Author: Clinton

Like any laptop, there are times when you will want or perhaps need to reset your Chromebook.  In Chrome OS terms, that is called a Powerwash and as the name implies, it completely wipes any apps, accounts and data on the device and restores it to the factory default.

The easiest way to perform a Powerwash on a Chromebook is to go into the Settings and execute it from there.  However, if your Chromebook is corrupted and you can’t open Settings, what do you do?  Simple:  perform the wash by using keyboard commands.

Long time Chrome OS users will know this trick but for those of you who are new to the platform, this may not be known.  That’s where this How To comes into play.  I’ll outline the keystrokes you need to use in order to reset your Chromebook.

It should be noted that in this How To, I’m assuming you are not using a Chromebook tied to a corporate or education account.  In those cases, your Admin must reset the devices.

For those of you who have been waiting for the ultra high end version of the new Google Pixelbook, your wait is over.  Google today has posted the Intel i7-based model in their store and you can place your order now.  But, and this is important, you won’t get it until January as they don’t start shipping until January 3, 2017.

For those who don’t recall, this Pixelbook sports the Intel i7 processor, has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.  It is identical in form and function to the base model, i5 powered Pixelbook.  Price wise, it is an eye watering $1649 but is currently on sale for $100 off.

The question is do you really need this high powered of a Chromebook?  Outside of a few edge cases, I’d argue no.  Here’s why.

Today’s Deal is on the powerful, 5.2″ Sony Xperia XZs.  The XZs is a revamped version of last year’s XZ and has, as you would expect from Sony, some pretty impressive specs.  Today, the XZs has dropped in price down to $399 on Amazon.  That is its lowest price ever.

The Xperia XZs is powered by the Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.  That storage can be expanded and additional 256GB thanks to the MicroSD slot.  The XZs is IP68 rated against water and dust intrusion and, a not-so-common thing here in the US, it is a dual-SIM phone.  The display is a 5.2″ FHD and all of this is powered by a 2900mAh battery that is charged via a USB-C port and it supports Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

What really makes the XZs however are the cameras.

Amazon has a great last minute promotion for those of you who are looking to pick up a Chromebook as a gift or for yourself.  Now through Christmas Eve, December 24th, if you purchase an eligible Chromebook from Amazon, you will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

The list of devices that are eligible is pretty solid with most focused on the mid-to-high end market of these devices.  You can check out the full list over at Amazon, which includes:

• Acer Chromebook 14
• Acer Convertible R 13 Chromebook
• ASUS Chromebook Flip C302
• Dell Chromebook 11
• Google Pixelbook
• HP G1 Chromebook
• Samsung Chromebook Plus
• Samsung Chromebook Pro
• Toshiba 13.3 Chromebook

All of these device are capable of running Android apps which makes them an even better platform for all around use.

After announcing in June of this year that Google Chrome would comply with the Coalition for Better Ads standards starting in 2018, we now have a date.  February 15, 2018.  That is the day that Chrome will begin blocking non-compliant adverts in the browser.

The effort and main objective of the Coalition for Better Ads it to create a less intrusive web experience for users while at the same time, being clear on what are deemed acceptable ads on sites.  Google signed up, and has a big influence, in the coalition with some questioning if it is anti-competitive behavior on the Mountain View company’s part.  They are, after all, the biggest ad platform out there and some feel that the entire Coalition will harm Google’s competitors more than anyone.

While that is to be seen, the Coalition has put out a guideline of what ads are considered problematic for both desktop and mobile browsing experiences.  It’s up to advertisers to comply with these standards are run the risk of their ads being blocked.  According to the Coalition:

The Program will maintain a register of certified companies that will not have ads on their sites filtered based on the Standards by browsers and advertising technology companies that participate in the Program. If compliance issues arise, certified companies will be notified and have an opportunity to address violations or to pursue review by an independent dispute resolution mechanism available through the Program.

If they continue to be out of compliance, blocking will happen and that is where the change to Google Chrome comes into the mix.  What are non-compliant ads?  Read on after the break…

[Update 12/20/2017:  It has now been removed.  Microsoft states that the installer violates the store’s policies. ]

Big and somewhat surprising news this morning for Windows 10 users.  Google Chrome is now available for download in the Microsoft Windows Store.  It means that users can now install Chrome on their Windows 10 PCs (except Windows 10S users) without having to side-load it.  This is something that many administrators lock down for security reasons.

Essentially this new app, which is published by Google, is an installer which acts as a shell to go get the browser installed on your PC.  In other words, it is an official channel to go out to the web and download the browser as you would if you were side-loading.