Chrome 42 beta takes push notifications beyond the smartphone

By Jon Martindale Published March 16, 2015

chrome 42 beta takes push notifications beyond the smartphone lenovo chromebook — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Even though desktop web browsing still remains the most versatile of platforms, smartphones have managed to leap-frog ahead in some respects, most notably in their real time interaction between the browser and content. That could be all set to change in Chrome’s beta 42 release, though, which adds the ability for developers to have push-notifications on their sites, much like smartphone apps.

With this new feature there is the potential for site owners and developers to deliver more timely updates to their users, regardless of platform or operating system, perhaps offering a heads-up when a new story is broken, or that the auction you were keeping an eye on is about to end.

Recommended Videos

Related: Watch out, Chrome, there are two new browsers in town!

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Of course, with any such addition, there is the potential for abuse, which is why Google has built in a system whereby users have to allow a site to display push-notifications within the browser. It isn’t a one and done thing either, as that permission can be taken away at a moment’s notice with a couple of changes in the settings menu.

Other notable features in this latest Chrome release include one for Android users, which automatically offers to promote your favorite sites to your home screen. If you visit any particular domain often enough, the new 42 beta build will suggest that you add a shortcut to that site on your home screen. Sites will need to at least partially work offline to be eligible for this new feature, though the criteria may change over time.

Another addition we’re quite excited about however is one that will save power by automatically pausing non-primary plug-in content. Better yet, it will also stop you from having to sift through tabs to find that one advert playing audio over what you’re trying to do.

What do you think of the new Chrome 42 beta changes?

Topics

Evergreen writer

Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…

Computing

The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M3 is down to $899 on Best Buy

The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

If you've been thinking about buying the latest version of the MacBook Air but it's been just beyond your budget, this might be the chance you've been waiting for. The 13-inch model of the Apple MacBook Air M3, which usually sells for $1,099, is available from Best Buy with a $200 discount that brings its price down to $899. We're not sure how much time is remaining before this offer expires, so if you want to take advantage of the savings, you're going to have to complete your purchase right away.

Why you should buy the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M3
The Apple MacBook Air M3 is the most recent release in this popular line of laptops, and it's powered by the Apple M3 chip for supercharged performance. The eight-core CPU, eight-core GPU, and 16GB of RAM pushes the boundaries of the device -- in fact, the Apple MacBook Air M3's gaming performance is better than expected. It's not going to challenge the best gaming laptops, but the ability to play video games on what is more widely known as a productivity tool is a huge bonus.

Computing

This software stops spam calls, and it’s 55% off right now

Delete my data?

Since most people's personal information eventually ends up in the hands of data brokers, we highly recommend signing up for an Incogni subscription. Incogni is a data broker removal service that will protect your privacy, with annual plans that will cost $180 or $15 per month for an individual plan and $396 or $33 per month for a family and friends plan where you can invite up for four people.

However, if you sign up through the link below and input the coupon code DIGITALDEAL upon checkout, you'll enjoy a 55% discount, so you'll only have to pay $81, or about $7 per month, for an individual plan for total savings of $99, and $178, or about $15 per month, for a family and friends plan for total savings of $218. Sign up now if you're interested to secure the discount!

Computing

Why you need a VPN — and which one to get

iPhone with VPN service enabled in hand over a blurred background

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a necessity these days to protect your online privacy. A VPN lets you take advantage of high-performance servers that are set up around the world that serve as middlemen while you browse the internet. Whenever you access a website, the data that you send will not have your own address but rather that of the VPN's, making your location difficult to track, shielding you from surveillance and preventing hackers from intercepting your information.

When logging on to a VPN, you choose one of the servers that the service provides. If you choose a server that's located in another country, your computer or mobile device will appear like it's located in that place. This brings up another benefit of VPNs: the ability to get around geoblocking. This will allow people to access certain websites that are banned by their government, but it also has simpler uses such as accessing streaming content that's not available in your region.