One of the downsides of the modern world is the widespread, unwanted tracking and data storage of users by websites. This tracking is done by what we call cookies, but there are ways to block them, including by using browsers that prevent automatic tracking such as the mobile-based Firefox Focus. Now, Firefox has launched Total Cookie Protection to prevent cross-site tracking.
To elaborate, Total Cooke Protection creates a “cookie jar” for each website that a user visits. Each time a website inserts a cookie in one’s browser, Firefox Focus restricts that cookie to a separate cookie jar assigned specifically for that same website. This prevents other websites from having their cookies follow your activities everywhere. With the jars, they’re now limited in the amount of information they can glean about you. This is the first Firefox mobile browser to offer such a key feature, and it’s likely to please privacy advocates.
In addition, unwanted ads and information tracking will be significantly reduced. Mozilla also launched Smartblock in December 2021, which ensures that even websites that do not work properly due to cookie blocking will still be completely operational. That’s typically been the biggest drawback of aggressively blocking cookies and codes, so it’s nice to see that taken under consideration. Previously, Firefox Focus integrated some great features into its browser, such as supercookie protection and enhanced tracking protection (ETP), to ease user fears.
The Total Cookie Protection feature was already a part of Firefox desktop’s web-based browser by default since 2021, but it has now finally made it to the mobile version for Android users.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.