Microsoft plans to dig through your Edge Collections to make suggestions
- Reference: 1656592212
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/06/30/edge_collections/
- Source link:
Collections, a way to help Edge users collect webpages they're interested in viewing later, will soon allow you to add video and pictures, as well as to share Collections with other users "so you can collaborate or brainstorm together."
The Inspiration element, also due for imminent rollout, will be "a feed with content related to your research."
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The additions are [2]due to arrive in the coming weeks and months. Microsoft did not specify the version number, stating only that the updates are due to hit the desktop version of the browser.
[3]
[4]
How does Inspiration work? Well, if you add "research" regarding motorcycle museums in East Germany into your Collections flow, for example, Edge's Inspiration feed will suggest related content for you to check out like any recommendation engine might.
"Cool, right?" said Microsoft corporate vice president Liat Ben-Zur.
[5]
Those who'll disagree with that have probably complained about browser trackers more generally getting too personal by serving ads targeted at appealing to you by tracking your previous search history. (You can switch off Edge's trackers by going to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Tracking prevention. Set Tracking prevention to On.)
You could also argue, however, that if a user is using Collections and a Microsoft account, it's sensible for the Windows giant to use their research to make some suggestions.
Visual Search is also on the way, where you can search using an image as well as text. The feature lets you hover over an picture (for example, a photo of a particularly nice light fitting) and have Edge use its Bing search engine to hunt for ones just like it.
[6]Microsoft fixes under-attack Windows zero-day Follina
[7]Microsoft brings tabs to File Explorer
[8]Mozilla opens testing for Manifest v3 extensions in Firefox
Finally, Microsoft is also rolling out the ability to follow content creators on sites such as YouTube and TikTok. Sites such as YouTube already have effective subscription and notification capabilities (and many users instinctively reach for the block option when asked if a site can issue notifications) so the usefulness of this feature is debatable. It also requires a user to be signed in with a Microsoft account.
Microsoft did not reveal how many users are using the Collections feature of Edge (we've asked) and the changes are unlikely to drive netizens in the direction of the functionality (instead of the arguably more common use for Edge – downloading something else to use as a browser).
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However, if you are a Collections fan and aren't worried about the implications of Microsoft using your research to suggest something to inspire, the features will be welcome. ®
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[2] https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2022/06/28/upgrades-coming-to-collections-in-microsoft-edge/
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[6] https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/15/microsoft_patch_tuesday/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/10/microsoft_tabs_file_explorer/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/20/mozilla_opens_testing_for_manifest/
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[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: New feature
Is there an icon for SatNad? Asking for a friend. *Cough* =-)p
" "Cool, right?" said Microsoft corporate vice president Liat Ben-Zur. "
No.
Beat me to it (by 15 minutes).
Agree completely!
And me.
I'd only want to add "and piss off".
Microsoft did not reveal how many users are using the Collections feature of Edge...
both of them.
Re: Microsoft did not reveal how many users are using the Collections feature of Edge...
Heck, this is the first I've even heard of it...
Can you block it?
Nuff said.
Re: Can you block it?
Sure.
Use Brave or Firefox.
Re: Can you block it?
Would be nice if you could block it from connecting to anything.
Used to do this with IE: Make it my default browser, then block it at the firewall. Then if some malware did try opening a browser window (using the default being the common trick) it would open and sit there unable to connect. Even got a few warnings from IE that it couldn't connect. Told me I'd hit something dodgy (thanks, Google!) and saved me some pain.
But that was back in the day, eh: When you could reliably block internet connections as MS didn't put back doors in or ways to bypass their own darn firewall...
"it's sensible"
And what's wrong with letting people search for what they want ?
How about putting a bit of effort into your life ?
All this spoon-feeding is just ensuring that Wall-E will finally be regarded as a documentary.
"Visual Search is also on the way, where you can search using an image"
So, the same as Google image search has been doing for years?
And TinEye for longer.
Image search was great until the pinterest virus infected the internet.
Now all you get in the search results are pinterest pictures rather than the original website they stole it from. So although you can see the picture, you can't find the content relevant to the picture, which is probably you actually wanted.
"How does Inspiration work?
"Well, if you add "research" regarding motorcycle museums in East Germany into your Collections flow, for example, Edge's Inspiration feed will suggest related content for you to check out like any recommendation engine might."
So it will no doubt think you are also interested in New York Taxi cabs and Amish horse drawn carts.
New feature
It shows a puppy looking sad if you try and download Chrome and shoots it if you go to Brave or Vivaldi