Chromebooks can get cheaper thanks to new support for a low-end chip
You can pick up a Chromebook for a dirt-cheap $200, if you know where to shop. However, there are now signs that these Google-powered portables could get even cheaper. MediaTek has contributed code to Chromium OS (the base for Chrome OS) for a test device with an entry-level ARM Cortex-A7 processor — a big step down from the relatively inexpensive Cortex-A15/A7 hybrid that Samsung uses, not to mention the Intel Celeron chips in other Chrome devices. Theoretically, this leads to Chromebooks and Chromeboxes that cost significantly less than $200, albeit after a big speed hit. Just as with phones and tablets, a Cortex-A7 system is likely to be pretty sluggish.
MediaTek hasn’t discussed what it’s doing with the code, and it could be a while (if ever) before there’s hardware you can buy. However, it’s not hard to see why the semiconductor firm would want to support Chrome gear. The company’s chips are seemingly omnipresent in the basic smartphones seen across developing markets like China and India. Support for a starter Cortex-A7 processor could have a similar effect in the PC world, bringing Chrome OS systems to people who might not otherwise get a computer at all.
Filed under: Laptops, Internet, Google
Via: Francois Beaufort (Google+)
Source: Google Source
Acer upgrades its C720 Chromebook with more power… and a higher price
Looking for a more powerful Acer Chromebook? It’ll cost you — the company announced today that its C720 Chromebook is getting a processor bump and a new price tag. $350 buys a notebook with a 4th generation Intel Core i3-4005U CPU clocked at 1.7GHz with a 32GB SSD, a modest bump from the 1.4GHz Celeron CPU, 16GB SSD and $200 starting price of the current model. Acer says the new CPU will give the machine a noticeable performance boost without affecting the 8.5 hour runtime consumers have come to expect from the laptop. Little else about the Chromeboook seems to have changed; its still available with 2GB or 4GB (in a $380 model) of RAM. Still, if you want to save some money with Acer’s cheaper, slower laptop, buy now: the new models hit store shelves later this month.
Source: PRWeb
Google Play for Education comes to student Chromebooks
If Google really is on a quest for global domination, as some folks loudly proclaim, then it’s wisely starting its efforts in the classroom. In addition to attracting schools to its Chrome OS platform, via low-cost Chromebooks, it’s now also offering them access to the “Google Play for Education” hub through those devices. This hub contains apps, books and videos that are especially tailored to kids plowing through their primary and secondary education in the US, and it was previously only available to those who had a school-provided Android tablet.
Via: TNW
Source: Google Enterprise Blog
Android L and Chrome OS will soon have password and pin free Personal Unlocking Ability
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Google I/O produced a ton of information and they only touched on most of it. During two separate parts of the keynote there were two pretty cool features that Android L offers the end user to help simplify their life, while also protecting their data. One simple […]
Verizon backpedals after cutting off free LTE for Chromebook Pixel owners
Nothing like a public shaming to make a company do an about-face. After cutting off free LTE service for Chromebook Pixel owners earlier than expected, Google stepped in to offer users a $150 gift card. Outrage from users persisted, though, and now Verizon appears to be reversing its decision. “We do understand that a very small number of Chromebook Pixel customers may have had a promo end prematurely,” a Verizon spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We apologize for this, and will work with these customers to address the situation.” Based on that statement (and what a vague statement it is), it’s unclear whether the carrier actually intends to restore LTE service, or whether it intends to make amends some other way. We’re asking Verizon to clarify, and will update this post if we hear more.
Filed under: Laptops, Wireless, Google, Verizon
Source: TechCrunch
Google bringing Android apps to Chromebooks
Google I/O wasn’t all about Android and wearables. The Mountain View company unveiled more information about Chrome OS, that other Google operating system, as well. The big news? Google is finally bringing Android apps to the Chromebook. Sundar Pichai, Google’s Senior VP of Android, Chrome and apps, showed off the Vine Android app on a Chromebook Pixel on stage. It seems as if you can mirror the screen from the phone, with a phone-sized screen showing up on the Chromebook display. The apps can access local hardware so you can record a Vine from your Chromebook’s camera if you wish. Additionally, when connected, a notification will pop up on your Chromebook letting you know if your phone battery is low plus incoming calls and text messages too. At last, it seems Google is working to bring Chrome and Android together in a unified experience.
Filed under: Google
Chromebook Pixel owners get $150 after Verizon abruptly cuts off free LTE
The Chromebook Pixel is undoubtably an expensive offering, starting at $1,299 for the 32GB WiFi-only model and $1,449 if you decide to opt for LTE and 64GB of storage. What made the latter pricing more palatable, however, was that you also got two years of 100MB per month LTE courtesy of Verizon as part of the deal. Or so we thought. As it turns out, apparently Verizon and Google didn’t quite see eye to eye on that, as Verizon recently stopped that service for Pixel owners who bought their Chromebook only a year ago — it seems Verizon thought it was a one year plan instead of two. Thankfully, Google has stepped up to take care of the error by offering a $150 Visa gift card to anyone who bought an LTE Pixel. A spokesperson gave us this statement: “While this particular issue is outside of our control, we appreciate that this issue has inconvenienced some of our users. We are offering gift cards to affected customers.” If you need more assistance, you can visit this Google support page and contact the company for more info. That $150 doesn’t quite make up for a year of lost service, but it might help soothe the woes of those who didn’t get what they were promised.
Filed under: Laptops, Google, Verizon
Source: Computerworld, Google Support
Google brings ‘Supervised Users’ setting to Chrome OS
If you are a parent and utilize a Chromebook in your home, then chances are your kids use it too. I have a 13-year-old and keeping her safe and away from things she doesn’t need to be doing online is a daunting task. If you have handed over the Chromebook you can block things through the router, but if you share it then you don’t want to be restricted. Finally there is another option for parents out there that Google has recently added to the Chrome OS, Supervised Users.
This snazzy little option can be enabled through the primary user account and gives parents a ton of control over Chromebooks and Chromebox devices. A supervised user doesn’t need a Google account or even an email address in order to use the Chrome OS. You as the account holder can follow a few simple little steps to create a supervised user and have control over what that users can access, view and even check back on the browsing history.
To get started you will want to head to your Chrome Settings. While you are at it, you might want to check out the Google support pages about it all too.
Source: +FrancoisBeaufort Via 9to5Google
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Your Chromebook now sends photos to Google+ in the background
To date, Chrome OS has only backed up photos to the cloud as long as you left the Google+ Photos app open; that’s a hassle on the frequently limited screen real estate of a Chromebook. You won’t have that headache if you grab the updated Photos app, however. The new version automatically uploads snapshots from your SD card in the background, even if the app is closed; you can move on to email knowing that all those vacation pictures will be safe. It’s a simple addition, but it should make a big difference if you’re planning to go on photo safaris this summer.
Filed under: Laptops, Internet, Software, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Chrome Web Store, Oren Blasberg (Google+)
Google Play Movies & TV gets offline viewing on Chromebooks, info cards in Chrome browsers
Google has unleashed a Chrome add-on for the video on-demand arm of its Play store, a move that also to combat the notion that Chromebooks die and wither away from internet connections. Just as promised, the add-on lets the ChromeOS devices store movies for offline playback — you know, those long flights or camping trips in places where Netflix doesn’t reach, like anywhere with Verizon FiOS. Unfortunately the trick doesn’t extend to Chrome browsers on other platforms, although you can still use the extension to view your library of content or purchase new stuff to watch. The Google Play Movies & TV extension also promises a better Chromecast experience, and the info cards about actors in a scene that rolled out on Android last year. Those are now available in all countries with Google Play Movies, so head to the Chrome store to try it out for yourself.
[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment, Laptops, HD, Google
Source: Google Play (G+)
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