chrome

It can be tough going a day without using Facebook and Google in some capacity. Though we use these sites because they're useful, interactive, and, most importantly, free, that doesn't mean they come without a cost. We "pay" them with our personal data, which is why the settings that keep that information private are often hidden and hard to come by. Privacyfix (free), a new extension for Google Chrome and Firefox, takes the rocket science out of securing your online data by bringing all of those discrete settings together, in one clear place.

The browser app tells you which websites are sharing your data, tells you which are tracking you right now, and displays both Facebook and Google privacy settings in a simple, easy-to-navigate dashboard. Settings that you might want to "fix" are flagged in yellow, and clicking on the "fix" button will take you right to the opt-out page on the appropriate site, where Privacyfix shows you the pros and cons of changing that setting.

Also find out how much Facebook and Google make from ads at your level of online activity and what percentage of your browsing history is tracked. We found out that Facebook tracks over 90 percent of our online activity and Google makes about $830 per year from the ads it shows us!

Let us know what you think of Privacyfix and if you plan on installing this security tool on your browser.

Babies aren't the only ones who love to grab at shiny objects! Their mamas do too, and that's why metallic is making a strong showing in the nursery these days. The latest baby item to go metallic is Bloom's ultramodern Fresco Chrome ($650 for the new silver or mercury versions). Debuting later this month, the Chrome takes the popular three-position chair and adds some flair with a metallic frame designed to blend into the rest of the kitchen and dining room decor. The chic seat has us dreaming up a sleek nursery filled with silver and charcoal objects. Here's what we'd put in the room!

• Dwell Studio's Thompson Glider in Dotscape Charcoal ($1,190) would be the focal point of a room. Throw a bold-color blanket on it for a bit of added style.
• Little Giraffe's Luxe Silver Blanket ($86) is a popular gift at baby showers. Spread on the floor for playtime or strewn across the glider, it's the perfect blanket for cuddles with baby.
• Jennifer Delonge's Moroccan Poof ($250) is a fun seating option for larger nurseries — and one that kids can have fun playing on once they're older.
• 4 Moms' Mamaroo Classic Bouncer ($200) is another ultramodern addition to baby's room. Its built-in rocking and gliding mechanism will help soothe fussy tots.
• 7 AM Enfant's Voage Diaper Bag ($112) takes the sting out of giving up your favorite bag for baby!
• Tiffany's Silver Bow Brush ($275) is a classic that looks great both sitting on a bookshelf or in Mom's hand when she's grooming her lil one.
• Schylling's Metal Speedster ($100) is almost too pretty to play with — almost!
• Nap Nanny's Chill Cover Platinum ($50) is a great place to rest baby when it isn't quite naptime, but she still needs a seat. The new platinum color continues our room theme.
• KidsLine's Decor Shoppe Mirror Wall Decals ($19) add some decoration to the room's walls.

Gmail and Chrome are becoming even closer friends, especially when it comes to email. Google released an update this week that allows you to open a Gmail compose window every time you click an email address within Chrome. When you log in to Gmail, you should see the below banner, asking if you'd like to allow Gmail to open all email links. After you accept this, anytime you click on an email address while in your Chrome browser (say, you need to email the support team for your Internet service or the returns department for some online shopping gone wrong), instead of Outlook or Mail popping up, you'll get a Gmail compose box instead. So easy.

Craving a few more basic Gmail tips and tricks? Then just keep reading.

• Make voice calls — You can easily make voice calls in Gmail on the cheap. In the "Chat" section, just click the "Call Phone" button and enter the digits. You'll then be able to make free calls to landlines the US and Canada, and for supercheap, you can call cell phones and landlines worldwide.
• Search with options — If you haven't discovered the "Show Search Options" link to the right of the Gmail search bar, you're in for a treat. Clicking it reveals a host of helpful options, including the ability to search by sender, date, attachment, subject, and more. It's extremely helpful if you are less than diligent about labeling and filing emails in your inbox.
• Send email from different addresses in Gmail — If you're like me, you probably have multiple accounts that you use for different reasons. Did you know you can write all of your emails within Gmail using different external addresses if you so choose? First sign in to Gmail and head over to "Settings" and select the "Account and Import" tab. In the "Send mail as" section, click on the "Send from another address" button, where you can add and verify all of your external addresses. When you compose a message within Gmail, you'll then be able to select which email address you want to use in the "From" drop-down menu.

See a few more tips after the break.

New to Chrome? Here's a handy tip that might save you some time. Rather than manually typing in the web address to your most frequently used sites in the Chrome web browser, you can opt to download the extensions instead. Extensions are little icons to the right of the web address bar. Clicking the extension icon sends you to the site directly or allows you to quickly review the latest updates without having to visit the site directly. Below, a breakdown of some apps new Chrome users should consider downloading.

1. News: Stay up-to-date with a reliable news source like CNN, especially the tech section.
2. Mail: Google Mail Checker extension shows new email notifications and will send you directly to your mailbox when clicked.
3. Social media: Use Facebook Notifications extension to preview any unseen notifications, which include likes, comments, invites, friend requests, and new messages.
4. Productivity aid: Fun websites and social media can be a distracting thing, so if you are looking to calculate the stats of your browsing history (i.e. time spent on your top 10 sites), check out the History Trends extension. It pulls info from your web history to show you charts and figures that will help you better delegate your time and resist the urge to go on Facebook throughout the day.
5. Explore the web: For when you have time to leisurely browse the web or come across a webpage you would love to share, do both with ease using the StumbleUpon extension.

Have any favorites of your own? Share them with us in the comments!

The holidays are a perfect time to get cozy with your camera. The lights, the food, the weather, all of it makes for an awesome shot at a moment's notice. And if you need a bag that's going to stand the test of time, there's none better than the Chrome Niko Camera Bag ($95) to do the job. Chrome was kind enough to send me this bag to test out, and so far, I don't want to give it up. At first glance the Niko may not seem so "female-friendly," but on the contrary, it has no problem fitting smaller frames, and best of all, it's not too bulky.

Made of tough military grade nylon, this bag can take a beating and come out the other side looking shiny and new. Cyclists and bikers will love the Niko since it's lightweight and compact, but offers amazing protection for your gear thanks to its padded interior and water-resistant zippers. The signature Chrome seat-belt chest strap offers a satisfying click when closed (which also doubles as a bottle opener for those beer-fueled hikes), and the waist straps help it stay snugly in place. I have worried that someone (or something) will accidentally hit the center closure and send my gear falling to the ground, which is a scary thought if you're toting an expensive camera. I will say that ladies with a larger chest may not find this bag desirable. The padded chest strap is wide, so it could cause an unpleasant and uncomfortable "separation of the girls" if you know what I mean.

See who I think the Niko is perfect for, and the one thing I wished it came with after the break.

If you're the type to have multiple tabs open on your Chrome browser (and who isn't?), then you're going to want to download this free extension right away. Called MuteTab, this extension helps you find the tabs that are making noise — whether it be from music, an autoplay video, or an annoying ad ("Congratulations, you've won!") — and lets you shut them down with the click of your mouse. You can even automatically mute all background tabs, so you can enjoy browsing in silence. Finally.

Got an awesome app you want to share? Tell us about it in our Download of the Day group or our Facebook page, and it could be featured on the GeekSugar home page!