Google to roll out the ability to permanently mute websites soon

Around August last year, Google was testing out ways to mute websites that autoplay videos. Now, it looks like the feature is almost ready for primetime. Google will reportedly roll this feature out in the upcoming update. Soon you can just right-click on the tab that autoplays videos and select the option that’ll let you mute the entire site for good. Chrome already has a “mute” option but this was only a temporary fix.

On top of this, Chrome 64 for Windows adds HDR support for Windows users. You will, however, need to upgrade your system to Falls Creator Update already and have an HDR-compatible monitor and graphics card. The newest version of Chrome also protects Mac and Windows users from Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities. Google Chrome is disabling the SharedArrayBuffer feature to mitigate against attacks.

Source: The Verge

Microsoft removes Google Chrome installer from Windows Store for violating Microsoft Store policies

In order to combat the appearance of fake Chrome browsers on the Microsoft Store, Google just published a Google Chrome Installer app on the app store that basically redirected users to a download link to install the browser. Microsoft is having none of this and has taken down the app saying it violates their app store’s policies. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, they want apps to “provide unique and distinct value” and Google is welcome to do so as long as they “build a Microsoft Store browser app compliant with our Microsoft Store policies.”

This might be something Google won’t be interested in as The Verge points out. One of the big reasons is most likely related to restrictions on Windows 10 S that requires apps to use HTML and JavaScript engines that are provided by Windows 10. Google already has its own Blink rendering engine called Blink and it’s highly doubtful they’ll create a special app just to adhere to Microsoft’s Store policies. Google also can’t package its current desktop app into a Centennial Windows Store app either as Microsoft wants these apps to use Edge rendering engine. So, for now and possibly what you’ve already been doing, if you want Chrome on your Windows machine, you’ll need to launch that right from Edge browser first.

Google Chrome in beta can now mute videos that autoplay

The upcoming Google Chrome 64 promises to address a number of user issues, one of these is content that autoplays when you launch a site. Google plans to automatically mute videos that autoplay. You can start testing out this feature if you’re using Chrome 64 beta. Its full version will be available when the consumer version of the browser launches next month. You can access this feature in the permissions bar of the browser. But you’ll need to do this on a site-per-site basis. It is unfortunately not a one-time thing. It’ll work though for any content that is navigated under the parent domain.

One of the other new features coming to Chrome 64 include a better pop-up blocker. It’ll feature more security measures that’ll prevent any malicious auto-redirects from happening. The browser will also get HDR video playback when Windows 10 is in HDR mode. Meanwhile, on Chrome OS, there is a new “split view” feature for easier multitasking with multiple windows.

Source: The Verge

Google Chrome for iOS adds drag and drop support, new widgets

Safari, for obvious reasons, is the fastest browser on iOS. But if you’ve been a Google Chrome user for years, you might be more comfortable using the Chrome app on your iOS device, especially with things like tab syncing and Google continuously improving the app. This time around, Chrome gets the drag and drop support for the iPad into its app. This means you can drag URLs from other apps and into Chrome or you can drag URLs out of the app and into other apps like Notes or Evernote. You’ll need to have a support iPad running on iOS 11 to get this feature to work, though.

If you don’t have this, Google is also introducing two new Today widgets. One is called Quick Actions and as its name suggests, you can do things like start a new search, begin an incognito search or a voice search, and scan a QR code. If you use 3D Touch on the Chrome icon, these are the same shortcuts you get. The other new widget is called Suggested Sites and it gives you quicker access to the sites you frequent.

Source: Cult of Mac