This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we talk through Amazon Prime Day, the cancellation of the LaCros browser, and if we think ChromeOS Flex is going away now that ChromeOS is moving to the Android kernel. The first part of the show is dedicated to Prime Day, Amazon's massive online sales event that, unfortunately, doesn't have any notable Chromebook deals but does, surprisingly, have a ton of fantastic deals on Pixel hardware. We also discuss how Prime Day affects other retailers, driving down prices on solid Chromebooks that are still great deals - even though they aren't part of Prime Day. Let us know in the comments below if you've scored a great Chromebook deal! For the second part of the show, we catch up on the news that work on the ChromeOS detached browser, codenamed LaCros, is being canceled. And speaking of things getting canceled, the last part of the show is all about the rumors that ChromeOS Flex is going way. These speculations, which we've confirmed not to be true, started circulating after ChromeOS announced the move to the Android Linux kernel so we talk through what we've heard from Google and why we think ChromeOS Flex isn't going anywhere. Show Links Prime Day means great Chromebook deals everywhere but Amazon The best Chromebook deals today: the Prime Day effect Huge Prime Day savings on Google Pixel hardware Google is shutting down LaCros – the standalone browser for Chromebooks Google might abandon ChromeOS Flex. Here’s why – and what you can do about it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we discuss some new hardware, including a monster new Chromebook, that just showed up at the office and some exciting new budget-friendly gadgets that should be arriving soon. In the first part of the show, we talk through our unboxing of the new Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 and why we wanted to do a video on this ultra-thin portable keyboard. On the Chromebook side of things, we’re talking about none other than the ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus – a device that might be the new King of Chromebooks. If you’ve been following along with our videos on YouTube, you know this device is not the standard $699 version though, so listen in to hear all of Robby’s thoughts on this monster version of the CX54. In the latter part of the show, we talk through some very interesting, extremely affordable new tech from CMF, a sub-brand from Nothing. As you’ll hear, Robby is fired up about the watch and earbuds that both have solid specs at a price that doesn’t even seem possible. And yes, Robby is already trying to convince CMF to make a Chromebook! Show Links Unboxing and hands-on with Logitech’s ultra-light Keys-to-Go 2 [VIDEO] ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus unboxing [VIDEO] Snag the monster ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus for just $882 Where to buy the monster ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus [updated] ASUS sent us a monster version of the ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus With their latest Buds Pro 2, CMF by Nothing is changing the game Why CMF (by Nothing) would make a fantastic Chromebook OEM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast we chat about hosting our very first members-only AMA and then dive deep into Google’s surprise hardware event that was just announced. In our discussions about the new Pixel 9 lineup, we also talk through how phone processors are made and how the next TSMC-fabbed Tensor chip could be a game changer. As for the AMA, this is something new we are doing for our Chrome Unboxed Plus community where we host folks from the ChromeOS team at Google (or from other interesting companies) to answer questions from our community in a private live stream on Discord. Since we recorded this show yesterday and did the AMA with Stella Shannon last night, you’ve unfortunately missed this first one but there will be more! We’re really happy with this revamped community and have expanded our existing benefits to now include AMAs, exclusive giveaways, and even an ad-free podcast feed. So, if you’re not a member already, you can easily check it out with our 7-day free trial and I hope that you stick around! The remainder of the show is all about the Made By Google event RSVPs that went out to the press yesterday! Since there wasn’t any mention of hardware at Google I/O, we’re expecting a packed keynote this year with new Pixel phones, a new Pixel Fold, an updated Pixel Watch with two sizes, and a refresh to the Pixel Buds Pro. So yeah, there was a lot to talk through. I hope you enjoy the show, cheers! Show Links Start your 7-day free trial of Chrome Unboxed Plus Google Pixel Hardware event is coming in August this time around Google Pixel 9 Pro leak confirms iPhone clone design Renders of the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 make me so happy Why you might want to skip Pixel 9 and wait for Pixel 10 Google Pixel Fold: My thoughts after actually using it [VIDEO] Gemini Advanced AI: what it is, what it costs, and how to try it for free Gemini takes over more Assistant duties with routines integration Gemini for Android finally gets my most-missed feature Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Intel) Review [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast podcast, we give an update on the Chrome Unboxed studio and then dive deep into the “Ferrochrome” project which allows ChromeOS to run in a VM on Android. The bulk of the discussion revolves around the Ferrochrome project but we did want to take some time to give a studio update since we will be filming a video and shooting more content in the newly rearranged space. Keep an eye out in the next video, things might look a little different. As for the Ferrochrome project, news of its existence first popped up about a month ago and after getting quite excited, we were told by Google that this was just a test and that there were no real plans to pursue ChromeOS on Android. But that doesn’t seem to be the case since we now have reports that Google is developing a one-click “Ferrochrome Launcher” that will download, configure, and fully launch ChrommiumOS using the Android VM app launcher. While this development is still very early, it’s exciting to see some work still being done on this project. So, as you can imagine, we have lots of ideas and speculation about what this could look like down the road if it were to become a real thing. Maybe ChromeOS on your phone with a set of XR glasses? We’ll just have to wait and see! Show Links My dreams of ChromeOS running on a phone are nearing reality My ChromeOS on a phone dreams are shattered…for now ChromeOS running on Android phones is still in the cards, it seems Andromeda May Be Dead Why I’m considering a dual-screen USB Type-C portable monitor XREAL AR glasses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we dive into a big announcement from Google regarding the backend framework of ChromeOS and all of the new software features for Chromebook Plus that were announced at the Chromebook Showcase a few weeks ago in NYC. We had planned for the latter to be the main discussion this week, but an emergency press conference was in order after Google announced on Wednesday that the foundation of ChromeOS is moving to the Android Linux kernel. We talk through what this might mean for ChromeOS moving forward, how it will affect users and the timeline for this change. This is a big move so it was nice to talk through the details and I hope it provides some clarity. If you are well-versed in the world of kernels and have additional insight, please leave us a comment below. As promised, the remainder of the show is dedicated to all the new features now available on Chromebook Plus. We talk through a few of our favorites, how they are currently working, and some tweaks we would like to see in the future. We’ve been waiting for these features to roll out since they were first teased back in October at the first Chromebook event so it’s great to see them finally available! What’s your favorite new feature? Let us know! Show Links The ChromeOS foundation is shifting to the Android kernel Google announces a flood of awesome new features Understanding how and when to use ‘Help me write’ on a Chromebook [VIDEO] How to get 12 months of Gemini Advanced with older Chromebook Plus models ChromeOS 125 is rolling out with tons of new Chromebook features Chromebook AI wallpapers are fun as long as you don’t have a QHD or 4K screen ChromeOS 125 enables multiple calendars in Quick Settings New ChromeOS 125 OOBE highlights AI features right out of the box Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we dive into our thoughts on the new Chromebook Plus model and Chromebooks that were recently announced at the event in NYC. Following the event, we had a great chat with Stella Shannon, ChromeOS Consumer Hardware Product Lead, about the event and we did a hands-on video from the event but outside of that, we hadn’t shared many thoughts on these devices. So that’s exactly what we did in this show! We talk through all the releases from each manufacturer and the iterations that we’re seeing this go around. We wrap things up with some speculation about how these releases and this event might shape up moving forward, with perhaps a tik-tok of iteration in the Spring and then big refreshes in the Fall. We did run a little long talking through the hardware – surprise, surprise – so next weeks episode will be all about the flood of new software features that were announced alongside these new Chromebooks. Make sure to follow The Chrome Cast on whatever podcast platform you use to listen so you don’t miss that episode! SHOW LINKS The latest Chromebook Plus Showcase in NYC was awesome Hands-on with the new devices launched at the 2024 NYC Chromebook event 2024 Chromebook Showcase: Google announces a flood of awesome new features The Chrome Cast 266: Event recap with Stella Shannon from the ChromeOS team The new Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE sees its first discount The Acer Chromebook 516 GE drops to $449 as new model looms Get the brand-new Acer Chromebook Plus 514 for just $249 The gorgeous ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus is now available A new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 shows up at Best Buy HP unveils 4 new Chromebooks with 2 new Plus models included Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we have a very special guest joining us for a bit of post-game discussion on the heels of Google’s latest Chromebook-focused event up in New York. Stella Shannon – ChromeOS Consumer Product Lead – was gracious enough to sit down and talk through most of what we experienced at the event while digging a bit deeper into the way the ChromeOS team goes about deciding on new devices, new features, and the general path forward with all they are doing in the consumer space right now. It was an awesome interview, and we absolutely loved getting to spend a bit more time with the person who is truly behind all the new Chromebooks we get to talk about on a daily basis around here. We hope you get time to listen through this one very soon! Links Hands-on with the new devices launched at the 2024 NYC Chromebook event 2024 Chromebook Showcase: Google announces a flood of awesome new features The latest Chromebook Plus Showcase in NYC was awesome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and this week we dive into upcoming hardware, our thoughts on the Chromebook market, and how new ARM processors might impact things moving forward. But the bulk of our discussion revolves around Robby’s discovery of a Chromebook Plus branded version of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. If you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ve probably heard Robby talk about the 516 GE and his love for this device, so we take some time in this episode to talk through the small tweaks that he’d like to see in an upgraded, Chromebook Plus branded version. For the remainder of the show, we talk through developments in the ARM space, including new benchmarks of MediaTek MT8188 and how Qualcomm’s focus on their Snapdragon X Elite compute platform has us excited for that processor to maybe make it to Chromebooks down the road. We’ve been talking about ARM processors for many years and look forward to seeing how these new chips will push Chromebook innovation. Show Links Acer is about to give us a Chromebook 516 GE Chromebook Plus upgrade What I’m hoping for in the new Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE Just like that, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is $200 off again Upcoming Chromebook tablet ‘Ciri’ gets impressive Geekbench ML score Why a Snapdragon X Plus Chromebook would be amazing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we have a little hardware and a little software. For the first half of the show, we focus on a few new Chromebook releases: the kind of different but kind of the same Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and the Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i that you should not buy. We wrap up our hardware segment with a discussion of a 4K Chromecast with Google TV that is rumored to be on the way and what we hope Google brings to their next-gen streaming dongle. In the second half of the show, we dive into a new feature coming soon in Google Photos that will help you de-clutter your library by getting rid of all those random screenshots, GIFs, and memes that have been building up. And then we finish up the show with a phone call feature that Robby thinks should head to Chromebooks soon. We even have a throwback to Andromeda, for some of you OG Chrome Unboxed readers who might remember all of those rumors back in 2016 and 2017. I hope you enjoy it, cheers! Show Links Acer’s new Chromebook Plus 514 is more of the same, but different A new Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook appears, but makes little sense Walmart’s excellent Onn. Google TV streaming box getting a “Pro” upgrade A new, updated 4K Chromecast w/Google TV is on the way Your Google Photos library is about to get far less cluttered This needed Chromebook feature could tempt me back to Pixel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we dive into a big update on the website, publishing our last YouTube video for a bit, and a mounting problem that has us frustrated with Google. The first half of the show is all about the return of the comments section on the website. After working through what turned into a complicated issue with Disqus, we are thrilled to have comments back on the site! It’s taken some time to get everything set up correctly, but we hope our improved comments section is a place for engaging conversations. So, head to the bottom of this article and leave us a comment! For the remainder of the show, we share our thoughts on Google’s expanding graveyard of canceled services and why we think Google needs to shift away from its “move fast, break things” startup mentality. With many great services shutting down over the last few years (many of which users relied on for personal and business use), it’s easy to understand the frustration that some users might be feeling and how it could lead to a distrust in Google services. We make sure to end the show on a high note, though, with some exciting news on upcoming hardware so stick around for that. I hope you enjoy the show and, again, leave us a comment below with your thoughts on the topics we covered. Cheers! Show Links Here’s why we’re taking a break from YouTube [VIDEO] Google kills off yet another fantastic service Google Podcasts is officially dead: What you need to know Walmart’s excellent Onn. Google TV streaming box getting a “Pro” upgrade More proof that upcoming Chromebook tablet ‘Ciri’ belongs to Lenovo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast podcast, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming with a discussion about wrapping up our Chromebook Plus reviews and an exciting exclusive demo of the upcoming Chromebook Plus AI features. We appreciate everyone tuning in last week as we explained why we’re taking a quick break from YouTube, but it was fun to get back to news coverage this week. For the first half of the show, we dive into our Chromebook Plus review process and the collective relief we’re feeling after wrapping up our 8th Chromebook Plus review. We hope that these reviews have been helpful as you all have tried to wade through these new devices that were all launched at the Chromebook Plus event last October. We have several exciting things in the works that we can’t wait to work on after our hiatus, so stay tuned. The remainder of the show is all about our exclusive demo of the upcoming Chromebook Plus features. Given the nature of Chromebook news, we don’t get many exclusives (other than finding things in the repositories) so it was very nice of the ChromeOS team to reach out and give us a sneak peek of the Chromebook Plus AI features that are coming soon. We’ve shared some frustration around the delivery of these features, so it was great to also get clarification on why it’s taking a little longer and why it will be worth the wait. If you’re as excited as we are about these new features, you don’t want to miss this one. Enjoy! Show Links All of our Chromebook Plus reviews Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Review: solidly affordable [VIDEO] The best all-around Chromebook Plus is down to just $389 right now Don’t miss this incredible deal on the ASUS Chromebook Plus CM34 Exclusive: Google demoed the new Chromebook Plus AI features for us [VIDEO] Where is Google’s promised ‘Help me write’ feature for Chromebooks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we took a break from our normal news roundup and decided to explain some of how we got here, where we're heading, and why we've decided to take a few weeks off from publishing on YouTube. And no, Chrome Unboxed isn't going anywhere and we aren't quitting YouTube. We do talk through why this is probably happening on YouTube, but we are as focused and clear-headed about Chrome Unboxed as ever. We just need some time to focus on the launch of something exciting! The official announcement of what we've been working on is coming soon so this episode is kind of a long-form explanation and teaser of what's coming. We will publish a more buttoned-up version of all this on YouTube next week, so keep an eye out for that. We have some exciting videos planned and some things in the works that we can't wait to tell you all about, but for right now, we want to take some time to focus on the launch of Proof Golf. I promise we will get back to our regularly scheduled programming soon, but this was a fun conversation that gives you all a behind-the-scenes look at what we've been working on and how we operate. We dive deep into how our content strategy has evolved and how we've responded to changes in the digital publishing world. So, if you are a fan of Chrome Unboxed and want a look behind the curtain, this one is for you. As always, we greatly appreciate you all listening and supporting Chrome Unboxed. Enjoy! Show Links Chrome Unboxed YouTube Proof Golf Coming Soon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and on this week's show, we discuss some new, interesting hardware we've been testing. If you've been listening to the show or reading the site lately, you know that we have been working hard to get through our reviews of the Chromebook Plus models announced in October. So it was a nice change of pace when the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk and Lenovo Chromebox Micro arrived at our office this week. We've been anxiously waiting for the Logitech Casa to arrive for a few reasons. First and foremost, we wanted to ensure that the keyboard and trackpad work with ChromeOS as seamlessly as we hoped, since Logitech went above and beyond to make this a Works With Chromebook-certified product. And secondly, we wanted to see if the hardware was good enough to justify the $180 price tag. Listen in to see what Robby thinks and check out our recent unboxing video to see the Casa in action. The second half of the show is all about Lenovo's interesting new take on a Chromebox: the Chromebox Micro. We've been excited to see this Chromebox is truly pocket-sized so as soon as it arrived, we opened the box and I popped it straight into my pocket. No problem! Oh, and we've already discovered that it is the first Chromebox we've ever tested that can be run off of a portable power bank. Outside of many standard Enterprise or home-desktop setups, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro opens the door for some unique use cases that we are excited to try out. Maybe a portable setup with AR glasses? Stay tuned as we test and experiment with this new Chromebox. If you are excited about this Chromebox, send us a message or hit us up on X and explain why - we're curious why it seems like so many of you are interested in this Chromebox. We also made sure to squeeze in a "Hot Take" at the end of the show so make sure to stick around for that to hear Robby's ode to the original Google WiFi. I hope you enjoy the show! Cheers! Show Links Unboxing and trying the new Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk [VIDEO] Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk: a real option for a wireless Chromebook trackpad? Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk is confirmed ‘Works with Chromebook’ Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk arrives at Best Buy March 21st Lenovo’s pocket-sized Chromebox Micro arrives at B&H Meet the new pocket-sized Chromebox from Lenovo: The Chromebox Micro Yes, you will be able to buy the Lenovo Chromebox that fits in your pocket An ode to my now-dead original Google Wi-Fi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and this week we tackle a few software updates that are coming soon to your Chromebook, the 2024 Google I/O announcement, and why we can’t wait for an exciting new accessory to show up. The first part of the show is dedicated to – you guessed it – Lacros. We’ve been talking about this de-coupled Chrome browser on Chromebooks for a while now but it looks like we could be nearing the finish line soon – maybe in ChromeOS 124! And although it will likely be an update that you might not even notice, we explain why it’s a massive shift for ChromeOS. For the second half of the show, we split the conversation between Google I/O and the Logitech Casa. The official date for I/O 2024 has been released and so we talk through what we’re expecting from Google’s developer conference this year and why we’re hopeful for a new Chromecast. As for the Logitech Casa, you might have heard us talk about this “desk in a box” product in last week’s show but since then we have made a few discoveries that make us even more excited to get it in the office and test it out (if FedEx ever decides to stop by.) Oh, and brace yourself for the AI discussion that gets brought up near the end of the show; this stuff is terrifying and so interesting at the same time. Enjoy! Show Links: Why the Lacros Chrome browser may arrive on Chromebooks very soon Quick Share for Chromebook set to get a Wi-Fi Direct speed boost Google and Samsung join forces to simplify file sharing This new feature will finally make the Chromebook calendar widget useful Google I/O 2024 dates and small live crowd confirmed The next Chromecast with Google TV could get a solid performance upgrade Leaks of the Pixel 8a box confirm minor design changes Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk is confirmed ‘Works with Chromebook’ Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk arrives at Best Buy March 21st Figure Status Update – OpenAI Speech-to-Speech Reasoning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we focus most of our discussion around two main topics: the full review of the HP 15.6" Chromebook Plus and the new Casa Pop-Up Desk that includes a wireless trackpad that works with ChromeOS. The HP 15.6" review is the second to last review of Chromebook Plus models that were launched back in October, so we also talked through that process and why the Lenovo Slim 3i is still Robby's favorite. The second half of the conversation is all about the new Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk that we recently stumbled upon. This interesting multi-device "desk in a box" setup looks great all on its own but through some investigation, we've discovered that the Casa is a Works With Chromebook certified device, making it the only wireless trackpad option for ChromeOS right now. So, as you might imagine, we are pretty excited about the Casa and can't wait to test it out soon.  LINKS HP 15.6-inch Chromebook Plus review [VIDEO] Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review [VIDEO] Big savings return for my favorite Chromebook: the Acer 516 GE Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i: is this ‘Chromebook Plus’? [VIDEO] Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus Review: my favorite of the bunch [VIDEO] If the Slim 3i Chromebook Plus stays at $339.99, it’s the one to beat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we generally stick to a single topic: using the venerable Pixelbook in 2024. Originally released in the fall of 2017, the Pixelbook still largely stands alone in the world of laptops and Chromebooks when we talk about sheer ingenuity, aesthetics, and build quality. There’s simply never been anything like it before or since. But the larger conversation around this Chromebook circles back to the reasons Google is no longer actively developing any in-house Chromebooks. As halo devices, Chromebooks like the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and Pixelbook Go were largely used to shine the light on general Chromebook deficits. With manufacturers truly picking up the slack, there’s just no need for Google to light the way any longer. But we still really wish they would. Links Using a Pixelbook in 2024: is it still just as amazing? [VIDEO] Google Pixelbook Review: More Than Just An Expensive Chromebook 2017 Google Hardware Event (Pixelbook section) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we’re diving deep into the potential of a new device from Samsung and why we think it’s the perfect time for a Galaxy Chromebook Plus. In case you’ve missed it, we’ve been reporting on the development of a new board in the repositories called “Xol” that we think could be a new Galaxy Chromebook Plus and so this took up much of our discussion this week but for good reason, it’s super exciting! We believe it’s time for Google and Samsung to work closely together to finally deliver the Galaxy Chromebook we all want! As part of the discussion around Samsung and Xol, we also chatted about a crazy discount on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 that has dropped the price of that device to $299 and how wild Chromebook deals like this affect the market. As always, we get a little off the rails talking about EV chargers and Gemini, too, but we tried our best to keep things focused. Hope you enjoy listening, cheers! EPISODE LINKS New Chromebook ‘Xol’ emerges with an Assistant Key built in Why ‘Xol’ could become the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus More clues that ‘Xol’ may be the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus My favorite Chromebook Plus model hits a new all-time low price The deal sweetens on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, now $400 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the The Chrome Cast podcast, it's all about hardware! We are working our way through the Chromebook Plus reviews and have two new videos that we discuss. The first is our favorite of the bunch, the Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus. We dive into why Robby absolutely loves this Chromebook, from the excellent build quality and rigidity to the punchy screen and great keyboard. There's a lot to like with this one and it highlights the best of Chromebook Plus in all the right ways. In the second half of the show, we talk through the review of the ASUS Vibe CX34 review, the most flashy of the new Chromebook Plus models. And we wrap up the show with a discussion of a new device called "Xol" that Robby has been tracking and believes is a new Chromebook from Samsung, maybe a new Galaxy Chromebook Plus. We made note of this in the introduction but this episode was recorded remotely and we had a few technical issues. If you notice a slight echo while Robby is talking or a little static feedback in parts, we apologize. We are working to figure out a setup that gives you all that crispy audio that you've all come to expect from The Chrome Cast!  Links Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus Review: my favorite of the bunch The best Chromebook Plus model available just hit its lowest-ever price ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Review New Chromebook ‘Xol’ emerges with an Assistant Key built in Why ‘Xol’ could become the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stick to two major themes: the evolution and growth of NVIDIA GeForce NOW as it turns 4 years old and our review of the Acer Chromebook Plus 515. With GeForce NOW, there’s so much that has changed in their four years of existence, and nearly all of it has been for the better. For the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review, we chose to go a bit of a different route this time around, streamlining things to publish one of the shortest reviews we’ve ever made. And there’s a reason for it: Chromebook Plus is just that reliably good. When it comes down to it, as long as Chromebook Plus is on the lid, it’s going to be a solid overall experience. Links GeForce NOW turns 4, adds two new big titles you can play on a Chromebook GeForce NOW just keeps getting better on Chromebooks [VIDEO] Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review [VIDEO] Chromebook Plus on the cheap: Acer 515 is now available for just $219.99 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we take a look at CES 2024 and explain a bit about why we weren’t in attendance, why not many Chromebook announcements were made there, and what about the show stood out this week as coverage from other outlets flooded our news feeds. It’s a fun show that gives us a chance to spend a lot of our time talking about the new Chromebooks from ASUS and a bit about some fun tech that showed up in Las Vegas this year. Links Unboxing the new ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable tablet [VIDEO] Why the new ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus could be more affordable than you think Early hands-on with the insane new ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we take a look back at the tentpole moments of 2023 and how things changed over the last 365 days not just for us here at Chrome Unboxed, but for ChromeOS, Chromebooks and Google, too. From Chromebook Plus to the Dragonfly Pro to AI and more, we spend a good bit of time unpacking all the stuff that made 2023 the year that it was. Links 2023 Chrome Unboxed Year in Review Introducing Chromebook Plus: the new standard for fast, capable, fun-to-use devices [VIDEO] CES 2023: HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook hands-on impressions [VIDEO] ChromeOS 116 makes the move to the new Lacros Chrome browser an absolute breeze [VIDEO] Stadia says farewell with a beautiful parting gift for its players We don’t need AI hardware in Chromebook Plus to use AI features…yet I accidentally dropped my Pixel Fold from 5 feet onto asphalt off of a moving golf cart The best Chromebook deals today: always updated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Chrome Cast, we begin by talking about the amazing deals out there right now for Chromebooks under $300, and the conversation simply took off from that point. We’re in a stage in the Chromebook story where Chromebook Plus is a relevant player in the overall narrative that is driving prices for great Chromebooks down to pretty remarkable places. Just a few years ago, I loathed talking too much about affordable Chromebooks because most of them were flat-out bad and not fun to use. At the end of 2023, however, that is less and less the case, and there are so many great Chromebooks under $300 at this point that I think the landscape for Chromebooks and ChromeOS will look quite different by this point in 2024. Show Links Our favorite budget Chromebooks under $300 The best Chromebook deals today: last-minute edition 10 ways AI is being used on Chromebooks right now We don’t need AI hardware in Chromebook Plus to use AI features…yet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Chrome Cast, we really did attempt to continue with our one-subject-per-podcast format this week, but in talking about ASUS' newly-launched ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus, our conversation diverged to include not just ASUS' new, top-dog Chromebook, but Chromebook Plus, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, Intel Core i3 performance, and Intel's new Core Ultra-branded chips for laptops across the board. Obviously, the main focus of our discussion is all about this wildly-over-the-top new Chromebook that came out of nowhere, however, and there's just a lot to talk about with this surprising new device that could be the Chromebook to beat in 2024. Links ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus: the new King of Chromebooks? Why the HP Dragonfly Pro is still the absolute King of Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we're sticking with our new format of sticking to a single topic. And this time around, we've decided to work through our "Best Chromebooks" list for the end of the year live on the podcast. There was no planning for this and you can listen as we talk through and create the list that will likely become what we're thinking will be our first-ever "12 Chromebooks of Christmas". How's that for a bit of multitasking? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we’re trying something a bit different. Instead of trying to cover a week’s worth of stuff in a single, 90-minute show, we’re going to break our episodes into topic-specific segments and publish more often. This way, you don’t have to give over an hour to listen and we have the flexibility to jump in and produce a new episode with a bit more ease. It’s a win-win! For this episode, our discussion topic circles around the issues with ChromeOS 119 and the missing Chromebook Plus features that could be happening because of it. On Friday, I realized my Chromebook Plus features were simply gone from the Flex 5i, and after a bit more digging, I also realized ChromeOS 119 has been pulled from the Omaha server responsible for pushing updates to all Chromebook devices. Something’s off for sure, and if you’ve been affected by it, this episode should provide a bit of insight. Links Something is really wrong with ChromeOS 119 My Chromebook Plus features disappeared: here’s how I fixed it The best Chromebook deals today: Black Friday 2023 edition How to be a smart Black Friday Chromebook deal shopper [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion is largely dominated by the naming mess that Chromebook Plus is facing right now. Sure, there are 8 “new” Chromebook Plus devices that were launched with the announcement, but as of mid-October, a bunch of other existing devices also got the full Chromebook Plus upgrade. The issue? If you don’t know better and walk into a store or are browsing online, looking for Chromebook Plus (as the marketing is pushing consumers to do), you may pass on many fantastic devices that are Chromebook Plus through-and-through but don’t have anything in the listing to tell you that is the case. Think of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, a device I’ve lauded for nearly a year at this point as one of my favorite devices. As I type this right now on that exact device, it kills me to think consumers may walk right by it simply because there’s no label that tells them this is a Chromebook Plus. The fix would be a simple name change and inclusion for devices like this in any and all Chromebook Plus marketing, but I don’t know if or when we’ll get there. Links Why Google needs to add Chromebook Plus to listings for those that meet the criteria The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 drops to its lowest-ever price once again The Acer Spin 714 is $130 off and Chromebook Plus through-and-through As we predicted, ASUS announces a new MediaTek-powered Chromebook tablet HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c review: a lot to like when the price is right [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, loosely everything we discuss circles around one, large topic: Chromebook Plus. From the myriad of deals on Chromebook Plus devices to discussing the prowess of Chromebook Plus processors and the possibility of new Chromebook Plus tablets, this week’s show largely stays focused on Chromebook Plus. We also discuss the curious case of the Pixel Tablet as well: a device still stuck in limbo, trying to figure out what its purpose truly is. With the Google Assistant set to start gaining Bard’s capabilities and new Nest Hub-like features on the way to the Pixel Tablet, perhaps there’s a future where owning this odd tablet from Google really starts to make a lot of sense. Links Don’t miss massive $320 savings on this HP Chromebook Plus model Here’s a quick look at how fast the new Chromebook Plus devices really are Another clue that a Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 successor is on the way HP Chromebook Plus x360: don’t buy the wrong one [UPDATED] Here’s a look at Best Buy’s new Chromebook Plus display tables Buying a Pixel Tablet might finally make sense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin by talking about our latest giveaway: 3 Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i Chromebooks! While these devices don’t have Chromebook Plus on the lid, they are Chromebook Plus through-and-through. As my favorite Chromebook Plus model thus far (and the first I plan to review), I’m beyond excited to be able to give away three of these excellent Chromebooks courtesy of Lenovo. From there, we move on to talk about the fact that there are no real differences in devices like the Slim 3i and the Chromebook Plus Slim 3i: it’s just a new branding on the lid. And after we get through some discussion on the state of Chromebook Plus right now and the situation with the ChromeOS 118 update, we move on to examining the latest Chromebook Plus model to arrive at the office – the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 – and the fact that we now have all of the new Chromebook Plus devices in the office to begin weeks worth of reviews. Links Win one of 3 fantastic Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebooks Samsung Chromebook Pro and Plus Quick Look: CES 2017 New Chromebook Plus deals can save you up to $200 right now Acer Chromebook Plus 514 unboxing: we now have every new Chromebook Plus model [VIDEO] HP Chromebook Plus x360: don’t buy the wrong one It looks like nearly all Chromebooks are finally on ChromeOS 118 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5: where are the ChromeOS updates? A closer look at ChromeOS 118 and new Chromebook Plus features [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss the potential for a new Chromebook Plus model that could be on the way from Samsung. From the heights of the Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro and Galaxy Chromebook to the oddly-named and poorly-executed devices like the Galaxy Chromebook Go and Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, Samsung has been on a rough path in the ChromeOS space for years at this point. But their comeback could be solidified with a well-thought-out Chromebook Plus model that looks to be in the works with a new device codenamed ‘Pirrha’ that has been in development since July. Could this device signal a return to form from Samsung? And if so, when will we see it? This topic dominates our discussion this week, but we also hit on some other Chromebook Plus stuff and a bit about the wild deals we’re currently seeing in the market on an ongoing basis. Links Samsung’s upcoming Chromebook Plus could have a USI pen built in Samsung may be making a Chromebook Plus device, too Where to buy each of the new Chromebook Plus models Today is officially Chromebook Plus day for existing models Don’t miss this awesome Chromebook Plus feature on your device Chromebook Plus is rolling out to certified devices right now: how to try it The first Chromebook Plus sale is here: save $100 on the ASUS CM34 Flip Why the new Chromebook Plus commercial for Best Buy matters See all the deals at Chrome Unboxed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we get into all of the hardware and software details from the Chromebook Plus announcement that we didn’t have time to cover in our episode last week. If you listened to that episode, you know that the Chromebook Plus certification represents the biggest change to Chromebooks we’ve seen since we started our coverage in 2015 and so there was a lot to talk about from a big picture perspective. But from a consumer standpoint, the hardware requirements and software features are what will impact your overall experience of using a new Chromebook Plus-certified device. So for this episode, we take a deep dive into each of the new 8 Chromebook Plus models that were a part of this announcement and the improved software experiences that will accompany all Chromebook Plus models. We wrap things up with some discussion of generative AI on Chromebook Plus models and on the new Pixel 8. We hope you enjoy and make sure to follow The Chrome Cast on Spotify, Google Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don’t miss more Chromebook Plus discussions coming soon. Show Note 6 new Chromebook Plus models arrive for purchase today We have almost every new Chromebook Plus model: some early thoughts [VIDEO] You should go take a look at Google’s new Chromebook Plus landing page All the models getting the Chromebook Plus upgrade and when it will arrive The Chrome Cast 241: Chromebook Plus sets the new standard for Chromebooks Introducing Chromebook Plus: the new standard for fast, capable, fun-to-use devices [VIDEO] Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i: is this ‘Chromebook Plus’? [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we dive into all the announcements from Google’s 10/4 hardware event. From a keynote that announced everything from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel Watch 2 and generative AI everywhere, there’s clearly a lot to talk about. Show Links New Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones are here: what you need to know Google unveils the Pixel Watch 2, complete with a stress detector, temperature sensor, and more Why the Fitbit Charge 6 is on my wrist instead of the Pixel Watch 2 Just as I predicted, Google just injected Assistant with Bard AI and it’s going to change everything Pre-order the new Google Pixel 8 Pro and receive Pixel Watch 2 free on Best Buy. Plus, save up to $800 with qualified trade-in. Pre-Order the new Google Pixel 8 and receive Pixel Buds Pro free on Best Buy. Plus, save up to $800 with qualified trade-in. Pre-order the new Google Pixel Watch 2 on Best Buy Buy the Fitbit Charge 6 on Best Buy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we are clearly talking about the biggest news to hit our corner of the internet in a very long time – perhaps ever. Google has unveiled Chromebook Plus, and it marks a very specific move towards a more cohesive, more-enjoyable Chromebook experience for consumers across the board. With a new standard for hardware and improved software experiences, Chromebook Plus is a change the ecosystem needs. For this episode, we focused more on the event itself that happened in NYC last week and as we ran quite a bit long on that portion, we’ll return for more specifics on the hardware and software side of Chromebook Plus in our next episode. It’s an exciting time, for certain, and there is a monsoon of new Chromebook Plus content on the way. Links Introducing Chromebook Plus: the new standard for fast, capable, fun-to-use devices [VIDEO] Why I’m ditching Pixlr for Photoshop Web on my Chromebook and why you may soon follow Adobe Photoshop on the web launches and works great on Chromebooks Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i: is this ‘Chromebook Plus’? [VIDEO] Samung Chromebook Plus Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the fresh, new roll-out of ChromeOS 117 to a handful of devices. This update comes with some sweet, new features like Material You design throughout and a new ability to select wallpapers from shared Google Photos albums. It’s a nice upgrade, for sure, but the devices it has already arrived on share something in common. Not long ago, we talked about Chromebook Plus and what this new effort from Google could mean for the Chromebook ecosystem as a whole. As it turns out, all the devices getting this latest ChromeOS 117 update all fall into the category of devices that have been identified as likely Chromebook Plus devices that are already available. And in that vein, the Chromebook I got the update on – the Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i – feels like it delivers on what we’re hoping will be the promise of Chromebook Plus: solid specs paired with a stellar overall user experience. Links ChromeOS 117 begins roll-out with Material You and other features on board Momentum grows as T-Mobile moves to Google’s Jibe for RCS messaging Here are the first 4 new Chromebook Plus (Chromebook X) models we expect to see A new Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i shows up on sale with some nice enhancements We now have a name for Lenovo’s addition to the upcoming ‘Chromebook Plus’ family ASUS Chromebook CM34 Flip review: budget-friendly workhorse [VIDEO] Google takes another jab at Apple’s iMessage’s lack of RCS support with new iPager video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we obviously talk at length about the biggest news of the week in the Chromebook and ChromeOS sphere: Google extending the AUE on Chromebooks by 2 full years. With this move, we now get two extra years of support on all current Chromebooks and a full 10 years of support on new devices as well. It’s a big move that comes with a lot of work on Google’s end, but it’s a big moment in the ChromeOS ecosystem for certain. We round out the show by talking through the fantastic start for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV and take a few moments to discuss the new Chromebooks that have shown up that could become part of the ‘Chromebook Plus’ ecosystem not too long from now. Links Google is adding 2 years to Chromebook expiration dates across the board NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube is delivering better subscriber numbers than ever NFL Sunday Ticket goes off without a hitch on YouTube for opening week Right before the season begins, YouTube offers a free NFL Sunday Ticket trial A new Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i shows up on sale with some nice enhancements We now have a name for Lenovo’s addition to the upcoming ‘Chromebook Plus’ family Check out this deal on the new 15.6-inch HP Chromebook I totally missed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we begin the conversation around Google’s upcoming hardware event slated for October 4th. We’re just a few weeks away, and now that Google has made all the new stuff we already expected official, we can begin looking forward to the event and seeing how the new Pixel phones and the new Pixel Watch 2 fit into Google’s larger vision for what they’d like to do on mobile for the next year. For the second half, we begin by talking about a recent experiment where we tested out the decoupled Lacros Chrome browser on a Windows laptop running ChromeOS Flex, but we quickly diverge into a longer chat about the need for Google to address the rising e-waste problem coming from education-focused Chromebooks. While ChromeOS Flex would seem to offer the clearest path forward there, it doesn’t look to be on Google’s roadmap, and I’m beyond confused as to why that is. Links Google finally gives us a look at the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 on purpose The latest Pixel 8 Pro “leak” doesn’t feel like an accident this time around An updated Chromecast with Google TV may be on the way: here’s what I’d love to see Yes, I have iMessage working on a Chromebook with Beeper for Android [VIDEO] Testing the new Lacros browser on ChromeOS Flex: it works! [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin by discussing the leaks of upcoming Chromebook Plus (formerly known as Chromebook X) models that appeared for a short time in the Chromium Repositories. With a handful of existing devices making the cut and at least 4 brand-new Chromebooks on the way for the Chromebook Plus program, we’re interested to see when Google rolls this out and what sort of early impact it will have when they do. From there, we derail a bit into generative AI as we get around to our second, main topic for the week: Google’s October 4th hardware event becoming official. With the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 all looking to make an appearance, we’re left wondering if Google could have anything else up their sleeves. Links Here are the first 4 new Chromebook Plus (Chromebook X) models we expect to see ‘Welcome to Chromebook Plus’: the mysterious ‘Chromebook X’ gets an official name Google has made this year’s hardware event official: October 4th Pixel 8 Pro and likely Pixel Watch 2 photo gets leaked by Google Duet AI for Google Workspace launches, takes notes and even attends meetings on your behalf Google Docs adds new AI-driven proofreading option to help you create high quality writing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the recent announcement by Google and Cameyo that the two will be partnering up moving forward to deliver a seamless virtual app delivery service to ChromeOS enterprise customers. Cameyo is a fantastic service that has been great for years at this point, so Google rolling this type of legacy (Windows) app delivery into ChromeOS at a core level is a huge benefit for both businesses and employees alike. We then move into the trendiest news of the week surrounding Lacros – the new, decoupled browser for Chromebooks. Via some trials with it in ChromeOS 115 and then an updated approach in ChromeOS 116, things are looking very good for this years-long effort from Google to detach the Chrome browser from its intricate ties to the underlying parts of ChromeOS. We finish the show by discussing the latest efforts by Google to bring Ultra Wideband to Chromebooks and what that sort of tech could mean for end users over the next couple of years while also covering some early thoughts on the upcoming review for the iterative Acer Chromebook Spin 714. Links Win the ‘ChromeOS for Business’ bundle from Google, LG, and Cameyo ChromeOS now has native Virtual App Delivery thanks to a new Cameyo integration ChromeOS 116 makes the move to the new Lacros Chrome browser an absolute breeze [VIDEO] UPDATE: How to try out Google’s new decoupled Chrome browser on Chromebooks UWB (Ultra Wide Band) is coming to Chromebooks This deal gets the new flagship Acer Chromebook Spin 714 down to a mid-range price Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we attempt to begin the show by talking through the two groups of Chromebooks in development that recently got the axe – those powered by the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 and a couple Chromebooks that were set to have NVIDIA GPUs inside. We divert into some discussion about video editing and my son’s new YouTube channel, but we eventually get to the meat of what could be going on with these development Chromebook cancellations. But the show ends on a high note as we counteract all the talk of cancellations with news of new devices waiting in the wings. From 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake-N Chromebooks to some new tablets with the MediaTek MT8188 inside, there are plenty of new devices to be looking forward to in the coming months that are exciting enough to perhaps forget about what could have been with the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 devices and NVIDIA GPU-toting Chromebooks that will never see the light of day. Links Don’t miss your chance to win the ultimate ChromeOS for Business Bundle Unboxing the slim, MediaTek Kompanio 520-powered ASUS Chromebook CM14 Flip [VIDEO] Yes, it’s true: NVIDIA GPU Chromebooks are no longer in development It looks like the next wave of Snapdragon Chromebooks has been cancelled Finally, we have another next-gen MediaTek MT8188 Chromebook tablet on the way Landon’s Sirens (YouTube) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the new revelation that the small fleet of upcoming Chromebooks with the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 will no longer continue in development. Why the ‘Herobrine’ project was scrapped and whether or not Qualcomm has another path forward with Chromebooks in the near future is currently unknown; but the reality that no new Snapdragon Chromebooks are on the horizon is a reality we simply have to accept for now. We continue the show by discussing the impending arrival of Lacros that will begin the transition of Chrome the browser being separated from Chrome the OS. It’s a long, difficult process that Google says could take upwards of a year to finish, but it looks likely that ChromeOS 116 will lay the foundations for the beginning of the transition. And as a lead up to that big change, we also talk through the features that were included in the last ChromeOS 115 update. Links It looks like the next wave of Snapdragon Chromebooks has been cancelled Google says it will take nearly a year to fully decouple Chrome from ChromeOS Google may finally be ready to decouple Chrome from ChromeOS with the 116 update ChromeOS 115 is arriving on schedule and full of fun, new updates [U: VIDEO] Check out the latest Chromebook deals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss our collective, weeks-long experience with Google's Pixel Fold. From the things that make it unique and seriously great to those that create a good deal of user frustration, we cover what it was like to use the Pixel Fold and why - in the end - I ended up taking my SIM card back over to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. But there are more foldables on the way, and with some tweaks and fixes, this form factor could end up being truly special in the end. Links Google Pixel Fold: My thoughts after actually using it [VIDEO] I moved from the Pixel Fold back to a regular smartphone, and I feel relieved OnePlus V Fold will launch as the OnePlus Open in late August to take on the Pixel Fold Win the ‘ChromeOS for Business’ bundle from Google, LG, and Cameyo Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking through our thoughts on the newly-released Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Slim 3 and as we wrap up that section, move directly into talking about the oft-goofy nature of Chromebook naming conventions. The hope is that whatever ‘Chromebook X’ or ‘Chromebook Plus’ becomes, it addresses not only build quality and specifications in Chromebooks, but also device names as well. It’s time for word salad to go away in the consumer Chromebook space. We also touch on our thoughts on the Pixel Fold as we lead up to getting our review together. I’ve used the phone for a few weeks now, and it definitely took that amount of time to get my head wrapped around the form factor in both good and bad ways. The Pixel Fold is unique: that much is for sure. But it is a nuanced device that isn’t going to be a good fit for everyone. It has most definitely proven far more resilient than expected, and we talk a bit about that big drop to the asphalt on the show this week, too. Links The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Slim 3 is a marvel of affordability [VIDEO] I accidentally dropped my Pixel Fold from 5 feet onto asphalt off of a moving golf cart Chromebook names are terrible: maybe ‘Chromebook X’ can fix that Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stick to one subject, and one subject only: ‘Chromebook X’. This leaked, upcoming initiative from Google surrounding a new category of Chromebooks could be a very interesting play coming by the end of the year. ‘Chromebook X’ devices should represent the best end user experiences available from Chromebook partners and hopefully will go beyond a simple spec requirement to deliver great ChromeOS hardware experiences for potential buyers. It’s a big move by Google, for sure, and one that we won’t fully comprehend until it is here and actually available. But if it gets marketing and manufacturer support, there’s a good chance this new Google stamp of approval for Chromebooks that meet the standard could really shake up the consumer market for the better. Links Google looks to be prepping a new standard for Chromebook excellence with ‘Chromebook X’ Two Chromebooks under $200 that are actually worth buying Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i 2023 review: extraordinary value [VIDEO] Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we diverged into a bit of slightly-foreign territory. While the show starts with some new leaks that have surfaced surrounding the Pixel Watch 2, we switched gears on a bit of a whim to the new Apple Vision Pro and stayed on that topic for longer than we would have expected. Apple came out swinging in very Apple fashion and after considering their new AR/VR headset, we have some opinions on this device and others potentially entering the space over the next couple years. Finally, we move back to our lane and talk through the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip and how ASUS has not only righted the ship in the gaming Chromebook category, but at the same time built a fantastic overall Chromebook with their latest. Links New Pixel Watch 2 leaks: better processor, better battery, and more sensors With only three weeks before arrival, all Pixel Fold variants are available for order again ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip Review: a big step forward [VIDEO] MKBHD’s Apple Vision Pro video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin our discussion by talking through the upcoming Google-made hardware that is set to release this month. The Pixel Tablet and the Pixel Fold are set to be unleashed on the world in the next few weeks, and both devices bring unanswered questions that won’t be addressed until they actually hit the market. We also discuss a tablet that we have in the office currently and why it is we all feel that ChromeOS is so much better suited for desktop, productivity-focused activities. And with the ever-improving tablet mode on Chromebooks, there’s a case to be made that ChromeOS should be the go-to OS for any tablet with Google software on it. Links This deal on the Acer Chrombook 514 is one you absolutely cannot miss Google’s Pixel Fold development was a long affair, and that could make it truly special Shockingly, one version of the Pixel Fold is already sold out The OG Chromecast has received its last firmware update Noted Google leaker hints at a possible pen and keyboard for the Pixel Tablet I don’t understand Google’s choice to not make a simple keyboard for the Pixel Tablet Lenovo’s big new tablet is beautiful, and proves that ChromeOS is Google’s better desktop OS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by discussing a recent video we publish that highlights all the ways ChromeOS is hiding in plain sight all around you. From call centers to trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings to medical establishments, ChromeOS is moving in all sorts of professional directions and as time goes on, we only expect to see it show up in more of those areas. We then shift to discussing the need for better, lower-priced Chromebooks if Google is to gain a foothold in the consumer laptop space. While Chromebooks have great sales numbers, much of that success relies on education and enterprise purchases, leaving the consumer space as a still-untapped market in the larger sense. $300-$600 Chromebooks will be the place Google can win big, and the arrival of some new AMD-powered device could greatly help that cause. Links ChromeOS is being used in places you likely never expected [VIDEO] Why solid, affordable devices will be Google’s salvation for consumer Chromebooks AMD unveils new 7020 C-series for mid-range Chromebooks Google is testing Steam games for entry-level Intel Alder Lake N100/N200 Chromebooks Lenovo’s OLED Chromebook Duet 5 gets a massive discount Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the majority of the episode talking through some new hardware that has been floating around the office for a bit now. First, we begin with the Pixel 7a and some pre-review thoughts around Google’s latest phone. While it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Pixel 7, there are definitely some differences and some things you’ll want to know about this mid-range device. For the second half, we delve into our review thoughts surrounding the affordable and solid Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i. With a $349 starting price and a lot of great stuff going on both on the screen and under the hood, this Chromebook looks set to shake up the affordable ChromeOS market. Links Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i 2023 review: extraordinary value [VIDEO] The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i is now available for purchase Wear OS 4 will finally fix my biggest gripe with Android watches Where to buy the all-new Pixel 7a Pixel 7a unboxing and first impressions with Google’s latest affordable phone [VIDEO] 5 Reasons why I’m sold on the Google Pixel Fold [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no surprise what dominates the discussion this week. As Google I/O 2023 is now in the rear-view mirror, we have a lot of new discussion surrounding Google’s moves in AI and new Pixel-branded hardware. From new tricks for Bard to other interesting ways Google is leveraging AI in their products, there much to be said for what is going on in that space. But we are obviously more interested near-term in the new hardware, and it is pretty sweet to be able to finally talk about the star of the show – the Pixel Fold – without having to refer to rumors or leaks in order to do so. It’s an expensive piece of kit, sure, but there are some undeniably cool things about the Fold that are worth talking about: so we did. Links Google announces its response to Microsoft 365 Copilot as Duet AI for Google Workspace Wear OS 4 will finally fix my biggest gripe with Android watches Pre-order the Pixel Fold from Google and get some free goodies You can pre-order the Pixel Tablet for $499 Google Search gets with the times, officially announces generative AI integration 3 new Android tricks on the Pixel Fold that look really amazing Where to buy the all-new Pixel 7a Revamped and Ready: Google Home app redesigned to be more user friendly and useful Pixel 7a unboxing and first impressions with Google’s latest affordable phone [VIDEO] Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the vast majority of the show discussing what we're expecting to see from Google at I/O 2023. With the Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold leaking entirely in the past couple weeks, it will be a packed event full of all sorts of software updates and many hardware devices we've been waiting quite some time for. Links Bard AI may be coming to Pixel phones with a dedicated widget Google finally confirms the Pixel Fold is coming on May 10th at Google I/O 2023 Google’s Pixel Fold leaks in totality, including a possible teaser from Google this week What we can learn from the first legit Pixel Fold hands-on video leak New press renders of the Pixel Fold emerge, confirm previous leaks New Pixel 7a leak shows off full press renders, surprises absolutely no one The Chrome Cast 224: the Pixel Tablet may have already missed its prime launch window Last call for entries: Win a Penoval USI 2.0 stylus before it’s too late! Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend much of our time discussing Google’s upcoming hardware. Where the latest leaks of the Pixel Fold tell us to expect Google’s first folding phone at Google I/O 2023, the story feels a bit less celebrative for the upcoming Pixel Tablet. With a fun, innovative feature that largely relies on Google’s smart display efforts and the Google Assistant (it has a speaker dock that turns it into a Nest Hub, effectively), the Pixel Tablet looked to show up with a bit of an ace up its sleeve. But with the current state of the Google Assistant and Google’s smart display initiative at the moment, that fun feature doesn’t look that great these days. With the abrupt rise of Generative AI and Google’s own shift to that technology for both Bard and their own search product, has the Pixel Slate simply missed its window for release? Links Why Google’s Pixel Tablet might be too little, too late Third-party smart displays with Assistant built-in may no longer have Google’s support Pixel Fold availability date, weight, and price confirmed by credible new source The Chrome Cast 223: An open discussion about Generative AI After 25 years, Google is building a new search engine, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence Google Assistant will finally shut up and do what it’s told instead of excessively narrating itself Acer unveils 13th Gen Raptor Lake Chromebook Spin 714 CTL launches next-gen Chomebox CBX3 with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 Unboxing the latest convertible 14-inch HP Chromebook x360 14c with a 16:10 screen Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we decided to try something a bit different (and there’s a bit of a twist ending to it, too). Instead of taking on the week’s news and discussing it, we wanted to tackle a particular content area, and there’s none more interesting and groundbreaking than the field of Generative AI right now. While tech hardware (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) has lost a bit of the “wow” factor year over year, Generative AI is new, shiny, exciting, scary, and mostly mysterious at this point. So, we thought it would be a good time to sit down and discuss what this new phenomenon is, why it is great, why it is a little scary, and what we can do to handle it properly. We’re not experts, and that’s why the title says this is an open, honest discussion about Generative AI. We clearly don’t have the answers to all these questions, and even the smartest folks in the world are left wondering a bit at this point. But we need to discuss it and we need to keep discussing it as it would seem Pandora’s Box has already been opened. Now it’s more about what we do with what’s come out of it. Links Google’s fledgling Bard AI is already being tested inside the company’s Messages app for Android Google prepares to challenge ChatGPT with its Bard AI, sends out invites to Pixel Superfans Google is adding Generative AI to Docs and Gmail to help you get started writing And just like that, Bing Chat (GPT) has already gone off the rails How to use ChatGPT on your Chromebook: Witness the future Google Assistant should have been After 25 years, Google is building a new search engine, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence Google’s Bard is singing a new tune this week, upgrades to its capabilities already rolling out Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we get started by talking through The Masters website and how this yearly tournament shows off the power and capability of the open web unlike just about anything else out there in the sports world. With player profiles, live streaming, and all sort of ways to watch the sprawling golf tournament, The Masters website is a digital engineering feat that keeps us excited for what the open web continues to be capable of. For the rest of the show, we delve into a few other topics including the upcoming iMessage solution for Android (Sunbird), Android App Streaming finally showing up for Chromebooks (sort of), and some new Chromebook hardware that is now in the office and ready for unboxing and review. It’s a packed show that covers all sorts of topics and we hope you enjoy it this week. Links The Masters once again leverages the power of the open web to immerse you in golf coverage A deep dive into Google’s new Chromebook app streaming feature and its current limitations Sunbird is steaming forward to bring iMessage to Android Google’s Bard is singing a new tune this week, upgrades to its capabilities already rolling out What was once the most innovative Google service may soon be yesterday’s news Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend our time talking through two main topics. The first is our thoughts on the new, high-end, modular Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition. Our review dropped this week and, as always, we have some thoughts. For a device built to be deconstructed and upgraded, this one is pretty sleek and fun to use. The second half of the podcast ended up being taken up by an editorial idea that was published this week as well here at Chrome Unboxed. The premise is simple: why are $1000+ Android tablets accepted while $999 Chromebooks are considered by many to be ridiculous? It’s a strange duality for sure, and it leads to some intersecting discussion. Links Why is $1000 acceptable for an Android tablet, but not a well-made Chromebook? Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: a premium on modularity [VIDEO] This episode is brought to you by ⁠Cameyo,⁠ the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps – including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps – to Chromebooks so that your people have seamless access to everything they need to be productive. Cameyo is deeply integrated with ChromeOS and Google Admin console, providing the simplest, most secure, most cost-effective way to push apps to your users as PWAs without the complexity of legacy virtual desktops. And now, Chrome Unboxed listeners get access to a special ChromeOS + Cameyo bundle that makes it easier than ever to test for yourself. Get started at ⁠cameyo.com/unboxed.⁠ The team at Chrome Unboxed is fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee, the official coffee of The Chrome Cast podcast! ⁠CLICK HERE ⁠to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing all the new leaks surrounding Google’s upcoming Pixel lineup. Between the release date of the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold leaking to the newly-rumored, lower price tag for the Pixel Fold and interesting price point on the Pixel 7a, there are quite a few interesting things to discuss as we inch closer to a deeper understanding at Google I/O 2023 in just under 7 weeks from now. For the second half of the show, we delve a bit into the shake-up that is happening with AI – both ChatGPT and Google’s Bard – and then shift into a discussion around the importance of a game as big as Minecraft being tailor-made for Chromebooks. It’s a fun show this week! Links Unleash the trifecta: Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds, and Pixel Phone deals you can’t miss! These Pixel 7/7Pro deals makes it tough to even consider waiting for the Pixel 7a Google prepares to challenge ChatGPT with its Bard AI, sends out invites to Pixel Superfans New leak suggests the Pixel Fold will be way cheaper than we thought In case you missed it, Minecraft built specifically for ChromeOS is a really big deal Here’s everything you need to know about the Minecraft Trails and Tales update for Chromebooks Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is officially (re)launching on Chromebooks This episode is brought to you by Cameyo, the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps – including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps – to Chromebooks so that your people have seamless access to everything they need to be productive. Cameyo is deeply integrated with ChromeOS and Google Admin console, providing the simplest, most secure, most cost-effective way to push apps to your users as PWAs without the complexity of legacy virtual desktops. And now, Chrome Unboxed listeners get access to a special ChromeOS + Cameyo bundle that makes it easier than ever to test for yourself. Get started at cameyo.com/unboxed. The team at Chrome Unboxed is fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee, the official coffee of The Chrome Cast podcast! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, the star of the show is – without doubt – the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. And though some odd news about abysmal battery has made waves on the web, the overwhelming response to this device for everyone we’ve shown it to is massively positive, and we feel that it is the flagship Chromebook we’ve all been waiting for from Google – just from HP, instead. There’s so much good going on with this device that it takes up the entire first half of the show. For the second half, we keep it in new ChromeOS hardware mode as we discuss the many new clues we’ve found for the upcoming detachable tablet Chromebooks that should branch off of the ‘Geralt’ baseboard. One of those looks to be a successor to the pretty-awesome Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5, and if that device gets a follow-up with a handful of improvements, we’re all in for a treat. LINKS HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review: the no-contest King of Chromebooks [VIDEO] HP quietly released a new Chromebook x360 with 12th Gen Intel CPU and 16:10 display Chromebook tablet ‘Geralt’ is being tested with at least one pretty solid camera It looks like a new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 sequel is in the works Here’s everything you need to know about the Minecraft Trails and Tales update for Chromebooks Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is officially (re)launching on Chromebooks This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - SPECIAL OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about the new HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook we have in the office in the Sparkling Black colorway. Though we’re still limited in what we can say about this Chromebook for now, this black color is pretty awesome looking and gives us yet another reason to talk about this very special Chromebook. The rest of the show largely focuses on some new leaks around the upcoming Pixel Fold, some software choices Google has made lately regarding Google Photos sharing what were previously Pixel-only features, and the latest news surrounding Google I/O 2023, set to be held on May 10th. After taking a week off last week, there’s a lot to cover, so hop in! Links Sneak Peek: unboxing the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook in Sparkling Black [VIDEO] Google I/O 2023 set for May 10th and May 10th only I just used Google’s Magic Eraser on my Chromebook and Galaxy S23 Ultra You can now adjust HDR for videos on a Chromebook with Google Photos Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides are getting a Material You overhaul New battery info emerges on the upcoming Google Pixel Fold HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is in the office: quick sneak peek [VIDEO] This episode is brought to you by Cameyo, the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps - including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps - to Chromebooks. CLICK HERE to get started today. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we're back with another interview episode, and this time around, we had the privilege of chatting with Jenn Chen, Product Designer and Head of UX Design & Research for ChromeOS at Google. Jenn has been working on ChromeOS for over a decade and has a vast understanding of the OS so needless to say, it was an honor to have her on the show. For this episode, we decided to go with our "5 Questions" format that you might recall us using in our interview with Alex Kuscher back in March 2022. We dug into how ChromeOS design philosophies have changed over time, building for multiple form factors, cross-pollination with other Google teams, how they are thinking about pre-installed apps vs. those built by third-party developers, and how Jenn is thinking about the future of ChromeOS design. Jenn is so knowledgeable about the OS and how it has evolved so even if you aren't into UX or interested in OS design, I think you will still find this episode very fascinating. LINKS Jenn Chen LinkedIn Chrome OS’s Jenn Chen on a decade of design This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re talking about the new HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook – as much as we can at this point, at least – and why this new device is very important in the consumer Chromebook market. Sure, there’s an impressive spec sheet, but a fantastic Chromebook needs more than just stats, and the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has it. While we’re a bit limited in what we can say right now, I can at least say this: the Dragonfly Pro is special, and we’ll be able to tell you more about why that is in the near future.   For the rest of the show, we discuss my recent move to Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as my daily carry items. With so many of our audience likely carrying Samsung gadgets and the increased cohesion between Samsung and Google of late, I thought it a good time to test out the waters. We also get into the newly-found evidence for some upcoming MediaTek-powered ChromeOS tablets as well, signaling the first hope we’ve had in quite some time for some new detachable action in the Chromebook market. LINKS The MediaTek-powered Chromebook tablet ‘Geralt’ is being tested with a great screen Exclusive: New Chromebook tablets are in the works with powerful MediaTek processors inside HP Dragonfly Chromebook Pro quick unboxing Why I’m actually ready to give the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra a try This episode is brought to you by Cameyo, the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps - including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps - to Chromebooks. CLICK HERE to get started today. Shop Penoval USI 2.0 pen here (promo code 05Unboxed). Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we have a very special episode of The Chrome Cast Podcast as we welcome John Maletis - VP of Product, Engineering, and UX for ChromeOS - on the show.  John was in-person at HP's reviewer workshop for the upcoming Dragonfly Pro Chromebook and was kind enough to sit down and have a chat with us about where the consumer Chromebook market is headed.  In light of the imminent release of the stellar Hp Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, the consumer portion of the Chromebook market is about to get very interesting, and John has some interesting perspectives on that future. LINKS John Maletis Twitter John Maletis LinkedIn HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook hands-on impressions Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the episode by discussing our recent move from YouTube Music over to Spotify and why that transition has been so interesting.  As a music streaming service, Spotify is the best there is, and it took us all quite a while to finally move over to it.  With some updates to the way casting is handled, Spotify is now the unparalleled champ in the music streaming space, and definitely worth a look if you've been holding out.   The second half of the episode focuses on the Chromebooks we saw at CES 2023 - the ASUS Vibe CX34 Flip and the HP Dragonfly Pro - and why we think its time for Acer to get in the game at the higher end of the consumer Chromebook market.  Though we're still waiting on the release of the Dragonfly Pro, the ASUS Vibe CX34 is in the office, and it is an impressive device.  With all this recent movement at the upper-end of the Chromebook space, Acer's Swift lineup would make a great addition. LINKS Why I’m finally switching from YouTube Music over to Spotify Acer should make a high-end Swift Chromebook to combat HP’s Dragonfly Pro Chromebook ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip unboxing: this one is legit! This episode is brought to you by Cameyo, the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps - including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps - to Chromebooks. CLICK HERE to get started today. Shop Penoval USI 2.0 pen here (promo code 05Unboxed). Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend quite a bit of time talking through the latest Unpacked event from Samsung. On February 1st, Samsung took the wraps off their new phones – the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra – and a few other interesting new products as well. In the midst of those other products was a new Windows laptop called the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, and that impressive device caused a bit of a stir here in the Chrome Unboxed offices. While it had little to do with any of us wanting to buy this new laptop, the introduction and attention to detail in the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra absolutely had us all wishing Samsung would get back in the high-end Chromebook game. LINKS We asked, you answered: $800 is where it’s at for premium Chromebooks Will we ever see something like a Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Ultra? Where to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S23/S23+ and S23 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event Shop Penoval USI 2.0 pen here (promo code 05Unboxed). Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the episode by getting the elephant out of the room right off the bat: Robby bought a Tesla. The stars aligned and with a great trade-in, reduced price, and the new federal tax credit, the timing was right. The excitement is obvious, but it gives way to some new content that could come from the Chrome Unboxed crew down the road if things work out. The rest of our show focuses on two Chromebooks: one full of potential and one that’s a bit of a letdown. Our review of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5601 reveals a bit of a disappointment while our hopes for the upcoming HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook couldn’t be higher right now. We are still waiting for official word on the latter, but it feels like it should be soon, and this new Chromebook begs the question: is the consumer market ready for another big swing at a premium Chromebook? We sure hope so! VIEW SHOW LINKS - (https://chromeunboxed.com/the-chrome-cast-212-hp-dragonfly-pro-chromebook/) This episode is brought to you by Cameyo, the Chrome Enterprise Recommended virtualization solution that enables you to deliver all of your apps - including Windows, Linux, SaaS, and internal apps - to Chromebooks. CLICK HERE to get started today. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we felt it was only fitting to not only discuss Stadia’s final death, but also the cloud gaming revolution it looks to have started. While many of the main players in the cloud gaming space have been around for quite some time, Google’s efforts with Stadia brought the idea of streaming games to the forefront and regardless of whether or not it ever rises again from the ashes, the entire industry has them to thank for stoking those fires. Moving forward, services like GeForce NOW are looking to pick up the slack, and with recent improvements and advancements, we’re all a bit shocked by just how good cloud gaming has become in the past year or so. Though Stadia as a platform is gone, its legacy surely lives on and the Chromebook gaming scene is better for it. LINKS It looks like converted Bluetooth Stadia controllers will get firmware updates through 2023 You can now officially unlock your Stadia controller The Chrome Cast 210: Evolution of Steam gaming on Chromebooks with Google’s Zach Alcorn Stadia says farewell with a beautiful parting gift for its players [U] Nvidia GeForce NOW just added an ‘Ultimate’ tier with better features and no additional cost Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we're back with another interview episode and this time around we are chatting with Zach Alcorn who is a Product Manager at Google working on Gaming for ChromeOS. More specifically, Zach has been working tirelessly on a project that allows you to play Steam games on your Chromebook and has been heavily involved in the recent announcement of the beta version of Steam on ChromeOS entering the Beta channel.  In our chat, we talk through all of the details regarding the Beta announcement, expanded availability, the game library, how they are improving the user experience, what it's like to work with Valve, and so much more. If you are a gamer or game developer, this is one that you will want to check out. LINKS Steam on Chromebooks is now in Beta The Chromium Projects – Steam on ChromeOS The Chrome Cast 199: ChromeOS 107 and Steam on Chromebooks hits the Beta Channel Supported Device List Game List Proton DB Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discussed all the things we saw and tried at CES 2023 in Las Vegas last week.  It goes without saying that there were a ton of new ChromeOS devices from Chromeboxes to Chromebooks and it was our busiest CES yet.  We've published videos for all of it and for this week's podcast, we talk through all of that hardware to get you caught up on all the fun stuff we experienced while out there.  It was a fun trip and we're really excited to have CES back in person again this time around. LINKS CES 2023: HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook hands-on impressions [VIDEO] CES 2023: ASUS Chromebook CM14 hands-on impressions [VIDEO] CES 2023: Hands-on with the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip [VIDEO] Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook hands-on at CES 2023 [VIDEO] CES 2023: Hands-on with Acer's inventive Add-in-One Chromebox [VIDEO] Best of CES 2023: ChromeOS steals the show The ASUS Chromebox 5 adds a unique and awesome new feature CES 2023 highlights an upturn in affordable Chromebooks HP’s new Dragonfly Pro Chromebook may be the Pixelbook Go sequel I’ve been waiting for 3 new non-Chromebook devices I saw at CES 2023 that really impressed me The gorgeous ASUS Chromebook Vibe Flip CX34 is available for pre-order Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, in light of the fact that this week is the strange, low-key week at the end of the year between Christmas and New Year's Day, we thought it appropriate to take a look back over the last 12 months and talk through our best performing posts on the website and most-viewed videos over on YouTube.  It's a fun episode and it made for a great way to close out 2022.  Hope you enjoy and have a Happy New Year! LINKS We need Chromebook tablets with MediaTek’s best Kompanio 1380 inside CU 2022: A look back at the top 5 articles of the year The Chrome Unboxed top 5 most-viewed videos on YouTube for 2022 Why Lenovo’s new, affordable Flex 3i Chromebook is a big move in the right direction Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the discussion by talking through some of the entries on our yearly Gear of the Year Gift Guide. There are items on the list from Chromebooks to phones to earbuds to coffee makers, so if you are scrambling for a last-minute gift idea, there could be something there to spark the imagination. For the rest of our time, we discuss the real need that exists for Google to put out a cost-effective Pixelbook to address the general malaise that has overtaken the low-end of the Chromebook market. With Pixelbooks launched in the past to light the way for Chromebook manufacturers in all sorts of ways, it is perhaps time for Google to do the same with a Surface Laptop SE-like, affordable, considered Pixelbook to showcase what is possible in an enjoyable, affordable Chromebook. LINKS Our favorite gear that we actually used in 2022 Why Google should make an affordable Pixelbook like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop SE Win $250 from Chrome Unboxed and Rakuten! Amazon Alexa is a “colossal failure,” on pace to lose $10 billion this year Pixel Watch non-review: why I love Google’s wearable after a couple months Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show with discussion around the latest renders that have leaked for the upcoming Pixel Fold. Though this foldable phone from Google isn’t due until May (according to the rumors), the substantial leaks have truly begun. With these latest renders, we get a video and some specific measurements for the chassis and screen. From there we move on to the new features that snuck into ChromeOS 108. On the surface this seemed like a tiny update, but there were some nice little features sprinkled here and there that are worth noting for sure. We close things up by talking about Fortnite’s new Season 4 graphics overhaul and how you can experience it in its full fidelity on a Chromebook. LINKS New leaked Pixel Fold 3D renders showcase dimensions and confirm overall design Chrome Unboxed Deals Page Enjoying Fortnite’s graphics upgrade from a gaming Chromebook and GeForce NOW The Pixel Fold gets benchmarked, confirming SoC rumors for Google’s foldable ChromeOS gets its last update of 2022 ChromeOS 108 gives web apps far more visibility in the URL bar Google Stadia begins the process of refunding your hardware and controller purchases This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion revolves almost completely around our picks for Best Chromebooks of 2022. We just recently published a video and post rounding all these devices up, so you should definitely hit the show notes and watch that. For the podcast, we list those devices, but each of us choose two of our most favorite Chromebooks of the year and explain why they made the list. It’s a fun episode and is a great reminder that at this point in 2022, there are a ton of great devices to choose from if you are looking for a new Chromebook. LINKS Our picks for Best Chromebooks in 2022 [VIDEO] Sunbird app to bring iMessage and unified messaging to Android The Chrome Cast 204: How VIZOR helps school districts manage thousands of Chromebooks This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we are back with another interview episode with Dean Bates and Jeff LaLonde from VIZOR, a Chromebook and IT asset management solution designed specifically for school districts. These folks have been a great partner of Chrome Unboxed for a while now – including a sponsorship of the video where we dropped a Chromebook off a two-story building – and we love working with them because we genuinely believe they have a software solution that is valuable to school districts and those working in EdTech. So, if VIZOR sounds familiar, you’ve probably heard about them in a previous podcast episode or in a YouTube video, but we thought it was time to have them on the podcast to chat about what they do and the solutions that they offer. In our conversation, we really dig into some of the problems that school IT administrators face when trying to manage Chromebooks and how so many schools struggle to keep track of devices. We talk through the solutions that VIZOR provides, but Jeff and Dean also offer up some general advice for schools who are trying to manage Chromebooks. If you are an IT Admin or technologist at a school or school district, you’re going to want to listen to this one. LINKS VIZOR for Chromebooks We Dropped A Chromebook From A Two-Story Building Chrome Unboxed Education Top Chromebook tech for teachers & students Logitech’s ‘Works With Chromebook’ Lineup, EDU strategy, and Logi Pen with Gaurav Bradoo How to enhance the Chromebook learning experience with Amy Mayer Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee!  CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag.  This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first part of the show talking about the crazy deals happening all over the place this week, how you can score some of those (hint: get subscribed to our deals newsletter), and why affordable Chromebooks are getting so interesting. With the Kompanio 520/528 SoCs set to hit the market, MediaTek clearly sees the writing on the wall that the mid-range/affordable Chromebook segments are the ones on the rise, and we don’t think that will change anytime soon. For the second half of the show, we discuss my early thoughts on the new Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition as we finally have it in the office and just recently published our unboxing and first impressions. We’ve also recently received the new Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook in the office that competes toe-to-toe with the excellent Acer Chromebook 516 GE, and now that it is fully available and on sale already, there’s an interesting battle that will begin in the ‘gaming’ Chromebook space. LINKS Chrome Unboxed Deals Win one of 5 Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebooks Join Rakuten The Chrome Cast 202: Chatting new Kompanio SoCs for entry-level Chromebooks with MediaTek’s Victor Tyan Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition unboxing and first impressions [VIDEO] Lenovo’s Core i5 IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook is now available but… Lenovo Ideapad Gaming Chromebook unboxing and first impressions [VIDEO] This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast Podcast, we have a special in-person interview episode with Victor Tyan from MediaTek. I was recently out in Sonoma California for the MediaTek Executive Summit and Victor was kind enough to sit down with me to chat about their announcement of their next-gen Kompanio SoCs for entry-level Chromebooks: the Kompanio 520 and 528. In our conversation, we dig into the details of the new processors but Victor also shared some thoughts on the entire Kompanio lineup, the company's focus on sustainability, the education market, and how MediaTek came up with the name Kompanio. It was so much fun to do an in-person interview and I hope that you enjoy it! Links MediaTek unveils next-gen Kompanio SoCs for entry-level Chromebooks The Chrome Cast 198: Understanding the Kompanio Roadmap with MediaTek’s Adam King HP launches MediaTek-powered 2-in-1 Chromebook Powered By MediaTek The Chromebook Experience Powered by MediaTek Kompanio This episode is also brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, CLICK HERE and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's episode of The Chrome Cast, we stick to three pretty big topics of the week: the emergence of the Pixel Fold, the arrival of the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition, and some additional details about the Pixel 7a that make it very interesting as a mid-range contender to the flagship Pixel 7.  It's a packed show and there's great excitement surrounding all these upcoming and freshly-arriving devices, so we hope you enjoy the conversation! LINKS Christmas comes early with full leaked renders of the upcoming Pixel Fold It looks like Pixel 7a will fix my biggest gripe with the Pixel 6a Why I want the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition to be my next everyday carry Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition #short Laptop repair kit (Walmart) This episode is also brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Finally, this episode is brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we talk in-depth about one of our latest videos that sees us take the Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and turn the “Chromebook Killer” into a pretty sweet Chromebook. Using ChromeOS Flex, we now have a Surface Laptop SE in the office that is quite nice to work with and we’ve proven how good Google’s ChromeOS Flex certification really is. For the second half of the show, we discuss the arrival of LumaFusion on Chromebooks and the new era this app brings about. We’re only a couple of days into it at this point, but LumaFusion has the potential to really shake up the creative abilities of ChromeOS and you can absolutely bet we’ll be putting it through the paces in the coming weeks. LINKS Turning the “Chromebook Killer” into a killer little Chromebook with ChromeOS Flex [VIDEO] At long last, LumaFusion Pro Video Editor arrives for Android and ChromeOS The new Nreal Air AR glasses could be the coolest 2nd screen for your Chromebook ever This episode is also brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Finally, this episode is brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by talking through the handful of fun updates that came along with ChromeOS 107.  In a new era where we get updates to our Chromebooks every 4 weeks, it's always a nice surprise when new user-facing features show up.  ChromeOS 107 had quite a few, and we talk through all of them. One of the other big changes to ChromeOS is the fact that Steam for Chromebooks has come to the Beta Channel with version 108.  With an expanded list of supported devices, a bunch of performance improvements, and a simpler setup process, the entire Steam on Chromebooks effort is really beginning to take shape. Links What’s new in ChromeOS 107? Steam on Chromebooks is now in Beta The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook is back in stock and on sale Google launches Pixel referral program with $100 Google Store credit Pixel 7 sales numbers indicate another big step for Google’s in-house hardware The Chrome Cast 198: Understanding the Kompanio Roadmap with MediaTek’s Adam King Pixel Buds Pro drop to their lowest-ever price and are now worth your attention This episode is also brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Finally, this episode is brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview episode with Adam King, who is the General Manager of the Client Computing Business Unit at MediaTek. In our chat, we cover the latest HP Chromebook 13b announcement that includes the Kompanio 1200 processor, trends in the Chromebook space, detachable Chromebooks, and the Roadmap for the Kompanio series in Chromebooks moving forward. And as part of this episode, we've partnered with MediaTek to give away one of those HP Chromebook 13b's! This device is a convertible Chromebook with a 13.3" display and is powered by the MediaTek 1200 SoC which MediaTek compares to an Intel Core i3 CPU. LINKS Enter to win an HP Chromebook x360 13b powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 1200 HP launches MediaTek-powered 2-in-1 Chromebook HP Chromebook x360 13b on HP Store Powered By MediaTek The Chromebook Experience Powered by MediaTek Kompanio This episode is also brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by talking through a bunch of new accessories that have hit the market for the Pixel Watch.  Though this is the tip of the iceberg and many more are likely on the way, it is great to see some truly useful additions for Google's new wearable from 3rd party companies already hitting virtual store shelves. After that, we move on to discuss some interesting things we learned while up in NYC earlier this month.  During our time at Google's offices, we were able to have a lengthy discussion about ChromeOS Flex and the methods that are used to determine what devices get the green check in Google's database of certified devices.  Not only does every certified device get run through a massive battery of tests, they are also all there in Google's testing lab, and we got to look around in there a bit. Finally, we cover some notes from the soon-to-released Acer Chromebook 514 GE review that will be out early next week.  What Acer has built with this device is nothing short of awesome, and though they set out to create a great cloud gaming Chromebook, they ended up building a fantastic overall device, too. LINKS We toured the ChromeOS Flex certified laptop testing lab, and it is wild The Pixel Watch charger can actually charge your wireless earbuds in a pinch The Ringke Slim Case for Pixel Watch is shipping and ours just arrived [VIDEO] The first legit metal link watch band for the Pixel Watch is nearly here We just put a 3rd-party 20mm watch band on the Pixel Watch [VIDEO] A new protective bumper case for the Pixel Watch emerges, looks awesome ------ This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion mainly revolved around some real-world reactions to services and hardware that have shown up in the past couple of weeks. Between the new gaming Chromebooks, GeForce NOW providing 120Hz gaming for Chromebooks, a Pixel Buds Pro firmware update, and actually spending some time using the Pixel Watch as a daily-wear device, we all obviously have some thoughts. For the first time ever, I’m gaming with regularity on my Chromebook, and the Acer Chromebook 514 GE has been a perfect companion for it. On that same note, the latest Pixel Buds Pro update finally fixed the horrid latency these earbuds shipped with earlier in the year, and after a solid week of actually putting the Pixel Watch on all our wrists on a daily basis, it’s clear that though this watch may have a few issues here and there, it is currently an office favorite here at Chrome Unboxed. LINKS A look at the current state of GeForce NOW on gaming-focused Chromebooks [VIDEO] PSA: Your Pixel Watch won’t charge with a Qi wireless charger Pixel 7 Pro: one week later impressions after upgrading from a Pixel 6 [VIDEO] We just put a 3rd-party 20mm watch band on the Pixel Watch [VIDEO] A new protective bumper case for the Pixel Watch emerges, looks awesome Fear not: Pixel Watch bands are back in stock and ready to ship Pixel Buds Pro firmware update fixed my biggest gripe with them This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - OFFER 20% DISCOUNT! VIZOR is a Chromebook and IT Asset management solution designed specifically for Schools and School Districts. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin console and with your Student Information System. Know who has what Chromebook, manage 1:1 programs, and track repairs. CLICK HERE to lock in a 20% DISCOUNT and to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot has happened since the last episode of The Chrome Cast, and with us taking last week off due to the Google hardware event, there’s a ton of stuff to discuss. For this week, we stuck to Google’s latest hardware – the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and the Pixel Watch – for the majority of our time. Between new hardware, fun software, and this exciting new Pixel Watch, the Google event delivered plenty of content for a full podcast. But we had to talk about Acer’s new Chromebook 516 GE and the gaming news that came along with it this week. There are now 3 new Chromebooks built for cloud gaming, and we already have one in the office. With its gorgeous 120Hz screen and crazy-fast internals, it has been a joy to use and early impressions are very, very favorable of these new Chromebooks and their cloud gaming chops. Links Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5i Gaming Chromebook is now available for only $399 Why I’m leaving my Pixel 7 Pro on FHD+ instead of the full QHD+ resolution Unboxing and first impressions with Acer’s new cloud gaming-focused Chromebook 516 GE Pixel Watch: hands-on first impressions with Google’s highly-anticipated wearable [VIDEO] Pixel 7 Pro: hands-on and initial impressions with Google’s new flagship phone [VIDEO] Pixel 7: hands-on initial impressions with Google’s new $599 phone [VIDEO] Enjoy these new Pixel “Natural Elements” sounds for your ringtones, notifications, and alarms Top 5 cases for your Pixel 7 or 7 Pro Here’s everything that Google announced at its 2022 hardware event [Video] Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro launch with next-level camera features The new Google Pixel Tablet will double as your Nest Hub display, releases next year This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code UNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion is largely dominated by the official announcement by Google that Stadia as we know it will no longer continue to exist.  In the next few months, the service that truly introduced cloud gaming to the world will host its last games, and as sad as it is to see, at least Google is doing right by its users and refunding both hardware and software purchases for everyone. We also take a bit of time to discuss the recent speculation that the Pixel Watch will show up on the scene with rather large bezels.  The early renders sure make it look that way, but in an updated version of the video that caused the conversation in the first place, Google seems to have trimmed down their appearance, making us all wonder what this watch will truly look like when it does arrive next week. Links New Unlisted Pixel 7 Ad features almost bezel-less Pixel Watch Stadia’s technology will go on to do greater things, but no one really cares anymore Say hello to the world’s first “Gaming” Chromebook Everything we’re expecting from Google’s upcoming Pixel 7 hardware event [VIDEO] Just like that, Google pulls the plug on Stadia The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro fall to their lowest-ever prices ahead of Pixel 7 launch The Pixel Watch bezels might not be as chunky as earlier renders made them look The Pixel Watch could come with thick bezels, but it shouldn’t matter that much Early leak of the Pixel Watch retail box shows prominent Fitbit integration This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the show talking about some new leaks that came from a Target store regarding Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro pricing. With a simple photo of the internal inventory system, we now know that the new phones from Google will not bump the prices up from last year, keeping the Pixel 7 at $599 and the Pixel 7 Pro at $899. Right before we recorded, the new Chromecast with Google TV HD was also released, making for some interesting conversation around Google’s new, affordable streaming dongle. We’ve not yet tested it out, but we have one in the office and will be putting it through the paces for sure. Finally, we also discussed a new Chromebook announced this week as Framework and Google teamed up to create the first truly modular ChromeOS device: the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition. There’s so much fun stuff coming with this laptop and we discuss all of it in the show. Links Win a Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 or one of 5 Lenovo Smart Clock Essentials Google and Framework partner up to launch a fully-modular Chromebook Your Chromecast with Google TV will soon be updated to Android 12, but don’t expect much New leak confirms aggressive Pixel 7 pricing to keep pace with last year’s phones Google’s Chromecast with Google TV HD is officially available today The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will be sold in India via Flipkart Pre-orders for Pixel 7, 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch will open on October 6. Delivery dates leaked. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what is a bit of a sad episode, we spend most of our time this week discussing the recent news that Google has chosen to shut down the team responsible for the Pixelbook.  It seems there was one on the way, but Google has done what Google does and changed trajectory a bit in the midst of labor cuts and reassignments all around. There's hope, however, that strategic partnerships and new life can come from this move as Google's first-party Chromebooks have never been constant staples in the ChromeOS market over the years.  Generally, the Pixelbooks have existed to urge the market in a particular direction, and with OEMs finding their Chromebook-building stride in 2022, there's just no need for a Pixelbook right now.  Even if we all really want one. LINKS I was wrong: a Pixelbook with Tensor inside never actually made any sense Bye, bye Pixelbook. We will always love you With Pixelbook in the rear view mirror, here’s the replacement I’m hoping for My first impressions of the 16-inch ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5601 [VIDEO] Rumor: a smaller, high-end flagship Pixel phone from Google is in the works Google downsizes Area 120, cutting its projects and jobs in half in the process HP Chromebook 11 Unboxing Video This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss the upcoming Google hardware event slated for Thursday, October 6th 2022. While we all expect the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel Watch, there are other hardware questions that could get answered there as well. With the Pixel Tablet having quite a few new pieces to the puzzle revealed recently and the Pixel Notepad continuing to see development action, perhaps the event will shed some light on those devices, too. We also discuss the recent iPhone event from Apple that saw the unveiling of the entire new line of iPhone 14s, a few new Apple Watches, and the new Airpods Pro 2. Though we like to poke fun at Apple any time we have the chance, there’s also a few things in their keynotes that are pretty awesome, too. LINKS Google announces in-person hardware event for October 6th Android 13 Beta confirms dockable Pixel Tablet The Pixel Tablet will likely be a mid-range device, but a ‘Pro’ version could be on the way, too New report says Google’s folding Pixel Notepad may arrive in Q1 2023 Leak all but confirms a new HD Chromecast is on the way We beat up a rugged EDU Chromebook and then dropped it off the roof [VIDEO] This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the recent news that the Pixel Watch should retail for $399 with LTE on board. Without knowing how good the build quality will be or how intuitive and useful the software experience will be, it’s tough to decide whether or not $399 is a good price for the new watch from Google, but we all feel like there’s a good chance it will be. We also discuss the recent patent published for the Pixel Notepad – Google’s long-rumored folding phone. While the patent doesn’t really tell us anything new, it solidifies the fact that the Pixel Notepad is on the way and gives us a bit of assurance in the earlier leaks and rumors regarding it’s size and form factor. Finally, we discuss the excellent Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and how this Chromebook took the beloved Spin 713 formula and boldly changed things like the screen size and aspect ratio while at the same time adding more-premium pieces to craft a really fantastic Chromebook. LINKS This 12th Gen 2-in-1 Chromebook is hands-down the best deal around Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Review: a new spin on a fan favorite What we can learn from the recently revealed folding Pixel Notepad patents Here’s how much the Pixel Watch will likely cost you when it launches This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we open the show by discussing the latest effort from T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s SpaceX that plans to use satellite-driven communications to fully flesh out T-Mobile’s wireless network. The early stages won’t happen until later next year, but the application could be a massive step towards getting basic communications like text messages into the most remote areas in the United States without the need of additional equipment on the user’s end. From there, we chat a bit about the new Acer Chromebook Vero 514 and how this mostly-recycled Chromebook isn’t just a one-trick pony: it is a pleasure to use and comes equipped with most of the stuff you want in a higher-end Chromebook. We all love the look, feel, and sustainability that comes with the Vero 514 and can’t wait to see it hit the market in the coming weeks for $499 at Best Buy. Finally, we talk through the recent leak of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro that showed up in the hands of Lew over at Unbox Therapy. Though we don’t know too much more about the phones even after this chance run-in, it is cool to see both devices in real hands and from viewpoints that aren’t simply press or marketing renders. LINKS T-Mobile and SpaceX bring us one step closer to an always-connected world Why Acer’s Chromebook Vero 514 is a pretty big deal for ChromeOS Hands-on with Acer’s new environmentally-friendly Chromebook Vero 514 [VIDEO] You can buy the Pixel 6a for as little as $199 Pixel 7 and 7 Pro early hands-on reveals differences with the Pixel 6 line Smoke Insider website Smoke Insider Instagram This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show talking a bit about the coming Pixel Watch and how the features, look and feel of that watch could be a huge uptick for Wear OS as a whole.  With Fitbit integration, a great look, and a focus on glanceable information, we all are excited to see this wearable show up at Google's annual fall hardware event. For the second half of the show, we focus in on a recent video we published this week: using a Chromebook to power a golf simulator bay.  As you likely know by this point, we all love golf and getting to run the simulator software right from a Chromebook is an unexpected treat, proving that our favorite OS is continually becoming more capable by the day. LINKS I have a golf simulator running on a Chromebook, and it’s awesome [VIDEO] Google is working on at least 7 Pixel Watch bands to accessorize your wrist with Pixel Watch will have a dedicated app and feature Android Smart Unlock Pixel Watch to have 2 processors and more storage/RAM than any other Wear OS watch Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro pass through FCC, Pixel 7 Ultra and Pixel Notepad absent Pixel Buds Pro vs. $40 and $70 ANC earbuds: are Google’s earbuds worth it? [VIDEO] Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro get massive discounts as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro loom large This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the newest rumors swirling ahead of Google’s rapidly-approaching fall hardware event. With the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro already announced at Google I/O 2022, we thought we knew all there was to know about the fall’s phone lineup, but there could be more lurking behind the scenes that may not be revealed until October. For the second half of the show, we go deep into our review of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, discussing all the reasons why this Chromebook is the best there is on the market and why we all feel that, despite its steep asking price, the Dragonfly is worth it in the end. Is it for everyone? Of course not, but there are many of you out there that should really give it a look if you are in the market for a Chromebook with no compromises. Links HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook review: the best you can get Once again, the Pixel 7 Ultra is making headlines and is questionable at best With the Pixel Notepad rumors swirling, Gboard’s split keyboard feels even more timely Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we are back with another interview episode, chatting with Noah Levin, the Director of Design at Figma. If you aren’t familiar with Figma, it’s a powerful design and prototyping tool that was built from the ground up to be run in the browser. Because of that fact, you can leverage powerful collaborative tools so you don’t have to worry about local files or coordinating whether or not your team is working from the most updated version of a project. It’s like the Google Docs of design and prototyping. LINKS Figma Collaborative Design Platform FigJam Online Whiteboard for Teams Google partners up with Figma to bring the popular design tool to Chromebooks Figma for Education Commons Conference by Figma for Edu This episode is sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we were a bit all over the place.  Our primary discussion in the first half revolves around the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, ChromeOS tablets, and whether the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 or Duet 5 is the better tablet experience. In the second half of the show, we delve into the recent news surrounding Google's upcoming fall hardware event and the fact that it looks very likely that we'll see it happen in the first week of October this time around.  At that event, we know the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will make an appearance alongside the Pixel Watch, but what about the Pixel Notepad?  With new Pixel Camera features coming just for the Pixel Notepad, maybe its arrival is sooner than we expect. LINKS Win a Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 or one of 5 Lenovo Smart Clock Essentials Google looks to be moving back to an early October hardware event this fall Snapdragon Insiders can score a Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 for only $279 There’s still life in the foldable Pixel Notepad as a new camera feature emerges Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stay pretty focused on two things: the arrival of the Pixel Buds Pro and the big updates on the way for ChromeOS. For the Pixel Buds Pro, we have a full video with initial impressions and thoughts on Google’s new earbuds, and the early reactions are very positive. With an absolute slew of great features and the correction of previous Pixel Buds mistakes, these new earbuds are a fantastic addition to the Pixel Portfolio.   For the second half of the show, we focus in on the upcoming changes to ChromeOS that Google highlighted on The Keyword, including better customizations, dark/light themes (finally) and a new video editor for Google Photos slated to hit Chromebooks first. The new features are sweet looking and the small tweaks to things like the app launcher and notifications area are starting to make ChromeOS feel more cohesive and polished all around. LINKS Initial impressions and hands-on with the Pixel Buds Pro [VIDEO] 3 big changes coming soon to Chromebooks that add cohesion to the interface [VIDEO] Get a $50 gift card when you buy a Pixel 6a ChromeOS personalization and productivity features announced Google Photos is getting a movie maker and upgraded video editor Pixel Super Fans can take $20 off when you pre-order Google’s Pixel Buds Pro Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin by chatting about the arrival of the Pixel 6a and the Pixel Buds Pro on the scene. We’ve known the launch would be on July 21st since the initial announcement, but the arrival of the pre-order date means our impressions video and countless others are now out in the wild. We stack up the Pixel 6a against its bigger, more-expensive siblings and talk about why this is such an important device for the Google hardware team. We also chat about the Pixel Buds Pro, the expectations we have of them, and the reasons they could be an absolute home run for Google if things align properly. From there, we transition to talking about the resurgence of hope in the Pixelbook lineup stemming from a missed admission by Google’s Rick Osterloh during Google I/O 2022 that future Pixelbooks were on the roadmap. It’s a packed episode and we hope you enjoy all of it! Links Google will sell you a Pixel 6a for $150 Pixel 6a first impressions: the Pixel 6 experience on a budget [VIDEO] New Pixelbooks were confirmed at Google I/O 2022, and we all missed it Pixel Buds Pro will let you automatically switch between two devices Select carriers are already offering free Pixel 6a phones Wrap your Pixel in a half shell: Pixel Power!Pixel Buds Pro preorders are live Where to preorder the Google Pixel 6a today and get a free Pixel Buds A-Series Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview episode with Amy Mayer, CEO and Founder of FriED Technology, an organization that offers EdTech-focused professional development and training services. FriEd Tech is a Google for Education Partner that offers a wide range of services for educators around Workspace for Education, Google Certifications, Blended Learning, and more, so Amy clearly knows her stuff and was the perfect guest to wrap up our EdTech series that we are doing in partnership Logitech. This episode is presented by Logitech, who we’ve partnered with for this 3-part podcast series and for our biggest giveaway yet! Educators & Schools, we're giving away 30 ChromePacks to outfit an entire classroom! CLICK HERE to learn more and enter to win! This giveaway is open to all currently employed K-12 school or district-level faculty, IT staff, and leadership. Ends July 31, 2022. Show Links: friEDTech Professional Learning & Development Organization Jefferson Parish’s Online Transition Plan with Google Tools friEDTech YouTube friEDTech Twitter friEDTech Facebook Logitech ‘Works with Chromebook’ portfolio Logitech EDU solutions Logi Pen Logitech ChromePacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing multiple new commits that have shown up in the Snapdragon-powered Chromebook space. We now have eyes on development boards with the Snapdragon 8cx, 8cx Gen 2, and 7c+ Gen 3 inside, meaning there’s a lot of interesting ARM-powered Chromebook news in the works over the next few months. For the second part of the show, we explore the recent developments with ChromeOS Flex coming out of the early stages and becoming generally available for all users. With this move, we now have 400 certified laptops that work with ChromeOS Flex and the list keeps growing. Along with this, we also discuss the fact that Steam games are now working (in Alpha, still) on 12th-gen Intel Chromebooks. Links The Chrome Cast 180: Logitech’s ‘Works With Chromebook’ Lineup, EDU strategy, and Logi Pen with Gaurav Bradoo Acer looks to be working on a new Snapdragon-powered Chromebook ChromeOS Flex now generally available to more PCs and Macs Newer Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 now in the works for upcoming Chromebooks The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx could be on the way for future Chromebooks Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview with Gaurav Bradoo, Product Lead for Education at Logitech. More specifically, Gaurav is responsible for the product management and portfolio strategy for the team at Logitech, looking at education and how they can help learners and educators ignite their full potential through technology. This episode is presented by Logitech, who we’ve partnered with for this 3-part podcast series and for our biggest giveaway yet! Educators & Schools, we're giving away 30 ChromePacks to outfit an entire classroom! CLICK HERE to learn more and enter to win! This giveaway is open to all currently employed K-12 school or district-level faculty, IT staff, and leadership. Ends July 31, 2022. LINKS Logitech ‘Works with Chromebook’ portfolio Logitech EDU solutions Logi Pen Logitech ChromePacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview with Naveen Viswanatha, Chrome OS Product Lead for the Commercial Team at Google. Naveen started with the Chrome OS education team but has been focused on enterprise solutions for a few years now, so he had some great insights on how Chrome OS can be leveraged in areas outside of the consumer market. We had a great chat about digital signage, kiosks, virtualization, and how the enterprise team is creating end-to-end solutions for businesses that want to move to Chrome OS. We wrap up the conversation by talking about Google's move into contact centers and how Chrome OS can provide a streamlined and secure solution for these operations. Links Chrome OS Kiosk and Digital Signage Solutions Chrome Enterprise The next time you call a contact center for support, they could be using Chrome OS too Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, it’s an episode all about hardware. From the review of the excellent, new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 to the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5601, and Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook all showing up for sale this week, there’s a lot going on in the mid-high-end ChromeOS space right now. While the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 has absolutely impressed everyone in the office, it faces stiff competition from these other devices that have shown up on store shelves in the past few days. Additionally, we discuss the new arrival of AMD’s Mendocino APUs in the Chromium Repositories. These new chips were officially announced back at Computex in May and bring a combo of decent performance, fanless designs, and great battery life with more than 10 hours on a charge. Links The new AMD Mendocino APUs are on the way for Chromebooks to battle ARM Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Review: ARM-powered mobile productivity You can now buy premium 12th Gen Acer Chromebook Spin 714 The Chrome Cast 177: Ins-and-outs of ‘Works with Chromebook’ with Google’s Kevin Ngo You can snag the impressive HP Dragonfly Chromebook for under $1000 right now You can now buy the 12th Gen Core i5 Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview with Kevin Ngo – Product Lead for the Works with Chromebook certification program at Google. Kevin was kind enough to chat with us on short notice and, of course, we are always happy to chat with anyone from Google.  We had a great conversation about the ins-and-outs of Google’s Works with Chromebook certification and why schools should choose Works with Chromebook-certified solutions. We dig deep into the certification, discussing how they test products, the mission of the certification, and what users should expect when they choose a Works with Chromebook-certified solution.   This episode is presented by Logitech, who we’ve partnered with for this 3-part podcast series and for our biggest giveaway yet! Educators & Schools, we're giving away 30 ChromePacks to outfit an entire classroom! CLICK HERE to learn more and enter to win! This giveaway is open to all currently employed K-12 school or district-level faculty, IT staff, and leadership. Ends July 31, 2022. LINKS Google's Works with Chromebook certification “Works with Chromebook” officially launched for certified Chrome OS accessories Logitech gets in the USI Chromebook stylus game with an EDU-focused pen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by first announcing our latest - and largest ever - giveaway: 30 Logitech ChromePacks that are full of great accessories for the Chromebook-equipped classroom.  These backpacks come loaded with a keyboard, mouse, Blue microphone, headset, and webcam - and one winner will be lucky enough to get them all in order to outfit an entire classroom of students.  We're so excited to partner with Logitech for this giveway that runs throughout the month of July.  More details can be found in the link in the show notes. Conversations for this week revolved around new features on the way for Snapdragon 8cx Chromebooks in development, new leaks about the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, and how much we're all looking forward to the imminent release and arrival of the Pixel 6a and Pixel Buds Pro.  With the Pixel Buds Pro specifically, we all think Google has the chance to deliver a truly fantastic experience if all the features they highlighted all work as expected.  With only a few weeks left to wait, we'll know soon enough. LINKS Win 30 Logitech ChromePacks to outfit an entire classroom Snapdragon 8cx Chromebook development moves forward, adding 5G and more Latest Pixel 7 Pro hands-on proves Google completely tamed leak culture My AirPods Pro are great, but here’s why I’m seriously ready for Pixel Buds Pro Google officially went with a new fingerprint scanner for Pixel 6a Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we have an interview episode with Andy Russell. Andy is a Group Product Manager for Education and Family on Chrome OS at Google and has been working on some fun projects that we have been tracking for a while - mainly the new Screencast app that will be available starting with Chrome OS version 103. We also about Cast Moderator and Google's partnership with Figma for Education.  Links Hands-on with the awesome new Chromebook Screencast feature [VIDEO] Google partners up with Figma to bring the popular design tool to Chromebooks The Anywhere School School 2022: Event overview and announcements for education Cast Moderator Form Figma for Education Beta Signup Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to find out how VIZOR can help your School manage Chromebooks.  Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on our site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about gaming performance on the Steam Deck and how that can inform us a bit on what we should expect in the future from gaming-focused Chromebooks and Steam. On that note, we also found evidence of an Nvidia GPU-powered Chromebook in development, officially moving us into the era of expecting the first, true gaming Chromebook. The second half of the show is dominated by the new features arriving with the latest ChromeOS 103 update. With recent photos from your Android phone in Phone Hub, Fast Pair for accessories, Nearby Share for Wi-Fi access, and the new Screencast feature, there’s a lot to unpack as we discuss the biggest update to ChromeOS in the past few months. Links ChromeOS 103 will introduce several new features for a better cross-device user experience Chrome on iOS to gain new features in upcoming version 103 Steam Deck game performance is very good news for Chromebooks in the future [VIDEO] Chrome version 103 is here Chromebooks have become the Swiss Army Knife of computing An Nvidia GPU-enabled Chromebook is on the way for some serious Steam gaming Google prods Apple to support RCS using Drake’s “Texts go Green” song lyrics HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook unboxing and impressions [VIDEO] Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first part of the show discussing Google’s Cursive handwriting PWA and the improvements that have come along with ChromeOS 102. With the full introduction of Cursive to the wider Chromebook audience, we’re seeing some solid usability for the first time with Cursive on quite a few Chromebooks. In that same vein, we discuss the updates to USI 2.0 and how some of those more-subtle changes have caused a few issues with devices like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and its in-cell display. While the USI 2.0 spec brings about many upgrades and is mostly backward-compatible, there are some wrinkles that make the move less simple than we’d hoped. Links Google’s Cursive handwriting web app is finally becoming truly useful [VIDEO] The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is USI 2.0: why that’s a good and a bad thing Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 pre-review sneak peek: remote working from a tablet Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about Apple’s latest announcements from WWDC 2022. With a new ARM-based M2 chip, a new Macbook Air, a confusing Macbook Pro with the M2 chip, and an interesting new multitasking tool in Stage Manager, there was a fair bit to discuss on the Apple front this week. While we generally stick to Chromebooks around here, there’s no denying that many of the things Apple chooses to do set the precedents in tech as we move forward, so it’s worth getting into their new announcements when they happen. Additionally this week, we touch on the new Pixel Watch app that was discovered and the fact that this will not only serve as a connection point to Google’s new wearable, but should also pave the way for Android Smart Unlock as well. Finally, we get into some of our thoughts on the recently-launched Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 as we now have a production-level model in the office for review. LINKS Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 pre-review sneak peek: remote working from a tablet Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 unboxing and impressions [VIDEO] Pixel Watch will have a dedicated app and feature Android Smart Unlock Google needs to steal this new macOS webcam feature for ChromeOS right away Join our Patreon community and get extras, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on site, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.  This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dive into why Robby has come full circle and fallen in love with the Pixel 6 Pro. Despite the many high-end options on the market, the Pixel line has an intangible appeal and the 6 Pro is simply the best overall phone that Google has ever made.    From there, we dive into some interesting new hardware from the ChromeOS front. ARM appears to be making a move to break free from the budget-minded segment of Chromebooks and soon, we may see ARM-powered Chromebases that rival the current devices like the HP Chromebase 22 All-In-One. Last but not least, it looks like a PC gaming giant may have just joined the ChromeOS playground. Little details are available but MSI appears to be working on a 12th Gen Intel Chromebox and that's exciting news for ChromeOS power users and gamers alike. LINKS I was wrong: the Pixel 6 Pro is by far the superior Pixel experience [VIDEO] New ARM-powered Chromebases are in the works with the MediaTek Kompanio 1380 inside It looks like MSI may be joining the ChromeOS fray, starting with a Chromebox Two more 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake Chromeboxes are in development An additional high-end Pixel may be coming to join the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.  This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, there’s a lot to cover. Starting with news of the Pixel Notepad’s postponement to an updated co-processor for the Pixel Watch, there’s a lot of news swirling around Google’s hardware right now. Right in that conversation is the fact that Google grew Pixel shipments 400% year-over-year and that’s obviously without the help of what should be a very popular release in the Pixel 6a.  We also get into our initial thoughts on the newly-arrived Acer Chromebook Spin 513 and all the greatness this technically-mid-range Chromebook brings to the table. Links Unboxing the most powerful ARM Chromebook yet: The Acer Spin 513 It looks like we might be waiting a while on Google’s first Pixel foldable Apex Legends Mobile would be a perfect fit on Chromebooks, but it won’t install Apex Legends Mobile: finally, a game that leverages the power of Pixel 6 Pro The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 finally lands the Google Assistant Pixel Watch to have 2 processors and more storage/RAM than any other Wear OS watch Google Pixel is now the #5 phone brand in the US thanks to 400% YoY growth Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.  This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're diving into all the new ChromeOS hardware that was debuted this week.  With a new, high-end competitor from Acer in the Spin 714, it is starting to feel like the race for best Chromebook of 2022 is just getting started.  Acer additionally launched an education-focused 10-inch tablet with the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, while Lenovo debuted the latest in a long line of ThinkPad Chromebooks with the new ThinkPad C14. We also take a few moments to talk about a handful of updates for the Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel 6a that have surfaced since Google I/O.  With a decent launch availability across 13 countries and the news that the Pixel 6a will have a different fingerprint scanner than the Pixel 6, there are some interesting tidbits that have come to light since the announcement, making us that much more excited for both of their arrivals in July. LINKS Acer Chromebook Spin 714 hands-on first impressions [VIDEO] Lenovo announces the new ThinkPad C14 Chromebook Acer unveils its next ChromeOS tablet Google’s Pixel Buds Pro will launch in the same countries as the Pixel 6a, minus one Here’s how fast Google’s upcoming Pixel Buds Pro will wirelessly charge Pixel 6a will officially launch in 13 countries, including India Google officially went with a new fingerprint scanner for Pixel 6a -------- Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR for up to 20% off your first year. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show Links New Chromebook features announced at Google I/O 2022 Google Assistant can now be activated without a hot word, will be patient with filler words, pauses Google’s new hardware invaded the software and service-focused Google I/O [VIDEO] YouTube gained many AI-based features over the past year that were highlighted at I/O Google Search advancements take center stage at Google I/O LumaFusion video editor is quietly shown running on a Chromebook at Google I/O 2022 Google resurrects the Pixel Android tablet Google announces AI-powered features to Workspace that improve Google Meet calls and Spaces Google reveals the new Pixel Buds Pro at Google I/O 2022 complete with Active Noise Cancellation Google makes the Pixel Watch official at Google I/O 2022 The Pixel 6a is official and the rumors were spot on Google shares first official look at the upcoming Pixel 7 at I/O 2022 Revamped Google Wallet officially revealed, Pay gets Virtual Cards for better checkout protection Google I/O 2022 Day One recap with highlights for Android Developers Webex Meetings teams up with Google to release a Progressive Web App for Chromebooks Google I/O Pinball celebrates the developer event with a fun, web-based game Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR for up to 20% off your first year. Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  CLICK HERE to check it out and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we spend the first half of the show discussing the rumors swirling around the potential Pixel Buds Pro. Google has been snapping up talent and patents over the past couple years in an effort to build a better wireless earbud, and according to a new leak, that release looks to be happening soon. For the second half of the show, we focus on AMD’s latest Chromebook chips – the Ryzen 5000 C-series – and the new Chromebooks that were announced this week that are powered by those processors. With a slightly-disappointing history between AMD’s older Chromebook processors, this latest set of Ryzen 5000 C chips could finally show up and rival Intel in the performance department. Links New leak reveals Google may soon release Pixel Buds Pro Acer unveils the Chromebook Spin 514 with the latest C-Series chip from Ryzen HP debuts 2 new Chromebooks for business in the Elite c600 series with AMD and Intel on board The HP Dragonfly Chromebook is starting to show up in online stores First Look: ChromeOS selfie cam arrives in the screen recorder Acer announces next@Acer Global Press Conference for May 2022 --------- This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee. CLICK HERE and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, an ad-free experience on our website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Chrome Cast, we begin by discussing a brand-new piece of hardware that is now in the office: the Steam Deck.  This portable gaming device is Linux through and through, and that means things that run smoothly on it should eventually run well on Chromebooks via the 'Borealis' container, too.  While we may not be wildly excited about carrying around this large handheld (seriously, it looks like it ate a Nintendo Switch), the ramifications for what it is capable of give us great hope for the future of games on ChromeOS. Unsurprisingly, we had to talk about the Pixel Watch as well.  This yet-to-be-announced wearable has been all over the internet of late, and we had to review all that has gone down in just the last week with it.  We've had a hands-on, an AMA, and some pricing leaks as well, so there's a lot to discuss as we await Google I/O in just a couple weeks.  My money is on a definite announcement at the annual developer conference, even if we don't get the watch in-hand for a few months. Links Everything we know about the Pixel Watch so far [VIDEO] Google CEO hints at possible Pixel product announcements at Google I/O What Steam Deck Means for Chromebooks and Borealis ------------------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we begin our show by discussing the very-recent revelation that we have a Steam Deck on the way to the office!  I registered for one back when the announcement first happened and got my invite email right before we began the show.  Of course, I immediately purchased the device and now we wait for it to show up at the office to begin experimenting on it.  Because it is Linux-based and because the Steam implementation on it is so similar to what we are getting on ChromeOS, the Steam Deck represents a very interesting bridge between games and Chromebooks that we just have to explore. We also spend some time talking through the main points of our upcoming review of the Acer Chromebook 514.  With the new MediaTek Kompanio 828 inside and a few standout hardware features, this lower-priced Chromebook impresses in-person where it may look a little boring on a spec sheet.  As they always say, don't judge a book by its cover. Notable Links How to install Steam on an eligible Chromebook and start gaming [VIDEO] Here’s what is really going on with Smart Lock on Chromebooks, according to Google Win an Acer Chromebook 514 Chrome OS 98: 5 new features you should try The Chrome Cast 161: making better apps for Chromebooks with Google’s Iein Valdez The Chrome Cast 126: Vulkan working on Chromebooks and making sense of the Pixel 5a This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Chrome Cast, much of our conversation is dominated by more news surrounding the upcoming Pixel 6a. With a stout spec sheet and a likely low price, this new phone from Google looks to hit a sweet spot we don’t see too often in the Android ecosystem. With the same Tensor SoC as the other two Pixel 6 phones, a bigger battery than the Pixel 6 and the same aesthetic appeal, we really feel Google could have a massive win on their hands with the 6a. Additionally, we talked through the crazy pricing on HP’s upcoming Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and delved just a bit into Google’s propensity for software magic. With the new AFib algorithms getting the FDA go-ahead on Fitbit and Google’s iPhone reactions now appearing in messages, it’s fun to see how Google solves real world issues with software. Notable Links Win an Acer Chromebook 514 Here’s how your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro could one day save your life Pixel 6a surfaces at the FCC with mmWave in tow Fitbit gets approval to use new AFib detection algorithm Google’s Pixel 6a could be a major disruptor How Google is solving its Emoji problem HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook surfaces on Google Shopping Google’s Pixel 6a retail packaging emerges in a new leak This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access content, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on our website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this special interview episode of The Chrome Cast, we sit down with Victor Tyan from MediaTek to discuss the new lineup of Kompanio processors coming to the Chromebook market.  From entry level Kompanio 500 devices to the flagship-caliber Kompanio 1000 series, MediaTek now has an SoC for all levels of the Chrome OS ecosystem, and with solid performance and battery life, devices with MediaTek chips inside will soon be available in a wide variety of price ranges and configurations. Notable Links Unboxing the world’s first MediaTek Kompanio 828 powered Chromebook The mid-range MediaTek 828 SoC shows out in new benchmark comparison MediaTek officially unwraps the new Kompanio 1380 for premium Chromebooks CES 2022: Hands-on with Acer’s new MediaTek Kompanio 1380-powered Spin 513 MediaTek’s new Kompanio 1380 ARM processor is really, really fast [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Chrome Cast was a tad bit different than most, but it was a great conversation. We begin the show discussing our recent web hosting woes and the direction we've finally taken to escape them.  While many of our listeners may not be looking for quality web hosting at the moment, it doesn't mean you all won't be on the receiving end of a much faster, much more optimized Chrome Unboxed website moving forward.  We're excited about where we've landed and only expect the user experience to get better and better with our new hosting partner: Kinsta. For the second part of the show, we discuss the emergence of a possible new Nest Wi-Fi with a much needed upgrade on board: Wi-Fi 6.  With this tech, routers are much better at overall bandwidth throughput and dispersal, so in crowded environments your connection is faster and more stable than it was with Wi-Fi 5.  As our homes and places of work continue adding layers of connected devices, this is a necessary move, and combining Wi-Fi 6 with Google's already-stellar, solid and stead router, I think this new Nest will be a huge hit. Finally, we discuss the new 2022 Masters website from a technical perspective.  You don't have to enjoy golf to be absolutely blown away by the masters.com website and we take a quick dive into all the functionality that is on offer via web-driven technology right in your browser. Notable Links The 2022 Masters website is peak web design and development on display The ChromeOS 100 enhanced speech dictation feature is an impressive tool you should try A new Google or Nest Wifi could be in the works, may feature Wifi 6 for improved connectivity ------------------ Kinsta Managed WordPress hosting: https://chromeunboxed.com/kinsta This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this interview episode of The Chrome Cast, we had a chat with Iein Valdez who leads the Chrome OS Developer Relations team at Google. We talked about how he and the Chrome OS are making things easier for developers on the platform, what developers are asking for/doing, and what improvements are being made for PWAs, Android Apps, Linux and more. It was a fantastic conversation and we hope you enjoy hearing about the ways Google is pushing development of applications in all segments from one of Google's own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Chrome Cast, we are talking all things ChromeOS 100.  The ride from "just a browser" to full-blown OS has been long and over 100 version at this point, so it's nice to stop and look back at all the ChromeOS team has accomplished over the years. We also chat a bit about our conversation with Google's Alex Kuscher and what that discussion revealed about some of the inner workings of Chrome OS over the years.  Chromebooks aren't just browsers any longer, and web technology is more prevalent and useful than it's ever been.  Here's to the next 100 versions! Notable Links Chrome reaches milestone with the release of version 100 The Chrome Cast 159: 5 questions with Google’s Alex Kuscher about Chrome OS 100 Google announces ChromeOS 100 New leak alleges a Pixel Watch preview at Google I/O 2022, release later this year Samsung announces a shocking new Chromebook with a standout screen and confusing name The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx could be on the way for future Chromebooks ---------------------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we have a very special guest from Google to chat through the Chrome OS 100 milestone: Alex Kuscher. We’ve spoken with Alex one other time here on The Chrome Cast, and we’re delighted to have him back to answer 5 questions concerning the maturation of Chrome OS over the years on the way to version 100. It’s a great conversation with one of the few people who have been around since the early days. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qc1ZVU6gUZ0 This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, there's no escaping the gravitational pull surrounding the arrival of Steam for Chromebooks.  Sure, there are only a few Chromebooks that can currently participate in the open Alpha and yes there are bugs, but the overall experience of loading up Steam on a Chromebook is one of the coolest new arrivals we've seen for Chrome OS. Even if you aren't much of a gamer, there's so much to discuss around this topic as a fan of Chrome OS.  From an operating system that was 'just a browser' to the do-just-about-anything OS, Chrome OS continues evolving in its abilities.  Not only will the Steam on Chromebooks be great for games, it will also help other virtualizations on Chrome OS - like the Android, Linux and Parallels containers - to get faster over time as well.  There's a lot to discuss, here, so let's dive in. Notable Links Steam for Chrome OS is finally here, details inside [Update: Coming Soon] And just like that, Google announces Steam Alpha for Chromebooks What Steam Deck Means for Chromebooks and Borealis The Chrome Cast 157: Steam on Chromebooks, Stadia white labeled, and Google Play Games on PC ------------------- Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools! Special Offer: CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR for up to 20% off your first year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Chrome Cast, we get into all the news that came from the Google For Games Developer Summit. From a bit of a surprise announcement around Steam games on Chromebooks to Stadia officially being white labeled as a Google Cloud service to Google Play Games finally arriving on Windows PCs, there was a lot to discuss in the gaming world from a Google fan’s point of view. We also spend a bit of time discussing some fun, new features available on Chrome OS 99 and the fact that I have once again pivoted in my smartphone ownership. That’s right, folks: it’s back to the Pixel 6 for me! Notable Links Chrome OS 99 features you should try out [VIDEO] So, let’s talk about those Windows games rumored to be coming to Stadia “Immersive Stream for Games” will let companies use Stadia technology as a white label service You will no longer need to have an account to access the Stadia store or to play free games New Google Classroom features include some advanced “Google magic” The Chrome Cast 156: an interview with Google’s Taryn Sullivan [Update: Coming Soon] And just like that, Google announces Steam Alpha for Chromebooks Google really wants big developers to get their titles running on Google Play Games for PC Google Play Games for PC beta goes live and gets shown off in video by early users (No gameplay) ------- Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools! Special Offer: CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR for up to 20% off your first year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we have an interview with Tayrn Sullivan, Product Manager on the Google For Education Team.  We had a really fun chat discussing an upcoming feature in Google Classroom called Practice Sets.  While this is a little different than our normal content, this new feature is using some "Google Magic" and leveraging some awesome technology to help teachers better support their students and help them learn more effectively. And at the end of the day, a lot of our listeners and readers are parents, so we thought it would be fun to hear directly from a spokesperson at Google how they are using technology to help children in the classroom. We really hope you enjoy the conversation! ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we cover quite a bit of ground.  Off the top, we begin by talking about the Samsung Galaxy S22+, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds 2 as a cohesive ecosystem we really wish Google would cultivate.  With the Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds and Pixel Phones it is possible, but still definitely not there just yet. From there we talk through some news surrounding the Pixel 6a and the Tensor chip it seems will be powering it when it does release.  In addition, we chat through Google's latest, strangest patent that could allow for skin-based gestures for their watches and earbuds in the future.  Could this apply to the Pixel Watch we're expecting in the next few months?  Hard to tell, but perhaps. Finally, we discuss the new Android 12 Quarterly Platform Release program and dive a bit into an upcoming video we have where we attempted a full install of Chrome OS Flex on a non-supported 2010 Macbook Pro. Notable Links I switched from Pixel 6 to Galaxy S22+ and I don’t really miss the camera Google releases Android 12 QPR3 Beta 1 to test future Pixel Feature Drops Budget Google Pixel 6a benchmarks spotted on Geekbench New Google patent reveals plans to incorporate skin gestures on wearables Google has been buying up audio talent and patents, likely has big plans for next Pixel Buds Sponsored by VIZOR - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools! Special Offer: CLICK HERE to schedule a no-obligation demo of VIZOR for up to 20% off your first year. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this latest episode of The Chrome Cast, we spend the bulk of the show discussing Lenovo's new Chromebook lineup that was announced at MWC 2022.  With meaningful updates to beloved Chromebooks like the Duet and Flex 5, Lenovo has put together a strong showing as we move into the second quarter of 2022 and the new Chromebook Duet 3 and Flex 5i are both big upgrades on already-great devices. We also discussed Google's upcoming hardware in the Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch that have now shown up at a US wireless provider in their inventory system.  With 3 colors of each device now outed and storage numbers also revealed, we're just waiting on the leak of the actual release date. Notable Links Lenovo debuts 11-inch Chromebook Duet and 12th Gen Intel Flex 5i Hands-on first impressions of the new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 Google Pixel Watch and Pixel 6a sighted in US cellular provider inventory Lenovo Flex 5i (2022) hands-on and initial impressions The Galaxy S22 fingerprint scanner makes Pixel 6 biometrics look like a joke This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about the release of the Samsung Galaxy S22 series and the fact that Samsung is really outdoing itself lately when it comes to making the best Android phone you can buy right now.  As much as we want that title to go to Google's own in-house Pixel devices, Samsung is delivering solid hardware with software perks we'd expect to see from Google.  On top of that, they're offering far more update support than the Pixel phones get, giving users a full 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates. We then put that into the context of the Pixel 6's woes across the board and at this point, the picture isn't overwhelmingly pretty for Pixel phones in 2022.  We're all fans of Pixel and want to see these phones do well, but there's no denying the fact that Samsung is putting themselves into the position of not only the most dominant Android phone option in the US, but also quite possibly delivering the best experience, too. Notable Links Pixel 7 design renders leak and it looks like we’d expect it to Opinion: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra would make a stellar Chromebook Why Google Messages by default on the Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup is very important Gmail’s redesign is rolling out now for regular Google Account users and here’s how to use it Pixel 7 design renders leak and it looks like we’d expect it to New Pixel 6 bug breaks Wi-Fi for some, Google says fix coming in March update ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we have a special guest: Chris Kooistra, Director of Marketing for OWC.  If you aren't familiar with the company, OWC builds docking and storage solutions primarily for Macbooks that are tested to work with Chromebooks as well.  Their products range from SSDs to multi-port docking solutions to full-blown RAID arrays for creators that need more storage and workspace to get the job done. For us, however, we wanted to know a bit more about some of the products that were announced at CES 2022 and how those and OWC's other, existing peripherals work with Chromebooks.  Though many of OWC's products aren't labeled as official 'Works with Chromebooks' accessories, the company spends quite a bit of time making sure things just work with Chrome OS and the we're excited to get our hands on some of these new docks and drives to see just how well things work. Notable Links OWC Products OWC Docks And Drives: Perfect Chromebook Companions Chromebook Tip Tuesday: Extending your display with USB Type C [VIDEO] Great Accessories For Your Chromebook ------ This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show with a bit of an unplanned dive into the new website, highlighting all the changes and reasons we felt it was time to roll out a new version - V4 - of Chrome Unboxed.  There are so many new things to explore on the site and we're genuinely hopeful that all our readers find the new site more helpful and more engaging as an overall experience. The rest of the podcast is spent talking about the biggest news of the past week in the Chrome OS universe: Chrome OS Flex.  This new version of Chrome OS aims to bring the same Chrome OS experience we know and love to aging PCs and Macbooks in just about the simplest way possible.  And it is legit, full-blown Chrome OS, too.  It's wild how well it works and there's a lot to talk about with Google's latest move, here. NOTABLE LINKS Chrome OS Flex versus CloudReady: here are the main differences Chrome OS Flex brings the Chromebook experience to PC and Mac for free Google acquires Neverware bringing official support to Cloudready OS Install Chrome OS (Chromium OS) On Your Old Laptop PC or Macbook ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we begin the podcast by debuting our latest giveaway: 6 Lenovo Smart Clocks with the wireless charging dock. You can check out more details on that device here, but don’t forget to get entered for your chance to win down further in this post. This time, the giveaway will run until the end of the month and we’ll draw 6 lucky winners on February 28th at 10am. Oh, and this is our first podcast with a video component available, too! We’ll be tweaking and honing this element as we go, but the core pieces are now in place for you to watch/listen to the podcast from this point forward. We really hope you enjoy it! Now, let’s talk about the actual podcast content a bit, shall we? The first large segment of the show is spent talking about Chrome and Chrome OS 98 and all the new, small, useful features that have come along with them. We actually have a video that just went live highlighting a few of these things, and with the new 4-week update schedule in place, it seems that these simple feature additions could be the way of things for the foreseeable future. Additionally, we discuss the Samsung Unpacked event and some of the noteworthy things that came from it. Of particular interest was the fact that Samsung is including 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates, surpassing Google’s own Pixel phones by a full 2 years in that regard. Samsung also made it clear that their full camera functionality for the Galaxy S22 will be available in popular apps like Instagram, Snapchat and more. In some ways, Samsung is simply besting Google at making Android an OS for the masses. NOTABLE LINKS ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Chrome OS 98: 5 new features you should try Chrome OS 98 offers a screen capture update, a new virtual desk shortcut, and more Chrome revamps its logo for the first time since 2014, customizes it per operating system Stadia may have been deprioritized in favor of white-label “Google Stream” for companies Stadia reassures fans it’s not going anywhere, commits to releasing 100 more games this year Mr. Mobile’s Galaxy S22 Ultra video -------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR, Chromebook and IT Asset Management Software for K-12. CLICK HERE to schedule a demo! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to get 2 years of the best VPN service with 68% off for $3.71/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show talking through our recent review of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5400. It has become a favorite around the office and there are a lot of reasons why, so we cover those and talk about a few other hardware-related things we’re looking forward to form some other Chromebooks on the way. Next up, we walk through the slightly-misleading headlines swirling around the internet concerning some pretty big drop-offs in sales numbers for Chromebooks in Q4 of 2021 versus the previous Q4 of 2020. As you can imagine, comparing numbers in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 to what was going on in Q4 of 2021 skews things a bit, and we get into all the reasons why we should all expect Chromebook sales to be quite a bit lower than they were in 2020. We also discuss the very positive numbers Google shared for their Pixel 6 sales while also pumping the brakes a bit about what those numbers actually translate to. While it is great to see the Pixel 6 selling well, we have to look at the smartphone market as a whole and remember Google still has a large hill to climb, there. NOTABLE LINKS Why the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5400 is now my everyday carry The Pixel 6 sets record as Google’s best selling phone ever Reports of declined Chromebook shipments disregard the bigger picture How to install Lightworks Video Editor on your Chromebook -------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR, Chromebook and IT Asset Management Software for K-12 CLICK HERE to schedule a demo and get 20% off! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to get 2 years of the best VPN service with 68% off for $3.71/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin things by introducing our newest, soon-to-be employee: Andrew Johnson.  After letting all of you get to know him a bit better, we move on to talking through the newest leaks surrounding the Pixel Notepad and Pixel Watch. For the Notepad, that means we’re talking about the possible $1399 price tag and with the Pixel Watch, it means we’re discussing the rumored May 26th launch date. Next, we talk through the recent findings that show RGB keyboards in the works for Chromebooks. This means Google and Chromebook manufacturers are really serious about gaming on Chrome OS and as we await the release of ‘Borealis’ – a.k.a. Steam on Chrome OS – it looks like Chromebook makers are getting things in line to take full advantage. Finally, we discuss MediaTek’s new Kompanio chips for Chromebooks and the latest news that reveals the new ‘Boreal’ device – one we hoped was a high-end Chromecast with Google TV – will likely be a standard HD version at an even lower price. While its a bit of a bummer, it is probably a good move as we look at the current state of the market for streaming dongles. NOTABLE LINKS The folding Pixel Notepad gets an aggressive, rumored price tag New leak suggests an actual release date for Pixel Watch MediaTek officially unwraps the new Kompanio 1380 for premium Chromebooks The mid-range MediaTek 828 SoC shows out in new benchmark comparison RGB keyboards signal Google’s high hopes for Chromebook gaming New Chromecast with Google TV will be budget-friendly and only stream in HD A new Chromecast with Google TV device is in the works, could launch later this year ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR, Chromebook and IT Asset Management Software for K-12 CLICK HERE to schedule a demo and get 20% off! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to get 2 years of the best VPN service with 68% off for $3.71/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro update that arrived just hours after we wrapped up our podcast last week.  Though all our thoughts about the massively-delayed update still hold, it was really great to finally see this one arrive for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners late last week. For the next portion of the show, we discuss the newly-named (and rumored) Pixel Notepad and why this name feels so out of place for a folding phone that most likely won't include a stylus.  Or will it?  Maybe Google has more surprises up its sleeve than we expect, including a rumored price that should undercut the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 at launch. Finally, we discuss our latest video a bit as we delve into the speed on offer by the new MediaTek Kompanio 1380 inside the upcoming Acer Chromebook Spin 513.  This processor is the first real step forward we've seen in the ARM space and though we can't share any benchmarks, we can tell you how quick it runs and how well it handles every Chromebook task we could muster. NOTABLE LINKS After a weekend with the new Pixel 6 January update, things are looking up The Google Pixel Fold might be called the Pixel…Notepad? MediaTek's new Kompanio 1380 ARM processor is really, really fast [VIDEO] Win a new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on our website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend almost all of our time in Pixel world. With the new leaks out there showing off the Pixel Fold in the latest Android 12L Beta (via the SIM card insertion help page), we’ve gone from just hoping that Google is building a foldable Pixel to feeling quite confident that not only is that still happening, but could be on the way with a key differentiator from the existing Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. For the second half of the show, we chat about the growing discontent surrounding the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. With the new flagship phones and their brand-new Tensor SoC and Samsung modem, we’re getting quite a few bugs. Part of that is the hardware, and part of it is Android 12, but the combination is proving to be a bit of a mess of late. With no update in sight until the end of January, you basically have a swath of users on the latest, greatest Pixel with over 3 months of waiting for an update to fix the launch day bugs. It’s not good. As a wrap up on a much lighter note, we talk through our hands-on time with the new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 with the new MediaTek Kompanio 1380 on the inside. With high end components like a high-res, 3:2 QHD screen, this device is impressive even in this pre-production state. This one has us very excited about the potential of ARM in Chromebooks in 2022. NOTABLE LINKS Google’s Pixel Fold may improve on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in one very key way MKBHD’s Pixel 6 Pro tweet T-Mobile is offering up to $600 off Google’s Pixel 6 smartphones CES 2022: Hands-on with Acer’s new MediaTek Kompanio 1380-powered Spin 513 -------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR, Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for K-12. CLICK HERE to schedule a demo and get 20% off! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to get 2 years of the best VPN service with 68% off for $3.71/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're looking back at all the fun stuff we covered from CES 2022.  While we couldn't be at the show this year due to increased COVID activity and the omicron variant, all our meetings were able to be conducted in a virtual space and HP was even kind enough to send over a prototype of the new, amazing HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook that we were able to actually get a video produced for. Additinoally, Acer announced the world's first MediaTek Kompanio 1380-powered Chromebook in the new Spin 513 and we are very much looking forward to getting our hands on it early next week.  Along with that announcement, ASUS also surprised everyone by including a new Flip CX5 in a 16-inch, 16:10 variant that we'll gather details on as time goes on.  Add those Chromebook announcements to the slew of other fun, non-Google, non-Chromebook tech that was announced and there's plenty to talk this week. NOTABLE LINKS CES 2022: our favorite tech from Las Vegas this year CES 2022: HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook early hands-on and impressions CES 2022: ASUS stuns with a new 16-inch Chromebook Flip with 12th Gen Intel CPUs Google announces major improvements to Android Better Together at CES 2022 More details emerge for Acer's new MediaTek Kompanio 1380 Chromebook at CES 2022 HP unleashes the beast in the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook with two world's firsts Acer unveils world's first MediaTek Kompanio 1380 Chromebook at CES 2022 Samsung Gaming Hub will bring Stadia, GeForce NOW, and more together under one roof This episode is sponsored by VIZOR, Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for K-12. CLICK HERE to schedule a demo and get 20% off! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After talking a bit about the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and how excited it makes me for the possibility of the Pixel Fold in 2022, we transition the show to a more retrospective time as we look back on the 10 most-viewed articles of 2021 on Chrome Unboxed.  That list takes us through quite a few memories and gives us a bit of a chance to look back on the year that was as we move into 2022. NOTABLE LINKS According to one reliable leaker, the Pixel Fold isn't actually cancelled Year in Review: A look back at the top 10 articles of 2021 5G is coming to 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake Chromebooks, too Samsung is cooking up another affordable Chromebook with tablet potential How to try Google's new detached Chrome browser as default on Chrome OS 96 stable Expect quite a few HP Chromebooks with 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake chips inside We may see a smaller, true successor to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet after all HP looks to be prepping a MediaTek Kompanio 1000 series Chromebook 5 new hidden Chrome OS 96 features you can try right now Google's Pixel Watch looks to be getting the next-gen Assistant and a possible Exynos chip The best hope for Chromebook video editing is now Apple's iPad App of the Year This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin things on a somber note as we reflect a bit about the recent tornadoes that ravaged our home state of Kentucky.  It's been a rough time for many in our Commonwealth and we've put together a way for our audience - readers, YouTube viewers, and podcast listeners - to band together to try and help out a group in need that is near and dear to our hearts. The rest of the show is on a much lighter note, however, as we discuss the most recent Pixel Watch leaks, the failed merger of Duo and Google Meet (and what that could end up meaning for Duo long-term), some new camera-related tricks coming to Chromebooks.  We wrap up by discussing the huge news that Google Play Games is on the way for Windows on PC and the far-reaching effect this new Android games conduit could have on Chromebooks in the future. NOTABLE LINKS Join us in helping relief efforts for tornado ravaged areas in Kentucky Your Chromebook may soon automatically dim and lock when you walk away from it Google Duo’s future uncertain as plans to merge it with Meet were unsuccessful Pixel Watch feels near as new Wear OS 3 watch faces with Fitbit integration surface Wear OS 3 shows up in the wild, offers a completely revamped user interface Your Chromebook camera will soon follow you around the room during video calls [U] Google Play Games for PC appears at the 2021 Game Awards Show, new shortcut on Chrome OS ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, and more. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the episode talking through our latest, largest giveaway wrapping up just minutes before we hit record.  This morning, we announced the 5 winners of our 5 brand-new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's and we're still a bit blown away at the energy around this latest giveaway.  Tons of people were entered and we love interacting with so many of you!  We're looking very forward to doing this again very soon. Other topics covered in the podcast this week include our full thoughts on the Lenovo Duet 5 (our review dropped this week) and a bit of musing about where ARM processors and Chromebooks are headed.  Simply put, it's a very bright future ahead.  We wrap up by discussing our latest Gear of the Year post and video, highlighting a bunch of cool tech that we've enjoyed or wished for over the past year. NOTABLE LINKS [U] Google Play Games for PC appears at the 2021 Game Awards Show, new shortcut on Chrome OS No, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is not discontinued Some of Our Favorite Tech From $20 to $2,000 Latest update could add precious storage space to your Chromecast w/Google TV Google's latest Pixel Feature Drop is here and full of useful new features Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 review: my favorite Chrome OS tablet yet The mid-range ARM Chromebook race heats up as Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Win one of 5 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 tablets [completed] -------- This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee.  To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first half of the show discussing our sweet Lenovo Duet 5 giveaway and, because it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, we transition right into talking about the company's Snapdragon Summit.  At this event, a new Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 was announced that could really heat up the ARM-powered Chromebook war in the coming months.  With MediaTek slated to release their new chips in a handful of Chromebooks soon, it's an exciting time for ARM and Chrome OS. In the second half, we discuss some new software features in Chrome OS 96 and talk through some hopes for the future as Chrome OS hits milestone number 97 in early January.  With LaCrOS and Borealis both on the way soon, the future of Chromebooks looks brighter than ever, and there's a lot to talk about as we round out the year. NOTABLE LINKS Win one of 5 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 tablets The mid-range ARM Chromebook race heats up as Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 New details for Google's Pixel Watch surface, point to a potential Spring 2022 release date Only 6 years late, YouTube Music finally enables native cast support in the web player Steam support for Chromebooks could surface this week Why I think Google may ultimately share Tensor with other Chromebook makers Chrome OS 96: New camera tricks, an updated wallpaper experience, app notifications, more PSA: Keep your Chromebook in a case or this might happen to you ------- This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Chrome Cast, we spend a good bit of time talking through MediaTek’s Executive Summit, the things that were announced there, and our thoughts on what the landscape of MediaTek ARM-powered Chromebooks will look like in the coming weeks and months. Joe was lucky enough to get to go out to California for the event and we made some fantastic new connections with MediaTek folks and other media creators, too. Don’t worry, we talk about all of it. We also cover the new leaks of the Pixel 6a and discuss a bit about where this phone could fit into Google’s new lineup. With an aesthetic that matches the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro and the same Tensor SoC, it will be interesting to see where Google chooses to cut corners for the Pixel 6a. With the Pixel 6 already being relatively low-priced, we expect a similar $349-$399 price tag for the Pixel 6a, so this phone could get very, very interesting. NOTABLE LINKS Pixel 6 and 6 Pro review: why I’m not going Pro ASUS quietly refreshed the Flip CM3 with MediaTek’s Kompanio 820 SoC Pixel 6a already leaks and shows off a big departure for Google’s mid-range phones MediaTek makes bold performance claims about their upcoming Kompanio 800 and 1200 SoCs Joe’s Instagram Mr. Mobile’s Pixel 6 Pro road trip review -------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to get 69% off and 3 months for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show talking about all things Pixel 6.  With a few launch-related bugs, we've been really impressed with Google's continual ownership of the issues and their quickness in fixing things they've admitted are actually problems.  For past phones, the company has been a bit more hesitant to admit clear failures both with software and hardware on Pixel phones.  With Pixel 6, it seems this isn't the case, and that should mean we'll have better phone experiences across the board as time goes on with these new devices. The second half of the show is dedicated to our Best Chromebooks of 2021 list and we break down some of the reasoning behind our decisions on that list.  If you've not already checked out the post/video on that, you'll be able to see it via the links below. NOTABLE LINKS Best Buy is putting huge discounts on the Pixel 6, but caveats apply Surprise Pixel 6 update brings a fix for the phone's most aggravating issue Why Google's quick fix of Pixel 6 ghost calling is extremely encouraging Why Google's choice to skip Black Friday deals on Pixel 6 makes sense If the Pixel Fold is dead, Android 12L might be aimed more at Chromebooks than we thought The Best Chromebooks of 2021 [VIDEO] ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to get 69% off and 3 months for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast, we begin things by chatting about the recent GPU benchmarks that have surfaced for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.  With the two phones being out in the wild for a few weeks at this point, it is nice to see where some of the speedy performance comes from and knowing the GPU is insanely powerful in the Pixel 6 give us hope that games and other graphic-intensive tasks will continue getting better on these phones as developers learn to take more advantage of that power.  It is during this time that we also talk a bit about PUBG New State on both Chromebooks and lower-end Android phones.  It is pretty awesome! For the second half, we jump into the recent revelations that Google won't be building a new Pixelbook anytime soon. We now know that we shouldn't expect a new Google-made Chromebook at any point this year or next, and that's a bummer.  Sure, we know Tensor for Chromebooks is coming, but still see no reason Google shouldn't have planned one more Intel-powered Pixelbook to bridge the gap. NOTABLE LINKS PUBG New State is here and runs like butter on the new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 The only potential Pixelbook board in development just got the axe Busted: Samsung sued over shattered Chromebook Plus displays PUBG New State launches in 3 days and there's only one Chromeboook you can play it on After update to Geekbench, Pixel 6 Tensor SoC gets crazy-high GPU compute scores ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by discussing the latest piece of Chrome OS hardware to show up in the office: the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5.  This large, thin tablet was one that wasn't the most intriguing when it was announced, but has quickly won us all over thanks to a combo of a fantastic 1080p OLED screen, sleek build quality, and an overall usability that was a bit unexpected. We then spend a bit of time talking through the recent reports of Chromebook sales declining, why that was an inevitable outcome, and why those numbers aren't worth getting worried about.  We also let ourselves indulge on the recent findings about the folding Pixel phone that is now slated for a 2022 release. NOTABLE LINKS Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 unboxing and hands-on first impressions [VIDEO] Chromebook shipments dip 37% this quarter, but there's nothing to worry about Why the lack of Chromebooks in Acer's recent press event is actually a good thing With Android 12L, it feels like we can now set a timeframe for the upcoming Pixel Fold ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we open the show with some review-type thoughts on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.  With our video recently going out that highlights our collective conflict over which Pixel to buy, there's a lot to talk about now that we've had these phones in our hands for well over a week.  With some of the recent GPU benchmarks and real-world tests run on these Pixels, there's also some discussion to be had about the true power of the Tensor SoC under the hood. With a longer-than-expected sidebar about the upcoming PUBG New State game, we then transition to talking about LumaFusion's recent announcement that they are now working on not only an Android version of their excellent video editing software, but also building it with Chromebooks in mind.  This could mean professional level video editing on faster Chromebooks down the road as LumaFusion on iPad is completely capable of pumping out pro-level videos. NOTABLE LINKS Why I'm struggling to choose between Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro [VIDEO] Android 12L is coming for your large screen devices but what is it? Forget benchmarks: video pits Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max in real-world speed test Professional video editor LumaFusion is being developed for Chromebooks Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are finally coming to the web, but it's not what you think Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro early benchmarks reveal highest GPU scores for an Android flagship Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro reviews will arrive today, but beware of some of them ------- This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don’t think we need to think too much about what this week’s podcast is centered on. Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are launched, in our office, and we definitely have some thoughts. This year, it’s not about “to Pixel, or not to Pixel?” Instead, the question really is all about which Pixel is the right one for each users. While I really thought I was all in on the Pixel 6 Pro, after some time using both phones, I might be leaning towards the Pixel 6. NOTABLE LINKS Mysterious MediaTek MT8186 development continues with two new Chromebook boards Chrome 95 lets you save tab groups, improves security payments, and more And just like that, Chrome OS 94 is rolling out again Pixel 6 doesn’t have mm-wave 5G unless you buy it from these carriers [UPDATED: In Stock] You can now buy the Snapdragon-powered Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook Watch the Google Pixel Fall Launch Event in under 13 minutes [VIDEO] Google Pixel Pass: videos, music, games, storage, a device, and protection in one subscription Where to buy the all-new Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro unboxing and initial hands-on [VIDEO] The OLED-toting Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook has arrived at Best Buy, but… ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to get 69% off and 3 months for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re still stuck in Pixel 6 land. We warned you that it would be a Pixel party until the 19th and here we sit, just days out from the final unveiling. In the last week, more leaks came up, more specs were verified, and more hype was generated on the way. There were new landing pages discovered and Google has put their live event on YouTube for you to bookmark and get notified of, too. As much as Pixel fever dominates the podcast, there were other things to talk about as well. Most notably, our coverage of Acer’s latest press conference along with an exclusive interview with Acer COO Jerry Kao. There are some interesting things brewing at Acer and with 4 new Chromebooks on the way, the Chrome OS train is still running strong. NOTABLE LINKS Google’s Pixel Fall Launch live stream is already up on YouTube if you know where to look Just-announced Acer Chromebook 515 hands-on and initial impressions [VIDEO] Acer unwraps four Chromebooks and new Works with Chromebook accessories Where to watch the next@acer Global Press Event: Made For Humanity With so many Pixel 6 leaks, the Pixel Watch silence is deafening New leak suggests the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 camera setups aren’t as similar as we thought Complete Pixel 6 details outed in full-blown landing page, including performance numbers ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to get 69% off and 3 months for free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show discussing the major outage that struck Facebook this week, bringing down all their services along with it. For most of the work day Monday, users were unable to send messages via Messenger or WhatsApp, post on Facebook or Instagram, or access Oculus VR services. It was a big deal that affected a ton of people and raises some interesting questions about the pervasiveness of mega companies in our daily lives: both at work and play. In a much lighter second half, we delve into Pixel 6 leaks that have come about and talk through the interesting situation that Google is in where even a treasure trove of leaked photos and info don’t really seem to cause much of a stir. With their marketing strategy for Pixel 6, it really does feel like Google has stemmed the leaker tide and taken full control of the narrative surrounding their new phones. Finally, we take a bit of time to discuss some important movement in the Chrome OS gaming scene. Anti-cheat is a big hurdle for Linux gaming (what ‘Borealis’ – A.K.A. Steam for Chromebooks will leverage) and it looks like all the major players are on board to get their anti-cheat protocols up and running for Steam on Linux in the near future. NOTABLE LINKS Why I’m excited to be returning to #teamPixel with Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro [VIDEO] Online games with Anti-Cheat will soon be playable on Chromebooks New Pixel 6 leaks show new Pixel Stand, prove Google won the leaker wars this time around We need to talk about the sheer awesomeness that is Google’s Pixel 6 event launch page Save the Date: Pixel Fall Launch is officially Oct. 19 It’s not your Chromebook: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are all completely down ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Notable Links:  Pro case in my hand and here's what it's taught me about the phone Hands-on with HP's awesome new Chromebase with the rotating screen  HP Chromebook x2 11 review: tablet dreams, Chromebook realities  Google TV app adds in-built remote but there's a catch for some A few reasons why the Lenovo Duet 5 should outperform other Snapdragon Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by once again delving into the week's news surrounding the highly-anticipated Pixel 6 launch.  With the new rumors swirling, it seems clear that we'll be seeing these new phones up for order on October 19th - less than four weeks from now.  We also take some time to further discuss the Pixel fold and the fact that even in being completely overshadowed by the Pixel 6 right now, there's still hope that it may launch later in 2021. For the second half of the show, we talk about Acer's upcoming global press conference and the hopes we have that we might at least get a glimpse of a new MediaTek-powered device or two.  We have strong suspicions that Acer is behind both a MediaTek MT8192 and MT8195 device, so our hopes are high that we get to at least get a sneak peek at these new Chromebooks at their event on October 13th.  Just like with the Pixel 6 news, we'll know very soon as October is nearly upon us. NOTABLE LINKS Acer looks to be building the first MediaTek Kompanio 1200 Chromebook 'Tomato' The first MediaTek Kompanio 820 Chromebook will arrive soon, and we know who's making it A few reasons why the Lenovo Duet 5 should outperform other Snapdragon Chromebooks HP Chromebook x2 11 review: tablet dreams, Chromebook realities [VIDEO] More evidence to further confirm Pixel 6 October launch date Some upcoming MediaTek Kompanio 1200 Chromebooks will get a Pixelbook-like screen New MediaTek Kompanio 1200 Chromebook 'Dragonfruit' begins development Trusted leaker says a foldable Pixel ('Passport') is still set to arrive in 2021 ----- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend some time unpacking the recent – and frankly surprising – jab Apple chose to take at Chromebooks during their latest keynote presentation. In very non-Apple fashion, the company chose to quickly mention Chromebooks when talking about their latest, entry-level iPad and though it was a bit of a misdirection, the fact that they brought up Chromebooks at all is very interesting to say the least. For the second half of the show, we spend more time on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Specifically, we unpack some rumors that have circulated this week surrounding the core makeup of the Tensor SoC we’ll know much more about in just a few weeks. While we were all happy enough that Google looks to be delivering a new, custom Tensor chip that should deliver some on-device processing chops we’ve never had in a Pixel before, we weren’t expecting mind-blowing speed. It turns out we may be getting that, too. NOTABLE LINKS New rumor says Google’s Pixel 6 Tensor SoC could outperform the Snapdragon 888 Apple’s jab at Chromebooks in their iPad keynote is misleading and a little flattering Pixel 6 and Potato Chips: Google Japan posts “crispy” Pixel teaser A mysterious new MediaTek SoC shows up in development for future Chromebooks ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and save 69% on a 2-year plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 phones in the hands of actual humans. Sure, the renders were shown off a bit as well, but it was cool to see the phones in real-world settings and in the possession of real people. We also discuss the new Material You treatment Google announced for many of its own in-house apps that will all culminate in the release of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later in October, presumably. The second half of the podcast is for all of you interested in Chrome OS tablets. With Lenovo’s recently-announced Duet 5, we’re seeing more detachable Chromebooks finally show up and we’re as curious as ever just what users actually do with these devices. From iPads in keyboard cases to mid-range Chromebook tablets to low end models, there’s still a desire for tablets, but what role do they ultimately play in a world with large-screen smartphones and thin/light laptops. If you are into tablets and detachables, this one’s for you! NOTABLE LINKS Android 12 Beta 5 starts rolling out Material You redesigns for loads of Google apps Google continues upending the phone launch playbook with new Pixel 6 teaser Some thoughts on Cursive – Google’s new handwriting app for Chromebooks [VIDEO] Lenovo launches 13.3″ Snapdragon-powered Chromebook tablet with OLED display Even if Google won’t make it, we need a new Chromebook built like the original Pixelbook The new Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is official and not really worth getting excited for ------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and save 69% on a 2-year plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dive into all the news surrounding the release date of the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Though there were murmurs of a possible unveiling on September 13th, it looks like that won’t be the case and there’s a new rumor swirling from noted leaker Jon Prosser that places the launch of Google’s new phones on October 19th with a shipping date of October 28th. For the second half of the show, we talk about the recent rumor from Nikkei Asia that further confirms Google’s upcoming investments in their own silicon in Chromebooks. Though we had a good feeling that this was the direction Google would head with these Tensor processors, it’s nice to see a notable news outlet confirm that they have multiple inside sources that can confirm Google is in fact working on this as we speak. NOTABLE LINKS HP Chromebook x2 11 unboxing and initial impressions [VIDEO] New insider tip places the Pixel 6 release in October, not September New leak teases Google’s Chromebook CPU arriving in 2023 Retail leak hints at new Pixel Stand for Pixel 6 with 23W charging speeds Here’s how you can install Cursive – Google’s new note taking app – right now It’s likely no coincidence that the leaked Pixel 6 release date is September 13th Deleted Pixel 6 screenshot from Google SVP tweet just might hint at an announcement date ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we had a handful of things to talk through, but the first half of the show was dominated by discussion of the HP Chromebook X2 11. This device is now available at Best Buy and as we wait during the next few days for it to arrive, we’re getting more hyped about it with every passing moment. From the 11-inch 3:2 QHD display that measures a whopping 400 nits to the sleek-looking tablet form factor to the wirelessly chargin USI pen, the new Chromebook tablet from HP has a lot going for it and we can’t wait to show it to you on video next week. For the second half of the show, we dive into a cryptic tweet by Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer and what it could mean for the timing of Google’s fall hardware releases. After that we wrap up the show by discussing even more upcoming Chromebook hardware on the way with the new AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake processors, and even more Intel Jasper Lake processors. It’s a full show, so we hope you enjoy this week! NOTABLE LINKS The new HP Chromebook X2 11 detachable might be sitting in a Best Buy near you The detachable HP Chromebook x2 11 is now up for pre-order, ships Saturday Deleted Pixel 6 screenshot from Google SVP tweet just might hint at an announcement date A new wave of 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake Chromeboxes and Chromebases are coming Tested: Intel’s Jasper Lake delivers big performance gains for affordable Chromebooks We told you so: the affordable Intel Jasper Lake Chromebook flood continues Here come more of the AMD Ryzen 5000U series Chromebooks ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re welcoming our contributing writer Luke Short on the show to discuss a bit more in-depth about the discoveries he’s made getting Vulkan API support working on Chromebooks. For gaming on Chrome OS to finally arrive, Vulkan is a necessary piece of the overall puzzle. Though Luke’s work hasn’t unlocked the full Borealis (Steam gaming on Chromebooks) experience, it gets us a lot closer to testing that reality. After the break, we dive into the great-yet-confounding Pixel 5a and discuss the good parts of the phone along with how it could find its place as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro loom in the future. With the Pixel 5a, it feels like Google has put the train back on the tracks a bit and if the new Tensor-powered phones from Google deliver as we’d expect, the future for Pixel has never looked brighter. NOTABLE LINKS Eureka! Playing Vulkan Games in Crostini More Details on the AMD dGPU-powered Chromebook Arise Here are the first Chromebooks that will get Steam gaming (‘Borealis’) Variable Refresh Rate support is coming to Chromebooks for smoother gaming Following the trend, Google will not include a charger in the box for the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro Unboxing the Pixel 5a that is here to basically replace the Pixel 4a 5G [VIDEO] Google’s Tensor SoC could eventually power far more than just the Pixel 6 Opinion: Google’s Pixel 6 just made the Pixel 5a relevant -------- This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. If you manage Chromebooks for a School or School district you’ll want to listen to this, especially you have a 1:1 program. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which Student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR.  This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dive into Samsung's latest announcements, including the two new foldables (Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3), the new Samsung Watch, and the latest Galaxy Buds.  Sometimes new tech comes out and we just have to discuss the long-term ramifications of new advancements whether it surrounds Chromebooks or not.  This is one of those weeks. For the second half of the show, we delve into the new hardware from HP and discuss the quirky, fun new HP Chromebase 22 along with the highly anticipated detachable HP Chromebook x2 11.  With a ton of interesting features and bold form factors, HP is clearly looking to diversify its Chrome OS portfolio, and so far, we're loving it. NOTABLE LINKS The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is the first foldable on Google Fi HP unveils new Chromebase with a "twist" HP's Qualcomm-powered detachable Chromebook X2 is official Hands-on with HP's awesome new Chromebase with the rotating screen [VIDEO] Another HP Chromebook X2 11 clone is already in the works ------ This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. If you manage Chromebooks for a School or School district you’ll want to listen to this, especially you have a 1:1 program. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which Student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR.  This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode of The Chrome Cast should probably be renamed “The Pixel Show”. In case you missed the news, Google officially unveiled its upcoming flagship phone earlier this week. Needless to say, we are excited and there’s a lot to talk about. While we spend quite a bit of the podcast talking specifically about the new hardware, the Tensor SoC that powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is arguably the bigger news as Google sets its sights on future hardware. After a lengthy discussion, we touch on Google’s other new hardware that comes in the form of a new lineup of cameras and a new doorbell from the Nest family. This includes a rechargeable Nest cam that touts up to seven months of use on a single charge. Rounding off the chat, we talk about all of ASUS’ new Chrome OS hardware and how the company has set a new bar for the premium Chromebook segment. Notable links Pixel 6 and 6 Pro official Google Nest reveals its new doorbell and cameras ASUS Chromebook CX9 Unboxing ASUS’ new Chromebook lineup ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 Unboxing This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 3 months free. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first half of the show sorting out what is going on in the confusion surrounding MediaTek's latest Kompanio 1300T SoC announcement.  While Kompanio chips have been included in low-end Chromebooks and will ship in two additional variations in other Chromebooks by the end of the year, this latest chip is being touted in the media as yet another Chromebook option.  Is that it or is there a tad bit of misunderstanding? In the second half of the show, we look at Google/Alphabet's Q2 2021 Earnings Call and talk a bit more about the importance of the "deep investments in hardware" that Google is ready to show off this fall.  Between a new phone, a new watch, and perhaps a little tease of a Google silicon-powered Chromebook in the mix, we're likely in for a very interesting event this fall. NOTABLE LINKS Upcoming MediaTek ARM Chromebooks are faster than a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 ARM and NVIDIA Gaming Chromebooks are in the works Alphabet Q2 2021 Earnings Call MediaTek Kompanio 1300T press release ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss Google's latest Chrome OS update bugs, how to fix them, and why in the end these bugs aren't nearly as big of a deal on Chrome OS as they are on competing operating systems.  For the second half of the show, we dig into all the new hardware on the way from ASUS, including the new CX9 and surprise Flip CX5400.  Both of these devices add high-end, premium options from ASUS that are quite reasonably priced for all the hardware they possess and fill out ASUS' portfolio for 2021 Chromebook to include a little of something for everyone. NOTABLE LINKS How to fix your Chromebook with a reset and firmware revert [VIDEO] Google pushes a fix for the recently borked Chrome OS 91 update The already-excellent ASUS Flip CX5 is getting a higher-spec version The drool-worthy ASUS Chromebook CX9 is now up for pre-order A new monster ASUS Chromebook Flip emerges in the 14-inch CX5400 Don't take that update! Latest Chrome OS version locks users out of Chromebooks More confirmation that HP is making the Snapdragon 7c Chromebook tablet 'Coachz' ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re excited to welcome our contributing writer – Luke Short – who is well versed in the development that is ongoing with the gaming changes coming to Chrome OS in the coming months. Between ‘Mushu’ and a dedicated GPU in the works for a Chromebook, the Borealis project (which is bringing Steam games to Chrome OS), Proton (which brings Windows games to Linux for Steam), and the all new Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, we stick to gaming and gaming alone in this episode. All of these things are working together towards a gaming revolution that is on the way for Chromebook users. Better GPUs add to the custom Steam container (Borealis) and the combo will make Steam games possible in the near future. Proton opens the door for Windows games in this setting and the new Steam Deck only propels the impending availability of the 50,000+ Steam games with Valve hoping to have 100% compatibility for their library by December when the Steam Deck actually launches. It all works together to create a very compelling case for local gaming on Chromebooks by the end of 2021. NOTABLE LINKS What Steam Deck Means for Chromebooks and Borealis An AMD dGPU Chromebook is Coming! Gaming on Chrome OS in a pre-Borealis world Steam Deck landing page This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show off by discussing the most recent leaks surrounding the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro that give us more details on what to expect this fall along with a promise for 5 years of regular security updates from Google. In the second half of the show, we start by discussing Chrome OS 91's update issues and the current pause from the update server.  After that, we expand on the new Jasper Lake benchmark scores we're seeing and the impact this line of Chromebooks could have on the ecosystem as a whole.  That leads to talk about tablets, ARM processors, and Google's custom silicon eventually coming to Chromebooks.  It's a full show this week! NOTABLE LINKS Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro spec leak promises 5 years of update support Google pauses Chrome OS update, breaks Linux container Tested: Intel's Jasper Lake delivers big performance gains for affordable Chromebooks Chrome OS 91 busted? You're not alone Apple's M1 chip has us very excited for a Google ARM processor [VIDEO] Here's why MediaTek's new Chromebook ARM processors are so important [VIDEO] Why ARM processors are so important to the future of Chromebooks ------ This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss the new apps that have arrived for Chromebooks and why they are so important to the ecosystem. It isn’t just that Zoom has an official PWA or that Opera has optimized the Android-based browser just for Chromebooks, it’s the fact that larger entities are beginning to really take note of Chrome OS and are building experiences just for the platform. For the second half of the show, we discuss Stadia’s arrival on Android/Google TV and what it is actually like to use the service. With a great app on very affordable devices like Google’s new Chromecast and the ridiculously inexpensive Onn. streaming kit from Walmart, it feels like Stadia may get a big shot in the arm from the larger user base that could be inbound from this new platform. Oh, and we talked about this, too… NOTABLE LINKS Opera is now the first “alternative” browser optimized for Chrome OS Hands-on with Stadia on the Chromecast with Google TV [VIDEO] Zoom is releasing a PWA specifically for Chromebooks on the Google Play Store Google TV begins prominently advertising Stadia games on your home screen This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin by discussing all the gaming news that is swirling in the Google/Chromebook world this week.  From Stadia finally launching on Chromecast with Google TV (and Android TV) to more news on 'Borealis' and Steam games coming to Chrome OS, there was a lot of great news in the gaming sphere this week. From there we move on to talking about my lost hope in seeing an updated Pixelbook anytime soon.  With the two boards 'Halvor' and 'Lindar' both being outed as decidedly not Google hardware, we really don't have anywhere else to look for a new Pixelbook in the near future.  That being said, there's hope on the horizon in the form of Google's custom 'Whitechapel' silicon that gives us hope that we may see another Pixelbook down the road. NOTABLE LINKS Borealis, a.k.a. Steam, will live in the Chrome OS settings menu Steam on Chrome OS is so close I can taste it Why I've lost hope for a new Pixelbook arriving anytime soon Google Stadia arrives on Google TV, expanding its reach to millions more Lenovo debuts 2 Tiger Lake Chromebooks ahead of MWC Seriously, affordable Chromebooks are getting really good [VIDEO] I canceled my Stadia Pro subscription and now I play Stadia more than ever This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we open the show by explaining a bit about our new, upcoming series simply called Upstream.  With audience-submitted questions and expert-driven answers, we hope Upstream will turn into a place for all our readers to get interesting, insightful answers to things that aren't always a Google search away.  We follow this up with in-depth discussion about Google's freshly-opened retail store in New York City and what that move could mean for the mostly-online search giant. For the second half of the show, we talk through the new Material You design language and what it could look like on Chromebooks in the future.  With mock-ups from our own Michael Perrigo, it is a lot of fun to consider what Chrome OS will look like after the next paint job.  As it tends to do, this discussion derails into talk of yet another Google-made Chromebook and what that could look like later this year. NOTABLE LINKS Say hello to the first-ever Google Store in NYC Welcome to Upstream: Your questions answered by industry experts [Video] Here's what Google's new productivity launcher could look like when it's finished [U: Video] Here's what Google's new 'Material You' design could look like on Chromebooks This episode is brought to you by VIZOR for Chromebooks! Are you a School or District with a Chromebook 1:1 program? If so, get ready for your summer intake today with VIZOR for Chromebooks. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. Listeners to this podcast get 2 months free, so be sure to tell them you heard about VIZOR on The Chrome Cast podcast to qualify. Click here to learn more about VIZOR for Chromebooks and qualify for 2 months free! This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! Click here to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stay in a pretty #madebyGoogle sort of mood.  Starting with some early thoughts on the new Pixel Buds A-Series, we talk through all that Google is doing right in this space and - perhaps more importantly - all the things they are still basically missing on.  Yes, the new earbuds are pretty nice, but they are on the pricey side for a device that lacks many of the features seen in far cheaper headphones.  On sale and closer to $79, these new Pixel Buds could be just the right price, though. For the second half of the podcast, we delve into the recent reports on Google's foldable OLED screens beginning manufacture in October.  Samsung has been tapped for sourcing and The Elec says along with screens for VIVO and Xiomi, Samsung will be manufacturing screens for Google as well.  If this is the case, we're likely tracking an unveiling of the Pixel Fold in October at Google's hardware event and perhaps a release of this still-mysterious phone sometime in late 2021. NOTABLE LINKS Pixel Buds A-Series: unboxing and initial impressions [VIDEO] Google looks to be eyeing October production for foldable Pixel phone OLED screens Google is prepping a foldable device using Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by covering down on all the new features available in Chrome and Chrome OS 91.  Between updates to the V8 JavaScript engine - dubbed Sparkplug - and the arrival of Nearby Share, version 91 of Chrome OS is a nice, incremental update that should improve performance across the board and provide a new, useful way for files to be shared across Google's growing line of Android and Chrome OS hardware. For the second half of the show, we focus in on reports surrounding the upcoming - and mysterious - Pixel Fold.  As it turns out, Samsung is now supplying Google with not only foldable OLED screens, but also the ultra-thin glass it uses in the manufacturing of devices like the Galaxy Flip and Galaxy Fold phones.  There are no additional details for now on what Google is planning or when we could see a folding Pixel, but this new news is definitely great fodder for discussion. NOTABLE LINKS Google is prepping a foldable device using Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass Chrome OS 91 feature highlight: Nearby Share is fantastic [VIDEO] Phone Hub could soon bring app streaming to Chromebooks Chrome OS 91 is now rolling out to most Chromebooks, newer models still waiting Nearby Share arrives as Chrome OS 91 begins rolling out Chrome 91 adds built-in screenshot tool on Android and it is awesome Chrome 91 has up to 23% faster performance as a result of its new JavaScript compiler This episode is brought to you by VIZOR for Chromebooks! Are you a School or District with a Chromebook 1:1 program? If so, get ready for your summer intake today with VIZOR for Chromebooks. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. Listeners to this podcast get 2 months free, so be sure to tell them you heard about VIZOR on The Chrome Cast podcast to qualify. Click here to learn more about VIZOR for Chromebooks and qualify for 2 months free! This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! Click here to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re discussing further leaks regarding the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, including new renders that showed up and more details about what we can expect from the new Google-made processor inside. After discussing our excitement over what the Pixel 6 could mean for Android phones and for Google, we pivot to a discussion surrounding some new hardware that arrived this week. From Acer’s 4 new Chromebooks to new devices on the way from HP and ASUS alike, there’s a lot to discuss this week from a Chromebook hardware perspective. NOTABLE LINKS Pixel 6 Pro performance expectations, screen specs, and more emerge The Pixel 6 CAD renders have arrived: the smaller new Pixel in images and video New Pixel 6 Pro renders surface, showing off seriously beautiful hardware The upcoming ASUS Chromebook CX9 will feature an industry first for Chrome OS Budget to Beast: Acer unveils 4 new Chromebooks Acer Chromebook 317: hands-on with the world’s first 17-inch Chromebook [VIDEO] Acer Chromebook Spin 713: early impressions of Acer’s next big hit [VIDEO] The new Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is official and not really worth getting excited for HP debuts Tiger Lake Pro c640 G2 Chromebook Exclusive: ASUS set to launch the world’s first 17.3″ Chromebook This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was there any question what would dominate our discussion this week? Google I/O 2021 came and went and in its wake, we’re left with all sorts of things to discuss. From new language AI like LaMDA to WearOS updates to Material You, there was a ton of new stuff that came from Google I/O that sparks the imagination and ensuing conversations. We try our best to stay on track and get through all the stuff that really interested us from I/O, and even in our 90 minutes of talking it feels like we only scratched the surface. It was fun to really dig in, so grab a snack and come along for our Google I/O 2021 recap. NOTABLE LINKS The Google Play Store will better surface apps and games built specifically for Chromebooks Exclusive: Lenovo is launching an 11th Gen Tiger Lake 13.3″ Chromebook Games made with Unity can now be directly built for Chromebooks Google wants Android apps and games to suck less on Chromebooks, and it’s about time they do ‘What’s New in Chrome OS’ at Google I/O makes a great case for developing for Chromebooks Google’s new Material You design language is coming to Chromebooks, too Google Workspace introduces Smart Canvas features to radically transform collaboration Google I/O Keynote shows Chromebook Phone Hub getting a great new feature Where to watch all the Google I/O 2021 keynotes and sessions without registration This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode of The Chrome Cast is about as straightforward as they come.  Just last night, very convincing renders of the Pixel 6 showed up and as we tend to do, we prognosticated quite a bit about the legitimacy of those leaks, what they could mean, and when we might actually here something official from Google about the whole thing.  In the second half of the podcast, we're joined by John Sowash, an expert on all things EDU and Chromebook.  He's written a few articles here at Chrome Unboxed and this is his second time on the podcast.  We had some user-submitted questions he is kind enough to weigh in on and our conversations was both fun and informative: hope you enjoy it! NOTABLE LINKS John's Website (chrmbook.com) The Chromebook Classroom Podcast Teach With Chrome Class Registration Chromebook Minecraft: Teaching with Minecraft Pixel 6 and 6 Pro leak, reveal wild new design and evidence that Google is really trying Pixel Watch renders show a gorgeous wearable with clean, elegant software This episode is brought to you by VIZOR for Chromebooks! Are you a School or District with a Chromebook 1:1 program? If so, get ready for your summer intake today with VIZOR for Chromebooks. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. Listeners to this podcast get 2 months free, so be sure to tell them you heard about VIZOR on The Chrome Cast podcast to qualify. Click here to learn more about VIZOR for Chromebooks and qualify for 2 months free! This episode is brought to you by CTL.  Based here in the USA, CTL builds Chrome devices that are sturdy, well-made, and above all, affordable.  Whether it be for the classroom or enterprise deployment, CTL offers a wide variety of Chromebooks and Chromeboxes to meet any need.  Click here if you’d like to learn more about them.  This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! Click here to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking a bit in depth about the new ASUS Chromebook CX5 and, more importantly, about the difference Tiger Lake Intel processors are poised to make in the Chromebook market. This device is not only attractive and well-made, it is by far the fastest Chromebook we’ve ever had in the office and demolishes even the 10th-gen Core i7 in every benchmark across the board. What this means for the future of mid/high-range Chromebooks this year is incredibly promising. In the second half of the show, we talk through the updated Google I/O 2021 website and how simple Google is making it this year for those who want to take in some sessions. The site is easy to distill and navigate and it makes finding just the right content very intuitive. What we’ll see at I/O still remains a bit of a mystery, but with this session layout, we at least have a bit of a look at what’s coming. With one of those sessions again being centered on Android apps on Chromebooks, we’re hopeful the consistent messaging from Google on this paired with the huge Q1 sales numbers for Chromebooks combine to get more developers on board to make Android apps run well on larger screens. NOTABLE LINKS ASUS' MediaTek CM3 Flip and Detachable available in Canada Snapdragon 7c Chromebook tablet 'Coachz' is nearing production [U: Tweet pulled] Google accidentally announces its Pixel Buds A-Series a bit early Chromebook sales continue to surge in Q1 of 2021, up 275% Chrome OS 90 is still missing for a very important group of Chromebooks Google I/O 2021 sessions every Chromebook fan will want to watch This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first part of the show discussing the new Chromebook hardware that is in the office and on the way.  From ASUS, there is the new pre-order of the CM5, the impending CM3 Detachable, and the CX5 we have in the office and unboxed earlier this week.  On the Acer front, we talk quite a bit about our upcoming review of the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 and what the first Snapdragon Chromebook brings to the table. In the second half, we're in Google I/O 2021 mode, talking through all the teases that have us believing there will be some new hardware shown off at Google's return to their annual developer conference.  Though there aren't many leaks aside from the new Pixel 5a and Pixel Buds A, it seems Google may have other new hardware lined up to announce that hasn't leaked out prior.  It will be a fun few days in mid-May either way, and we're even more excited for it now. NOTABLE LINKS Google confirms new Google Assistant product announcements coming at I/O 2021 A Tiger Lake ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 successor could be on the way The Tiger Lake-powered HP Chromebook x360 14c is available and it's only $619! ASUS' AMD-powered Chromebook CM5 is up for pre-order at $499 Google CEO Sundar Pichai teases 'significant product updates and announcements' ahead of Google I/O ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (Intel Tiger Lake) unboxing and initial impressions [VIDEO] First Look: Tiger Lake Chromebook benchmarks reveal monstrous gains Buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 at Walmart ------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're delving into all the features that came along with the recent update to Chrome OS 90.  While not everyone has it just yet, you can rest assured the update is on the way and when it arrives, some cool new tricks are on the way along with it.  In the second half of the show, we get into some of the new hardware that is right around the corner and already arriving in stores as we speak. NOTABLE LINKS If you are still looking for the Chrome OS 90 update, you aren't alone Chrome OS 90 arrives with Everything Button 2.0, Scan Tools, Diagnostics and more Your Chromebook launcher can now give you quick answers and save you from opening tabs The world's first Tiger Lake Chromebook is now available for $569 Early hands-on impressions with the ASUS Detachable Chromebook CM3 are very positive Unboxing and mini-review of the very affordable HP Chromebook 11a The HP Elite Chromebook c1030 just arrived for consumers ------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Schools, do you have Chromebooks? Get ready for summer intake with VIZOR, a Chromebook management solution that goes beyond Google Admin functionality. VIZOR integrates with the Google Admin Console and with your Student Information System. Track who has what, manage 1:1 check-out programs, and track repairs. Click here to learn more and qualify for 2 months free! This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin by discussing our recent review of the 2nd-gen Google Nest Hub and all the things that are great and not so great about it. From the sleep tracking to the updated speaker, we talk quite a bit about our experiences and why this version is definitely worth the current $10 uptick in pricing over the original. In the second half of the show, we dive into quite a few things going on in the Snapdragon Chromebook space. With the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 beginning to show up at retailers, ‘Homestar’ getting an OLED screen and a quad speaker setup and Sharp getting into the Chromebook game with its own Snapdragon-powered device, there’s a lot going on with Qualcomm and Chrome OS right now. Finally, we discuss NVIDIA’s pronouncement of intent to begin shipping their RTX GPUs alongside MediaTek ARM chips. This could be a big deal for Chromebooks down the road and will likely play a big part in the continuing move to a broader processor ecosystem for Chrome OS. NOTABLE LINKS Pricing for the Snapdragon-powered Acer Chromebook Spin 513 hits multiple retailers Nest Hub 2 Review: Worth the upgrade? [Video] NVIDIA RTX graphics in a Chromebook? Yes, please! Upcoming Snapdragon 7c Chromebook tablet ‘Homestar’ gets unique screen and speaker setup A new Snapdragon Chromebook from…Sharp? This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our entire show revolves around Google hardware.  From the leaks of the Pixel Watch to the interesting saga of the Pixel 5a to the Pixel 6 and it's Google-made silicon, this week we're all-in on upcoming stuff that is made by Google.  In addition to talking through solid leaks from this week, we also spend a bit of time recapping the importance of ARM and custom silicon when it comes to Chromebooks, too.  Oh, and we can't forget: Google I/O is back this year, all virtual, and coming at us quick on May 18th. NOTABLE LINKS HP refreshes its premium Chromebook x360 with 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake CPUs Pixel Watch renders show a gorgeous wearable with clean, elegant software Google's Pixel 5a is officially cancelled [UPDATE - not completely cancelled] Apparently we'll see some leaked images of Google's Pixel Watch later today On The Run To 200K: Another Big Giveaway [VIDEO] Google I/O 2021 is going virtual and the internet already uncovered the dates The new 'Pixel Buds A' just leaked in an email that Google sent out Yes, Google silicon is coming to the Pixel 6 phones and likely more ------- This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a new coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Chrome Cast, we open the show with a more in-depth discussion over the recently-released Ultimate Desk Setup video. We go into a bit more detail about all the items in the video, why we chose them, and why this desk setup took so long to finally pull off. All told, the desk is now in its permanent home in the Chrome Cast studio where we’ll hopefully be creating podcast-centered video content in the coming weeks. The second half of the show is all about upcoming hardware and all the questions we have around these items. With new Pixel Buds hitting the FCC lately and the mysterious appearance of a Chromebook with the signature Google lightbar up top, things are really starting to heat up a bit in the Google hardware space as we move into the middle parts of 2021. NOTABLE LINKS My Ultimate Chrome OS desk setup [Video] Google’s new Pixelbuds look to be on the way as Pixel Buds A A new Chromebook with the Google Pixel lightbar is in the works New Merch on Cotton Bureau! Check out Fresh Roasted Coffee subscriptions here! ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a new coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by digging into Android 11 and its limited arrival on Chromebooks with 10th-gen Intel processors in the Beta Channel.  With this update, Android now finds itself inside a new container - moving from ARC++ to ARCVM - and your Play Store apps now scale to match the Chromebook's display.  While the move to an updated container for Android apps is realistically the bigger deal here, users will likely find more immediate value in the fact that their apps now look more native on-screen. From there we move on to 'Borealis' and the coming Game Mode that will be on Chomebooks likely later this year.  As another container on your Chromebooks - this time made specifically for Steam - we're very interested in how all this will play out later in the year on Chromebooks that have far better GPUs on board with Intel's Tiger Lake processors.  We wrap up by discussing Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook 2, our review process, and what we feel is the consensus opinion about Samsung's 'sequel' to the original Galaxy Chromebook. NOTABLE LINKS Check out our new T-shirts! Enter to win an exclusive Chromebook sleeve from Google The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is outrageously affordable right now Google is adding a ‘Game Mode’ for Chromebooks as Steam gaming takes shape Every upcoming Chromebook in development we’re keeping up with right now [UPDATE: 3/24/2020] Google is adding a ‘Game Mode’ for Chromebooks as Steam gaming takes shape A new 5nm Snapdragon 7c with 5G is coming and already being tested for Chromebooks Another new Snapdragon 7c Chromebook is on the way Android 11 is arriving on some Chromebooks in Beta Channel with big fixes on board ------ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week on The Chrome Cast, we sat down (virtually) with Alexander Kuscher, Chrome OS Director of Product, and talked about the last 10 years of Chrome OS and what the future holds. With Chrome OS 89 so chock-full of new features, we realized this week that we’d not taken the time to talk through all of them with our podcast audience, so that’s what we’re doing this week. There’s a lot going on in M89, and we’re digging into all of it after having the update on all our devices for over a week at this point. Enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS Chrome OS turns 10 & we’ve partnered with Google for a very special giveaway to celebrate The Chrome Cast 103: An interview with Chrome OS Director of Product Alexander Kuscher Android Nearby Share is about to get a whole lot better to use Three things the Chromebook Phone Hub should have fixed before releasing Chrome OS 89 features: hands-on and walkthrough [VIDEO] Here’s how you can get the most out of your Chromebook’s virtual desks Google’s CEO may have just confirmed the split of Chrome and Chrome OS Chrome OS 89 is here with a hat full of tricks Here are some of the exciting things Google has planned for the future of Chromebooks ------ This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a new coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea! This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are continuing our celebration of Chrome OS' 10th Birthday with a special guest! Alexander Kuscher leads the software product team for Chrome OS, overseeing product management, program management, and developer relations teams. Since joining Google in 2010, Alexander has built products & features across multiple products including Mobile Advertisement, Chrome, and Chrome OS. Alexander holds numerous patents in the areas of user interfaces, computer hardware, as well as advertising technologies. Alexander earned a Master’s degree in Advanced Computer Science with an emphasis on Human-Computer Interaction at Cambridge as well as a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from the Hasso-Plattner-Institute in Germany. Find Alex on Twitter: @afkuscher ----- Are you a school with Chromebooks? VIZOR for Chromebooks is a Chromebook management solution. It seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and student information systems. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, you can manage repairs, and you can automate processes for lost or stolen devices. Get 2 FREE MONTHS here: vizor.cloud/cast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start our conversation around the beautiful and slightly-confounding Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2.  As I thought when entering my review period with this device, this is a tough Chromebook to review.  With such a striking similarity to its predecessor, it is impossible not to draw comparisons between the two, and that leaves the new Galaxy Chromebook 2 in a bit of an awkward position.  Our review is coming, but tune in to hear my thoughts at this point in the process. For the second half, our conversation is dominated by Google's new 4-week update approach to Chrome.  While not clear what will happen with Chrome OS amidst this update, we have some thoughts on how things will progress once Chrome 94 hits in Q4 of 2021.  It has a bit to do with the maturation of Chrome OS and the continued work being done on the standalone version of Chrome that is being built for Chromebooks, currently code named 'Lacros'. NOTABLE LINKS Chrome will soon start getting milestone updates a lot faster Two new Snapdragon SC7280 Chromebook boards enter development Mysterious new Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in development for Chromebooks Here's the first flagship MediaTek MT8195 Chromebook in development - 'Cherry' Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 unboxing and first impressions [VIDEO] Why you should consider a Chromebox as your home PC ----- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start our conversation out by highlighting the very-excellent Simplify Gmail Chrome extension that just hit version 2.0.  We reported on this earlier in the week and many, many people seemed very interested in the service and we get into a few of the reasons why this take on Gmail isn't just a good-looking change to the messy Gmail inbox, but a real productivity booster with tons of extra features for end users, too. In the second half, we delve into the tweet from Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer that teased upcoming hardware and software for Chrome OS fans in the 2021 calendar year.  As Hiroshi doesn't tend to tweet without quite a bit of thought going into what he has to say, I think we're safe to assume the things he mentioned in the tweet will likely come to pass.  Devices and software that are "fire" are on the way and we expect to see them soon.  There's obviously good reason to think this already with all the hardware we're currently keeping track on on the horizon, but this tweet just re-lit the flame. NOTABLE LINKS Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer's tweet has us very excited for 2021 Chromebooks Expect an absolute avalanche of Chromebooks in all shapes and sizes in 2021 [VIDEO] Simplify Gmail v2 is here, it's beautiful, and you should be using it right now After feedback, Simplify Gmail v2 has a simple pricing structure that looks great There's another detachable Snapdragon 7c Chromebook tablet in the works The ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3 gets huge landing page and more official details Chrome OS desperately needs a unified App Store This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're celebrating 100 episodes with a little giveaway.  You can find details below on how to get entered beneatht he embed where we're  talking quite a bit about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, the reservations, the pre-orders, the release dates, and the expectations that come along with this unreleased Chromebook.  With a March 1st launch date now set, we're ready to finally find out if Samsung's choices to pull things back from the bombastic Galaxy Chromebook are worth it. In the second half of the podcast, we spend some time talking about the upcoming ARM-powered Chromebooks like 'Coachz' with its Snapdragon 7c chipset and what MediaTek's new MT8192 and MT8195 processors could be like in real world use.  With the MT8195 finally starting Chromebook development in the past few weeks, we know these ARM-powered Chroembooks are closer than they've ever been. NOTABLE LINKS Why Lenovo's attractive P11 Pro tablet could be similar to what 'Coachz' will become The upgraded Lenovo Flex 5 is putting serious pressure on Samsung's new Galaxy Chromebook 2 Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 gets unboxed…by Samsung [VIDEO] Snapdragon 7c Chromebook tablet 'Coachz' shows fast scores in Geekbench results Right on queue, a new mid-range MediaTek ARM Chromebook starts development Check out these deals on the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 w/8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and accessories New flagship MediaTek Chromebooks enter development Samsung announces Galaxy Chromebook 2 availability and pre-order dates Why Lenovo's attractive P11 Pro tablet could be similar to what 'Coachz' will become ------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Schools, do you have Chromebooks? Are you using PowerSchool’s SIS? Introducing VIZOR for Chromebooks, a Chromebook management solution that goes beyond your Google Admin functionality. It integrates with the Google Admin Console and PowerSchool. Track who has what, track check-out programs, and manage repairs. Schedule a product demo to see if VIZOR for Chromebooks can help your school. ------- This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin our discussion around the growing 'Works With Chromebook' initiative from Google.  Though it seems nearly everything you plug into a Chromebook works these days, Google is going the extra step to ease consumers' minds about peripherals that they may come across in a store like Best Buy or Walmart.  If it is marked 'Works With Chromebook', then it just works. We also get into the crazy new USI pen tech that we're now seeing being tested on Chromebooks with Ufro's color-picking pens that simply work with Chromebooks.  No additional steps are needed to touch an object in the real world and replicate it almost instantly on your Chromebook. Finally, we tackle the long-standing issues we've had with YouTube Music, app confusion, lacking cast support, and the fact that Google understands where it has failed here and has officially stated that they are on the road to fixing not just the casting woes with YouTube Music, but the offline access as well. NOTABLE LINKS Google is listening: YouTube Music native casting and offline listening headed to Chromebooks Google releases a dedicated YouTube Music Chromebook PWA in the Play Store Works With Chromebook: explained and tested [VIDEO] Watch these crazy demos of a USI pen and a Chromebook picking colors from the real world Native cast button disappears from the YouTube TV web app ------- This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re diving into the tough news of the week regarding the shut down of Stadia’s in-house game studio. The move definitely comes with some indications about the future of Stadia and what the service could morph into over time, so it’s worth quite a bit of discussion on our part this week. For the second half, we get into a few new devices that are on the horizon in the upcoming ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. Both devices are intriguing in their own ways and we’re hopeful that both become available by the end of the month. NOTABLE LINKS Why I’m getting excited for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook 2 shows up at Best Buy HP Elite C1030 Chromebook review: premium comes with a price ‘Stadia Games & Entertainment’ is shutting down, but Google Stadia is alive and well Exclusive: the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 tablet is the first real Lenovo Duet contender Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dig into many of the new features that have arrived in the Chrome OS world with version 88 of the operating system.  With the new screen saver, WebAuthn, and the updated screen capture tool, there's a lot to love about the latest update for your Chromebook. Additionally, we spend some time talking about the recent arrival in the office: the Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga Chromebook.  That's a big title and it's affixed to a Chromebook that brings a whole lot to the table.  Sure, it's aimed at the enterprise market, but that doesn't mean it's not a fantastic device that brings some seriously unique features along with it and could potentially be a great fit for many users. NOTABLE LINKS How to enable the new screen recording tool in Chrome OS 88 Unboxing and first hands-on with the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook [VIDEO] Chrome OS 88 offers a faster way to sign in to websites - by using your fingerprint or PIN code Upcoming Chromebook Snapdragon tablet 'Coachz' may have a sibling in 'Strongbad' - - - - This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we were excited to dig in a bit on the 9 new Chromebooks announced at BETT 2021 that range from the latest small-core Jasper Lake Intel devices to ARM-powered Chromebooks with MediaTek and Snapdragon internals. The yearly education-focused show always follows closely behind CES and, like it always does, comes replete with a slew of new classroom-ready Chromebooks. The second half of the podcast features commentary from our very own Michael Perrigo as we dive a bit deeper into Stadia, what the mysterious ‘Project Hailstorm’ could end up being, and further explain what Google is up to with the long-awaited Manifest v3 that is arriving in Chrome and Chrome OS 88. There’s a lot to unpack here, so we hope you can give it a listen! NOTABLE LINKS BETT 2021: HP debuts 5 Chromebooks with Jasper Lake, MediaTek and a unique stylus Chrome 88 introduces the controversial Manifest v3 which seeks to fix the ‘extensions problem’ Join me on the Stadia Source Podcast and enter to win a Stadia Premiere Bundle Stadia’s ‘Project Hailstorm’ could be used to bring the service to millions of TVs rapidly Chrome 88 is rolling out now with a heavy focus on security, web app features, and more BETT 2021: Acer unveils 4 new Chromebooks for the classroom Facebook finds four Chrome extensions scraping user data – Sues two developers Stadia launching ‘Playable Scenarios’ via State Share so your friends can pick up where you left off - - - - This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Schools, do you have Chromebooks? Introducing VIZOR for Chromebooks, a Chromebook management solution that goes beyond your Google Admin functionality. It integrates with G Suite and with your Student Information System. Track who has what, track check-out programs, and manage repairs. Schedule a product demo to see if VIZOR for Chromebooks can help your school. - - - - Just like that, another CES is in the books and though we weren’t in Vegas this year for the annual tech show, things were still getting announced left and right. That includes quite a few Chromebooks this year, totaling 5 new official announcements and one teaser. We sincerely feel like this is just the tip of the iceberg for Chromebooks in 2021, but it was a great start to a year we’re convinced will be chock-full of new Chrome OS hardware. Specifically today, we spend quite a bit of time talking through the big ASUS Chromebooks that were unveiled and how after a year of not much from ASUS in 2020, it feels like they are back in the game and offering up a wide range of Chromebooks that should find a place in just about any budget. There was a lot to cover and we’re excited about CES, but it’s just the beginning. Trust us: there’s much more coming. NOTABLE LINKS CES 2021: It’s time to get excited about ASUS Chromebooks again [VIDEO] Best of CES 2021: our favorite tech from this year’s show All 3 new ASUS Chromebooks get awesome landing pages CES 2021: Hands-on with the Acer’s Ryzen-powered Chromebook Spin 514 ASUS unveils 3 new Chromebooks at CES 2021 with Intel Evo and AMD on board Our reaction to the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 [VIDEO] CES 2021: Intel Evo Chromebooks made official at with one Acer model teased Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 receives praise from early hands-on reactions - - - - This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re talking CES 2021 and about a couple Chromebooks that were released via the yearly tech show. Sure, we’re not in Vegas this year and yes, we’d love to actually be there with our hands on new hardware amongst the energy of CES, but that’s just not in the cards with the pandemic continuing to do its damage. In fact, we’re completely quarantined ourselves as a person in our shared co-working space at the office tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. Don’t worry, we all tested negative today at 5 days out from our exposure, but we’ve not been in the studio or office all week and it has been a bit inopportune with CES getting ramped up. Either way, we’ll be back next week and sharing some video content about what we’ve seen from the show so far and we got to spend the entirety of the podcast this week talking through our thoughts on the new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 and Acer Chromebook Spin 514 that have already both been announced as part of CES 2021. For now, we hope you enjoy our reactions via this fully-remote podcast and do forgive the compromised audio this week as we’re all working from our homes for now. NOTABLE LINKS This is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Acer unveils AMD Ryzen-powered Chromebook Spin 514 This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we are taking a bit to discuss some of our favorite things from 2020 and taking a look towards what we're most looking forward to in 2021.  For the past year, the mid-range Chromebook emergence takes up the bulk of our discussion time and looking forward, devices like the Snapdragon Chromebook tablet 'Coachz', Chromebooks with GPUs and ARM processors dominate the things we are most anticipating in the new year. NOTABLE LINKS 2020 and the rise of the mid-range Chromebook [VIDEO] Expect an absolute avalanche of Chromebooks in all shapes and sizes in 2021 [VIDEO] As we predicted, Apple TV is officially arriving on Chromecast with Google TV Native Steam (Borealis) on Chrome OS likely arriving mid-2021 All articles on the upcoming ‘Coachz’ tablet This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first portion of the show discussing the incredible job the Stadia team has done in bringing the Stadia experience over to iPhone and iPad via an impressive PWA. With so much happening in Stadia from game streaming to messaging to chat and Wi-Fi controller pairing, it is amazing to see a PWA do so much completely contained in a browser tab. In the second half, we discuss Google’s recent acquisition of Neverware, makers of CloudReady OS. If you are not familiar, this company has be repurposing old Windows and MacOS laptops with a custom version of Chromium OS for years, and now they are officially part of the Google team. The ramifications could be wide, here, and we’re not entirely sure what Google is up to with this move, but we have some thoughts. NOTABLE LINKS Stadia’s arrival on iPhone and iPad shows the wild potential of PWAs Millions of users have had their data stolen by these 15 Chrome extensions – remove them right now! Google acquires Neverware bringing official support to Cloudready OS Enter to win the Acer Spin 713 (before 4PM on 12/18/2020) This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend much of our time talking through a ton of the new features on board in Chrome OS 87. From new wallpapers to Bluetooth battery reporting to ALT+TAB keyboard navigation, there’s quite a bit in this update to digest. From there we move on to talking about some of the features that are nested behind feature flags in Chrome OS 87 like holding space, the new global media controls and more. Finally, we wrap things up by talking a bit about printers, the death of Google Cloud Print, and how Chromebooks are actually quite adept at printing these days. NOTABLE LINKS Chrome OS 87 adds two very useful upgrades to the Files app Grab this 1TB “Works with Chromebook” portable SSD and save $90 Migrate from Google Cloud Print with these 12 Alternatives How to print from your personal Chromebook without Google Cloud Print Chrome OS 87 is here with Tab Search, BT battery level and more How to enable wireless printing for your students or employees and survive the death of Google Cloud Print SHOW NOTES This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Schools, do you have Chromebooks? Introducing VIZOR for Chromebooks, a Chromebook management solution that goes beyond your Google Admin functionality. It integrates with G Suite and with your Student Information System. Track who has what, track check-out programs, and manage repairs. Schedule a product demo to see if VIZOR for Chromebooks can help your school. This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend our time talking through two confusing segments of the current Chromebook market: tablets and high-end Chromebooks.  Both of these categories have great current and upcoming options, but both are likely confusing for consumers on the outside looking in.  For tablets, the issue is the lack of options with only one notable upcoming device worth getting hyped about.  For high-end Chromebooks, the problem comes down to the fact that great Chromebooks are coming down in price and justifying the extra expense is simply getting tough to do these days. NOTABLE LINKS A quick look at Parallels and Zero-Touch Enrollment on Chrome OS [Video] Motorola is the latest to start shipping an Android desktop, and that’s good news for Chromebooks HP Chromebook Elite c1030 unboxing and hands-on [VIDEO] A bug report just leaked a Core i7 Tiger Lake Chromebook, likely Acer New Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is reportedly in the works Google’s Pixel Slate may have been discontinued and why it’s not that big of a deal We may know the manufacturer for the upcoming Snapdragon Chromebook tablet ‘Coachz’ This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month. Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend a bit of time talking through our latest, favorite deals as well as our picks for 2020 Gear of the Year.  From $200 Lenovo Duet's to big sales on AirPods Pro, there are so many deals going on it is a bit dizzying.  Between those deals and discussing some of our favorite tech from 2020, it makes for a fun first half of the show. After the break, our discussion shifts to the future as we explore all the Chromebooks we are expecting in 2021, and let me tell you: it's an absolute avalanche.  While we expect a few more devices could debut before the end of 2020, 2021 looks like a more likely target for nearly every Chromebook we're keeping tabs on right now.  With 7 distinct groups/families of Chromebook on the way, increased interest in Chrome OS, and more manufacturers getting in on  Chromebooks than ever before, 2021 is looking like it will be a crazy ride for Chrome OS fans. NOTABLE LINKS You can get Apple's AirPods Pro for $80 off right now, but you need to act fast Black Friday: Grab a brand new Lenovo Chromebook Duet for $204! Upcoming Snapdragon Chromebook tablet 'Coachz' screen details, size, and more emerge Upcoming Chrome OS Snapdragon tablet 'Coachz' may steal this Apple Pencil feature AMD's unannounced 5000U-series Zen 3 APUs coming to Chrome OS Lenovo's Ryzen-powered C13 Yoga Chromebook turns up in online listings Today's the day: $250 off the premium HP Chromebook x360 14c 2020 Chrome Unboxed Gear of the Year Holiday Gift Guide [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start things off by covering our current giveaways (both a Lenovo Chromebook Duet and Acer Chromebook Spin 713), tons of other great deals out there on Chromebooks for the holiday season, and we follow it all up with an overview of the Best Chromebooks of 2020 video that we published just this week.  Simply put, whether you're in it to get a Chromebook for free or just looking for a great deal on one, the first half of this week's show is for you. In the latter section, we shift gears to Apple's new M1-powered Macbooks and Mac Mini.  These devices have been reviewed and the resulting reactions to Apple's new silicon is very, very good.  What we see as a result is a shift in mainstream computing that could end up producing better quality Chromebooks in the long run that are powered by more-custom ARM chips built and bread for use on Chromebooks.  Perhaps we'll even see Google's own silicon sometime in 2021. NOTABLE LINKS See all the deals at Chrome Unboxed The Best Chromebooks of 2020 [VIDEO] Apple M1-optimized version of Chrome is now ready for installation Even Apple struggles to bring mobile apps to the desktop with their M1 powered Macbooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're talking about ARM yet again.  There's a reason we find ourselves in this lane week in and week out, and it is because ARM is finally emerging in the market as a viable counterpart to Intel's desktop dominance.  We see this more clearly than ever with both the announcement of Apple's first line of M1 ARM-powered devices and MediaTek's new Chromebook-specific ARM chips.  While there's a long way to go yet in the ARM vs. x86 (a.k.a Intel and AMD) conversation, ARM is coming into its own on desktop like never before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're getting prepped and excited for a few reasons as we approach the MediaTek Summit next week.  For one, we know there is going to be some Chromebook-specific news in regard to the upcoming MT8195 chips we expect to see in Chromebooks beginning in 2021.  More exciting is the swag box MediaTek sent over that had some fun stuff inside, but most notably contained a brand-new Lenovo Chromebook Duet that we're ready to give away in the next couple weeks. The second half of the podcast this week focuses in on the open web, why it is important, and how video calling has been distilled in the last 6 months to the point where our knee-jerk reaction to starting or joining a video call is looking for that sweet, simple URL.  When pushed to choose the most effective, most productive way to get work done via video, humanity looks to have chosen services like Zoom and Google Meet that function and exist via the open web.  That's a pretty significant thing. NOTABLE LINKS Unboxing the MediaTek Summit 2020 surprise box [Giveaway] Google Meet will soon let you accept knocks in bulk With the pandemic and video calls, the open web won Dell's upcoming Snapdragon Chromebook could have support for multiple pen input types Hands-on with the new web-based Google Meet custom backgrounds and blurs on a Chromebook Another MediaTek Chromebook In The Works: Where Are You Qualcomm? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our conversation is as varied as the week's content has been.  From a new version of Chrome OS arriving, rolling out slowly, being not-really-delayed, and finally landing for nearly everyone, it has been an odd release cycle to be sure.  Additionally, we've seen the confident return of Chromebook inventory in stores, leading to pre-Black Friday sales on all sorts of devices that we've simply not seen for quite some time. NOTABLE LINKS Check out all the latest deals on Chromebooks and Google Assistant hardware Google confirms Chrome OS 86 is on the way for the rest of us by week's end Google is testing "Side Panels" for Chrome's upcoming Reading List feature The Chromebook launcher key is now officially called the 'Everything button' Hands-on with the new Chrome OS Dark/Light Mode [Video] Hosts: Joe Humphrey, Gabriel Brangers and Robby Payne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re diving into the new ARM-powered Chromebook that Acer just unveiled this week (the Chromebook Spin 513) that just so happens to be running on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Compute platform. Though this device is still clearly a work in progress, the inclusion of Snapdragon chips in the Chrome OS story is notable as more high-end ARM chips are slated for 2021 from MediaTek as well. It should make for a very interesting fight. Beyond the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, we spend a bit of time talking through the recent upgrades to the experience of PUBG Mobile on the humble Lenovo Chromebook Duet and why it matters that a huge game developer has clearly taken a shine to Chromebooks for once. As more developers realize the nascent potential of the Chrome OS user base, we really feel like Android apps on Chromebooks have only scratched the surface thus far. NOTABLE LINKS Hands-on with the Acer Spin 513, the world's first Snapdragon-powered Chromebook [VIDEO] PUBG Mobile shows app developers are starting to take Chromebooks more seriously MediaTek is bringing the first 6nm ARM chips to Chromebooks in 2021 Parallels videos show off seamless Windows and Chrome OS integration HP announces Parallels Desktop to bring Windows to Enterprise Chromebooks Why ARM processors are so important to the future of Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re peeling back the onion a bit to take a deeper look at why the laptop industry’s transitions over the ARM-based chips is so important for Chrome OS. While Chromebooks have run fine on both ARM and x86 processors alike for years, it’s never quite felt like Google has been all-in on the idea. As Apple readies itself to fully unveil the new Macbooks with ARM processors inside, it is beginning to feel like the entire industry is at the edge of a pretty big shift from a general reliance on Intel to an ARM-focused future. The next few years will be very interesting as it develops, but Chromebooks stand to benefit the most from this shift and we’re ready to see the fruits of change. NOTABLE LINKS Why ARM processors are so important to the future of Chromebooks Google can now tell me the song I’m whistling and I’m so happy Google to host a mysterious ‘Search on 2020’ event tomorrow at 12PM PST Need a haircut? Google Duplex can now book it for you through Maps and Search Upcoming AMD-powered Chromebooks will have LTE options In Q3 of 2020, laptop sales were strong and Chromebook sales boomed Lenovo unveils AMD Ryzen ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook Microsoft brings Visual Studio Code to ARM-powered Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google’s new hardware has dominated our site, YouTube channel and podcast for a few weeks now. We had preliminary leaks of the new gadgets followed by a virtual event and now we have the actual hardware in our hands here at the Chrome Unboxed office. If you missed them, we have unboxing videos of both the new Chromecast with Google TV and the new Nest Audio speaker and both items have impressed thus far. Our podcast this week ends up being an at-length look at these two new pieces of affordable, effective hardware. At $49, the new Chromecast is a no-brainer in the media streaming game and the $99 Nest Audio becomes an easy-to-recommend, full-bodied speaker that won’t hurt your bank account too badly. After having both around and using them for a bit already, we obviously have some thoughts and are excited to share them with our listeners. NOTABLE LINKS The new Chromecast with Google TV will be pretty awesome for gaming, just not yet One night in a hotel completely sold me on the new Chromecast with Google TV Nest Audio unboxing and initial impressions [VIDEO] Chromecast with Google TV unboxing and initial hands-on [VIDEO] Google’s all-new Nest Audio is available today, here’s where you can pick one up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no real reason to fight it, right? This week has been totally dominated by Google’s latest hardware unveiling and we’re here for it. From new phones to a Chromecast with a remote to a beautiful new smart speaker, there was a lot to take in and react to. We spend the entire podcast unpacking each piece and our reactions go from excited to dubious: pumped for the new Chromecast, anxiously anticipating the sound quality of the Nest Audio speaker, and questioning the legitimacy of the Pixel 5’s price tag in light of the Galaxy S20 FE and upcoming OnePlus 8T. It’s a packed show and we hope you enjoy every bit of it this week. NOTABLE LINKS New YouTube TV subscribers can score Google’s new Chromecast w/Google TV for free 87 Seconds: Wrapping up all of Google’s newly announced hardware Google Play Movies and TV updated to reflect Google TV branding – web interface deprecated [Update: In-store Oct. 15] Where you can, can’t and should buy the new Chromecast with Google TV Chromecast with Google TV to officially gain support for Stadia next year Nest Audio: The proper Google Home successor has arrived Google’s All New Chromecast with Google TV just stole Roku’s spotlight Google makes the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G official Greet Michael Perrigo over on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stay in one lane: Google's.  Specifically, Google's upcoming hardware.  Over the past few days, leak after leak has happened and pretty much everything is out in the open about new phones, a new Chromecast, a new smart speaker, and a new Wi-Fi router.  Between this week's podcast and last week's episode, we've learned a whole lot. There's a ton to be excited for and a bit to be bummed by, too.  While the Chromecast looks absolutely stellar, the new Wi-Fi is a head-scratcher and the possible $699 price tag of the Pixel 5 feels like a complete miss for a compromised Pixel phone for 2020.  We're talking about it all in our lead up to Google's hardware event, so sit back and enjoy the conversation. NOTABLE LINKS Snag a free Nest Mini while you wait for new Google hardware on September 30th Pixel 5 for $699 will be a massive failure if leaks are accurate Here's the new Chromecast with Google TV in action Google's new Chromecast box doesn't mention Stadia and that is odd Google's new Chromecast and Nest Audio speaker are hitting store shelves early Google may launch a new, lower-cost Nest Wi-Fi router at its hardware event next week Google's new smart speaker gets a name, leaked pics, and will likely cost less than $100 Google's new Chromecast with Google TV shows up a bit early in new photos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend quite a bit of our time talking through all the things we’re excited to see at Google’s event in just under two weeks from today. Between a new Nest speaker, a couple new phones, and the all new Chromecast with Google TV, there’s a lot of solid hardware getting ready to become available. While I’m happy to see the phones in the flesh and think the speaker will be a nice addition, I’m most excited by the price and functionality of the new Chromecast. We’re also equally sad that there’s no apparent Chromebook for this year’s event. On the Chromebook front, our discussion about Lacros and what it could mean for Google to decouple Chrome from Chrome OS rounds out the podcast this week.  There are some parts of the whole thing that have us all a bit dubious about what the end game is, but it's a fun discussion to have either way. NOTABLE LINKS Snag a free Nest Mini while you wait for new Google hardware on September 30th Google’s hardware event goes virtual on September 30th: new Chromecast with Google TV and more Google’s new Chromecast has a new name and a solidified low price First Look: Lacros splits Chrome from Chrome OS to extend the life of your Chromebook Microsoft Surface Duo unboxing and hands-on [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we fully expected to talk about quite a few things, but we started in on the Surface Duo and just couldn't stop chatting.  While we did end up talking a bit about the news that MediaTek has announced a new ARM chip just for 2021 Chromebooks, the bulk of our time was spent dreaming a bit about what Chrome OS on a dual-screen folding device would look like.  While the Duo is full of first-gen issues and bugs, the premise is crazy-interesting and the more we consider it, the more we all agree that Chrome OS would be an amazing fit on such a device. NOTABLE LINKS MediaTek is bringing the first 6nm ARM chips to Chromebooks in 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you know all about USI (universal stylus initiative), have never heard about it, or are itching to know more, you really need to tune in for this episode of The Chrome Cast.  We were fortunate enough to have a fantastic and detailed conversation about the history, current status, and future of USI with none other than the Chairman of the Board for USI, Peter Mueller.  Through a series of questions and discussion, Peter talks in depth about the technology that drives this new stylus standard and why it is the folks behind USI hope it can become the single, standardized stylus protocol for nearly all tech gadgets. We had a preliminary call with Pete before setting up the podcast recording and even though I knew quite a bit about USI going into today's episode, I still left our discussion even more excited by the potential of USI pens across all aspects of the tech community.  We sincerely hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did making it. NOTABLE LINKS Hands-On: USI pens for Chromebooks are finally arriving and they are awesome [VIDEO] [Update: Sold Out] This certified USI stylus is available once again for $49 Behold, ASUS and Lenovo USI pens surface online Upcoming AMD-powered Chromebooks will internally stow and charge a USI stylus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we talk about a handful of things in the lead up to our main topic of conversation: a renewed hope in a Google-made Chromebook for 2020.  Presumably the successor to the Pixelbook, 'Halvor' is in possession of a Google-only feature that we've only seen in the Pixelbook, Pixelbook Go and Pixel Slate up to this point in the #madebyGoogle era of Chromebooks.  Obviously there's a lot to unpack on this subject and its a fun discussion to have as we consider Google moving from a position of setting the bar for the ecosystem to simply being an active participant in it. We also spend a bit of time in this podcast talking about USI pens and the duo of test pens we now have in the office that confirm how good USI compatibility will be once these accessories finally start shipping in the coming months.  We're hoping to have Pete Mueller - USI Chariman - on the show next week to discuss more about USI and the potential of this universal standard. NOTABLE LINKS Proof that Google may be making a Pixelbook 2 for 2020 after all Chrome 85 update brings tab-focused productivity features and more speed 'Kaleidoscope' for Chrome may become a single media hub for all your streaming services Here's the first USI stylus you can buy on Amazon that we can actually recommend Learn more about supporting us by joining our Patreon Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our conversation is quite a bit more nuanced than the title says, but the number of things we discussed simply can’t be conveyed in a few words. The first half centers around Google’s changes to Meet, their cooperation with Zoom, and the improved focus across the board for messaging and home-related goods. It feels like Google is proactively trimming the fat in many areas of their software and hardware both, and those types of moves are encouraging. The second half of the podcast centers around GeForce NOW for Chromebooks. As a completely web-based solution to game streaming for Chromebooks, it is not just a rival to Stadia, but a champion in most respects. With a buttery-smooth performance right from the browser-based player, GeForce NOW has tons of games and tons of players to go along with its fantastic playback experience, and its arrival for Chromebooks this week is well worth talking about. NOTABLE LINKS Stadia and PGA Tour 2K21 have a failure to launch From Zero to Hero: Zoom nabs official support for Google Smart Displays Why you should probably ignore NVIDIA GeForce NOW Chromebook hardware requirements Google Store Easter egg foreshadows demise of the Nest App First Look: NVIDIA GeForce NOW on a Chromebook runs like a dream Chromecast will bring Google Meet video calls to your TV just in time for back to school NVIDIA GeForce NOW is finally available on Chromebooks Did NVIDIA just tease GeForce Now coming to Chrome? Chromebooks? Google may kill Duo in favor of Meet, and I think that is the right move The Google Assistant can finally make device-specific broadcasts and I couldn’t be happier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you took a second to read that title up there, you can probably guess: this is an odd-ball episode and we talk through some very interesting news from the past few days. Sometimes this just happens, right? The week is going along like you expect and then out of nowhere, a few things happen that you can’t seem to escape no matter what you do. For us this week, two very monumental things occurred: the release of the Surface Duo and Epic’s big battle with Google and Apple over app store fees. For the Surface Duo, the angle Microsoft is taking by making a pocketable computer that happens to make phone calls is something that is not only interesting as a new device type, but also intriguing as a potential form factor for a Chrome OS device, too. With the Fortnite drama, our conversation leans towards PWAs and web apps in general as the way forward for many app makers as a potential path that keeps them from being tied down to semi-monopolistic app stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store. NOTABLE LINKS Surface Duo official press unveiling Apple has finally met its Fortnite match freshroastedcoffee.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we reflect a bit on the early success of Google’s new Pixel 4a and what may come with the announced Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. With Google now firmly planted in the mid-range phone space with no clear indication that a flagship device is coming anytime soon, I suppose it is time to get used to the idea of Pixel phones that have far more mass appeal and far less attraction for high-end phone lovers like myself. That being said, there was a leak this week that outlined the possibility of a foldable Pixel phone that may come into reality next year. Armed with that news and the recent unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, we spend the second half of the podcast letting our minds wonder a bit about what that Google-made foldable could be and how a device like the Galaxy Fold could make for a very awesome Chrome OS device if and when the day ever comes that a foldable tablet/phone running Chrome OS does ever emerge. NOTABLE LINKS Reader’s Choice: Here’s Pop!_OS running on a Chromebook Goodbye Pixel 4 – we barely knew you Forget Windows, I just installed Elementary OS on my Chromebook and it’s awesome Need a free Lenovo Chromebook Duet for Back to School? We got you! Well, I went and installed Windows 10 on my Chromebook What a Pixelbook with Google’s Pixel 4a approach to hardware could look like We may see a Pixel 4a 5G or Pixel 5 announcement alongside the Pixel 4a today [UPDATE: confirmed] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we were honestly all over the place. This week’s news cycle was a veritable mixed bag, but we tried to stick to the most relevant bits and pieces. Probably top of everyone’s mind is the impending back to school season we’re about to enter. With the pandemic looming, this will be a return to education unlike any we’ve seen before. With some tips on Chromebook buying and a Lenovo Chromebook Duet to give away, we’re hoping to help in that transition a bit. After that, though, the discussion goes in a ton of directions as we talk about Google’s long-anticipated official announcement of the Pixel 4a reveal date (August 3rd), a bit about the upcoming Phone Hub feature for Chromebooks that will further unite Chrome OS and Android, and the current state of USI pens that are just now showing signs of real market arrival. It’s a packed show, for sure, so we hope you enjoy this week’s episode. NOTABLE LINKS Google confirms an August 3rd launch for the Pixel 4a with a fun puzzle Minecraft returns to Chromebooks but there is a catch Google’s ‘Phone Hub’ will deliver deeper integration for Android phones and Chromebooks Snapdragon Chromebook ‘Lazor’ shows Pixel 4a-like speeds in Geekbench Back to School: 3 Chromebooks to buy, 3 purchasing tips, 1 giveaway Behold, ASUS and Lenovo USI pens surface online Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re talking through all the goodies that came along with the surprisingly-full Chrome OS 84 update. Right on schedule and overflowing with new features, Chrome OS 84 feels like the most well-thought-out update in a long time from the Chrome OS team and has us very excited for what is changing in the OS and all the things we think are on the way. Speaking of those new features on the way, we spend a lot of time discussing screens in this podcast as well. From Samsung’s QLED screens coming to a Chromebook in the near future to HDR content handling for current and upcoming Chrome OS hardware, there’s a ton to be excited about with Chromebooks down the line. Add to that the development of dual-screened Chromebooks in the testing phase and you have a podcast that is packed to the gills with new software and hardware updates across the board. NOTABLE LINKS HDR-capable Chromebooks are coming with brighter, better displays Samsung is working on a QLED Chromebook ‘Nightfury’ At long last, you can finally watch Netflix on your Nest smart display Chrome OS 84 feature spotlight: Files app visual overhaul Chrome OS 84 update is rolling out, highlighting better clarity and focus from Google Chrome OS 84 is coming and this update HUGE Don’t miss this chance to score a free Logitech keyboard and mouse Dual-screen Chromebook in development signals the maturation of Chrome OS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our conversation is a tad more focused than usual, and the central focus is Google hardware. No, we aren’t talking about the upcoming Pixel 4a, 4a 5G or 5.  Instead, we're focusing on why the current crop of Pixel phones is such a mess and why we don’t think there’s any Google-made flagship Chromebooks on the horizon. With a move to make and utilize their own custom processors likely happening, Google’s shifts could be occurring just under the surface and we’d likely not see the fruits of that labor until sometime in 2021 at best. While we don’t know exactly how all this will look, it is fun to put the pieces together and speculate a bit about what Google may have up their sleeves from a hardware perspective in both the Android and Chrome OS spaces. NOTABLE LINKS: The Apple Master Plan (Mr. Who’s The Boss video) Why it’s time for Google to make their own processors for Pixel, Android and Chrome OS The Pixel 4a officially arrives on the Google Store (sort of) Why we wish Google would give us the Pixelbook 2 and why we think they might not Google’s brilliant new Slack competitor is based in Gmail, right on time, and looks amazing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we had the opportunity to do something very special during our podcast. We were able to get an exclusive interview with John Maletis – Chrome OS Head of Product Management, Engineering & UX. As you can tell from his title, John heads up much of the engineering and user experience parts of the general Chromebook experience. We got to enjoy a 5-question interview with John, asking him about the current state of Chrome OS development, the trajectory moving forward, and how Chrome OS has grown and helped millions of users amidst the ever-changing landscape of our current pandemic. We loved getting to chat with John and feel his insights were very interesting not only for us, but hopefully for you as well. Enjoy this very special episode of The Chrome Cast and make sure you are subscribed: there’s definitely more of this coming! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’ve tried out a Q&A format where we let the questions guide our discussion. From additional colors for the Pixel Buds to odd, questionable decisions Google is making in the phone space, we spend quite a bit of time talking about all the ways Google is fumbling through hardware right now. The Pixel line of phones is on life support and now the Pixel 3a has been discontinued without a public roadmap to explain what the next move will be with both the Pixel 4a and the rumored Pixel 5. After getting past some of those frustrations, we get to our ‘Best of 2020’ video/post/landing page and talk through some of the fantastic shifts we’re seeing in Chromebook hardware right now towards the mid-range. Additionally we get into ARM-powered Chromebook tablets and how they work with Android apps better than other tablets with Intel chips inside. It’s all based on listener questions, and we loved using this format this week to discuss. Enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS Pixel 3a is officially discontinued: time for the Pixel 4a to finally launch What I’d change about the Lenovo Duet to make it my perfect Chromebook New Chromecast and Google Home announcement possible at upcoming “Hey Google” event The best Chromebooks of 2020 so far [VIDEO] Mark my words, Chromebook makers are missing the Chrome OS tablet boat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we kept things relatively tight from a discussion perspective. The show really stays in two main sections: Google’s upcoming hardware releases and Acer’s excellent new Chromebook Spin 713. First up, for Google’s hardware, we get into some of the upcoming features like group calls on the Nest Home Max, FCC approvals of the Pixel 4a, Google’s hard-to-discern hardware release plans, and why the cancellation of Google I/O seems to have disrupted more than just the event itself. For the second half of the show, we spend a lot of time talking about the fantastic Acer Chromebook Spin 713. With a high-end build, top-notch internals, and a very excellent user experience, this Chromebook is hitting all the right notes and sits at a far more reasonable asking price when compared to comparable Chromebooks released this year. This device is one to watch for sure. NOTABLE LINKS Duo group calls head to Assistant smart displays, Google Meet for Nest Hub Max One step closer: Android 11 Preview reveals Google’s Android/Chromecast TV dongle Google is finally fixing one of my biggest complaints about Assistant speakers The excellent new Acer Chromebook Spin 713 can be purchased right now New Acer Chromebook Spin 713 hands-on and first impressions SNL Celebrates Father’s Day (you’ll need to listen to the pocast for reference, here) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion is mainly dominated with the news of Windows applications finally becoming available on Chrome OS via a partnership with Parallels. This move, aimed squarely at the enterprise sector of Chrome OS for the time being, is sending pretty big ripples through the Chromebook ecosystem. While we think it is a big step and an important move for Chrome OS, it still is best to see the arrival of Windows apps in Chrome OS as a stop gap or bridge as we continually move towards a more modern, web-based reality. We also spend some time talking through the upcoming addition of the updated, locally-stored Google Assistant for Chromebooks and the rumored/leaked new Google Home that we now expect to see in the near future. NOTABLE LINKS Chromebooks are getting on-device Google Assistant Everything we know so far about Google’s new Chromecast dongle Google is working with Parallels to bring Windows applications to Chromebooks New leak hints at Nest-branded replacement for the original Google Home After buying Fitbit 7 months ago, Google is bringing the Assistant to the Versa 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As always, this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast is simply jam-packed with fun stuff. It has been a busy week around the Chrome Unboxed office, but a few stories were worth some more in-depth discussion. First up, we talk about a couple upcoming Chromebooks: one that was falsely rumored and one that is highly-speculative at this point. With the Pixelbook 2, there’s simply no facts behind the rumors and we go into depth on why this keeps happening with Google-made Chromebooks. The other device – a possible XPS Chromebook from Dell – is being speculated with much more factual basis, but still positioned alongside some heavy guess work and assumption. From there, we talk a good bit about how good affordable Chromebooks are getting now that Intel’s mobile chipsets are actually quite decent performers in Chromebooks. With more of these Gemini Lake devices hitting the market, the lower-end of the Chrome OS spectrum is becoming a very interesting place, indeed. Finally, we chat through the highly-rumored new Chromecast we expect Google to launch soon. What will it be called? How much will it cost? How will Google market it to users? These are all the things we weigh in on during our time on the show this week, so come along for a fun ride this week on The Chrome Cast. NOTABLE LINKS Dell has multiple Chromebooks in development, and one could be an XPS As new Pixelbook 2 release rumors swirl, let’s take a look at some actual facts Why Google’s new Chromecast/Android TV dongle could be a massive hit Here’s the current list of Premium Play Store games that work well on your Chromebook Google’s new Android TV dongle could fix one of Chromecast’s biggest shortcomings Unboxing the $169 Lenovo Chromebook 3: worth the money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend a bit of time talking through the current streak Lenovo is on, delivering great device after great device all at prices that are lower than expected. With the Flex 5, Duet, and the Chromebook 3, Lenovo seems to be making the clear decision to offer better hardware at lower price points than other manufacturers have managed prior. If it seem like our site has been covered in Lenovo Chromebook coverage, that’s for good reason: Lenovo is simply crushing it right now. We also spend some time talking about gaming in a few different forms. For one, the release of Doom and Doom II for free to Chromebook users is a big deal because these are two examples of Android apps working on Chromebooks in the way you would expect. Android games on Chromebooks have been notoriously bad, so seeing Doom and Doom II work just as you’d expect on a Chromebook is an encouraging change. On the Stadia front, we cover the new games available to Pro subscribers for June and there are some great ones including SUPER HOT, our current favorite. NOTABLE LINKS Lenovo Chromebook Duet appears at Walmart stores for only $249 This could be the first $170 Chromebook actually worth buying Doom and Doom II showcase what Android games should be like on a Chromebook Chromebook Perks adds three premium games including the iconic Doom and Doom II Lenovo quietly launches Chromebook Flex 3i 2 new listings for the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook appear at Best Buy Lenovo releases smaller, better-equipped Chromebook 3 for only $229 NVIDIA GeForce NOW Android app may not be coming to Chromebooks after all Why the Lenovo’s Flex 5 and Duet Chromebooks are primed to disrupt the Chrome OS landscape The Lenovo Chromebook Duet has a big problem, but it has nothing to do with its specs or hardware Lenovo Chromebook Duet Review: unreal value A very unique unboxing video from Chrome Unboxed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast we have so much to talk about that we actually had to bump a few things over to next week’s episode. We’ll obviously be discussing those things and more next week, but for this week we talked about the impact Krita could have on desktop-class applications on Chrome OS moving forward. With the beta arrival of the popular painting application making its way from Windows, MacOS, and Linux over to Chrome OS via Android, there’s room to dream about more productivity apps taking the same route to Chrome OS in the near future. We also spend some time talking through the new Chrome OS devices we see on the horizon, and there are tons of them. We’ve put up a post we’ll keep updated over time that holds all the boards and devices we’re tracking along the way. At this time last year, we began tracking both ‘Hatch’ and ‘Kukui’ that have brought us most of the new, interesting devices in the early parts of 2020. We’d expect that to continue into 2021 in much the same way, only with more devices this time around based on some different boards. Additionally, we are talking through all the great updates that showed up this week in Chrome OS 83. There are tons of nuggets in this update, so we’ll surely be posting more in-depth looks at some of them over the next couple weeks. Lastly, we spend some time talking about Gaming Unboxed, a new site that we’ve launched that focuses primarily on the mobile gaming experience. With more and more gamers utilizing phones, tablets, and streaming services like Stadia, this is a category we felt deserved its own space. So, if you haven’t already, head over to Gaming Unboxed and check it out. NOTABLE LINKS Stadia will deliver a whopping six new free games for Pro Subscribers in June Chrome OS 83 has arrived and it’s chock-full of updates All the upcoming Chrome OS devices and boards we’re tracking right now Check out our new site Gaming Unboxed and win a custom Chromebox [VIDEO] With Krita, it may finally be time for desktop-class Android apps to arrive on Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend a bit of time discussing an upcoming project from Chrome Unboxed (coming very soon) and then shift to talking through both the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and the upcoming, newly-shipping Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook. With Lenovo’s approach in the Chromebook space right now, we’re seeing great effort being put forth to build great devices while keeping prices low and it feels like this will be a winning formula. We have a Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook on the way already and we can’t wait to get started on the review. NOTABLE LINKS Hands-on with the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 [VIDEO] Looks like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet won’t get the display output fix we were hoping for Core i3 Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 available, ships next week It turns out the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a lot more unique than we first thought Key feature missing in the Lenovo Chromebook Duet keeps it from being a true Chromebook replacement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we set out to cover quite a few items that were pretty disconnected at the outset. Instead, we talked for quite some time about gaming on phones and then a particular, upcoming phone in a more detailed and specific way. The Pixel 4a has been rumored and leaked as much as we can expect, so it’s time for it to just get here already. There’s now an arrival date suspected and additionally, a bit of fresh rumor that it will be cheaper than initially expected and doubled-up on the storage, too. The second half of the show revolves around the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and its interesting storyline surrounding the inability to extend the display in the way you would expect from a Chromebook. This current deficiency leads to all sorts of thoughts about this device that delivers in so many other key ways. NOTABLE LINKS It turns out the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a lot more unique than we first thought Chrome’s “Live Caption” feature will get customization controls Key feature missing in the Lenovo Chromebook Duet keeps it from being a true Chromebook replacement Yes, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet will run Linux apps Google Pixel 4a might be released in early June at Android Beta event Unboxing the Lenovo Chromebook Duet [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we delve into what its been like using the Pixel Buds for a week. From the sound quality to the fit and finish, the Pixel Buds deliver a top-notch experience that is unmatched in the Android space in many ways. But there are some down sides as well, and we talk in detail about our collective time with the new earbuds. We also take some time to talk about Chromebooks new and old, discussing the latest announcements from HP, the upcoming mid-range Lenovo Flex 5, and some fixes possibly on the way for the terrible battery life on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. It’s a packed show as always, so enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS Pixel Buds will get ‘Feature Drops’ just like Pixel phones How to link and use your Stadia controller over WI-FI on the web The Pixel Buds are great, but this flaw is seriously hurting the experience Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook goes up for pre-order and signals impending launch HP launches 3 new 10th Gen Intel Chromebook for Enterprise The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 could be the must-have device of 2020 Tested: Android Fast Pair is great on phones, non-existent on Chromebooks Samsung acknowledges Galaxy Chromebook battery issues and is working on a fix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week has been pretty insane around the Chrome Unboxed office. From the arrival of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet at Best Buy to the Pixel Buds official launch to PUBG on Stadia, there has been something new every day for us to try, talk about, and digest. We expect this type of action in the fourth quarter of each year, but in late spring and early summer, we’re usually on the hunt for things to talk about. That is just not the case at all right now. In a nutshell, we’re talking through the release of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet on May 6th from Best Buy, the arrival of the Pixel Buds and our first impressions with them, the rumored Chromecast Ultra 2 with a remote, PUBG showing up for Stadia, and a new way Chromebooks might get a much longer lease on life. All that and we only covered half of all the stuff that went down this week. Check the show notes below, but also browse the main feed on the website to catch up on everything that has happened in the Google world this week. NOTABLE LINKS Lenovo Chromebook Duet preorder is back with a new shipping date A new Chromecast Ultra with remote running Android TV could be coming very soon New feature could greatly extend the life of your Chromebook’s browser I took a break from playing PUBG on Stadia to tell you PUBG is now on Stadia The official Pixel Buds app is available on Chromebooks with a specific spec Boom! Clearly White Pixel Buds now available from Google, Best Buy and T-Mobile The full Pixel Buds 2 experience won’t be limited to just Pixel users thanks to the Pixel Buds app After using the Lenovo Chromebook 10e tablet for a few days, I have one big request Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we have a pretty packed show from this week’s news. As the weeks begin to pile up in our new-normal pandemic lives, one of the results is a massive dip in available Chromebooks for purchase. From supply chain halts to international commerce stalls, it isn’t surprising that huge discounts on rapidly-depleting Chromebook inventory are basically gone. It may be MSRP for a while on most Chromebooks, but there are new devices on the horizon that will help alleviate the lack. One of those new devices we are all awaiting is the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. In its stead, as a bit of an appetizer, we have the Chromebook 10e in the office since Thursday afternoon and are starting to get a feel of how life with a solid 10-inch Chrome OS tablet will be. In a word, it’s pretty awesome. We’ll share more on it soon, but as a precursor to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, this thing has me quite excited for this form factor. Finally, we spend a good bit of time talking about the new tricks PWAs have that come directly from the Play Store on Chromebooks. Their abilities have impressed me more than they even did initially, and this leads us to talk about the ever-growing potential of web-based tech and all the possibilities that come with it. NOTABLE LINKS [Update] It’s not you, Chromebooks are getting hard to find Opinion: Chromebook makers need to launch devices as soon as humanly possible right now Unboxing & hands-on with the rugged version of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Numerous new Lenovo Chromebook Duet landing pages signal massive, widescale roll-out You can buy the Lenovo Chromebook Duet’s rugged brother right now from multiple retailers Amazon’s “Most Wished For” list foreshadows massive success for Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet tablet PWAs installed from the Play Store have a few tricks up their sleeve that add to their native feel This PWA is a simple Apple Airdrop replacement built for the web Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion largely circles around the imminent arrival of everyone’s favorite Chrome OS tablet: the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. With signs pointing towards a release in the next few weeks, we’re increasingly excited by what seems more and more likely to be a game-changing device. From the sheer portability factor to it’s on-the-go productivity, we really think this tablet will introduce many new usability scenarios to the Chrome OS scene that we’ve simply not had before. We also talk a bit about Google’s messy messaging situation and the recent un-branding of the G Suite Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. With the removal of Hangouts from the equation, it seems likely the consumer-facing version of the aging messenger is on its final legs. Finally, we also discuss the arrival of PWA installs on Chromebooks via the Google Play Store and what makes this new app type both highly unique and extremely flexible. NOTABLE LINKS This new camera feature will be very useful for the Lenovo Chromebook Duet The Lenovo Chromebook Duet will be more widely-available than most Lenovo Chromebook Duet tablet listings show up at multiple resellers The Lenovo Duet Chromebook will launch in at least these 5 markets How the Play Store could become Google’s one-stop-shop for all your Chromebook apps YouTube TV is another Chromebook PWA you can install directly from the Play Store Twitter’s Google Play Store app now installs the PWA by default when on a Chromebook Google Meet is adding email integration, Zoom-like grid view and more Nod extension brings simple, silent reactions to your Google Meet rooms Hangouts takes another step towards the Google Graveyard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our conversation largely revolves around the new generation of Chromebooks that arrived in the past couple weeks in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook and the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436. Between the review of the ASUS and the unboxing on the Samsung, there’s a lot to talk about as this new wave of devices has finally started arriving. While there are clearly more of these Chromebooks coming, the first two to arrive are worth a ton of our time. We also talk a bit about the timely release, pause, and re-release of Chrome OS 81 for all Chromebooks and the big news that the Chrome Unboxed YouTube channel finally hit 100,000 subscribers this week as well. It’s been a pretty exciting, crazy and busy week across the board, so we hope you enjoy the episode. NOTABLE LINKS The Chrome Unboxed YouTube channel has passed 100,000 subscribers OK, let’s talk about that Samsung Galaxy Chromebook battery Chrome OS 81 has arrived…again Chrome OS 81 rollout paused because all the things are broken Chrome OS 81 is rolling out for most Chromebooks right now, right on time ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 Core i3 & i5 models both officially available Samsung Galaxy Chromebook unboxing and hands-on [VIDEO] The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook’s screen is calibrated for video editing, so Adobe Premiere Rush needs to get here [Update] At long last, you can finally purchase the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 Review: the first of the next generation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re taking some time to talk through the upcoming launch windows for two very exciting, very anticipated Chromebooks in the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. Both devices are top-tier flagships and both have had rocky arrivals on the scene from a communication/availability standpoint, but their time to shine is coming and we’re excited about that. In these troubling times, it’s nice to have little things to still get excited about, isn’t it? In the second half of the show, we talk at length about the rise of video conferencing apps; most notably Zoom, which has had a meteoric rise and an equally-large amount of criticism and attacks as well. While Zoom looks to right the ship, other players are equally viable if not as popular right now, so its worth talking about what those options are and which is best for you. NOTABLE LINKS Zoom is a dumpster fire. Try these two alternatives for video meetings Android’s Upcoming Airdrop-like feature is being worked on for Chromebooks Monday’s Samsung Galaxy Chromebook launch is a light in otherwise dark times [Update] The ASUS Store has the Core i3 Chromebook Flip C436 in stock Samsung continues the trend of fumbled Chromebook launches by big companies Zoom users take heed to prevent uninvited guests in your meeting rooms On The Run to 100K level-up: and down the stretch we come! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we’re talking about a wide range of news in the Chrome and Google worlds. From Google I/O 2020 being completely cancelled for both in-person and virtual versions to the pause and resumption of Chrome and Chrome OS development, COVID-19 continues to play a large roll in the way we all handle business as usual. We also take some time to talk about the imminent release of the Google Pixel Buds and the developments around ARM Chromebooks both from MediaTek and Qualcomm alike. Despite the quarantine and general craziness that we’re living in presently, there’s still much to talk about in the Google and Chrome worlds. NOTABLE LINKS New baseboard ‘Lazor’ signals development beginning to expand on Qualcomm 7c Chromebooks The Pixel Slate is priced to sell, but here’s why I’m waiting on Lenovo’s Chromebook tablet And we’re back! Developers unpause Chrome and Chrome OS releases Google Pixel Buds pass through FCC on their way to public release ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 Unboxing [VIDEO] Chrome OS is adding support for more-powerful 8-Core processors In light of delays, Chrome is skipping version 82 It seems even virtual events are not immune as Google fully cancels I/O developer conference A more powerful version of the Lenovo Flex 5 10th-gen Comet Lake Chromebook shows up at Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Chrome Cast, we talk briefly about our collective experiences of working from home and how that has changed not only the way we get work done, but also our perpsectives on how well-positioned Chrome, Chrome OS, and the web are to handle the present crisis. We go on after that to discuss the new 'Works with Chromebook' initiative, the new Logitech mouse/keyboard combo, updates on AUE policies for Chromebooks, a pause in Chrome OS Stable Channel devlopment and a few new devices making their way onto the scene. NOTABLE LINKS Kensington announces “Works with Chromebook” certified peripherals Google Pixel 4a leaked billboards confirm $399 starting price Logitech’s new keyboard and mouse are the best Bluetooth accessories for Chrome OS I’ve ever used Google halts upcoming Chrome and Chrome OS releases Lenovo’s 10th-gen Intel Comet Lake Chromebook shows up early in Amazon listing Turns out Google isn’t extending AUE end of life on older Chromebooks after all “Works with Chromebook” officially launched for certified Chrome OS accessories Monday was the biggest day for video chats in history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re all over the place. From a slew of new features coming in Chrome OS 82 (there are many) to the extension of the Google Chromebook Auto Update Policy possibly on the way for many more devices to a possible Chromecast Ultra with controller support, there was a ton to talk about this week. With everyone’s anxiety on the rise, we chose to focus on the future and new developments as a change to the news narrative we all seem to find ourselves in presently. It’s been an odd week for everyone, so we hope this week’s episode can be a bit of a detachment as we dream about future things together. NOTABLE LINKS Older Chromebooks are starting to get Google’s new 8-year Auto Update Policy Google may be launching an Android TV-powered Chromecast Ultra with a Remote Chrome OS 80 makes graphic intensive Linux apps so much better This upcoming feature for Chromebooks will make app removal much more seamless Oh, Glorious Day. Chromebooks are getting Print and Scan management Here’s a first look at the redesigned next-gen Files app for Chrome OS Chromebooks getting a full refresh to the out of box experience The Linux terminal is getting a major overhaul and new features in Chrome OS 82 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast we discuss the state of Android Apps on Chrome OS and what ARCVM means for the future of the platform. Before we dig into that, we cover Google's cancellation of the annual I/O conference and the effect that the Coronavirus is having on the tech industry in general. After the break, we go into some great detail on a new Google Assistant feature that could drastically change the way we consume web content. The quietly announced update gives users the ability to have the Assistant read web pages from their mobile devices. We wrap up by discussing the imminent release of the highly-anticipated Pixel Buds and how upset Robby will be if they have lag issues. We hope you enjoy this week's episode and don't forget, you can still enter to win a Pixel 4 bundle or an ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 in our Run to 100K giveaway. Notable Links Chrome OS prepares for Android 11 Google cancels I/O 2020 Google Assistant reads the web Pixel Buds pass wireless certification Run to 100K Giveaway Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re exploring a couple seemingly-unconnected ideas that actually tie into one another quite well. First up is the heightened interest in Linux apps on Chrome OS. While we’ve been tracking along with the development of Crostini since before it was actually a thing, it’s been a while since we’ve really dug into what Chromebooks are capable of with Linux. As part of that renewed effort, we’ve launched Command Line, where we are focusing more on what users can do and get done with Linux apps on their Chromebook. In the second part of the show, we get into the upcoming tablet renaissance that looks to be on the horizon for Chrome OS. Sure, there have been attempts at Chrome OS tablets and detachables before, but they never quite worked out. What Lenovo (and likely many others after them) is offering up in the IdeaPad Duet Chromebook could fundamentally change the conversation around productive tablets when paired up with all the tweaks Google is making to the OS in terms of tablet-focused features. Notable Links The Command Line: Getting started with Linux apps on your Chromebook On the run to 100K: the biggest giveaway in Chrome Unboxed history Linux apps on Chromebooks may be reason enough for external GPU support Installing a Linux desktop on your Chromebook [VIDEO] The iPad Pro’s trackpad-wielding keyboard tells me Lenovo’s upcoming Chrome OS tablet is onto something Chrome tabs are getting a huge overhaul for Chromebooks in tablet mode How to perform a quick app switch in Chrome OS tablet mode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re discussing all the latest devices that have shown up in various places around the internet, including the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436, and the Pixel Buds. We have a release date for the Galaxy Chromebook, updated release info for the ASUS Flip C436, info about a pen attachment, and the appearance of the Pixel Buds over at B&H Photo to talk about this week. The second half of the show, we talk about ‘Bubs’ and why this baseboard being tested with a phone screen is odd, intriguing, and gives us a reason to dream again about the idea of a Chrome OS phone. Finally, we talk a bit about our upcoming giveaway that will be launching in the coming days! NOTABLE LINKS Samsung Galaxy Chromebook gets a new landing page, release date and LTE option Google Pixel Buds 2 show up briefly at B&H, signaling imminent release User manual for the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 reveals magnetic USI pen holder Snapdragon Chromebook ‘Bubs’ being tested with phone-sized display Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chromecast, we talk quite a bit about why we feel like Chromebooks are great tools for tons of people. From their ability to leverage cloud services with aplomb to their rock-solid security, its easy to become a fan of Chrome OS once you understand its limits and learn to really leverage its benefits. We also spend a bit of time talking about Stadia’s recent fumbles and where the game streaming industry could be headed as Microsoft’s xCloud eventually exits all its beta trials. Though Stadia is a beautiful platform, the lacking game library and player base are starting to hurt in light of the recent launch of NVIDIA GeForce NOW. NOTABLE LINKS The free Stadia Base tier may not arrive for a few months, and that is a problem A factory reset of a Microsoft Surface Go reminded me why I love Chromebooks TESTED: NVidia GeForce NOW runs like a dream on cheap and expensive hardware alike [VIDEO] Can I install the Brave Browser on my Chromebook? Microsoft’s Edge browser is speedy on Snapdragon, and that’s good news for Chromebooks As Macbook malware continues to rise, Chromebooks remain a safe & secure bet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our sights are set on NVIDIA’s suprisingly-good game streaming service – GeForce NOW – that came out of beta status and took the tech world by storm. In the Face of Stadia’s current doldrums of waning player engagement and lacking new game announcements, it seems that NVIDIA has launched at just the right time. With apps for Android, Windows, and MacOS, GeForce NOW is widely accessible and quite good at doing what matters the most: delivering cloud-based gaming without lag. NOTABLE LINKS We installed the NVIDIA GeForce NOW Android app on a Chromebook so you don’t have to Upcoming NVIDIA GeForce Now Chromebook support could be trouble for Stadia NVIDIA GeForce Now aims to take on Stadia with unique $5 approach to cloud gaming ‘Mushu’ could be the first Chromebook to utilize a discrete GPU Chrome 80 arrives for Android and desktop: Check out what’s new Pixelbook vs. Pixelbook Go: choosing the best Google Chromebook [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the vast majority of the episode talking more in depth about Google’s possible collaborative messaging platform we’re now all expecting to see for G Suite customers. Less of a new platform and more of a melding of existing things, this new collaborative tool could be Google’s real Slack competitor and may just be what Google Wave wanted to be so many years ago. We also spend a bit of time towards the end of the podcast discussing Dieter Bohn’s latest video about the Surface Pro X and his success using it as a web-centric tool. Though it runs Windows and he was leveraging Microsoft’s latest version of Edge (running on the Chromium engine), the parallels to a cloud-centric OS like Chrome OS are quite clear. Chromebooks aren’t a new version of old ways of thinking. They are a new computing paradigm altogether. NOTABLE LINKS Google is taking another stab at a messaging service, and this one could work It turns out Microsoft’s pricey Surface Pro X makes a great ‘Chromebook’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend quite a bit talking through some of the potential impact the new 2020 Chromebook lineup will have on the ecosystem. Apart from the beautiful and powerful and rugged devices we’ve already had hands-on time with, the entire group of new Chromebooks released in this calendar year will be the first devices to ship with Google’s new expanded AUE (auto update expiration) policies in place. They will all get updates through June 2028, and that makes a big difference in the way these Chromebooks can be marketed to consumers, enterprise customers, and schools alike. We also spend some time talking about the crazy journey the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 has taken over the past week. From showing up on Google’s Chromebook page with a price attached to actually going up for pre-order with two distinct models and a February 24th release date to completely disappearing from Amazon altogether, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster keeping up with the new ASUS flagship. NOTABLE LINKS Citing longer lifespan, Google bumps price of Chrome Management License Hands-on first impressions with the incredibly durable Acer Chromebook 712 [VIDEO] Google and Verizon team up to give Stadia Premiere Editions to new Fios customers HP debuts 4 new EDU Chromebooks at BETT 2020 BETT 2020: Google extends Chromebook Auto Update Policy to 8 years for new devices We’re giving away a Google Stadia Buddy Pass ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 listing mysteriously vanishes from Amazon Google announces timeline for the end of Chrome Apps on Chromebooks Acer announces durable and powerful new Comet Lake Chromebook for education ASUS Chromebook C436 gets a release date and multiple models up for pre-order [UPDATED]The new flagship ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 gets an official price tag thanks to Google Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As always, it was a packed week on The Chrome Cast this week. Coming off a crazy, busy, and exciting time in Las Vegas last week for CES 2020, we’re still buzzing about all the new Chromebooks we saw. While you’ll need to listen to last week’s podcast to get all the info on those devices, we spend quite a bit of time this week talking more about the overall impact of these next-gen Chromebooks. The second half of the show is focused a bit more on gaming, specifically covering all the new stuff coming from the Stadia camp and the breaking news that Google is actively working to bring proper support for Steam on Chromebooks. Let’s just say it was a fun show! NOTABLE LINKS Google announces more games and features on the way for Stadia in 2020 Official Steam support could be headed to Chromebooks How Intel’s Project Athena is powering the future of Chromebooks Lenovo launches second Chrome OS Tablet alongside refreshed EDU Chromebooks Google testing non-Pixel phones for use with Stadia ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 gets a beautiful landing page and promo video 4 Samsung Galaxy Chromebook models pass through Bluetooth certification Samsung Galaxy Chromebook gets dedicated Best Buy & Samsung landing pages Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 pricing, specs and release date Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're excited to bring you a very special episode of The Chrome Cast from CES 2020 in Las Vegas. We had the chance to check out some incredible new products and we'll be bringing you more CES news in the coming days but in this episode, it's all about the Chromebooks. This year's CES saw the debut of the first Galaxy-branded Chromebook, ASUS' latest premium model, the Chrome OS tablet we've been longing for and more. NOTABLE LINKS Samsung Galaxy Chromebook hands-on ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 first look Lenovo Chromebook Duet Tablet hands-on Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 hands-on USI Stylus initiative for Chromebooks breaks loose at CES Belkin SoundForm Elite w/Google Assistant and wireless charging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re excited to be back in the podcast chair again as we ring in the new year and we’ve spent the entire show this week talking through all the various things we expect to see at CES 2020 in just a few days from now. There are new Chromebooks from Samsung, ASUS and Lenovo that we expect and a few long shots we’re hoping for. Pack that on top of all the crazy other stuff that makes it to any given CES and we have a busy week ahead of us. NOTABLE LINKS ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 passes through FCC just in time for CES 2020 All the new Chromebooks we are expecting to see at CES 2020 ‘Krane’ confirmed as a pure Chrome OS tablet coming soon by Lenovo Why we feel confident a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Chromebook is in development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we spend a good bit of time rehashing all that has changed and been added to Stadia in the month since it launched. Though it feels like it has been here longer, Stadia has only been in our hands for just over 30 days, and Google has done a good job of continuing to add features that were promised and addressing issues that have come up along the way. We also spend a bit of time talking though the new developments in Chrome OS 79 along with the recent development that sees smart home tech giants Google, Amazon, and Apple joining forces to create the first ever smart home standards. NOTABLE LINKS Dieter Bohn’s take on the all-in-one device and the cloud The CLAW – a clip to make playing Stadia better on your phone – sold out in 24 hours Stadia to introduces a new way to get players up to speed Google, Amazon, Apple and others will work together to sort out the smart home mess they’ve made Chrome OS 79 fixes the only real issue I had with the Pixelbook Go Chrome OS 79 is rolling out, here’s what’s new Google adds 3 new big games to Stadia this week Google is gifting Stadia Founders an additional Buddy Pass – why it matters This episode is brought to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first half of the show discussing yet another group of new devices on the way.  These new boards mostly fall in line with the things we discussed last week, so if you haven't already, catch up on episode 39 to get up to speed.  These new Chromebooks mostly stay in the vein of the other 'Hatch' and 'Kukui' devices we've been tracking, but there's one real oddball in the group. The second half of this rather-long podcast was a highlight of our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide.  We've put this together for our readers to highlight the things we use personally and around the office on a daily basis.  These items range anywhere from an espresso machine to the Google Home Max, but they all do their job exceptionally well, have stood the test of time, and are well worth your consideration as a great gift idea for your loved ones. NOTABLE LINKS 2019 Chrome Unboxed Holiday Gift Guide Chrome OS begins support for Intel’s Jasper Lake processors What the upcoming Snapdragon Chromebook ‘Trogdor’ could look like Upcoming Chromebook ‘Jinlon’ getting a mysterious feature we’ve not seen before Upcoming Chromebook ‘Dratini’ spotted in Geekbench with monster specs on board This episode is brought to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re discussing the absolute tidal wave of Chromebooks coming our way in 2020. We fully expect to see a few of them at CES in January and a solid portion of the rest in the weeks to follow. With devices in the ‘Hatch’ and ‘Kukui’ families dominating the scene, we’re in for more new Chromebooks than we’ve ever seen prior. We spend a bit of time discussing Qualcomm’s probable role in all this as well with the upcoming Snapdragon 7c looking quite likely for the future of Chrome OS. Though we’ve been tracking ‘Cheza’ as the first Snapdragon-powered Chromebook for almost 2 full years, it looks like that future will give way to the Snapdragon 7c and a baseboard only known right now as ‘Trogdor’. Finally, we pay a bit of homage to Sundar Pichai’s promotion to CEO of Alphabet and how his presence at Google throughout the years is likely responsible for the growth and longevity of Chrome OS as a whole. NOTABLE LINKS Why we feel confident a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Chromebook is in development The new wave of Chromebooks and Chrome OS tablets we are expecting in early 2020 At $399, this is 100% the Chromebook I would buy right now Sundar Pichai is now CEO of Google and Alphabet, and that is great news for Chromebooks Lenovo Chrome OS Tablet testing confirmed and it won’t be alone A lucky few are getting a mysterious HP Chromebook x360 with a Core i5 in place of the i3 they purchased This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we talk quite a bit about Stadia and how some of the early hiccups with the platform have now been smoothed out. From Buddy Passes rolling out to simple fixes in the input lag, we’ve all come around on the fledgling gaming service and can confidently see a bright future in store. We also talk quite a bit about our ongoing promotion with online retial giant Rakuten, new Chromebook perks that include Disney+ free for three months, and the craziness surrounding the Pixel Slate’s latest price slash. Is Google just positioning it as a more competitive option or is it a full liquidation of the tablet? Hope you enjoy this week’s episode! NOTABLE LINKS Enter to win a $250 Visa Gift Card from Rakuten and Chrome Unboxed Chrome Unboxed Deals Page Share Stadia with a friend via Buddy Pass right now Here’s how you can easily return a Stadia game purchase Google adding two more free games for Stadia Pro users Stadia input lag on your Chromecast Ultra could be fixed with one quick trick How to choose the right Chromebook with 5 simple questions [VIDEO] Get 3 months of Disney+ for free and other deals on Google’s new Chromebook Perks page At these prices, I can totally recommend the Google Pixel Slate This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we are (not surprisingly) talking all about our first few days with Google Stadia. From the iffy shipping schedules to launching without getting invite codes into user’s hands, there were quite a few things that were less-than-stellar about Stadia’s grand entrance on the scene It’s not all bad news, though, as there are some parts of the Stadia experience that are not only playable, but downright fun. Destiny 2 with a group of friends on a Chromebook simply wasn’t possible just last week, and yet that exact experience just this week sealed the deal on making us here at Chrome Unboxed firm believers in what Stadia is capable of. NOTABLE LINKS Thoughts after a day using Stadia on Chromecast, Chromebook, and Pixel 4 XL [VIDEO] Google admits issues and has fixed the broken Stadia invite code rollout This Core i3 Chromebook is WAY too good to be $279 Stadia is late for its own ‘launch’ party More power, less money. The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is $300 off, again Google Store shows off Black Friday deals early Google begins new ‘Works With Chromebook’ initiative for accessories Shop Soundpeats wireless earbuds on Amazon Shop Razer Hamerhead True Wireless earbuds on Amazon This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, right in the middle of a 7-day stretch between November 12th and November 19th, we sit down to discuss the way the streaming media landscape is poised to change in massive ways during this relatively nondescript week on the calendar. With Disney+ now officially launched and Google Stadia only days away, the way we approach streaming media will be fundamentally changed over the next year, and a lot of that impact will start with these two giants getting up and running in this 7-day window. NOTABLE LINKS Adam Savage’s Tested: Stadia Stadia launches Nov. 19th: how to know when you can ACTUALLY start playing One final Stadia AMA is happening tomorrow so get your questions ready The games actually available with Stadia on launch day are fewer than expected How to fully leverage Chromecast with Disney+ How to fix the Disney+ Android app layout on a Chromebook The pros and cons of Disney+ on your Chromebook This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we are joined by John R. Sowash, a seasoned, experienced expert on the world of Chrome and Chrome OS in the education sector. John’s resume speaks for itself and when it comes to educators, there’s no better point of reference than John Sowash. Our conversation goes from current education trends to upcoming expectations in the market. We also talk a bit about the humble and accidental beginnings of Chrome OS in education and how a misstep actually led to Chromebooks in the classroom dominating the ecosystem as we see it today. We’re excited to get to share this conversation with you this week as a bit of a departure from the normal routine and really think you’ll enjoy our time with one of the leading voices in Chrome for EDU. NOTABLE LINKS The Chrome Classroom Website The Chrome Classroom Book John Sowash on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, we’re talking though some deeper reactions to Google’s newer hardware. From the Pixelbook Go (review is coming soon, I promise) to the Pixel 4/4XL and the new Nest Home Mini, Google’s new hardware is the type of stuff you really start to appreciate more as you use it. We’ve all been using the Pixelbook Go, the Nest Home Mini, and the Pixel 4 off and on, and there’s a bunch to talk about. NOTABLE LINKS ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 Review Opinion: Why I haven’t bought the Pixel 4 yet [VIDEO] Nest rebranding brings the Google Assistant to Amazon 3 things I love about Pixelbook Go after 1 week [VIDEO] This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re now a week removed from the arrival of all the new Google Hardware for the Fall 2019 season. The show was great and now that we’ve had some time to reflect and decompress a bit, our feelings and reactions have become quite a bit more clear about all we saw at the event. The main thoughts in this episode surround the Pixelbook Go and the Pixel 4/4XL. The Pixelbook Go has arrived in the office to pretty rave reviews by anyone who’s spent a few moments with it. We have a couple videos up already of the unboxing and the pre-review, but we can say it is easily one of the best Chromebooks of 2019 and we spend quite a bit of time explaining exactly why that is. For the Pixel 4, however, the reception has not been good. As a matter of fact, we actually have a video coming out about this phone and why no one at Chrome Unboxed has actually ordered one yet. There’s a lot that goes into this, so stick around for the whole show and see why we’re so high on the Pixelbook Go and so ‘meh’ on the Pixel 4. NOTABLE LINKS 3 things I love about Pixelbook Go after 1 week [VIDEO] The ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 is officially available and it’s on sale Exclusive: ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 unboxing & hands-on [VIDEO] Unboxing the Pixelbook Go This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We won’t beat around the bush on this one: this whole podcast is about the Google event and all the fun stuff we got to test and see while we were there. There’s just so much to talk about right now from the Pixelbook Go, Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Pixel Buds, new Nest Home Mini, and Nest Wifi that it simply took over the entire show this week. This is the first time we’ve been dialed in for all the products on offer from Google, not just the Chrome OS stuff, so we have a ton to talk about from both a hardware and software perspective. Hope you enjoy it! NOTABLE LINKS No, you can’t use the Pixelbook Pen with the Pixelbook Go, and you wouldn’t want to Pixelbook Go: Pricing, specs, release date and where to buy Google Stadia gets a surprise release date reveal at Google’s hardware event Google Pixel 4 Hands-On: Zero surprises make for an excellent first impression [VIDEO] Logitech quietly sneaks in rumored Chrome OS keyboard and mouse at Google event [VIDEO] Nest Wi-Fi and Nest Mini: Small changes make all the difference [VIDEO] Google’s new truly wireless Pixel Buds look amazing while they break my heart [VIDEO] Pixelbook Go hands-on and initial impressions [VIDEO] This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re talking about even more leaked items that have bubbled to the surface in the last week before Google’s big hardware event. Along with the Pixel 4, Pixelbook Go, Google Nest Home Mini, and Pixelbuds 2, we now have rumors floating around about a Pixel Watch and a 5G version of the newest Google-made phones. Ultimately, its hard to know if those new leaks are actually factual at all, but we spend a bit of time talking through the ramifications of a new watch #madebyGoogle and whether or not a 5G phone even makes sense to buy at all at this particular stage in the game. We also chat about the recent info unveiled regarding the new Pixel Buds 2 and Hiroshi Lockheimer’s slightly-veiled tweet about some features we expect to see in them. Finally, we talk about the beginnings of the hardware wave we’re expecting to see over the course of the next few months with Samsung and ASUS beginning to ship new Chromebooks while the ‘Hatch’ baseboard adds a few new entries to the Chromebook tracking list. NOTABLE LINKS Breaking: Feast your eyes on the Pixelbook Go [VIDEO] HP joins the fray with three “new” Chrome Enterprise devices Dratini & Dragonair: Six new Comet Lake Chromebooks in the works ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 now available and shipping in the UK Samsung takes the wraps off the all-new Chromebook 4 and 4+ Google VP may have revealed Pixel Buds 2 details on Twitter months ago and we all missed it This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we're talking - unsurprisingly - about Pixel 4 leaks (hard to believe there is anything left to leak at this point) and the potential Pixel Buds 2.  Between a new Pixel Phone, Pixelbook Go and these new Pixel Buds, there's a good chance Google may show off the Android Fast Pairing between your phone and Chromebook.  Additionally, with all the wireless earbuds out there in the market, we discuss what Google needs to bring to the table with one of the few pieces of hardware that hasn't fully leaked all over the place. We also talk a good deal about Microsoft's recent Surface event and all the things they announced there.  Sure, those devices aren't really in our wheelhouse, but some of the things they are doing to bring split-screen tech into the mainstream and what we're seeing with the Surface Pro X and its ARM-based architecture cause us to dream a bit about what these changes could mean for Chrome OS in the future. Additionally, we chat in-depth about Google's Duplex tech coming to Chrome on the web and how this type of development could both change our collective experience or pave the way for something way more sinister in the future. Notable Links Why I'm extremely excited by the rumored Pixel Buds 2 Time to get cozy with YouTube Music and start saying goodbye to Google Play Music Google's Duplex AI now powers Assistant in Chrome This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we are all about the Pixelbook Go and all the leaks, rumors, features and speculations surrounding Google’s new Chromebook. While we still have to technically wait until October 15th to have all our questions answered, the reveal of the name of this new Pixelbook and quite a few of its features is exciting to say the least. With some lingering questions around processors and prices, we have to wonder exactly how Google plans to leverage the Pixelbook Go. We also talk a bit about the upcoming ASUS Chromebook C433 and its new landing page, specs, and US release date. This new device is just the tip of the iceberg of new Chromebooks that we expect to see this fall, but it is a very important part of that overall story. Finally, we chat a bit about Google extending the Auto Update Policy for a handful of older, MediaTek-powered Chromebooks.  This move, while great for folks using those particular devices, could be a turning point for Google in terms of the long term trajectory of Chrome OS, Chromebooks, and how long they will maintain support moving forward. NOTABLE LINKS A few ways Google’s Pixelbook Go will be unique in the current Chromebook climate Google’s new Chromebook – The Pixelbook Go – leaks out ahead of October hardware event Google extends End of Life for handful of Chromebooks: Sign of things to come? ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 US availability and release date confirmed ASUS Chromebook C425 Review This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we are looking at Google’s now-confirmed hardware event that is to be held on October 15th in the great city of New York. From Pixel 4 leaks to Google Nest Minis to Pixelbook 2, there’s news left and right rolling out on an almost daily cadence. While some of the leaks are clear and bare all, others are still full of mystery and intrigue. Additionally, we hit on some leaks of new devices coming out that aren’t made by Google and a handful of new software updates to Chrome OS that should continue to make using a Chromebook a better experience. NOTABLE LINKS Google’s October 15 hardware event is now confirmed ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 official: Launching first in the U.K. for £499 Possible Pixelbook 2 ‘Atlas’ photos leak ahead of October 15th Google Event Nest may be prepping a new hybrid Wifi w/Google Assistant Chrome OS 77 is bringing a big upgrade to the Files App Official ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 landing page offers more insights, raises more questions New Chrome OS UI update proves Google is far from done with Chrome OS tablets Samsung’s upcoming Chromebook Pro V2 ‘Kohaku’ shows up in Geekbench This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, we talk through leaks and how the sheer amount of them around the Pixel 4 have made Google’s upcoming hardware event a bit of an interesting proposition. At this point, what are they even going to say when they get on stage? And, with all these Pixel 4 leaks, it almost feels like everyone is getting a bit bored of them now. Right in the middle of that malaise, however, we have fresh leaks of a new device from ASUS in the Flip C433 that we hope to see very soon. In sharp contrast to the leak fatigue felt by followers of the Pixel 4, these leaks have reignited the desire for this type of thing in the Chromebook space. With both FCC listings and new retail photos showing up, we’re extremely excited by ASUS’ latest flagship Chromebook. We also talk a bit about the other Google hardware available now in the Nest Hub Max and upcoming in the Nest Home Mini that just passed through the FCC. The Nest Home Mini leaked a bit over a week ago and just passed through the FCC, so we now know that it is not just a rumor, but a real device likely bound for Google’s upcoming hardware event. Finally, we discuss Stadia getting full Chrome support for the XBOX One S controller and Sony’s DualShock 4 as well including vibration over both wired and wireless connections. It is a packed show and we’re excited for you to listen along! NOTABLE LINKS Move over Pixel 4 – new leaked images of the upcoming ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 are here Google’s Nest Home Mini surfaces at the FCC and confirms its existence Chrome’s new feature will let you share your clipboard with synced devices October 15th may be the day we welcome the next Pixelbook into the world The latest Chromebook from ASUS is now priced to sell Nest Hub Max now available basically everywhere New ASUS Flagship Chromebook (C433) FCC filing: new info, photos and release date window This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we’re talking about yet another round of Chromebooks that have now been announced at IFA. In the past two weeks, we now have multiple different models with different screen sizes from both Acer and Lenovo for the upcoming holiday season. With the introduction of these devices, we’re hoping to see better entry-level devices across the board with lower prices and better performance at this price point than we’ve ever seen before. Much of our episode this week is dominated by a discussion around the new Ambient Mode built into a select few, new tablets and coming to more devices soon. We talk quite a bit about why we think we’ll see this on Chromebooks soon and why we think it could end up being a pretty big deal in the end. Finally, we had to talk about the Pixel 4 landing page Best Buy has created for customers to sign up to receive information about the phone closer to launch. Just another odd, quirky step in the Pixel 4 saga, but worth chatting about for sure. Notable Links Google’s Ambient Display for Android will soon be available on some Chromebooks, too ASUS Chromebook C425 Unboxing and Hands-On [VIDEO] Google’s Ambient Display for Android will soon be available on some Chromebooks, too New Geekbench scores reveal big performance bump for Mediatek’s upcoming Chromebook chips Acer debuts four budget-friendly Chromebooks at IFA Berlin Just released and already on sale. $75 off the all new ASUS Chromebook C425 This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we cover a ton of topics, but our main chatter revolves around new Chromebooks from Dell and Lenovo that attack the space very different angles.  Dell is coming from an Enterprise-focused, high-dollar approach and Lenovo is bringing their new affordable to mid-range devices officially to market. Additionally, we talk about rumors of a possible Pixel Watch, some additions and changes to trackpad UI on Chromebooks, the coming end of the first generation Chromecast, and Google's new way to search and find Podcasts on the web.  It's a packed episode, but there's a lot to cover this week! NOTABLE LINKS Lenovo debuts new Chromebook line ahead of IFA Berlin Massive UI change coming to Chromebook trackpads Finding your next favorite podcast just became easier The Original Chromecast bids farewell to future updates, Google vows to continue patches Dell Latitude Enterprise Chromebooks now available: Prices starting at $900 Dell and Google Cloud announce Chromebooks for Enterprise with industry-first 32GB RAM and up to 1TB NVMe This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend quite a bit of time talking all things Stadia. From the latest Stadia Connect to sightings of UI elements at Gamescom to the probability of the 3rd-gen Chromecast gaining Stadia Support, the Stadia hype train is in full swing and there’s a lot to talk about surrounding Google’s upcoming gaming platform. We also talk a bit about some of the rocky transitions happening with Google and Nest finally merging. While Google has tried to take most things into account, there are some factors that users need to know in order to make a smooth move from a Nest to a Google account. Finally, we talk a bit about the excitement around the rumor of a Nest Home Mini that looks to be the proper successor to the wildly popular Google Home Mini. With better sound, a headphone jack, a similar size and a similar price as the first Mini, we are very excited to see where this next step in the Mini line takes us. NOTABLE LINKS Partial Stadia on-screen UI for Chromecast shown in photo from Gamescom booth Upcoming Nest Mini is a Google Home Mini 2 with improved sound & more Nest users: Read this before migrating to Google Accounts or you might break things 3rd-gen Chromecast could be Stadia’s secret weapon Today’s Stadia Connect further reinforces developer excitement around the platform This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we take a bit of time to talk through the new Chromebook ads Google has released in the past week. With great production value, concise points, and a clear message, these ads are being backed up by a whole new Chromebooks landing page as well as a special spot by Bill Nye. We also chat about the upcoming Stadia Connect that is slated for this upcoming Monday and what we expect to see at that event. With Gamescom happening in the days following Stadia Connect, we’re equally excited about more press members getting hands-on time with Stadia from the Germany-based gaming conference. Finally, we take a deep dive into Chrome OS 76 and talk through all the new features on offer from Chrome OS in one of the larger feature updates we’ve seen in quite some time. Enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS Google steals a page from Apple’s playbook for new ‘Switch to Chromebook’ ad campaign Chrome OS 76 brings a fix to a bug that has plagued tablet mode for nearly a year Chrome OS 76: New features actually available this go-round What’s new with your Chromebook? Chrome OS gets dedicated new features site Google’s new Chromebook landing page gets total overhaul, targets the consumer market Get yourself Stadia-ready with this Chromecast Ultra deal Chrome OS 76 finally makes the camera worth using on your Chromebook This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As always, there’s a ton to talk about in the Chrome and Google universe this week, but we’re focused in a few key things. First up, we’re talking about the latest leaks surrounding the Pixel 4 that include a 90hz display, 6GB of RAM, and a possible DSLR-like camera attachment for the king of camera phones. We also spend some time talking about the next Stadia Connect coming soon and some of the ways that players will interact with the entire experience once it becomes available. Finally, we spend some time discussing Wi-Fi 6, why it matters and when you can expect to see the benefits of it in real life. Oh yeah, we also take a few minutes to talk through the addition of Virtual Desks in Chrome OS 77 Dev Channel and how it actually feels to use this new feature to get stuff done. NOTABLE LINKS This new Chrome OS Dev Channel feature will change how I use Chromebooks forever Chrome Unboxed Exclusive Deal: ASUS Chromebox 3 for $215 ‘Akemi’ joins the growing list of upcoming Comet Lake Chromebooks A handful of upcoming Chromebooks will support Wi-Fi 6 as early as this fall Could Google’s Stadia chime the rebirth of the Chromebit? This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much has happened in the last week since our last podcast, so we’re only focusing in on the big stuff. With Google leaking out more details on the upcoming Pixel 4 and its new face unlock and Motion Sense tech, we’re talking about the implications for Chromebooks, starting with ‘Atlas’ at the upcoming Google hardware event. We also spend quite a bit of time discussing new updates on Stadia, a probable Stadia Connect in the next few weeks, and a handful of questions around how the whole thing will work for users who only have a Chromecast Ultra, the Stadia controller and a TV. Thanks for listening! NOTABLE LINKS Want a Chromecast remote? You likely already have one New Virtual Desk features show Google taking Chrome OS UI development more seriously [VIDEO] Could Google’s Stadia chime the rebirth of the Chromebit? Face unlock coming soon to Chrome OS and may debut with ‘Atlas’ alongside Pixel 4 Google’s next Stadia Connect teased in ad, coming soon with more details New ‘Google Atlas’ [Pixelbook 2] Benchmarks Point To More Affordable #madebyGoogle Chromebook This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not surprisingly, this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast circled around Google’s upcoming hardware event, it’s timing, and the enigma known only as ‘Atlas’. Talking through the recent decision by Google to ‘leak’ the Pixel 4, an FCC filing for a new Chromebook by Google, and a leaked-retracted-confirmed date for the launch date of the Nest Home Hub all make for a pretty compelling case that Google might just surprise us all with an earlier hardware event this year. We additionally spend some time talking through not just the addition of LTE coming in a broader sense to Chromebook, but the impact that move will have on the industry. Finally, we talk new, Chrome OS-specific keyboards from companies like Logitech and the importance of this new trend. Oh, and we had to at least mention 4-finger swipes coming for Virtual Desks! Notable Links Likely Pixelbook 2 ‘Atlas’ Passes Through FCC, Septmeber Google Hardware Event Possible The Cat’s Out Of The Bag: Nest Hub Max To Launch Sep. 9th LTE Chromebooks Could Soon Be Far More Common This Latest Addition Makes Virtual Desks In Chrome OS 76 My Favorite New Feature Logitech Boards The Chrome OS Keyboard Train This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend a good bit of time talking about the present and future of gaming on Chromebooks. As Stadia continues looming over the future, there are already a few games for Chromebooks that are taking full advantage of the Chromebook form factor and all it brings to the table. With keyboards, mice, and larger screens, Chromebooks are a great target for developers to attract new, untapped audiences if they decide to take the platform seriously. Additionally, we’re talking about quite a few new features that are either here or on the way for Chromebooks from password management to dark mode in Chrome for Android. Finally, we discuss what for us at Chrome Unboxed is probably the most exciting thing: a new Samsung Chromebook Pro in the works currently going by the codename ‘Kohaku’. Thanks for listening! NOTABLE LINKS Chrome OS Overview Mode UI Overhaul In The Works The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 Is Now Worth Your Full Attention Chromecast/Android Ambient Mode Coming To Chrome OS Roblox On Chrome OS Is Doing It Right And Others Should Follow Suit How To Try Chrome 77’s Massively-Improved Dark Mode Right Now New Chrome OS 75 Feature Makes Password Management So Much Better More Proof ‘Kohaku’ Will Be The Samsung Chromebook Pro V2 This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chrome Cast is back at it this week, and our discussion is dominated by Google’s upcoming ‘Atlas’ Chromebook that we feel sure will either be the Pixelbook 2 or at least in the Pixelbook family of devices. So many things about ‘Atlas’ are confusing and could point to various end games for Google, but we feel like we’ll get some real answers soon. Additionally, we’re talking about yet another addition to the ‘Hatch’ family of devices that goes by the name of ‘Kled’, the release, pause, re-release, and eventual full release of Chrome OS 75, Amazon Prime Videos getting Chromecast support, and some killer deals on fantastic Chromebooks as we approach Amazon Prime Day. Enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS Upcoming #madebyGoogle ‘Atlas’ Chromebook Photo Leaks Showing Pixelbook Design Cues Chrome OS 75 Is Here. Again. Seriously This Time How To Score Massive Deals on Two Fantastic Chromebooks Up To $250 Off at Best Buy You Can Finally Cast Your Amazon Prime Videos New Chromebook ‘Kled’ Shows Up To Join The Expanding ‘Hatch’ Family Save Hundreds On These Monster Refurb Chromebooks w/1-year Warranty This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based on that title, you can probably guess what we talked about this week. From all angles, the last part of 2019 looks primed to deliver a vast army of Chrome OS devices on every front. We have ‘Hatch’-based Chromebooks, Snapdragon 845 Chromebooks, MediaTek 8183 Chromebooks, and maybe even AMD flagships coming in the next 5 months. All these additions to the landscape will likely change the consumer Chromebook market for the better and there’s a ton to consider when thinking about all this new hardware showing up in the space. Additionally, we talked about Chrome OS 75 sputtering out the gate and the ensuing halt on updates, what we’re expecting to see in the highly-anticipated Chrome OS 76 update, and a great deal available to YouTube TV subscribers. NOTABLE LINKS Google Halts Rollout of Chrome OS 75 Chromebook Lock Screen Getting A Media Control Widget New ‘Hatch’-Based Chromebooks ‘Helios’, ‘Kindred’ & ‘Kohaku’ Will Be Very Powerful How To Get A Nest Home Hub For $50 If You’re A YouTube TV User We’re Finally Beginning To See More Snapdragon Chromebooks Another MediaTek Chromebook In The Works: Where Are You Qualcomm? This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, our discussion time circled mainly around Google, Pixelbook, and what a new commit in the repositories could mean for the future of the Pixelbook line from an affordability standpoint.  With the removal of NVMe signaling a more affordable PIxelbook, could the Pixel 3a mindset end up permeating into Google's Chromebook efforts this year? Additionally, we chat about the emergence of the baseboard 'Hatch' as this year's version of 'Nami', which gave us the Acer Chromebook Spin 13, HP Chromebook x360 14, Dell Inspiron Chromebook, Lenovo Yoga C630 in 2018.  With 'Hatch', we have 'Helios', 'Kindred', and 'Kohaku' as boards all being derived from the same source and we're pretty confident we'll see these boards emerge from all the usual players in the fall of 2019.  NOTABLE LINKS ‘Atlas’, Pixelbook 2, and the Pixel 3a Effect Brydge C-Type: The Best Wireless Keyboard For Your Chromebook Poin2 Chromebook 14 Review: Best Sub-$300 Chromebook With A Catch Chrome OS 75 Rolls Out, New Features and Fixes in Tow Prime Day Is Coming: How To Find The Best Deals - - - - - - - - - This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been an eventful couple weeks with Google and as we return to our regularly-scheduled podcast, we're talking about some of the major shifts Google is making from a hardware perspective.  From deciding to officially call it quits on making a Google-branded tablet to leaking an image of the Pixel 4, Google has grabbed a ton of media attention. Add to that the impressive performance of Stadia at E3 2019 and we have a ton to talk about this week.  This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time!  This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we are mainly dominated by the announcements surrounding Google's Stadia cloud gaming service.  With availability, pricing, and an initial game lineup finally revealed, we take some time to react to all that could be coming in the near future. We also talk quite a bit about iPad OS and the new announcements surrounding Apple's update to the iPad lineup.  With rumors of mouse support and the announcement of a "desktop class" browser, there were rumblings that Chromebooks should be worried. inally, we spend some time talking through some pretty great improvements coming in Chrome OS 76 for Linux apps.   You can find links to all the things we discuss below.  Enjoy! NOTABLE LINKS: Why I Think Google Stadia Will Be The Real Deal Then There Were Five: Chrome OS Adds New, Quick-Fix Channel Small Change Makes Big Difference In Chromebook Settings For Chrome OS 76 Google Expands Consumer Chromebook Market In Australia iPads Getting Desktop-Class Browser and Mouse Support: Trouble For Chromebooks? Chrome OS 76 Vastly Improves Gaming and Graphics Performance For Linux Apps [VIDEO] It's Not Just You - Linux Apps Are Completely Broken With The Latest Dev Channel Update This episode is brought to to you by NordVPN.  Secure your browsing  on any device and keep your private data to yourself! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 75% off a three-year plan for a limited time! This episode is also brought to you by Blue Apron. Perfectly-Portioned, chef designed meals delivered to your doorstep. Ready in 20 Minutes. Step-By-Step Recipes. Freshness Guaranteed. CLICK HERE to get started. Last but certainly not least, this podcast is also brought to you by WordPress.com,our go-to platform for creating websites! This is not just another website builder, WordPress.com is a full-featured web platform with thousands and thousand of plugins and tons of scale. If you just need a personal site or want to create an online business, WordPress.com will have you covered. Go to ChromeUnboxed.com/WordPress to find the plan that is right for you and create your very own website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week on The Chrome Cast we cover a lot of ground.  From news of the Pixelbook being tested with ARM chips to gauging the worth of the Pixel Slate in light of the $200 price slash to finally welcoming the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 as a fully-supported Chrome OS accessory, this episode gets into a ton of news from the past week.  We've put in the show notes below all the links to all the things we talked about, so check those out and enjoy this week's edition of The Chrome Cast! NOTABLE LINKS: Possible Google-Made Chromebook With ARM Chipset Shows Up In Geekbench Get $200 Off The Pixel Slate of Your Choice Buying A New Chromebook? Don't Forget To Check The Expiration Date Group Calls in Duo Are Now Love For All Here is Your Best Option for a Wireless Trackpad For Any Chromebook What's Actually In My Bag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we talk through quite a few things, but there is a clear theme that runs throughout the entire episode: the app gap.  Chrome OS as an ecosystem is slowly overcoming these missing pieces in the form of a proper video editor in Adobe Premiere Rush and through an upcoming ability to run containered, legacy Windows apps with the help of Droplet Computing. Those two things are worth a ton of discussion as they remove the barrier of entry for many users and make the adoption of Chromebooks a much easier transition for those people who "just need that one app." In addition, we discuss the importance of the Pixel 3a as not just an affordable phone in Google's Pixel lineup, but as a possible harbinger of a future where Google sees the importance of high-quality, low cost hardware for Chromebooks from the #madebyGoogle brand as well.  While discussing hardware, we also cover the latest smart device, the Lenovo Smart Clock which we have in the office for review. NOTABLE LINKS: Droplet Computing Is Back!  Running Windows Apps Locally on a Chromebook Is Just Around The Corner The Possible Effect The Pixel 3a Could Have on Chromebooks [VIDEO] Lenovo's Smart Clock w/Google Assistant Now Up For Pre-Order For $79 Adobe Premiere Rush Lands on Android Today, Chromebooks Support Coming Soon Chrome OS Brings Android's Rich Media Notifications To Chromebooks Chrome and Edge Get UI Overhaul for Picture-in-Picture (PIP) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're in a post-Google I/O hangover, talking through a ton of news that has happened since the event and a few things that were pretty important that occurred after last week's podcast at I/O.  The big conversation continued to swirl around Hiroshi Lockheimer's rather bullish outlook that Chrome OS is positioned as the future of computing in Google's eyes.  With this in mind, we talked at length about what that means both from an app perspective and the user's perspective. We also covered down on quite a few things that have shown up this past week including the death of Campfire (Windows dual-boot for Chrome OS), the new Intel Zombieload Attack, a somewhat-plausible Pixelbook 2 sighting, the impending arrival of two smaller Chrome OS tablets, and Sonos finally getting around to adding the Google Assistant to their already-fantastic speaker lineup. ANOTABLE LINKS: Chromebooks Are the Future of Computing According to Google SVP Put Out The Campfire: Windows on Chrome OS is Probably Dead Google Kills Hyper-Threading on Chrome OS In Wake of Critical Intel Flaw New Chromebook Tablets Could Be Close to Launch Possible Pixelbook 2 Shows Up In Geekbench Results Crostini For All: Every Chromebook Launched This Year To Be Linux-Ready The Long-Awaited Brydge C-Type Keyboard for Chrome OS is Now Available Sonos Will Finally Bring The Google Assistant To Beam and One Smart Speakers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google I/O 2019 has now come and gone and we are taking a bit of time talking though all the highlights from the event.  There were new devices announced, tons of new services, and quite a bit of Chrome OS-specific news unveiled.   On the broader Google front, we discuss the affect the new Pixel 3a could have on Google's hardware efforts, Google's rebranding of Home devices to the Nest nomenclature, and a bit about some new skills that the Google Assistant will soon possess. On the Chrome OS side of things, we chatted about a ton of smaller things that are in the works for Chromebooks like Virtual Desktops, Android Instant Apps, a new PWA install flow, one-click Linux install for Android Studio, and Android P coming to most devices. Finally, we also talk about Chromebook market share growth and the affect that should have on app development for Chromebooks in the near future. NOTABLE LINKS: Next Generation Google Assistant Set To Revolutionize How We Talk To Devices Google Debuts Nest Hub Max, Rebrands and Drops Prices For Home Devices Google Brings One-Click Install for Android Studio on Chrome OS New PWA Install Prompt Coming to Chrome 76 on All Platforms Chromebook Desktop-Class Apps are Coing With Flutter For Desktop and Flutter For Web Chromebooks Make Big Strides in Sales Numbers in Q4 of 2018 Crostini Report: What's New With Linux on Chromebooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google I/O, though routinely a developer's conference, looks to be bringing us some new hardware along with all the new software we can expect for the future from Google.  Though I/O is clearly aimed at developers, there's a ton of news that comes out of this event about all the things that we can expect from Google in the coming months for all us non-developer types, so it will be an exciting week.   On the hardware front, we're talking a bit about 'Atlas' and whether or not we think it could be the next Pixelbook or not and whether we'll possibly see it next week at Google I/O.  With the Pixel 3a and 3a XL definitely coming along with the Google Nest Home Hub, who knows?  We'll be dug in and tuned in for all the fun next week! We also talk through a few new changes coming to Chrome OS, including VPN support being extended to Linux apps on Chrome OS, virtual desktops getting closer for Chromebook, Picture-in-Picture features, and Chrome OS 74 rolling out to many devices with tons of fun new features like PDF annotation and better file management. On the current hardware front, we chat about the recent review of the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 and the upcoming review for the insanely-affordable Poin2 Chromebook 14.  Between the small bezels, small footprint, premium build and exceptional user experience, the review on the Flip C434 is full of a lot of positives and very few negatives. SHOW NOTES: What we're expecting and hoping for at Google I/O 2019 Some thoughts on 'Atlas' and whether or not we could see it at next week's event Some thoughts on a few sessions expected at I/O aimed at Chrome OS VPN support coming for Linux apps on Chromebooks Virtual Desks getting closer than ever for Chrome OS Picture-in-Picture is getting a mute button Chrome OS 74 is here with a ton of new features ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast, we discuss upcoming devices, new Chrome tweaks, a bit about baseboards, the Chromium repositories, and open source development. HIGHLIGHTS New changes coming to the YouTube Channel New Samsung flaship Chromebook in the works A bit about baseboards and unibuilds Discussion on Samsung’s folding phone and future tech in general HP Chromebook x2 versus the Pixel Slate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re excited to be back! In this episode of The Chrome Cast, we discuss new services, new partnerships between Amazon and Google, upcoming devices, Google I/O 2019, a new #madebyGoogle device, and more! HIGHLIGHTS Exciting new changes at Chrome Unboxed New AMD Chromebook board with flagship-level power A new #madebyGoogle device is in the works YouTube TV adds Discovery Channel lineup Microsoft office document editing in Google Docs Google and Amazon are friends again: Chromecast support coming to Prime Videos and YouTube comes back to Fire TV Google I/O coming soon with tons of Chrome OS sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Chrome Cast, we discuss a ton of new Chrome devices both announced and rumored, the first Chrome OS tablet sighting, Google Assistant, and more. HIGHLIGHTS New Chromebooks announced New rumored Chromebooks Acer’s Chrome OS Tablet leaked at BETT Neverware and Google together at BETT Split Screen and Android Parellel apps 3D Gaming With WebGL Fuchsia up and running on the Pixelbook Google Assistant everywhere Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Chrome Cast, we discuss some new Chromebook features, Progressive Web Apps, Santa and more. Pixelbook vs. Samsung Pro/ASUS Flip C302 Dictation on Chrome OS Free Netflix AR Stickers on the Pixel 2 a.k.a. why’s Robby salty? Santa on Google Home Google Home Max Progressive Web Apps Much, much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our latest podcast, we recorded a YouTube Live session at our home office. In this episode, we talk the biggest news in the Chromebook and Assistant space, including: Google Home Mini Pixelbook CES 2018 Upcoming high-powered hardware from Samsung & ASUS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! We are super excited about Google’s hardware event coming up this Wednesday. We’ll be in attendance and ready to deliver all sorts of news and hands-on from the event, so be sure and subscribe to the website and YouTube Channel before then to keep up with all that happens. Additionally, you should follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ are great ways to stay connected and informed about everything we report on here at Chrome Unboxed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices