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The introduction of the Google Play Store to Chrome OS has created a void in the hardware market that manufacturers appear to be working quickly to fill. What once was a market of cost-effective devices with a few high-end, somewhat overkill machines (no offense Pixel LS), is rapidly becoming a consumer-driven landscape for more.
More features. More options. More configurations.
More, more, more
The good news is, despite to pending release of devices like the Samsung Chromebook Pro, development of yet-unused tech in Chrome OS continues to move forward.
For those of you who may have missed all the buzz about the Chromebook Pro, it is a very sleek looking convertible that sports a stylus and a screen that rivals some of the best non-Chrome OS devices on the market.
As beautiful and advanced as this and many other coming devices are, the people want what they want. Even before first talk of Android Apps on a Chromebook there was a small contingency of Chrome OS users who were adamant about seeing a detachable Chromebook.
Initially, the Chromebook market started as a very narrow niche. However, times have changed and the retail draw for these devices has become quite real. Evidence of new devices like the Lenovo Yoga Book Chromebook are proof positive that manufacturers are taking Chromebooks seriously.
Now, it seems, the desire for a detachable Chrome OS device has become more that just a dream. A recent commit from the Chromium OS repository makes a brief – albeit tantalizing – reference to detachable keyboards. The commit is actually working on a new recovery key combination. At first glance I didn’t give it much thought. Then I scrolled through the developer’s comments.
There it was in black & white,
I’m also not sure what to do about detachables…
Check out the reference yourself below.
Now, before you get too excited, there is not a device attached to this commit. We have found no clues pointing to a specific Chromebook being produced with a detachable keyboard. The point is not only is a detachable Chromebook plausible, it has been given serious thought by developers and manufacturers alike.
Someone along the way has discussed what the hurdles will be for this type of device. Developers are clearly looking towards what will need to be done to make this option a reality. I would not be surprised at all to see a detachable Chromebook in development before the first of the year.
Exciting stuff to say the least.
