New Google Chrome extension displays detailed ad-tracking data

Google has released a new Chrome extension that shows you how advertisers are targeting you. Ads Transparency Spotlight displays the number of ads loading on a page, what advertisers and ad tech companies are present, and what personal data is being used to serve advertisements (like demographics, remarketing, interests, location, etc.). It also shows links to the privacy policy of companies and services present on the page, how each collects and stores data, and why the ads are displayed on a page. According to Engadget, the extension might work differently in regions outside of the US. Some European users can see the advertisers and number of ads, but not the personal tracking info.

This early version of the extension only shows the information on Google-served ads that used Google's Ad Disclosure Scheme. It's designed to help advertisers share how they're using your data. This new extension is part of Google's push to improve its ad transparency and avoid additional privacy-oriented legislation (like the European Union's GDPR laws).

Source: 9to5Google

Google partners, invests with ADT to boost smart home security plans

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Google has announced a partnership and US$450 million investment into security firm ADT, giving it a 6.6% share of the company. The plan is to let ADT's technicians sell and install Google Nest products, which could help attract customers who are intimidated by setting up smart home products on their own. At the same time, ADT gets to use Google's smart home and AI technology expertise to develop its home security product range. Google wants to become the "cornerstone of ADT's smart home offering." 

"Over time, Nest's devices, powered by Google's machine learning capabilities, will enhance ADT's security monitoring," Google said. "The goal is to give customers fewer false alarms, more ways to receive alarm events and better detection of potential incidents inside and around the home." It isn't clear, though, if this partnership will extend beyond the US.

Source: Engadget

Sony's Aug. 6 'State of Play' event won't have 'big' PS5 announcements

Sony has another "State of Play" event coming up on August 6. But the company is eager to downplay what's going to be shown at the event. Happening this Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, the event will have "no big PS5 announcements." But it will still be a 40-minute stream featuring upcoming PlayStation 4 and PS VR games from third-party studios as well as "a few quick check-ins on third-party and indie games from June's PS5 showcase." So, if you plan on tuning in, don't get your hopes up too much. It still might be a substantial one, given the length of the event.

Source: Engadget

Netflix decides to add playback speed controls to Android

Netflix faced heavy criticism from Hollywood creators last year over plans to add variable playback to its service. The company held off and said they didn't have plans to launch it. But now, the streaming service has changed its mind, and it'll start testing the feature out with Android users first, and then will be coming to iOS and the web soon. (Netflix didn't mention TV or set-top box apps). Once it rolls out, Android users can slow down videos at 0.5x or 0.75x playback speeds or speed them up by 1.25x or 1.5x. 

The feature has been requested by its users for a while and has finally decided to heed these requests. Netflix's Vice President Keela Robison acknowledges concerns from directors like Judd Apatow and others about how this option could distort their art, so the company decided to cap fast-forward speeds at 1.5x. And variable playback settings need to be enabled manually every time you watch a video.

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