Hasta La Gadget!

Google hasn’t made any bones about its desire to position Chrome OS as a presence in the business space. But for plenty of users, the relatively limited functionality of Chromebooks doesn’t quite get the job done when it comes to doing serious work. The latest offering from Citrix could change that for a number of Chromebook-sporting business-types, offering access to Windows applications and desktops. Citrix Receiver Tech Preview is free from the Chrome Web Store (but requires a MyCitrix login). So now there’s no excuse for not getting any work done — except maybe a bad connection.

Citrix app opens Windows for Chromebook owners originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google was pretty adamant at I/O that Chrome OS would not be coming tablets, but that hasn’t stopped its open-source cousin from adding some touch friendly features. Chromium (the browser, not the OS) got its first tablet tweaks back in June, but this is the first time we’re seeing them on video. While the larger icons, widgets, and virtual keyboard, may eventually make their way onto the rumored Seaboard, there’s no guarantee these (obviously still early) experiments will ever debut as part of Chrome OS or even the browser. Check out the video after the break for a brief glimpse of this work in progress and, if you’re feeling adventurous, hit up the more coverage link to download the latest source code — just make sure to compile with ‘export GYP_DEFINES=”touchui=1″‘ to unlock the finger-friendly face of Chromium.

Continue reading Chromium’s experimental touch UI demoed on video, made for meaty fingers

Chromium’s experimental touch UI demoed on video, made for meaty fingers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Netbooknews, Chrome Story  |  François Beaufort (Google+)  | Email this | Comments

The Chrome Web Store welcomed a new arrival today, and it goes by the name of appMobi XDK. While the addition is targeted squarely at developers, it’s entirely free and packs quite a doozy — cross-platform HTML5 software development from within the web browser. As you might expect, the tool is perfect for making applications to run within Google Chrome, but get this… it’s also capable of creating native apps for submission to Apple’s App Store and the Android Market. Like any competent development environment, it features a full set of debugging tools, along with the ability to test your apps via on-screen emulation and directly from your target device. Hardware integration is accomplished with JavaScript hardware abstraction, which enables access to the camera, GPS, accelerometer and the like. Further, the platform boasts full compatibility with PhoneGap, which means you can easily transition if you’ve got a project in the works. If you’re already hooked, be sure to check out the PR after the break, which describes such goodies as in-app purchasing and secure user authentication, which are made possible with appMobi’s cloud services.

Continue reading appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Google first announced Chrome OS, there were a lot of skeptics. Is the browser really all we need anymore? If you’re the right kind of person, sort of. Chrome’s meteoric rise in market share has taught something extremely useful to a company who lives and dies by whether or not you are connected to […]

Bike Bag? Camera bag? Where do I sign up?

Today, the stars have aligned to bring the perfect Friday afternoon item for Gadget Lab. As an aficionado of both camera bags and bicycle bags, imagine how fast I scrambled to my keyboard when I saw this camera-carrying backpack, from none other than Chrome, the bike-messenger-bag people.

It’s called the Niko, and it’s similar in concept to Kata’s 3N1 bags, with a wraparound flap to open the bottom section and a separate, zippered and lidded compartment up top for sundries.

Like all Chrome bags, it consists of an outer nylon shell with a truck-tarp interior, rendering it all but totally waterproof. And like all Chrome bags, it has that big seatbelt buckle on the strap for quick-release. Sometimes, though, this release is a little too quick, like when some idiot comes up and jabs the switch, dropping your gear to the ground. It has happened to me, and it has also happened to Brad over at Urban Velo, who brought to Niko to our notice.

In use, the 2.5-pound bag will hold cameras, lenses, flashes and other gear in its padded, compartmentalized interior. Outside there are some Velcro straps for holding a mini-tripod, or even a pump. And because it only has one strap, you can swing it from your back to your chest to grab the camera whilst still on your bike.

Chrome bags are usually pricey, but they are also expected to last forever. Camera bags are also very expensive. So expensive, in fact, that they make the Chrome Niko look pretty reasonable at $95.

Will I be buying one? Nah. I already have the Kata, and if I fancy taking a camera out with a bike, I also have Chrome’s Citizen messenger bag, an expensive, heavy piece of kit which — when combined with Photojojo’s Anybag insert, is more than bag enough for anyone.

Chrome Niko product page [Chrome via Urban Velo]

See Also:

• Hands On: Kata 3N1 Camera Backpack
• Mamba Shift Backpack Swallows Almost Everything
• Hands-On with the Ortlieb Velocity Backpack