Chromebook

Mentioned for the first time back in November last year, the yet-to-be-confirmed Google "Hatch" Chromebook has just surfaced on Geekbench. The listing in the popular benchmark database confirms that this portable is powered by a 10th generation Intel Comet Lake processor, namely the Intel Core i3-10110U.

The online security company Kaspersky has reported the presence of dangerous programs in the digital versions of educational content for university students. These essays and texts were found to contain malware of varying severity and virulence. Some were described as capable of infecting whole networks from a single student's PC.

Acer has announced a total of four Chromebooks at IFA 2019. Of these, the Chromebook Spin 311 is a 11.6-inch convertible while the remaining three sport a traditional laptop form-factor. All Chromebooks are powered by entry-level Intel CPUs and feature USB Type-C ports, Gigabit Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has finalized the specification for USB4. A few things are different this time around including the way the it named, as well as its support for another standard in the form of Thunderbolt 3.

The new Asus Chromebook C425 quietly made its way to retailers like Amazon. Unlike the C434 model that comes with a 360-degree touchscreen, the C425 offers only a 180-degree FHD display, but it does retain all the other hardware specs, including the Intel Core m3-8100Y CPU with integrated HD Graphics 615 GPU, 8 GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 64 GB eMMC storage.

As part of Lenovo’s pre-IFA 2019 Berlin announcements includes a new Chromebook S340. The device comes in two variants, a compact 11-inch version and a larger 15-inch model

Lenovo has teased a trio of new Chromebooks with 8th gen Intel silicon on board. The new models come in an 11.6-inch convertible, a 14-inch 180-degree and a 15.6-inch convertible with the latter focused on business productivity

The Google device codenamed "Atlas" has just surfaced in an FCC listing. If the rumor turns out to be true, this portable made by Quanta Computer Inc. will soon hit the market as the Pixelbook 2. Unfortunately, the aforementioned listing only confirms the presence of WiFi 802.11 ac and Bluetooth 5.0 support.

The Pixel C was released back in 2015 and received two major updates and about four years of software support in total. Starting this month, July 2019, though, Google will stop sending out security updates to the tablet. This comes after reports a few weeks ago that Google is planning to kill off its tablet business completely.

Google may be working on a new way to send files between devices without necessarily relying on the internet. This new feature, called Fast Share, may be intended to compete with Apple's AirDrop. Unlike Android Beam, it involves the instigation of Bluetooth connections.

Google is currently working on at least two Snapdragon-powered Chromebooks based on a recent Chromium commit. The first was revealed late last year going by the codename 'Cheza' while the new model is known internally as 'Trogdor.' Both are ARM-based Chrome OS platforms that will find their way into OEM devices before the end of the year.

Tech fans were disappointed to learn that Google has officially killed off any plans for a successor to the Pixel Slate. While there had been suspicions the decision was made some time ago, it looks like the arrival of iPadOS might have been the final nail in the Pixel Slate's coffin.

Google is reportedly pulling the plug on making its own tablets and a successor to the Pixel Slate. The company is looking to channelize its development efforts towards laptops and we may very well see a new Pixelbook by the end of this year. The development of Pixel phones and Google Home products will continue as usual and so will the software development of Chrome OS to cater to all OEM form-factors.

Chrome 75 is the latest version of this app for Android. It is the one to finally add a password generator to the browser. This update also offers a clearer path to its dark mode, may improve on in-app animations and allow users to send more things to other native apps.

The laptop webcam has become a critic's punchbag as of late, as its relationship with these devices' screens is changing, diminishing or in some cases disappearing altogether. This may put some OEMs off the development of thinner bezels in their entry-level machines. However, the new OV0VA10 SoC may help them in this regard.

SanDisk’s long-awaited 1 TB microSD is finally available for purchase. The new card has the potential to expand the storage of Samsung’s recent flagship smartphones, for example, to a massive 1.5 TB of total storage. But it will cost you.

Google's head and director of its Android and Chrome division took part in a media outlet's podcast during the I/O event this year. In the course of the interview in question, the two executives confirmed openly for the first time that Fuchsia OS does in fact exist. However, it was also subsequently dismissed as an 'experiment'.

Pine64, a Chinese company known for its single-board computers, has delivered a video update of the upcoming Pinebook Pro laptop. The manufacturer seems to be working out some teething problems with the 14-inch device, but it is still expected to be released within the next few months at a budget price point of around US$200.

Rockchip announced a new 8-core mobile SoC yesterday. The RK3588 will feature four ARM Cortex-A55 cores and four ARM Cortex-A76 cores and will be manufactured on an 8nm process. Rockchip claims that the new manufacturing process will increase performance by up to 30% while reducing power consumption by 40%.

As HP's first 15.6-inch Chromebook, the unit carries narrow bezels and many design influences from the smaller 14-inch Chromebook series including dual USB Type-C, Bang & Olufsen audio, 802.11ac, and a premium metal design.

Google has all but officially confirmed that its Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL models are set to launch on May 7. The company has posted a teaser on its store that says “Help is on the way,” in a clear nod to the Google Assistant feature baked into its Pixel devices with hints of an Avengers connection in the URL.

Despite word of layoffs at Google’s hardware division, it appears that a successor or stablemate for the Pixel Slate is still in the works. A slideshow presented at the Cloud Next 19 conference in San Francisco hints that a smaller variant of the Slate could be in offing.

A new Chromebook featuring APUs from AMD’s Picasso range of processors might be in the works. A device with the codename “Zork” has been unearthed that apparently utilizes a Chrome OS board called “Trembyle”. Data management commits have been spotted that link Zork with Picasso – which means a Chromebook with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U inside could be in development.

A couple of videos showing some bug testing on what is believed to be the Google “Atlas” Chromebook have been leaked. It was previously believed that Atlas would be part of the Pixel line, possibly even a sequel to the Pixelbook. However, clear design differences suggest the Atlas could actually be a new premium Chromebook.

The direct successor of the original Chromebook Flip by Asus, namely the Chromebook Flip C434, was unveiled back in January, at the CES 2019 trade show in Las Vegas. Now, this Chrome OS convertible is finally available for purchase directly from Asus at US$569.99 (Intel Core m3-8100Y inside, with i5 and i7 variants to follow).

Google’s Stadia cloud-powered streaming gaming service looks to be a technological marvel. However, in order to deliver its full potential gamers will need a robust internet connection.

Google looks to be cutting back on its computing hardware efforts reports Business Insider. According to the report, dozens of engineers and program managers working on the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate have been told to seek other roles within the Alphabet parent company.

Google announced today that it would be holding a special event at the Game Developer Conference (GDC) next month on March 19th. The announcement offers few details, but many are guessing that Google will announce something related to Project Stream, the search giant's in-browser game streaming service. Google has been working on Project Stream for months and might be developing the service to compete with the likes of Nvidia, Sony, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Get a 17-inch gaming laptop with GTX 1060 graphics for $920 USD and more from now until the end of next week. The sale spans multiple retail outlets including Newegg, Office Depot, Staples, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

The latest stable version of Chrome OS (72) brings a considerable re-design for the Assistant interface on this platform. It also updates the version of Android used within it to 9.0 (Pie), which adds the ability to search for apps and use new Assistant settings. Chrome OS redirects Cast set-up to the Google Home app, and adds picture-in-picture video to webpages.

The latest update to the VLC media player (4.0) will bring more features, especially for iOS. However, it will also no longer support older versions of the same platform, along with some others (e.g. Windows XP). It also now offers the ability to play a full list of music without pauses of any kind.

Chromebases may have fallen out of fashion years ago, but Acer is reviving the Chrome OS form factor with the Chromebase 24I2 and 24V2, two business-centric Chrome OS all-in-one desktops. Both devices will feature 24-inch Full HD touch displays, Intel 8th generation Core CPUs, and plenty of ports and hardware to support teleconferencing, business work, and more.

MySmartPrice has discovered another Geekbench listing for the mysterious “Rammus” device. The latest appearance on Geekbench has thrown up some interesting information, such as the mention of an Intel Core i7-8500Y processor and Android 9 as the potential operating system. The page itself is specifically titled “Google Rammus.”

These inexpensive and versatile subnotebooks will start as low as $250 USD with options for 1080p and 64 GB eMMC storage. Dual-band Intel 9560 wireless comes and USB Type-C charging will come standard similar to many mainstream Ultrabooks.

Acer has introduced two new devices to its considerable line-up: the Chromebook 512 and the Chromebook Spin 512. The 12-inch laptops have been specifically designed with education in mind, and they both feature Intel processors and have displays with 3:2 aspect ratios. The Chromebook 512 comes in touch and non-touch options, while the Spin convertible comes with a dockable stylus.

The latest 11.6-inch Chromebook models from HP get a more rugged feel with rubber trims, Gorilla Glass and spill-resistant keyboards. In order to keep the prices at an affordable level for students, HP included Intel's Celeron N4000 / 4100 CPUs, up to 8 GB LPDDR4-2400 RAM and up to 64 GB eMMC storage.

The new Chromebook family for the education market includes the first-ever Chrome OS-driven tablet by Asus, a 14-inch clamshell design Chromebook, an 11.6-inch convertible, and an 11.6-inch clamshell configuration. While the tablet is powered by the Rockchip OP1 processor, the other three devices use Intel Celeron processors.

Previously used for a secret satellite internet project and a BlackBerry phone, Athena returns as the name of an innovation program by Intel "that defines and aims to help bring to market a new class of advanced laptops that are purpose-built to help people focus, adapt to life’s roles and always be ready."

The latest Chromebook by Asus, namely the Flip C434, features a 360-degree hinge and a 14-inch full HD IPS NanoEdge touchscreen display, various processor choices by Intel going as high as the Core i7-8500Y, as well as up to 8 GB of memory and up to 128 GB of eMMC internal storage.

On the heels of AMD unveiling CPUs for Chromebooks, Acer has announced the Chromebook 315 powered by the 7th generation AMD A-Series CPUs with integrated Radeon graphics. The Acer Chromebook 315 is built for all-day work and can run both Chrome OS and Android apps with equal ease.

A Chromebook in an Ultrabook chassis. The HP Chromebook x360 14 G1 convertible has hardware familiar to any Ultrabook user including its 15 W Core ix Kaby Lake-R CPU, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, and 14-inch 1080p touchscreen.

HP is currently holding a red tag sale and there are plenty of discounted laptops on offer for potential buyers. The sale includes high-end devices such as the HP Spectre X360 laptop with an i7-8705G and Radeon RX Vega M Graphics (4 GB) and the 15.6-inch Omen that comes with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060. At the other end of the scale, bargain-hunters can find the basic HP 14Z with 4 GB RAM for a price starting at US$199.99.

Chrome 73 is now rumored to add a feature that can organize tabs into certain sets to the browser. This may be most reminiscent of the similar function that Microsoft is reportedly set to bring to Windows File Explorer in the future. In addition, it is now alleged that Google will add a dark mode to Chrome 73 for Macs.

Sales of laptops, traditional PCs, and mobile workstations are expected to remain relatively flat for the next few years. Even so, the fast decline of traditional slate tablets will allow laptops and PCs to regain lost market share. Detachable tablets will continue to grow and eat up sales of slate tablets.