Google Chrome is testing a new method on Windows 11 and Windows 10 to download audio and save battery life. This feature aims to reduce CPU usage by allowing the hardware’s audio processor to handle audio processing, instead of the CPU. Evidence of this feature was detected on a confirmation page by Windows Latest, hinting at an experiment for audio downloading on Windows.
The idea of downloading audio to reduce CPU usage is not new, as Microsoft first addressed this issue in 2019. By offloading audio processing to the hardware’s audio processor, CPU usage decreases and battery life is saved, especially on 2-in-1s and laptops. Google, Microsoft, and Intel have been working on this feature, which can be activated in Chrome Canary by enabling a flag called “Download audio for streaming video.”
In testing, it was found that the default buffer time for audio downloading is set at 50ms. Google notes that enabling this feature requires the audio service to have a low integrity level, so users should ensure that the audio service is sandboxed. The feature is still in the experimental phase, with no release schedule mentioned. It is likely that Microsoft will also implement a similar feature for its Edge browser, as it uses the same Chromium engine as Chrome.
In addition to the audio downloading feature, Chrome also offers memory-saving features like Sleeping tabs and a Power Saving feature, which helps conserve battery life when it is low. Edge has its own performance management settings and in-browser performance detector, which has helped it gain market share against Chrome.
Overall, the new audio downloading feature in Chrome aims to optimize battery life and reduce CPU usage by offloading audio processing to the hardware’s audio processor. This is a welcome addition for users who rely on Chrome for their day-to-day browsing activities, especially on devices where battery life is a concern. As the feature is still in the testing phase, users can expect more improvements and optimizations in the future.
Article Source
https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/06/25/google-chrome-to-offload-audio-to-save-battery-on-windows-11-and-windows-10/amp/
