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Google Chrome bugs: how I’m miserable thanks to my favorite browser

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I’m going to say this straight up, so there’s no confusion: Google Chrome is my favorite browser, both for PC and mobile. Google’s own browser comes with a slew of features, not to mention great integration with other Google services. I’m a person grounded in Google and I tend to use everything that’s got something to do with the search engine giant. I don’t do it because of loyalty or because I don’t know any better, but because so far, I haven’t encountered Google Chrome bugs nor have I found alternative browsers that offer the things I genuinely use with Chrome.

Since we’ve got the biased things out of the way, let me explain objectively why I prefer Google Chrome over Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer (that’s a duh), Opera, Safari, Dolphin or any other browser out there. First off, Google Chrome bugs are virtually non-existent most of the time. But the true advantage of Chrome lies in integration and extensions. The browser is fast, speedy even with 10 extensions eating up memory. I’ve been using Chrome for the past 3 years, and for 2 years and 10 months, it was perfect.

All of my Google accounts where in one place and I could sync them from any device that had Google Chrome installed, which is a great thing to have. I have a lot of accounts on various forums, social media, Reddit, content aggregators, video sharing services and the list goes on. Since I try to be a secure person, I set different passwords for each account and I honestly have trouble remembering them, so Google Chrome does it for me on every device I sync up to.

I have a choice between thousands of extensions, and I usually use about 10 on a regular basis. Most Google extensions, Pinterest, Buffer, Pushbullet, Analytics, Pocket and LastPass. You would imagine that when you are a writer, especially a journalist, you juggle those tabs like crazy. I have a two-monitor setup on my desk, so I can make switching between tabs easier. That means that Google Chrome usually has two windows open, one for each display, and about 10 tabs on average on each window. Granted, I am fortunate enough to be in possession of a pretty beefy laptop, so there shouldn’t be any problem running so many things at once. For Pete’s sake, I can play GTA IV and Fallout New Vegas at the same time (sort of) without my laptop showing signs of tiredness.

That being said, you would image that Google Chrome bugs aren’t really affecting me. Well, they are. And to be clear: I checked and re-checked every forum and website I could find, and I found no fix. I might be overlooking something, though, that’s never out of the question. After reading my Google Chrome bugs story, feel free to comment and tell me if I’ve missed something. I would appreciate any kind of help, because Google is not getting back to me, after countless issue reports.

First off, the more annoying Google Chrome bugs. One of my biggest task when writing and editing is dealing with pictures and attachments. I download and upload all kinds of attachments with ease from emails, but I can download most anything with no issue using Google Chrome and I love the fact that your downloads are actionable right from the bottom of the browser, that way I can easily use drag and drop where possible. Now I haven’t encountered this issue on any other computer, to be fair, but I couldn’t reproduce the setup I’m using when testing the Google Chrome bugs. My problem is with pictures: JPG, JPEG, PNG or any other picture file format.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Aflrbwna44

What problem could I have with them? A really annoying one. When I try to download, or upload a photo to WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or any other type of site, everything goes well until I hit the save button after renaming the file. At that moment, Google Chrome is done. FINITO! It completely freezes up and doesn’t respond. At first, I would have to wait about 11 minutes after each incident and the browser would magically return to normal, with the file I downloaded or uploaded in its rightful place. That kept on going for about 2 weeks, during which I sent multiple reports to Google Chrome, notifying them of the issue. Before stomping my feet and pointing fingers, I made sure to re-install Chrome and try again. I tried with no extensions and also without using multiple windows, as well as tried adjusting the resolution on my monitors so the GPU wouldn’t get confused or something. No use. Nothing changed.

Actually, it got worse. After a couple of weeks of dealing with just the waiting time until the browser became responsive again, it got worse. Indeed. Now, whenever I try to repeat the downloading and uploading process, Google Chrome completely freezes up and never returns to normal. I need to stop the process, because the program is completely unresponsive. After I stop all the 30 Google Chrome processes I’ve got going in my Task Manager (multiple windows, multiple tabs), then Chrome shuts down. I can restart the browser immediately and do a “restore tabs” and everything is back to normal. Sometimes the file I tried downloading or uploading even shows up in its designated spot. But that only happens sometimes.

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Screenshot after selecting the JPG file I want to upload – Chrome unresponsive on both screens (windows)

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Screenshot after hitting the save button for a JPG file – Chrome unresponsive on both screens (windows)

This or rather these Google Chrome bugs have rendered me miserable. I don’t want to, under any circumstances, switch browsers completely, because I genuinely love Chrome. But now, I have to do use two browsers. One for uploading and downloading photos and another for all the rest. Mozilla Firefox is my obvious choice for this, and I don’t have any issues with it. Save for the occasionnal sluggish performance and bad loading. But I want to be able to use Chrome! So my question is: Why does Google not respond to my requests and reports after about 4 months of me experiencing this issue? Have any of you encountered similar Google Chrome bugs or am I the victim of some weird conspiracy?

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

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5 Reasons You NEED To Play The Final Fantasy VIII Remaster

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Final Fantasy VIII Remastered

After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.

First time available on modern hardware

As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.

The visuals look better than ever

Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.

Quality of life improvements

While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.

Triple Triad

The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.

The game is awesome

While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?

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10 Huge Games Still Coming In 2019

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10 Huge Games Still Coming 2019

2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.

Control

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A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.

Borderlands 3

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It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

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Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

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Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.

The Outer Worlds

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Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

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It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.

Death Stranding

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If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.

Pokemon Sword & Shield

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At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.

Shenmue III

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If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.

DOOM Eternal

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id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.

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5 Most Exciting Announcements From The Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference

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Microsoft E3 2019

Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.

New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020

We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…

Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett

The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.

Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves

It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.

FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced

This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.

Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West

It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”

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