Google this afternoon confirmed that it abandoned two in-development tablets that would have followed 2018’s Pixel Slate. Hardware head Rick Osterloh reiterated the new sole focus on laptops but also added that the rest of Google is still committed to Chrome OS tablets from partners.
Google’s efforts in the tablet space have rarely been successful, and we all thought the company had called it quits after discontinuing the Pixel C a couple of years back. Today, the company has confirmed that it’s stepping out of the tablet market following the Pixel Slate and will focus on laptops only from this point forward.
Last October, we discovered that Google intended for the new Google Assistant experience on Chrome OS to arrive on “all Chromebooks.” Eight months later, we’re finally seeing the fruit of this, as Google is enabling Assistant for all devices starting with Chrome OS 77.
Chrome OS has become one of the best operating systems on the market today by its ability to seamlessly combine traditional web browser experiences with progressive web apps, Android apps and Linux apps. Now, Google is looking at shaking up the Chrome OS experience, for better or worse, by sometimes preferring Android apps over web apps.
Earlier this month, Google officially killed off the Celeron model of the Google Pixel Slate, effectively making the $799 Intel Core m3 model the new base model. So, is the Core m3 powered Pixel Slate actually worth picking up? I’ve spent the past few days finding out.
Following version 75’s release on Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux last week, the next beta release of Google’s browser is rolling out. Chrome 76 features a number of user-facing changes including blocking Flash by default, and making it harder for sites to detect when you’re using Incognito Mode to get around paywalls.
Google today announced that Chromebooks will be more widely available in Australia. The company worked with manufacturers to bring more Chrome OS devices Down Under and make them easier to purchase at retailers.
Almost every day here at NewGeekGuide, we try to uncover the latest developments happening in Google Chrome and Chrome OS. The frustrating thing is that it’s often weeks or months before the things we report on make it to our devices. If you’re brave enough to use less-than-stable software to try out these latest features, then Chrome OS’s Canary update channel is for you—here’s how to make the switch.
Following along with the development of Google’s Fuchsia OS, it has become clear that it will be capable of running both Linux and Android apps. Chrome OS can also do both of these things, and that’s no coincidence, as the Fuchsia team has opted to use some of Chrome OS’s developments for their own benefit.
For years now, Google Chrome and Chrome OS have had matching options for how frequently you want to receive updates—Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary. It seems Chrome OS is preparing to shake things up a bit with a new “Quick Fix” update channel for enterprise customers.
Just before last year’s October 9th event, Google announced Project Strobe to review third-party access in all services, including Android. This initiative is now cracking down on Chrome extensions and requiring them to use less data, as well as to stop deceptive install practices.
For the past few years, it’s been possible on many Chromebooks to install the Play Store and run Android apps. This opened the door for Chromebooks to become more than just glorified web browsers. Now, Google is looking to make some major under-the-hood changes to Chrome OS’s Android apps support, which may allow for a long-requested feature.
One of the best things about Chrome OS is how easy Google has made it to switch from one Chromebook to another, thanks to the variety of backup and sync options. The Chrome OS team appears to be improving this experience in the near future by also syncing WiFi passwords.
In any given day, the amount of times that I’ll need to right-click something numbers in the dozens. This is especially true now that Chrome OS has picked up Linux apps support. And yet, some people are unhappy with one of the ways we can right-click on Chrome OS, and Google may be changing it soon.
Last year, Google started work on a new project for Chrome OS that had a lot of promise for users. Project Campfire, as it was called, enabled the ability to reboot a Chromebook into Windows or a full version of Linux. Unfortunately, Google is apparently pulling the plug on that project.
Following last year’s Meltdown and Spectre attacks, new Intel CPU vulnerabilities have emerged. Colloquially named “ZombieLoad,” Google has already taken steps to protect Chromebooks today, while Chrome OS 75 next month features additional mitigations.
Following version 74’s release on Android, Chrome OS, Mac, Windows, and Linux, the next beta release of Google’s browser is rolling out. At this stage, Chrome 75 is still developer-focussed with a number of new APIs and features.
After rolling out to Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, version 74 of Chrome OS is now available. Notable features include a new unified search that redesigns the Assistant experience. Other additions include PDF annotation tools and folder creation in My Files.
The ability to have more than one “virtual desktop” is a hallmark of many desktop operating systems including Linux, Mac OS, and even recent versions of Windows. It allows you to separate your (too many) open apps and windows into cleanly divided work spaces. One major OS that’s been missing out though is Chrome OS, but Google is finally starting to change it with the new “Virtual Desks” feature.
Update: We now have a third video showing Chrome OS’s virtual desks and how they’ll actually work.
Android Q has only been in beta testing on Pixel phones for just over a month, but Google has already begun work to bring this latest version of Android to Chrome OS devices, according to a code change.
HP’s latest Chromebook features a 15-inch touchscreen display with thin side bezels, and a slightly more premium finish compared to entry-level Chrome OS devices with Android apps. At $449, the HP Chromebook 15 is slim, light, and includes a full numeric keypad on the edge-to-edge keyboard.
Each year, Chromebooks become thinner and more portable, but this unfortunately comes at the cost of once-indispensable ports like HDMI and Ethernet. Some devices, like the Pixelbook, don’t even have so much as a full USB-A port.
These can, of course, each be replaced with a separate dongle, but many Chromebooks have only two USB-C ports, which would make it impossible to use two dongles and charge simultaneously. The Moshi Symbus Q, which plugs in with just one USB-C port, is able to replace all of these dongles, charge your Chromebook, and wirelessly charge your phone simultaneously.
With the Google Pixel Slate, Chrome OS took something of a step forward in camera quality, and in fact it was the first Chrome OS device to introduce Portrait mode photos. The feature has since been exclusive to the Pixel Slate, which uses its own custom app. According to a new code change, the stock Chrome OS Camera app will be getting Portrait mode and more very soon.
In the build up to last year’s Made by Google hardware event, we shared our three leading guesses for the in-development devices most likely to be Google’s Chrome OS flagship for 2018. Two of those, “Nocturne” and its failed predecessor, “Meowth”, were accounted for by the Pixel Slate, leaving “Atlas” unexplained. Knowing Google’s recent history with hardware leaks, it was only a matter of time before Atlas revealed itself. The time has come, as leaked two videos purported to be of the Atlas Chromebook have come to light, offering our first glimpse of what could be the next Made by Google laptop.
