notifications
Latest
Twitter bought a company to make notifications more relevant
If it can make notifications better, Twitter could increase engagement and improve its bottom line.
Oculus will soon let you see how silly you look while playing VR games
You'll also be able to keep an eye on your phone notifications without taking off your headset.
The latest Android 12 developer preview includes improved picture-in-picture
It offers a look at more upcoming features, including extended security for lock screen notifications.
Why is Clubhouse so addicted to notifications?
Clubhouse says that notifications are an important part of its service. Some users say the app sends far too many.
Microsoft Edge gets smarter about handling annoying website notifications
Microsoft is now taking a smarter approach with how Edge handles website notifications.
Xbox beta testers can try the Xbox One UI redesign starting today
The August update includes some useful features for everyone.
Chrome test could discourage websites from abusing push notifications
Google is testing a feature that could prevent notification abuse in Chrome by making website alerts expire.
Rep. Schiff wants Google and Twitter to use COVID-19 misinformation warnings
Congressman Adam Schiff asks Google, YouTube and Twitter to notify users if they've interacted with COVID-19 misinformation.
Facebook warns users who 'interacted' with COVID-19 misinformation
Facebook will also expand its “Get the Facts” COVID-19 information center to Facebook News in the US.
Microsoft makes its advanced account protection free for healthcare workers
As if fighting the coronavirus pandemic weren’t challenging enough, cybercriminals are making things more difficult for healthcare providers and humanitarian groups. Typically aimed at politicians and their staff, AccountGuard notifies customers when Microsoft detects an attack and provides guidance on stopping it. The service will be available to these new groups until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, Microsoft said in an announcement.
Surface Duo may let you 'peek' at notifications
When it comes to the next generation of folding phones, Microsoft was right to choose dual displays over folding screens. But one thing some other foldable phones have that Microsoft lacks is a screen on the outside of the device. To make up for that, Microsoft appears to have a software feature that will let you preview calls and notifications by opening the Surface Duo just a crack.
Chrome will make website notification requests less irritating
Mozilla isn't the only one waging war against annoying website notification requests. Google has announced that Chrome 80 will show a "quieter" notification interface that won't seriously disrupt what you're doing. Whether you're on desktop or mobile, you'll get a brief, relatively non-intrusive alert (with a bell icon to see what you missed) instead of the usual pull-down. You'll have to enable this more respectful approach manually at first, but Google said it would eventually activate the feature automatically for both people who often block notifications as well as sites with "very low" opt-in rates.
Firefox puts an end to annoying notification requests
Firefox already has the option of blocking website notification requests, but Mozilla wants to go further by replacing them altogether. The newly available Firefox 72 replaces irksome notification pop-ups with a speech bubble that appears in the address bar. You'll still have access to notifications if you want them, but your web surfing won't come to a screeching halt when you visit a site for the first time.
Das Keyboard's notification service leaves IFTTT on January 10th
Some of Das Keyboard's highest-end models appear to be losing one of their major selling points. Users are receiving a warning that the Das Keyboard Q notification service, plus its matching applets, will leave IFTTT on January 10th. There's no explanation as to why, but IFTTT is pointing users to other "routers and computer accessories" services as an alternative -- not that they'd likely interact with your keyboard.
Microsoft begins rolling out its Windows 10 November update
Microsoft has started rolling out the Windows 10 November 2019 update. In theory, it's the second big update for Windows 10 of the year, but don't get too excited, it's more like a traditional Windows service pack of old, rather than a dazzling showcase of new stuff.
Facebook lets you get rid of those annoying notification dots
Facebook's red notification dots may feel like they exist more to keep you hooked than to keep you informed, but there's now a proper way to deal with them. The social network has confirmed that it's rolling out a Shortcut Bar Settings feature on iOS (coming to Android in the weeks ahead) that gives you control over what you see at the bottom of its mobile app. Press and hold on any of the buttons in the bar and you can remove a tab or simply silence its notifications. If Marketplace keeps bugging you to look at items you don't want, you can silence those alerts forever. You can also manage the bar to customize it to your liking.
Instagram lets IGTV creators send notifications to fans
Instagram has added a few features to make it easier for anyone to create and share series on IGTV. Now, creators can blast their fans with notifications. They can organize videos on a series page and have a series title appear on each video. And, when viewers watch an episode from a series, IGTV will automatically recommend the next episode.
Android notifications arrive on Windows 10 'Your Phone' app
Bill Gates might regret losing to Google in the mobile OS domain, but Microsoft continues to work on various projects for Android. It just rolled out Your Phone, an app that mirrors Android phone notifications so you can see them directly on your desktop. It will show new messages from Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger and other apps, and if you dismiss them on your PC, it will also dismiss them on your phone -- a major time-saving convenience.
Facebook tests controls that turn off those angry red notification dots
Red may be an attention-grabbing color, but too much of it can trigger anxiety. You might soon see a lot less of the hue on Facebook. The company is testing the ability to turn off the crimson in-app notification dots that seem to pop up every time you check Facebook on your phone. Social media consultant Matt Navarra pointed out on Twitter today that testing is underway. Earlier this summer, reverse engineering specialist Jane Manchun Wong noticed the feature hidden in the Android app.
Jaguar’s ‘sensory steering wheel’ heats up to deliver notifications
Much of the technology developed for new cars has to do with safety, and that's for good reason -- in 2017, distracted driving killed 3,166 people in the US. Like other manufacturers, Jaguar Land Rover hopes it can prevent fatalities, but the way it wants to get there is unique. The company has developed a steering wheel that heats up to give drivers signals, like when to turn or that they're approaching an intersection. According to Jaguar, the "sensory steering wheel" will help drivers keep their eyes on the road.
