Hasta La Gadget!

The line between native and web apps has been blurring more and more with the advent of HTML 5, and now Google’s taking things even further with what it’s calling a “new breed of Chrome apps.” These new apps, while built with web technologies and the Chrome browser, appear and act like native apps. In fact, Google is rolling out a Chrome app launcher for Windows to allow users to launch these new apps directly from their desktop. Windows and Chrome OS users will get first crack at using these apps, with Mac and Linux folks getting them a bit later.

To give these apps a native feel, Google has given devs a whole host of new tools. Apps work offline, can save data locally or in the cloud, provide desktop notifications and can connect with any device hooked into your computer via USB or Bluetooth — meaning games can be designed to use external controllers. And, apps won’t look tied to the browser as they won’t be saddled with tabs, buttons, text boxes or any other browser-esque visual cues. The idea is to create Chrome apps that are nigh indistinguishable from their locally installed counterparts. For now, there are over 50 such apps available in the Chrome Web Store, with offerings including games, basic photo editing and task tracking apps, among others. However, we have a sneaking suspicion that Google’s going to ensure that number grows exponentially in the near future.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Source: Google Chrome blog

We don’t know when Google plans to release another device like its Chromebook Pixel, but Chrome OS support for touchscreens is continuing to improve. A new update in the beta channel brings support for both touch enabled text selection and touch enabled drag and drop on touch based devices. Right now the Pixel is the only Chrome OS laptop that supports it, but who knows what could be around the corner. Google “Happiness Evangelist” François Beaufort noted the new feature in Chrome OS’ dev channel a couple of weeks ago and recorded a demonstration video, which you can check out after the break. Otherwise, Chrome OS users living on the not-quite-bleeding-edge can also expect tweaks like an audio source selector in the tray menu, ability to share folders and files from the Files app and an improved UI for the release channel switcher.

Filed under: Laptops, Google

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Source: Chrome OS Releases

While the two devices may look rather similar, that’s where the differences begin between the Lenovo S5000 and its already-on-the-market rival Nexus 7 (made by ASUS). You’ll want to have a peek at SlashGear’s Nexus 7 (2013) review to see the full run-down on what it means to work with this Google-sold tablet, but for […]

We’ve already given full hands-on treatment to the white and black Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but there’s one other color that didn’t get its fair share of attention: pink. Thankfully, we had the chance to see this particular hue after Samsung’s Unpacked event, and while we didn’t feel a need to add thousands of words to simply describe one color, it’s worth at least giving a small bit of attention to it for the interested parties out there. Take a quick peek below at our gallery of images and comparison shots.

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Alexis Santos contributed to this post.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, Google

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Today marks the official 15th birthday of everyone’s favorite startup search engine turned tech giant turned Big Brother. And even though many have had their gripes, it’s hard not to look back at our Google-fueled time online with a sense of fondness. Because no matter where you might find yourself in life, you know that Google will always be there with a delightful little doodle to commemorate every possible occasion they can find an excuse for—special or otherwise.

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