Latest news with #Vivaldi
GSM Arena
10-08-2025
- GSM Arena
Weekly poll: do you still have your ringer on or is your phone on vibrate all the time?
Peter, 10 August 2025 A long, long time ago, polyphonic ringtones were a noteworthy feature. Years later, the iPhone ringtone (Marimba) became instantly recognizable. Before that it was the Nokia Tune. Even to this day smartphone makers put a lot of effort into making ringtones – e.g. Samsung rented out a concert hall to add Vivaldi's The Four Seasons for One UI 8. But do people still leave their ringer on? Do you? Speaking of Apple, it recently removed the Ring/Silent switch, which was present even on the very first iPhone. It replaced it with an Action Button and Camera Control. Similarly, OnePlus axed its Alert Slider. Goodbye, Alert Slider All of this suggests that people set up their phone one way and leave it that way – no need to silence the ringer for class or a meeting if it's already on silent, right? You may as well have a shortcut key instead. Additionally, the rise in popularity of smartwatches and bands means that you don't need the phone to make noise – a wearable buzzing on your wrist is more than enough. What do you do with your phone – do you have the ringer on all the time, off all the time, do you switch manually or do you do something else? If you have an interesting or unusual setup, let us know in the comments. And while we're at it, if you do use the ringer, have you picked out a custom ringtone or do you just use one of the ringtones that came with the phone? Maybe even the default ringtone?
Android Authority
09-08-2025
- Android Authority
7 features I want Chrome to steal from its rivals, and why
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've been on the Chrome bandwagon for years now and it remains my go-to browser even today. But let's just say, I haven't been entirely faithful to Chrome. Over the years, I've dabbled in a wide variety of browsers ranging from Edge to modern AI-infused alternatives to see what I might be missing out on. And while I keep coming back to Chrome, it's clear to me that Google has been playing it safe. I haven't been entirely faithful to Chrome, and that's exactly why I know it can do better. Google's been so focused on stability, performance, and ecosystem integration that it's lost some of the ambition that made Chrome exciting in the first place. Meanwhile, competitors like Edge, Vivaldi, Samsung Internet, and even Opera have been quietly adding genuinely useful features that make you question why Chrome doesn't have them yet. Don't get me wrong. For as much as we criticize Chrome, it still nails the basics like syncing across devices, a smart address bar, and unmatched integration with Google services. But that is exactly why it should be better. With the basics nailed down tight and mass acceptance by millions of users, now is the time for Chrome to raise the bar with a modern feature set. So here's a list of features I wish Chrome would just borrow already. In 2025, I wouldn't call any of these features game changers. But most of them are table stakes that would make Chrome a better browser without compromising on what makes it great today. While most of these features are available across the desktop and mobile versions of the browsers, some are available only on the desktop version to account for available screen space. Have you considered switching from Chrome to another browser? 0 votes I've already switched to Opera / Vivaldi / Edge / other. NaN % Not yet, but I'm considering it. NaN % Chrome has all the features I need. NaN % Vertical tabs Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority If you, like me, are a sucker for widescreen displays, you'll know what I'm talking about. Once you've used a browser with vertical tabs, it's hard to go back. Edge and Vivaldi get this right with implementations that let you stack dozens of tabs neatly along the side. It saves horizontal space, keeps tab titles or icons visible, and just makes sense for widescreen monitors. Once you've used vertical tabs on a widescreen monitor, there's no going back. Chrome still forces you to deal with overflowing tabs that shrink to favicon-sized blobs. With my kind of use, even those favicons aren't a very viable solution. Sure, there are a few extensions that claim to offer vertical tabs, but nothing beats a native, polished solution with full keyboard shortcut support and drag-and-drop management. For power users like me who are constantly juggling dozens of tabs at once, vertical tabs aren't a nice-to-have anymore. They're essential. Split-screen tabs Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority As a writer on the internet, I spend a lot of time researching and, all too often, referencing interesting research in my articles, comparing spec sheets, or looking up a Google Doc while drafting an email. One of my favorite features in the Vivaldi browser is its native ability to toss up split-screen tabs that let you view two tabs side by side. It might seem like a minor step up over just snapping two windows side by side in Chrome, but the added convenience makes a big difference in everyday usability. More so because once you have a couple of these windows open, believe me, it can be a chore to sift through the mess to locate the right one. A simple tab tiling feature that lets you open two or more tabs in a split screen inside a single window would instantly boost productivity, especially for users who live in their browser all day. Built-in screenshot and markup tools Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority It boggles my mind that in 2025, Chrome still doesn't offer a native screenshot tool with full-fledged, or even rudimentary, annotation capabilities. Yes, I can use the tools built into my Mac, but that's more steps for something as basic as taking a screenshot and sharing a section of the display. It's 2025 and Chrome still doesn't have a proper screenshot and annotation tool. That's just embarrassing. Meanwhile, Edge lets you capture a section of a page, mark it up, and share it instantly. Opera goes one step further with text recognition and meme templates. Chrome users are stuck with clunky third-party extensions or system-level tools that lack web-specific context. Whether you're grabbing a quote, pointing out a bug, or saving a receipt, built-in screenshot tools save time. If Google really wants to push its AI-first strategy, imagine combining a screenshot tool with contextual smart suggestions or one-tap copy-paste. Smart Sidebar Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority There's so much untapped potential in a browser sidebar. Microsoft saw that first and turned the Edge sidebar into a productivity hub. You can take notes, use the AI-based Copilot to interact with the web page, manage tasks, or control media playback directly from the side of your browser offers a customizable panel for social media, email, and RSS. Opera, too, offers a plethora of features like social connections and key bookmarks. Chrome's side panel, in comparison, feels like an afterthought. It's not really a sidebar to begin with, nor is it available to all users, but even when accessible, it lacks the breadth of features that other browsers include. Why not let users pin tools like Keep, Gemini, Calendar, or Gmail into the sidebar? Add support for custom widgets and suddenly Chrome transforms into a full blown workspace for users. Efficiency mode Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Chrome and bad RAM management go hand-in-hand. In fact, the browser is the punchline for jokes about being a memory hog and for contributing to poor battery efficiency. While Google has been working on fixing that reputation, Microsoft Edge's efficiency mode proves that a browser can actively manage background tabs and power consumption without slowing things down. A high-efficiency toggle puts the control in users' hands. Giving users direct access to an energy-efficient mode leads to better battery life on laptops, fewer fan whirrs, smoother performance on lower-end hardware, and fewer user complaints. Who'd have thought? Chrome has started making progress here with features like Memory Saver and Energy Saver, but they're tucked away in settings and not as effective as Edge's approach. A dedicated mode with clear toggles and real-time feedback could go a long way. Privacy controls Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority With privacy ranking up there as one of the top things users look out for on the internet these days, it is no surprise that it is the modern day battleground for browsers as well. And let's just say Chrome still feels like it's playing catch-up. That somewhat understandable given Google's skewed ad-driven business interests. Browsers like Brave block trackers by default, Safari shows exactly which trackers were stopped, and Firefox gives you a privacy scorecard. Chrome's privacy controls feel like they were designed for engineers and power users, not everyday users. Chrome's privacy tools, on the other hand, feel more like a developer experiment than a user-facing feature. Basic things like clearing site data, managing permissions, or turning off third-party cookies should be easier and more transparent instead of being buried deep within menus and submenus. An easy to view dashboard with smarter defaults and explanations that don't require an engineering degree is what we need. But it's far from what we get with Chrome. More customization Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority I think we can all agree that Chrome is far from the most customizable browser — on desktop or mobile. It's something that Samsung Internet does brilliantly. You can pick which buttons show up in the toolbar and rearrange them to suit your flow. Want a shortcut for downloads, share, dark mode, or desktop site toggle? You can add that. Chrome, meanwhile, sticks to a rigid layout that hasn't changed much in years. Sure, there are a few more settings to add deeper settings to the menu bar, but offering a browser experience that's truly your own isn't what Chrome specializes in. Even basic stuff like customizing the new tab page or moving the address bar is limited. Chrome could significantly benefit from letting users tweak the interface to fit their habits and devices. For example, mobile users might prefer one-handed controls while desktop users might want more shortcuts. Being the default browser isn't enough anymore For a browser as bloated as Chrome, you might be thinking I'm wrong in asking for more features. But adding quality of life enhancements goes hand-in-hand with removing legacy cruft. The best browsers today strike a balance between performance and functionality. Edge, Vivaldi, and even Arc browser show that it's possible to be fast, clean, and powerful at the same time. And many of these browsers are built on the same Chromium base as Chrome. Most of these features aren't game changers anymore. They're just table stakes in 2025. Google's Chrome browser has the foundation and the reach to pull ahead with modern features that it's still missing out on once it decides to stop playing it safe. If even a few of these ideas made their way into Chrome in a meaningful way, it could feel fresh again instead of being the default by virtue of being the most common option. Follow
West Australian
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
fremantle Chamber Orchestra returns to perform in Geraldton's St Francis Xavier Cathedral, with 15yo soloist
The stirring sounds of the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra will once again fill the hallowed space inside St Francis Xavier Cathedral for a special performance this month celebrating its 20th anniversary. It will be the orchestra's third time performing in Geraldton, this time bringing their carefully crafted Music to Love program, which promises to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds, newcomers and lovers of classical music. The performance will feature famous and forgotten pieces of work by Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Casadesus and more. The FCO is celebrating 20 years of making music this year and one of the soloists taking centre stage for the Geraldton performance was not even born when it was founded. Fifteen-year-old violinist Ellie Malonzo has won 11 first prizes at international competitions and performed in the USA, Vienna, Canada, London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. When she was 12, Ellie became the youngest soloist to perform with the FCO. Ellie will be the soloist in a Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Violins and Beethoven's Romance in F. Her teacher Paul Wright will perform with her and solo, as well as conduct the FCO. Other performances include cellist Melinda Forsythe playing Romance by Franchomme, and Adagio from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto featuring Michael Hodgkins. The orchestra has returned to Geraldton thanks to a grant from the City of Greater Geraldton. FCO will record the concert so listeners can re-live and share the performance. With more than five million hits on YouTube and Spotify, FCO hopes the recording will highlight the beauty of the historically significant cathedral and bring people from all over the world to Geraldton. The orchestra will be playing at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Friday, August 22 at 7.30pm. For tickets, visit trybooking. Limited tickets will be available at the door from 7pm. For the chance to win free tickets for two to this event, email or for more information call Natalie Hug on 0438 933 250.
West Australian
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Kylie Liang leads Four Seasons of Buenos Aires for Music on the Terrace at Government House Ballroom
From the louche charms of Piazzolla to Grieg's wholesome Holberg Suite, violinist Kylie Liang led a string soiree for the ages with Music on the Terrace at Government House Ballroom on Sunday. Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires made a challenging entrée for the 10-strong ensemble, its brusque opening chords and raw glissando a grungy reflection on Vivaldi's rural idyll. Harsh bowing ground out the workaday rhythms of Argentina's capital for Liang to soar over the top then hunker down in a slow-burn tango; wringing blistering passion from her violin over pulsing bass and cello. Harmonics in tutti violins offset the sonorous solo, echoed in cello then viola, as Damien Eckersley on bass beat a retreat to the coarser soundscape of the streets; picking up pace with Liang towards a parting parody of Vivaldi's Summer. Autumn dawned with more harsh bowed effects, triggering an intricate cadenza from cellist Jeremy Garside; ruminating on the season of mellow fruitfulness to broach a slow serenade in lower strings. Violins chimed in with crystalline bell tones then raced away with the lead, fading towards a cadenza from Liang almost classical in ambience. Skidding down range, she slowed for another listless dance; morphing to mayhem in jagged phrases and a jump-cut dismount. Winter brought rich harmonies in cello and viola over walking bass, gradually lifting to follow Liang's lead; a skittish cadenza pausing then reverting to tutti play. Sighs of longing flowed from Liang's fingerboard only to ignite a renewed frenzy across the group before fading as quickly to longing again. Just like the fickle weather, if one mood did not suit another came along soon, with drama and romance in equal parts. Another solo cadenza brought on pizzicato bass then a violin-viola duet with James Munro that returned briefly to Vivaldi before throwing to cello and violins to close. Strident fiddling announced the Spring as Liang warmed to the task; drawing in full ensemble for a romp, pause, then a sedate soliloquy. Vivaldi again surfaced in the solo before lilting rhythms summoned the tango genie; first slow, then quickening to a furious beat, with glissando giving way to vigorous bowing fit to shred a rug. Liang unleashed one final scintillating solo, inspiring a last mocking echo of the Baroque and warm applause. After the interval, Puccini's Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums) presented a funereal tribute, swooning and songlike befitting the composer. Tight timing of rubato phrases made a stark contrast to Piazzolla's seeming free-for-all. Lush tone was another point of difference, with Liang and Garside setting a full timbre for others to follow; like a pop ballad though solemn in transition between sections, closing on sacramental chords. Grieg's Holberg Suite was another step change, the Praeludium almost symphonic in texture, with flurries passing around to rest in contemplation then break out again with emotive force. Sarabande, the second stanza, dialled back to an earlier era, elegant and unhurried, the lead passed by one instrument to another like partners in a dance. Gavotte, the middle movement, put more spring in the step; a fresh breath after Piazzolla's bustle and Puccini's passion offering light relief on a dark afternoon, with bucolic and pastoral ornaments. Air, the ear-worm of the piece, lifted the mood again, ethereal in concept and delivery. Limpid clarity in Liang's lead drew reverential respect to match the composer's note, Andante religioso, with devotion in the cadence. Kicking off their shoes, Liang's charges scampered playfully through the finale, Rigaudon (Allegro con brio). Comforting waves of melody and harmony rolled towards a leisurely climax before reprising the opening vigour with bravura in conclusion. An encore of Piazzolla's Oblivion wrapped up the evening's delights, exquisite in solo violin and serene in accompaniment. Pared back to pianissimo, Liang soared to high harmonics over barely-there chords; swooping in mid-range then blissing out in a stratospheric cadence. Music on the Terrace returns to the Ballroom on November 8 and 9 with pianist Jeongwhan Kim.
Time Out
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A massive drone art show is taking to the Boston skies tonight
A few weeks after the Fourth of July, Boston skies will again light up—this time with over 500 drones hovering above some 20,000 candles. After sellout iterations in Miami, Madrid and L.A., the DroneArt Show will land in Harvard's Ohiri Field soccer stadium in Allston, treating paying audiences (and local onlookers not expecting to see David Corenswet up there) to 65 minutes of live classical music tonight, July 19. The DroneArt Show is a candlelit open-air concert featuring a live string quartet—think well-known masterpieces like Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' and Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'—accompanied by dazzling displays of synchronized drone displays. Outfitted with programmable LED lights, these bits of flying tech will arrange themselves into figures like lotus blossoms, swans and ballerinas, giving your grandparents' fireworks a run for their money. To the lush sounds of Debussy's 'The Snow Is Dancing,' the drone fleet will assemble and dissemble into dozens of new formations, reflecting the thrilling movements of the timeless music. Their vivid designs are tightly choreographed to complement the spirit of the live concert, evoking a breathtaking emotional response. The first act of the program will reflect the four seasons, with the second presenting a sky-bound homage to birds: from chicks and cuckoos to swans. This blend of classical music and state-of-the-art technology has sold out engagements across the U.S., Australia and Spain, and will continue working its magic in cities worldwide given its popularity. Next up: Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco in August. Tickets range from $39 to $53 and include seats. Looking for an upgrade? The VIP Picnic Experience ($105) seats you in the best viewing area and includes a personal picnic blanket, candle and special snack, along with fast-track entry. Doors to this all-ages event will open 90 minutes before its scheduled 8:45 pm start time. Food and beverage will be available for purchase at the event, though without gluten-free or vegan options. Rest easy, though, as outside nourishment is permitted (though not alcoholic drinks).
