Progressive web apps are becoming the new standard for Chromebook owners – slowly, but surely. With more PWAs appearing on the Google Play Store seemingly by the week, Chrome OS users will eventually know exactly where to go in order to get new experiences for their device once they unbox it. Now that they’re getting […]
Continue ReadingNew & Upcoming Features
Eureka! Playing Vulkan Games in Crostini
Today is a day I’ve been waiting for for a long time: Vulkan support in Crostini is a reality. Technically, it’s been available in the default “termina” virtual machine since Chrome OS 93. The catch was that the Debian container inside the virtual machine needs an updated and experimental graphics driver (the VirtIO Venus driver). […]
Continue ReadingChromebooks are receiving native Google Calendar integration directly on the shelf
A few months ago, I created a mock-up showing what a dedicated Calendar widget would look like baked directly into the Chromebook shelf. This would allow users to have quick access to see what date falls on what day of the week, and even potentially see any upcoming events on their agenda. I also alluded […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Nest reveals its new doorbell and cameras which include offline support
After ‘accidentally’ leaking its new Nest hardware on its own store yesterday, Google has finally announced revamped and long-awaited vision for the future of its products. On The Keyword today, several new devices were announced and are now available for pre-order. Here’s the list of what we can look forward to: $179.99 USD – Google […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Slides, Sheets, and Drawings add Smart Compose to make commenting faster
Smart Compose – Google’s AI and machine learning implementation of autocomplete in Android and Gmail made its way to Google Docs last year so users would be able to quickly and efficiently complete comments and cut back on wasted time. Not only that, but the feature also helps reduce grammatical and spelling mistakes. Through intelligent […]
Continue ReadingChromebooks gain continuous dictation right from the shelf with Chrome OS 92 update
For anyone who is familiar with dictation software such as Dragon: Naturally Speaking, you’ll know that the ability to speak your thoughts and see them transposed to the screen is incredibly useful and equally awesome. Emails, documents, messages – you name it. On Windows and macOS, you’ve been able to use such software for years […]
Continue ReadingAndroid and Linux apps can be moved between Virtual Desks in Chrome OS 92
Ever since Chrome OS launched its Virtual Desks feature, you’ve only been able to shift chrome tabs and web apps around between them. For anyone utilizing Crostini for Linux applications or the Google Play Store for Android apps, the very experience of using desks has likely felt incomplete. Neither of these could previously be moved […]
Continue ReadingChrome OS 92 includes an updated Clipboard manager for tablet-style Chromebooks
With the release of Chrome OS 89, Google implemented a modern clipboard manager that was able to house more than just text. Instead, you could copy images and more in addition and multiple items would be held there simultaneously, as opposed to the one item at a time approach that you would traditionally get out […]
Continue Reading[Claim] Stadia Pro adds five games for August – Valkyria Chronicles 4, Epistory, Grime, and more
Update: Claim now! Much to the surprise of many (not me), Stadia keeps going strong. Pro subscribers will be receiving not three – not four, but five new games for the month of August! I have to admit, I didn’t expect this. Instead, I expected Pro games to drop down from four to two or […]
Continue ReadingGoogle’s native Office Editing becomes more native – Directly opens links, skips the preview
Normally, clicking a link shared with you from someone within Google Workspace to view a traditional Office Word, Excel, or Powerpoint file in Drive would first launch it in what’s called ‘Preview Mode’. This would allow you to preview the contents of the file prior to fully opening it. Honestly, I’ve always thought this was […]
Continue ReadingGoogle announces new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro details including Tensor – its very own SoC
Update: Added display and camera information and updated colors to more accurately reflect current information. In a surprise appearance, Google just revealed much more about its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones. On The Keyword, the company’s Senior Vice President of hardware, Rick Osterloh, discussed its custom silicon chip, “Whitechapel” and how it would […]
Continue ReadingYoutube is testing a cheaper ‘Premium Lite’ subscription that only rids you of ads
Google is testing a less expensive Youtube Premium subscription for those who are only interested in removing the ads from their watching experience. It’s called Youtube Premium Lite, and for now, it’s only appearing in Europe. According to The Verge, that would be Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to be specific. “In Nordics […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Meet is now a progressive web application, making it easier to access
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are taking the world by storm. Instead of utilizing a locally downloaded and installed packaged app, as you traditionally would for mobile or laptop experiences, PWAs allow you to access full app-like programs directly through your web browser – no install necessary. It’s as easy as clicking or tapping an icon, […]
Continue ReadingStadia Premiere Edition bundle permanently drops to $80 USD to make way for new offering
Stadia for Android TV has finally launched, and it’s allowing millions to enjoy Google’s game streaming service directly in their living rooms on devices that couldn’t before. You don’t even need to own a Chromecast with Google TV or a Chromecast Ultra anymore. Heck, you don’t even need to own a Stadia controller either – […]
Continue ReadingChromebook Explore app makes claiming perks even easier with onboarding cards
About this time last year, Google added special, colorful cards to the home screen of the Explore app (formerly the ‘Help’ app). These were created to be a simple and welcoming way to help onboard new Chromebook users who just returned home from the store with their devices. Instead of having to visit the Perks […]
Continue Reading