Stefan BohacekAug 25, 2025

Oh wow, Google is really sneaky with their AI Mode button on the new tab page in Chrome. Here's a very unintuitive way to disable it.

1. Open chrome://flags/ in your browser.
2. Look for "ntp-compose-entrypoint".
3. Switch to "disabled".
4. Restart your browser.

#chrome #GoogleChrome #AI #AIMode

Show threadOrrock LXXXVI XLVIIAug 25, 2025
@stefan Maybe don’t use chrome?
Show threadStefan BohacekAug 25, 2025
@orrickle Which browser do you use?
Show thread♾️ WaterAug 25, 2025
@stefan @orrickle The obvious answer here is #Firefox
It's a good browser and basically the only one that's not chromium under the hood.
Show threadStefan BohacekAug 25, 2025

@hisold @orrickle

"Mozilla AI, a new startup launched by the non-profit behind Firefox, aims to champion ‘trustworthy’ development of artificial intelligence (AI) amid the rapid acceleration of the generative AI space."

https://www.itpro.com/technology/artificial-intelligence-ai/370342/inside-mozillas-mission-to-champion-trustworthy-ai

"Firefox users looking for a quick way to tap into generative AI can now do so without even leaving the current page."

https://www.zdnet.com/article/firefox-now-lets-you-access-your-favorite-ai-chatbot-without-switching-tabs-heres-how/

"Mozilla under fire for Firefox AI "bloat" that blows up CPU and drains battery"

https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1mm8u6g/mozilla_under_fire_for_firefox_ai_bloat_that/

"Mozilla has responded to user backlash over the Firefox web browser’s new Terms of Use, which critics have called out for using overly broad language that appears to give the browser maker the rights to whatever data you input or upload."

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/28/mozilla-responds-to-backlash-over-new-terms-saying-its-not-using-peoples-data-for-ai/

Yeah, not for me, sorry.

Inside Mozilla’s mission to champion 'trustworthy' AI development

Amid a rapid acceleration in generative AI, Mozilla has launched a new startup to champion trust, transparency, and responsibility

IT Pro
Show thread♾️ WaterAug 25, 2025
@stefan @orrickle Well there's also LibreWolf without all of this crap. Let Mozilla have fun in this money burning party. I don't care. It wasn't annoying so far.
Show threadStefan BohacekAug 25, 2025

@hisold Can't really see too many problems reported with LibreWolf.

Too bad about there not being a mobile app version, but it sounds like they're working on that.

Might be worth checking out, thanks!

@orrickle

Show threadGustavoAug 25, 2025
@stefan @hisold @orrickle to be fair, the web grew so complex it's hard and expensive to maintain a browser and, thus, everyone is trying to use AI to get some cash. If you try switching to a fork of a big browser then you get something less maintained and either less secure, or less compatible with websites or both, as it has fewer resources for development. At this point we have three companies leading browser development — Google, Apple and Mozilla — and all of those put their feet on AI, so people have to choose "do I care to use a product from a company that wants to feed by data into AI and try to workaround it or use a fork (or an old dated browser) which may have security and/or compatibility issues?". For those who chose the first answer, I'm sure Chrome is the worst option.
Show threadGustavo
@stefan @hisold @orrickle I should explain why Chrome is likely the worst option from those looking to use official builds and workaround AI: because it's terrible to customise and Google often disables about:flags options after some time. To be fair, I guess Safari might be bad at it, but I don't own an Apple device as I would hate living in a walled garden, I even develop my own Android app forks. For Firefox, there is about:config which includes lots of configs like about:flags, but those tend to be supported longer. Also, why are people still using Chrome after the Manifest V3 thing? Wasn't it a deal breaker for a lot of people? Even my wife who isn't tech savvy accepted using Firefox over having to see ads everywhere.
Aug 25, 2025 at 8:32pmWeb
Show thread♾️ WaterAug 26, 2025
@qgustavor @stefan @orrickle What is the business model for a web browser? Getting payed by Google to set Google search as the default. That's it. That's how Mozilla Corp gets 80 to 90% of their revenue.
I'm not even talking about Safari because it is irrelevant. It barely supports anything and is a nightmare for all web developers.
Show threadGustavoAug 26, 2025

@hisold @stefan @orrickle the Safari part aside (I am fine with Safari, as long you don't use a Chrome specific API that Google tried to sell as an "open" standard but that was drafted entirely by Google engineers, it works great... often) I think the business idea discussion is quite interesting and valid:

Could a browser following @kagihq business model work? Would people pay to use a browser as long as it's safe, supports the latest standards and respects user privacy?

To be fair, I would not pay, but I'm the guy who prefers self-hosting things rather than paying subscriptions, so I would prefer something FOSS, but I see the potential of this idea.

Show thread♾️ WaterAug 26, 2025
@qgustavor @stefan @orrickle @kagihq Honestly, paying for software is something I'm just not used to. Especially for a browser. Wasn't that the reason for netscape to die?
Show threadGustavoAug 26, 2025

@hisold @stefan @orrickle @kagihq Just check Kagi fans: they truly think that something paid will be better than something free as, if something is free, you are the product.

(aka Linux doesn't exist, nor business models where a product can be free and be funded by alternate means like paid support, VPN services, optional AI, other services from the same company that have better integration)