The time has come: welcome to our exclusive guide on how you can use Vulkan in Crostini! This unlocks the full gaming power of Chromebooks by allowing more modern games to work. More importantly, it also allows Steam’s Proton compatibility layer to work at its full potential, which means the … [Read more...] about Exclusive: how to enable Vulkan in Crostini on your Chromebook right now
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The Chrome Cast 129: Google teases Pixel 6 even more as Lenovo unveils a new Duet
This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss the new way that Google teased the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with little warning in a new sizzle video on YouTube. The ad-like, 30-second video doesn't give too much away that we didn't already know, but it did give us the first official looks at the new Pixel … [Read more...] about The Chrome Cast 129: Google teases Pixel 6 even more as Lenovo unveils a new Duet
Google Search officially introduces Dark Mode for the web
After about a year of testing, Google is finally rolling out dark mode for Search on the web to save your eyes from excruciating blinding white light later in the evenings. In January, it briefly appeared for some before disappearing again in an A/B test. Yesterday, I was presented with a 'Turn on' … [Read more...] about Google Search officially introduces Dark Mode for the web
Google Meet adding new effects panel so you can quickly blur your background and more
Google Meet is introducing a new side panel to give you quick access to effects like background blur, background images, and styles. This will be accessible to you during and before a call. If you choose to tweak these options prior to your meeting, you'll do so from the green room self-check. … [Read more...] about Google Meet adding new effects panel so you can quickly blur your background and more
The Chromebook wallpaper app is learning a sweet trick from it’s own tablet mode version
Chrome OS is an interesting operating system in many ways. One of those ways, in particular, is the fact that we always have to consider both the clamshell/desktop and tablet modes of Chrome OS when looking at features. Many times, features behave the same in both environments, but there are other … [Read more...] about The Chromebook wallpaper app is learning a sweet trick from it’s own tablet mode version
Android 12 Beta 5 starts rolling out Material You redesigns for loads of Google apps
Android 12 Beta 5 just launched, and with this version of the mobile phone OS heading to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro that's completely upending its launch playbook, it's easy to see why people are excited for the entirely new direction Google is going. A complete redesign of the user interface that adapts … [Read more...] about Android 12 Beta 5 starts rolling out Material You redesigns for loads of Google apps
Google Photos now lets you get individual prints delivered straight to your doorstep
Google Photos' print subscription service never really seemed to be popular with its users. I can't find a single person within my circles that uses it, and even after it was improved and relaunched as the Premium Print series, I don't see it making much of a splash on the web. However, this could … [Read more...] about Google Photos now lets you get individual prints delivered straight to your doorstep
Google continues upending the phone launch playbook with new Pixel 6 teaser
Usually, this time of year we're talking about Google and their inability to keep the lid on whatever hardware they are preparing to launch. Remember the Pixel 3? The Pixel 4? How about the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate and Pixelbook Go? All of them leaked, all out there for everyone to see before … [Read more...] about Google continues upending the phone launch playbook with new Pixel 6 teaser
Amazon Luna gains Chromebook support, Couch mode, inexpensive Family channel
While we don't really cover Amazon Luna too much on Chrome Unboxed, it's primarily because most of us here use other services like Stadia, GeForce Now, and Steam Link. I did try out Luna back when it first launched, and I wasn't too impressed. Perhaps it's time I give it another chance since it's … [Read more...] about Amazon Luna gains Chromebook support, Couch mode, inexpensive Family channel
Google Chat finally picks up Hangouts most basic feature – the ability to call one person at a time
When Google began migrating everyone over to Chat from the beloved and very underappreciated Hangouts Classic, it left out one core but important feature - the ability to call people! No, I'm not talking about in groups - you can already do that, and have been able to since its inception. I'm … [Read more...] about Google Chat finally picks up Hangouts most basic feature – the ability to call one person at a time
How to move your Chromebook to the Canary Channel and how to get out
I'm going to be honest: we've put this post off for a very long time. You see, there are certain folks who will undoubtedly get upset when I publish this information because by sharing it, I come across as flippant about the greater Chrome OS community and the issues and trials the Canary Channel … [Read more...] about How to move your Chromebook to the Canary Channel and how to get out
Google Chat Rooms become discoverable ‘Spaces’ with in-line topic threading, and more
After announcing that Google's Chat 'Rooms' would be transformed into something called 'Spaces' earlier this year, the company is finally beginning to make good on that trajectory. The first thing I do when I wake up is check Chat, and I noticed that my Spaces had already been renamed. Let's take a … [Read more...] about Google Chat Rooms become discoverable ‘Spaces’ with in-line topic threading, and more
