Ars Technica: Chrome’s 4GB AI model isn’t new, but you’re not wrong for being confused. “Some desktop Chrome users have also noted that the browser appears to suddenly want more storage space for AI. This is true—Chrome does download a 4GB AI model for on-device processing. It’s been doing that for years, though. Google hasn’t actually changed anything about Chrome’s on-device AI, […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/05/09/ars-technica-chromes-4gb-ai-model-isnt-new-but-youre-not-wrong-for-being-confused/
Ars Technica: Chrome’s 4GB AI model isn’t new, but you’re not wrong for being confused

Ars Technica: Chrome’s 4GB AI model isn’t new, but you’re not wrong for being confused. “Some desktop Chrome users have also noted that the browser appears to suddenly want more storage space…

ResearchBuzz: Firehose

Ever wonder why your laptop fans start screaming when you open a few browser tabs? Chrome memory usage is a persistent issue because of how it isolates every tab for stability. You can fix this by enabling the Memory Saver in your performance settings. It makes a huge difference for older hardware. Read more here: https://gwizit.com/go/6U5Cxbb

#ChromeTips #TechSupport #WebBrowsers

https://gwizit.com/go/v92ngSZ

Dive deeper: https://gwizit.com/go/6U5Cxbb

ZDNet: Why Edge stores your passwords in plaintext, according to Microsoft. “A security researcher found that Edge stores your plaintext passwords in memory when you use the browser to manage them. In a social media post, researcher Tom Jøran Sønstebyseter Rønning explained how the process works and posted a video showing it in action.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/05/07/zdnet-why-edge-stores-your-passwords-in-plaintext-according-to-microsoft/
ZDNet: Why Edge stores your passwords in plaintext, according to Microsoft

ZDNet: Why Edge stores your passwords in plaintext, according to Microsoft. “A security researcher found that Edge stores your plaintext passwords in memory when you use the browser to manage…

ResearchBuzz: Firehose

Lifehacker: 10 Hacks Every Opera Browser User Should Know. “The Opera you’re using today is obviously a very different browser from the one it was decades ago…. That said, the browser still retains its core philosophy of shipping useful integrated features—even if those options aren’t always obvious. From bypassing unskippable YouTube ads to using a built-in volume booster for every tab, […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/05/07/lifehacker-10-hacks-every-opera-browser-user-should-know/
Lifehacker: 10 Hacks Every Opera Browser User Should Know

Lifehacker: 10 Hacks Every Opera Browser User Should Know. “The Opera you’re using today is obviously a very different browser from the one it was decades ago…. That said, the bro…

ResearchBuzz: Firehose
WebGL Voice & Text Chat | Audio | Unity Asset Store

Get the WebGL Voice & Text Chat package from Golden Eagle Technologies and speed up your game development process. Find this & other Audio options on the Unity Asset Store.

9to5 Linux: Firefox 150 Is Now Available for Download, This Is What’s New. “Highlights of Firefox 150 include support for the GTK emoji picker on Linux to let you insert emoji by using the Ctrl+. keyboard shortcut, and the ability to reorganize PDF pages directly in the Firefox PDF viewer, including moving, copying, and deleting pages.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/04/23/9to5-linux-firefox-150-is-now-available-for-download-this-is-whats-new/
9to5 Linux: Firefox 150 Is Now Available for Download, This Is What’s New

9to5 Linux: Firefox 150 Is Now Available for Download, This Is What’s New. “Highlights of Firefox 150 include support for the GTK emoji picker on Linux to let you insert emoji by using the Ct…

ResearchBuzz: Firehose

Raymond Camden: Testing OCR with Chrome Built-in AI. “I had a great question in my session on Chrome’s Built-in AI which led to a bit of investigating last night. The question involved how well Chrome’s AI could do OCR on an image. I had a demo in my presentation showing using AI to describe an image and another to generate a list of tags, but not one specifically for OCR. Here’s what I found.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/04/21/raymond-camden-testing-ocr-with-chrome-built-in-ai/
Raymond Camden: Testing OCR with Chrome Built-in AI

Raymond Camden: Testing OCR with Chrome Built-in AI. “I had a great question in my session on Chrome’s Built-in AI which led to a bit of investigating last night. The question involved …

ResearchBuzz: Firehose

Lifehacker: These 108 Malicious Chrome Extensions Are Stealing Google and Telegram Data. “As reported by The Hacker News, cybersecurity researchers with Socket’s Threat Research Team have identified 108 extensions available in Google Chrome that steal login credentials, user IDs, and browsing data. All 108 extensions route that information back to servers controlled by a single operator, […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2026/04/20/lifehacker-these-108-malicious-chrome-extensions-are-stealing-google-and-telegram-data/

On Vertical vs Horizontal Tab Hot Takes

Manuel Moreale published a blog post on the vertical vs horizontal tabs debate. But instead of choosing a side in what is ultimately an inconsequential debate, he made the case for nuance, or asking "better based on what?" I agree in full. I use vertical tabs on desktop (two 1920x1080 monitors) because (1) I prefer the set up and (2) I keep my task bar on top of the screen, which makes horizontal tabs awkward. However, I prefer horizontal tabs on my laptop. In deciding whether to use vertical […]

https://social.emucafe.org/naferrell/on-vertical-vs-horizontal-tab-hot-takes-04-16-26/

[Reply] On Vertical vs Horizontal Tab Hot Takes

I agree with a good blog post by Mauel Moreale that whether to use vertical or horizontal browser tabs should depend on how one uses the web browser.

The Emu Café Social