The Google+ Photos app has been the exclusive domain of the Pixel for a while now, with that changing today as Google expands the app to all Chromebooks. With the Google+ Photos app, Chromebook users can take advantage of the convenience of the Google+ photo features, as well as the Google+ Photos app’s specific functionality, […]
The Chromebook world is a weird one where apps trickle out slowly and in a manageable stream, with the most interesting ones costly coming from Google itself. The latest is software that was originally demoed at the Chromebook Pixel launch, then released for that computer exclusively, and now has arrived for all Chromebooks as of today.
The Google+ Photos app, for those who haven’t been following its long and winding saga, is a standalone app that takes the best of Google+’s photos features and adds things like automatic backup from SD cards, offline viewing of recent uploads, and auto-sorting of the best shots as well as simple sharing.
Maybe the best part of Google+’s Photos app is that it uses the company’s new Auto Enhance magic to subtly improve the quality of any uploaded photos without any action required on their part, so long as it’s enabled, and the Auto Awesome feature that generates GIFs and collages.
At Google’s I/O keynote, the features around images were probably the best part of, at least from a truly useful consumer development standpoint. Photos in the age of digital photography are just sort of a bulk nuisance item that we plan to, but never actually get around to organizing, sifting and editing. Google+ now does a really good job of handling a lot of that heavy lifting.
Chromebooks are still niche devices, but software like this makes them ideal travel companions or even better tools for users with light demands and little know-how of programs like Lightroom or Photoshop. Keeping the Photos app exclusive to the pricey, even-more-niche-than-niche Pixel wasn’t doing anyone any favors, so it’s nice to see it become more widely available.
Aside from the super high-res display, the Pixel has also had something else other Chromebooks didn’t: the Google+ Photos app. Starting today, however, Google’s changing that and bringing the application to the rest of the Chromebook family, making it accessible outside of its sleek, pixel-packed laptop for the first time. The Google+ Photos app, which is available in 52 languages, remains unchanged otherwise, and users can download it now via the Chrome Web Store.
Filed under: Laptops, Internet, Google
Source: Google+
The folks over at Digitimes have popped up with an interesting rumor, stating that “upstream supply chain” sources have tipped an ASUS Chromebook for a late 2013 launch. Such a move is reportedly to get large orders from educational institutions, as well as to “tighten” Asustek’s relationship with Internet giant Google. Asus expects that orders […]
Acer has felt the squeeze brought on by ever-decreasing PC shipments, something that has affected more than a few companies. Eschewing PCs, consumers are gravitating in larger numbers towards mobile devices, particularly tablets, something that resulted in a poor second quarter for the company. In light of this, Acer’s president stated that the company will […]
Google is testing touchscreen-friendly Chrome navigation features that could make using the browser on Windows 8 tablets, touch-notebooks, and Chrome OS devices like Pixel more finger friendly. The new tweaks, spotted in the latest “bleeding edge” Canary build of Chrome, include the ability to swipe through the browser history by dragging a finger left or […]
This week the folks a Google have introduced a re-birth of the TV-connected smart device Nexus Q with a dongle called “Chromecast”. This device connects through your television’s standard HDMI port, connects to the web via Wi-Fi, and is controlled by a wide variety of devices, including Android, iOS, Chrome for Windows, Chrome for OS X, and Chrome OS on the Chromebook Pixel.
This device can be explained first by the Nexus Q, a machine that was introduced in 2012 and was quickly doused in the face of its slightly larger-than-life form factor and limited functionality. Now here in 2013, Google comes back with essentially the same package in a pocketable dongle called Chromecast.
This device connects – at first – with YouTube, Netflix, and Google’s media services in Google Play – movies and music, too. This device will cost a surprising $35 USD – and if you’re reading this just a few minutes after the device was first introduced, you’ll likely see one of two messages: “Coming soon” or “sold out”. This could be a glitch, or it could very well be that Google hit the price point on the head.
The device itself works with HDMI and is CEC compatible, working with a maximum video resolution output at 1080p. The dongle measures in at 72(L) x 35(W) x 12(H) mm and weighs an easy-to-forget-about 34g, and needing one of the following operating systems to function:
• Android 2.3 and higher
• iOS 6 and higher
• Windows®7 and higher
• Mac OS 10.7 and higher
• Chrome OS (Chromebook Pixel, additional Chromebooks coming soon).
And be sure to note that you’re going to need to plug this bad boy in to the wall as well. Barely visible in these preview images, there is indeed a microUSB port at the back of this machine – most modern televisions have a USB port on their back anyway, they’ll do the trick. Otherwise you’ll be needing another power port behind your TV. Time for another power strip!
Chromecast hits $35 price point, aims to connect TV to the web this week is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Acer has expanded its C7 Chromebook line for the educational market, tossing in some small hardware changes and tacking on a starting price of $259 ESP. The models are being aimed towards all levels of the K12 market – students, teachers, and administration, with Acer saying its combination of features offer the kind of things such an environment requires.
There are two new models as part of the educational expansion, with both of them featuring a 16GB SSD, as well as a six-cell battery that has a reported life of 6 hours. The lesser of the two models, the C710-2826 has 2GB of RAM, while the higher end model, the C710-2815 has 4GB of RAM. Boot time is said to be 8-seconds, with instant resume from sleep mode.
Under the hood, both models run an Intel Celeron 847 dual-core 1.10GHz processor, and feature dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n. The LCD is an 11.6-inch HD Widescreen CineCrystal with an LED backlight and resolution of 1280 x 720. Video output is comprised of an HDMI slot and VGA, while connectivity includes 3 USB ports and an SD card slot. There’s also an Ethernet port for wired Internet connections.
Said Acer’s VP of US Commercial Sales Gregg Prendergast, “Our new Acer C7 Chromebooks deliver exactly what the K-12 education market and so many businesses require — solid performance at an affordable price with up to 6-hours of battery life. Acer C7 Chromebooks will help our customers at schools — students, teachers and administrators — as well as our business customers, get to work and be productive right away for longer.”
There’s a Kensington lock for physical security, and educational buyers will have access to Acer Premier Care, as well as an option for Acer Educare Warranty Program. Both models come with a limited parts and labor warranty. The 2GB RAM C7 model is priced at $259, while the 4GB RAM C7 Chromebook model is priced at $279.
SOURCE: Market Wire
Acer C7 Chromebook expanded for K-12 educational market with two new models is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
A welcome bit of news for Chromebook owners came this evening, as Chrome OS 28 hit the stable channel and will be rolling out to laptops over the coming days. First and foremost, you’ll find a speedier version of the Files app, which now supports recent and shared files on Google Drive. In addition, the operating system now allows for monitor rotation and scaling, and even displays pop-up notifications after taking screenshots. As an added treat, Chromebook Pixel users will find visual feedback when clicking on buttons and links. Combine this with performance enhancements and crash fixes, and Chrome OS 28 stacks up as another incremental (but wholly welcome) update.
Source: Chrome Releases (Google)
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