Tag: Chromebook

For developers and for those who like a good bug hunt, the Chromium team within Google has released a new build to the Chrome OS Dev channel.  The Dev channel is really aimed only at developers to give a sneak peak into what will be coming up.  In this case, it is the first build based on Chrome 65.  It is build 65.0.3322.0 (Platform version: 10315.0.0).

For those that aren’t familiar with the different Chrome OS channels, the Dev channel is essentially the alpha channel.  This can be a really rough experience with lots of weird behavior and bugs.  It is aimed at developers and those who like serious bug hunting to see what is coming up in the platform.  This channel is not recommended for daily use on your daily driver Chromebook.

It looks like native video recording from your Chromebook’s webcam is finally coming to Chrome OS.  A new commit in the Chrome Review Gerrit points to support for video recording so long as the device is using the MediaRecorder APIs found in the platform.

We are implementing recording functionality in chrome camera app on ChromeOS devices with MediaRecorder APIs. Enabling HW VEA would greatly improve the performance. For example, FPS increases from 7 to 30 on kevin.

For reference, the device name Kevin is the Samsung Chromebook Pro.

Today’s Deal is for anyone who needs a HDMI port or USB-A port for their USB-C powered devices.  On most new Chromebooks, like the Google Pixelbook, you have just USB-C ports.  The same goes for the new MacBook Pro from Apple.  Sometimes you need a HDMI port to connect to a monitor or projector, or need to access that older USB flash drive.  That’s where the AUKEY USB-C Hub can come in handy.  Priced at $34.43, it gives you plenty of ports to work with to get your day done.

In all, the hub (model CB-C60 for those that are curious) gives you six ports and connects to your Chromebook or MacBook Pro via the connected USB-C cable that is just under 6″ (150mm) in length.  You have one USB-C port which works as a pass through for charging your device while you are using the Hub (up to 60W).  You have four USB-A ports that support USB 3.0, giving you up to 5GB of data transfer speed.  Finally, you have a 4K HDMI port to connect your Chromebook or MacBook Pro to an external monitor.

With all of the concerns floating about around Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities in Intel processors, Google has been reasonably proactive in letting know users know if their Chromebook or Chromebox is going to be protected.  In that same list, there was another useful bit of information that may have been overlooked:  When devices will stop receiving automatic updates to the next version of Chrome OS.

The column in question can be found on the Meltdown vulnerability list and is marked Auto update ends (*=official).  There you will find the date for everyone Chromebook, Chromebase, Chromebox and Chromebit out there on when it will officially stop getting automatic updates.

The Chromium team within Google has publicly published a detailed list of every Chrome OS device and its status on being protected against the Meltdown vulnerability.  The list can be found here and I strongly encourage readers to visit the link and bookmark it.

The list is broken down into seven columns that provide details for each device.  The columns are:

• Public codename for the device
• Marketing name of the device
• Kernel version
• Architecture (x86, ARM, aarch64)
• Date of when automatic updates end for the device
• If Meltdown protection has come to the Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) in Chrome 63 for that device
• Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) will eventually be updated

The last two columns in this table are the key ones to pay attention to as you review it.  This tells you if your device is protected, will be protect, or at EoL (End of Life) and will not be updated.

The Chromebook parade continues in the hours leading up to CES 2018.  Acer, a long time manufacture of Chromebooks, has announced an updated version of the popular Acer Chromebook 11.  The 11.6″ display device will be available in April and will sport two models:  A touchscreen version (CB311-8H) and a non-touchscreen version (CB311-8HT).  Starting price will be around $250.

The updated Chromebook 11 will have the latest Intel Celeron processors although which ones exactly was not disclosed.  It will come with 4GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB or storage built into it.  It will also have dual stereo speakers and a HDR camera.