Google explains a number of changes that it will be making on May 15. Along with opening up AI-based Google Photos features to more users, it is also going to phase out two benefits. Continue Reading on AppleInsider Discuss on our Forums

Last year, the company expanded its availability across all One plans, including the basic $2-per-month option, making it more affordable than before. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

availability across all One plans, including the basic $2-per-month option, making it more affordable than before. At the moment, you can access One's VPN service if you're in one of the 22 countries where it's active, whether you're on iOS or Android. You can also use it to mask your internet usage on a Mac or Windows computer . Google didn't say when the VPN service will stop working completely, but it told 9to5Google that it's discontinuing the feature because "people simply werent using it." Instead of trying to drum up interest, it's redirecting its resources to support other in-demand One features. However, you'll still be able to use the free VPN that comes with Pixel devices even after One's shuts down through the Settings app on Pixel 7 devices and newer models. This article originally appeared on Engadget at ...?src=rss

months after launch, and right on time, Google's bringing it to previous Pixel phones. But it's not stopping there; any Google Photos user with an Android or iOS device that meets the minimum requirements will be able to use it without a Google One subscription -- you'll just be limited to 10 saved edits per month. Pixel owners and paid subscribers, however, will get unlimited use. Older features like Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser -- which used to be available only to Pixel owners and certain Google One subscribers -- will be free for all Photos users. Google has a full list of these features on its Photos community site, and it includes things like editing portrait mode blur and lighting effects (useful, but not the cutting-edge stuff, for better or worse). Other generative AI features that launched with the Pixel 8 series, like Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser, are remaining exclusive to those newest Pixels, at least for now. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

photo editing tool, and it debuted as one of the headline AI features on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro . Those kinds of features typically remain exclusive to new Pixels for six months after launch, and right on time, Google??????s bringing it to previous Pixel phones. But it??????s not stopping there; any Google Photos user with an Android or iOS device that meets the minimum... Continue reading???

a rogue trash can or photo bomber. Magic Editor uses generative AI to move, stretch and resize objects. You can even bring yourself to the center of a photo or closer to another person. It also lets you make large-scale edits, like changing the sky from gray to blue. Magic Editor Android and iOS Google Photos users will get ten monthly saves, while anyone looking to increase that limit will need either a Pixel device or paid Google One plan with 2TB+. The Google Photos features will roll out to non-subscribers over a few weeks, starting May 15. On desktop, they will only be available if you have a Chromebook Plus that has ChromeOS version 118+. To access on mobile, you'll need at least Android 8.0 or iOS 15 and 3GB of RAM. This article originally appeared on Engadget at ...-160 336.html?src=rss

Windows app "breaks" the Windows DNS, and this has been ongoing since at least November. A VPN would naturally route all your traffic through a secure tunnel, but you've still got to do DNS lookups somewhere. A lot of VPN services also come with a DNS service, and Google is no different. The problem is that Google's VPN app changes the Windows DNS settings of all network adapters to always use Google's DNS, whether the VPN is on or off. Even if you change them, Google's program will change them back. Most VPN apps don't work this way, and even Google's Mac VPN program doesn't work this way. The users in the thread (and the ones emailing us) expect the app, at minimum, to use the original Windows settings when the VPN is off. Since running a VPN is often about privacy and security, users want to be able to change the DNS away from Google even when the VPN is running. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

up with our top picks for the best VPN for 2024, and lay out what you should know before paying for one. What is a VPN? VPNs, or virtual private networks, mask your IP address and the identity of your computer or mobile device on the network and creating an encrypted "tunnel" that prevents your internet service provider (ISP) from accessing data about your browsing history. VPNs are not a one-size-fits-all security solution, though. Instead, theyre just one part of keeping your data private and secure. Roya Ensafi , assistant professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, told Engadget that VPNs dont protect against common threats like phishing attacks, nor do they protect your data from being stolen. Much of the data or information is stored with the VPN provider instead of your ISP, which means that using a poorly designed or unprotected network can still undermine your security. But they do come in handy for online privacy when youre connecting to an untrusted network somewhere public because they tunnel and encrypt your traffic to the next hop. That means sweeping claims that seem promising, like military-grade encryption or total digital invisibility, may not be totally accurate. Instead, Yael Grauer , program manager of Consumer Reports online security guide, recommends looking for security features like open-source software with reproducible builds, up-to-date support for industry-standard protocols like WireGuard (CR's preferred protocol) or IPsec , and the ability to defend against attack vectors like brute force. Understand your VPN needs Before considering a VPN, make sure your online security is up to date in other ways. That means complex passwords, multi-factor authentication methods and locking down your data sharing preferences. Even then, you probably dont need to be using a VPN all the time. If you're just worried about somebody sitting there passively and looking at your data then a VPN is great, Jed Crandall , an associate professor at Arizona State University, told Engadget. If you use public WiFi networks a lot, like while working at a coffee shop, then VPN usage can help give you private internet access. Theyre also helpful for hiding information from other people on your ISP if you dont want members of your household to know what youre up to online. Geoblocking has also become a popular use case as it helps you reach services in other parts of the world. For example, you can access shows that are only available on streaming services , like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, in other countries, or play online games with people located all over the globe. Are VPNs worth it? Whether or not VPNs are worth it depends how often you could use it for the above use cases. If you travel a lot and rely on public WiFi or hotspots, are looking to browse outside of your home country or want to keep your traffic hidden from your ISP, then investing in a VPN will be useful. But, keep in mind that even the best VPN services often slow down your internet connection speed, so they may not be ideal all the time. In today's world, we recommend not relying on a VPN connection as your main cybersecurity tool. VPN use can provide a false sense of security, leaving you vulnerable to attack. Plus, if you choose just any VPN, it may not be as secure as just relying on your ISP. Thats because the VPN could be based in a country with weaker data privacy regulation, obligated to hand information over to law enforcement or linked to weak user data protection policies. For VPN users working in professions like activism or journalism that want to really strengthen their internet security, options like the Tor browser may be a worthwhile alternative, according to Crandall. Tor is free, and while it's less user-friendly, its built for anonymity and privacy. How we tested To test the security specs of different VPNs and name our top picks, we relied on pre-existing academic work through Consumer Reports , VPNalyzer and other sources. We referenced privacy policies, transparency reports and security audits made available to the public. We also considered past security incidents like data breaches. We looked at price, usage limits, effects on internet speed, possible use cases, ease of use, general functionality and additional extra VPN features like multihop. The VPNs were tested across iOS, Android and Mac devices so we could see the state of the mobile apps across various platforms (Windows devices are also supported in most cases). We used the quick connect feature on the VPN apps to connect to the fastest provider available when testing internet speed, access to IP address data and DNS and WebRTC leaks or when a fault in the encrypted tunnel reveals requests to an ISP. Otherwise, we conducted a test of geoblocking content by accessing Canada-exclusive Netflix releases, a streaming test by watching a news livestream on YouTube via a Hong Kong-based VPN and a gaming test by playing on servers in the United Kingdom. By performing these tests at the same time, it also allowed us to test claims about simultaneous device use. Here are the VPN services we tested: ExpressVPN NordVPN Surfshark Proton VPN TunnelBear Bitdefender VPN CyberGhost Windscribe Atlas VPN Read more: The best password managers for 2023 Other VPN services our experts tested NordVPN NordVPN didnt quite make the cut because its overhyped, and underwhelming. As I've written in our full review of NordVPN , the pricing, up to $14.49 for a complete subscription, seemed high compared to other services, and its free or lower cost plans just didnt have the same wide variety of features as its competitors. TunnelBear Despite the cute graphics and user friendliness, TunnelBear wasnt a top choice. It failed numerous basic security tests from Consumer Reports, and had limited availability across platforms like Linux. It did, however, get a major security boost in July when it updated to support WireGuard protocol across more of its platforms. Bitdefender VPN Bitdefender doesnt offer support for devices like routers, which limits its cross-platform accessibility. It also lacked a transparency report or third-party audit to confirm security specs. Atlas VPN Atlas ranked lower on our speed tests compared to the other VPNs tested, with a notably slower difference on web browsing and streaming tests. It was a good option otherwise, but could easily cause headaches for those chasing high speed connections. Security-wise, an Atlas VPN vulnerability leaked Linux users real IP addresses . FAQs What are some things VPNs are used for? VPNs are traditionally used to protect your internet traffic. If youre connected to an untrusted network like public WiFi in a cafe, using a VPN hides what you do from the internet service provider. Then, the owner of the WiFi or hackers trying to get into the system cant see the identity of your computer or your browsing history. A common non-textbook use case for VPNs has been accessing geographically restricted content. VPNs can mask your location, so even if youre based in the United States, they can make it appear as if youre browsing abroad and unblock access. This is especially useful for streaming content thats often limited to certain countries, like if you want to watch Canadian Netflix from the US. What information does a VPN hide? A VPN doesnt hide all of your data. It only hides information like your IP address, location and browser history. A common misconception is that VPNs can make you totally invisible online. But keep in mind that the VPN provider often still has access to all of this information, so it doesnt grant you total anonymity. Youre also still vulnerable to phishing attacks, hacking and other cyberthreats that you should be mindful of by implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Are VPNs safe? Generally, yes. VPNs are a safe and reliable way to encrypt and protect your internet data. But like most online services, the safety specifics vary from provider to provider. You can use resources like third-party audits, Consumer Reports reviews , transparency reports and privacy policies to understand the specifics of your chosen provider. What about Googles One VPN? As of early 2023, Google One subscriptions include access to the companys VPN . It works similarly to other VPNs on our list, hiding your online activity from network operators. Google One subscribers can access the VPN in 22 countries on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac devices, and they can share VPN access with up to five people who are on their One plans. We have not fully tested the Google One VPN yet, but we will add it to this list if we feel it is. Update November 10, 2023: This story was updated after publishing to remove mention of PPTP, a protocol that Consumer Reports' Yael Grauer notes "has serious security flaws." This article originally appeared on Engadget at ...