Google Chrome

One of the big additions to Android with the unveiling of Android M last week is more granular permission controls, allowing developers to ask for access to things like the microphone or GPS only once they need them, and for users to be able to revoke one or all of these permissions when they’d like. What wasn’t discussed on the keynote stage, however, is that the Chrome browser already has these features. Here’s how to use them:

Google Cast has received new APIs for second-screen functionality, autoplay, queuing, more

Tom Maxwell May 29 2015 - 2:12 pm PT

Google’s Chromecast dongle for pushing digital content from ones phone, tablet, or laptop to a TV screen isn’t exactly a high-end device – the full retail price is $35, and it’s on sale constantly – but its unexpected to many been a huge success for the company. Over 17 million of the dongles have been sold, the Cast button has been pushed over 1.5 billion times, and Google says Chromecast users consume 66% more content per day than when the device launch in 2013. To push the network of Cast buttons and supported content even further, Google has released some new APIs for developers to build richer experiences.

Netflix Android app adds support for Google’s new Smart Lock password manager

Jordan Kahn May 29 2015 - 8:22 am PT

Yesterday, as part of the company’s Google I/O dev conference keynote presentation, Google took the wraps off Smart Lock, a new password manager that makes logging into apps in Chrome or on Android much more painless. Now, some of the first apps to support the new feature are being updated starting with Netflix.
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Google I/O 2015 Preview: We’re doubling down on Android M, Chrome, Wear and more

Seth Weintraub May 26 2015 - 12:15 pm PT

Stephen and I are off to Google I/O 2015 this week (the first time we’ve sent 2 people – for double the coverage!) but we wanted to preview what we we’re excited about this week. I’d run through the list of expectations but Chance already made 90% of the list when the sessions were launched. Go check it out. Here’s what I’ve been hearing…
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Google makes its Roboto font from Android/Chrome OS open source

Jordan Kahn May 26 2015 - 10:09 am PT

Google just announced that it’s making Roboto, its signature font used in Android and across other Google products, open source for all.

The font files for the Roboto family of fonts were first released under the Apache license as part of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in 2011. With this launch, we are making Roboto a true open source project, with a revamped font production toolchain that is completely based on open source software.

In addition to Android, Google uses Roboto in Chrome OS and recommends it as the default font for all apps employing its Material Design guidelines. Most recently, the company started experimenting with the font on YouTube:

Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer confirms Android M for this year, talks Android and Chrome OS convergence, more

Stephen Hall May 26 2015 - 9:23 am PT

Prior to this week’s Google I/O developers’ conference in San Francisco, Google’s Vice President of Engineering for Android Hiroshi Lockheimer sat down with Fast Company to talk about the current state (and the future) of Android, Chrome OS, and more. Lockheimer confirmed the upcoming announcement of Android M, and offered much insight into where Android came from, where it’s going, and how it’s evolving in a world with more and more interconnected devices…

Chrome for Android goes almost ‘entirely open source’

Tom Maxwell May 22 2015 - 8:09 pm PT

Launched in September 2008, Google’s Chrome browser is now dominant in its share of the desktop web browser market, with approximately 1 in 4 Internet users interfacing with the web using the browser. What many Chrome users probably don’t know, however, is that it’s actually based off the open source Chromium browser, also developed by Google. Up until today Chrome for Android differed from its desktop counterpart in that it’s codebase wasn’t open source – meaning, the code for the app wasn’t publicly available for other developers to view, modify, and build upon. That changed today.

Google Hangouts Chrome app updated w/ redesigned interface, OS X support

Chance Miller May 21 2015 - 5:41 pm PT

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Google today updated its Hangouts Chrome app with an entirely new interface. Perhaps more notably than that, the app has support for Mac OS X users in addition to the trio of Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. The UI has been refreshed to be more similar to the Android version of the app, a trend that has been increasingly common for Google services over the past few months.

Gartner: Chromebook sales up 24 percent over 2014, still huge in education

Tom Maxwell May 21 2015 - 9:25 am PT

Gartner today released the results of a report finding that Chromebooks in 2015 have continued to see double-digit year-over-year growth for Google with education still as the primary market for browser-based computers. 7.3 million Chromebook units are expected to be sold in 2015, a 27 percent increase over 2014, while 72 percent of those sales are expected to be from the education sector.

In the above chart breaking down Chromebook sales for 2014 by region and segment, you can see education held the lion’s share in all the major markets Google sells to, with consumer sales coming in second, and sales to the business segment trailing far behind – save for in Asia Pacific, where those latter two are reversed.
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Google’s ‘Tone’ Chrome extension lets you share URLs with nearby computers using only sound

Tom Maxwell May 19 2015 - 11:46 am PT

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Researchers at Google have today launched a wacky new experimental Chrome extension that lets you share the URL of your current browser tab with nearby Chrome users only using sound. It’s called ‘Tone’ and to use it, both you and receiver of the link you would like to send need to be in earshot of one another, be using Chrome with the Tone extension installed, and have computers with decent speakers and microphones…
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Google pushes Chrome version 43 to the stable channel w/ Web MIDI support, more

Stephen Hall May 19 2015 - 9:05 am PT

We told you about Chrome 43 beta back in April, but now Google has pushed it to the stable channel. Not many groundbreaking new features are included with this version, but it does pack Web MIDI support, new security and compatibility fixes, and “a number of small changes to enable developers to build more powerful web applications.”

The Chrome team is happy to announce the promotion of Chrome 43 to the stable channel for Windows, Mac and Linux. Chrome 43.0.2357.65 contains a number of fixes and improvements. A list of changes is available in the log.

Security Fixes and Rewards
Note: Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix. 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.
This update includes 37 security fixes. Below, we highlight fixes that were contributed by external researchers. Please see the Chromium security page for more information.

The update should be rolling out now.

Chrome OS dev channel update allows windows to span multiple displays

Tom Maxwell May 18 2015 - 1:30 pm PT

In a Google+ post today by François Beaufort of the Chrome team, Beaufort mentioned the introduction of a long-needed feature to the Chrome OS development channel which allows a window to span multiple displays. The new feature is called “Unified desktop mode” and can be enabled by simply visiting chrome://flags/#ash-enable-unified-desktop if you’re running the newest dev channel version of the browser-based OS.

One example he provides for how this might be useful is that those using Citrix Receiver for Chrome—which allows its users to create and use virtual machines of Windows over the Internet—can now run a multi-display setup of Windows right from their Chromebook. For those who want a simple, easy-to-use computer but might need to use Windows periodically for one or two specific applications, this will be a huge boon and make the Chromebook that much more versatile.

Head over to Google’s Chrome OS channel support page to learn how to switch your instance of Chrome OS to the Dev channel. Bugs and issues with Unified desktop mode can be reported to the Chrome team by pressing <Alt> + <Shift> + i.

Google Chrome team says there are ‘no plans’ to bring extensions to mobile

Stephen Hall May 14 2015 - 1:24 pm PT

According to a statement from a member of the Google Chrome team, there are currently “no plans” to bring extensions to the mobile version of the browser. It’s a feature that has long been wanted, but the Chrome for Android Technical Program Manager says that they haven’t been able to implement them and still provide a good UX.

As per the AMA from yesterday:

There are no plans to add extensions support on mobile. We haven’t been able to implement these on mobile and still have it be a good user experience.

This seems a bit like the team is dodging the question here, and they don’t provide any details as to what exactly it is about the mobile experience that gets worse with extensions in the picture. One of the most popular extensions, AdBlock, would put an end to mobile ads—many of which Google themselves serves. Maybe this is what’s keeping extensions from allowing a “good user experience.”

Google Chrome for Android team is holding an AMA at 3PM PDT

Tom Maxwell May 13 2015 - 2:42 pm PT

The folks behind the Android version of Google Chrome made an announcement earlier today that they’ll be hosting an AMA on Reddit later this evening. The term ‘AMA’, for those less well versed in Internet terminology, stands for “asking me anything.” You’ll, well, be able to ask them anything you’d like—be it about Chrome for Android, the team’s favorite desert (ice cream sandwiches, perhaps?), or whatever else.

The AMA won’t start until 3PM Pacific Daylight Time/6PM Eastern , which is about 20 minutes from the time of posting this. The team says they’ll being answering questions until 5PM PDT. You can, however, queue up your questions here early and cross your fingers that they’ll answer yours. They ask that you report all bugs through the bug tracker.

Chrome extensions will soon require Chrome Web Store distribution for all Mac & Windows users

Jordan Kahn May 13 2015 - 9:08 am PT

Back in May of last year, Google started enforcing a policy that requires Chrome extensions be hosted on its Chrome Web Store, but only on Windows. The goal was to prevent malware hidden in extensions installable from outside its store, and it even started disabling extensions already installed on users’ systems that weren’t hosted on the Chrome Web Store. Now, Google says it will bring that requirement to Mac Chrome users over the coming months, as well as the Chrome developer channel for Windows that wasn’t previously enforcing the policy:
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New Chrome extension solicits user feedback about the browser

Tom Maxwell May 11 2015 - 2:59 pm PT

Google today launched a new extension for Chrome that’s intended to directly help the company improve its browser. It’s called Chrome User Experience Surveys, and the gist is that users with the extension installed will occasionally get a pop up survey in their browser window when something unusual or unintended occurs in their browsing experience; these surveys should typically take less than 2 minutes to complete and are capped at appearing a maximum of four times per week.

In the company’s product forums, the Chrome team has proactively provided answers to some concerns they anticipate to be raised, including whether or not the company will collect and store browsing history with this extension (answer: no), and whether or not the extension will impact a user’s browser performance (again, the answer is no). “The only data this extension sends to Google is when these infrequent events occur and your survey responses,” the team states in the post. Keep in mind that if you use other Google services like Search and Gmail, they probably already have a lot of data about you anyway.

How to overcome tab overload in Google Chrome using Tab Wrangler

Stephen Hall May 8 2015 - 11:29 am PT

Tab overload.

One of the things I struggle with on a daily basis—and forgive me, I know it’s a first world problem—is an overload of Google Chrome tabs. I have a bad habit of just opening countless new tabs without even thinking, and I’m really bad about managing them and closing the ones I’m no longer using. Chrome just makes it way too easy to end up with a few dozen tabs open, while only actually using a few.

I figured it wasn’t possible that I was the only one that struggled with this. With just a quick Google search, I found a free Chrome extension called “Tab Wrangler” to help rectify the situation. It’s a nifty little plugin. Without hardly any set up, it will help manage your tabs for you and close the ones you don’t need—and it will even keep you updated on your negligence with a little red badge telling you how many tabs it has closed for you…
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Dropbox for Gmail Chrome extension updated, lets you attach entire folders & quickly save received files

Stephen Hall May 6 2015 - 3:10 pm PT

Dropbox has today updated its Dropbox for Gmail Chrome extension with several new features, including—most notably—the ability to attach folders and several files at once. The update also includes the ability to more easily send larger files, send files to anyone (regardless of if they have the extension or a Dropbox account), and the ability to quickly save files that you receive via Gmail to your own inbox.

Here’s the full change log:

Easily send large files. Just click the Dropbox icon in the compose window, select files or folders, and click Insert Link(s). No waiting for uploads to complete, no file size limit, and no eating up space in your inbox.

Say goodbye to zip files. Attach folders and multiple files instantly, without having to zip files up.

Send files to anyone. Even if they don’t have Dropbox or the extension, recipients can see and download the attachments you send them.

Quickly save files sent to you. Add files to your Dropbox with a click so you can access them anywhere.

You can grab the Chrome extension in the Chrome Web Store right now for free. It’s still in beta, so don’t expect everything to work perfectly, but it looks like the app is nearing a full release soon—as today’s release is version 0.9.6.

Google-sponsored study says ad malware affects millions of users

Ben Lovejoy May 6 2015 - 7:01 am PT

An example of a webpage made completely unusable by injected ads

A Google-sponsored study carried out by the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara found “tens of millions of instances” of ad malware in the course of just a few months. In all, they found that a staggering 5.5% of unique IP addresses – representing millions of users – were affected.

Ad injection malware drops its own ads into whatever web page an infected machine displays. Revenue from these ads is filtered through ad networks, where genuine companies end up paying the bills, effectively stealing revenue that should have gone to the websites themselves.

Some of this malware goes further than simply injecting ads …
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Tip: Add muting to your Chrome speaker tab icons with one simple command

Seth Weintraub May 2 2015 - 6:32 am PT

The speaker icon in Chrome browser tabs is one of the amazingly helpful features that makes Chrome my default browser. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to mute a tab without going into the actual page that’s making all of the noise? It turns out that the Chrome team is actually working on such functionality and it is available as a beta product by putting the following URL into Chrome:

chrome://flags/#enable-tab-audio-muting

Once there, you’ll see a line like this:

Simply click “enable” and restart Chrome. I’ve been playing with it for about 30 minutes and it seems to work well but isn’t 100% effective on Adobe’s Flash volume according to a thread on the matter. As someone who usually steers clear of Flash, it isn’t a big deal and it makes life a little better.

Chromecast is now making its way to Malaysia

Stephen Hall Apr 30 2015 - 7:05 am PT

Google Malaysia has today announced on Google+ that Chromecast, the Mountain View company’s famed $30 HDMI streaming stick, is now making its way to the Southeast Asian country.

Chromecast comes to Malaysia!

From today, Chromecast will be available for MYR170…

From today you will be able to pick up a Chromecast from select Maxis stores, and it will be available from Maxis stores nationally from May 5th. (http://goo.gl/GdtkPF)

The device is already available today in “select” Maxis stores, and will be coming to all stores nationally as of May 5th. You can also find the device to purchase from the Maxis website starting today.

Microsoft’s new Edge browser will take on Chrome with near-complete extension compatibility

Mike Beasley Apr 29 2015 - 11:07 am PT

Microsoft’s Build conference revealed a new passion for cross-platform development today, and the theme has continued with the announcement of the company’s new Edge browser. Edge will replace Internet Explorer as the default browser on Windows 10, and will introduce support for a new type of extension.

Up until now, Internet Explorer extensions have been separate from other browsers. Starting with Windows 10, however, the app will support extensions that are almost identical to Chrome’s. With only a few tweaks, developers will be able to bring their extensions to the new browser.

Google launches dev channel for Chrome on Android

Jordan Kahn Apr 29 2015 - 10:38 am PT

Today Google released a new Chrome Dev app, a way for developers to access the latest Chrome builds and experimental features before they’re ready for beta and public releases.

Google has always had a developer release channel for Chrome, allowing devs to get access to the latest builds and features even before regular users are encouraged to start testing through its beta and public release channels. Previously the dev channel was only for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS, but today the company is bringing it to Android.

Google launches Password Alert tool to detect sign-ins, protect against phishing

Jordan Kahn Apr 29 2015 - 7:48 am PT