Latest version of Google Chrome makes background tabs less resource hungry

Why it matters to you

Google is on a crusade against resource-inefficient background tabs and this change to Chrome will help save your laptop’s battery life.

Google released Chrome 57, the latest iteration of its hugely popular web browser. The new version brings big changes to the way background tabs operate, which will hopefully help laptop users get the most out of their battery life.

Put simply, Chrome will now limit background tabs to an average CPU load of one percent on a single core, according to a report from Ars Technica. However, there is actually a little more nuance to the way the browser will prevent background tabs from utilizing more than their fair share of system resources.

After 10 seconds of being in the background, each individual tab will be limited to a budget of CPU usage, measured in the seconds of real-world time taken to complete a particular process. Tabs are only able to use the CPU if there is time left in its budget, which regenerates at a rate of 0.01 seconds every second.

More: Chrome on iOS will soon receive Safari-like Reading List feature

There are some exceptions, like tabs that are streaming music or video content, and tabs that are maintaining a connection to a remote server. Google also noted that the CPU budget regeneration rate might be increased, depending on feedback to the changes made as of version 57.

This is just one stage of Google’s ongoing effort to make drastic changes to the behavior of background tabs in Chrome. The company hopes to be able to achieve complete background tab suspension by 2020.

As you might expect, Google has another solution in mind to solve the problem of resource-hungry background tabs. It’s pushing a web technology called Service Workers, which aims to enhance the next generation of websites with enhanced functionality, and a better capacity to use system resources economically.

Chrome users can download the new version of the browser by opening the Settings menu and navigating to the About section.

The iPhone’s switch to iOS 11’s 64-bit chip could make 187,000 apps obsolete

Why it matters to you

Apple’s iOS 11 operating system may leave 187,000 apps out in the cold.

The next major version of iOS could make hundreds of thousands of apps obsolete. That is according to Apple Insider, which reports that the next version of Apple’s mobile operating system could kill off support for 32-bit apps.

First, a primer on 64 bits. Apple’s iPhone 5S was the first iOS device to include a 64-bit processor, the Apple A7, and the benefits are myriad. Apps recompiled — i.e., made compatible — with the iPhone 5S’s chip see up to a 25 percent performance improvement, and the iPhone 5S processor is about as twice as fast as the iPhone 5 in day-to-day tasks like web browsing.

More: So what does the new iPhone’s 64-bit processor really do for you, anyway?

Apple converted all of its iOS 7 apps, including Safari, Mail, Photos, Maps, and Siri, to 64 bit for the iPhone 5S, but it wasn’t until February 2015 that the iPhone maker required new apps to offer 64-bit support. Existing apps were given until June.

In all, Apple Insider reports that some 187,000 apps could be affected by the mandatory switch to 64-bit processing or about eight percent of all apps on the iTunes App Store. But the real number could be higher — Apple Insider’s source, third-party app tracker Sensor Tower, hasn’t inventoried apps that were submitted prior to the September 2013 launch of the iPhone 5S.

The first iOS 10.3 beta shipped with a message warning that 32-bit apps “will not work with future versions of iOS.” Previously, iOS only cautioned that 32-bit apps might slow down a device.

More: Attention developers: Apple to start deleting outdated apps from App Store

Apple’s expected to reveal iOS 11 during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

It wouldn’t be the first time Apple’s removed non-compliant titles from the app store. In September, it rolled out a new process to identify “problematic” apps that “no longer function as intended.” If a problematic app is found, Apple notifies the developer that the app must be updated within 30 days. If the deadline is not met, the app is removed from the App Store indefinitely.

As a result of the policy, Apple removed 47,300 apps from the App Store — a 238 percent jump from the month before.

More: Apple’s waterproof Watch Series 2 also gets faster, brighter, and has GPS

Mandatory 64-bit support won’t be the only feature in tow. iOS 10.3 will introduce a breakdown of your iCloud storage usage — you will be able to see exactly how many server-side gigabits of your apps are using. You’ll be able to pull up local weather forecasts in Apple Maps and Find My AirPods will make it easier to locate missing wireless earbuds when they go missing.

The sixth iOS 10.3 beta was released for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch on Tuesday.

Just how good are drone cameras? Not very, according to DxOMark

Why it matters to you

DxOMark has long been rating the sensors inside digital cameras, but now the firm is offering insight into drone cameras, too.

DxOMark, a software company that measures how well camera sensors perform, is now rating drone cameras — and the first set of ratings isn’t all that great. The latest sensor scores from the company for drone-mounted cameras range all the way from a respectable 74 to a smartphone-quality 34.

The company is the first to note that a sensor score for still images isn’t the only indicator of just how good a camera is, but the rating does give potential buyers a glimpse at just how good the still images coming from that eye-in-the-sky will be. Unsurprisingly, the scores tend to correlate with the camera’s price point. Factors like speed and video quality aren’t included. DxO also notes that drone camera designers have to balance image quality with weight, since every ounce will shorten the drone’s flight time.

More: New sensor technology could make 60fps 4K video easier to find

Considering only aspects like the color, dynamic range, and noise reduction inside a still image, the DJI X5 S takes the top rating from DxO with a 74, putting it just behind the high-end Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a popular Micro Four Thirds camera. The score isn’t too surprising considering the camera uses the same size sensor and is one of DJI’s top options with a $1,800 price tag for just the camera.

The scores drop fairly quickly, however, with the older Zenmuse X4S and Phantom 4Pro ranking a bit under Canon’s compact G7 X at 65. GoPro’s Hero5 Black action camera, compatible with the company’s first Karma drone, scores a 38, ten points behind the Phantom 4 with an identical-sized sensor due to recording only ten bits per pixel and a lower noise reduction performance.

Yuneec’s Breeze 4K camera takes the lowest score of the bunch at 34 — which isn’t too surprising since it’s the least expensive of the bunch at $400 including the entire drone. DxOMark compares the image quality to a smartphone like the Nokia Lumina 1520.

DxO does end its results on an upbeat note, however, noting that since drone cameras are newer, the tech should catch up in the next few years, even using the same size sensor to keep the weight of the camera down.

Sensor performance isn’t everything in a drone camera, but the new rating category does offer a glimpse into just how well the drone camera performs.

FTC head wants the Internet of Things to regulate itself

Why it matters to you

We’ll soon see if a market-oriented approach works, or if a lack of regulation of the Internet of Things makes us more vulnerable.

The acting head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Maureen Ohlhausen, has said that she believes the Internet of Things industry should largely be left to regulate itself, rather than being subjected to external oversight. She also defended the use of data analytics to target consumers with different offers and pricing.

As much as the tech industry likes to try and create new standards, it has often taken external pressure and legislation for that to take shape — such as in the case of MicroUSB phone chargers. In the wake of hacks and security concerns with a number of IoT devices, many tech analysts and companies have called for a standardization of certain features, but that’s not something Ohlhausen wants to take a part in. At least not yet.

For Ohlhausen, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that the IoT market needs that sort of governmental regulation. Instead, she’d rather wait and see how it evolves naturally.

“We’re saying not ‘Let’s speculate about harm five years out,’ but ‘Is there something happening that harms consumers right now or is likely to cause harm to consumers,’” she said during a conference of digital security specialists earlier this week (via The Guardian).

More: GE is working with AT&T to make our cities more connected

She went on to argue that a harm to consumers had yet to be demonstrated by a lack of standardization in the IoT industry. Some analysts argue that it has, highlighting the DDOS attack against internet management firm Dyn in late 2016, which leveraged millions of IoT-connected devices, such as smart cameras, to bombard its DNS servers with traffic.

The attack caused the very foundations of many of the most popular internet services to shake and in some cases cease working. It’s that danger from poorly secured IoT devices that analysts believe means the industry needs regulation and standards.

Ohlhausen separately defended the practice of using big data to direct those deemed to have more expendable income to worse deals online. Using consumer data such as the type of hardware they are browsing on to recommend pricier deals was something that encouraged competition, she argued, highlighting that it could also mean those with less money may get better deals because of it.

These PC hardware deals give you more savings on your custom computer build

Building a computer can be an intimidating task if you’ve never done it before, but a number of online resources can make it much easier for folks to jump into the wide world of custom PCs. Purchasing components and assembling everything yourself can not only make your money go a lot farther when it comes to performance, but allows you to customize your computer build so you can get exactly what you need and aren’t stuck with anything you don’t want.

Selecting the parts for your computer build is by far the most important and time-consuming part of the process, so to help you save some time and money, we’ve collected a few of the best deals going right now on various components. Note that this is a list of some of the best discounts available at the moment and is not a guide or parts list for a specific build. Be sure to check out online resources such as our PC building guide to help you determine parts compatibility and what components will work best for a computer that best suits your individual needs.

Cooler Master HAF 912 mid-tower computer case

Once you’ve determined what sort of computer build you want, a good next step is to start looking at different cases and deciding which size you will need. A quality mid-tower will suit most builds, and Newegg is currently offering the Cooler Master HAF 912 for just $40 after a $20 mail-in rebate through Monday, March 20. That’s a 33 percent discount.

Cooler Master is a household name when it comes to computer cases, and the HAF 912 is a rugged-looking and attractive mid-tower that is compatible with standard ATX motherboards. The design is optimized for maximum airflow and contains room for a 120mm radiator and up to six 120mm fans to keep your system cool. The case also offers space for 12 devices, including large, high-end graphics cards.

Buy it on Newegg for $40 after rebate

Cooler Master Hyper T4 CPU cooler

Keeping your system running cool is vital for the health and longevity of your PC, as excessive heat can degrade and damage components over time, which hurts performance and costs you more money in the long run. A quality CPU fan doesn’t have to cost a lot, and the Cooler Master Hyper T4 is a great option that is now just $10 from Newegg after a $15 rebate.

The Cooler Master Hyper T4’s universal mounting system is compatible with the latest AMD AM4 socket, as well as most other current AMD and Intel sockets. Four heat pipes pull heat directly away from your CPU, and the 120mm fan can be fine-tuned for customized cooling performance. Note that after March 17, the current $25 sale price will expire which will bring the Hyper T4 up to $15 after the mail-in rebate, but that’s still a solid deal on a quality CPU cooler.

Buy it on Newegg for $10 after rebate

Corsair CX750 750-watt power supply

Power supply units may not be as exciting as graphics cards or CPUs, but choosing a good one is vital for safely regulating the flow of electricity in your system. Corsair is a well-known manufacturer of PSUs, and the CX750 is a popular and budget-friendly power supply, boasting a 4.3-star rating on Amazon based on 4,000 user reviews. Newegg now has the Corsair CX750 for $70, giving you a tidy $30 discount off its normal price.

The CX750 is an 80 Plus Bronze-certified PSU that delivers 750 watts of power, and is both ATX and EPS12V-compatible. Extra-long sleeved cables allow for cleaner cord management even in extra-tall cases, and over-voltage, under-voltage, over-power, and short circuit protection help keep your PC running safely.

Buy it on Newegg for $70

Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD3 motherboard

The motherboard is the base upon which your computer is built, and selecting the proper one largely boils down to knowing what components you are going to use. The majority of consumer motherboards use the ATX form factor — the standard for personal computers — and one good all-around option that is suitable for most uses is the affordable Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD3. A $40 (25 percent) discount on Amazon brings this ATX motherboard down to just $125.

The GA-Z170X-UD3 features a LGA1151 socket for use with sixth- and seventh-generation Intel Core processors. Four dual-channel DDR4 DIMM slots give you plenty of space for RAM upgrades, while three SATA Express, six SATA3, and two M.2 slots provide multiple options for internal storage. PCI Express slots include one 3.0 x16, one 3.0 x8, one 3.0 x4, and three 3.0 x1 buses.

Buy it on Amazon for $125

AMD FX-8350 Black Edition CPU

The CPU will generally be among the most expensive parts of your computer build. and is one of the best places to look for big savings. AMD is Intel’s main competitor when it comes to processors, and the AMD FX-8350 Black Edition is an excellent value after a $94 discount (41 percent) that brings the price down to just $135 on Amazon.

Eight cores provide a standard clock speed of 4.0GHz, which is clockable up to 5.0GHz with AMD OverDrive software. The CPU is designed for AMD AM3 sockets and features an 8MB L3 cache, along with four 2MB L2 caches. The AMD FX-8350 Black Edition remains a very popular choice for budget-friendly gaming builds, and represents an excellent value at this price.

Buy it on Amazon for $135

Intel Core i7-6850K CPU

If you’re building a higher-end system and prefer an Intel processor, Amazon is currently offering $58 off (9 percent) the Intel Core i7-6850K, bringing the price of this six-core CPU down to $570. Part of Intel’s sixth-generation Broadwell lineup, the i7-6850k is compatible with LGA 2011-v3 sockets. Six cores and 12 threads deliver a standard clock speed of 3.6GHz via Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology.

Until March 31, you can score a free game bundle that includes digital download codes for Halo Wars 2, Dreadnought, and Euro Truck Simulator 2 with the purchase of your new Intel i7 processor, sweetening this deal even further. Check out this page for more information on this limited-time offer.

Buy it on Amazon for $570

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 X 8G GPU

Like the CPU, one of the biggest expenses for your custom computer build will be the graphics card — particularly for a heavy-duty gaming rig — and it’s where you want to look for the best discounts, bundles, and rebates. Nvidia and Radeon are the two big names in GPUs, and which one you choose will mostly come down to preference and budget. If you’ve decided on an Nvidia chipset, the MSI GeForce GTX 1080 X 8G is a solid high-end choice that is now just $560 on Amazon after a generous $150 discount and $20 mail-in rebate.

The GTX 1080 X 8G packs 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, which can be clocked to 10,108MHz. The card utilizes a PCI Express 3.0 x16 bus and supports HDMI, DVI-D, and DisplayPort outputs. This beast of a GPU can power up to four displays simultaneously and delivers a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320.

Buy it on Amazon for $560 after rebate

XFX Radeon RX 480 GPU

If a Radeon card is more your speed, or if you want an inexpensive GPU for a budget-friendly computer build, then Newegg now has the XFX Radeon RS RX 480 on sale for $20 off its normal cost. When combined with the current $30 mail-in rebate, this gives you a total savings of $50 on the GPU, which brings it down to a limited-time low price of just $210.

The XFX Radeon RS RX 480 delivers a core clock speed of 1,288MHz and sports 8GB of 256-bit GDDR5 memory. HDMI, DVI-D, and DisplayPort connections give you a total of five video output ports. Along with the combined $50 discount, you get a free digital download of Doom with a purchase of the RS RX 480 for a limited time.

Buy it on Newegg for $210 after rebate

Winner winner, guilt-free dinner: Biotech startup unveils lab-grown chicken

Why it matters to you

In the next few years, you might not have to worry about the ethical or environmental impact of your favorite meat meal.

Last year, it was the “world’s first clean meatball” that helped Memphis Meats grab headlines in February. In November, the startup launched an Indiegogo campaign with plans to grow cultured poultry meat in the lab. Today, the company announced that it has successfully served chicken and duck meat without having raised or slaughtered a bird.

“It is thrilling to introduce the first chicken and duck that didn’t require raising animals,” Uma Valeti, co-founder and CEO of Memphis Meats, said in a press release. “This is a historic moment for the clean meat movement.”

To create its “clean” meat, Memphis Meats puts living animal cells into bioreactor tanks and feeds them oxygen, sugars, and minerals until they divide and grow. The company said the taste and texture is similar to that of the real thing, just a bit spongier, according to the Wall Street Journal.

More: SuperMeat wants you to try its lab grown chicken breast

Chicken is a significant part of the American diet, with some 90 pounds eaten by the average consumer every year. Duck, on the other hand, is hugely popular in China, where more than six billion pounds are consumed in total each year, according to Memphis Meats. That’s a lot of bird.

“Chicken and duck are at the center of the table in so many cultures around the world, but the way conventional poultry is raised creates huge problems for the environment, animal welfare, and human health,” Valeti said. “It is also inefficient. We aim to produce meat in a better way, so that it is delicious, affordable and sustainable. We really believe this is a significant technological leap for humanity, and an incredible business opportunity — to transform a giant global industry while contributing to solving some of the most urgent sustainability issues of our time.”

Although the company has served it’s cultured poultry to taste testers, the meat is still prohibitively expensive. It currently costs around $9,000 to produce a pound of Memphis Meats’ poultry, compared to a bit over $3 on average for a pound of chicken breast. However, the company hopes to reduce costs drastically as it refines its technology over the next few years. It hopes to launch a commercial product in 2021.

Tell Alexa you’re hungry and she can help you order from Grubhub

Why it matters to you

Ordering food just keeps getting easier, and the latest simplification comes from a new Grubhub skill for Amazon Alexa.

First, you stopped leaving your house to get food. Now, you can stop lifting a finger to get food. We’re talking, of course, about a new Amazon Alexa skill from Grubhub, which has made it easier still for you to get your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant delivered straight to your door. Because why type when you can just talk?

With the latest Alexa skill, you’ll be able to access Grubhub’s impressive network of more than 50,000 restaurants using nothing but your voice. The skill, which is available for all Grubhub users who own an Alexa-compatible device, will allow diners to check out their last three orders, and reorder from a preferred vendor.

“We’re always looking for new ways to evolve the ordering process so that our diners can order the food they want from their favorite local restaurants, however they would want to order it,” said Sudev Balakrishnan, senior vice president of product for Grubhub. “With the new Alexa skill, we’re thrilled to offer added convenience to our diners, allowing them to quickly reorder using their voice.”

More: Alexa, vacuum the rug, and make it snappy — Roomba now responds to your voice

Using the skill is about as easy as can be. Simply enable the Grubhub skill and link your account using the Alexa app. Then, open the Grubhub skill using prompts like, “Alexa, open Grubhub,” or “Alexa, tell Grubhub I’m hungry.” From there, Alexa will respond, “Welcome to Grubhub! Here are the latest orders available for reorder.” Then, you can choose what you’d like to order, and Alexa will let you know when your food ought to be arriving.

“Ordering meals with only your voice is one of the more popular capabilities on Alexa. Customers love how convenient it is to simply ask Alexa to place an order for delivery,” said Rob Pulciani, director of Amazon Alexa. “I’m excited that customers can now reorder from Grubhub’s network of 50,000-plus restaurants, giving them even more choices as to where their next breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack will come from.”

Spring is coming, and HTC is teasing a mysterious new product launch

Why it matters to you

Could the new launch be an awesome new VR headset? Or a great new phone? Or maybe something much more subtle. We’ll have to wait and see.

Hot on the heels of its recently release flagship phones, the U Ultra and U play, HTC is prepping a new product launch. The Taiwanese company has begun teasing a new reveal titled “Spring is coming,” and it’s coming up soon — in fact, it’s scheduled for March 20.

So what will be released? Excellent questions — and we really don’t know the answer(s). HTC is remaining coy about the unveiling, and to our knowledge the phrase “Spring is coming” doesn’t directly relate to any of its products.

More: HTC wants U! Everything you need to know about the HTC U Ultra and U Play

Of course, there are a few obvious options, the first being a new smartphone. The company has been rumored to be working on a device called the HTC Ocean for some time now, but we have yet to see any official details about the phone. The upcoming HTC 11 also has yet to be launched. Despite the fact that there are a ton of rumors about new phones, we think it’s a little too soon after the launch of the HTC U Ultra for a new flagship device.

The event could also be to reveal a new HTC VR headset. HTC has been a major player in the virtual reality space for some time now, ever since it first launched the HTC Vive — a headset built in partnership with Steam-owner Valve. The Vive fast became one of the more popular virtual reality headsets, and it would make sense for HTC to want to launch a follow-up.

It’s also entirely possible that it’s a much smaller reveal. The teaser itself is very green, so perhaps the company will show off a new green color for the HTC U Ultra, or perhaps it will officially launch the sapphire screen 128GB HTC U Ultra.

Whatever is unveiled on the 20th, Digital Trends will keep you posted.

Spring is coming, and HTC is teasing a mysterious new product launch

Why it matters to you

Could the new launch be an awesome new VR headset? Or a great new phone? Or maybe something much more subtle. We’ll have to wait and see.

Hot on the heels of its recently release flagship phones, the U Ultra and U play, HTC is prepping a new product launch. The Taiwanese company has begun teasing a new reveal titled “Spring is coming,” and it’s coming up soon — in fact, it’s scheduled for March 20.

So what will be released? Excellent questions — and we really don’t know the answer(s). HTC is remaining coy about the unveiling, and to our knowledge the phrase “Spring is coming” doesn’t directly relate to any of its products.

More: HTC wants U! Everything you need to know about the HTC U Ultra and U Play

Of course, there are a few obvious options, the first being a new smartphone. The company has been rumored to be working on a device called the HTC Ocean for some time now, but we have yet to see any official details about the phone. The upcoming HTC 11 also has yet to be launched. Despite the fact that there are a ton of rumors about new phones, we think it’s a little too soon after the launch of the HTC U Ultra for a new flagship device.

The event could also be to reveal a new HTC VR headset. HTC has been a major player in the virtual reality space for some time now, ever since it first launched the HTC Vive — a headset built in partnership with Steam-owner Valve. The Vive fast became one of the more popular virtual reality headsets, and it would make sense for HTC to want to launch a follow-up.

It’s also entirely possible that it’s a much smaller reveal. The teaser itself is very green, so perhaps the company will show off a new green color for the HTC U Ultra, or perhaps it will officially launch the sapphire screen 128GB HTC U Ultra.

Whatever is unveiled on the 20th, Digital Trends will keep you posted.

Osiris is a smart water monitor that helps save you from leaks and burst pipes

Why it matters to you

Want to save money and the planet, too? The Osiris, a new smart water monitor, may be able to help.

It’s our planet’s most precious resource and you can monitor its use in your home with Osiris, the new smart water monitor. This handy little device promises to protect your home from water leaks and freezing pipes, lower your water bills, and help you better understand how you use water in your daily life. And who knows what you might do when you’re armed with that kind of knowledge?

For $65, Osiris claims to give homeowners the gift of protection — that is, protection from water waste, money waste, and, oh yeah, water damage. To install the monitor, simply tie-wrap the device onto a water pipe in your home, plug it in, and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. It ought to take just seconds to start working, and shouldn’t require any tools.

More: Here’s what dolphins do underwater when people aren’t watching

From there, Osiris will start working. The device monitors water flow and alerts homeowners should there be a leak. This will allow you to turn off your water supply, and hopefully, prevent any major damage. The Osiris will also keep an eye on freezing pipes by monitoring pipe pressure, alerting you to any potentially hazardous situations and prompting you to turn on the heater to prevent a disaster.

Similarly, Osiris will notice if you’ve accidentally left the water running, whether it’s from a hose in your backyard or the toilet in your bathroom. The smart water monitor is capable not only of finding the leak but letting you know that it’s happening so you can spring into action.

If you’re curious to see how much water you’re using, Osiris can help with that too. You can check out your daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly water usage stats, set water conservation goals, and generally feel good about doing your part to reduce water waste.

You can pre-order an Osiris for $65 from Kickstarter, with an anticipated delivery date in August.