The Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit has been a whirlwind of information this week, and surprisingly, some of the biggest news has nothing to do with phones. Just a couple of days after we heard from both Google’s Rick Osterloh and Qualcomm’s own CEO that the Android and ChromeOS merger was real, but we … [Read more...] about It’s official: Google says the Android and ChromeOS merger is coming ‘next year’
Android
Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is written by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. Join Chrome Unboxed Plus for just $2 a month to get an ad-free experience, access to our private Discord, and more. Learn more about membership here.
START FREE TRIAL (MONTHLY)START FREE TRIAL (ANNUAL)
The Android and ChromeOS merger is real, and Qualcomm’s CEO says he’s seen it
The swirl of rumors and code commits pointing to a major, foundational shift in the future of ChromeOS has been intensifying for months. From the official announcement of the move to the Android Kernel to the more recent discovery of "Android Desktop" being tested on modern Chromebooks, all signs … [Read more...] about The Android and ChromeOS merger is real, and Qualcomm’s CEO says he’s seen it
Google is testing ‘Android Desktop’ on Chromebooks, and I’m not sure what to think
With the potentially massive, foundational shift of ChromeOS to the Android kernel on the horizon, there's been a ton of speculation about what the future of our favorite operating system will actually look like. Will it feel the same? Will it be a true fusion of the two platforms? Will ChromeOS … [Read more...] about Google is testing ‘Android Desktop’ on Chromebooks, and I’m not sure what to think
The best compact Android tablet you can buy just dropped back to its lowest price
For years, the market for small Android tablets has been a sea of compromise, generally forcing you to choose between a portable size and high-end, flagship-level performance. But every once in a while, a device comes along that completely switches things up. That device is the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen … [Read more...] about The best compact Android tablet you can buy just dropped back to its lowest price
Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: A new chip with a name that already needs an explanation
We're just a week out from Qualcomm's annual Snapdragon Summit, where the company will unveil the next-generation chip destined to power 2026's flagship Android phones. However, Qualcomm has jumped the gun by announcing the name of its new silicon—the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5—and has already … [Read more...] about Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: A new chip with a name that already needs an explanation
Google’s September Pixel Drop brings a visual refresh and smarter earbuds
The latest quarterly Pixel Feature Drop is here, and the September update is a big one, especially for owners of slightly older Pixel phones and the Pixel Buds Pro 2. This drop delivers on some of the key promises from last month's Made by Google event, bringing a splashy visual refresh to more … [Read more...] about Google’s September Pixel Drop brings a visual refresh and smarter earbuds
Google wins in court as Chrome and Android are safe from a forced sale
For quite some time now, the massive Department of Justice antitrust case against Google has loomed over the tech world, with the potential for seismic, landscape-altering changes. One of the most extreme remedies proposed by the DOJ was the forced sale (or divestiture) of Google's most critical … [Read more...] about Google wins in court as Chrome and Android are safe from a forced sale
The Pixel Watch 4 is finally repairable, and that’s a huge deal
For the past three generations, the Pixel Watch has had one major flaw. If you broke the screen or the battery started to fade, you were simply out of luck. Without a warranty, your only option was a full, costly replacement. It was a glaring hole in Google's sustainability message and a major … [Read more...] about The Pixel Watch 4 is finally repairable, and that’s a huge deal
Everything Google announced at the fun-filled Made by Google 2025 event
At their Made by Google 2025 showcase in New York yesterday, Google unveiled their latest hardware lineup with a big dose of personality. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the event generally felt less like a stiff, rehearsed keynote and more like a talk show - although there were still a few cringey moments. … [Read more...] about Everything Google announced at the fun-filled Made by Google 2025 event
Why I still haven’t given up on getting Adobe Premiere Rush on my Chromebook
Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time editing social media videos for our other business, Proof Golf, with Adobe Premiere Rush, and I’ve been doing it almost exclusively on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The experience has been fantastic, but it’s also stirred up a familiar, long-dormant desire: I really wish the … [Read more...] about Why I still haven’t given up on getting Adobe Premiere Rush on my Chromebook
Google’s Pixel 9a is already on sale for $100 off, and it’s a no-brainer
The Google Pixel 9a was only launched a few months ago, but that isn't stopping it from getting a significant discount for those in the market for a new phone without a flagship price tag. Google's mid-range handset has already proven to be a reliable powerhouse, and for a limited time, it's an even … [Read more...] about Google’s Pixel 9a is already on sale for $100 off, and it’s a no-brainer
Android Desktop is picking up a few more ChromeOS abilities
The ongoing story of Google's plan to combine ChromeOS and Android into a single (or at least a far more cohesive) platform is one of the biggest we're tracking. While Google has yet to come out and just say it, it really does feel like a key part of that transition is making Android a far more … [Read more...] about Android Desktop is picking up a few more ChromeOS abilities
