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Action Launcher brings Google's rumored Android tweaks early
Why wait for Google's rumored Pixel / not-Nexus phones, when you could use some of their software right now? The latest release of Action Launcher has arrived, and it cribs some of the features noted in Android Police's leak of the software Google is apparently preparing for its Android devices. According to its developer Chris Lacy, the new release is entirely inspired by the leaks. The reason? As soon as Google makes a change, many of his users request similar features in Action Launcher, but this time, he's getting out ahead of the curve.
Google rumors point to 'Pixel' phones, 4K Chromecast
The answer to the question of what Google will call its upcoming Nexus phones may turn out to be not Nexus at all. Android Central first reported a name change last week, while tonight Android Police notes sources saying there will be two devices, one 5-inch phone called the Pixel and a 5.5-inch phone called the Pixel XL. More importantly, it also has a date (seconding a previous report by Droid-Life) for their debut: October 4th.
Adieu, Chromebook Pixel 2
The best Chromebook that money can buy is slowly disappearing. As VentureBeat notes, the second-generation Chromebook Pixel is now unavailable in the US, with a mere "out of stock" message displayed in the Google Store. Google has said it's "committed" to the Pixel line, but admits: "We don't have plans to restock the Pixel 2." The situation might be different outside the US -- here in the UK, the laptop is still in stock -- so act fast if you still want to buy one. Otherwise, it's time to say goodbye.
Google reportedly ships its first non-Nexus phone this year
You might not have to wait long to see whether or not rumors of Google having more say over phone designs are true. Sources speaking to the Telegraph claim that Google will release a smartphone with tighter controls over "design, manufacturing and software" before the end of the year. The details of the phone aren't available, but this wouldn't be a Nexus from the sound of it -- those are shaped more by third parties that maintain at least some of their influence. The Pixel C tablet might (might) offer an inkling of what to expect.
Google engineer takes on subpar USB Type-C cables
Trying to save a few bucks by purchasing offbrand cables? We've all done it -- but there's something you should know about new USB Type-C connectors popping up on cellphones (Nexus, OnePlus), laptops (Macbook, Pixel), tablets (Pixel C) and even Apple TV. The reason why they can charge so many devices, is their ability to transmit currents up to 3A, which could be 50 to 100 percent more electricity than older standards. That's why Google engineer Benson Leung has been putting various USB-C cables sold on Amazon to the test. He worked on both of Google's recent Pixel devices that use the new cable to charge, and found that many of the cables advertised as Type-C aren't actually suited for use with the laptop. They might not be wired properly to charge a laptop, or they don't accurately identify the power source -- something that could damage your laptop, USB hub or charger.
Google launches the Chromecast App to help you find content
So you just bought a shiny new Chromecast 2.0 for $35. Now what? Google is trying to help folks do more with their purchase with the new Chromecast App. The idea is to help you discover new content so that you have more to cast than just your desktop and YouTube videos. Under "What's On," you can see what's trending on the Play Store, YouTube and apps you may have on your Android device, like Netflix or Showtime. If you're looking for a specific show, say, The X-Files, you can use the search feature to find out which of your streaming apps have it.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
How would you change the Chromebook Pixel?
What's the point of a halo device? After all, it's designed to grab headlines and eyeballs more than it is a device that'll be used by consumers. We put Google's $1,500 (yup) Chromebook Pixel through its paces and found that its limited functionality couldn't justify the ridiculous price, even if it was beautifully made and gorgeous. But what about you? We're faintly sure that someone out there bought one of these things, possibly as a museum piece, so why not tell us just how much you liked or hated the experience? Dive on in to Engadget's product forums and talk us some Chromebook.
Pixel art controllers coming from Hyperkin this September
We've got a hard and fast rule against caps lock here on Joystiq, but don't think we didn't write at least three unacceptably uppercase headlines about Hyperkin's forthcoming line of pixel art controllers for PCs and Macs. Beyond the aforementioned platforms and the fact that they're slated to release sometime next month, nothing else is known about these double-retro doodads. We're hopeful that the controllers' plentiful angles and corners will somehow tessellate into a comfortable gaming experience, despite what logic and medical science may suggest to the contrary. Still, depending on how much they wind up costing, their comfort index is likely to be completely irrelevant. Update: Engadget got its hands on Hyperkin's pixelated controllers at E3 and found them to be "quite comfortable to hold and use." It's a medical miracle.%Gallery-195792%
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.
Engadget Giveaway: win one of two ChromeBook Pixels, courtesy of Gogo!
The ChromeBook Pixel is a stunningly beautiful piece of machinery. With costs ranging from $1,300 to $1,500, however, it means you're shelling out even more than most standard ultrabooks and laptops. It also comes with 12 free Gogo passes and a full terabyte of Google Drive storage to sweeten the deal, fortunately, but who wants to buy a computer of any kind when you can win one instead? Gogo's hooking two lucky readers up with a 64GB LTE Chromebook Pixel (this particular model is valued at $1,500), so this is one giveaway you'll definitely want to sign up for. You can grab up to three entries: you get two just for showing up, and the third is yours if you Like Gogo on Facebook. Head to the widget below and take a chance! Winners: Congratulations to Jake S. of Cleveland, OH and Alex M. of Vista, CA for winning the ChromeBook Pixels!
MMObility: The Chromebook 'All In One' project - The Pixel
If you caught my first Chromebook All In One project, you'll be familiar with the details of the series. If not, allow me to fill you in. Essentially I took a wonderful little device, the Samsung Series 3 Chromebook, which utilizes an Exynos-based processor, and I used it for most of my work-related activities for weeks. It proved a capable device but couldn't play everything or do everything as easily as I would have liked. For $249 US, however, it's not a bad deal. I still use the light notebook every single day. It's easily my favorite device in the house alongside my Nexus 7 tablet. But now, it's time for an upgrade. This time I will be looking at the Google Pixel, a hotrod of a Chromebook that Google is using to show just how the OS can work on a premium build. It boasts a core i5 processor, 4 gigs of DDR3 RAM, a 32 or 64 gig SSD and an incredible screen. At 2560 x 1700, 239 PPI, 400 nit brightness, and 4.3 million pixels, it is the best-looking thing I've ever computed on. The touchscreen is great for some gaming, and the build quality is top-notch. So why does it matter? Why would an MMO fan want or need a device that cost at least $1,299.00 and that runs only the Chrome OS? I'll try to figure that out over the next few weeks. [Update: The loaner model is actually the 4G LTE model, not the $1299 US WiFi-only.]
Visualized: Google I/O's colorful circle of ChromeBook Pixels
Google loves to use I/O as a platform for sharing its creativity with the world. This year, one of the masterpieces is a circular edifice consisting of two lines of Chromebook Pixels, with each keyboard on the outside. Ultimately, the artistic monument appears to highlight the Pixel's touchscreen and high-def display, as it flashes a wide variety of colorful imagery and music as you interact with each monitor. We have a gallery of images and a brief video below, showing off some of what this clever spheroid of Chrome OS can do. Update: we learned that the company in charge of designing and building the Pixel circle is Obscura Digital. %Gallery-188491%
