Microsoft added its own Digital Health feature to its Android launcher app

Microsoft added its own digital health feature to its Android launcher app, just when Google added a similar feature to its Android Pie. Microsoft’s launcher will let any Android users have the ability to track how long apps are being used for. You can track screen time, app usage, and the number of times you’ve unlocked your phone. This app is supported on Android 4.2 and above, which opens a digital health feature access to all Android users.

The latest update of Microsoft Launcher 5.1 also includes To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, which will help you to synchronize your tasks and notes from these apps. Microsoft is also adding in “Hey Cortana” support to launch the digital assistant from this Android launcher.

Microsoft Launcher 5.1 has a built in Digital Health feature :O pic.twitter.com/J6mj97QS04

— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) November 21, 2018

Over the past few years, Microsoft has been reportedly updating its Android launcher consistently, helping the software giant embrace Android as the mobile version of Windows. Earlier this year, Microsoft added family-focused features and support for the Windows 10 Timeline feature that allows you to resume apps and sites across all devices. Microsoft Launcher 5.1 is available as a beta version from the Google Play Store and should be out to all users in a few weeks.

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Google just added a new feature to its Find my device app, now showing indoor layouts of large buildings

Google has just made a new update to its Find My Device app in other to display indoor maps to show you where you might have dropped your phone inside a large building. It's the outcome of a long time of recording the formats of complex spaces like retail chains, shopping centers, and air terminals.

With this new feature, when you lose your phone, you don’t just see that it’s somewhere in the building, you will be able to have a clearer idea of the exact location in the building. Apart from adding large buildings, the new update to the Find My Device app also comes with support for work profiles.

However, Google does not list out a specific building the new feature is made for, so you will have to try your luck. Since GPS is always a little bit off, this might help narrow things down a fair bit. But your phone may still not be where you think it is. In a scenario where your phone was dropped under the seat at the movie theater, you might start running after someone else thinking it was stolen from you. There is a limit to what Find My Device app can do to help with that.

The update is really great since some people will find it more useful and it might not work for some. Though it might not be up to our expectation, but I think Google is taking a step closer to improve users experience with the app.

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Facebook ends the forced arbitration for sexual harassment complaints

Following a similar incident at Google yesterday, Facebook has also stopped to force employees to settle sexual harassment claims in private arbitration. According to The Wall Street Journal, Facebook reportedly made the announcement to employees internally today, and vice president of people Lori Goler told the Journal that it wants to “be part of taking the next step” at “a pivotal moment” in the tech industry.

Facebook also announced an updated policy on dating within the staffs, requiring executives to disclose any romantic relationship with another staff, even if they aren’t overseeing that staff’s work.

Few top tech companies including Uber, Microsoft, and Lyft have dropped forced arbitration clauses from sexual harassment claims. However, Google’s change was particularly exposed because it was made after an estimated 20 percent of employees participated in a mass walkout protest last week. Arbitration was actually one of the protester’s demands, and their negotiations with Google still in process.

According to Lori Goler’s statement with the Journals, she said sexual harassment has been discussed widely within Facebook, but she apparently didn’t discuss any more sweeping changes to company. Facebook published its complete internal harassment policy late 2017, during the first months of the MeToo movement against sexual assault and harassment. But Facebook defended its forced arbitration policy earlier this year, calling the process ‘’official and appropriate.”

Anthony Harrison, corporate media relations director confirmed in a statement that Facebook was making arbitration optional. “We are publishing our updated Workplace Relationships policy today and amending our arbitration agreements to make arbitration a choice rather than a requirement in sexual harassment claims,” he told The Verge. “Sexual harassment is something that we take very seriously, and there is no place for it at Facebook.”

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Google Chrome 71 is set to be released next month: To start blocking any website with abusive ads

As Google announces the release of Chrome 71 which will be available by next month, Google plans on stepping up its fight against the internet’s abusive ads problem its users face by blocking every ad on the site that persistently shows them.

Abusive ads come in many ways, but generally speaking, it causes your browser to misbehave by either generating fake system messages, automatically redirecting you to an abusive website, or attempt to steal personal information.

Initially, Google has tried to use Chrome to address this problem back in July when Google release Chrome 68 to prevent sites from opening new tabs or windows if they were reported for showing abusive information.

The Google Chrome 71 which is scheduled for release in December, will give site owners a 30 day grace period to clean up their site after an abusive experience is reported. Failure to remove the abusive ads will cause Chrome to automatically block every ad on the site, regardless of whether they are grouped as abusive or not.

Animation: Google

However, users will have the ability to choose whether they want to turn off the ads block or not. But majority will likely leave their settings at their default values, effectively withholding a huge portion of a flagged site’s revenue. It’s motive for sites to prevent this bad behavior, even if it’s an uncomfortable reminder of how much control Google now have over the internet.

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