Google Chrome is currently the most popular internet browser, beating the competition by quite a distance. Google consistently updates the software in order to add new features or to fix bugs. However, not all of the changes that are made to Chrome from time to time are favored by its users. One such feature is autoplay videos - videos that play autonomously, sometimes with sound enabled, regardless of whether you interact with them or not.
Google Chrome users will now be pleased to know that the company will be allowing them more control over the browser's behavior soon.
In a blog post, Google has detailed that starting with Chrome 64, autoplay videos will only be allowed if there is no sound or if a user has shown interest in the content. Other cases in which media will autoplay are as follows:
- The content is muted, or does not include any audio (video only)
- The user tapped or clicked somewhere on the site during the browsing session
- On mobile, if the site has been added to the Home Screen by the user
- On desktop, if the user has frequently played media on the site, according to the Media Engagement Index.
The company explains that this will improve data consumption and eradicate unwanted noise when browsing. It will also offer more control to users and unify web behavior across various platforms.
Google has further announced that in Chrome 63, users will be allowed the choice to fully disable audio on individual sites, an option which will persist between browsing sessions. Chrome 63 will be making its way to users in October 2017, while Chrome 64 is slated for release in January 2018.
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