When version 100 of Google's Chrome browser is available to download, it will be without the Lite mode that enables less mobile data to be used on Android devices when browsing the web, and I couldn't be happier.
In a blog post , the company explained that it doesn't see the need for a feature to minimize data used in its web browser , when the amount of cellular data has increased, while the cost has stayed the same.
The feature arrived back in 2014 as a way to load webpages with less data being used, which could be useful for those on a small data plan for their smartphone.
Having sold phones and data plans to customers in a previous career, the end of this feature is only good news for me, but mainly for the customer who reads their content from Chrome on a mobile device every day.
When does Chrome 100 arrive?
According to Google's Roadmap status page for Chrome , version 100 will arrive on March 29, with a beta arriving around March 3.
This will apply to all versions of Chrome - from its mobile versions to the desktop on PC, Mac and Chromebook .
But with the Data Saver feature only on Android versions, it's not going to be something that's missed by many users, especially as there's data saving features built into Android 12 for all apps anyway, by going to Settings > Cellular Data.
Having worked at a phone store for years before switching careers to be a writer, helping customers with their phones and the data they would use, would be a common task for me. Some would come in, asking me why they had received a text stating they were at 80% of their monthly data usage.
Looking at how much data apps would be used, a web browser would usually reign supreme at the top of this list. But this was in a time where 2GB of data a month would be normal to see, not the 150GB a month or unlimited plans we all see advertised.
But when a 'lite' mode would appear on a browser or a social media app like Facebook, it would degrade the experience. I remember pixelated images loading instead, or certain content removed so the text would be all over the place.
However, it's finally time to see the back of these features - they only hinder, not help the experience if you're trying to search for something or read the latest news in Chrome on your Samsung S22 .
As Google Chrome hits a century of a version number, it's great to see this disappear, and instead, enrich the content that's available for your interests across the spectrum of the web.
However, Firefox is also approaching version 100 , so there's a chance that we may see a landmark feature arrive from Mozilla as well. March is looking to be an eventful time for web browsers on many devices, and I'm here for it.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 getting huge new update during S22 launch day
Samsung has announced a new fitness upgrade that sees it bringing much-needed fitness and wellness features to the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic - two of the best smartwatches on the market in our tests.
The headline upgrades focus heavily around fitness and wellness: users will now get a 30-day trial of the Chris Hemsworth-helmed Centr training platform (which is a pretty decent upgrade, as it's listed as one of our best home workout apps ), as well as improved sleep insights.
The tie-in with Centr isn’t just limited to the trial of the program, but also uses the body composition insights from the service to give better understanding of a user’s overall health.
Users of the Watch 4 range will need to wear the device for 5 weekday nights and 2 weekend nights to get the new insights, which will (in association with two surveys from the user) will give coaching and article recommendations to help users gain more restful slumber.
For some reason, Samsung will also ascribe users a ‘sleep animal’ to show what kind of sleeper they are, although it’s unclear if this is for anything other than odd cuteness.
Witness the fitness (upgrade)
The other big upgrade is to the fitness app, where users will be able to set intervals for their training sessions on bike or foot, It’s rather rudimentary, but a key feature of improved fitness that many will have previously downloaded a separate app to achieve.
That's joined by the ability - to be available 'in the coming months' - for users to choose between Google Assistant or Bixby as the voice assistant on the Watch 4 - that's hardly going to be a difficult choice, we'd imagine.
Samsung is furthering its WearOS relationship with Google by allowing YouTube Music users to stream music over Wi-Fi or LTE without needing the phone nearby. However, given that Spotify support allows for downloading of tracks for offline use , this doesn’t sound as impressive.
Samsung is also unveiling a greater range of watch faces and straps for the Watch 4 and Watch 4 classic, which will be available late February.
The new software will be available to download from February 9, the same day that the Samsung Galaxy S22 is set to launch - it’s likely this will be referenced during the presentation (and don’t forget - we’ve got all the information on how to watch the Galaxy S22 live stream right here).
These high-spec wireless headphones boast an incredible 50-hour battery life
Technics has lifted the lid on its latest pair of wireless headphones at CES 2022 . The Technics EAH-A800 set comes with some exciting specs for audiophiles, including 50-hour battery life and newly developed drivers that are inspired by the company's work in high-end amplifiers.
Those 40mm dynamic drivers are made from a mix of materials chosen for strength and flexibility, which should ensure a clear sound and deep bass with minimal distortion – an issue that dynamic drivers capable of displacing lots of air can suffer from.
The drivers are contained within an acoustic control chamber. This controls airflow for "precise bass and rich spatial expression", while the use of thin polymer multi-layer capacitors (as seen in Technics' amplifiers) should ensure a stable current and limit distortion even further.
In other words? You can expect a clear, rich audio performance from the EAH-A800, which isn't muddied by harsh tones or distorted sounds and allows you to pick out every detail of your favorite songs.
As Technics puts it, the company has strived to "communicate the dynamics of lively music, the breath-taking silence and tension of musical performances, the energy of instrumentalists, and the inspiration of singers’ voices". That's exactly what you want from a pair of headphones that also supports hi-res audio for crystal-clear streaming over Bluetooth.
Ideal headphones for commuters
Technics hasn't only focused on the sound of its latest headphones . The EAH-A800 headphones also come with active noise cancellation to block out the sound of the world around you, making them ideal for use while traveling or trying to work in a loud environment. That's complemented by a fantastically long battery life of 50 hours.
That battery life isn't quite the longest we've seen – the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT boasts 60 hours, for example – but it's damn good for a pair of wireless headphones.
If you do want to be able to hear your surroundings, there are two other modes to choose from: Natural Ambient Mode captures environmental noise, allowing you to hear as if you weren't wearing headphones at all, and Attention Mode reduces some external noise while boosting voices, so you can hear announcements and conversations more clearly.
Phone calls should sound pretty clear through the EAH-A800, with four microphones in each earcup to pick up your voice. Active noise cancellation is also applied during calls, reducing the sound of your environment so you can be heard more clearly during conversations.
Some of the microphones have been equipped with mesh materials to reduce wind noise and further improve the quality of calls in windy environments.
Another handy feature for phone calls is multipoint pairing, which allows you to connect the headphones to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Technics says that if you join a video conference on your laptop , but need to discuss a matter with someone else on your phone, you can simply touch the call button on the headphones to switch over – pretty nifty.
So, how much will all this cost? We're still awaiting global pricing, but they'll cost £299 in the UK – that works out at around $400 / AU$560. That's no small amount to pay for a pair of headphones, but the specs are so well-rounded that we daresay the Technics EAH-A800 will prove popular among commuters and those that work from a variety of locations and need to join video calls in noisy environments.
And, if they sound as good as Technics promises, they'll be a hit with the audiophile crowd, too.