Tag Archives: Google

Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Reading Articles On Updated Google Chrome Will Become Easier

Google has some good news for PC users who surf the web using their Chrome browser.  Google is adding a new feature called “Reader Mode”, which will strip out unnecessary background clutter with the goal of making articles easier to read.  The new feature is currently available in the company’s experimental Canary release, so if it’s something you’d like to play with now, there’s an easy way you can do that.

It’s a good move and a welcome addition to Chrome’s capabilities, but it should be noted that Google is somewhat behind the curve here.  Apple added Reader Mode to its Safari browser ages ago, back in 2010. Both Firefox and Microsoft Edge have included that capability since 2015.  In fact, even the Android version of Chrome has had something like Reader Mode for a while now (Simplified View). However, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, Chrome’s PC-based users have been left out until now.

In any case, even if Google is a bit late to this particular party, it’s a welcome addition. Soon PC users surfing with Chrome will have a much easier time reading articles on the web, thanks to the reduced clutter the new view makes possible.  Given the rampant growth of ads, popups and bling appearing all over web pages these days, that’s a very good thing and not a moment too soon.

Again, if you’d like to get a sneak peek at the new addition, you can do that.  All you need is an up to date version of Chrome’s “Canary” release.  Once you’ve got that, just paste the following into your address bar:

chrome://flags/#enable-reader-mode

Then restart your browser.  At that point, you’ll be able to put any page into reader mode by clicking on the “Settings” button in the top right-hand corner of the browser and selecting “Distill page.”

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Pixel Phones Have The Update For Newest Android OS

The latest version of the Android OS is now available in beta form.  The catch is, you’ve got to own a Google Pixel phone to use it at this point. The rest of Google’s massive user base will get to see Android Q later this year. In an unusual move, the company limited access to their latest work in progress to Pixel owners, including those still using the Pixel 1 (which is technically no longer supported by the company).

The latest version of the OS introduces a variety of advancements.

Here are a few you’ll be impressed with:

  • Better split-screen support – Note that this also specifically improves enhanced support for foldable screens, which appear to figure heavily in Google’s long-term plans. That’s good news for some phone manufacturers.  If you own a Galaxy Fold, for example, when Q is released for your device, the change will have a big impact.
  • Improved Privacy and Permission Features – Any time you see a popup driven by an app seeking permission to access a portion of your data (location data, for example), you’ll see three options:
    • Allow All The Time
    • Allow Only While The App Is In Use
    • Deny
  • Improved Security – On the privacy front, Android Q does not allow apps to launch any activity while in the background, which means that malicious apps can’t do anything nefarious without user input.
  • Big Improvements To The Share Menu – One of the most persistent user complaints about previous versions of Android has been the OS’s sub-par share menu. It’s getting a major overhaul that makes it more intuitive and includes an option for developers to publish “Sharing Shortcuts” which should make the menu even more useful.

Do you own a Pixel?  If so, check out the new features and start playing around with them today!

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Hundreds Of Apps Loaded Adware Onto Millions Of Android Phones

How many malicious apps would you need on the Google Play Store to infect more than one hundred and fifty million Android devices? Unfortunately, we have a good answer to that question, courtesy of SimBad adware, which can be found in 210 different Android apps.

Taken together, they’ve made their way onto nearly 150 million devices.

If that was the only strain of adware in existence it would be bad enough. Of course, SimBad is only one form of malware.  Granted, it’s a significant strain with a hefty footprint, but the statistics above only demonstrate the sheer scope and scale of the problem. The internet is awash in malware of all types, and the problem is only getting worse.

On top of that, hackers are getting increasingly sophisticated in the way they deploy their poisoned code. Even worse, they’re sharing secrets and adopting each other’s most effective strategies. They’re creating a kind of ‘Black Hat Best Practices’ that enable even hackers with only a moderate level of skill to cause real damage.

If all of the above wasn’t bad enough, even worse is the fact that the larger hacking groups have begun serving as hired guns.  On the Dark Web, it’s easy to find a massive botnet for hire, or to rent out someone else’s malware and leverage their resources to launch your own devastating campaign.

Arrayed against these forces are a motley collection of industry insiders, independent researchers, corporate IT staff members, and security company professionals. They are all trying gamely to keep up with the ever-shifting threat matrix.

Unfortunately, it’s a battle these forces are losing.  2018 was another record setting year in terms of the number of successful data breaches, and 2019 will almost certainly beat last year.  Stay vigilant.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Google Security Device Had A Microphone Nobody Knew About

Google has found itself in hot water for something they claim to be an honest mistake and oversight. Owners of the company’s popular Nest Guard (the centerpiece to their Nest Secure home alarm system) have recently discovered a microphone hidden in the guts of the device.  The microphone wasn’t mentioned in the product’s specification sheet, which has creeped out consumer groups around the country and the world.

Google claims that their intention from the beginning was to incorporate Google Assistant functionality into the design. This of course would necessitate the presence of a microphone, making their failure to mention it nothing more than an oversight. Unfortunately, consumer groups don’t seem to be finding that explanation convincing, which explains the push back the company is suddenly getting.

To be fair, Google Assistant functionality would be a superb addition to Nest Secure, but people should be aware of what precisely they’re getting when they open their wallets and buy a new product.  Especially given the fact that there have been a number of high-profile instances where data captured by microphones embedded in a variety of consumer products has already been mishandled and misused.

It ultimately doesn’t matter how many people would or wouldn’t have made the purchase had they known about the presence of the microphone.  The central issue is that they purchased a product without realizing it could be used to record them.

These days, privacy concerns are increasingly on everyone’s mind and with good reason.  Every day, what remains of our privacy seems increasingly under attack.  Innocent oversight or not, this was an unnecessary invasion of that privacy, and advocacy groups are justified in calling the company out for it.

If you don’t yet own a Nest Secure, but have been considering buying one, be aware.  There’s a microphone embedded in it.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Right Clicking In Gmail Will Unveil Its New Features

When is a right click more than just a right click?  When Google reveals its latest changes to Gmail, of course!

The tech giant has recently announced that they’re going to be overhauling Gmail’s right click menu options. This will enhance its value by adding more and better functionality, with an eye toward improving the overall user experience.

The current right click menu offers the following functionality:

  • Move to Tab
  • Archive
  • Mark as Read
  • Delete

The coming changes will expand to include:

  • Search options
  • Reply and Forward functionality
  • Snooze
  • Mark as Unread
  • Movement Options
  • Labeling
  • The option to open an email in a new tab

You won’t have to take any action to gain the benefits of these new features.  The pending update will make them available to all Gmail users automatically.

In terms of a time frame, Rapid Release domains will begin receiving the update on February 11th 2019 although it can take up to fifteen days for the new features to become visible. The roll-out to the general public is slated for February 22nd, although it could be up to three days before the new menu options become visible to all users.

These are fantastic additions and we can hardly wait to start using them.  Odds are excellent that Google’s recent changes will have ripple effects that extend far beyond Gmail, too.  The reality is that menu functions tend to get taken for granted.  At this point, they’re so well established and entrenched that most people don’t even consider the possibility of tweaking them to improve overall functionality.

That’s unfortunate, but given the coming changes, the hope is that it will prompt other email providers and software vendors in general to go back to the drawing board and reassess their time-honored menu options to see what other improvements can be realized.

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