Win a Galaxy Note 9, Dome Glass 2 pack, and Clear Case! [U.S. Only]

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has just been unpacked, and the phone officially goes on sale in two weeks, but we wanted to give you a chance to WIN one along with some cool accessories from Whitestone to keep it safe.
Whitestone’s Dome Glass, which is already a top seller and is touted as one of the best-tempered glass protectors by the largest cellular provider in Japan, has the maximum strength and scratch resistance rating of 9H (hardness measurement), provides full touch and total edge to edge coverage without any gaps or bubbles, and does not fade or fog with extended use.
Created from Samsung’s original blueprints, the Whitestone Levitation case exhibits precise cutouts that align perfectly with your Note 9. This durable, shock absorbing clear case provides the ultimate protection for the best smartphone. And with only 1 mm between you and your phone, this clear case is light and not bulky; it’ll feel like your device is completely bare. You will definitely want to check out these products to protect your new Note 9!
For a limited time, Android Central readers can score 30% off these accessories on Amazon with coupon code THRIFT30!
Use Coupon code THRIFT30 for 30% off Note 9 Dome Glass
Use Coupon code THRIFT30 for 30% off Note 9 Dome Case
Enter to win a Galaxy Note 9 and more!
THE PRIZE: One Android Central reader will receive Galaxy Note 9, a 2 pack of Dome Glass, and a Clear Case. An additional 10 runners-up will receive a Dome Glass 2 pack and a Clear Case.
THE GIVEAWAY: Use the widget at the bottom of this page. There are multiple ways to enter, each with varying point values. Complete all of the tasks for maximum entries and your best shot at winning! Keep in mind that all winning entries are verified and if the task was not completed or cannot be verified, a new winner will be chosen. Please note that this giveaway is available in the U.S. only.
The giveaway is open through August 22, 2018, and the winner will be announced right here shortly after the closing date. Good luck!
Win a Galaxy Note 9, Dome Glass 2 pack, and Clear Case from Whitestone and Android Central!
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Text forwarding on Project Fi will be shut down on September 12

Google’s own carrier offering definitely has appealing features.
If you’re an Android enthusiast, you likely know about Project Fi. But that doesn’t mean you necessarily know everything about it. And for everyone out there who doesn’t have one of the handful of phones that work with the carrier are unlikely to have looked into Project Fi deeply. So we’re here to give you the high-level view at the carrier option that comes directly from Google. Namely, just what the heck it is, how it works compared to other carriers and maybe a few reasons why you’d want to try it.
See at Project Fi
The latest Project Fi news
August 15, 2018 — Project Fi is getting rid of text forwarding
Project Fi is chock-full of helpful features, one of which is text forwarding — the ability to have all of your text messages that are sent to your Fi number also go to other numbers you set up.
Unfortunately, text forwarding is going away after September 12 😞.
Call forwarding will continue to work (i.e. calls to your Fi number are sent to other numbers), but text forwarding will be no more. Google didn’t provide any reasoning for this move, but in any case, we’ll play our sad violin for any of you that relied on it. And in any case, if you need access to your Fi texts on other devices you can use the Hangouts app, which for now still has Fi integration.
🎻🎻🎻
July 16, 2018 — Get a $300 credit when pre-ordering the G7 or V35
It’s been almost a month since the LG G7 and V35 appeared on Project Fi, and if you’ve been holding off on picking one up for yourself, a new promotion for a $300 Fi credit might finally push you over the edge.
Between now and July 29 (while supplies last), you can get a $300 credit that’s applied towards your monthly Project Fi bill when pre-ordering either the G7 or V35 for $749 and $899, respectively.
If you already pre-ordered either of the phones when Google was running its $100 Fi credit promo, you’ll be receiving an email shortly on how to claim your other $200.
See at Project Fi
What you need to know about Project Fi
What is Project Fi?
At the highest level, Project Fi is a phone carrier operated by Google. It works by giving you mobile data service on three mobile networks, which your phone will intelligently switch between — it also uses Wi-Fi to make calls and send texts whenever available. Project Fi is a “prepaid” carrier, meaning you pay upfront for your service in the trailing month, which is the opposite of a traditional carrier (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) that bills you after you use the service.
It’s all about simplified billing with no hidden fees or overages.
Project Fi is focused on simplified billing. You pay $20 per month for unlimited talk and texting, and a flat rate of $10 per gigabyte of data used. At the start of each month you simply estimate how much data you’ll use (by the gigabyte) and pay for that amount — at the end of the month you’ll receive either a refund for data you didn’t use, or pay a little extra on the next bill for data overages. You’ll always pay at the same $10 per gigabyte rate either way. Bill Protection applies to international data usage the same as home usage.
The only time that doesn’t apply is when you hit a level called “Bill Protection” — effectively an unlimited plan tier for Fi. Once you’ve used 6GB ($60) of data in a given month, your bill is then capped at that point for the month but you continue to get data service. You can use as much data as you want for the month without paying over $80 total ($20 base + $60 data). The only caveat here is that once you hit 15GB of total data usage, your speeds are slowed to 256kbps — alternatively, at the 15GB point you can choose to start paying $10 per GB again for full-speed data if needed.
The huge benefit here is that you don’t have to pay for an “unlimited” plan every month — it’s simply there if you use beyond 6GB of data in a month. All other months when you use less than 6GB of data your bill will be less than $80.
You can also set up a “Group Plan” on Project Fi for up to six people to share a single account and billing source. With a Group Plan, all of the same features of an individual plan apply, but you save $5 per person per month on the base plan charge. Billing is handled centrally by the account owner, along with data limitations for each user (if needed) — Bill Protection data usage limits are also handled on a per-person basis. Project Fi charges the group owner for everyone’s bill collectively, but can also facilitate payments back to the account admin from each member to pay their share. Individuals can come and go from a Group Plan as they wish, without any contract.
Unlike most other prepaid carriers, Project Fi is available for just a handful of phones: the Google Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 2, Moto X4, Pixel XL, Pixel, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6. You can also use a data-only SIM card with any tablet that supports the T-Mobile network.
How does it work?
Project Fi works with a special SIM card — and a little software on your phone — that can authenticate you on T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular, and switch between them on the fly based on a variety of factors. On the new Pixel 2 and 2 XL, an integrated eSIM lets you use Project Fi without a physical SIM card and quickly switch between Project Fi and another carrier’s SIM.
Using Wi-Fi for calls and texts, you can keep using your phone in places where mobile data isn’t that great. Extra software called a “Wi-Fi assistant” will automatically connect your phone to open Wi-Fi access points when you’re out of the house, reducing your data usage without any intervention on your part.
You get the power of three mobile networks, plus Wi-Fi, in a single SIM
When you use Project Fi, you also get some of the same features that have made Google Voice popular over the years. You can forward phone calls to your Fi number to any phone you want, as well as view voicemail, make calls and send texts with that number from any device using the Hangouts app and website.
Project Fi also works internationally in 120 countries around the world with no additional cost for data use or texting. You can call at a flat rate to any number while on the cellular networks abroad, or pay much lower rates when calling on Wi-Fi. You can also call back home to the U.S. on Wi-Fi for free. Data used internationally just comes out of your standard $10 per gigabyte bucket, but speeds can vary depending on the country you’re in.
What phones are available?
When Project Fi launched in 2015, the only phone that supported it was the Nexus 6. Google’s been expanding this list over the years, and while the list of compatible phones isn’t nearly on the same level as carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon, it’s one that’s growing all the time.
Along with Google’s own Pixel 2 and 2 XL, other phones that work on Project Fi include the Moto G6, LG G7, LG V35, and others.
These phones work on Project Fi
Why do I want it?
Well, this is really a personal question of whether you actually want to try Project Fi. Chances are if you’re reading Android Central you’re at least one step closer to being the target audience for the Google-powered carrier, but there are a few other boxes to check that make it the right choice for you.
Simplicity in the service and billing are paramount to the experience.
The only big issue for most people is the limited phone choices. Google lets you use its latest phones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, on Project Fi, in addition to a small selection of handsets from Motorola and LG — including the Moto G6, LG G7, and a couple others.
If you’re okay with that limitation, you don’t have many other hurdles to jump over. You can sign up for Project Fi online in minutes, and you can either buy a Pixel phone at the same time or Google will send you a SIM card to put in your existing Pixel or Nexus. Once it arrives, you can start the typical porting process of bringing your current phone number to Fi, or can start fresh with a new number. You can use Project Fi for as long or short as you want, as there aren’t any contracts or commitments involved.
There are lots of cool features that make Project Fi a good choice, like the simplified billing, included international features and improved network coverage through the use of three carriers and Wi-Fi networks. Each one will have a different amount of draw for different people, though.
Project Fi’s pricing isn’t dramatically lower than other carriers out there, and whether it makes a good choice financially for you depends on your data usage and which features you want. We encourage you to do your pricing research before choosing which carrier is the best.
And whether you’re still on the fence or just curious about it, be sure to follow all of our Project Fi coverage here at Android Central!
See at Project Fi
Google Project Fi
- What is Project Fi?
- Get the latest Project Fi news
- Google Pixel 2 review
- Moto X4 review
- Discuss Project Fi in our forums
- Sign up for Project Fi!
Update June 19, 2018: Started a blog roll for the latest Project Fi news and added a section about the available phones.

Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Honor Play: Game, set, match
If it’s sheer performance you’re after, you’ll love what the Honor Play has to offer.

Xiaomi became the largest handset manufacturer in India at the end of last year, and it was all because of a strong showing in the budget category. Xiaomi now accounts for one out of three sales in the country, and over 95% of its market share comes from the sub-₹15,000 ($215) segment.
It isn’t hard to see why Xiaomi is so dominant in this category. Earlier this year, the manufacturer launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro, offering robust hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 636, upgraded cameras, and a massive 4000mAh battery.
The Mi A2 builds on that by offering a Snapdragon 660 — normally featured on devices that cost twice as much — along with even better cameras and an 18:9 screen. The main draw, however, is the fact that the Mi A2 runs Android One, ensuring it receives timely updates.
Honor is also on the rise in India, with the company emulating Xiaomi’s strategy. Its latest phone — the Honor Play — is interesting for several reasons.The Honor Play is powered by the Kirin 970, the same chipset behind the Honor 10 and the Huawei P20 Pro.
The Kirin 970 is just as powerful as the Snapdragon 845, and it’s incredulous to think that the Honor Play is offering such enticing hardware for the equivalent of $290 (₹19,999). For gamers in particular, there isn’t a device that comes close to the Honor Play in this segment.
Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Honor Play: Specs

| Operating System | Android 8.1 OreoAndroid One | Android 8.1 OreoEMUI 8.1 |
| Display | 5.99-inch 18:9 FHD+(2160×1080) IPS LCD panelGorilla Glass 5 | 6.3-inch 19.5:9 FHD+(2340×1080) IPS LCD panel |
| SoC | Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6604×2.2GHz Kryo 260 + 4×1.8GHz Kryo 26014nm | Octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 9704×2.4 Cortex A73 + 4×1.80GHz Cortex A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 512 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/64GB |
| Expandable | No | Yes, dedicated up to 256GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP (f/1.75, 1.25um) + 20MP (f/1.75, 1.0um)PDAF, LED flash, 4K video recording | 16MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4)LED flash, 4K video recording |
| Front camera | 20MP (f/1.75, 1.0um)AI portrait modeLED Selfie lightBeautify 4.0 | 16MP f/2.0 lens, 2.0um1080p video recording |
| Connectivity | LTE with VoLTEWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.0GPS, GLONASS | LTE with dual VoLTEWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.2GPS, GLONASS, FM radioUSB-C, 3.5mm jack |
| Battery | 3000mAh batteryQuick Charge 4.0 (India)QC3.0 (ROW)USB-C | 3700mAh batteryFast charging (18W) |
| Fingerprint | Rear fingerprint | Rear fingerprint |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm | 157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5mm |
| Weight | 166g | 176g |
| Colors | Black, Rose Gold, Gold, Blue | Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Violet |
What the Mi A2 does better

The $250 Mi A2 is all about delivering a user experience that’s devoid of clutter. Android One drives Google’s vision for Android and makes it more accessible across various price points, and the Mi A2 is one of the best examples the program has to offer. For its part, Xiaomi has done a masterful job with its 2018 Android One phone, and if clean software along with timely security updates is a key factor in your purchasing decision, the Mi A2 is one of the best options for under $300.
Neither device is particularly striking on the design front — but the Mi A2 has a slight edge in this area as its back is subtly curved, facilitating better in-hand feel.
That said, the camera sensor on the Mi A2 protrudes quite a bit from the body, making the phone wobble when using it on a flat surface. On the subject of camera, the dual 12MP + 20MP configuration at the back is one of the best in this category. The Mi A2 consistently takes great photos in daylight and low-light scenarios, and the front camera is leagues ahead of what the Honor Play has to offer.


Xiaomi Mi A2 to the left, Honor Play to the right.




While the Honor Play did outshine the Mi A2 in a few scenarios, mainly because of the AI, the Mi A2 is a more consistent shooter that delivers great images in any lighting condition.
What the Honor Play does better

The Honor Play is designed to do one thing, and one thing only: beat every other budget phone when it comes to performance. The Kirin 970 allows it to do just that, and although the Snapdragon 660 in the Mi A2 is plenty capable, it isn’t quite as fast as the Kirin 970. In synthetic scores, the Kirin 970 is closer to the Snapdragon 845.
As a result, gaming is a delight on the Honor Play. The phone handles visually demanding games with aplomb, and playing PUBG on the device is loads of fun. Honor is also offering custom haptics in titles like PUBG that enhances the gaming experience.
With a 3700mAh battery under the hood, the Honor Play also delivers much better battery life. The phone consistently delivered over a day’s worth of use, and it comes with Huawei’s fast charging tech that delivers up to a 50% charge from flat in just 30 minutes.
And unlike the Mi A2, the Honor Play has a 3.5mm jack and a microSD slot.
Which should you buy? Honor Play

With the latest batch of budget phones, it’s easy to see that manufacturers are positioning their devices in such a way that there’s a single marquee feature. The Mi A2 scores a double whammy as it comes with Android One and great cameras, but on the downside, it’s missing out on key features like the 3.5mm jack and the microSD slot.
The Honor Play, meanwhile, is all about sheer performance. You’re buying the device for the Kirin 970, and if you’re a gamer, there isn’t a phone that offers quite as much power. The Honor Play delivers performance that’s on par with the likes of the OnePlus 6 for half the cost. That’s a huge deal, but then again the camera isn’t quite as good as the Mi A2 and you have to deal with EMUI.
Honestly, with so many great options in this segment, it’s hard to go wrong with any one pick. Ultimately, it comes to what set of features you value over others. If you’re more interested in playing visually intensive games on your phone, then the Honor Play is an easy recommendation. But if you want a clean user interface and fast updates, then the Mi A2 is a better bet.
The Honor Play is available for ₹19,999 ($290) for the variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. That’s ₹3,000 ($40) more than what the Mi A2 costs in the country, and the premium is justified when you look at the hardware on offer.
See at Amazon India
Moto P30 goes live with iPhone X design, Huawei P20 paint job
The Moto P30 is the latest Android phone to copy the iPhone X design.

We’ve reached a point where Android manufacturers aren’t trying to hide the fact that their designs are blatant iPhone X copies. The Moto P30 broke cover earlier this week with a design that looked more like an iPhone X than any of Motorola’s previous devices, and the company has formally launched the phone in China.
As the leaks indicated, the Moto P30 follows in the footsteps of the ASUS ZenFone 5Z and the Xiaomi Mi 8 in offering a design that’s essentially an iPhone X knockoff running Android. Whereas ASUS and Xiaomi were content with just ripping off Apple, Motorola went one step further and applied a gradient effect of the back of the P30 that’s eerily similar to what we’ve seen on the Huawei P20 series.
The Moto P30 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ 19:9 display with Gorilla Glass on the front and back, Snapdragon 636, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, MicroSD card slot, 16MP + 5MP rear cameras, 12MP front shooter, 3.5mm jack, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3000mAh battery with Motorola’s TurboPower fast charging.
On the software side of things, the Moto P30 is running Android 8.1 Oreo, and the company’s standard UI is being switched out for ZUI 4.0. We’ve seen Motorola go down a similar route in China in the past, but the phone should come with Motorola’s default interface in global markets.
There’s no mention if the Moto P30 will make its way outside of China, but the phone is set to go on sale in the country later this month for ¥2,099 ($305). That’s for the model with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage; the variant with 128GB of storage will be available for ¥2,499 ($360).
Would you be interested in the Moto P30 if it were made available outside of China? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Xiaomi Mi A2 is now up for sale in India for ₹16,999 ($250)
The Mi A2 is now available on Amazon India, but you’ll have to act fast to get your hands on a unit.

Xiaomi launched the Mi A2 earlier this month in India, and the 4GB/64GB model is now up for sale exclusively on Amazon India for ₹16,999 ($250).
As a refresher, the Mi A2 comes with a 5.99-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 660 chipset, the aforementioned 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of storage, dual 12MP + 20MP cameras at the back, front 20MP shooter with an LED flash module and AI-assisted portrait mode, and a 3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 4.0 for India.
The Mi A2 manages to deliver in a lot of areas, and the camera in particular is outstanding. That said, there is no MicroSD slot, and Xiaomi got rid of the 3.5mm jack as well. You do get two SIM card slots, but the phone doesn’t offer dual VoLTE just yet.
Xiaomi Mi A2 review: A great sequel with a fantastic camera
The Mi A2 is available in black and gold color options initially, but Xiaomi will introduce a Lake Blue color variant shortly. The model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is also slated to arrive in the country at a later date, and if you’re worried about the lack of a MicroSD slot on the device, it makes sense to wait for the 128GB model to make its debut.
If you’d rather not wait, you can get your hands on the 64GB variant of the Mi A2 right away. Xiaomi is once again offering a flash sales model, so if you’re interested in getting your hands on the Mi A2, best act fast.
See at Amazon India
How to use Spotify for your alarm on Google Clock
Waking up to your favorite song is now easier than ever.

Trying to silence your phone while stock alarm tunes blare at max volume isn’t the most ideal way to wake up each morning, but for a lot of us, that’s a process we’re all too familiar with. Thankfully, as part of an update that started rolling out in late July, Google now allows you to wake up to your favorite song on Spotify with its official Clock app.
Starting your day off with Frank Sinatra or Twenty One Pilots is much more ideal than any old preset alarm tunes, so without further ado, here’s how to change your alarm sound to a Spotify song/playlist in Google Clock.
Before we get started, make sure you have Google Clock and Spotify installed on your phone and updated to the latest available version.
Open Google Clock and go to the Alarm page.
Tap on the alarm you want to edit.
Tap the alarm sound icon (the one that looks like a bell).
Tap/swipe over to the Spotify tab.



Here, you can choose to wake up to whatever Spotify song you’d like.
From top to bottom you’ll see a list of the five playlists you most recently listed to and a collection of morning-centric playlists ranging from Rise and Shine, Lazy Mornings, Right Side of the Bed, and Morning Workout. Alternatively, you can search for any specific song, album, artist, or playlist from Spotify’s entire catalog of music.



Once you’ve found the track you want, just tap it, tap the back button at the very top left, and you’re all set!
Good morning!
What song are you going to be waking up to? Let us know in the comments below!
Download: Google Clock (free)
The Echo Dot is just £35 at Amazon UK right now
A great time to add Alexa to your smart home set up.
Amazon’s second generation Echo Dot is available today for just £34.99, matching one of the best prices we’ve ever seen for the device. The Dot regularly sells for £49.99, making this offer a great opportunity to get into the Echo ecosystem or add Alexa to more rooms in your house.

Most will already be familiar with Amazon’s Echo line of products that add smart assistant functionality to rooms in your home. The hands-free, voice-controlled Dot is Amazon’s entry-level Echo, offering the ability to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, send and receive messages, answer queries, read the news, set alarms or timers, among other things.
Featuring an array of 7 mics, it can pick up your commands even when playing music and has a built-in speaker for output (and can be paired to other speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5mm stereo cable for a little extra volume). The Echo Dot is also down to £34.99 at Currys PC World if you prefer to click and collect.
For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK, sign up for the UK newsletter and follow the team on Twitter.
See at Amazon UK
Save big on the Galaxy Note 9 when you pre-order from Verizon or Sprint

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is now available for pre-order and that means some sweet deals to go along with it. Both Verizon and Sprint are offering some great discounts when you pre-order the Note 9.
Verizon
Buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 from Verizon and get one free (128GB model only). The second phone can also be switched out for a Galaxy S9 or S9+ if that’s more your speed. Both phones do require a new line of service with Verizon with monthly device payments — no trade-in required. The $999 discount will be applied as monthly bill credits over 24 months (within 2 billing cycles).
As an added bonus, if you pre-order by 8/23/2018 you can grab AKG noise-canceling headphone or the Fortnite Galaxy skin with 15,000 V-Bucks for free
See at Verizon
Sprint
Sprint customers can get 50% off a new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 when pre-ordering by 8/23/2018 and signing up for Flex Lease (18 months). The discount is applied as monthly bill credits of $20.84 (applied within 2 bills). The line must stay active for full 18 months to receive full discount. If you cancel your lease early, the remaining balance on the phone will be due.
Also from Sprint, get a bonus AKG noise-canceling headphone or Fortnite Galaxy skin with 15,000 V-Bucks for free!
See at Sprint

What does Android Pie mean for Chromebooks?

Android on a Chromebook is the same Android that runs on a phone or tablet. But not really.
The basics of Android on a phone and on a Chromebook are identical. App developers use the same tools to build the same apps and can then optimize things any way they like. You can already tell this by visiting Google Play with your Chromebook and downloading whatever you like.
Almost every app will open and run, though some will run better than others and some will be better optimized for a much bigger screen (this has always been Android’s curse), so Android is Android. But without the parts needed to control the hardware or make a phone call or talk to Verizon towers — Chrome handles all that without needing help from Android — it’s just a little different.
The current version of Android for Chrome OS (Chromeboxes are also a thing!) is Android 7.1 Nougat. Oreo never arrived for Chrome and instead, the Chrome team spent the time needed to make Nougat features like inline replies and stylized notifications fit in so that Android apps didn’t feel as out of place as they did in the beginning. But Android Pie will be coming to Chromebooks and Chromeboxes, and its arrival not only brings support for the new developer APIs but will also serve to bring the Android experience we already know to the bigger screen we already love.
Starting with Milestone 69 (expected sometime this fall for the stable channel), we’ll be seeing all sorts of goodies!

- A new (and hopefully improved) Tablet Mode is on the way, which is great since Chrome tablets are already a thing. In Tablet Mode all apps will still start in full-screen, but we’ll see better controls in the Chrome shelf and much-improved animations. Chrome tablets are awesome, so let’s hope Tablet Mode gets awesome soon.
- A better split-screen experience will allow for more sizing options and Chrome will be able to know an Android app is running in split-screen instead of “just” running.
- Picture-in-Picture is finally arriving for Android apps and Chrome apps. You’ll be able to resize and move the picture window and all the features available for Android phones for PiP will also work on Chrome.
- Version 69 will bring the full Android IME virtual keyboard to Chrome. You’ll be able to replace the current Chrome virtual keyboard, and even emojis are supported. It’s the full GBoard experience.
- Chrome will support App Shortcuts just like your phone running Android Pie. And developers won’t have to do anything special for that to happen — if they build an App Shortcut, it will work.
- Vulkan 1.1 support is coming and that means kick-ass 3D graphics! Some Chromebooks with the latest Intel architecture, like the Pixelbook, already support Vulkan 1.0 but support for more models comes with the newer version.
- Better Pro Audio support is on the way. Version 65 of Chrome brought MIDI support for the Pixelbook and other models, but starting with Milestone 69 we’ll see support for Multi-channel USB audio and the AAudio API complete with MMAP buffer direct writing. Applications that need low-latency audio (think GarageBand) will have everything they need in place.

The best part of all this is that Google has control over when and how these new features arrive. There are slight differences between models, but once a feature is tdon’t and stable it usually comes to every Chromebook at the same time without any manufacturer involvement. That means your Chromebook will get every feature it can support as soon as possible so you don;t have to have a Pixelbook to enjoy them!
Chromebooks
- The best Chromebooks
- Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
- Should you buy a Chromebook?
- Chromebook Buyers Guide
- Google Pixelbook review
- Join our Chromebook forums
Do you love or hate Android Pie’s gestures?
Change is never easy, friends.
If there’s one thing we’ve talked about a lot here on AC over the past few months, it’s Android Pie’s navigation gestures.

This new method of navigating Android is one of the biggest changes to the operating system that we’ve seen in quite some time, and as with any big change, it’s been faced with a mixed bag of reactions.
Pie’s gestures have certainly improved a lot compared to the earlier days of the first public beta, but even so, there are still a few users that aren’t sold on Google’s decision here.
longtime44
08-09-2018 12:40 PM“
Awful, the gestures are terrible so I switched back to the old way (hope Google doesn’t do away with the three buttons in the future). The new swipe up to end apps is the worst thing in the world of Android mostly because if you don’t go 90° straight up then you have to keep trying to close the apps. Straight garbage. Never been so disappointed before in an Android OS before. I may try and go…
Reply
B. Diddy
08-09-2018 12:55 PM“
Gosh, I don’t really see it as that much of a dealbreaker. After doing it for half a day, it’s pretty much second nature for me. I agree it’s nice that we can still use the old method, though.
Also, why are you trying to close apps? Let the system handle when apps are closed out of RAM.
Reply
Almeuit
08-09-2018 01:29 PM“
I personally don’t have that issue. Flick, flick, app closed.
Reply
Morty2264
08-12-2018 11:02 AM“
I am loving the gestures! Sometimes I aim the wrong way by a hair when I swipe up and have to try again; but I’m absolutely loving them and the lack of virtual keys.
Reply
What about you? Do you love or hate Android Pie’s gestures?
Join the conversation in the forums!
Android 9 Pie
- Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices
- Everything you need to know about Android 9 Pie!
- Will my phone get Android Pie?
- How to get Android 9 Pie on your Pixel right now
- Join the Discussion




longtime44
B. Diddy
Almeuit
Morty2264