The Lenovo S330 Chromebook is the de facto entry-level Chrome OS machine on the market right now thanks to its low price-tag, solid spec sheet, and a reasonably impressive performance. Considering that the Lenovo S330 Chromebook is now 12-months old, it still manages to be one of the best value Chromebook packages on the market today.
Chrome OS has made vast inroads into schools around the world. Many of the operating system’s advantages also translate to the business space, and Google is today making hardware adoption easier with Chromebook Enterprise and the first Dell Latitude Chromebooks.
It’s almost impossible to browse the web these days without being inundated by sites asking if they can send you notifications. Infuriatingly, these notification requests even appear as dialogs that take over your screen on Chrome for Android. Google is working on a new way for Chrome and Chrome OS to deal with requests for notification access, including blocking them automatically.
We’re at that time of year when you might be looking for a solid back to school tech starter kit that mixes the right gear into one easy-to-follow an affordable package.
After rolling out to Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, version 76 of Chrome OS is now available. Notable features include Flash being blocked by default, a new single sign-on for Android apps, media controls, and much more.
With the Back to School season well under way, Google is launching a new “Switch to Chromebook” ad campaign that features Bill Nye. “The Science Guy” is explaining the human resistance to change in the particular context of getting a new computer that runs a different operating system.
Late last year, we uncovered a list of devices that would never be able to support Chrome OS’s Linux apps (Crostini). At the time, we noted that the second-generation Chromebook Pixel from 2015 was not on this list, and that it in fact stood a chance of getting the necessary upgrades to support Linux apps. It seems that eight more devices are following suit to allow their owners to run Linux apps.
A few weeks ago, we learned that Google was working on a Chrome OS release notes web app, which would be tailored to your specific Chromebook. Google has now launched this simple web app (installable on Chrome OS) under the name “What’s New.”
Following version 76’s release on Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, the next beta release of Google’s browser is rolling out. The Chrome 77 beta features a new welcome experience, and readies more customization options for the New Tab page and might bring Google Assistant to more Chromebooks.
Last week, we learned that Google is beginning to experiment with potential improvements the Chrome OS shelf, starting by offering a smaller version for clamshell Chromebooks. We’ve now learned from an internal doc that Google is making some changes to the Chrome OS app shelf and its icons, specifically in preparation for the Pixelbook 2.
With Android Q, Google has been affirming that dark mode is important to them on mobile, even allowing apps like Chrome to darken websites. This same dark mode for web is now coming to Google Chrome on desktop and Chrome OS.
In the latest Chrome OS Canary, Google is testing a smaller design for the Chrome OS shelf and its app icons, currently hidden behind a new flag.
A new device has been submitted for FCC certification today, having many of the hallmarks of a Made by Google Chromebook, further hinting at the arrival of a Pixelbook successor this year.
As Chromebooks and Chrome OS tablets have become more popular, there’s been a higher demand for accessories that are specific to the keyboard layouts on these devices. Following the lead of Brydge and Belkin, Logitech is reportedly joining in the Chrome OS keyboard game with the yet-to-be-announced K580 keyboard.
In late 2018, Google announced that its Fast Pair feature for headphones would not only work on Chrome OS, but would also sync your devices between Android and a Chromebook. Now, in the latest Chrome OS beta, it appears that Fast Pair is finally starting to work.
Google has long maintained bug bounties that pay researchers for discovering and submitting security issues directly. The Chrome Vulnerability Reward Program is now increasing amounts across the board, with a standing $150,000 prize for Chrome OS compromises.
Google’s Chrome OS is maturing in a lot of ways, but one simple feature that it totally lacks is a screensaver. That may soon change, though, as a commit strongly hints that Chrome OS may be adopting the Chromecast backdrop images for a new screensaver-like “Ambient Mode” for Chromebooks.
A fairly obvious Chromium commit this week has revealed that Google is working on a feature that most people probably already assumed existed. In a coming release, Chrome OS will be able to use USB tethering with iPhones.
Back when Chrome OS first started getting popular, the Acer C720 Chromebook quickly emerged as one of the best options. Last month, though, that popular Chromebook got its last update. Now that the Acer C720 Chromebook is dead, let’s take a quick look at what that means for those who still own it, and what the best models are for replacement.
As Chrome OS continues to mature, it’s adding features and tweaks that make it a better platform for everyone. Now, Google is adding two new features to the Chrome OS settings menu with Bluetooth battery indicators and better parental controls.
Chromium development work has commenced on a second Chromebook powered by one of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, under the dragon-related codename “Trogdor.”
If you’re a Chromebook fan, you know that Chrome OS is constantly getting updates, but unless you follow a site like ours, you’d be hard pressed to figure out what actually is new in an update. In the near future, Google will provide a useful ‘Release Notes’ web app to better explain what’s new on your Chrome OS device. We’ve got a sneak peek at what it currently looks like.
After rolling out to Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, version 75 of Chrome OS is now available. Notable features include Linux improvements and more parental control options with Family Link.
Most of the best Chromebooks on the market today are powered by Intel processors. However, it seems Chrome OS will not be supporting the upcoming next-generation of Intel Core processors, Ice Lake.
