Computing

Gone are the days when almost anyone that can set up a web server would offer a search engine of their own. These days, any custom engine is often powered by either Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Yandex and Baidu in certain countries. That is exactly what is happening with Verizon's unexpected OneSerch engine, which actually serves up results from Microsoft Bing. That, however, isn't what makes it interesting. Rather it is its promise to protect users' privacy that will probably raise not a few eyebrows.

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Google seems to be putting its products on a sugar diet. First, it gets rid of Android's dessert names, now it wants Chrome to go cookie-free. Granted, web cookies have gone beyond being useful to the point of being a liability. And Google should know, considering how close it is not just to the Web but to the whole advertising industry that corrupted those cookies. Now it's making rather bold moves that will shake up that very industry by removing support for cookies from one of the world's most used browsers.

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It seems that Google is trying to further bridge the gap between Android and Chrome OS, making the latter the OS to rule them all without actually merging them. This is especially the case with the upcoming Chrome OS 80 version which is getting some key features that improve the web-based platform's Android support. The latest addition brings something that is both familiar but also divisive among Android users: full gesture navigation.

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Almost two years ago, computing accessory maker launched a rather interesting dock for the Surface Pro. Instead of a normal dock or even a dongle, the SD7000 turned the 2-in-1 tablet into a makeshift Surface Studio. After almost two years in the market, the smaller Surface Go is now also getting its own Kensington docking station but if you were expecting something like a mini Surface Studio Mini, you're unfortunately in for a very expensive disappointment.

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Apple's rack-mounted Mac Pro is up for order, offering power users an alternative to the tower style enclosure the flagship macOS machine launched with first. Previewed back at Apple's big unveil for the new Mac Pro in 2019, the rack version was scheduled to arrive later than its tower counterpart.

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For generations, MacBooks have been seen as a status symbol, used by both casual computer users and professionals alike. One class of users that have not exactly taken to Apple's notebooks are gamers. For one, the number of high-profile titles for Mac OS X, now macOS, has traditionally been small. For another, MacBooks, even MacBook Pros, have not exactly been noteworthy for their performance especially when it comes to games. That has started to change with the launch of the 16-inch MacBook Pro last year and it seems that Apple will be pulling some software tricks to capitalize on the new notebook's muscles.

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Apple is equally famous and notorious for its obsession with design and, in particular, making things as slim as possible. Sometimes that has breathtaking results but there are other times when it becomes an infuriating experience. One of the most recent cases, which has actually resulted in a lawsuit, is Apple's reviled butterfly keyboard switches. Apple has finally reverted to using scissor switches in the 16-inch MacBook Pro and now it seems that a new model will soon be out with that same Magic Keyboard.

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Even if it isn't due until the end of 2020, Microsoft uncharacteristically revealed its dual-screen devices as early as October last year. Its purpose was to give developers ample time to prepare for that future and modify their apps or create new ones for the Surface Neo (and the Android-based Surface Duo). Adopting new designs and APIs is one thing but actually testing how it works on a dual-screen device is a different thing. Since developers are unlikely to have access to a Surface Neo or even a prototype, Microsoft's new patent may provide a solution everyone might be able to use.

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Nothing lasts forever, whether good or bad. By Tuesday, one of Microsoft's less controversial Windows releases will finally be put to rest, for better or worse. Windows 7 support for everyone who didn't buy an extended support package (only available to enterprise customers) will officially end on Tuesday, January 14. And, of course, that means that anyone who wants to continue getting important security fixes and remain on the Windows platform will have to move to Windows 10 sooner rather than later.

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Laptops have a new look for the new decade. CES 2020 introduced us to a handful of new foldable laptops. And yes, while laptops already fold, many of these concepts feature bending screens or dual-screen devices held together with a hinge. We really should’ve seen this coming, given the rise of folding phones in 2019.

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If you were looking to trade in your current device to Apple and put that money toward a new device, the amount you'll get in trade has suddenly dropped. Apple is now offering less trade-in money for a variety of devices spanning iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. There are few devices that are retaining the trade-in amounts that they used to have, but for the most part, prices are going down.

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Just as the Internet empowered people by connecting them to knowledge and to one another, it has sadly also empowered less conscientious individuals in carrying out illegal activities in anonymity. Sexual exploitation, especially those of minors, is one of the long-standing problems for both authorities and Internet companies and its complexity defies conventional solutions. Microsoft is rising to the challenge with a new tool called Project Artemis will try to look for signs of online grooming that could lead to child exploitation.

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