Google has been planning to block third-party cookies in its Chrome browser by default since 2020. Alternative approaches already exist. The US company has extended the grace period until at least 2024.

In recent years, privacy on the Internet has changed fundamentally. At least for the citizens of the European Union. With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a framework was created in 2016 in which personal data protection is paramount.

The GDPR has been in use for around four years. But things didn’t always change for the better. We often have to agree to so-called cookies or click away from corresponding banners. An approach that should change very soon. Because Google has wanted to ban third-party cookies in its Chrome browser for years.

Third-party Cookies Are The Basis For Personalized Advertising

Two types of technologies are used on websites: first-party cookies (so-called first-party cookies) and third-party cookies (third-party cookies). While first-party cookies are essential for smooth operation, third-party cookies display personalized advertising or analyze visitor behaviour.

Blocking third-party content makes it harder for advertisers to serve their personalized ads. Therefore, a protest against Google’s initiative arose, especially among large advertising companies.

After all, two-thirds of all internet users now use Chrome as their standard browser. There is a fear of a slump in advertising revenue, and that website operators will no longer reach their customers with advertising.

Google Wants To Display Advertising Based On General Interests

But it will probably take a little longer to get to this step. Google wanted to ban third-party cookies at the beginning of 2020, in 2022 and finally in 2023.

Now it will take until the first half of 2024. Until then, the US group is testing new interfaces with which users can be divided into different groups. These groups should then make it easier to display personalized advertising.

An Example: 

If you spend a lot of time browsing car magazine websites, Chrome will divide you into a “Cars & Vehicles” group and show you advertising accordingly.

From August, the changeover will already occur for several million users: later, it should be the standard for Chrome. However, it is also possible to object to the function.

ALSO READ: Facebook Divides Its News Feed Into Feeds And Home Tabs

At the LMU in Munich, researchers have successfully transmitted data via an entangled atom for the first time. The so-called quantum internet is thus moving a little closer.

In which direction are computers developing? Countless researchers are investigating this question. Since the invention of the modern computer, the actual concept has hardly changed. The command is interpreted as 0 (off) or 1 (on) depending on whether the voltage is present. All arithmetic operations are then based on this.

But how can this concept be further developed? The solution lies in quantum computers. To fully explain how it works would go beyond this article. What is essential, however, is that in the future, quantum computers will communicate via small particles such as atoms. When two particles form a connection, this is called entangled.

In Munich, The Quantum Internet Becomes Reality

At Ludwigs Maximilian University, in cooperation with Saarland University, such an entanglement over several kilometres has been achieved for the first time. For this purpose, two optically trapped rubidium atoms were used. Two labs on campus each housed one of these atoms.

The data was transmitted via a fibre optic cable below the Geschwister-Scholl Platz. A quantum network consists of many individual nodes, the quantum memories. Ions, crystal lattices or the atoms used here are used for this.

The nodes can receive, store and send information via light particles. Usually, this is done by infrared waves, which are quickly lost in a fibre optic cable. The researchers solved this problem by increasing the wavelength, which meant the information could flow through a fibre optic cable.

Quantum Record: Communication Via Fibre Optics

During transmission, communication similar to that of telecommunications networks was achieved. Although the efficiency still needs improvement, it has already reached record values ​​​​of around 57 per cent. And this is how the transmission happens: A laser beam excites atoms so that they spontaneously fall into their ground state, and each emits a photon (a light pulse).

This travels through the fibre optic cable and is received and interpreted by the atom on the other side. This form of communication is currently secure from external attacks and offers a secure communication medium.

It should be clear that this has many advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, the approach impressively shows how complex the matter is. So far, information has travelled a distance of 33 kilometres. It will probably take a while before we get to an international broadcast.

ALSO READ: This Artificial Intelligence Can Play Minecraft

Researchers from Japan have developed a solar cell with a particular atomic layer that makes it almost invisible. Due to its high transparency can theoretically be attached anywhere – even on car windows or human skin. 

In the past few decades, solar technology has become particularly attractive. Since 2006, the prices for photovoltaic systems have fallen by around 75 percent. The reasons for this include technical progress and higher production capacities. But even here, we are far from having reached the end.

The solar systems still have a relatively low level of efficiency. Alternatives such as perovskite cells could soon replace the technology. However, scientists worldwide are researching other possible uses for the technology.

In Japan, researchers have now developed an almost invisible solar cell with an exceptionally high level of transparency. Use in windows, car windows, or human skin is conceivable.

The Efficiency Of The New Solar Cell Is Significantly Higher

In the past, hardly any materials were explored, making the current breakthrough possible. However, the invisible solar cell was successfully developed through the targeted manipulation of the contact barrier between indium-tin oxides.

Indium tin oxide is one of the most widely used transparent oxides. The cell became transparent and conductive by adding a thin layer of tungsten oxide.

Another Positive Side Effect: The efficiency with which incoming UV rays are converted into energy is around 1,000 times higher than with classic indium tin oxides. So it seems that the novel solar cell promises a high potential for future use.

Invisible Solar Cell: Transparency Up To 79 Percent

Although researchers know how to produce the new cells, it will still take time before they can be used commercially. First, it must be evaluated how the technology can be used in a solar panel. Only then does the scaling follow?

Should the invisible solar cell make it to market, it could convert almost any surface into a small power plant. With a transparency of 79 percent, the darkening of a room when used in a window is minimal. Ultimately, however, the price also plays a role in competing with conventional solar cells.

ALSO READ: iOS 15.6: New Apple Update Fixes Annoying Bugs