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Mozilla Firefox 89 introduces a new UI and some performance changes

A fresh, new Firefox is landing to your desktop soon

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Firefox

Mozilla continues to improve its popular Firefox browser with every version. Firefox 89, however, is a noteworthy update, bringing major UI and performance changes that should freshen up the browser.

Out with the old, in with the new

The biggest update to Firefox 89 is literally visible upon first run. The new UI has a more modern and streamlined look, although paddings are visibly much bigger than before too. Mozilla says that this new UI is “easy on the eyes, bright and buoyant on screens of all sizes.” Apparently, some UI elements are bigger than before. Definitely noticeable also are the use of rounded corners, which is all the rage with most apps today.

Users can expect a streamlined toolbar, new floating tabs, redesigned menus, new icons, and more out of this new UI. As for the toolbar, Mozilla touts that it is now “simplified and clutter-free” from before. However, the new toolbar design also removes some extra menu which long-time Firefox users may have grown accustomed to.

Perhaps a more controversial change are the new floating tabs, which may take some getting used to. These floating tabs are exactly that, detached from the toolbar. New Firefox users may get used to it quickly and like it compared to the classic tab design used by Google Chrome and others. Long-time and power users, however, may have second thoughts on this design.

Menus also underwent a massive change, and they are most noticeable on Windows and Linux. Meanwhile, Firefox for iOS also gets some design updates. And as for icons, they are now much thinner. Mozilla said they went through the effort of making the icons consistent across all platforms.

Improved performance

Aside from the UI changes, there are also performance upgrades with relation to Firefox’s privacy-related features. Total Cookie Protection — which is a feature that contains cookies for every site that a user visits — is now available in the browser’s private browsing. That feature is part of the Enhanced Tracking Protection which is a Firefox feature designed to block website trackers, third-party cookies, and even the pesky cryptomining scripts and fignerprinters.

Users should be able to update to Firefox 89 starting this June. Those who are willing to try the browser out can get it directly on Mozilla Firefox’s website.

Apps

New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Rolling out globally now

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New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.

Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.

As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.

The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.

Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.

SEE ALSO: X will no longer let you hide your blue checkmark

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Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV

Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney

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Disney+ | Disney Plus

The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.

If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.

Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.

Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.

Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.

SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+

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Google might offer satellite connectivity soon

Starting with the Pixel 9 series

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A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.

Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.

According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.

The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.

Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.

SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?

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