Google teases Thunderbolt 3 support for Chromebooks in new code commit
Chromebooks could soon support a feature that has long been present on competing Windows 10 laptops and MacBooks. According to a very specific new commit from the Chromium Repositories, Google might be working to add support for Thunderbolt 3 to ChromeOS, and perhaps newer Chromebook devices.
Lenovo’s colorful new Chromebooks make the jump to Intel processors
Lenovo unveiled its lineup of colorful new Chromebooks featuring bold colors and Intel processors under the hood. These new Chromebooks are available in both a traditional clamshell notebook design, as well as a convertible form factor for users who want the versatility of a tablet.
New Dell Chrome OS-powered Latitude 5400 and 5300 2-in-1s are made for business
If you need a Chromebook for work, Dell's Latitude 5400 and 5300 2-in-1 Chromebook Enterprise bring the best of Dell's business notebook designs and the simplicity of Google's Chrome OS. They may look like their Windows counterparts, these Latitudes are designed for a premium Chrome computing experience.
Google cancels upcoming Pixel Slate, abandons plans for future Chrome OS tablets
It's bad news if you were looking forward to new Google-built Chrome OS tablets, as Google has officially ceased production on two new devices. The news has been confirmed by a Google spokesperson, and means we won't be seeing any new tablets from Google. Support for the Pixel Slate will continue.
All Chromebooks launched in 2019 will be Linux-ready out of the box
Google revealed at this year’s Google I/O that all of the Chromebooks launched in 2019 will have the ability to run Linux “right out of the box.” This covers all 2019 Chromebooks, including Intel and ARM-based ones. There are also other planned, developer-friendly Chromebook improvements.
Chrome OS 74 combines Google Assistant with device and web searching
Google latest Chrome OS build has combined three different kinds of search into one search utility. Google Assistant, device, and web searching were all brought together in Chrome OS 74, which was released this week. Google’s newest Chrome OS build also sports a few other features as well.
Looking for a Chromebook? The Google PixelBook just got a $200 price cut
Once relatively obscure, Chromebooks have come into their own in a big way in recent years. One of our favorites is the super-sleek Google Pixelbook, and it's on sale right now from Amazon for $200 off, letting you score this premium laptop for $799.
Google working on new project that cleans up app management on Chrome OS
The Chrome OS operating system supports Chrome extensions, PWAs, Android Apps, and even Linux apps, but trying to control settings for each often means visiting separate menus. Well, that might soon change as Google is working on a new "App Service" project that will clean up app management on Chrome OS.
Google’s Fuchsia OS: Everything you need to know
Android may be the largest mobile operating system in the world, but nothing lasts forever. Google is already working on an operating system called Fuchsia that could power the next generation of smart devices. But what does it entail? Here's everything you need to know about Google's Fuchsia OS.
You’ll soon be able to scribble all over PDFs on your Chromebook
Google may soon release a new PDF annotation feature for its Chrome OS PDF viewer. With the new feature, Chrome OS users can expect to draw and annotate their PDF documents using a mouse, touchpad, stylus or touchscreen. The added drawings can also be saved as a new file.
Microsoft to target Chromebooks with new Windows Lite OS, report says
Microsoft has long been on a journey to make Windows faster and more efficient, but it has had little success among consumers. With Chromebooks becoming ever more popular, Microsoft is again looking to target Google's popular Chrome OS with a new lightweight version of Windows dubbed Lite OS.
Can two operating systems coexist? The Pixel Slate thinks so
The Pixel Slate is a 2-in-1 device like no other. It’s not the most polished product we’ve ever used, but Google has laid the foundation for letting mobile and desktop software sit side-by-side. Here’s what Google has changed in Chrome OS to make it all work -- as well as where it all falls apart.
Google confirms virtual desktop support will eventually arrive on Chromebooks
Google is looking at ways to make Chrome OS a better alternative to Apple's MacOS and Microsoft's Windows 10 platforms, and one way to do that is by introducing a virtual desktop. Though Google has confirmed that Chromebooks will be getting the virtual desktop feature in the future, a timeline was not given.
The rise and fall of the Android tablet
In 2018, Android tablets are effectively dead. Google itself shows little interest in stoking app optimization for the form factor. But how did we get here? And is Chrome OS the natural successor to this once-promising market segment? We take a look at the history of the Android tablet thus far.
Chromebooks will finally get the tablet mode they always needed
Chrome OS 70 is currently rolling out to Chromebook devices across the world. This latest update introduces new changes focused on making Chrome OS more touch-friendly, including features such as a centered system taskbar with larger icons, and a new Gboard inspired touch keyboard.
HP Chromebook x2 vs. Google Pixelbook
There's a slew of premium and innovative Chrome OS devices on their way over the next several months. The HP Chromebook x2 is just the first, and it's a 2-in-1 that offers a great build, good looks, and awesome performance for a low price. Is that enough to take on Google's ultra-premium Pixelbook?
Chrome OS update could make switching to tablet mode far easier
Chromebooks could become a little easier to use in tablet mode soon thanks to an impending update for Chrome and the operating system its based on. It looks set to dynamically change the size of icons in the UI depending on the configuration of the Chromebook, making touch icons easier to select.
Google’s Pixelbook 2 tablet could debut with fingerprint security
A leaked animation on a developer build of Chrome OS 70 may betray Google's secret hardware plans for its next-generation Pixelbook 2 tablet hardware. The render shows users how to register a fingerprint, suggesting that Google may be adding biometric security support.
Chromebook users may soon get the Pixel phone’s best feature: Its camera app
Google may be giving Chrome OS users the best feature from its Pixel phones. Long heralded for its computational photography capabilities, the Google Camera app from the Pixel phone may be making its way to Chrome OS devices, but there's a catch: Your Chromebook must be able to run Android apps.
Chrome OS keeps improving, but it still doesn’t work for me
Chrome OS continues to improve, with Android app support, better tablet functionality, and a continuous stream of improvements that makes it increasingly capable. But whether or not it works for you comes down to how you use your PCs -- and for me, Chrome OS is too limited to fill my every need.
New Chrome OS features make your Chromebook a better Windows replacement
Google is paving the way for more apps to make their way over to Chromebooks, after having brought support for Android apps previously. With the release of Chrome OS 67, Progressive Web Apps can now run on Chromebook hardware. The update will roll out to Chromebooks over the next several days.
You’ll soon be able to send texts on your Chromebook
Google could be following Apple's iMessage lead by linking Android Messages to Chrome OS. Evidence of a native client appears on a new commit in Chromium Gerrit although there are no details about how the integration works. A separate commit describes pairing a Chromebook with an Android device.
The slick HP Chromebook x2 just landed at Best Buy
The HP Chromebook x2 targets Apple's iPad Pro — and it’s on sale at Best Buy for just $599. The device is detachable, converting from laptop to tablet.
Chromebooks will start to feel more like Windows, but in a good way
Google adds more productivity features, improved app support, and better multitasking to Chrome OS to make Chromebooks a better alternative against systems running Windows 10 or MacOS. These new Chrome OS features make Chrome OS feel just as natural in notebook or tablet form factors.
Material Design 2.0: rounded corners, darkened palette, and more
A now-privatized mention of "Material Designs 2" in a Chromium commit suggests that Google could be working on some new user interface elements for its Chrome OS browser and beyond.
Chrome OS notification center redesign borrows from Windows 10 Action Center
Google is about to change how Chrome OS users will see and interact with notifications. In a new redesign, a change to the notification center shows that Google will merge notifications with some system quick settings in a move that mirrors Microsoft's Windows 10 Action Center.
Would you buy a Pixelbook if it could boot into Windows and Chrome OS?
Newly discovered code reveals that Google could allow Chrome OS users to dual-boot into a secondary operating system. This potentially means that Pixelbook users could run Windows 10 in addition to Chrome OS, or Google could use the feature to allow users to test its unreleased Fuchsia OS prior to launch.
Samsung now offers a Chromebook Pro with a backlit keyboard for cave dwellers
Samsung introduced the Chromebook Pro in May 2017. Nearly one year later, the company now offers nearly the same model but with a backlit keyboard and a reduced Bluetooth component. Everything else in the backlit version is identical to the original model -- same processor, memory, and so on.
Google’s new ‘tablet mode’ further blurs the line between Chrome OS and Android
It’s still too early to tell if Chrome OS will replace Android on tablets, but with a new tablet mode, Chrome OS tablets will gain more touchscreen support. As Google focuses on touch, Chrome OS may not be as reliant on the keyboard and mouse for input in the future.
What’s weirder: A Chrome OS tablet or an Android laptop?
The first Chrome OS tablet was announced this morning, alongside news that Google was testing the latest version of Android on Chromebooks. Our poll tells us that people are more confused by the cross-pollination than anything else.
Chrome OS may jump straight to eating Android Pie rather than munching on Oreo
Notes posted on the Chromium boards suggest that Android support on Chrome OS may jump to v9.0 "P" rather than move to v8.x "Oreo."
The very first Chrome OS tablet makes its debut as the Acer Chromebook Tab 10
Acer formally introduced the Chromebook Tab 10, the very first Chrome OS tablet designed for students. It supports Google Play, too.
Can a Chromebook replace a laptop in a photographer’s workflow?
With a native version of Adobe Lightroom, Google's Pixelbook proves that Chrome OS can mature. But can it keep up with MacOS and Windows for serious photo editing?
Your Chromebook could soon be easier on the eyes when used in the dark
With over 25 million Chromebook users out in the open, a dark mode is long past due, but is this yet another tease that Google will deny?