The Chrome Cast

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by discussing the new revelation that the small fleet of upcoming Chromebooks with the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 will no longer continue in development. Why the ‘Herobrine’ project was scrapped and whether or not Qualcomm has another path forward with Chromebooks in the near future is currently unknown; but the reality that no new Snapdragon Chromebooks are on the horizon is a reality we simply have to accept for now. We continue the show by discussing the impending arrival of Lacros that will begin the transition of Chrome the browser being separated from Chrome the OS. It’s a long, difficult process that Google says could take upwards of a year to finish, but it looks likely that ChromeOS 116 will lay the foundations for the beginning of the transition. And as a lead up to that big change, we also talk through the features that were included in the last ChromeOS 115 update. Links It looks like the next wave of Snapdragon Chromebooks has been cancelled Google says it will take nearly a year to fully decouple Chrome from ChromeOS Google may finally be ready to decouple Chrome from ChromeOS with the 116 update ChromeOS 115 is arriving on schedule and full of fun, new updates [U: VIDEO] Check out the latest Chromebook deals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss our collective, weeks-long experience with Google's Pixel Fold. From the things that make it unique and seriously great to those that create a good deal of user frustration, we cover what it was like to use the Pixel Fold and why - in the end - I ended up taking my SIM card back over to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. But there are more foldables on the way, and with some tweaks and fixes, this form factor could end up being truly special in the end. Links Google Pixel Fold: My thoughts after actually using it [VIDEO] I moved from the Pixel Fold back to a regular smartphone, and I feel relieved OnePlus V Fold will launch as the OnePlus Open in late August to take on the Pixel Fold Win the ‘ChromeOS for Business’ bundle from Google, LG, and Cameyo Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking through our thoughts on the newly-released Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Slim 3 and as we wrap up that section, move directly into talking about the oft-goofy nature of Chromebook naming conventions. The hope is that whatever ‘Chromebook X’ or ‘Chromebook Plus’ becomes, it addresses not only build quality and specifications in Chromebooks, but also device names as well. It’s time for word salad to go away in the consumer Chromebook space. We also touch on our thoughts on the Pixel Fold as we lead up to getting our review together. I’ve used the phone for a few weeks now, and it definitely took that amount of time to get my head wrapped around the form factor in both good and bad ways. The Pixel Fold is unique: that much is for sure. But it is a nuanced device that isn’t going to be a good fit for everyone. It has most definitely proven far more resilient than expected, and we talk a bit about that big drop to the asphalt on the show this week, too. Links The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Slim 3 is a marvel of affordability [VIDEO] I accidentally dropped my Pixel Fold from 5 feet onto asphalt off of a moving golf cart Chromebook names are terrible: maybe ‘Chromebook X’ can fix that Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we stick to one subject, and one subject only: ‘Chromebook X’. This leaked, upcoming initiative from Google surrounding a new category of Chromebooks could be a very interesting play coming by the end of the year. ‘Chromebook X’ devices should represent the best end user experiences available from Chromebook partners and hopefully will go beyond a simple spec requirement to deliver great ChromeOS hardware experiences for potential buyers. It’s a big move by Google, for sure, and one that we won’t fully comprehend until it is here and actually available. But if it gets marketing and manufacturer support, there’s a good chance this new Google stamp of approval for Chromebooks that meet the standard could really shake up the consumer market for the better. Links Google looks to be prepping a new standard for Chromebook excellence with ‘Chromebook X’ Two Chromebooks under $200 that are actually worth buying Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i 2023 review: extraordinary value [VIDEO] Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we diverged into a bit of slightly-foreign territory. While the show starts with some new leaks that have surfaced surrounding the Pixel Watch 2, we switched gears on a bit of a whim to the new Apple Vision Pro and stayed on that topic for longer than we would have expected. Apple came out swinging in very Apple fashion and after considering their new AR/VR headset, we have some opinions on this device and others potentially entering the space over the next couple years. Finally, we move back to our lane and talk through the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip and how ASUS has not only righted the ship in the gaming Chromebook category, but at the same time built a fantastic overall Chromebook with their latest. Links New Pixel Watch 2 leaks: better processor, better battery, and more sensors With only three weeks before arrival, all Pixel Fold variants are available for order again ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip Review: a big step forward [VIDEO] MKBHD’s Apple Vision Pro video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin our discussion by talking through the upcoming Google-made hardware that is set to release this month. The Pixel Tablet and the Pixel Fold are set to be unleashed on the world in the next few weeks, and both devices bring unanswered questions that won’t be addressed until they actually hit the market. We also discuss a tablet that we have in the office currently and why it is we all feel that ChromeOS is so much better suited for desktop, productivity-focused activities. And with the ever-improving tablet mode on Chromebooks, there’s a case to be made that ChromeOS should be the go-to OS for any tablet with Google software on it. Links This deal on the Acer Chrombook 514 is one you absolutely cannot miss Google’s Pixel Fold development was a long affair, and that could make it truly special Shockingly, one version of the Pixel Fold is already sold out The OG Chromecast has received its last firmware update Noted Google leaker hints at a possible pen and keyboard for the Pixel Tablet I don’t understand Google’s choice to not make a simple keyboard for the Pixel Tablet Lenovo’s big new tablet is beautiful, and proves that ChromeOS is Google’s better desktop OS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we start the show by discussing a recent video we publish that highlights all the ways ChromeOS is hiding in plain sight all around you. From call centers to trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings to medical establishments, ChromeOS is moving in all sorts of professional directions and as time goes on, we only expect to see it show up in more of those areas. We then shift to discussing the need for better, lower-priced Chromebooks if Google is to gain a foothold in the consumer laptop space. While Chromebooks have great sales numbers, much of that success relies on education and enterprise purchases, leaving the consumer space as a still-untapped market in the larger sense. $300-$600 Chromebooks will be the place Google can win big, and the arrival of some new AMD-powered device could greatly help that cause. Links ChromeOS is being used in places you likely never expected [VIDEO] Why solid, affordable devices will be Google’s salvation for consumer Chromebooks AMD unveils new 7020 C-series for mid-range Chromebooks Google is testing Steam games for entry-level Intel Alder Lake N100/N200 Chromebooks Lenovo’s OLED Chromebook Duet 5 gets a massive discount Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the majority of the episode talking through some new hardware that has been floating around the office for a bit now. First, we begin with the Pixel 7a and some pre-review thoughts around Google’s latest phone. While it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Pixel 7, there are definitely some differences and some things you’ll want to know about this mid-range device. For the second half, we delve into our review thoughts surrounding the affordable and solid Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i. With a $349 starting price and a lot of great stuff going on both on the screen and under the hood, this Chromebook looks set to shake up the affordable ChromeOS market. Links Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i 2023 review: extraordinary value [VIDEO] The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Flex 3i is now available for purchase Wear OS 4 will finally fix my biggest gripe with Android watches Where to buy the all-new Pixel 7a Pixel 7a unboxing and first impressions with Google’s latest affordable phone [VIDEO] 5 Reasons why I’m sold on the Google Pixel Fold [VIDEO] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no surprise what dominates the discussion this week. As Google I/O 2023 is now in the rear-view mirror, we have a lot of new discussion surrounding Google’s moves in AI and new Pixel-branded hardware. From new tricks for Bard to other interesting ways Google is leveraging AI in their products, there much to be said for what is going on in that space. But we are obviously more interested near-term in the new hardware, and it is pretty sweet to be able to finally talk about the star of the show – the Pixel Fold – without having to refer to rumors or leaks in order to do so. It’s an expensive piece of kit, sure, but there are some undeniably cool things about the Fold that are worth talking about: so we did. Links Google announces its response to Microsoft 365 Copilot as Duet AI for Google Workspace Wear OS 4 will finally fix my biggest gripe with Android watches Pre-order the Pixel Fold from Google and get some free goodies You can pre-order the Pixel Tablet for $499 Google Search gets with the times, officially announces generative AI integration 3 new Android tricks on the Pixel Fold that look really amazing Where to buy the all-new Pixel 7a Revamped and Ready: Google Home app redesigned to be more user friendly and useful Pixel 7a unboxing and first impressions with Google’s latest affordable phone [VIDEO] Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the vast majority of the show discussing what we're expecting to see from Google at I/O 2023. With the Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold leaking entirely in the past couple weeks, it will be a packed event full of all sorts of software updates and many hardware devices we've been waiting quite some time for. Links Bard AI may be coming to Pixel phones with a dedicated widget Google finally confirms the Pixel Fold is coming on May 10th at Google I/O 2023 Google’s Pixel Fold leaks in totality, including a possible teaser from Google this week What we can learn from the first legit Pixel Fold hands-on video leak New press renders of the Pixel Fold emerge, confirm previous leaks New Pixel 7a leak shows off full press renders, surprises absolutely no one The Chrome Cast 224: the Pixel Tablet may have already missed its prime launch window Last call for entries: Win a Penoval USI 2.0 stylus before it’s too late! Fueled by Fresh Roasted Coffee! CLICK HERE to buy the special edition Chrome Unboxed bag. This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. CLICK HERE to try it out and get 2 years for $3.29 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices