Technology & Business
Google Chrome's Spectre Mitigation is consuming 10% more RAM
Google Chrome has always been a resource hog, but you may have noticed it's been consuming just a little bit more RAM lately (on your desktop). This new more demanding Chrome is because of the Google's Spectre mitigation efforts. The Google Chrome security team has enabled site isolation as a default (in Chrome v67 for desktops). Justin Schuh, head of Google Chrome Security, explained that site isolation separates each website process thereby preventing a malicious tab from stealing data from another.
Freedom Mobile removes insurance coverage for lost or stolen phones
Freedom Mobile's phone protection plan is removing coverage for lost or stolen phones. In exchange, they are reducing the monthly fee by $1 (down to $9). This change was first noticed on Reddit by user Alphalee and you can read messages from upset customers (obviously). <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/b8bf42c609.jpg" alt=""> This change will come into effect on August 2nd, 2018. Repair service is now listed at $99 (was unlimited in the past). It looks like this is an attempt to limit fraud and reduce insurance costs for Freedom Mobile.
Review of the free Mozilla Send service
As a citizen of the digital world, you probably transfer large files daily. Sure you could use Google Drive, Dropbox or OpenText Core but Mozilla believes there is a better way (Mozilla Send). Mozilla Send is a web experiment that allows you to easily transfer large files up to 1GB in size. Mozilla Send can be used with any modern browser. How to use Send 1 - Go to https://send.firefox.com/ <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/65fea92c0f.jpg" alt=""> 2 - Upload a file <img src="https://ekiledjian2.
OnePlus policy that makes it a better buy than Samsung, HTC or LG
As a security technologist, the security philosophy of the OEM is a crucial determinant of my decision to buy or recommend a device. This is where Apple shines with it's iPhone update strategy. Every single iPhone receives updates (security and version) at the same time. This is why I highly recommend Google's Pixel devices. The Pixel line offers the same regular and speedy update schedule. The other Android manufacturer that has shown it cares about upgrades is OnePlus. Until this week, it did a great job delivering updates quickly, but it didn't formally commit to a software upgrade schedule.
Snapchat usage grows among teens
Pew Research publishes interesting surveys, and they recently shared results about what teens use most. Contrary to public opinion, Snapchat is still king with teens, followed by Youtube. Facebook usage amongst teens is down 71% compared to the 2014-2015 Pew report. 45% of teens admitted to being online "almost constantly." 24% of teens admitted to being online "several times a day." Girls are more likely to be "almost constantly" online (50%) compared to boys (39%). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="446"]<img src="https://ekiledjian2.
Chromebooks are great and here are some myths you might believe
Anytime I pull out a Chromebook in a professional setting, colleagues and friends are dumbfounded how a tech geek like me would "settle" for a browser only thin client. People are downright shocked when I pull out my $1200 Pixelbook. Why would I buy a "browser only" device when I could use a Windows or Mac device that can run the Chrome browser but do so much more? Chromebooks can't run apps If you are reading this article, there is a good chance you are not a millennial that grew up with iPads and smartphones.
Google to rebrand music service to Youtube Music
It seems not a week goes by without Google renaming, cancelling or somehow changing one of its services. Google will update its music service with the hope of dethroning Spotify and Apple Music. Google will leverage its most recognized media brand to give music a fighting chance. So you will soon welcome YouTube Music into this world. “On Tuesday, May 22, we’ll be changing that by introducing YouTube Music, a new music streaming service made for music with the magic of YouTube” — Elias Roman, Product Manager - YouTube Music Early information suggests it will marry the substantial unique music of Youtube (live performances, covers, etc.
Google to replace Drive with Google One
Google just announced their new Google One service. Google One will replace the existing Google Drive service and will allow users to buy additional storage that can be used across its various properties (gmail, drive, photos, etc). In addition to the new name, Google is throwing in some additional goodies into the existing plans The $US9.99 ($CAD13.99) 1 TB storage plan will be upgraded to 2 TB for free A new 200 GB tier will be implemented ($US2.99) Existing 1 TB customers will automatically get upgraded in the coming weeks as soon as the move is implemented.
Google launches New Tasks App (Mobile & Web)
In a blog post entitled "With new security and intelligent features, the new Gmail means business", David Thacker (Google VP Product Management, G Suite) announced, "We’re also introducing a new way to manage work on the go with Tasks." The new refreshed Tasks system will be available on the web and have accompanying mobile apps (Android and IOS). The new updated Tasks system will allow you to create tasks & subtasks with due dates and notifications. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/78965c05f3.jpg" alt=""> The current tasks was an anemic stand-alone product that barely worked.
Fairplay - Canadian media companies want the CRTC to adopt more anti-piracy regulations
NOTE: I want to say up front that I believe content creators should be compensated for their work but history proves that laws cannot change user behavior. Make content available affordable in a flexible manner and see what happens (e.g. the streaming music model dramatically reduced music piracy because it became affordable and easily available on all of your devices). A coalition of 25 Canadian media companies are petitioning the Canadian Ratio and Telecommunication Commision (CRTC) to establish a new piracy review agency called the Independent Piracy Review Agency [FairPlay movement].