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| LG Chromebase all-in-one desktop to run Chrome OS |
While ideal for laptops (like Chromebooks), Google's Chrome OS has occasionally found itself on desktop PCs, usually in small-form-factor systems like the Samsung Chromebox. But LG is going a different route with its forthcoming Chromebase machine.
The Chromebase is an all-in-one (AIO) PC that combines Chrome with a 21.5-inch display with 1,920x1,080 full HD resolution. Given the lightweight footprint that Chrome requires, it should come as no surprise that the Chromebase's other specs aren't awe-inspiring: Intel Celeron Haswell processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of solid-state storage.
LG hasn't announced pricing on the Chromebase, though don't expect a big sticker price considering the pricing strategy for most Chrome systems (Google's Chromebook Pixel aside). In addition to Windows AIOs, it will be competing against a handful of Android-based all-in-onesfrom Acer and HP. LG announced the Chromebase to get a jump on the deluge of tech news coming soon from next month's CES trade show, but more information will probably emerge when the company shows off the new PC in Las Vegas in January.
Via: Engadget
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| Chromecast |
When your Android smartphone or tablet is out of reach, simply go to the Google Play web page to get access to your uploaded media content. Look for the Cast icon in the web player and click it to immediately start streaming your movie or song to the TV via Chromecast. Now you can get access to more than 20 million songs, new release films and next-day TV releases from Google Play’s content offerings right on your TV even without your phone.
Download: Google Cast extension for Chrome
SOURCE: Google
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| Microsoft scared of Chromebooks |
It’s pretty much a brick," says Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison as he rejects a Samsung Chromebook brought in by an actor playing a customer. Microsoft really doesn’t want you buying this thing.
But why? Just how big of a threat are Chromebooks, Google’s oft-ridiculed web-only laptops, to Microsoft’s core business?
In many ways, 2013 has been the year of the Chromebook for Google. From Acer’s $199 C720-2848 to HP’s $279 Chromebook 11, Mountain View has attracted traditional Windows PC makers to build a variety of low-cost laptops in time for the holidays. While Microsoft had largely ignored the threat since the first Chromebook launched some two years ago, it’s been on the attack in recent weeks as part of its ongoing "Scroogled" campaign. Following the Pawn Stars bit, the company has recruited its own "Ben the PC Guy" to hit the streets for comparisons between Windows 8 and a Chromebook.
Microsoft’s latest effort to undermine the Chromebooks feels more "Mac vs. PC" — Apple’s famous ad campaign from several years ago — than anything else. The scenes are reminiscent of the "laptop hunter" ads that Microsoft used to attack Apple following the Windows Vista release — it’s a similar approach nearly five years later. The difference this time is that Microsoft appears to be targeting a threat that doesn’t really exist yet: while consumer-research group NPD claimed earlier this year that Chromebook sales have snared nearly 25 percent of the US market for laptops under $300, that market has been largely replaced by tablets. Rival research firm IDC estimatesthat Samsung shipped around 652,000 Chromebooks worldwide in Q3. "Among other vendors Lenovo, Acer, and HP have shipped, but in tiny volume," says IDC’s senior research analyst Rajani Singh. IDC expects Chrome OS devices to reach 3 million units this year — that’s less than 1 percent of all PC sales.
Something has Microsoft spooked, though. Chromebooks have dominated Amazon’s best seller charts in the US, but without hard numbers, it’s still unclear exactly how well Google’s laptops are selling worldwide. There is a threat from well-priced laptops, as we’ve witnessed from Linux-based netbooks years ago, but things appear to be moving slowly for Chromebooks right now. Google’s latest Chromebooks from Acer and HP could help push things further, but Google and HP were forced to halt sales of the Chromebook 11 last month following complaints of chargers overheating. After three weeks, the Chromebook 11 still hasn’t returned to shelves despite the important Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days during the busy holiday period.
And in reality, Microsoft’s offensive could backfire, drawing more attention to a platform that many consumers aren’t familiar with. Google has been aggressively pushing its range of Chromebooks with simple ads that focus on the price of the laptop and its simplicity. The devices won’t appeal to every consumer due to their various restrictions, but many potential customers might not even be aware of their existence yet.
"Given Microsoft is currently losing the mobility war by a wide margin, they are turning to defending their laptop turf, and doing it by playing a strong offense," says Patrick Moorhead, president and principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy. "The downside is that by Microsoft going after Chromebooks with broadcast media, they are increasing general consumer awareness and familiarity for Chromebooks versus the more technically savvy who are buying Chromebooks."
Via: The Verge
Google has released a Chrome extension that brings the voice-activated "OK Google" command to the browser.
The Google Voice Search Hotword (Beta) extensionis now available in the Chrome Web Store. When installed, it allows those on the desktop to speak their commands to the browser using the "OK Google" hotword.
In a Google+ post, the search giant said the new extension is ideal for those preparing a Thanksgiving feast this week. "This year, rather than stopping midway through to wash your hands and type in a search, you can just speak to your laptop: 'Ok Google, how many ounces are in one cup?' Et voila, the cooking can go on," Google said.
The extension also supports reminders, so you can say "Ok Google, set a timer for 30 minutes."
Once installed, you'll have to give Chrome permission to access your computer's microphone. Then, a "Say OK Google" notice will appear in the Google.com search bar. When it recognizes your voice, a red microphone will appear and Google will type what you say before giving you an answer. Click the image above to see it in GIF form, or watch the video below for a demo.
In the reviews, some users said that they had to click the microphone icon on Google.com before it would accept a voice search, while others had no problems. A few, meanwhile, said it would be useful if the feature worked when you had another tab open.
Source : PCMag
Via: Engadget
Somewhere, among the dozens of tabs opened within your browser, something is playing an annoying advertisement. Google has just made it easier to find which one.
Google’s latest Chrome beta adds a few icons to tabs, to quickly identify which tabs are either playing back music, using your Webcam, or else broadcasting to your TV. That’s in addition to the automatic malware-blocking capabilities added to the earlier version of Chrome, which supplement the “Safe Browsing” feature that warns you of websites with unsavory reputations for harboring malware.By default, users are signed up for the final or “stable” version of the Chrome browser. Users can also manually opt to use the beta or even the alpha or developer channel, also known as the “Canary” build, for earlier access to new features. However, the alpha and beta channels usually contain more bugs, too.
Google also revealed that users who run Chrome for Windows 8 will see a new “app launcher,” the grid of icons that allow users to hop from Gmail to the calendar and any number of other apps. (It should be said that the app launcher has its share of critics—at least where Gmail is concerned—who have objected to Google essentially adding clicks to the process of finding familiar applications.) On the other hand, the new app launcher will look familiar to Chromebook users, a platform that Google added the app launcher to some time ago
Via: PCWorld
Apple's new mobile operating system for theiPad and iPhone, iOS 7, has a distinctive look that's easily recognizable. The design isn't for everyone, however, as Jason Parker noticedfrom comments left in his iOS 7 review. If you do appreciate the new look of iOS 7, there's a Chrome browser extension that might be for you.
The IOS 7 New Tab Page Chrome extension replaces the regular new tab page with an interface that looks just like iOS 7. It comes with a default set of "apps," which are just shortcuts to Web sites. The "App Store" allows you to install additional preconfigured shortcuts to one of the three screens. If you want to delete the apps or rearrange them, clicking on one of the apps for a couple of seconds will cause the icons to shake, just like in iOS 7.
You can also go into settings to add your own app, import/export settings, and select a new wallpaper
Via: Cnet
The good: The Google Chromecast is a dirt-cheap wireless video dongle that streams Netflix and YouTube to your TV using Android or iOS tablets as remotes, with Android users also getting access to Google Music and Google TV and Movies. Its small size hides neatly behind your TV and makes it easy to take on-the-go.
The bad: The beta screen-mirroring feature won't work as well as you want it to, so you're largely limited to four apps and without support for several major ones, including Amazon Instant, HBO Go, MLB.TV, Spotify, and Rdio. The lack of a dedicated remote also means you always need a smartphone or tablet nearby.
The bottom line: Google's $35 Chromecast streaming-TV dongle is certainly cheap, but its limited initial app support and total reliance on mobile devices keep it well behind the Apple TV and Roku -- at least for now.
If you've heard anything about Google's Chromecast, you've heard that it costs $35. Google seemingly picked the perfect price for its new sticklike streaming device, generating massive buzz and eliminating the usually rational process that occurs before clicking "add to cart."
The dongle is already sold out and back-ordered for weeks.
But once you've lived with the Chromecast for a while, $35 feels less like a fantastic deal and more like exactly what a device like this should cost. The Chromecast lets you stream from Netflix and YouTube using your Android or iOS mobile device as a remote, with Android users also getting access to Google Music and Google TV and Movies. It also supports the ability to mirror any content from a Chrome browser running on a Mac or Windows PC, including Hulu, HBO Go, and full episodes from major TV networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC via their respective Web sites. And the hardware is delightfully compact and well-built, making it easy to toss in your bag for travel or moving from room to room.
What it doesn't do is everything else: there are no dedicated apps for many major services (including Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Spotify, Rdio, and MLB.TV), no dedicated TV interface for standalone use, no support for personal media sitting on your devices (aside from a clunky hack), and the awesome-sounding screen-mirroring feature ends up being entirely underwhelming in practice. Basically, you can stream Netflix, YouTube, and a couple of Google services; $35 feels about right.
The Chromecast is clearly Google's best living room device so far, almost entirely thanks to its impulse-worthy price. (Although note that Google's inclusion of a free three-month Netflix promotion is currently up in the air.) It doesn't challenge the Apple TV or Roku's boxes on merit, both of which remain much better options as your primary living room streamer. Chromecast has a lot of room to improve if more apps offer support, but at the moment it's best suited for people deep in the Google media ecosystem looking for a living room solution.
Design: A stick for streaming
The Chromecast hardware isn't anything special, but it has a reassuring, solid feel. It's a 2-inch adapter that's compact enough to occupy a spare HDMI input on your TV without blocking adjacent inputs. (If you have a particularly cramped back panel, Google generously includes an HDMI extender cable.) The black matte finish has enough of a texture to make it easily grippable, perfect for popping out the Chromecast and throwing it in your bag for travel. On the far end, there's a Micro-USB port, a small status light, and a tiny button you can use to reset the device to its factory default. In all, it's perfectly fine for a device designed to live behind your TV.
The Chromecast hardware isn't anything special, but it has a reassuring, solid feel. It's a 2-inch adapter that's compact enough to occupy a spare HDMI input on your TV without blocking adjacent inputs. (If you have a particularly cramped back panel, Google generously includes an HDMI extender cable.) The black matte finish has enough of a texture to make it easily grippable, perfect for popping out the Chromecast and throwing it in your bag for travel. On the far end, there's a Micro-USB port, a small status light, and a tiny button you can use to reset the device to its factory default. In all, it's perfectly fine for a device designed to live behind your TV.
The only "catch" is that the Chromecast requires power, a fact that's conspicuously missing from all of Google's beauty shots. If your TV has a USB input, you can probably use that to power your Chromecast using the included cable. Google also includes a USB power adapter for TVs without USB, which means you'll have a wire dangling from the back of your TV to a power outlet. Ultimately, while it's not quite "just a dongle," it's still a very clean setup.
Setup: Up and running in minutes
Google touts the Chromecast setup as "plug and play," and that's not far off. Once you have the device plugged in, your TV will prompt you to visit the online setup using a laptop or smartphone, where you'll download the Chromecast setup app. The setup process takes a few minutes, and Google has done a great job of leading you step-by-step through the process with lots of helpful illustrations along the way.
Google touts the Chromecast setup as "plug and play," and that's not far off. Once you have the device plugged in, your TV will prompt you to visit the online setup using a laptop or smartphone, where you'll download the Chromecast setup app. The setup process takes a few minutes, and Google has done a great job of leading you step-by-step through the process with lots of helpful illustrations along the way.
If you've heard anything about Google's Chromecast, you've heard that it costs $35. Google seemingly picked the perfect price for its new sticklike streaming device, generating massive buzz and eliminating the usually rational process that occurs before clicking "add to cart."
The dongle is already sold out and back-ordered for weeks.
But once you've lived with the Chromecast for a while, $35 feels less like a fantastic deal and more like exactly what a device like this should cost. The Chromecast lets you stream from Netflix and YouTube using your Android or iOS mobile device as a remote, with Android users also getting access to Google Music and Google TV and Movies. It also supports the ability to mirror any content from a Chrome browser running on a Mac or Windows PC, including Hulu, HBO Go, and full episodes from major TV networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC via their respective Web sites. And the hardware is delightfully compact and well-built, making it easy to toss in your bag for travel or moving from room to room.
What it doesn't do is everything else: there are no dedicated apps for many major services (including Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Spotify, Rdio, and MLB.TV), no dedicated TV interface for standalone use, no support for personal media sitting on your devices (aside from a clunky hack), and the awesome-sounding screen-mirroring feature ends up being entirely underwhelming in practice. Basically, you can stream Netflix, YouTube, and a couple of Google services; $35 feels about right.
The Chromecast is clearly Google's best living room device so far, almost entirely thanks to its impulse-worthy price. (Although note that Google's inclusion of a free three-month Netflix promotion is currently up in the air.) It doesn't challenge the Apple TV or Roku's boxes on merit, both of which remain much better options as your primary living room streamer. Chromecast has a lot of room to improve if more apps offer support, but at the moment it's best suited for people deep in the Google media ecosystem looking for a living room solution.
Design: A stick for streaming
The Chromecast hardware isn't anything special, but it has a reassuring, solid feel. It's a 2-inch adapter that's compact enough to occupy a spare HDMI input on your TV without blocking adjacent inputs. (If you have a particularly cramped back panel, Google generously includes an HDMI extender cable.) The black matte finish has enough of a texture to make it easily grippable, perfect for popping out the Chromecast and throwing it in your bag for travel. On the far end, there's a Micro-USB port, a small status light, and a tiny button you can use to reset the device to its factory default. In all, it's perfectly fine for a device designed to live behind your TV.
The Chromecast hardware isn't anything special, but it has a reassuring, solid feel. It's a 2-inch adapter that's compact enough to occupy a spare HDMI input on your TV without blocking adjacent inputs. (If you have a particularly cramped back panel, Google generously includes an HDMI extender cable.) The black matte finish has enough of a texture to make it easily grippable, perfect for popping out the Chromecast and throwing it in your bag for travel. On the far end, there's a Micro-USB port, a small status light, and a tiny button you can use to reset the device to its factory default. In all, it's perfectly fine for a device designed to live behind your TV.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The only "catch" is that the Chromecast requires power, a fact that's conspicuously missing from all of Google's beauty shots. If your TV has a USB input, you can probably use that to power your Chromecast using the included cable. Google also includes a USB power adapter for TVs without USB, which means you'll have a wire dangling from the back of your TV to a power outlet. Ultimately, while it's not quite "just a dongle," it's still a very clean setup.Setup: Up and running in minutes
Google touts the Chromecast setup as "plug and play," and that's not far off. Once you have the device plugged in, your TV will prompt you to visit the online setup using a laptop or smartphone, where you'll download the Chromecast setup app. The setup process takes a few minutes, and Google has done a great job of leading you step-by-step through the process with lots of helpful illustrations along the way.
Via: Cnet
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