Instagram says it’s giving users more control over their feeds. Image: Instagram

Instagram announced on Wednesday that it’s adding two new modes that change how the main feed works, bringing back the much-awaited reverse-chronological view. The company calls the two new modes “Following” and “Favorites,” and says they’re designed to “give you more choice and control over what you see” while using the app (that is, let you avoid things like suggested posts and algorithmic sorting based on who and what the app thinks you like).

Instagram’s description for the “Following” feed is truly something to behold: “See the latest posts from accounts that you follow, in the order they were posted.” And to that, I say yes. That’s exactly what I want every social network to be!

Instagram also details the Favorites mode in its announcement — basically, you’ll be able to star up to 50 accounts, and posts from them will show up higher in your main feed. You’ll also be able to view those posts in a separate “Favorites” feed, which Instagram says starts with the most recent posts.

Instagram spokesperson Seine Kim told The Verge in an email that “your Favorites list is private to you and will not be visible to anyone else,” which will hopefully keep it from becoming a social battleground like Myspace’s top eight feature.

Of course, everything has a price. In the press release announcing the change, Instagram head Adam Mosseri writes: “Over time, we’re going to add more recommendations to your feed based on your interests.” To me, that sounds like the main, default feed is going to start having more and more content from people I’m not following (which is exactly the complaint that a lot of people have had with the current version of the feed).

As long as the Following feed stays in place, though, that should be bearable. If I have to do a few more taps to get to what I want, it is what it is — just as long as that lovely chronological feed doesn’t go away (though if it does we might see the same outcry that happened when Twitter made its chronological feed harder to access).

These modes have been in the works for a while: Adam Mosseri talked about it a few times last year, and some users have gotten to test it. Instagram even teased that it was coming on Twitter yesterday. Now, though, it should finally be on its way to everyone. To get to either of the alternative feeds, tap on the Instagram logo in the top left corner when you're in the home tab, and bask in the chronological bliss.

Instagram’s new chronological mode is exactly what a feed should be

According to the news source WABetaInfo, Whatsapp is finally launching the much-awaited feature, message reactions, for testers enrolled in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.8.3. Currently, similar to other social media platforms like Messenger, Instagram, and Twitter, the update is offering six reactions including Like, Love, Laugh, Surprised, Sad, and Thanks for its users.

Now, users will be able to use the latest feature once they install WhatsApp beta for the Android 2.22.8.3 update. As it appears to be a "small test so only certain beta testers are able to react to messages, but everyone is now able to see message reactions." For those who are unable to react to messages, you might get this ability when the future beta updates get this feature.

To enhance the user experience, WhatsApp constantly brings improvements and updates with new features that allow users to have more meaningful conversations. So, apart from message reactions, WhatsApp is also committed to delivering emoji shortcuts for its desktop users.

Assuming you are already enrolled in the WhatsApp beta, you can see if you are among the "certain beta testers," by installing the update, or wait for the next beta update if you aren't included in this group. To find out when WhatsApp will be launching the feature for non beta testers, we'll have to wait for that announcement.

Source and Image via: WABetaInfo

Message reactions for seamless conversations arrive in WhatsApp beta

The latest version of the Outlook app on Android lets you select text easily and use pen gestures to format. According to Microsoft, the ability to use pen gestures to format text would let users edit text efficiently. However, the update doesn’t offer much except the new pen gesture support.

You can check out the full official changelog below.

Changelog

Microsoft is currently working on a plethora of new features for its Outlook email clients. A couple of months ago, we reported Microsoft was working to add printing support to Outlook for Android. The printing support will be available in a future update.

Microsoft Outlook already supports nifty features like Play My emails, FAQ experience in the app, built-in support for iCS attachments, the ability to create an Outlook email account, and more. Microsoft will continue to add useful features like these to Outlook through app updates, thereby making the app better.

You can go to the Google Play Store and search for the app.

Microsoft Outlook for Android gets updated with a new feature

Microsoft is now rolling out the Android March 2022 security patches to the Surface Duo devices via a firmware update. The update carries software version number 2022.113.26 and offers more than the security patches.

Alongside the March 2022 update, the latest firmware update also offers device stability improvements. Overall, the update should improve the overall user experience.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the March 2022 security patches are already available for the Duo 2 devices. However, the March 2022 update for Duo 2 doesn’t include device stability improvements.

As stated by Microsoft, the new March 2022 update is rolling out in phases, meaning not all Duo users will get the update on the same day. However, the update will eventually be available to all Duo owners in the next few days, as promised by Microsoft.

Meanwhile, you can read the full official changelog of the March 2022 update below.

If you haven’t received the update yet, you can manually check whether you received it on your device by going to the Settings. It is worth noting that the update is currently rolling out to the unlocked variants of the Surface Duo.

For those who already received the update on their unlocked Duo devices, you can share your experience with the update in the comments section.

Surface Duo gets March 2022 security patches with the latest update

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are finally getting this month’s sizeable feature drop, as Google spokesperson Matt Flegal confirmed to The Verge that the rollout will begin today. Google previously rolled out the update to the Pixel 3A and 5A on March 7th but decided to push back the update for Pixel 6 devices to address bug fixes, according to Android Police.

March’s feature drop brings improved night photography in Snapchat, custom stickers, support for YouTube watch parties in Google Duo, as well as a new Live Caption feature you can use to communicate without even talking during phone calls. We go over these features in greater detail in our post about the update’s initial rollout.

The update also brings a number of bug fixes, including “general improvements” for the fingerprint sensor’s stability and performance, as well as battery and thermal performance on the Pixel 6 phones. There’s also the promised fix for an issue causing Wi-Fi to randomly disconnect — a bug that was introduced in February’s update. Google is also rolling out support for Verizon’s 5G C-Band on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which will give users access to the ultra-wideband frequencies that the carrier lit up in January.

It’s not that surprising that Google decided to delay this update for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and I don’t blame the company for being extra careful. So far, Google’s track record with pushing updates to its flagship phones has been... a bit troubling. Last year, Google paused a highly anticipated December update for Pixel 6 devices after users reported issues with dropped calls and rolled out an amended version of the update that went live in January. And of course, there was the aforementioned February update that didn’t go over well for everyone either.

Here’s hoping that this update won’t screw up anything new this time.

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro phones start to get the delayed March feature drop

Google appears to be finally bringing the ability to delete the last 15 minutes of your search history to its Android app. Former XDA Developers editor-in-chief Mishaal Rahman said he was tipped about the feature seemingly rolling out, and a Verge editor has spotted the feature on their phone. We’ve asked Google if it can share any details about the rollout, but to check and see if you have it, open Google’s Android app, tap your profile picture, and look for the “Delete last 15 min” option.

This feature has taken some time to make its way to the Android app. Google first announced the feature at Google I/O in May, and it came to Google’s iOS app in July. At that time, Google said it would arrive on the Android version of the app later in 2021, but for some reason, the company seemingly missed that deadline. It’s unclear if Google plans to bring the feature to desktop — in its May announcement post, the company didn’t specify which platforms it would be available on, and in July, Google only said that the feature was coming to the iOS and Android apps. Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

Google also offers a tool to automatically delete things in your search history that are three, 18, or 36 months old.

Google’s Android app will finally let you delete the last 15 minutes of your search history

In a recent blog post announcing the second developer preview of Android 13, Google VP of engineering David Burke explained that in order to “help users focus on the notifications that are most important to them […] apps targeting Android 13 will need to request the notification permission from the user before posting notifications.”

While Android 13 is still a while away from release, this feature is definitely one to look forward to from the latest iteration of Android, as it should dramatically help reduce the pointless push messages that clutter up your notification bar once you haven’t used an app in too long. 

Alongside this notification prevention tool, Android 13 is also set to launch with a variety of other privacy tools in order to keep your device more secure. These tools include a photo picker to only share some of your media library and new ‘runtime permissions for nearby Wi-Fi devices’, which should stop you from giving away your precise location so much.

Alongside these privacy changes, Android 13’s second developer preview will also see the introduction of Bluetooth LE Audio, which can transmit audio at lower bitrates in higher quality. As a result, Bluetooth LE Audio should reduce energy consumption by your devices, increasing overall battery life.

Android 13 may finally do away with annoying notifications

Unlike the February 2022 firmware update that brought bug fixes and performance improvements, the March 2022 release contains nothing but security patches. In the official release notes available on the Microsoft Support website, the company says today's update "addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin for March 2022" and has no device-specific improvements.

The March 2022 firmware update for the Surface Duo 2 requires approximately 220MB of free space. And no, this release does not upgrade Android 11 to Android 12. However, Google recently confirmed that the Surface Duo 2 would get Android 12L alongside other dual-screen and foldable Android smartphones.

Note that today's firmware update for the Surface Duo 2 is not available on the original Surface Duo. Microsoft released the March 2022 update for the Surface Duo 1 two weeks earlier. The latest firmware improved Your Phone and Surface Slim Pen 2 support, plus it carried various stability enhancements and other critical bug fixes.

Surface Duo 2 receives March 2022 firmware update

As part of its Ukraine-centric efforts, Microsoft has added the ability to translate Skype calls to and from the Ukrainian language. The feature was rolled out by Skype Insiders a few days ago and is now available for non-Insiders.

Aside from that, the update also includes support for translated conversations calls to mobiles and landlines. As mentioned above, the new version of Skype also offers bug fixes and performance improvements.

You can read the full official changelog below to know more about what’s new.

Skype for Android 8.82.0.403 Changelog

What's new?
- Support for more languages in Translated Conversations i.e. Ukranian
- Support for Translated Conversations calls to mobile and landlines
- Bug fixes and improvements

Visit https://go.skype.com/whatsnew for more details.

The new Skype update comes with version number 8.82.0.403 and is now available for Android users. If you haven’t got it yet, you should wait for a few more days for it to arrive. Meanwhile, you can download the Skype app on your Android smartphone from the below link, or go to Google Play Store and search for the Skype app.

Skype for Android gets new features with latest update

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, and Galaxy A73 5G. It said that the Galaxy A53 5G will be available from April 1 and the other two devices will go on sale from April 22. All of the devices will be available in select markets so the ones available to you may vary.

With regards to the A53 5G and A33 5G, these devices include new processors, an AI camera, two-day battery life, defense-grade security, and deliver continuous One UI and Android OS upgrades and security updates. Commenting on the products, TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience Business, said:

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the positive impact mobile technology can have on their lives. With the latest Galaxy A series release, we’re making it easier than ever to enjoy Galaxy’s advanced, innovative mobile experience at a great value.”

The key specifications for the three devices are as follows:

The pricing details for these devices are a bit sporadic, The Galaxy A53 5G will start at $449.99 in the United States and GSM Arena says the A33 5G will cost around €390. It’s unclear right now how much the Galaxy A73 5G will cost but expect it to be a bit more than the A53 5G. If you’re in the United States, you can pre-order the Galaxy A53 5G today from Samsung.com.

Samsung unveils the Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, and Galaxy A73 5G

As spotted by 9to5Google, the redesign of Google Home resembles the device control panel from Android 11 and beyond, which gives users more intuitive and familiar controls than the scores of menus and submenus present before. 

Just as you have been able to before, Google Home’s 2.49 update will allow you to control your music playback, adjust your compatible lights, and turn on or off your devices, albeit now with fewer taps required for each function. 

As Google explains in the patch notes for this update, the redesigned look should help you “quickly find what you’re looking for,” as you can now “tap to turn a device on or off, slide left or right to make adjustments, and long press for more controls.”

Unfortunately for those who can’t wait to get their hands on the new look of the Google Home app, you might have to wait a “few weeks,” until the update is completely rolled out and officially available to all users. Until then, it is technically possible to sideload the 2.49.1.8 version of the app, however, that doesn’t enable the new look by default, so it might just be best to wait. 

Google Home is getting a fresh new look in its next update

Google Play Store will promote tablet apps with “quality” ranking

How to use Vivaldi's Reading List on Android

Here's how it works on mobile devices. To add a page to the reading list on your phone, visit the article that you want to save, and tap on the Vivaldi icon to view the app's menu. You can access the Reading List from this drop-down panel. Tap on the "Add Current Page" button to save it to your Vivaldi Reading List.

Just like its desktop counterpart, the mobile version lists the titles of your saved pages along with the favicon of the site. Selecting a saved article from the list will open the corresponding page in the app. When a page is accessed, the browser will automatically mark the item as Read.

For reference, the links that appear blurry (grayed-out) in the Reading List panel indicate those that you are done with, these are listed in the Read Articles section, at the bottom. Your Unread pages will remain highlighted at the top of the list. You can manage the read status of the articles manually too, which can be helpful if you want to mark a page as unread or vice-versa. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to a saved item to mark the article as read, or if you no longer need it, you can choose to delete it from the list. You may select multiple items in the list and manage them at the same time.

Sync Reading List with Desktop

Vivaldi for Android allows you to synchronize your reading list with your desktop browser. Of course, to do this, you will need a valid Vivaldi account, and have to be signed in to it on both your phone and your PC.

This is completely optional, you don't need a Vivaldi account to use the Reading List. It is only required if you want to sync your data between your devices. Once you have signed in to your account, the app automatically syncs the data on a 2-way basis, and this includes the contents of your Reading List. So, the articles you save on your phone can be viewed on your computer, or the other way around. More importantly, this will also sync the read state of the page.

Download Vivaldi for Android Snapshot release from the Google Play Store, if you want to test the new feature before it is brought to the stable channel. The current Snapshot version is 5.2.2611.3, and is based on Chromium 100.0.4896.43. The release notes are available on the official site.

The Reading List has been a useful add-on for PCs, and now that it is also available for smartphones, it could prove to be handy if you prefer to read articles or watch videos on-the-go.

Note: You cannot disable the new button from Vivaldi's settings. Setting the value of the Reading List's value to Disabled in Vivaldi://flags, does not hide the menu item, and causes the app to crash.

Articles that have been added to Vivaldi's Reading List are listed in reverse chronological order. You can't rename the saved items in the list, or re-arrange their order, but I think that could be a cool way to improve it, at least on desktop.

Vivaldi's Reading List feature is now available in the latest snapshot for Android devices

Here are the highlights of the latest firmware update for the third-gen Surface Pro X:

• Improved overall system stability and fixed bugs causing bugchecks (BSOD).
• Improved camera performance.
• Improved Bluetooth performance.
• Improved trackpad accuracy (Type Cover).
• Improved integration with Surface Dock 2.
• Enabled support for the new Surface Type Cover.

All those improvements Microsoft brought to the first and second-gen Surface Pro X with SQ1 and SQ2 processors in late February. If you want to take a closer look at a detailed list of updated drivers in the March 2022 firmware update for Surface Pro X, go to the official Surface Support website.

Microsoft says there are no known issues in the latest patches for Surface Pro X, but you need to remember that firmware updates on Surface devices are one-way tickets. Unlike Windows updates, you cannot roll back firmware on any Windows-based Surface computer.

Surface Pro X's March 2022 firmware update is available via Windows Update on devices running Windows 11 21H2 (initial release) or higher. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates to download available patches.

Third-gen Surface Pro X receives numerous improvements in latest firmware update

The new Google News home screen, which looks reminiscent of Apple News, starts off with larger content before returning to a normal size as you scroll down, this is great if you’ve just gotten up and need a bit of time for your eyes to focus properly. Having checked the Google News widget, it appears that it still shows the top five stories from the old design that users can click through, hopefully, Google will get around to updating the widget to reflect better the way the app works now.

While the 'For you' page does kind of look how it used to, new coloured titles for ‘Local news’ and ‘Picks for you’ are more prominent. If you look through the rest of the app you won’t find much else that’s different.

Overall, the large headers at the top of the app are a nice change but people who have come to enjoy the top five stories will be a bit disappointed by the update. Hopefully, the Google News widget will also get a bit of attention so that the content better matches the refreshed design.

Google News for Android gets redesign scrapping top five stories

Face ID

We’ve been suffering from this horrible pandemic for two years now, and we have to admit that wearing masks outside diminishes the convenience of our Face ID. Well, that’s no longer an issue with iOS 15.4. Now, users can use it effortlessly, even when wearing masks. According to Apple, the system will now focus on scanning the unique features around the eye area for authentication.

This is an option you would need to set up when you get the update, which means you can still opt for a full-face recognition Face ID that Apple claims to be more accurate. This is available on the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Emoji

It is not one of the most significant parts of the update that will excite you, yet it is still something to appreciate. In this update, Apple users will get over 37 new emoji characters like Melting Face, Saluting Face, Heart Hands, Beans, Peaking Face, Tears of Joy, and so much more.

Universal Control

If you are using multiple iPads and Macs on your table when working, it is a piece of good news that Apple now offers the Universal Control feature in this update. Now, you can use just a single mouse, keyboard, and trackpad for multiple screens. In this update, the mouse cursor and keyboard can move smoothly between devices wherein the iCloud will make the necessary adjustments.

Shortcuts Automations

Personal automation is beneficial to let you be informed of the things happening on your phone and perform specific actions right away. However, the notifications about it can be truly exasperating. Thankfully, the new iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 offer a solution for that. Now, Apple users can use a toggle to disable those notifications. You can simply tap on the automation and switch off the “Notify When Run” toggle.

iPhone Tap to Pay

It is probably one of the most exciting and promising additions in this update for Apple devices. The iOS 15.4 includes the API to allow the Tap to Pay feature on iPhones that will enable flawless contactless payment transactions in the future. It is still unclear when this feature will be handy since it still needs support from third-party apps, and Apple is still in talks with Stripe and Shopify. But once everything is okay, expect the utmost convenience the next time you shop using just your Apple device.

Siri Voice

The update includes a new voice for Siri, which was recorded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Accordion to Apple, it gives “users more options to choose a voice that speaks to them.” For those who can’t wait to hear it, the gender-neutral voice still bears the natural inflection and smooth transitions heard in the other Siri voices.

Here the Minor and Major Changes iOS 15.4 Offers to You

Samsung has announced that One UI 4.1 which debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, is ready to start coming to more devices including the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. The update will also arrive on the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy A series, Tab S7 FE, S20 series, Z Fold, Z Flip, Note (10 and up) series, S10 series, and Tab S series.

By upgrading to One UI 4.1, Samsung users get new features including live sharing on Google Duo, a new photo and video editing app called Expert RAW, a more enhanced object eraser to clean up photos, a simpler photo sharing experience, and Grammarly integrated into the Samsung Keyboard for more accurate typing.

“Samsung Electronics is committed to delivering the most up-to-date mobile experience to as many Galaxy users as possible,” the firm said in its statement. “That’s why Samsung today announced that One UI 4.1, which first debuted alongside the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, will be available on a wide range of Galaxy devices, bringing the latest Galaxy innovations to more users.”

While Samsung has outlined the devices which will be getting the update, it has not yet revealed the dates when each device will be updated – it’s likely that region and carrier will also affect when devices are updated, but Samsung didn’t say. All we know is that the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are going to be among the first to be updated.

Samsung says One UI 4.1 is ready to arrive on more of its devices

iOS 15.4, the latest version of Apple’s iPhone operating system, has been released and should soon be available to download ahead of the Friday release of Apple’s new third-generation iPhone SE and green iPhone 13. The update includes big new features like the ability to use Face ID while wearing a mask, alongside smaller additions like a handful of new emoji. The new version of iOS launches alongside iPadOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3, which add support for Apple’s new Universal Control feature.

Universal Control allows you to use a Mac’s keyboard and mouse to control an iPad completely wirelessly, including the ability to drag and drop files from the tablet back to a computer. Universal Control requires your Mac to be running macOS Monterey 12.3, which was also released Monday, and iPad to be running iPadOS 15.4.

We already have a pretty good idea of how Apple’s new mask-friendly Face ID implementation should work after trying it out in beta. You can read our full thoughts here. In short, it does a decent job of recognizing faces even when the nose and mouth are covered with a mask but can still get tripped up by glasses, sunglasses, and floppy hats. Apple does warn that turning the new feature on could make Face ID less accurate overall.

Other features include new anti-stalking features for Apple’s AirTag trackers as well as a new, more gender-neutral Siri voice. There’s also support for a new Tap to Pay feature that lets iPhones accept contactless payments, though third-party providers like Stripe will have to add support to make it useful.

iOS 15.4 will be available for all iOS 15-compatible devices, which means anything from the iPhone 6S up is covered. iPadOS 15.4, meanwhile, is available for all iPad Pro models, the iPad Air second generation and up, the iPad mini fourth generation and up, and everything from the fifth generation of base iPad and later.

Finally, macOS Monterey 12.3 is supported on the following: iMac (late 2015 and newer), iMac Pro (2017 and newer), Mac Pro (late 2013 and newer), Mac Mini (late 2014 and newer), MacBook Pro (early 2015 and newer), MacBook Air (early 2015 and newer), MacBook (early 2016 and newer).

You can check for the update on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > General > Software Update. On Mac, you can go to System Preferences > Software Update.

Update March 14th, 1:15PM ET: Added information about macOS 12.3, which has also been released.

iOS 15.4 now live as Universal Control comes to iPads and Macs

The above screenshot shows stacked tabs (cascade view) in Brave Browser in an older version of the app.

And this is what the new Grid layout looks like in the browser's current version.

Firefox users may remember that the grid view was added to the mobile version of the browser in version 84, that was released in December 2020. As a Firefox user, I never really liked the grid layout or the idle tabs for that matter. It's an awful way to browse and manage tabs, which is why I use the List view. Though it does not look as good as stacked tabs, but it's better than the grid view.

Why do browser developers keep pushing Grid view as if it is the best option for tabs? Mobile devices have small screens, and hence can only display a limited number of cards at a time, which means the user has to scroll through a longer list of tabs than in stacked view.

This problem began about a year ago, when Google Chrome v88 introduced Grid View for tabs. Users had the option to disable it by changing a preference, that didn't last long, as Google removed the option to disable tab groups when Chrome 91 was rolled out.

Brave browser on the other hand, used to support it until the latest update. If you are still on an older version of the app, head to brave://flags and search for Tab Grid Layout, and Tab Groups. Tap on the drop-down menu and change the values for each flag from default to disabled. This used to turn off the grid view, and bring back the good old tab stack mode. But not anymore, even though the flags exist, modifying them does nothing.

The Chromium open source project is the reason for this change. I'm not defending Brave, I'm just pointing out where the change began. Since Brave Browser relies on the same source code, it too removed said feature from the latest version. The app's appearance page no longer has the option to disable Tab Groups either, which probably explains why editing the flag doesn't work, the old view mode doesn't exist.

Brave users are furious about the change, and have raised their pitchforks over at the app's GitHub repository, the official community forums, and also voiced their concerns about the Grid Layout on reddit.

In a way, I'm glad Firefox offers List View as a choice for the user. Vivaldi users can opt to use a tab bar, but it is not exactly as easy to use as a tab stack, and the app's tab switcher uses the same grid view as Chromium-based browsers.

If you really want to disable Tab Groups in Brave browser, there is a workaround. I don't really recommend it since it involves downgrading the browser to a previous version, as it could put your data at risk due to security issues that were patched in later builds. If you don't care about that, download a beta build APK of Brave Browser from a few weeks ago. e.g. Beta 1.36.104.

Install the app, open the app's settings page, and navigate to the Appearance section. Toggle the option labeled "Tab Groups", to disable it. You will need to restart the app to get the tab stacking feature back.

Do you like tab stacks or grid view in mobile browsers?

Brave Browser for Android removes support Tab Stack view, forcing users to use the Grid layout

Last week, Twitter introduced one of its worst product decisions in a while: the service would default to showing the algorithmically served Home feed while the reverse-chronological Latest feed was accessible in a separate tab. The change, which was available first on iOS and was set to arrive “soon” on Android and the web, made it more difficult to view tweets in chronological order. Following significant pushback, Twitter announced Monday that it would be reverting things to the way they used to be.

“We heard you — some of you always want to see latest Tweets first,” Twitter said in a tweet on its support account. “We’ve switched the timeline back and removed the tabbed experience for now while we explore other options.”

Some users shared criticism of the change almost immediately after its March 10th announcement, as the Latest feed is preferred to the Home feed for many. The out-of-sequence Home feed can, at times, be confusing, especially for people who use Twitter for updates during a breaking news event like the war in Ukraine. However, two Twitter execs noted in replies to Verge contributing editor Casey Newton that they would be working on the problem, and it appears that the original change won’t be going through as planned.

“We take feedback seriously, and in this case, we heard the new pinned Home & Latest wasn’t giving you the level of control over your timeline that you want,” Twitter spokesperson Shaokyi Amdo said in a statement to The Verge.

However, based on what the execs said, it seems Twitter may be investigating other possible changes to the timeline in the future. “Giving people choice and control over their Twitter experience is super important,” Twitter’s newly named VP of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, said in a reply to Newton on March 12th. “I’ll be working on this. Stay tuned.” Sullivan added that he was hoping the platform could achieve “a nice balance for all.”

Twitter rolls back its decision to force you into the out-of-order timeline

I reviewed YouTube Vanced back in August 2020 here on this site. YouTube Vanced was never available on Google Play, which meant that its installation was not as straightforward. Once installed, it offered a number of features that improved the YouTube viewing and browsing experience.

Features like built-in blocking of ads, dark mode support, sponsor skipping in videos, more control over video resolutions and qualities, or disabling certain YouTube elements and features were what made it popular.

According to The Verge, Google sent the owners of Vanced a cease and desist letter. Details are not clear at this point, but the letter resulted in the discontinuation of YouTube Vanced. The app will continue to work according to the developers, but it will stop working eventually. Third-party YouTube apps (and others) need regular maintenance, especially when new changes are introduced that affect functionality on the official service.

YouTube Vanced Alternatives

YouTube Vanced users may continue to use the app for now on Android, but it will stop working eventually. The following list includes alternatives for Vanced that users may want to try out.

NewPipe

NewPipe is another open source client for YouTube that makes a lot of things better than the official YouTube app by Google. NewPipe is not available on Google Play, but Android users may download it from the developer website or through F-Droid.

NewPipe blocks video ads on YouTube, supports video downloads and background playback among other things. It is fast and efficient to use, and gives users a lot of options to customize the viewing experience on YouTube.

SkyTube

SkyTube is yet another open source third-party client for YouTube. The Android application is available via its own website and via F-Droid.

Like NewPipe, it is adding features that many users would call essential to the YouTube experience on Android. Videos play without advertisement and the option to download content is also provided. The app offers a view-experience only, which means that it does not support signing in to a YouTube account. Still, features such as channel subscriptions, bookmarks or reading comments are all supported by it.

LibreTube

LibreTube is an open source YouTube frontend that is currently available as a beta. It is updated regularly

The client, while in beta, supports major features such as an ad-free viewing experience and downloads.

Firefox for Android with uBlock Origin

Firefox for Android is one of the few browsers for Android that supports extensions. While it does not support all extensions available for Firefox anymore, it does support a few essential ones, including uBlock Origin.

All you need to do is download Firefox, select Menu > Add-ons, and enable uBlock Origin. When you visit YouTube in the browser, advertisement is blocked automatically.

Downside to this is that you don't get any extra features that third-party clients offer, such as the downloading of videos. Functionality is limited to what YouTube's web version is offering.

YouTube alternatives and other options

YouTube users and creators who are looking for alternatives, may want to check out the following services:

• DTube -- DTube is a decentralized platform that uses blockchain and P2P technology. The platform is ad-free and revenue is earned through crypto-currency earnings.
• Invidious -- Another open source frontend for YouTube that blocks ads, disables tracking and offers lots of customization features. Runs in any browser.
• Piped -- Piped is an open source frontend for YouTube that several clients and services use. Users can self-host a Piped instance to benefit from zero tracking, no ads and more.

Now You: have other YouTube options that work on Android?

YouTube Vanced alternatives for Android

The popular Vanced YouTube app is being discontinued, after a legal threat from Google. The creators of Vanced have revealed the project will be shut down in the coming days, with download links set to be removed. While the app will continue to work for anyone who currently has it installed on Android, without any future updates it’s likely to stop working at some point soon. The Vanced owners say they’ve had to discontinue the project “due to legal reasons.”

Google sent the Vanced owners a cease and desist letter recently, which has forced the developers to stop distributing and developing the app. “We were asked to remove all references to ‘YouTube’, change the logo, and remove all links related to YouTube products,” says an admin from the Vanced team in a Discord message to The Verge.

Vanced is a popular third-party YouTube app for Android, particularly because it allows YouTube users to block all video ads on YouTube without a Premium subscription. Vanced also includes a true black theme, and customizations not offered in the official YouTube for Android app.

Vanced is the latest casualty in Google’s action against third-party apps that access YouTube. Google-owned YouTube forced two popular Discord music bots offline last year, before starting to test ad-supported YouTube integration into Discord just weeks later. The popular Rythm and Groovy Discord music bots also avoided ads on the service, allowing Discord users to listen to music together.

“Vanced has been discontinued,” reads a Telegram message from the Vanced owners. “We know this is not something you wanted to hear, but it’s something we need to do.” We’ve reached out to Google to comment on the discontinuation of Vanced, and we’ll update you accordingly.

“DISCONTINUATION OF THE VANCED PROJECT

Vanced has been discontinued. In the coming days, the download links will be taken down. The Discord server, Telegram chat and subreddit will stay for the time being. We know this is not something you wanted to hear, but it’s something we had to do. We want to thank you all for the support over the years.

Edit (1): The existing version will continue to work.
Edit (2): It was done due to legal reasons.”

Update, March 13th 9PM ET: Article updated with comment from the Vanced team on Google’s cease and desist letter.

Google forces YouTube Vanced to shut down ‘due to legal reasons’

The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max may be the only models in the upcoming lineup to carry a new A16 chip, according to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via 9to5Mac). In a tweet, Kuo indicates that the standard iPhone 14 and 14 Max will be left with the A15 chipset that comes in all models of the iPhone 13.

Additionally, Kuo claims every iPhone 14 model will come with 6GB of RAM, with both higher-end devices featuring the upgraded LPDDR5 memory, while the less expensive versions retain the LPDDR 4X present in the iPhone 13. As 9to5Mac points out, Apple has, in the past, given its more expensive models a processor with more cores or memory, but hasn’t used two entirely different processors to draw a line between standard and premium since the release of the iPhone 5S and 5C in 2013.

Kuo also predicts the iPhone 14 Max will have a 6.7-inch display, which would mark the first time that a Pro-size display is available in a cheaper, non-Pro phone. Kuo made a similar prediction back in June when he said Apple may be working on an iPhone with a bigger display that would cost under $900. Notably, the 5.4-inch display size is absent from Kuo’s list, a potential sign that Apple may be discontinuing the “mini” size.

Apple still hasn’t formally announced the iPhone 14 lineup, but it’s expected to make its debut at an upcoming iPhone event that’s typically held in the fall. This obviously hasn’t stopped rumors from swirling, with Kuo already forecasting a notch-less iPhone 14 with a hole-punch camera and Face ID hardware hidden under its screen.

On the Mac side of things, Apple watcher Mark Gurman has once again reiterated his prediction that the MacBook Air (along with three other MacBooks) will come with a new M2 chip, which 9to5Mac reports could be based on the iPhone 13’s A15 chip — not the rumored A16.

iPhone 14 Pro models may be the only devices to get the new A16 chip

Instagram is finally letting Live creators appoint moderators during their streams. Mods will have the ability to report comments, remove viewers from the stream, as well as turn off comments for a specific viewer.

Instagram notes that creators can assign a moderator by tapping the three dots in the comment bar during a Live. From there, they can choose a moderator from a list of suggested accounts, or use the search bar to search for a specific account.

Live has been around since 2016, and with that in mind, it comes as a bit of shock that Instagram has only just now started supporting moderators for its streams. Moderation has become a much-needed staple on other livestreaming platforms, like Twitch and YouTube, where comments can quickly get ugly. Even Instagram’s sister company, Facebook, gives users the ability to add mods to their streams and also added tools to remove trolls — just like the moderation features Instagram just launched.

As Instagram attempts to attract more creators to Live with the ability to monetize streams, the availability of chat moderators should hopefully make the streaming experience a lot more pleasant for creators.

Instagram is finally letting livestreamers add moderators

Google Translate Widget

Google hopes to make things easier for iOS users who always need a translator function. With this update, the new Google Translate widget can be easily accessed on the Home Screen. Now, you can take a photo to translate text, use conversation mode to chat in two languages, and translate the copied text with just a single tap.

XL Widget

According to Google, the new XL widget for Google Drive will be available next week, and it promises great help for those who constantly deal with their cloud-based files on iPad. More files on the Home Screen will be shown together with more shortcuts for the Priority files and Shared drives in this feature. There will also be other widget sizes to choose from, allowing iPad users to personalize the arrangement of their files.

Gmail and Chat Apps Update

The Gmail and Chat apps will be getting some updates from Google later this month. According to Google, it will add the sender’s profile photo on the chat notification for faster and easier identification.

Moreover, Google says that the update will help users determine which Chat and Gmail chat notifications can only break through Focus on their iPhone or iPad. The setting will allow users to select specific contacts they want to exempt from the Focus mode.

March 2022 Google Updates on iOS