Client-Side Encryption for Gmail

Google announced that the client-side encryption is in beta for Workspace and education customers. The purpose of this is to keep the emails secured, those emails which are sent with the help of the platform's web version. When people are very much concerned about data security and online privacy, Google released the update. If you want to secure your private data, then it will be a welcome gift.

The Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers are able to sign up for this until January 20, 2023. Hence, you need to know that the update is unavailable for personal Google Accounts.

How to Set Up Client-Side Encryption for Gmail (beta):

The client-side encryption beta allows the users to send and receive encrypted emails both within & outside of the domain. You should know that Gmail bodies and attachments encrypt inline images, whereas email headers along with the subject, timestamps, and recipients lists are not encrypted in Gmail.

If you have Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, or Education Standard, it is possible to apply for the Gmail CSE beta. Before applying, you should follow these steps to generate the account.

Set up Gmail CSE beta:

1. Prepare your account:

Ensure that your company uses Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, or Education Standard.

Step 1) Set up your environment:

Make a new GCP project enabling the Gmail API in Google cloud console:

• Your first job is to generate a new GCP project. Make sure that you have noted down the Project ID. 
• Now, Google makes the project accessible to non-public, pre-release Gmail API endpoints.
• Head towards the Google API Console. Next, you should enable the API for a new project.
• After that, move to the Service accounts page to generate a service account.
• Finally, you should save your private file key to the local system for the service account. 

Grant your service account domain-wide access:

• You should sign in to the Admin console of Google workspace using your super administrator account. 
• After that, you need to move to Security. Then, you should go to Access and data control, API controls. After that you need to go to a Domain-wide delegation. 
• You have to use the service account's client ID ( made at the time of setup) so that you can add a new API client. 
• Finally, you needed to use the account for the OAuth scopes: gmail.settings.basic, gmail.settings.sharing, gmail.readonly.

Create the test group of users for Gmail CSE:

• You need to first sign in to the Admin console of Google workspace. Then, you need to move to Directory and Groups. 
• Next, you should tap on the Create group. 
• Now, your task now is to add users separately to the test group to let them use the CSE beta of Gmail. Ensure that you are not adding groups. 
• Note down the email address of the test group.

Step 2) Prepare your certificates:

Create S/MIME certificates: Ensure that there is a S/MIME certificate for every user who is in the group and who is going to test Gmail CSE. You should know that senders & recipients need certificates. Therefore, for S/MIME, you need to move to Gmail-trusted CA certificates. If you are willing to use the test certificate authority, you should indicate that uploading the certificate to the Admin console of Google workspace trusts the root CA.

You need to use the key service to wrap S/MIME private keys. Hence, you should read the steps which can be found in the documentation of the service provider and follow them.

Step 3) Configure your key service and IdP:

• First, you should set up the external key service— only the primary key service, not the secondary one. 
• After that, you need to link the workspace to the key service. 
• Then, you should connect Workspace to IdP or Identify Provider.

2. Apply for the Gmail CSE beta:

Submit the Test Application of the CSE Beta once you are ready. Ensure that you add the essential email address, Project ID, and test group domain.

As soon as the application is received, you will get an email in your account when it is ready.

Now, you should try setting up the CSE beta for the users.

3. Set up Gmail CSE beta:

Once there is a notification saying that the account is ready, you should go through the steps so that you can set up the CSE beta.

1. Turn on Gmail CSE:

Use the super administrator account to sign in to your Admin console of Google.

Head towards Security thereafter and move to Client-side encryption.

Now, you should tap on Gmail.

Go to the left panel, and choose the group which you have submitted in the enrollment form of your Gmail CSE.

You have to manage the User access so that you can set this to On. Hence, up to twenty-four hours may be required to take effect. However, it happens very quickly.

In case you remove a user from the group or turn Gmail CSE off for the group, all previous client-side encrypted content will remain accessible.

2. Upload users' certificates and wrapped private keys to Google:

You may use the Gmail API to upload the S/MIME certificate of a user and wrap the private key with the service account private key file. All users need to make a key pair and an Identity with the help of the key pair.

The process needs up to 24 hours to make the certificates available in Gmail. Finally, you can use Gmail CSE.

4. Send and receive Gmail CSE Emails:

Ensure that the sender and recipients turn on CSE, and have valid certificates. If any recipient forgets to carry a valid certificate, the sender is unable to send the email.

Send an encrypted email:

• Your first task is to tap on Compose in Gmail. 
• After that, you must tap on Message security in the message's right corner. 
• Now, you should tap on Turn on in Additional encryption. 
• Next, your task is to add the subject, recipients, and message content. 
• Tap on Send. Then, you should sign into the identity provider when prompted.

Receive encrypted email:

• As soon as you get the CSE encrypted message, you can see "Encrypted message" under the name of the sender. 
• Your first job is to open your encrypted message in your inbox. When prompted, your job is to sign in to the identity provider. 
• Then, you may see the message decrypted automatically in the Gmail browser window.

Try out Gmail CSE features:

There are a few features that you should try in the account.

• Send and receive encrypted messages within the organization 
• Send emails to external recipients 
• Share digital signatures with external recipients 
• Include quoted emails in a thread 
• Receive emails from other mail clients like Microsoft Outlook and Apple Mail. 
• Attach a file 
• Paste an image 
• Forward messages 
• Save encrypted drafts 
• Undo send

Conclusion:

Google Drive apps which are for iOS, Android, and desktop, compatible with client-side encryption. According to Google, the specification will be integrated into mobile apps for Meet and Calendar later. Google also said that the Client-side encryption secures the data and addresses a huge range of data sovereignty and compliance needs.

Google Voice: Best Call Performance with Intelligent Network Switching

Google is currently offering a new update to the Voice app which is known as "Intelligent Network Switching." This feature enables you to switch intelligently from Wi-Fi to cellular connections, as its primary purpose is improving call performance. The app is able to detect the poor connection between wiFi Or cellular and switches automatically. It can offer an improved calling experience without disturbances. Hence, as a user, you need to enable the feature in the app. Then, it will switch the network.

What does it actually mean?

Suppose you are placing a call and the app has a single ideal network for choosing from, which indicates if you switch to WiFi when you are on the call, it will still remain connected with the cellular connection. However, people can now experience a huge and enhanced difference with improved call quality performance. In addition, you should remember that this new update from Google lets you generate a few rules for incoming calls.

Hence, you need to know that calls can be routed in various ways. Besides, what is unique in this case is that the app can bring smart replies to the platform. As a result, you can respond to incoming messages easily. Remember that the app can determine which connection has the ability of providing improved call quality. As a result, it switches automatically when the call is in progress. Earlier, the app had the ability of choosing the ideal network when the call was placed initially. It means that in case, in the middle of a call, the user went from cellular to WiFi. Then it may stick with the cellular connection. But now, Google is launching essential updates to the platform. As a result, people can get improved call performance.

Impact of Smart Suggestions:

The service got a new update at the end of the year's end, and this update states that calls can be routed from different callers. Smart Reply suggestions are available throughout Google's portfolio of the products. As a result, users can give an easy path for responding to incoming messages. Hence, it will be a great addition to Google Voice. If you want to use the app, head toward the Play Store. You can use the application to contact friends, family, and coworkers. Moreover, it can offer a new digital phone number without any additional cost. But people who belong from outside of the US can not take benefits of this perk.

You should know due to the new update Google Voice, it can offer improved call quality to the users. Now, the service can switch to another network, indicating that if the current network fails when you are on a call, the app will choose the best network.

What did Google say about it?

Google said that before launching this new update, the service was able to identify only the ideal network when you placed a call. At that time, the service wasn't able to make any changes in network performance. Therefore, in the middle of a call, the users needed to remain with a cellular network even though they switched to a Wi-Fi connection. The company has not specified for which platform the enhancement is done. But it is expected that the app will be likely available on phone apps.

In this regard, you should know that this one is a simple addition to a service that has not got enough love from Google. According to the reports, the company has done the last update in October. This new feature allows the people to use mobile numbers from local carriers on the platform. The company released some shortcuts in the previous year. 

These shortcuts allow the user to call or text someone directly. Hence, you need to long-press the app's icon on the home screen. Moreover, you can quickly access the currently used contacts using the shortcuts. The company closed the Voice website already for personal accounts earlier this year. Along with this, a few web features, like carrier-forwarded calls from linked numbers, can be removed.

What is the New YouTube Emotes Feature?

As a YouTube user, we all have noticed a dramatic transformation in recent years because of the user engagement level. As it is essential to carry on the user-centric approach, the website has rolled out a new feature named 'YoutTube Emotes.' With the help of this feature, you can express your thoughts through fun images at the time of live streaming. You can use these images also while commenting on any post or video.

People already have used emojis on YouTube videos and streams while commenting. Now, the app has included a massive collection of custom emojis which you can send through comments. Like the stickers in Emoji Kitchen stickers, you can paste the static images into the conversation. But you should know that it will not appear like the animated stickers that you can find in Telegram.

This feature also has a little bit of similarities to the specification that Twitch offers for livestreams. When it comes to Twitch, you will get custom-created emoji from the streamers. But if it comes to talk about YouTube, you should know that the emotes are available sitewide.

But according to YouTube, the emotes are generated mainly for gaming. However, a lot of designs will be added to the platform. You should know that this feature is currently unavailable for mobiles. It seems that there will be approximately 60 emotes available for a chat.

What is the new YouTube Emotes feature?

Sometimes, it happens that we are unable to express our feelings through words. Then, we need emojis to add interest to the chat. So, to make the chats more interesting, YouTube has introduced this new 'YoutTube Emotes' feature.

Using this specification, you will be able to see a few fun images that you can use while live streaming or commenting. YouTube Emotes is actually a collection of several fun images which can be used to create a community on the app. This new feature lets you see all the emojis and emotes located under any channel membership custom emojis. Like emotes on Twitch, YouTube has introduced its own emotes. In this regard, you should know that Twitch is a famous platform for interactions of live-streaming content.

The main intention of launching this feature is to provide several emojis which you can use to communicate or comment to express your thoughts properly. Another fact that you should know is that Abelle Hayford, Guy Field, and Yujin Won made gaming Emotes. YouTube is expected to add more categories and themes. But YouTube didn't indicate whether the platform is testing this new feature in selected regions Or with small groups. Therefore, it seems that the platform will offer this new feature to all the users.

How to use YouTube Emotes:

If you want to use emotes, your first task is to hit the icon in comments or live chat. Therefore, you get to see all emojis and emotes. Whereas the YouTube emotes can be found under any channel membership custom emojis. You can insert emotes in live chat using particular names. For example, you need to type ":smile:'' to autocomplete the smile emoji. In chat, you have to type the name of emote while watching a stream. According to YouTube, Emotes are especially for gaming, but the platform will bring more emote themes.

Conclusion:

The company YouTube introduced the "Live Q&A" feature in November. With the help of this feature, it is possible to create Q&A sessions and manage them in the live chat when the streaming continues. People are able to access the feature via the "Live Control Room".

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How to use or access YouTube Emotes?

You should hit the icon only during the live chat or comments. Then, it will display all emojis and emotes.

Q. What was the new feature for the Live Q&A YouTube feature introduced last month?

It will allow you to create Q&A sessions and manage them too during streaming, and live chat.

Philips TAS2505 Bluetooth Speaker

TPV Technology recently introduced the Philips TAS2505 Portable Bluetooth speaker. It comes with an IPX7 rating. Besides, it is equipped with the 800mAh battery that can provide ten hours of playtime. The 6W max output power of this device makes it unique.

This model is equipped with mono loudspeakers and a passive radiator for a punchy base. Besides, it comes with a multi-color LED strip. The strap can flash in sync with the music. In addition, the speaker is very lightweight and comes in a compact design. As it has a carry-on strap, you can carry the speaker easily while trekking and hiking.

You can enjoy hands-free calling with the default microphone. According to the company, the play time of the model is more than ten hours on a full charge. The company says users, the speaker gets fully charged within just 2.5 hours through a USB-C port.

Features of Philips TAS2505 Bluetooth Speaker:

Robust and IPX7 waterproof:

The model is IPX7-rated, indicating that it can withstand entire immersion in water up to 1m deep for up to half an hour. It is the perfect model if you want to party in the shower, by the pool, or in the pool. 20 m is the wireless range of the model.

10 hours of playtime and 2.5 hours of charging time:

What makes the model unique is that it can offer clear sound even when you are playing the music at a loud base. There is a passive radiator for boosting the bass. With a playtime of ten hours, the model takes 2.5 hours to get fully charged. It comes with a built-in mic. The music will pause automatically when a call comes.

Multi-color LED lights:

The speaker grille comes with LEDs that can flash several colors when music is played. The LEDS will get dimmed once you turn down the volume. With the help of the carry strap, you can tote the speaker easily. Besides, you can hang this from your bike's handlebars.

Pick your favorite color:

The device comes in different color options. So, you can pick your favorite color to show your style. In addition, the model features automatic pairing and a digital volume control system.

The lanyard of the product allows the users to carry the speaker easily. With the help of a 1.75-inch broadband driver, the product can deliver a clear sound and strong bass.

Accessories: 

The model comes with a default microphone, LED lights, type-C USB charging cable, warranty card, worldwide warranty card, fast start guide, and so on.

Dimensions and weight: 

If it comes to measure the dimension of this model, then you should know that the depth is 9.1cm, whereas 4.1cm is its height and 9.15 cm is the width. Weight of this model is 0.19kg.

Specifications of Philips TAS2505 Bluetooth Speaker:

• Speaker drivers: 1.75″ full range 
• 6W maximum output power 
• Mono sound system 
• Power LED indicator: RGB 
• Bluetooth profiles: A2DP and AVRCP 
• Bluetooth range: Line of sight, 20m

Pros:

• 2.5 hr charging time and 10 hours playtime 
• Built-in microphone 
• Type-C USB charging cable 
• IPX7 water resistance 
• 5.0 Bluetooth version 
• 800mAh battery capacity

Cons:

• Unable to connect to android devices sometimes.

Conclusion:

Philips TAS2505 Bluetooth Speaker can provide a wireless range of up to 20 m. According to the company, this model can run up to 10 hours on a single charge. Besides, it comes with a built-in mic for calls. Moreover, it is IPX7 rated.