Software : Apple issues Mavericks update to bring Gmail back from the dead

Apple issues Mavericks update to bring Gmail back from the dead
Not another YouTube: Google explains Chrome extension ban for Windows
Blip: PS4 to launch with hearty dose of 11 apps
Windows 7 receives nearly full Windows 8.1 IE11 treatment

Apple issues Mavericks update to bring Gmail back from the dead

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Apple's free OS X 10.9 Mavericks update has caused plenty of headaches for people - not least Gmail users who have had to put up with misbehaving inboxes since taking the plunge.

The Cupertino-based company has outed a free patch to fix problems related to its Apple Mail app and Gmail accounts, which include mail being unintentionally duplicated and unread message tallies seemingly being plucked out of thin air.

According to Apple, the 32.46MB update fixes an "issue that prevents deleting, moving, and archiving messages for users with custom Gmail settings" and "addresses an issue that may cause unread counts to be inaccurate". To install it, you'll have to head on over to the Mac's App Store, where it should be ready and waiting.

Coming unstuck

Apple has also issued a software fix for its brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display laptops after users complained of freezing keyboards and trackpads.

And there could be more Mavericks-related patches in the works. According to 9to5Mac, Mavericks' iBooks 1.01 and Safari 7.01 updates are due to bring improved performance for new features introduced in Apple's (for now) temperamental OS.

Unfortunately, some Mac owners are still stranded in no-man's land after installing the latest version of OS X, including Western Digital external HDD users that have seen data destroyed after upgrading from Mountain Lion.

Probably worth reading our Mavericks review again to see if it's all worth it

Not another YouTube: Google explains Chrome extension ban for Windows

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There will only be one place for Windows-based Chrome browser extensions to be stored in 2014, as Google is about to require all such extensions be hosted on the Chrome Web Store.

This isn't another Google-Microsoft app tiff. Malicious extensions are the reason developers are being forced to migrate all of their extensions to Google's internal servers starting in January.

"Many services bundle useful companion extensions, which causes Chrome to ask whether you want to install them (or not)," explained Erik Kay, Google engineering director, in an official blog post today.

"However, bad actors have abused this mechanism, bypassing the prompt to silently install malicious extensions that override browser settings and alter the user experience in undesired ways."

One example that Google highlighted involved replacing the New Tab Page without users' approval. The company even linked to hundreds of complaints from Windows users to back this up.

You shouldn't see a difference

Chrome users shouldn't see much of a change despite the sweeping new security efforts announced today.

"There will be no impact to your users, who will still be able to use your extension as if nothing changed," Kay advised developers.

He also mentioned that developers who want to keep extensions hidden from the Web Store can do so, in case they're used internally in a work group and shouldn't be shared with the public.

The only difference end-users will see is if developers don't migrate over to being hosted on the Chrome Web Store right away.

"If your extensions are currently hosted outside the Chrome Web Store you should migrate them as soon as possible," he warned before segueing into the overall goal of this trade-off.

"Protecting our users is a key priority, and we believe this change will help those whose browser has been compromised by unwanted extensions."

Blip: PS4 to launch with hearty dose of 11 apps

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Netflix. Hulu. Crackle. Crunchyroll. Sound familiar? Well they should.

Sony announced today that the PlayStation 4 will receive 11 apps on launch day - basically the same apps found on your PS3.

So there's nothing earth-shatteringly new about these apps, but the company did mention more will follow. However, it's not clear if they will be announced before the November 15 (November 29 in Europe) console release date.

More blips!

Keep clicking away for other little chewy blips.

Windows 7 receives nearly full Windows 8.1 IE11 treatment

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The latest version of Internet Explorer 11 is finally being ported from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7.

Since September 18, IE 11 has been available to gamers and start button purists holding onto Windows 7 as a Release Preview, but now everyone can download the newly finalized build of Microsoft's internet browser.

The IE 11 build coming to Windows 7 is almost the same as what comes with the recently shipped Windows 8.1. It features the same speed improvements, enhanced web security measures and interface updates as its newer counterpart.

The update also includes Microsoft's F12 developer tools and support for touch gestures, as well as Microsoft's new clutter-free Reading View for Internet Explorer

What's under the hood?

According to the Redmond company, users switching over from IE10 will see a 9% performance increase on version 11. Microsoft has also previously claimed IE11 as the fastest desktop browser in the world at 30% quicker than competitors like Safari and Chrome.

Microsoft-produced numbers aside, IE11 brings some serious browser upgrades to the four-year-old OS. The real reason behind the browser's faster speed is the Flip Ahead feature, which preloads up to two pages if you're reading a multipage story.

The other major new addition is Microsoft has finally supported WebGL on Windows 7. If you tdon't know what WebGL is, it makes image filled webpages load faster using GPU hardware acceleration whilst using less memory. It also supports HTML5 link pre-fetching and pre-rendering.

The top URL bar remains an aesthetic miss on Windows 7 where it can be found on the bottom in Windows 8.1. The ported browser also does not have the new tab view, and IE 11 doesn't support Google's SPDY protocol (the precursor to HTTP 2.0) on Windows 7 or the newer OS.

Google says you can't sell your Glass, but can't really do anything if you do.

Yahuui Blog

Friday, November 8, 2013