Chrome 144 fixes 3 high-risk security vulnerabilities. Update now!

Chrome 144 fixes 3 high-risk security vulnerabilities. Update now!

Google has fixed 10 security vulnerabilities in Chrome versions 144.0.7559.59/60 for Windows and macOS and 144.0.7559.59 for Linux. According to Google, none of these vulnerabilities have been exploited for attacks in the wild so far. What’s new in Chrome 144? In the Chrome Releases blog post , Srinivas Sista lists the 10 security vulnerabilities that have been fixed, all of which were reported to Google by external researchers (with Google apparently counting itself among them in two cases). Google classifies 3 vulnerabilities as high risk, 4 as medium risk, and the rest as low risk. Google prominently advertises the ability to have text read aloud on the web, but this was already a new feature in Chrome 143. The same applies to the feature for splitting the browser window to display two pages side by side in the same tab. AI integration continues to advance in Chrome, albeit less intrusively than in some other browsers. Chrome usually updates automatically when a new version is available. You can manually trigger the update check via Help > About Google Chrome . Google has also released Chrome for Android 144.0.7559.59 and Chrome for iOS 144.0.7559.85, with the Android version addressing the same vulnerabilities as the desktop versions. The Extended Stable Channel for Windows and macOS now also includes Chromium version 144.0.7559.60. Google plans to release Chrome 145 in early February. Other Chromium-based browsers The manufacturers of other Chromium-based browsers are now required to follow suit with their own updates. Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi are at the security level Chrome was at prior to this update. Opera caught up with the others a week ago with the release of version 126 based on Chromium 142, but is still one Chromium update behind. Once the Extended Stable Channel for Chromium 142 comes to an end, Opera will be on its own again.

Google launches Gemini Personal Intelligence, linking to Gmail, Google Photos, Search, and YouTube history to provide context-aware responses, for paid users (Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET)

Google launches Gemini Personal Intelligence, linking to Gmail, Google Photos, Search, and YouTube history to provide context-aware responses, for paid users (Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET)

Sabrina Ortiz / ZDNET : Google launches Gemini Personal Intelligence, linking to Gmail, Google Photos, Search, and YouTube history to provide context-aware responses, for paid users —  ZDNET's key takeaways  — Personal Intelligence scans your apps to improve Gemini answers.  — The feature is off by default and won't train on sensitive data.

The Asus Xbox Ally is cheaper than the Steam Deck today

The Asus Xbox Ally is cheaper than the Steam Deck today

At the launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which can be seen as Microsoft’s semi-official answer to Valve’s smash-hit Steam Deck, these two devices are set up as sort of de facto rivals. And if we’re talking value, the Steam Deck absolutely wins. But with the retirement of its cheapest version and a $100 discount on the Ally, down to $499.99 today , the Windows handheld is now technically cheaper. Specifically, this is the white version of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which uses AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chip. The black version (with the added X for 100 percent more Xbox ) has a faster chip, more RAM and storage, and a couple of other goodies…but it’s still a cool one grand, no discount offered. At $500, the cheaper white version is now $50 below the middle model of the Steam Deck OLED, despite running a much newer APU at its core, having a faster, higher resolution screen, bigger battery, and faster charging. Other specs, like 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a MicroSD card slot, are pretty similar. The Steam Deck is getting pretty old in terms of hardware, but the $550 model still offers an OLED screen that’s slightly larger, dual touchpads for finer control, and, of course, it’s loaded with SteamOS (a Linux derivative that plays Windows games shockingly well through a compatibility layer) instead of Windows 11. Even with the work Microsoft has put into the streamlined handheld interface specifically designed for these devices, the consensus seems to be that SteamOS is the superior platform for gaming, compatibility issues notwithstanding. But if you want to be able to play more Windows-based games (especially multiplayer games that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat), the Xbox is the better PC. Huh, that’s a weird sentence. Best Buy is offering the $100 discount on the ROG Xbox Ally, and there’s no indication of how long it’ll stick around. If you’re trying to make a decision, I suggest you do so quickly. Get an Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld for just $500 View Deal

My favorite Anker power bank with built-in USB-C cable is only $34 today

My favorite Anker power bank with built-in USB-C cable is only $34 today

For the past few years, I’ve made sure I always have a power bank with me when I leave the house because it’s something that gives me peace of mind. If I end up running late and my phone’s battery fails on me while I’m out, I can still keep it charged and stay connected. Of all the power banks I’ve used, the Anker Zolo is the one I carry with me most often—and right now, it’s on sale for $34 on Amazon . View this Amazon deal One of the best things about this power bank is that it’s fairly compact, measuring just 4.72 x 2.90 x 1.24 inches and weighing 0.78 pounds. This means it’s easy to slip into a pocket (even my tiny pockets, thanks women’s fashion) or toss into a bag. It also doesn’t hurt that it comes with a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a carrying strap when not in use. If you need to charge multiple devices, that’s no problem—you’ll find two extra charging ports, one USB-C and one USB-A. That built-in cable is sooooo good, though, because I can’t count how many times I’ve realized entirely too late that I’d left the house without a charging cable! The 20,000mAh capacity is enough to charge your phone fully about four times over, although that’ll vary depending on your phone model and whether you’re using it while it charges. At this price, it’s a no-brainer. Get this Anker Zolo power bank for $34 while you can! There’s no buyer’s remorse here. Trust me. Fast-charge 3 devices while on the go with Anker's tiny 20K power bank Buy now at Amazon

The latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons expansion has arrived earlier than expected

The latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons expansion has arrived earlier than expected

For a number of very obvious reasons, we don’t want to roll back the clock to early 2020. No thank you. But if there was a feel-good lockdown story, it was the perfectly timed arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons , which allowed friends who could no longer meet up IRL to do so virtually on their carefully pruned islands. The game will almost certainly never be as popular as it was back then again, but Nintendo is hoping a good chunk of lapsed islanders will return for its latest DLC drop, which has arrived a day earlier than planned. As spotted by Eurogamer , the free Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update is available to download now and, as previously announced , brings a host of new features to the cozy life sim, including a brand new resort hotel on the pier that you can help decorate. There are new items and quality-of-life additions too, as well as the ability to build fresh islands with your friends and family in the “Slumber Island” dream world. All you need to do is go to the New Horizons game icon on your Switch’s home screen and download the software update. Nintendo also announced last year that New Horizons would be coming to Switch 2 on January 15, improving the visuals, unlocking mouse controls and GameChat functionality, and expanding the online multiplayer capacity from eight players to 12. As of now, the Switch 2 edition of the game remains locked, so you’ll be stuck with the standard Switch version until tomorrow. Upgrading costs $5, while first-time players can purchase the Switch 2 version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for $65. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-latest-animal-crossing-new-horizons-expansion-has-arrived-earlier-than-expected-160739040.html?src=rss