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Google might launch a reborn Chromebook Pixel and smaller Home
Do you still have a Chromebook Pixel-shaped hole in your heart months after Google pulled the plug? Good news -- Google might be bringing it back. A source speaking to Android Police claims that a "Pixel-branded Chromebook" will launch alongside the next Pixel phones at an event this fall. Details are scarce, including whether or not this is the fabled laptop that would run Andromeda, the long-rumored cross between Android and Chrome OS. That system was supposed to be a convertible PC with a tablet mode, a 12.3-inch display and an optional Wacom stylus, but there's no certainty that this design is the one that launches. We certainly wouldn't count on the originally planned $799 pricing.
Two more Chromebooks are ready to test Android apps
Nearly two months after Google confirmed the Play Store and more Android apps are coming to Chrome OS, it finally added support for the feature on some new hardware. The Acer Chromebook R11 and Chromebook Pixel have joined ASUS' Chromebook Flip -- where we recently gave Android apps a try -- with support as long as owners switch their devices to the dev channel. Naturally, it's all still early ahead of the real rollout later this year, but if you're a developer or curious user trying to find out how it works for yourself, they might be a couple of laptops you already own.
Surface Book vs. the competition: Flagship laptops go head-to-head
And then there were three: with the introduction of the Surface Book, Microsoft has joined Apple and Google in offering a premium laptop that runs its own platform. But how does it stack up next to its rivals, the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Chromebook Pixel? We've put the specs of each side by side to help you sort things out. As you'll soon see, the three only share a few things in common. They reflect the unique philosophies of their creators, whether it's Microsoft's fondness for tablets, Apple's preference for powerful (if conventional) laptops or Google's desire for lean-and-mean web machines.
'Lucid Sleep' keeps your Chromebook connected during naps
Getting back to work after waking your Chromebook Pixel from its digital slumber is about to get a bit easier. Google announced that its new (still experimental) Lucid Sleep feature is now available. This setting maintains limited Wi-Fi connectivity when the machine is powered down so that it can stay better synced with the rest of your devices and data. It will, for example, allow your Pixel to temporarily rouse itself and connect to a new wireless hotspot if you move locations. It can also update push notifications and app data so that everything is up to date and ready to go as soon as you flip open the screen. You can turn on this feature and try it for yourself by selecting "Keep WiFi on during sleep" in the Privacy settings menu.
Google's £799 Chromebook Pixel 2 arrives in the UK on April 21st
Google's original Chromebook Pixel was a gorgeous laptop, but the high price-tag and limitations of Chrome OS made it a niche proposition. For its successor, the company wisely kept the design (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) while updating the internals and making it less expensive. It's still a tough sell, but if you want the best hardware for Chrome OS, you'll soon be able to buy one in the UK. Two configurations will be available in the Google Play Store and Dixons shops from April 21st. The standard £799 model features an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 32GB SSD. More than enough to run Chrome and an assortment of Android apps, but if you're pining for some extra power, there will also be a £999 version boasting a beefier Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD.
Engadget's new buyer's guide picks: the MacBook Pro, Moto E and more!
It's been one busy month for reviews: Engadget has published seven in the past four weeks alone. That means we've got quite a few additions to our various buyer's guides. First up: the HTC One M9. No, we don't like the camera quite as much as the UltraPixel shooter on last year's M8, but on the whole, the M9 is still among the best Android handsets you can buy right now. We've also made a nod to the new and improved Moto E, which remains one of the best budget phones on the market. Meanwhile, we have not one, but several new favorite laptops. This includes the refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro (even despite its slightly less comfortable trackpad) and the much-improved Chromebook Pixel. Also, we'll soon be adding the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HP Spectre x360, both of which were still being testing as we were putting this latest guide together. Check back soon to find those listed, and stay tuned to see what else we might add -- we can tell you now we already have some more big reviews in the works.
Daily Roundup: Chromebook Pixel, Apple's App Store woes and more!
In today's Daily Roundup, we review the new Chromebook Pixel, look at Apple's App and iTunes Store connection issues and learn that Minecraft may be banned in Turkey for being too violent. Read about these stories and more past the break.
Android phones will soon use a smaller, simpler USB connector
That tiny USB Type-C port you've seen on the latest MacBook and Chromebook Pixel? Don't be surprised if you see it on your smartphone soon. In a video accompanying the new Chromebook, Google's Adam Rodriguez says that his company is "very committed" to the new USB spec and that you'll see it on both Android phones and more Chromebooks in the "near future." It's a vague promise, to be sure, but it'll matter a lot in the long run. Type-C delivers brisk USB 3-level speeds (and eventually, 3.1) without requiring a gigantic connector, and the reversible design means you won't have to inspect your phone to make sure you plug the cable in the right way.
Chromebook Pixel review (2015): less expensive, still impractical
The Chromebook Pixel was the most beautiful laptop that we told people not to buy. With a machined aluminum chassis, pixel-dense screen and a spacious keyboard, it had a design that in some ways outmatched even the Retina display MacBook Pro. The problem: It ran Chrome OS for an operating system, with no support for the sort of desktop apps you'd expect to use on a $1,299 machine. Speaking of the sort, it cost $1,299. Oh, and the battery life was short too -- barely four hours on a charge. So much for having a portable machine you could take anywhere. It was, as we said at the time, "a lovely thing that everyone should try to experience, but few should seriously consider buying."
The new Chromebook Pixel looks like the old one, costs slightly less
It's been more two years since Google came out with the Chromebook Pixel. And man, was it a difficult thing to review: It was finely crafted, and a delight to use, but we couldn't in good conscience recommend that people spend $1,299 on a laptop that ran a glorified version of the Chrome browser. Two years later -- a lifetime in the tech world -- Chrome OS can do a lot more than it used to, and in general, the rest of the world seems to be catching on. That means the Pixel will live to see another day. Google just unveiled an updated, slightly less expensive version with improved specs and longer battery life. It more or less looks like its predecessor, and at $999, it's still kinda pricey.
Google employee reveals a new Chromebook Pixel's due out soon
The first Chromebook Pixel wasn't exactly a huge seller, what with its hefty price tag and all, but Google's apparently still preparing to release a second version. OMG! Chrome! spotted a video of Renee Niemi, who's in charge of Android and Chrome for Work and Education, at the recent Google Teamwork event, where she revealed that the company's working on the next-gen Pixel that will soon be slated for release. Mountain View has since pulled down the video, but the publication transcribed the relevant part as follows: We do have a new Pixel coming out and it will be coming out soon. We will be selling it but I just have to set your expectations: this is a development platform. This is really a proof of concept. We don't make very many of these -- we really don't. And... our developers and our Googlers consume 85% of what we produce. But yes, we do have a new Pixel coming out.
Chrome OS adds pinch-to-zoom for regular users, Pixel owners rejoice
When Google launched the Chromebook Pixel, we weren't really sure what to make of the premium device's touchscreen. Sure, finger-friendly displays were trendy, but Chrome OS just wasn't asking for the technologies: it didn't feature many touch apps, the laptop didn't launch with a gesture update and user's couldn't even pinch-zoom web pages. Now, that's changing -- to go along with more touch-enabled Chromebooks now on sale, the latest update to Chrome OS' stable channel adds a touch-enabled window manager and pinch/zoom webpage scaling. [Image credit: François Beaufort]
Verizon backpedals after cutting off free LTE for Chromebook Pixel owners
Nothing like a public shaming to make a company do an about-face. After cutting off free LTE service for Chromebook Pixel owners earlier than expected, Google stepped in to offer users a $150 gift card. Outrage from users persisted, though, and now Verizon appears to be reversing its decision. "We do understand that a very small number of Chromebook Pixel customers may have had a promo end prematurely," a Verizon spokesperson told TechCrunch. "We apologize for this, and will work with these customers to address the situation." Based on that statement (and what a vague statement it is), it's unclear whether the carrier actually intends to restore LTE service, or whether it intends to make amends some other way. We're asking Verizon to clarify, and will update this post if we hear more.
Chromebook Pixel owners get $150 after Verizon abruptly cuts off free LTE
The Chromebook Pixel is undoubtably an expensive offering, starting at $1,299 for the 32GB WiFi-only model and $1,449 if you decide to opt for LTE and 64GB of storage. What made the latter pricing more palatable, however, was that you also got two years of 100MB per month LTE courtesy of Verizon as part of the deal. Or so we thought. As it turns out, apparently Verizon and Google didn't quite see eye to eye on that, as Verizon recently stopped that service for Pixel owners who bought their Chromebook only a year ago -- it seems Verizon thought it was a one-year plan instead of two. Thankfully, Google has stepped up to take care of the error by offering a $150 Visa gift card to anyone who bought an LTE Pixel. A spokesperson gave us this statement: "While this particular issue is outside of our control, we appreciate that this issue has inconvenienced some of our users. We are offering gift cards to affected customers." If you need more assistance, you can visit this Google support page and contact the company for more info. That $150 can't quite buy you another year of LTE from Verizon, but it might help soothe the woes of those who didn't get what they were promised.
Chrome OS beta adds touchscreen support for selections, drag and drop (video)
We don't know when Google plans to release another device like its Chromebook Pixel, but Chrome OS support for touchscreens is continuing to improve. A new update in the beta channel brings support for both touch enabled text selection and touch enabled drag and drop on touch based devices. Right now the Pixel is the only Chrome OS laptop that supports it, but who knows what could be around the corner. Google "Happiness Evangelist" François Beaufort noted the new feature in Chrome OS' dev channel a couple of weeks ago and recorded a demonstration video, which you can check out after the break. Otherwise, Chrome OS users living on the not-quite-bleeding-edge can also expect tweaks like an audio source selector in the tray menu, ability to share folders and files from the Files app and an improved UI for the release channel switcher.
Chrome OS 28 hits stable release, brings visual feedback to Chromebook Pixel
A welcome bit of news for Chromebook owners came this evening, as Chrome OS 28 hit the stable channel and will be rolling out to laptops over the coming days. First and foremost, you'll find a speedier version of the Files app, which now supports recent and shared files on Google Drive. In addition, the operating system now allows for monitor rotation and scaling, and even displays pop-up notifications after taking screenshots. As an added treat, Chromebook Pixel users will find visual feedback when clicking on buttons and links. Combine this with performance enhancements and crash fixes, and Chrome OS 28 stacks up as another incremental (but wholly welcome) update.
IRL: Chromebook Pixel and AlienBees' ABR800 Ringflash
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Sure, the Chromebook Pixel is expertly constructed, but you won't find more than a sentence about that here. Nope, we'd rather talk about its blazing fast LTE speeds. As for our copy editor Philip, he doesn't write for Engadget often, but when he does, it's about camera gear.
Chromebook Pixel gets new Google+ Photos app for easier backups, sharing
It may not exactly be enough to make the high-end price tag any more palatable, but Chromebook Pixel owners now have another small exclusive to call their own. Google has just released a new Google+ Photos app for the device, which promises to make photo backups and sharing a bit easier. Namely, it'll automatically upload all your new photos to Google+ when you insert an SD card, from where you can then chose which you'd like to make public. No word on when the app will hit other non-Pixel Chromebooks, but Google says they are currently working on that.
The Daily Roundup for 03.25.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Chromebook Pixel with LTE to ship by April 8th
For those that can swing a Chromebook Pixel in the first place, the LTE model may be the wisest choice when it promises always-on data for a constantly connected machine. Anyone who can justify the $1,449 outlay will be happy to know that Google has quietly narrowed down the launch window: early orders should now ship by April 8th. Shoppers will still have to be Americans willing to latch on to Verizon's network for LTE, but the date leaves a mere two weeks before the release of what's unquestionably the highest-end (and priciest) Chrome OS system yet. Any takers?
