Brave

Brave Browser has released an update to its private and personalized news feed, making it smarter and easier to navigate. The update includes a cleaner interface, improved on-device personalization, and content filters for better navigation. The focus remains on user privacy, with preferences and reading habits staying on the device.

Brave's Speedreader now includes a text-to-speech feature. Users can choose from three voices and customize the reading speed.

Brave is removing the 'Strict' setting on fingerprinting protection in order to better protect users' privacy and improve web compatibility. The 'Strict' mode, used by 0.5% of users, will be sunsetted due to frequent website compatibility issues. The change will go live on Android and desktop with v1.64 in a couple of months.

Google has updated the disclaimer for Incognito mode in the latest test version of Google Chrome, warning users that websites and Google will still collect their data. This update comes after a $5 billion class-action lawsuit that alleged Google misled users into thinking Incognito mode was fully private. Google settled the lawsuit at the end of 2023.

The latest version of Brave Browser (v1.61.120) includes a fix for a Chromium vulnerability that has been exploited in the wild. Users are encouraged to update their browsers either automatically or manually through the 'About Brave' option in the menu. The Android update is currently under review and will be available on Google Play Store soon.

Brave has announced on-chain contributions for its creators, allowing users to support their favorite digital creators with BAT, ETH, or SOL directly from their Web3 wallet. This new feature enhances user engagement with online content by providing a self-custody way to contribute. Setting up on-chain contributions is easy, requiring creators to add Ethereum or Solana addresses to registered sites and channels via the Brave Creators portal.

Brave Search now offers CodeLLM, an AI-powered tool that provides code snippets with step-by-step explanations and citations. Users can access CodeLLM on desktop or mobile for free without compromising on privacy. Brave encourages users to try out the new feature and provide feedback.

Brave announces plans to implement Boomerang, a new protocol that will enhance the security and decentralization of its Rewards program. With Boomerang, users can prove eligibility for Rewards without disclosing sensitive information. More details on Boomerang's rollout will be provided soon. Read today's blog for more information on this privacy advancement.

The Brave Technologist podcast, hosted by @LukeMulks, will be back soon with more interviews of leaders in AI and other emerging tech. The podcast thanks its supporters for their support in 2023.

Brave desktop now offers Memory Saver mode, which improves performance by deactivating unused tabs and reloading them when opened later. Users can enable this feature in Settings -> System.