redesign of the feature. The upgrade is designed to make it easier to distinguish between user profiles by allowing people more granular customisation controls.
As well as adding a nice touch of personalisation, this should also make jumping between profiles more intuitive. After all, it’s something that streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have mastered with individual profiles with distinct names and profile pictures.
In a blog post about the changes, Product Manager for Google Chrome Sabine Borsay writes, “If you’re one of the many families who share a computer in your home, or someone who uses their computer for both work and personal browsing, these stories may be familiar: You spent the previous day hand-picking your favorite browser colors and theme, only to discover that someone changed everything up.
“Or, you’re trying to login to a retailer site to buy a saved pair of shoes, but autofill keeps suggesting the wrong password (your partner’s, you guess?). It can be frustrating and messy, and that’s why Chrome is revamping its profiles experience, making it even easier to create, customize or switch to your personal space within Chrome.”
Google has reworked the sign-in page, which now looks closer to what you’d find on Netflix (Image: GOOGLE)
Setting up a new profile lets you pick a theme colour for the entire browser, which syncs across devices too (Image: GOOGLE)
The new colour options should make it instantly obvious if you’ve clicked on the wrong account, or someone hasn’t signed out (Image: GOOGLE)
With the update, Chrome users can now set their own backgrounds across the web browser windows, change the entire colour scheme and add profile pictures – making it much, much easier to work out when you’ve logged into the right (or wrong) account. For those who want to set a flamboyant theme on their browser, this allows them that luxury – without landing everyone else in the household with the same hot pink browser window. And it should also prevent anyone stumbling across a listing for a potential birthday present, or heaven forfend a dubious search history.
Bookmarks, saved passwords, themes, and colour schemes will all be saved to individual profiles, so your customisation won’t impact anyone else who uses the same PC in the household.
Once you’re all set-up, you’ll be able to access your shiny new Chrome profile on your other devices too. Turn on sync and get the theme you’ve selected, along with anything else you’ve saved such as your new reading list, your favourite bookmarks and your saved passwords across your devices.
As it stands, the ability to create these highly-customised profiles is only available on PC for now, but we’d hope to see this feature coming to Mac, iOS and Android soon. As millions of us work, study and socialise from home – with many families juggling and moving between a limited number of devices, this feature is going to be hugely helpful for Chrome users.
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The Galaxy Note 10 Lite is getting Android 11 (Image: SAMSUNG)
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Samsung is still busy dishing out its One UI 3.0 operating system upgrade to more of its smartphones and tablets. This Android 11-based operating system brings a swathe of new features and upgrades to Galaxy phones including a refreshed look and improvements to the camera.
Having updated flagship devices such as the Galaxy S20 to its new mobile operating system already, it’s now the turn of the popular mid-range and cheaper phones to get this get the upgrade.
Samsung has confirmed that during March it will rollout One UI 3.0 to a bunch of phones including the Galaxy Note 10 Lite and Galaxy A51. The Galaxy Tab S7 tablet also looks set to get this software boost in the coming weeks as well.
Here’s a full list of Galaxy phones expected to get One UI 3.0 this March:
There’s no official word on when each device will be offered One UI 3.0, but SamMobile is reporting that some users are already seeing the changes. According to the Samsung-centric site, some Note 10 Lite owners in France have already begun to receive One UI 3.0 in the past few days.
It’s easy to check if your device is ready to be upgraded. Simply go to Settings > Software Update. Then check to see if One UI 3.0 is available. If it appears, select the update and tap Download and Install.
One thing to note is if your phone is on a contract from a network then things can take a little longer to appear. That’s because the software often needs to be tested by each carrier before it’s released to customers.
The Galaxy A51 is getting Android 11 this month (Image: SAMSUNG)
Speaking about One UI 3.0, Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications, said: “The launch of One UI 3 is just the beginning of our commitment to offering Galaxy consumers the best mobile experiences possible by giving them access to the latest OS innovation, as soon as it’s available.
“One UI 3 represents an integral part of our mission to continually create new innovative and intuitive experiences for our consumers throughout their device lifecycle. So when you have a Galaxy device, you have a gateway to new, unimagined experiences for years to come.”
If you have a compatible device and have managed to download the update here are some of the new features.
First up, you’ll notice a fresh new look on your screen which Samsung gas been designed to make things appear less cluttered and easier on the eye. The Korean tech firm reckons this design upgrade in One UI 3 has been created to bring more simplicity and elegance to the user experience.
Another change are new visual effects which have been created to help owners focus on certain tasks. Redesigned widgets have been included to help the Home screen look more organised.
There’s even a change when the screen is locked with redesigned widgets letting you control music, and see important information, like calendar events and routines, without having to swipe and unlock your device.
Samsung has also included quick ways to see usage information that reveals exactly how much screen time you’ve had. Other useful additions include a new way to customise the Quick Panel so you get the features you want where you want them.
Finally, there are some improvements to the camera with One UI 3 installed. Improved AI-based zoom on photos, and improved autofocus and auto-exposure help capture a great shot.
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SAMSUNG has promised to release a big update to its older Galaxy Watch models, which could convince owners they don’t need to splash out on a newer device from the company.
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Older Samsung Galaxy Watch devices are getting a software update (Image: SAMSUNG • GETTY)
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Samsung may have just released a blockbuster update for its latest Galaxy Watch 3, which now allows this device to track blood pressure and produce an instant ECG from your wrist, but it seems the firm isn’t forgetting about those with older models of its popular smartwatch.
As spotted by the eagle-eyed team over at SamMobile, it appears Samsung has started to roll-out an upgrade for the original Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active, which first went on sale back in 2018.
The new update includes a number of changes, such as the ability to see images in notifications from your paired smartphone, like a picture message sent in WhatsApp, for example. Voice guidance for those heart-pumping workouts as well as support for Samsung’s fun AR Emoji and Bitmoji are also included in the new software.
Like most software changes, there are also some stability and performance improvements that should make these older devices stay fully up to speed. Right now this upgrade is being pushed out to Galaxy Watches in Korea and the United States, but it should arrive in more regions across the globe in the coming months.
According to the latest whispers, it seems that the Korean technology firm is planning on making the switch from its own-brand Tizen operating system with a move back to Google-powered software.
Changing back to Google’s OS could help increase the usability of the Galaxy Watch especially when connecting to Android phones. Another advantage of going with Google is that the platform has more compatible apps and a much wider choice of watch faces making it easier to customise the device.
We’ll have to wait and see what is announced by Samsung in the coming months but don’t expect any news imminently as it’s unlikely that a new Galaxy Watch will be unveiled anytime soon with this device unusually getting an update in the summer.
http://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/837996/samsung-is-giving-galaxy-watch-owners-a-big-reason-not-to-upgrade.jpg445750euitsolseuitsols2021-03-05 07:58:582021-03-05 07:58:58Samsung is giving Galaxy Watch owners a big reason not to upgrade
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