You can get LG’s first Chrome all-in-one later this month for $350
Five months is almost enough time for us to question whether a product announced at CES will become vaporware, so any news about the LG Chromebase is welcome. This morning, we learned that LG’s first Chrome OS-based all-in-one will be officially available at online retailers on May 26th for $350. The Chromebase comes with a 21.6-inch 1080p IPS LCD, an Intel processor that’s based on Haswell and 100GB storage space on Google Drive for two years. This was just one product out of several announced in tandem by Google and Intel today, all of which are reasonably priced and are aimed at competing against the PC industry.
Chrome OS will bring offline Play Movies later this year
One of the biggest concerns with Chrome OS is the fact that much of the platform relies on an internet connection to actually do what they’re supposed to do. Fortunately, Google’s aware of this and is working on it, one feature at a time. Today, the software giant announced that the Play Movies Chrome app will support offline movies and TV shows in the next several weeks. This feature has already been available on Android devices, so it’s nice to see it expand into the Chrome OS sphere, along with continued manufacturer hardware support for the platform.
Google Classroom helps teachers easily organize assignments, offer feedback
In doing its part to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day, Google has announced a preview of Classroom: a simple system for course work organization. The free software is nestled inside Google Apps for Education and serves up a quick and easy way to create/organize assignments, give feedback and communicate in real time with students. As you might expect, Classroom leverages Google Docs, Drive and Gmail in order to complete the aforementioned tasks, automatically creating folders in the cloud-based repository for each student when there’s a new assignment. “Classroom is based on the principle that educational tools should be simple and easy to use, and is designed to give teachers more time to teach and students more time to learn,” writes product manager Zach Yeskel. If you’re an educator that’s interested if giving it a shot, you can apply to be part of a limited preview. Google plans to release Classroom to any school using is education-minded apps program in September — just in time for the fall semester.
Filed under: Software
Source: Google
There’s a new PlayStation Vita available in the US today: what you need to know
Look, we’re not gonna review the PlayStation Vita again. Promise. Three times is enough, no? We think so too. But we do want to tell you that the second version of the PlayStation Vita is finally available in North America today — it even comes in a bundle with Borderlands 2 for $200 — and we want you to feel safe and secure in your purchase, should you choose to make one. So, is it worth it? In short: yes, yes it is. It’s thinner; it’s got rounded edges; and Sony’s cut a ton of fat from the price as well. Head below for our full video review of the Japanese model, then jump into the Engadget database for specs, reviews from other publications and to discuss which games you’re most excited about. It’s Luftrausers, right? Come on, admit it.
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Sony
Todoist adds Dropbox and Google Drive support, audio notes for premium users
Todoist added key collaboration tools earlier this year, and now it’s going one step further for paid users. Users opting for premium account status will get Dropbox and Google Drive support to include cloud-stored files and documents with task lists. There’s support for native files too, as you can now record/play audio files and attach photos via the web or mobile apps. Alongside the aforementioned task and project sharing tools, folks using free accounts will can access the new features when they’re invited to work on a paid user’s assignment. The company says that real-time collaboration and this new file-sharing add-on is filling its productivity quiver to launch a dedicated enterprise version in the near future. If combining your storage repository with your to-do list sounds like something you’d like to add to your workflow, there’s a 30 percent discount on the $29 annual asking price for the next two days.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Todoist
Google Stars leak reveals a new way to share and search your bookmarks
Google+ expert Florian Kiersch recently revealed that Google’s testing a bookmarking app called “Stars,” and he’s just posted a video (embedded below) showing how it might work. The initial leak exposed how you could star web pages from Chrome’s address bar, organize them by folders, and search content within those pages. Those searches would use suggestions and auto-complete like Chrome, displaying the results in an “image-rich grid.” Now, a splash screen (above) has confirmed much of that, and his demo shows how your favorites can be organized from a primary screen and set to private or public visibility. That’s how you’d automatically share links with the public or keep them confined to your Google+ circles. Stars may arrive in the future as an app or extension on Chrome and would probably be embedded in other Google apps too — assuming it survives the beta.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Via: TNW
Source: Florian Kiersch (Google+)
You can now crop and add borders to images in Google Docs
You’ll have to download the standalone apps to get to work on mobile devices, but you can now crop, rotate and add borders to images inside Google Docs. The same handy modification tools that have been available in Slides now make their debut in Mountain View’s word processor. Gone are the days of firing up a separate app to crop those snapshots down size before properly illustrating your thesis. If you’re in need of a step-by-step breakdown, Google provided one right here.
Filed under: Software
Source: Google Drive (Google+)
Mulling a new wardrobe? Google Now alerts you when it’s available nearby
Sometimes you have to run out for a meeting seconds before you’re able to commit to a well-researched online purchase. Fret not though, Google Now is here to help. The card-based system will display the items that you’re longing for when they’re available from a retailer you’re passing by. All you need to do is update Search for Android and the software will remind you of the products and pricing info, allowing for a quick stop on the way home. That’s after you find your car, natch.
Source: Google (Google+)
T-Mobile LG G Flex getting Android 4.4.2 KitKat OTA Update
Tmonews is reporting that the T-Mobile LG G Flex is finally picking up Android 4.4 KitKat today. The update is currently rolling out to owners of the flexible device by way of a typical OTA fashion. The update will bring in the LG Knock Code feature, the one that lets you knock on your screen in a pattern to unlock it. Along with various bug fixes and battery life improvements. The file size is said to be 150MB’s, so Wi-Fi and some time to kill with over 50% battery is a good idea.
Interestingly enough, the update information isn’t finding its way to T-Mobiles Support page just yet. AC must have seen it and I assume TMo pulled it to fix their typo in the Android version number. Either way, it is out there in the wild for some users. Head into Settings > General > About phone > System Updates > Check Now to give it a go. let us know if it pulls down.
Source: ToNews / AndroidCentral / TMo LG G Flex Support
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Xbox handheld game console isn’t in the books, says Xbox lead Phil Spencer
Microsoft’s new Xbox head Phil Spencer doesn’t think an Xbox gaming handheld makes sense. Spencer took to Twitter yesterday afternoon in a surprisingly candid conversation with fans, one of whom asked if Microsoft is pursuing, “a handheld Xbox One-like gaming device at E3 or in the future.” Spencer responded with a frank, “I don’t think we’ll do a dedicated handheld gaming device.” To him, Windows Phone and tablets make more sense. “Maybe with controller support someday,” he said. That should put to bed rumors of an “Xbox Surface” for now.
Spencer also offered a taste of what his team is showing at this June’s gaming trade show, though it shouldn’t be a big surprise: games, lots of games. That’s new IP, sequels to existing franchises, and, apparently, throwbacks to “neglected” franchises that Microsoft owns. Also not a huge surprise considering the recent relaunch of Killer Instinct, but we’re fascinated to see what else could get the reboot treatment. Crimson Skies, perhaps?
[Image credit: Ben Heck]
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, HD, Microsoft
Source: Twitter
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