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Ford's advanced BlueCruise driver assist features will only be available as a subscription
Ford announced today that it’s expanding the availability of its BlueCruise hands-free driving tech. Previously, customers had to decide whether to add the option on available models at purchase — and that decision was final. Now, the service will be installed as standard on all supported vehicles. In addition to enabling it at purchase, owners can add the service later or only activate it for months when needed (like for road trips).
Mozilla made a Firefox plugin for offline translation
The company is reducing its reliance on cloud-based translations.
Mozilla pulls four Firefox add-ons over excessive data collection
Browser security extensions aren't automatically safer -- they might even make things worse. Mozilla has pulled Avast's Online Security and SafePrice extensions for Firefox, plus their AVG-branded equivalents, after AdBlock Plus creator Wladimir Palant found they were collecting much more data than necessary. This included a detailed web history that went well beyond site addresses and search history, including when and how long you visit a site, what you click, the number of open tabs and even when you switch to another tab. Mozilla's policies explicitly forbid this kind of fine-grained collection.
John Romero's unofficial 'Doom' expansion is available now
If you'd like your Doom sequels more traditional than Doom Eternal, your fix is at hand. Series co-creator John Romero has released his unofficial (and significantly delayed) fifth episode for the original game, Sigil. The pack includes nine single-player and nine deathmatch maps that carry the spirit of the original game while taking advantage of Romero's 25 years of experience since the core Doom (which is required here) first reached gamers.
Firefox disabled all add-ons because a certificate expired (updated)
Many Firefox users around the world are browsing without their usual set of extensions after they suddenly stopped working earlier this evening. The event occurred as the clock rolled over on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, aka GMT or Greenwich Mean Time), and impacted users quickly narrowed it down to "expiration of intermediate signing cert" -- as it's described on Mozilla's bug tracker. This same problem almost happened three years ago, but "armagadd-on" 2.0 has torn things up once again. In a statement provided to Engadget, Product Lead Kev Needham said: We're sorry that there is currently an issue where existing and new add-ons are failing to run or be installed on Firefox. We know what the issue is and are working hard to restore add-on functionality to Firefox as soon as possible. We'll continue to provide updates via our Twitter channels. Please bear with us while we get the problem fixed.
Facebook sues two Ukranians over data-stealing browser add-ons
Facebook is all too aware of how developers can make off with private data, and it's willing to go to court to fight that behavior. The Verge has learned that the social network sued two Ukranian men, Andrey Gorbachov and Gleb Sluchevsky, for allegedly swiping private user data through deceptive browser extensions. They enticed users with horoscope and "who are you like" quizzes that would use a legitimate Facebook sign-in at first, but asked users to install add-ons that would grab both publicly visible info as well as private friend lists. They'd also serve their own ads instead of Facebook's own.
Chrome may help you track rogue browser extensions
It won't surprise you to hear that some Chrome extensions behave badly, but how do you spot malicious activity when it isn't always obvious? Google might soon have a way. Techdows has noticed a recent code submission for an "activity log stream" that would show extension tasks as they happen, with the option to freeze things if you spot something unusual. You'd likely need some technical knowledge to make sense of the data, but this could help you catch add-ons that siphon your data or otherwise go rogue without telltale signs.
Mozilla says Facebook isn't transparent enough with political ads
It's not just activist groups complaining that Facebook's browser add-on policies are hurting political ad transparency. Mozilla has sent a letter to the European Commission contending that Facebook's approach is creating a "lack of transparency." The browser developer wants to launch a Firefox Election package for the EU's upcoming parliamentary elections, but Facebook's recent changes will prevent an add-on in that package from identifying ads and showing how they're targeting users. Mozilla further noted that Facebook's political ad archive toolkit is still private and limited to a "small number of privileged researchers."
John Romero gifts 'Doom' 18 new levels for its 25th birthday
Ready to feel ancient? The original Doom is 25 years old -- and co-creator John Romero wants to make sure you know it. He's preparing an add-on for the 1993 game, Sigil, that serves as a "spiritual successor" to the classic shooter's fourth episode ("Thy Flesh Consumed") with nine single-player story levels as well as nine multiplayer deathmatch levels. The expansion will be free if you're just looking for some nostalgia-fueled demon slaying, but you can also spend a lot of money on it if you're determined to flaunt your fandom.
Gmail's third-party add-ons are ready to make short work of your inbox
In March, Google announced that it would soon internalize all the third-party Gmail add-ons. Previously, users had to install the plugins in each environment, like Chrome or non-Gsuite apps. Today, they are available within Gmail and, once installed, take effect on every device where the account is accessed.
Google Slides add-ons pull in content from around the web
Google Slides is about to make it easier if you want to whip together a polished presentation in a hurry. The productivity tool now supports add-ons that let you quickly drop in content without having to hunt for it in a separate website. You can add stock photos from Adobe, Shutterstock or Unsplash, for example. And if you want to customize things, there's now an Apps Script that lets you automatically fetch data and otherwise spare you from repetitive tasks.
'Kerbal Space Program' expansion has you making your own missions
Squad isn't done adding to Kerbal Space Program just because the game's protracted development is over... if anything, the studio is just getting started. The company has unveiled KSP's first expansion, Making History, and this is definitely represents more than your usual downloadable add-on. It earns its namesake from the ability to reenact real-life space missions (insofar as you can in a fictional universe, anyway), but the real highlight is the option to create your own missions. There's a simple "drag and drop" interface, Squad says, and you can throw players for a loop by introducing everything from arbitrary limits (such as fuel or time) to surprise events.
Gmail add-ons will soon be easier to use
Gmail add-ons are handy for adding quick access to tools you would ordinarily have to leave the email app to employ. At its Cloud Next conference today, Google announced that it's changing how you'll access those features. Right now, Gmail third-party add-ons are typically installed through a browser extension, but soon users will be able to browse and activate them just like those additional tools you can tack on to Google's other apps like Docs and Sheets.
An entire 'Pokémon' game is playable inside 'Minecraft'
When you think of Minecraft add-ons, you probably think of mini games or the occasional clever machine -- fun, but you'll likely be back to the main game before long. Well, you might want to clear your schedule with this one. Phoenix SC has released Pokémon Cobalt and Amethyst, a Minecraft add-on that recreates the adventuring and creature battles of its namesake game with uncanny attention to detail. There's a brand new storyline, 136 (!) new Pokémon and many of the experiences you know, including a blocky Pokédex. Reportedly, it could take you longer to beat than the official Pokémon games -- Phoenix SC is estimating that it'll take 60 to 80 hours to finish.
HTC Vive can do wireless VR with this $220 add-on
HTC is opening up pre-orders for a $220 add-on that cuts the Vive's wires and transforms it into a wireless VR headset. The peripheral that clips onto the device was made by a company called TPCAST and was designed under the Vive X program. If you'll recall, HTC launched the program to invest $100 million into startups looking to build accessories for the Vive. According to the company's interview with UploadVR, there'll be no "noticeable difference" when you use the device, implying that it won't turn VR experiences into laggy nightmares. HTC even promises that it will "greatly improve" the overall Vive experience.
Browser add-on caught selling identifiable web histories
When you include the word "trust" in your internet company's name, you're under more pressure than most to respect the privacy of your customers... and one firm is learning that lesson the hard way. Web of Trust Services' browser add-on has left the extension libraries for Chrome, Firefox and Opera after a German broadcaster's investigation revealed that Web of Trust was collecting and selling users' web histories to third parties. While the company said that it was anonymizing data, that didn't hold up under scrutiny. The broadcaster managed to identify over 50 people from sample data, and uncovered everything from active police investigations to the implied sexual orientation of a judge.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' add-on will tie into 'Rogue One'
EA and DICE are determined to wrap up Star Wars: Battlefront's year of add-ons with a bang. The developers have used Star Wars Celebration to reveal that the fourth DLC pack will revolve around the Rogue One storyline. Rogue One: Scarif will let you play as rebel Jyn Erso or her Imperial nemesis, Director Krennic, as you fight for the original Death Star's plans on the planet Scarif. While you're not getting a look at actual gameplay just yet, EA vows that the add-on will be available in time for the movie's mid-December debut. Season Pass holders will get to play two weeks early.
Facebook add-ons save and share stories in Chrome
Facebook's save-for-later feature just got much quicker if you're a Chrome fan. The social network is releasing a Save to Facebook extension for Google's web browser that lets you preserve that news story or recipe for posterity. There's a Share to Facebook add-on, too, so you don't have to copy-and-paste outside links. Both should be available in the Chrome Web Store today.
Here's how 'Star Wars Battlefront' does Jabba the Hutt's palace
Part of the allure of Star Wars Battlefront is seeing how it translates classic scenes from the movies to the video game world. How will it handle Jabba the Hutt's palace, for example? As of this week, you now have a good answer to that last question. EA and DICE have posted a trailer for the imminent Outer Rim expansion that gives you a solid look at Jabba's home, whether it's the vast sail barge garage or the tighter confines of the throne room. The clip also offers a peek at the volcanic world of Sullust and the two new hero/villain characters, Greedo and Nien Nunb -- Greedo's multi-shot ability looks like it could be a real ace in the hole when you're surrounded by enemies.
Chrome gaming add-ons steal your Steam inventory
Beware browser add-ons that promise to boost your Steam-based games -- you might be in for a rude surprise. Security gurus have spotted a known scammer offering Chrome extensions that claim to change your Counter-Strike: Global Offensive theme or help you gamble, but do nothing more than steal from your Steam inventory. It's not the greatest loss if you're a victim (the malware isn't compromising the games or your Steam account), but it'll probably leave you crestfallen if you spent ages collecting rare virtual objects.
