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Google isn't planning another Pixelbook for 2022
Google's last high-end Pixelbook arrived in 2017, but anyone waiting for a replacement will have to wait until after 2022.
Google has always relied on traditional PC manufacturers to sell Chromebooks, but Google has occasionally tried to sell its own Chrome OS hardware too. The company's first attempt was the 2013 Chromebook Pixel, which was intended more as a development platform than a retail product, which later received hardware updates in 2015. The most recent entry is the 2017 Pixelbook, and even though that laptop is fairly old (and no longer sold), it seems Google has no plans at the moment for a replacement.
New Chrome OS flag will enable Google Assistant on all Chromebooks
Currently, only the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate support Google Assistant on Chrome OS. That should be changing soon as a new Chrome flag can enable it.
Google Assistant started a couple of years ago on just Allo and Google Pixel phones. Slowly, it has been added to many more devices. Almost any Android phone can use Assistant now, but Chromebooks are still lagging behind. Currently, only the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate support Google Assistant on Chrome OS. That should be changing soon as a new Chrome flag can enable it.
Android Messages integration with Chromebooks rolls out for the Pixelbook
Android Messages integration in Chrome OS is now rolling out for Chromebooks, starting with the Google Pixelbook on the Chrome OS Dev channel.
One of the most anticipated features for the Android Messages app (now called just "Messages") was its web client, at least among Americans who still send messages via SMS. Messages' web client supports most desktop browsers on all desktop operating systems including Chrome OS, but we discovered that Google was working on deeper integration for Chromebooks. As part of Google's suite of "Better Together" features (which is marketed simply as "Android phone"), the Messages feature lets you send and receive text messages from your Chromebook even if you don't have the Android Messages web client open. This is possible because the Android Messages app will be installed as a Progressive Web App, which has now gone live today along with the Better Together features on the Google Pixelbook.
The Google Pixel Slate is a High-End, Detachable Chrome OS Tablet
The Google Pixel Slate is official. Unlike last year's Google Pixelbook, a traditional Chromebook, the Pixel Slate is a detachable Chrome OS tablet.
From the very beginning, Chrome OS has always been about 3 things: Speed, Simplicity, and Security. Google’s heavily customized operating system built upon the Linux kernel runs exceptionally well on almost any hardware, but unlike many GNU/Linux distributions that need you to have some level of familiarity with a terminal, Chrome OS is designed to be used by any consumer. Chromebooks have stormed into the education sector, but Google now has their sights set on enterprises, developers, and finally the public. The 2017 Google Pixelbook was a major step forward for Chrome OS as it proved that premium, high-end Chromebooks could compete with the Microsoft Surface and Apple Macbook. Now, the 2018 Google Pixel Slate is here to show the world that Chrome OS is flexible enough to compete with tablets without alienating developers or enterprise consumers.
Chromebooks may get Apple Boot Camp-like Windows 10 dual boot with "Campfire"
Campfire is Google’s project to get Windows 10 on Chromebooks running Chrome OS. Here's why it could be the Chromebook equivalent of Apple's Boot Camp.
Everything we know about Campfire, Google’s secretive project to get Windows 10 running on Chromebooks. Since first reporting on Windows 10 capabilities on the Google Pixelbook, we’ve been closely tracking development to understand what’s going on behind Google’s doors. We've since found evidence that "Campfire" may be the Chromebook equivalent of Apple's Boot Camp.
Google Camera app shows up on some Chromebooks like the Pixelbook
The Google Camera app from Google Nexus and Google Pixel smartphones has started appearing on some Chromebooks like the Google Pixelbook.
The Google Pixel smartphones owe much of their camera prowess to the excellent software behind the Google Camera app. The camera app's HDR+ and Portrait Mode features make the Google Pixel a top-tier smartphone in terms of picture performance, and it's why everyone wants to see the app ported to their smartphone. In comparison, the camera quality on most Chromebooks, even the high-end Google Pixelbook, is abysmal. But Google may be looking to change that as some users noticed that the Google Camera app is showing up on their Chromebook.
Google Pixelbook may receive Windows 10 certification from Microsoft
Google is working on getting the Google Pixelbook certified to run Microsoft Windows 10. This would be the first Chromebook with Windows.
Evidence is mounting that the Google Pixelbook could natively support booting into Windows 10 hack free, perhaps even with the blessing of Microsoft.
Chrome OS Emulator Now Available in Android Studio
An emulator for Chrome OS has now been added to Android Studio, making it even easier for developers to develop and test apps without needing physical hardware for Chrome OS. Read on!
Chrome OS continues to grow in popularity, thanks in part to the whole host of feature additions that make it an OS which can be recommended for a variety of use cases. Over the past few months, we have seen notable additions such as Linux app support, fullscreen launcher in tablet mode, video recording support, swipe gesture for overview screen, app shortcuts, GBoard and even PiP support—all of these features have either been added or will go live soon.
Linux app support is coming to Chrome OS starting with the Pixelbook
Google has officially announced that Linux app support is coming to Chrome OS, starting with a preview on the Google Pixelbook but expanding to other Chromebooks in the future.
For much of Chrome OS' early history, the operating system was seen as a glorified web browser. As the OS has matured, that view has become unwarranted: Chrome OS has since added offline capability and Android app support to significantly expand its feature set. Google's next big step is to entice developers by introducing Linux app support, available in preview form on the Google Pixelbook.
Google Pixelbook may support booting Microsoft Windows
The Google Pixelbook, which launched in October 2017 as Google's high-end Chrome OS device, may soon receive support for dual-booting Microsoft Windows.
A recent commit indicates that the Google Pixelbook could receive support for booting and installing Windows from USB, a functionality previously unavailable due to poor firmware support on Kaby Lake and Skylake devices.
Linux apps on Chrome OS - an overview of its biggest feature since Android apps
Linux apps will soon be available on Chrome OS, starting with the Google Pixelbook, thanks to Project Crostini. What is Crostini and why is it so important? We dive into the biggest change to Chrome OS since Android app integration.
Here's all you need to know about Google's year-long secretive development of Linux app functionality in Chrome OS, also known as Project Crostini.