Engadget: ‘Minecraft’ is coming to Chromebooks. “Microsoft has announced that Minecraft is coming to Chromebooks and is available to try right away via an Early Access version. The game will include ‘cross-device play with friends, access to Minecraft Marketplace, and the ability to play on Realms,’ according to developer Mojang.”
NME: Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks shortly after killing Stadia. “The laptops in question, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook and Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip, are ‘built for cloud gaming’ – a brag that Google Stadia can no longer make.”
TechCrunch: Framework partners with Google for a user-repairable $999 Chromebook. “Repairable electronics firm Framework just announced a new take on the company’s signature laptop. Produced in association with Google, the company is releasing the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition. As the name suggests, it’s an iteration of the Framework Laptop specifically designed for ChromeOS.”
Chrome Unboxed: How to create your own indie game for free on your Chromebook using Godot. “For those of you who are interested in getting into game development and only own a Chromebook, I’m starting a series of posts which will show you how to use different software and web applications to begin dabbling in the world of indie game dev. These will mostly be teaching you what options are available to you and how to get them up and running.”
Ars Technica: Google tests battery-conserving feature perfect for hoarding tabs. “Google is testing a method to boost the battery life of Chromebooks by changing how they work with the Chrome web browser. It’s shaping up to be a potentially attractive update for users who leave a lot of tabs open on their Chromebooks.”
Google Blog: Your Chromebook now works better with your other devices. “During CES and I/O this year, we announced a few new Android and Chromebook features designed to help your phone and laptop work better together. Soon you’ll see some of those features roll out to your Chromebooks so you can try them yourself.”
The Verge: Education Chromebooks are getting Figma, a very cool set of design tools. “Google for Education has announced a new partnership with Figma. The companies will bring Figma’s design and prototyping platform as well as its collaborative whiteboarding app FigJam to education Chromebooks. Schools can apply now to the beta program, which will begin over the summer.”
How-To Geek: Chromebooks Get a New “Cursive” App for Handwritten Notes. “Google has been testing its new ‘Cursive’ notetaking application on select Chromebooks, and now it’s officially available on any Chromebook that supports stylus input.”
CNET: Google launches Chromebook repair program for US schools. “Google launched a Chromebook repair program Thursday to help schools in the US find information about repairable devices in an effort to make them last longer, reducing e-waste. The program collects information on what devices schools can easily repair and what tools are required. It will also show manufacturer guidelines on how to repair those devices.”
CNET: 10 Chromebook productivity tricks to use if you’re trying to be more efficient. “If you were only introduced to the world of Chromebooks in the past year or two, you’re not alone. Chromebook shipments skyrocketed in 2020 due to the sharp increase in remote workers and students caused by the pandemic. That didn’t slow down in 2021, either, according to the research firm Canalys. New Chromebook users and veterans alike can learn some new tricks to boost productivity in Chrome OS. Read on for eight features that make your life more efficient on a Chromebook.”
BGR: Google’s new Chrome OS update turns Chromebooks into scanners. “Chromebooks are here to stay, and on Tuesday, Google rolled out Chrome OS 96 — a huge new update that adds several exciting new features to the laptops. We’ll dive into everything Google added below.”
CNET: 8 Chromebook productivity tricks to use if you’re trying to be more efficient. “If you were only introduced to the world of Chromebooks in the past year or two, you’re not alone. Chromebook shipments skyrocketed in 2020 due to the sharp increase in remote workers and students caused by the pandemic. That didn’t slow down in 2021, either, according to the research firm Canalys. New Chromebook users and veterans alike can learn some new tricks to boost productivity in Chrome OS. Read on for eight features that make your life more efficient on a Chromebook.”
Google Blog: Check out Chromebook’s new accessibility features. “With accessibility features on Chromebooks, we want everyone to have a good experience on their computer – so people can get things done, families can play together, students and teachers can learn together, and employees can work productively and efficiently, wherever they are. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so we wanted to share a few recent and new Chromebook features that help people access information in a way that works for them.”
Gizmodo: Google’s New ‘Push’ Feature Could Bring App Handoffs Between Chromebooks and Android. “Google has been working to provide better integration between Android phones and Chromebooks for years with features like its Phone Hub, but with its new ‘Push’ feature, Google looks like it’s closer to delivering a proper alternative to Apple’s Handoff feature for Macs and iPhones.”
XDA Developers: Google’s note taking web app, Cursive, can be used on any Chromebook. “Cursive is a brand new app from Google that allows Chromebook users to take handwritten notes. The app debuted on the recently released HP Chromebook X2 11. While the app will come pre-installed on upcoming stylus-equipped Chromebooks, you can install it on any Chromebook device right now.”
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