Digital Wellbeing is Android's toolset for helping users look after their own health and maintain balanced screen time and app usage limits. While we still don't have it on ChromeOS - something I'm pining for in 2023 - I was surprised to wake up and find that the app is getting a useful, new … [Read more...] about Soon, you’ll be able to pause Digital Wellbeing’s Focus Mode schedule while on vacation
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The first ARM Chromebooks with the newer Android 11 ARCVM container are finally on the way
To say the transition to the newer Android container on Chromebooks (ARCVM) has been a long, painful journey would be a massive understatement. Started well over 2 years ago, ARCVM is a new way of delivering Android apps on Chromebooks versus the older ARC++ container. It handles display scaling … [Read more...] about The first ARM Chromebooks with the newer Android 11 ARCVM container are finally on the way
The Gaming Preferred toggle for Nest Wifi in the Google Home app disappears with Stadia
I still remember back in 2020 when Google added a "Gaming Preferred" option to the Home app for Nest Wifi users. I was so stoked that they were giving special Stadia-focused attention to non-Stadia apps in an effort to support its cloud gaming initiative. While just a quick flick toggle that … [Read more...] about The Gaming Preferred toggle for Nest Wifi in the Google Home app disappears with Stadia
Google Messages raises its limit for end-to-end encrypted group chats to 100 members
To date, you've been able to add up to 20 other people besides yourself (21 total) into a Google Messages group chat with end-to-end encryption. This feature has been a thing for over a year now, and while that's quite a high limit for most people, there are undoubtedly folks who would prefer that … [Read more...] about Google Messages raises its limit for end-to-end encrypted group chats to 100 members
Google’s Material You custom theme colors are on the way for Chromebooks
The advent of Google's Material You design language on Chromebooks has been a slow process. Our own Michael Perrigo mocked up what Material You on Chromebooks would likely look like over a year and a half ago, so the idea of it isn't new at all. Slowly over time, Google has added small bits and … [Read more...] about Google’s Material You custom theme colors are on the way for Chromebooks
How to send a free fax from your Chromebook
Have you ever thought "man, I'd sure love to send a fax today?" Okay, maybe not. However, there is a slim chance that you may encounter a situation similar to what I recently experienced and you may be left pondering the same query. Here's my situation. I had some important documents that needed to … [Read more...] about How to send a free fax from your Chromebook
Google Podcast results vanish from Search as the service continues preparing YouTube merger
Last October, we discovered that Google had appointed a new lead to clean up its Podcasts initiative. Since then, Kai Chuk, a YouTube veteran with more than 10 years of experience at the company has decided that Podcasts itself should be merged with the larger, more popular platform. We already … [Read more...] about Google Podcast results vanish from Search as the service continues preparing YouTube merger
Google Workspace customers can now attach Box files directly to Calendar events
All the way back in 2018, Google and Box.com teamed up to bring the popular Box storage add-on to Workspace customers. Since then, users have stored their files in Box and have been able to open them in Drive. Additionally, anyone doing so can also migrate their content directly to Box and connect … [Read more...] about Google Workspace customers can now attach Box files directly to Calendar events
It looks like converted Bluetooth Stadia controllers will get firmware updates through 2023
As we mourn the demise of Stadia once and for all today, we are all at least a bit comforted by the fact that Google has created a clear and simple method for updating the firmware on your Stadia controllers to convert them over to a more-standard Bluetooth controller. Once completed, your Stadia … [Read more...] about It looks like converted Bluetooth Stadia controllers will get firmware updates through 2023
YouTube TV 4K Plus deal gets you Ultra HD television for just $4.99 per month for 2 years
Anyone who's still subscribed to YouTube TV is likely subscribed because its live TV and sports offerings are unparalleled. While I may not be big on programming latent with advertisements and prefer strictly on-demand content, I still get it. Last year, Google launched a 4K Plus package that … [Read more...] about YouTube TV 4K Plus deal gets you Ultra HD television for just $4.99 per month for 2 years
You can now officially unlock your Stadia controller
Last week, Google bid farewell to the world of streamed gaming with one final gift for the faithful members of the Stadia Community. The promise was an unlocking tool for Stadia controllers that would allow you to use it as a Bluetooth controller for other gaming platforms. As promised, the … [Read more...] about You can now officially unlock your Stadia controller
New addition coming to the ChromeOS OOBE is something we’ve needed for a long time
As the years have gone on, the OOBE (out of box experience) for Chromebooks has grown into something that is really helpful for new users migrating from other systems. From setting up Wi-Fi to enabling Google Assistant to setting your device's theme, the OOBE has matured to really get users … [Read more...] about New addition coming to the ChromeOS OOBE is something we’ve needed for a long time
