Soon, you will see fewer redirected ads after clicking on 'Back' in Google

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Google has announced a new spam policy targeting a deceptive practice known as “back button hijacking”, saying websites that engage in it could face penalties in Search rankings. The company said the move is aimed at improving user experience, as the practice interferes with normal browser navigation. The updated policy will come into effect on June 15, 2026, giving site owners time to review and fix their implementations.

What is back button hijacking

According to Google, back button hijacking occurs when a website interferes with a user’s ability to return to the previous page using the browser’s back button. In this, instead of going back as expected, users may be redirected to pages they never visited, shown unsolicited content or ads or blocked from navigating away normally.

Google said this breaks a fundamental user expectation and disrupts the standard browsing experience, often leading to confusion and frustration.

What did Google say about this

Google said it is expanding its spam policies to explicitly classify back button hijacking as a violation under its “malicious practices” category. The company noted that such behaviour creates a mismatch between what users expect and what actually happens, resulting in a deceptive experience.

The company added that it has seen a rise in such practices and reiterated that inserting manipulative pages into a user’s browser history has already been against its Search guidelines. Under the updated policy, affected pages may face manual spam actions or automated ranking demotions in Google Search results.

What does it mean for websites

Google has advised site owners to ensure their websites do not interfere with normal browser navigation. This includes removing or disabling any scripts or techniques that insert or replace misleading pages in a user’s browsing history.

The company also pointed out that such behaviour may sometimes originate from third-party libraries or advertising tools, urging site owners to review their technical setups carefully. If a site is penalised and the issue is fixed, owners can submit a reconsideration request through Google Search Console.

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Microsoft to retire Outlook Lite app next month: What it means for users

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Microsoft has reportedly confirmed that it will shut down its email app, Outlook Lite, on May 25, 2026. Confirming to TechCrunch, the company said that the Outlook Lite app will technically still open after the deadline, but it will no longer function properly. The Outlook Lite app was introduced in 2022. It was built as a lighter version of the standard Outlook app, aimed at Android devices with limited storage and regions with slower internet connectivity.

According to Microsoft’s support page, the app had already been marked for retirement, with the company announcing last year that it would be removed from the Google Play Store in October 2025. The company said users will need to switch to the main Microsoft Outlook Mobile app, which offers broader support for mailbox features and compliance capabilities.

Microsoft to retire Outlook Lite app: Details

According to Microsoft, users will not be able to access their mailboxes, and core features such as navigation and in-app actions will stop working after the deadline. Microsoft had stopped allowing new downloads of Outlook Lite from October 6, 2025. The existing users are now being advised to switch as soon as possible to avoid disruption.

Another report from Neowin mentioned that user accounts will not be deleted as part of this change. Emails, calendar entries and attachments will remain safe and accessible. Users can retrieve all their existing data simply by signing in to the Outlook Mobile app with the same account credentials.

To make the switch easier, Microsoft has included an ‘Upgrade’ option within the Outlook Lite app itself. This option redirects users to the Google Play Store, where they can download the Outlook Mobile app. Alternatively, users can manually search for the app on the Play Store.

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Google rolls out support for Meet on Android Auto: Here's what you can do

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Google is rolling out support for using Google Meet on Android Auto, enabling users to join meetings and make calls directly from their car’s display while driving. The feature is designed with an audio-first approach to reduce distractions on the road. Details about its functionality, supported features and limitations have been outlined on a Google Support page, highlighting how the experience works and what users can expect during calls and meetings.

Notably, this development comes on the heels of the company rolling out support for Google Meet on Apple CarPlay recently.

What can users do with Meet on Android Auto

Google says users can access Google Meet on Android Auto to join meetings and make calls through a simplified, audio-first interface designed for use while driving. Once a phone is connected to a compatible vehicle via Bluetooth or USB, users can open the Meet app on the car’s display and join scheduled meetings or call recent contacts directly. Meetings joined through Android Auto skip the pre-call screen, and video remains turned off by default, with audio routed through the car’s speakers.

According to Google, users can view upcoming meetings under a Scheduled tab and join them with a single tap, while the History tab allows calling recent contacts or groups. During calls or meetings, basic controls such as mute or unmute and ending the call are available on the car display. Incoming calls also appear on the screen, allowing users to accept or decline them without switching devices.

Google notes that the experience is designed to remain consistent between phone and car, with audio automatically switching between devices when connecting or disconnecting Android Auto. Users may also receive audio alerts for events such as meeting recordings, transcriptions or when Gemini is in use. In cases like waiting rooms or breakout sessions, status updates are shown on the display, and users are automatically moved between rooms when required.

The company adds that Android Auto uses a safe driving mode with a simplified interface that shows only essential call information and controls. Users are required to grant permissions such as microphone access on their phone, and the system ensures minimal interaction while driving by limiting on-screen elements to reduce distractions.

What users can’t do

Google says several features are restricted on Android Auto to prioritise safety. Users cannot use video, view presentations or access interactive tools such as chat, polls, Q&A or hand-raise functions from the car display. Work profile accounts are not supported, and while active calls may appear, upcoming meetings and call history linked to such accounts are not shown. Additionally, meeting hosts cannot admit or reject participants using car controls, and for full functionality, users need to park their vehicle and use the Meet app on their phone

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Apple releases iOS 26.5 dev beta 2 for iPhones: What's new, how to update

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Apple has released the second developer beta of iOS 26.5 for supported iPhones, bringing refinements without introducing any new features. According to a report from 9To5Mac, it includes changes already seen in public beta 1, such as “Suggested Places” in Apple Maps, RCS end-to-end encryption testing, Live Activities support for third-party accessories and new subscription payment options. The release is currently available only to developers, while a public beta version is expected to arrive soon.

Here’s a closer look at the new features that Apple is testing with iOS 26.5 beta updates:

iOS 26.5: Features

Apple Maps: According to a report, the new “Suggested Places” feature is now available in iOS 26.5 developer beta 2. The tool highlights nearby trending locations and offers suggestions based on users’ recent searches. The feature appears directly in the search tab within Apple Maps, making it easier to discover places without entering specific queries.

Ads in Maps: Apple is reportedly preparing for ads in Maps. According to 9To5Mac, the update includes backend changes that suggest Maps could show local ads based on your location, search activity or what you’re viewing on the map. This aligns with Apple’s earlier announcement that ads would arrive in Maps sometime this year.

RCS encryption: Apple is again testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in the developer beta 2 of iOS 26.5. The feature was first spotted in the iOS 26.4 beta, but the company had already confirmed that end-to-end encryption for RCS would not arrive with the iOS 26.4 update and would instead be introduced in a future release. With this update, encryption has returned for testing, though it is still unclear whether it will be part of the public rollout.

New App Store subscription options: The developer beta 2 of iOS 26.5 hints at changes to how subscriptions may work on the App Store. Developers may see new subscription options, including monthly billing linked to a 12-month commitment. The report also suggested support for paying annual plans in monthly instalments at a discounted rate.

EU-specific features in testing: In the European Union, Apple continues testing features tied to third-party accessories. These include support for Live Activities on external devices, along with improvements to notifications and proximity pairing. There’s no confirmation yet on when these features will roll out publicly or which accessories will support them.

Others

Accessories like Magic Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad now stay connected via Bluetooth when plugged in, and there’s a new Inuktitut keyboard.

Apple Books may get a “Year in Review 2026” feature with reading badges.

Additionally, when transferring data from iPhone to Android, users now get more control over how long message attachments are shared.

iOS 26.5 developer beta 2: Eligible models

iPhone Air

iPhone 17 series: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e

iPhone 16 series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e

iPhone 15 series: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 series: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 series: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 series: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 series: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

iOS 26.5 developer beta 2: How to update

Make sure that your iPhone is signed in with the Apple Account you used to sign into to the Apple Developer website

On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update

Go to ‘Beta Updates’ and choose iOS 26 developer beta

When iOS 26.5 developer beta 2 is available for your iPhone, install it from Software Update.

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Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service launches in India on April 16

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 14, 2026 | Technology

Nvidia has announced that its cloud gaming service, GeForce NOW, will become available in India from April 16. The release of Nvidia GeForce NOW was delayed earlier, with the company suggesting that it would be launched in Q1 of this year and now it is finally making its way. However, the service will go live in India on April 16 in the early access phase, meaning that it won’t be available to all users at the time. Those who have earlier registered for GeForce NOW on Nvidia’s website are likely to get early access.

As per Nvidia’s X post, the early access phase will grant users access to play games like Resident Evil Requiem, Fortnite, Counter Strike 2 and International Edition Cricket 26. Nvidia’s post on X read, “The wait is almost over — GeForce NOW launches this GFN Thursday, April 16 for early access in India.”

What is Nvidia GeForce Now

Nvidia GeForce Now is a cloud-based gaming platform that lets users play PC games by streaming them from remote servers rather than running them directly on their own devices. It works across a range of hardware, including laptops, desktops, smartphones, smart TVs and compatible streaming devices. Since the actual game processing happens in Nvidia’s data centres, users can access and play demanding titles even on relatively low-powered devices, as long as they have a stable internet connection.

The service is designed to integrate with existing game libraries, allowing users to stream titles they have already purchased on platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store and other supported storefronts.

Nvidia offers different membership tiers under GeForce Now, where higher-tier plans provide additional advantages such as access to more powerful servers, longer gameplay sessions and enhanced visual features like ray tracing and higher frame rate support, resulting in a more premium gaming experience. Notably, the company has not yet announced the pricing of plans for India.

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RBI's Swaminathan flags AI risks in finance, warns against opaque systems

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 13, 2026 | Technology

Concerns around bias, opacity, data misuse, model risk and cyber threats must be addressed as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes finance, said Swaminathan J, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while cautioning that unchecked adoption could amplify systemic vulnerabilities.

Speaking at the Shri V Narayanan Memorial Lecture at SASTRA University in Thanjavur, Swaminathan outlined five major concerns that could undermine trust and stability if left unaddressed.

“The first is bias and unfair outcomes. AI systems learn from data. But data does not emerge from a vacuum. It carries the imprint of past behaviour, existing inequalities and structural exclusions. If these distortions are embedded in the data, they can be reproduced by the model, sometimes with even greater efficiency and scale,” he said. “In credit assessment, this can create outcomes that are difficult to justify and harder to detect.”

He warned against opacity in automated systems. “Many advanced systems operate like black boxes… But finance cannot become a black box,” he said. “A decision that materially impacts a citizen’s economic life cannot be defended by saying, machine decided.”

On data risks, Swaminathan said that AI systems rely on large volumes of data, and financial data are among the most sensitive forms of personal information. “Institutions must therefore think seriously about consent, storage, sharing, access controls and purpose limitation. Data governance cannot be treated as a side issue. In the age of AI, trust becomes central.”

He also highlighted systemic risks. “The fourth concern is model risk and concentration risk… a flawed model can affect decisions across millions of customers,” he said, adding, “even a local weakness can acquire broader systemic significance.”

Cyber threats, he noted, are rising alongside AI adoption. “AI can strengthen defences, but it can also equip attackers,” he said, warning that bad actors can use it to create “more convincing phishing attempts, create deepfakes… and automate malicious activity.”

While flagging risks, Swaminathan said AI holds significant promise for improving access, efficiency and oversight in finance. It can simplify customer interaction, enable better credit assessment for underserved borrowers, and strengthen fraud detection and supervision. He acknowledged that AI can contribute meaningfully to fraud detection and risk management.

Stressing that human responsibility must remain central, the deputy governor said AI may support decision-making, but accountability must remain with humans and institutions.

“A bank or NBFC cannot outsource responsibility to an algorithm, a vendor or a platform. Technology may help process information at speed and scale, but judgement and responsibility must continue to reside where they belong,” he said.

He also called for embedding “fairness and explainability” into systems, strengthening data governance, building institutional capacity, and ensuring inclusion remains a core design objective.

He underlined that banking remains a business of trust and cautioned that innovation must remain subordinate to “integrity, fairness and accountability”.

“The enduring task is therefore to make finance more intelligent, without making it less human; to make it more digital, without making it less accountable; and to make it more inclusive, without making it less prudent,” he added.

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