Microsoft Edges RAM Limiter Is a Smart Feature That Could Give Google Chrome a Run for Its Money
Microsoft Edge has recently introduced resource controls that allow users to limit the amount of RAM their web browser uses, offering a useful feature for gamers and normal users alike. The new controls can be adjusted to allocate as little as 1GB of system RAM to the browser, or all of it when not in use. This feature is a significant addition to Edge, providing more control over system resource usage than its rival Google Chrome.
The introduction of this smart feature marks a turning point for Microsoft Edge, which has long been considered the also-ran sibling to Google Chrome. By offering similar performance features to its competitor, Edge is now poised to challenge Chrome's dominance in the browser market.
How will this new feature impact the broader conversation around web browser performance and the future of computing, where every millisecond counts?
An analysis conducted on various popular web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, reveals that many of them consume significant amounts of RAM, posing challenges for users with low-RAM systems. Despite its popularity, Chrome does not lead in efficiency, with alternatives like Whale and Yandex showing better performance in terms of memory usage. The findings emphasize the importance of browser choice for users operating on budget laptops with limited RAM resources.
This investigation highlights the critical role of software optimization in enhancing user experience, particularly for those relying on budget hardware that cannot accommodate high memory demands.
What factors influence users' choices when selecting a web browser, particularly when performance and resource consumption are at stake?
Google's dominance in the browser market has raised concerns among regulators, who argue that the company's search placement payments create a barrier to entry for competitors. The Department of Justice is seeking the divestiture of Chrome to promote competition and innovation in the tech industry. The proposed remedy aims to address antitrust concerns by reducing Google's control over online searching.
This case highlights the tension between promoting innovation and encouraging competition, particularly when it comes to dominant players like Google that wield significant influence over online ecosystems.
How will the outcome of this antitrust case shape the regulatory landscape for future tech giants, and what implications will it have for smaller companies trying to break into the market?
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to seek a court order for Google to sell off its popular browser, Chrome, as part of its effort to address allegations of search market monopoly. The DOJ has the backing of 38 state attorneys general in this bid, with concerns about the impact on national security and freedom of competition in the marketplace. Google has expressed concerns that such a sale would harm the American economy, but an outcome is uncertain.
The tension between regulatory oversight and corporate interests highlights the need for clarity on the boundaries of anti-trust policy in the digital age.
Will the ongoing dispute over Chrome's future serve as a harbinger for broader challenges in balancing economic competitiveness with national security concerns?
The US Department of Justice is still calling for Google to sell its web browser Chrome, according to a recent court filing. The DOJ first proposed that Google should sell Chrome last year, under then-President Joe Biden, but it seems to be sticking with that plan under the second Trump administration. The department is, however, no longer calling for the company to divest all its investments in artificial intelligence.
This proposal highlights the ongoing tension between the government's desire to promote competition and Google's efforts to maintain its dominance in the online search market, where Chrome's browser plays a critical role.
Will the DOJ's continued push for Chrome's sale lead to increased scrutiny of other tech giants' market power and influence on consumer choice?
The US Department of Justice remains steadfast in its proposal for Google to sell its web browser Chrome, despite recent changes to its stance on artificial intelligence investments. The DOJ's initial proposal, which called for Chrome's divestment, still stands, with the department insisting that Google must be broken up to prevent a monopoly. However, the agency has softened its stance on AI investments, allowing Google to pursue future investments without mandatory divestiture.
This development highlights the tension between antitrust enforcement and innovation in the tech industry, as regulators seek to balance competition with technological progress.
Will the DOJ's leniency towards Google's AI investments ultimately harm consumers by giving the company a competitive advantage over its rivals?
The evolution of web browsers reflects a shift from consumer-focused tools designed solely for information access to specialized enterprise browsers that prioritize security and productivity. While traditional consumer browsers have remained largely unchanged, they struggle to meet the complex needs of enterprises that require enhanced control and safety measures. Enterprise browsers, designed from the ground up, integrate security features and application delivery capabilities, promoting efficiency while safeguarding corporate resources.
This distinction between consumer and enterprise browsers highlights the necessity for tailored solutions in a rapidly changing digital landscape, where security and usability are paramount for organizational success.
As businesses increasingly rely on digital tools, how might the growing divide between consumer and enterprise browser functionalities shape user expectations and technological advancements in the future?
Getac's new B360 series brings AI, triple batteries, and NVIDIA GPU power to its rugged laptops, enhancing security, speed, and efficiency with AIB360 supports three SSDs, triple batteries, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Built for extremes, the B360 meets MIL-STD-810H and IP66 standards. Getac has launched two new AI-enabled rugged laptops, the B360 and B360 Pro, designed for professionals working in extreme environments and demanding industries.
The integration of edge AI capabilities in these laptops signals a shift towards more robust and secure computing solutions for industries with harsh environmental conditions, where cloud-based processing may be impractical or insecure.
Will the increased focus on edge AI enable new use cases and applications that can take advantage of real-time processing and data analysis, potentially revolutionizing industries such as public safety, defense, and utilities?
As recent news reminds us, malicious browser add-ons can start life as legit extensions. Reviewing what you’ve got installed is a smart move. Earlier this month, an alarm sounded—security researchers at GitLab Threat Intelligence discovered a handful of Chrome extensions adding code in order to commit fraud, with at least 3.2 million users affected. But the add-ons didn’t start as malicious. Instead, they launched as legitimate software, only to be later compromised or sold to bad actors.
The fact that these extensions were able to deceive millions of users for so long highlights the importance of staying vigilant when installing browser add-ons and regularly reviewing their permissions.
As more people rely on online services, the risk of malicious extensions spreading through user adoption becomes increasingly critical, making it essential for Google to continually improve its Chrome extension review process.
Doogee has introduced a new Tab E3 series of slates with on-trend 13- and 14-inch displays in its Pro and Max variants respectively, both powered by a unique 9-core processor designed to optimize performance with artificial intelligence. The company's latest devices are part of its efforts to "Dares to be Different" at the MWC 2025 showcase, showcasing their AI-enhanced content consumption capabilities. Doogee is also introducing new wearables and smaller tablets under the E3 series.
The integration of Risc-V support in these new slates could potentially open up new avenues for developers in terms of hardware customization and optimization.
What implications might this have for the broader tablet market, where manufacturers are increasingly looking to leverage AI-enhanced technologies to differentiate their products?
Microsoft Corp. has scaled back its commitments to cloud computing provider CoreWeave due to ongoing delivery issues and missed deadlines, according to a report from the Financial Times. This development comes as CoreWeave prepares for an initial public offering that could raise approximately $4 billion, with Microsoft being its largest customer, accounting for 62% of its revenue in 2024. The implications of Microsoft's decision could significantly impact CoreWeave’s financial stability and market valuation as it approaches its IPO.
This situation highlights the precariousness of startup relationships with major tech companies, where performance and reliability are critical for survival and growth in a competitive landscape.
How might CoreWeave's IPO and its relationship with Microsoft evolve in light of these recent challenges, and what does this mean for the future of the cloud computing market?
Microsoft has redeveloped its AI-powered Copilot app from scratch to provide a better user experience that is fully integrated into the Windows 11 operating system. With the new version, users can expect faster response times and more personalized answers, making it easier to use the app's features such as picture-in-picture mode and taskbar integration. The redesign also reduces memory usage, requiring only 50-100 MB of RAM on average.
The native integration of Copilot into Windows 11 may set a new standard for AI-powered productivity tools, but how will this impact the broader software ecosystem and drive innovation in the industry?
Will Microsoft's renewed focus on Copilot lead to increased competition from other AI-powered apps, or will it further consolidate market share?
Google has pushed back against the US government's proposed remedy for its dominance in search, arguing that forcing it to sell Chrome could harm national security. The company claims that limiting its investments in AI firms could also affect the future of search and national security. Google has already announced its preferred remedy and is likely to stick to it.
The shifting sands of the Trump administration's DOJ may inadvertently help Google by introducing a new and potentially more sympathetic ear for the tech giant.
How will the Department of Justice's approach to regulating Big Tech in the coming years, with a renewed focus on national security, impact the future of online competition and innovation?
The upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processor for Windows PCs may offer up to 18 Oryon V3 cores, increasing core count by 50% compared to the current generation. The new chip's system in package (SiP) will incorporate both RAM and flash storage, featuring 48GB of SK hynix RAM and a 1TB SSD onboard. This next-generation processor is expected to be used in high-end laptops and desktops, potentially revolutionizing PC performance.
This significant upgrade in core count could lead to substantial improvements in multitasking and content creation capabilities for PC users, particularly those requiring heavy processing power.
What role will the integration of AI technology play in future Snapdragon X2 processors, given the processor's focus on high-performance computing and gaming applications?
Modern web browsers offer several built-in settings that can significantly enhance data security and privacy while online. Key adjustments, such as enabling two-factor authentication, disabling the saving of sensitive data, and using encrypted DNS requests, can help users safeguard their personal information from potential threats. Additionally, leveraging the Tor network with specific configurations can further anonymize web browsing, although it may come with performance trade-offs.
These tweaks reflect a growing recognition of the importance of digital privacy, empowering users to take control of their online security without relying solely on external tools or services.
What additional measures might users adopt to enhance their online security in an increasingly interconnected world?
Microsoft has responded to the CMA’s Provision Decision Report by arguing that British customers haven’t submitted that many complaints. The tech giant has issued a 101-page official response tackling all aspects of the probe, even asserting that the body has overreacted. Microsoft claims that it is being unfairly targeted and accused of preventing its rivals from competing effectively for UK customers.
This exchange highlights the tension between innovation and regulatory oversight in the tech industry, where companies must balance their pursuit of growth with the need to avoid antitrust laws.
How will the CMA's investigation into Microsoft's dominance of the cloud market impact the future of competition in the tech sector?
While Microsoft's efforts seem to be paying off, the company's pushy approach to getting users to switch to Windows 11 has sparked debate among tech enthusiasts. On one hand, it appears that the company is successfully winning over users from Windows 10. On the other hand, some critics argue that Microsoft is being overly aggressive in its marketing efforts.
The ongoing competition between Microsoft and rival operating systems like Chrome OS highlights the evolving landscape of personal computing, where flexibility and customization are increasingly important to users.
Will Microsoft's continued emphasis on cloud-based security features, such as Smart App Control, ultimately lead to a shift away from traditional software licensing models in the PC industry?
Mozilla's latest update to Firefox adds a long-awaited feature, plus a few other bits and bobs. With the recent Firefox 136 update, Mozilla’s web browser got several improvements and new features, including vertical tabs that sit in a new sidebar and provide a better overview when you have tons of open tabs. The update brings improved security via fixed vulnerabilities, which apply to Firefox ESR and Tor Browser as well.
This welcome change is a testament to the browser's evolving capacity for user-centric design, where functionality meets aesthetics in a harmonious union.
Can native vertical tabs be the harbinger of a new era in web browsing, one that prioritizes organization, efficiency, and intuitive navigation?
uBlock Origin, a popular ad-blocking extension, has been automatically disabled on some devices due to Google's shift to Manifest V3, the new extensions platform. This move comes as users are left wondering about their alternatives in the face of an impending deadline for removing all Manifest V2 extensions. Users who rely on uBlock Origin may need to consider switching to another browser or ad blocker.
As users scramble to find replacement ad blockers that adhere to Chrome's new standards, they must also navigate the complexities of web extension development and the trade-offs between features, security, and compatibility.
What will be the long-term impact of this shift on user privacy and online security, particularly for those who have relied heavily on uBlock Origin to protect themselves from unwanted ads and trackers?
Google is sneakily trying to get users to remove uBlock Origin, but there's a simple workaround you can use to sidestep it. Despite warnings, users of the popular adblocker can continue using it by reactivating it via the Chrome extensions settings. However, this solution may not be available forever as Google aims to discontinue support for legacy Manifest V2-based extensions in the long term.
This workaround highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between ad blockers and browser vendors, where users are forced to navigate complex rules and restrictions to maintain their online privacy and security.
What happens when the next generation of Chrome users is born with a built-in ad blocker that's even more invasive than uBlock Origin?
Browser company Opera has unveiled a new AI agent called Browser Operator that can complete tasks for you on different websites. In a demo video, the company showed the AI agent finding a right pair of socks from Walmart; securing tickets for a football match from the club’s site; and looking up a flight and a hotel for a trip on Booking.com. Opera said that the feature will be available to users through its Feature Drop program soon.
The integration of AI agents like Browser Operator is likely to disrupt traditional search engine business models, potentially forcing Google and Bing to rethink their approach to user assistance.
Will this level of automation lead to increased job displacement in industries heavily reliant on online transactions, such as e-commerce and travel?
Opera's new AI agent, Browser Operator, marks a paradigm shift in web browsing, enabling browsers to perform tasks for users, providing a major efficiency boost and turning the browser into a user-focused ecosystem. The AI agent uses native client-side solutions to complete tasks while protecting user privacy, allowing users to explain what they need to do in natural language. With its autonomy, perception, decision-making, action execution, learning, and adapting capabilities, Browser Operator is poised to transform the way we interact with the web.
This innovative technology could revolutionize how businesses approach AI adoption, enabling them to create more user-centric experiences that blur the lines between software and hardware.
As browsers become increasingly agentic, what implications will this have for online security, and how can users ensure their digital safety in a world where their browsers are making decisions on their behalf?
Microsoft's Threat Intelligence has identified a new tactic from Chinese threat actor Silk Typhoon towards targeting "common IT solutions" such as cloud applications and remote management tools in order to gain access to victim systems. The group has been observed attacking a wide range of sectors, including IT services and infrastructure, healthcare, legal services, defense, government agencies, and many more. By exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in edge devices, Silk Typhoon has established itself as one of the Chinese threat actors with the "largest targeting footprints".
The use of cloud applications by businesses may inadvertently provide a backdoor for hackers like Silk Typhoon to gain access to sensitive data, highlighting the need for robust security measures.
What measures can be taken by governments and private organizations to protect their critical infrastructure from such sophisticated cyber threats?
Reddit has launched new content moderation and analytics tools aimed at helping users adhere to community rules and better understand content performance. The company's "rules check" feature allows users to adjust their posts to comply with specific subreddit rules, while a post recovery feature enables users to repost content to an alternative subreddit if their original post is removed for rule violations. Reddit will also provide personalized subreddit recommendations based on post content and improve its post insights feature to show engagement statistics and audience interactions.
The rollout of these new tools marks a significant shift in Reddit's approach to user moderation, as the platform seeks to balance free speech with community guidelines.
Will the emphasis on user engagement and analytics lead to a more curated, but potentially less diverse, Reddit experience for users?
Firefox's latest update introduces vertical tabs, allowing users to manage numerous open web pages more efficiently by displaying them in a sidebar. This feature, which can be quickly enabled from the tab bar, enhances usability by providing options to organize and customize tab visibility. Alongside this, Firefox 136 includes various improvements and security updates, positioning the browser as a competitive player in the ongoing browser battle.
The introduction of vertical tabs reflects a growing recognition of user experience in web browsing, potentially influencing other browsers to adopt similar features for better management of open pages.
Will the functionality of vertical tabs be enough to persuade users to switch back to Firefox from more popular browsers?
Opera's newest AI feature, Browser Operator, allows users to assign shopping tasks to the browser, which then autonomously researches and executes those tasks. This "agentic browsing" technology enables users to prompt the browser with tasks like finding products to buy or booking hotels, and the browser will take care of the rest. Opera claims that this technology is a "paradigm shift for browsers," as it empowers users to delegate tasks to the browser itself.
As AI-powered assistants become increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, the emergence of agentic browsing raises important questions about the role of human agency in decision-making and the potential for bias in automated decision-making processes.
How will Opera's Browser Operator technology address concerns around data privacy and security, particularly when it comes to executing transactions and accessing sensitive user information?