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Google makes U-turn, dropping plan to remove cookies on Chrome browser

Google makes U-turn, dropping plan to remove cookies on Chrome browser

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


Google first proposed scrapping cookies in 2020, but the deadline for finishing the work had slipped a few times | Representative Image

2 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 9:35 PM IST


Google is dropping plans to eliminate cookies from its Chrome web browser, making a sudden U-turn on four years of work to phase out a technology that helps businesses tracks users online.

 


The company had been working on retiring third-party cookies, which are snippets of code that log user information, as part of an effort to overhaul user privacy options on Chrome. But the proposal, also known as Privacy Sandbox, had instilled fears in the online advertising industry that any replacement technology would leave even less room for online ad rivals.

 


In a blog post on Monday, Google said it decided to abandon the plan after considering the impact of the changes on publishers, advertisers and “everyone involved in online advertising.” The U.K.’s primary competition regulator, which has been involved in oversight of the Privacy Sandbox project, said Google will, instead, give users the option to block or allow third-party cookies on the browser.

 


Google will “introduce a new experience in Chrome that lets people make an informed choice that applies across their web browsing, and they’d be able to adjust that choice at any time,” Anthony Chavez, vice president of Privacy Sandbox, said in the post. “We’re discussing this new path with regulators, and will engage with the industry as we roll this out.” Advertisers use cookies to target ads to web users but privacy campaigners say they can be used to track users across the internet.

 

Google first proposed scrapping cookies in 2020, but the deadline for finishing the work had slipped a few times. Chrome is the world’s dominant web browser, and many others like Microsoft’s Edge are based on the company’s Chromium technology. 


(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 9:35 PM IST



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Tech wrap Jul 23: iOS 18, Redmi Pad Pro launch, WhatsApp, Vivo V40, more

Tech wrap Jul 23: iOS 18, Redmi Pad Pro launch, WhatsApp, Vivo V40, more

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


4 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 8:03 PM IST


Apple has released iOS 18 in developer beta and the first public beta versions is out too. This roll out has been in line with the release schedule that Apple has followed over the year for introducing its new iPhone operating system. If Apple continues with this trend, the first stable public release for the iOS 18 could be released after the launch of the next generation iPhone series, which would likely take place sometime in September.


China’s Xiaomi is set to launch the Redmi Pad Pro in India on July 29. The tablet will be a flagship-grade tablet in Xiaomi ecosystem, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. The tablet is available in select markets already, and now making its way to India. For context, the tablet was introduced in Xiaomi’s home country in April this year.


WhatsApp, Meta-owned instant messaging platform, is planning to launch a new feature with which users can share files on iOS devices without requiring internet connectivity. Similar to Apple’s Airdrop, this feature will make it easier to share files. According to WhatsApp update tracker, WABetaInfo, the feature was earlier being tested for Android users and now might arrive to iOS via TestFlight beta program in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 24.15.10.70. 


The Vivo V40 series is expected to launch in India in August. The series will include the Vivo V40 and the V40 Pro. The Vivo V40 Pro was recently spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website, according to consumer technology news platform 91mobiles. The Vivo V40 and V40 Lite have already launched in Europe and the same specifications are anticipated for the Indian variant. This series is expected to succeed the V30 series, which was introduced in March this year.


Apple is reportedly working on the next-generation iPhone SE model, which is expected to launch in spring next year. According to a report by 9To5Mac, specification details of the more affordable iPhone model has surfaced online, suggesting that the fourth-generation iPhone SE could bring major upgrades in all spheres.


In a move to give precedence to Google Messages over its own messaging app, Samsung has reportedly announced that it will not pre-install Samsung Messages on Galaxy devices. The South Korean electronics maker has already phased out the app in some regions. This coincides with Google’s Rich Communication Services being promoted. Samsung Messages do not support RCS but Google Messages does. Additionally, Google Messages was made the default SMS/RCS app on Galaxy devices by Samsung in 2022 but Samsung had pre-installed its own app to offer the option to users to use it.


Taiwanese electronics brand Acer on July 23 announced the launch of the Aspire 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition laptop in India. The company said that the laptop comes with the SpatialLabs glass-free 3D technology, allowing users to create content in 3D. The laptop allows users to transition between 2D and stereoscopic 3D modes, offering versatility and a more immersive experience without using any 3D glasses.


Samsung has been gradually making its ecosystem a closed garden. The devices from South Korean electronics maker, such as earbuds and smartwatches, are tied to its platform only. Naturally, the same has been expected from the Galaxy Ring. However, there are reports claiming that Samsung’s new-age health-and-fitness tracker will work with any Android-powered smartphone.


Google is planning to keep third-party cookies in its Chrome browser, it said on Monday, after years of pledging to phase out the tiny packets of code meant to track users on the internet.


With the advent of Apple Intelligence, Apple is expected to power all of its upcoming products, including entry level devices such as next generation iPhone SE, standard iPad models, and more with the latest generation chipset.


India announced it will cut import duty on mobile phones and some key parts to 15% from 20%, a move that will directly benefit Apple, which still imports its high-end smartphones into the country despite increasing local production.

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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Alphabet results to set tone for big tech on advertising, cloud: Report

Alphabet results to set tone for big tech on advertising, cloud: Report

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


4 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 6:51 PM IST


By Carmen Reinicke


All eyes are on Alphabet Inc.’s earnings report to set the tone for how megacap technology companies fared in the second quarter.

 


Alphabet, which has gained more than 16% since its blowout first-quarter report, needs to show that spending on AI is continuing to drive revenue in its cloud and advertising businesses. The results also come on the heels of a broader tech selloff, with the Nasdaq 100 Index tumbling nearly 6% in just over a week. That, in addition to tough comparisons with last year, has created a cautious backdrop ahead of Tuesday’s earnings release.


“This isn’t the big acceleration quarter, but I think that they will do slightly better than consensus and give a good September guide,” said Rhys Williams of Wayve Capital Management LLC, adding that Alphabet needs to “directionally talk about what AI is doing to their overall revenue stream.”


Wall Street analysts expect the company to report $84.4 billion in revenue in the second quarter, a 13% jump from the same period last year but marking a deceleration from last quarter. Advertising, which includes the search and YouTube businesses, is expected to bring in $64.5 billion, up 11% compared with last year, helped by Google’s AI improvements to search.


The results, and Alphabet’s guidance ahead of the Olympics and the November US Presidential election — two major events that should benefit ad spending — have read-through to companies including Meta Platforms Inc., Snap Inc. and Pinterest Inc.  


Bank of America’s Justin Post expects the results to “set a positive backdrop” for peers. He recently boosted his second-quarter estimate for Alphabet’s search business. “In the near-term, we think revenue upside from AI-driven monetization improvements will be a key 2Q takeaway,” Post said.


Analysts will also be watching Google’s spending. Capital expenditure came in higher than expected last quarter, though Wedbush analysts led by Scott Devitt said that expectations for near-term capex have now “caught up to reality.”


“While a negative surprise related to spending remains a risk for Alphabet (and all of megacap internet), we think the chances are relatively low in 2Q,” Devitt wrote.


The company has spent significantly on developing AI services in its cloud business, which competes with Amazon.com Inc.’s AWS and Microsoft Corp.’s Azure. Cloud was one of the key factors behind Google’s first quarter beat, and Truist analysts led by Youssef Squali expect this quarter’s results to be supported by a sustained performance in cloud as well.


A solid report from Alphabet on cloud would have positive implications for Amazon, Microsoft and even Nvidia Corp., as it may signal that investments in AI chips will need to continue through next year.


Among other developments, this quarter will also mark the last before Anat Ashkenazi takes over as chief financial officer at the end of the month, replacing Ruth Porat. Investors will also be interested in M&A, after cybersecurity startup Wiz Inc. turned down a takeover bid from Google, according to a memo reported by Bloomberg today. Alphabet also recently shelved its pursuit of HubSpot Inc., a customer relationship management software maker, Bloomberg reported previously.


“We are looking for more details around “efficiency” as the theme was more prevalent in the April call and perhaps the new CFO, Anat Ashkenazi, will look to cut a bloated structure even further,” Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes wrote in a recent note.


Reitzes noted that Google shares have been strong since its first-quarter report amid optimism around “costs, cloud momentum and improvement in AI execution.”


“Management needs to show real commitment to these themes for the stock to keep going,” he said.

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 6:51 PM IST



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Samsung Galaxy Ring could work with any Android-powered smartphone: Details

Samsung Galaxy Ring could work with any Android-powered smartphone: Details

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


2 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 4:35 PM IST


Samsung has been gradually making its ecosystem a closed garden. The devices from South Korean electronics maker, such as earbuds and smartwatches, are tied to its platform only. Naturally, the same has been expected from the Galaxy Ring. However, there are reports claiming that Samsung’s new-age health-and-fitness tracker will work with any Android-powered smartphone.


Samsung’s listing page for the Galaxy Ring on its website in the US, where the Galaxy Ring is available for pre-order currently, states that the “Galaxy Ring is supported on Samsung Galaxy smartphones over OS version (Android 11.0).” However, according to Samsung’s Newsroom post mentioned that the Galaxy Ring can be paired with “a smartphone” running on Android 11.0 or above.


Although Samsung has not officially clarified on the compatibility, the company has noted in its press note released at the time of launch of the Galaxy Ring that the newly launched Galaxy Ring must be paired with a smartphone with Android 11.0 or above and minimum 1.5GB RAM. Additionally, Galaxy Wearable app and Samsung Health app are required on the smartphone to make the Galaxy Ring work efficiently. This suggests that the Galaxy Ring might work with other Android smartphones as well, but some of its core feature could be exclusive to Galaxy devices only.


Additionally, in a recent video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by M. Brandon Lee, who runs a YouTube channel called “This is Tech Today”, the Galaxy Ring is shown to be working alongside a Nothing smartphone. In the video Lee shows the Galaxy Ring paired up with the Nothing smartphone using the Galaxy Wearable app. The app also shows the option to view Energy Score, Sleep and Heart rate data. The option to reset and update the Galaxy Ring’s software is also visible.


There is no detail available on Samsung Galaxy Ring compatibility with iPhones. However, according to media reports, the Galaxy Ring may get the ability to pair with iOS devices but not at launch.

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 4:35 PM IST





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WhatsApp explores Airdrop like offline sharing file option on iOS: Report

WhatsApp explores Airdrop like offline sharing file option on iOS: Report

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


2 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 4:28 PM IST


WhatsApp, Meta-owned instant messaging platform, is planning to launch a new feature with which users can share files on iOS devices without requiring internet connectivity. Similar to Apple’s Airdrop, this feature will make it easier to share files. According to WhatsApp update tracker, WABetaInfo, the feature was earlier being tested for Android users and now might arrive to iOS via TestFlight beta program in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 24.15.10.70. The latest beta version of WhatsApp for iOS available on TestFlight shows a Nearby Share feature.


In the beta, the app lets you send files directly to devices nearby using WhatsApp even when there is poor internet connectivity. To transfer files, a QR code is generated that the devices at the receiving end will have to scan. For Android devices, users had to depend on detection of nearby devices. Data could be shared between Android and iOS devices with this feature as it is expected to facilitate cross-platform sharing.


There is no official date of launch of the feature as it is in early development stages.


WhatsApp has been working on features that make sharing across platforms more convenient. Reportedly, WhatsApp is also testing a new chats migration option, which would allow smartphone users to transfer chats from one device to another without necessitating upload on cloud storage services


WhatsApp is also reportedly planning to launch a new feature to let users create usernames for their profiles. According to WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will allow users to create usernames for connecting with people, removing the requisite of exchanging numbers.

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 4:28 PM IST



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Xiaomi sets Redmi Pad Pro India launch for July 29: All you need to know

Xiaomi sets Redmi Pad Pro India launch for July 29: All you need to know

by | Jul 23, 2024 | Technology


2 min read Last Updated : Jul 23 2024 | 3:39 PM IST


China’s Xiaomi is set to launch the Redmi Pad Pro in India on July 29. The tablet will be a flagship-grade tablet in Xiaomi ecosystem, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. The tablet is available in select markets already, and now making its way to India. For context, the tablet was introduced in Xiaomi’s home country in April this year.


The Redmi Pad pro 5G will sport a 12.1-inch display of 120Hz refresh rate and support 600 nits of peak brightness. The tablet will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and pack a 10,000mAh battery. At the front, it will be protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Xiaomi has claimed a standby time of 33 days and 12 hours of video playback. The tablet will operate on its latest HyperOS. The device will feature a quad-speaker audio system with support for Dolby Atmos. It will also be accompanied by Stylus and keyboard.


The tablet will arrive with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and will support up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It will also support up to 1.5TB of expandable storage that can be expanded via microSD card slot. Talking about camera, the Redmi Pad pro will feature a 8MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. It is also expected to support 33W fast charging.


The Redmi Pad Pro had earlier appeared on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website, indicating imminent launch in the country. Appearing on certification sites suggests that the device is being officially tested according to the safety standards of the region and will soon be launched in the market.

First Published: Jul 23 2024 | 3:39 PM IST



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