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At its virtual Build 2020 developers conference, Microsoft announced a number of new business related features and other improvements coming to Chromium Edge.

Microsoft Edge recently surpassed Mozilla Firefox to become the second most popular desktop browser after Google Chrome and the software giant has yet to roll out its Chromium-based browser as a Windows update.

The company also revealed that its Edge team has made “over 3,000 commits” to the Chromium open source project since December of last year. These improvements were to a number of different areas including accessibility, inking, scrolling and localization and impact all Chromium browsers on Windows as well as frameworks such as Electron.

• Microsoft Edge update wants to end web spam forever
• Microsoft open-sources its coronavirus threat intelligence
• These are the best browsers of 2020

New business features

Microsoft has positioned Chromium Edge as the browser for business which is why the company has announced several new features designed to help IT managers and information workers.

The first of which is syncing and installed extensions in Edge will be able to sync across multiple devices. The company has created a new policy that allows IT professionals to manage the types of data that sync for their users such as turning off the ability to sync passwords.

Next up is Automatic Profile Switching and this feature will detect if a link a user is trying to open needs their work credentials and will then switch to their work profile, if they're already logged in. This could be quite useful for those working from home as it will allow them to set a default profile for any link based on whether it is work related or personal.

Edge also now supports Windows Information Protection which helps protect content in a web environment where users share and distribute content frequently. This feature separates a user's personal and corporate data, adds extra protection for line-of-business apps and provides audit reporting for compliance purposes.

Chromium Edge is gaining users at a steady pace and these new business features will likely convince some people to move away from Google Chrome, especially if they are already using Microsoft's apps and services at their organizations.

• Also check out our roundup of the best password managers

Via VentureBeat

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Latest Gadgets News

iPhone SE (2020), Apple’s latest smartphone, is going on sale in India today at 12pm (noon). Buyers will be able to place their orders online on Flipkart for the phone at a starting price of Rs. 42,500.

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Carbon emissions dropped dramatically under coronavirus lockdowns - CNET

We've been locked down and the planet's been breathing easier, but experts warn emissions could rebound quickly.

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See Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot herd sheep like a pro in new video - CNET

The robot could end up being an ideal ranch hand that acts like a sheep dog but doesn't need to be fed.

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Ruby Rose unexpectedly leaves Batwoman TV series on The CW - CNET

Warner Bros. to recast her role of Kate Kane/Batwoman before season 2 of the DC Comics series debuts in 2021.

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Latest Gadgets News

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on Monday urged the European Union to take the lead in setting global standards for tech regulation or risk seeing countries follow China as a model.

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Survey: 3 out of 4 Americans say driverless cars 'not ready for primetime' - CNET

A poll conducted by PAVE shows Americans are pessimistic about self-driving cars, and it's probably because they just don't understand them.

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Think the Google Pixel 4 was expensive at its $799 / £669 / AU$1,049 starting price? The Google Pixel 5 could be cheaper than that if an official Google survey is anything to go by.

The Google Pixel 5 could cost $699 (around £572 / AU$1,070) instead – and the Google Pixel 4a could be cheaper than its predecessor, too, costing $349 (around £246 / AU$535). 

Those are prices suggested for hypothetical Google Pixel phones in a company survey, which was allegedly sent to a Reddit user, who provided a screenshot of it. The survey asked which of two unnamed Pixel smartphones the receiver would choose – and though the Pixel phones were unnamed, they seemed to describe the Pixel 4a (a ‘radically helpful phone’ with a 3.5mm jack) and the Google Pixel 5 (the best flagship Google phone with best in class camera).

While the prices are by no means definite, their comparison suggests Google is looking to see whether people will choose between cheaper and more expensive Pixel phones. Will people pay extra for a Pixel 5, or would they save money by choosing the more affordable Pixel 4a? 

• Google Pixel 5: all we know about the next Google flagship 
• Google Pixel 4a: the affordable Google mid-range phone is launching soon
• Best cheap phones: the top affordable handsets

Survey says: the Google Pixel 4a is cheaper than the iPhone SE 2020

A $699 Google Pixel 5 would certainly undercut this year's flagships, but it won't be the brand's first phone this year. The Google Pixel 4a is expected to launch in the next few weeks, and rumors have kept us wondering how it will keep its predecessor’s low-cost advantage. 

Indeed, the Google Pixel 3a seemed like a steal at a starting price of $399 / £399 / AU$649 when it was introduced in May 2019, but with the iPhone SE 2020 released last month at an identical price, we’re very curious how the next mid-range Google phone will be competitive.

Dropping the Pixel 4a’s pricetag could make it more competitive against Apple’s new budget phone – that’s a 12% discount over the iPhone SE 2020 right off the bat. But we’ll wait and see what other features could allow Google’s mid-range handset retake the mid-range phone crown.

Via Android Authority

• Best Android phone: the top phones running Google's mobile OS

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India's federal government toned down its directive over compulsory use of the Aarogya Setu app for several categories of citizens. The move comes a day after the country's cyber security agency warned of online scamsters of using the app for phishing attacks. 

But, that is not all. A lobby of pharmacists representing over 850,000 retail outlets in India have petitioned the government to delink the Aarogya Setu Mitr portal from the app, claiming that foreign-funded and illegal e-pharmacies were using the Aarogya Setu app to advance their business interests in the country. 

Not fair, chemists lobby tells PM

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the All Indian Organisation of Chemists and Druggists expressed concern that the tracing app was used to advance the business interests of foreign-funded pharma chains. 

"The Aarogya Setu Mitr website being linked to Aarogya Setu application is a matter of greater concern since the faith reposed by the public in the said app is being betrayed by allowing illegal e-pharmacies to operate in India," the statement said. 

Phishing in lockdown times

On the phishing attacks, market research by Check Point revealed that over 192,000 coronavirus-related cyber-attacks per week had occurred over three consecutive weeks with numbers growing by 30% in the latest period. 

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) says in its latest alert that phishing attacks have seen a significant rise around the Aarogya Setu as well as video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Scamsters were impersonating WHO, HR departments of companies and digital influencers to spread fake references of a neighbour or an acquaintance being infected. 

“Threat actors are taking the interest of users related to Coronavirus and performing threats. New phishing domains are created which are centred around the subject such as "relief package", "safety tips during corona", "corona testing kit", "corona vaccine", "payment and donation during corona". Threat actors trick users through phishing emails and messages based on the above subjects,” CERT-IN says. 

The advisory went on to warn users to watch out for phishing domains, spelling errors in emails and websites as well as unfamiliar senders. CERT-IN said users should also not download or open any file received via email or SMS. 

Government tones down

Meanwhile, India's Federal Home ministry toned down its May 1 directive on who should download the Aarogya Setu app compulsorily. Instead of insisting that all staff in offices should get the app on their phones, the latest directive has put the onus on employers to ensure that Aarogya Setu is installed on a best-effort basis. 

In other words, those having smartphones can instal the apps whereas others need not do so. District authorities have also been given similar suggestions. In the previous notification, the ministry had asked local authorities to "ensure 100 percent coverage of Aarogya Setu app among residents in containment zones," a factor that is missing from the more recent order. 

Meanwhile, a report in The Hindu refers to a database maintained by the MIT Technology Review whereby it appears as though the Aarogya Setu poses significant risks to user privacy as compared to similar apps in other countries. However, the report says that similar apps in China and Turkey pose greater risk than the Made in India app for contact tracing. 

• Aarogya Setu could be made mandatory for passengers in India
• India's Covid-19 tracing Aarogya Setu App may not be in good health
• How effective is India’s Aarogya Setu app in Covid-19 detections?

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Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth and Cate Blanchett do virtual reading of James and the Giant Peach - CNET

Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tessa Thompson, Eddie Redmayne and others also join in on the fun reading Roald Dahl's famous kids book to raise money for charity.

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UPDATE: After a bit of a drought on the console front, some decent Xbox One X bundles have landed on Microsoft's online store which are quite decently priced – you can check out those deals below.

We research the best Xbox One sales to bring you the best value bundle deals every week. We generally find opting for an Xbox One bundle instead of a console-only deal is a smart way to go as you'll most likely get more for your money, with extra games and accessories thrown in to sweeten the deal.

To make finding the best Xbox One bundle deal less tasking, we've scoured the internet for the lowest prices on bundles and best console deals and rounded them up here in one spot for you. 

As we stay indoors to self-isolate due to the threat of Covid-19, what better time to pick up a console and get stuck into some games? Below you will find the lowest prices in Australia for both the Xbox One S, Xbox One X and the newly released Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Admittedly, it's getting tough to find consoles for sale at the moment, let alone great deals. That said, we're committed to bringing you the best Xbox One prices we can find during this difficult time.

A fantastic option for those who don't want to buy a new Xbox One console as we approach the upcoming release of the next-generation Xbox Series X, Microsoft's Xbox All Access service offers month-to-month access to an Xbox One console, along with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. This allows users to access the console and over 100 great games for a very reasonable monthly-fee. 

With the unveiling of the Xbox One X, the Xbox One S has seen some impressive price drops and bundle deals with Microsoft going all out to pump up the pressure on its rivals. It was already often the cheapest console of the current generation, but with some of these savings on bundles and even Xbox One controllers, the price seems right. 

At this point it's probably wiser to buy a bundle and score some wicked Xbox One games along with the unit, as some of them can come in cheaper than the standalone consoles themselves.

At once more elegant and more powerful, the slimmed-down design of the Xbox One S ditches the external power brick and chunky looks of the original Xbox One. More importantly, it comes kitted out with 4K visual support meaning you'll be able to watch specialised Blu-Ray and Netflix content in 4K.

• To compare Xbox One prices in real time, check out our pick below, or visit our sister site Getprice.

Xbox One X prices are constantly changing from store to store, making it hard to keep up at times. To take the pain out of scoping out the best Xbox One X prices this Black Friday 2019, you should be able to find the best real-time deals listed below, updated live, along with some hand-picked options. 

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The Click Frenzy online sale bonanza is back, and Australia’s top telco is offering an unbeatable deal on Microsoft's Xbox All Access service to help keep you entertained at home for many months to come.

Telstra is treating its existing customers to a discounted subscription to Xbox All Access, which includes an Xbox One S, plus a 24-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold for just AU$22 a month – that’s a saving of AU$120 if you stick with the service.

All up, you’ll pay a minimum cost of AU$528, and will get to keep the console after the 24-month period. To put that into perspective, an Xbox One S usually costs around AU$379, and an Xbox Live Gold subscription on its own will usually set you back AU$160 over two years, which already totals AU$539.

With this killer deal, you’ll get all that plus a digital download of Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions and a continually updated library thanks to an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

• What is Xbox All Access? Everything you need to know
• Our review of the Xbox One S
• These are the best games on Xbox One

Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s rotating roster of full, premium Xbox games. There’s always access to over 100 games, and usually there’s great titles available, including big names such as Red Dead Redemption 2. 

While these titles are available to play for a limited time, as they come and go from Microsoft’s library, it’s a great way to play a range of games with little upfront cost. Even better, most of Microsoft’s in-house releases are available to play on Xbox Game Pass as soon as they’re released.

If you want to play online with your mates, Xbox Live Gold is the service you need for online gaming. It also includes a few free games each month, which you can keep forever if you claim them during the time they’re available.

• Want more of the best Click Frenzy deals? Check out our roundup

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At $99.99 (roughly £85/AU$155), the Pinebook from Pine64 is by far the cheapest brand new laptop on the market. Despite leaving plenty to be desired from a hardware perspective, it has amassed a loyal following worldwide.

Other than a small screen update, the device is pretty much unchanged since it was launched (and reviewed) in 2017.

At the time, our reviewer said: “If you’re after an affordable Linux laptop, look no further. Yes, you’ll need to get used to the keyboard, and the touchpad is oversensitive – but for Linux students, coding beginners and even children, the Pinebook is an excellent option that you should not overlook.”

• Here's our list of the best Linux distros around
• Check out our list of the best Linux distros for privacy and security of 2020
• We've built a list of the best Linux distros for gaming on the market

Yes, this is a Linux laptop (Ubuntu to be more precise) with a MATE desktop environment, but not a particularly powerful one.

It features 2GB of LPDDR3, 16GB eMMC (albeit v5.0) and a quad-core AllWinner system-on-chip - a set of components that would barely make it into an entry-level 4G smartphone.

The highlights of the device have to be the full HD 11.6-inch IPS display and attractive MacBook Air aesthetic (circa 2015). Beyond that, the Pinebook includes a microSD slot, HDMI port and two USB 2.0 ports, as well as a full size keyboard with large touchpad, 10,000mAh battery, Bluetooth, WiFi and a VGA camera.

We’re a little concerned by the 30-day warranty and the fact the customer has to cover the freight charges. Although this additional cost will, of course, be offset by the miniscule price tag.

Note, while Pine64 ships to most territories worldwide, international customers may be levied additional charges and fees by customs.

• What is the best Linux distro for beginners?

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Second stimulus check for $1,200? Here's the status of new government proposal - CNET

Learn more about the proposed second coronavirus relief bill that would provide another round of payments to US residents. Here's the current situation, as the bill moves from the House to the Senate.

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Latest Tech News

In August 2018 Microsoft announced the launch of Xbox All Access, a subscription service which allows those who sign up to get an Xbox One S or Xbox One X console, Xbox Games Pass and Xbox Live Gold for a flat per month fee – with no upfront costs. It took over a year to arrive, but Xbox All Access has officially landed in Australia via Telstra.

To see if the Xbox All Access offer is for you, we put together this handy guide explaining everything we know about Xbox All Access and assessing whether it's good value compared to just buying all those Xbox bits and bobs separately.

Xbox All Access: what is it?

Xbox All Access is subscription service which sees you receive an Xbox One S or Xbox One X console, 24-months of Xbox Live Gold (required for online multiplayer) and 24-months of Xbox Games Pass (Microsoft's subscription service that grants access to over 100 games) in return for paying a fixed monthly fee for 24 months.

Xbox All Access: what's the price in Australia?

In Australia, you can sign up Xbox All Access via Telstra on a 24-month plan, with pricing starting at AU$27 per month for an Xbox One S, up to AU$34 per month for an Xbox One X and bonus game. This includes console repayments and plan charges

Once the first 24 months are over and the console repayments are finished, the price will automatically adjust to AU$15.95 per month. Early termination charges do apply.

While those minimum cost prices may seem high in comparison to just buying the consoles outright, it's important to take into account that this fee also covers two years worth of both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass. 

One year of Xbox Live Gold is priced at AU$79.95, bring the two-year total to AU$159.90. Meanwhile, the monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass is AU$10.95. Over 24 months, this would come to AU$262.80. 

If you were to buy the Xbox One S console separately at retail price, you'd be looking at around AU$399 for the console + AU$159.90 + AU$262.80, bringing the total to $821.70. Factor in the Xbox One X's retail price of AU$549, and you'd be looking at a total cost of AU$971.70.

Whether you opt for the Xbox One S or Xbox One X plan, you're saving money either way when you consider the value added by the included subscriptions over a 24-month period. 

Xbox All Access: important things to know

Before you sign up for Xbox All Access there are some crucial details to be aware of:

If you return the console, you are still responsible to pay for both memberships each month you are connected

Xbox All Access is subject to the Microsoft Store standard return policy. This means your chosen console has a 30-day return policy. However both memberships are not returnable and are non-refundable.  

It's yours to keep after the 2 years

Signing up for Xbox All Access means you own the console and the 24 month Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold memberships outright upon purchase. 

Early termination during the initial 24-month period will result in additional charges

According to Telstra's terms and conditions, cancelling your Xbox All Access subscription after the first 30 days will result in termination charges, much like with a mobile phone plan. 

For the Xbox One S, this means paying AU$409.37 (1 month + AU$382.37 remaining on your console) with the overall payout reducing by AU$16.625 each month that you stay connected.

For the Xbox One X, early termination means paying AU$659.95 (1 month + AU$621.95 remaining on your console) with the overall payout reduced by AU$27.042 each month you stay connected.

More information is available at Telstra's website. 

• Best Xbox One X games: what to play on the world's most powerful console

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