Microsoft Edge’s built-in VPN is now available in the Canary channel

Microsoft has begun testing Microsoft Edge’s Secure Network feature – essentially a built-in VPN service – with select Insiders in the Canary channel. Secure Network is powered by Cloudflare, and as the name suggests, it’s meant to add a layer of security and privacy by encrypting your data as you browse the web.

When Microsoft Edge Secure Network is enabled, your data is encrypted and your IP address is masked, so no one can identify you or your exact location. Traffic is routed through one of Cloudflare’s servers in order to protect your identity. However, unlike a dedicated VPN, you can’t change your location to somewhere completely different. Microsoft says that you’ll be connected to a Cloudflare data center, so when you browse the web, you still see the websites and experiences you’d expect for your region. Your precise location is masked, but you probably won’t be able to use this to bypass geo-restrictions.

In this initial testing phase, Microsoft is giving users 1GB of free bandwidth in Secure Network mode, which is pretty typical for free VPN services. You should get 1GB per month, and it renews automatically. Microsoft’s wording seems to suggest that this free bandwidth may change as the feature expands, but there’s no indication that you’ll get more or less data once the feature is actually available.

In order to keep track of how much data you’ve used, you’ll need to be signed into Edge with your Microsoft account in order to use Edge’s VPN service. Again, the wording used by Microsoft seems to suggest this is only the case during the preview stage, but it seems likely this will be how it works in the future, too. Microsoft assures users that no personally identifiable information is sent over the network, and even diagnostic data related to the service is only kept for 25 hours, at the most.

if you want to test this right now, you’ll need to install the Canary channel of Microsoft Edge and hope that you’ve been selected to be part of the test. It’s only available to a handful of people, so not everyone is going to be able to try it yet. If you’re one of the lucky few, you can find the Secure Network feature in the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

---

Souce: Microsoft

The post Microsoft Edge’s built-in VPN is now available in the Canary channel appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/ci2fOqQ
via IFTTT

Google has failed to execute its ban on stalkerware ads

Google took a hard stance on stalkerware in 2020, publicly stating that it would ban related ads and apps from Google searches and the Google Play Store. But, a couple of years after its public commitment, it appears that stalkerware ads can still commonly be found on Google, questioning whether the company has really committed to the removal of these controversial products.

Stalkerware is designed to secretly monitor a person or significant other

If unfamiliar, stalkerware or spyware, is designed to secretly monitor a person or significant other. The apps tend to collect personal or sensitive information without revealing that it is doing so. While each app can differ, they are usually capable of recording a wide variety of information, including but not limited to location, phone calls, messages, keystrokes, and more.

While apps and ads related to stalkware are banned, Google does make an exemption for apps that are meant for parents to track their children or apps made for business. Developers of these kinds of apps must still comply with certain requirements. Since these ads and apps can still exist within Google’s ecosystem, it has made it clear that these apps cannot be misused.

Through its research, Certo Software and MIT Technology Review were able to confirm that search queries in Google still came up with results related to tracking or spying applications. These ads are clearly marketed toward people that require tools to spy on significant others. What makes some of these companies a bit dubious is that on their websites, they market their tools to parents looking to monitor their children. But, MIT Technology Review found that those companies “bought ads against terms relating to people spying digitally on their partners.”

When reached for comment, Google stated: “We do not allow ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance. We’ve reviewed the ads in question and are removing those that violate our policy.” While Google has removed some of the search results, there are plenty that remain. Of course, with this kind of work, there isn’t a dedicated team of hundreds of people. Instead, Google is relying on an algorithm. It is a daunting task, but will Google be able to properly remove and ban stalkerware ads from its platform?

---

Source: MIT Technology Review

The post Google has failed to execute its ban on stalkerware ads appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/Mz417Hp
via IFTTT

Google has failed to execute its ban on stalkerware ads

Google took a hard stance on stalkerware in 2020, publicly stating that it would ban related ads and apps from Google searches and the Google Play Store. But, a couple of years after its public commitment, it appears that stalkerware ads can still commonly be found on Google, questioning whether the company has really committed to the removal of these controversial products.

Stalkerware is designed to secretly monitor a person or significant other

If unfamiliar, stalkerware or spyware, is designed to secretly monitor a person or significant other. The apps tend to collect personal or sensitive information without revealing that it is doing so. While each app can differ, they are usually capable of recording a wide variety of information, including but not limited to location, phone calls, messages, keystrokes, and more.

While apps and ads related to stalkware are banned, Google does make an exemption for apps that are meant for parents to track their children or apps made for business. Developers of these kinds of apps must still comply with certain requirements. Since these ads and apps can still exist within Google’s ecosystem, it has made it clear that these apps cannot be misused.

Through its research, Certo Software and MIT Technology Review were able to confirm that search queries in Google still came up with results related to tracking or spying applications. These ads are clearly marketed toward people that require tools to spy on significant others. What makes some of these companies a bit dubious is that on their websites, they market their tools to parents looking to monitor their children. But, MIT Technology Review found that those companies “bought ads against terms relating to people spying digitally on their partners.”

When reached for comment, Google stated: “We do not allow ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance. We’ve reviewed the ads in question and are removing those that violate our policy.” While Google has removed some of the search results, there are plenty that remain. Of course, with this kind of work, there isn’t a dedicated team of hundreds of people. Instead, Google is relying on an algorithm. It is a daunting task, but will Google be able to properly remove and ban stalkerware ads from its platform?

---

Source: MIT Technology Review

The post Google has failed to execute its ban on stalkerware ads appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/Mz417Hp
via IFTTT

OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 3 based on Android 12 rolls out to the OnePlus Nord

While OnePlus is busy shaping up Android 13 through its Developer Preview program, the company is also reminding users that it hasn’t forgotten about the OnePlus Nord by releasing an update through its Open Beta program. It may take several more rounds of Open Beta releases before we see the final stable OxygenOS 12 build lands on this device, but the OEM is making steady progress in that direction. The third OxygenOS Open Beta based on Android 12 is now available for the OnePlus Nord.

As expected, Open Beta 3 is mostly a bug-fixing update, and we’re not seeing any major shuffle in terms of new features or UI changes. Fixes have been deployed for the boot animation and Google Assistant voice activation, for instance. The build also addresses the issue of the glitchy touch sounds. Finally, the Android security patch level has been bumped to April 2022.

The full update changelog for the OnePlus Nord’s Open Beta 3 release can be found below:

• Security
  • [Updated] Android security patch to 2022.04
• System
  • [Fixed] the issue of abnormal Touch sounds
  • [Fixed] the issue of abnormal boot animation
• Voice
  • [Fixed] the occasional issue that unable to start “OK Google” with voice

OnePlus Nord XDA Forums

---

Download OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 3 for the OnePlus Nord

Users already on the OxygenOS beta path will receive this update as an incremental OTA if they are stock unrooted, and as a complete update if they are rooted. On the other hand, people who are not enrolled to the beta program need to download and manually flash the ROM.

• OnePlus Nord
  • India
    • Open Beta 4 (AC2001_11.F.11)
      • Full OTA
      • Incremental from OB2

Although installing the Open Beta on top of a stable channel build won’t erase your data, it’s advised that you still take a full backup of your important data before switching the update track. You can flash the rollback package if you wish to revert to the stable channel.

Thanks to XDA Recognized Developer mlgmxyysd for the download link!

---

Source: OnePlus Community Forums

The post OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 3 based on Android 12 rolls out to the OnePlus Nord appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/MwFjTg7
via IFTTT

HP focuses on creators with new ZBook mobile workstations

Today, HP is announcing all new products from its Z lineup, including some ZBooks, some monitors, and even the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4. Specifically, the two new laptops are the ZBook Studio G9 and the ZBook Fury G9.

“Creative professionals want personalized hardware and software experiences that provide them the freedom to pursue their passions and create without their technology or location holding them back,” said Jim Nottingham, general manager and global head, Advanced Compute and Solutions, HP Inc. “Today’s Z by HP announcement blends cutting-edge technology with the versatility of a combined ecosystem to make every creative idea a reality.”

HP ZBook Studio G9 and ZBook Fury G9

HP’s ZBook mobile workstations are meant to be able to handle the most complex workloads. Both the ZBook Studio and ZBook Fury G9 come with Intel’s new 12th-gen processors. The ZBook Studio comes with up to a Core i9 vPro CPU and an NVIDIA RTX A5500 or a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti depending on your needs.

HP ZBook Fury G9

The ZBook Fury G9 is even more powerful. It has Intel new 55W HX-series processors, and either an NVIDIA RTX A5500 GPU ot AMD Radeon Pro GPUs. With these new processors, HP is promising desktop-class performance, as they come closer to a standard S-series CPU from Intel.

Both the ZBook Fury and ZBook Studio will be available in June, with pricing to be announced later.

Monitors and a new dock

HP has two new monitors to announce today, the Z24m G3 QHD Conferencing Display and the Z24q G3 QHD Display.

HP Z24 monitors

If you’re looking for a 23.8-inch monitor with QHD resolution, HP has you covered here, especially since these come with a 90Hz refresh rate. They’re factory calibrated for sRGB and P3, and they have VESA DisplayHDR 400. The big difference between the two is that the Z24m G2 QHD Conferencing Display has a tiltable 5MP webcam.

The HP Z24m G3 QHD Conferencing Display is coming in July, with pricing to be announced later. The Z24q is coming in May, starting at $374.

HP Thunderbolt Dock G4

HP’s new Thunderbolt Dock G4 adds an array of ports like dual DisplayPort, HDMI, several USB Type-A, and more. What makes it really interesting is that it comes in 120W and 280W variants, so it can charge your laptop faster if you need it. The Thunderbolt Dock G4 is coming in May, at $329 for the 120W model and $439 for the 280W model.

The post HP focuses on creators with new ZBook mobile workstations appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/2OqIMFv
via IFTTT

Google’s affordable Pixel 6a is officially coming to India later this year

Pixel fans in India rejoice! The newly announced Pixel 6a is officially coming here, marking the return of Google’s Pixel line to the Indian smartphone market after nearly a two-year hiatus.

There have been rumors in the past weeks that Google might bring the Pixel 6a to India, and that has indeed turned out to be the case. While Google’s official announcement didn’t make any mention of the international availability of the Pixel 6a, the company Tweeted out last night that the phone will be coming to India later this year.

We’re so thrilled to announce that the Pixel 6a is coming to India later this year
More details #GoogleIO https://t.co/WsYLhBu6ud

— Google India (@GoogleIndia) May 11, 2022

There’s no word on pricing yet. But it’s safe to assume the device will be reasonably priced — anything in the ballpark of ₹30,000-40,000 will be considered competitive. Google is also not giving us a proper launch date yet, just a vague “later this year” timeframe. Here’s hoping Google won’t make us wait until Diwali to get our hands on its new mid-ranger.

The Pixel 4a had a good run in India, with Google unable to restock enough units to meet the growing demand. We expect the new Pixel 6a to do even better — though it will all depend on how Google prices the phone.

The Pixel 6a offers a solid hardware package at a bargain price, including a premium design, Google’s in-house Tensor SoC, dual 12MP cameras with new photo editing features, a 4,306mAh battery, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The phone will be available for pre-order in the US starting July 21, with sales kicking from July 28 onwards. It comes in three colors: Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage.

Android fans in India, are you going to pick up the Pixel 6a when it launches here? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Google’s affordable Pixel 6a is officially coming to India later this year appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/ubiGX5E
via IFTTT

Google’s affordable Pixel 6a is officially coming to India later this year

Pixel fans in India rejoice! The newly announced Pixel 6a is officially coming here, marking the return of Google’s Pixel line to the Indian smartphone market after nearly a two-year hiatus.

There have been rumors in the past weeks that Google might bring the Pixel 6a to India, and that has indeed turned out to be the case. While Google’s official announcement didn’t make any mention of the international availability of the Pixel 6a, the company Tweeted out last night that the phone will be coming to India later this year.

We’re so thrilled to announce that the Pixel 6a is coming to India later this year
More details #GoogleIO https://t.co/WsYLhBu6ud

— Google India (@GoogleIndia) May 11, 2022

There’s no word on pricing yet. But it’s safe to assume the device will be reasonably priced — anything in the ballpark of ₹30,000-40,000 will be considered competitive. Google is also not giving us a proper launch date yet, just a vague “later this year” timeframe. Here’s hoping Google won’t make us wait until Diwali to get our hands on its new mid-ranger.

The Pixel 4a had a good run in India, with Google unable to restock enough units to meet the growing demand. We expect the new Pixel 6a to do even better — though it will all depend on how Google prices the phone.

The Pixel 6a offers a solid hardware package at a bargain price, including a premium design, Google’s in-house Tensor SoC, dual 12MP cameras with new photo editing features, a 4,306mAh battery, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The phone will be available for pre-order in the US starting July 21, with sales kicking from July 28 onwards. It comes in three colors: Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage.

Android fans in India, are you going to pick up the Pixel 6a when it launches here? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Google’s affordable Pixel 6a is officially coming to India later this year appeared first on XDA.

from XDA https://ift.tt/ubiGX5E
via IFTTT