chromebook

Chrome extension enables remote computer control

Months of work on "chromoting" have reached fruition with Google's release on Friday of a new Chrome extension to let a person on one computer remotely control another across the network.

The Chrome Remote Desktop beta version, which arrived Friday, is a browser-based equivalent of remote desktop software for conventional operating systems. Such software is handy for IT administrators managing employees' machines, people taking care of their relatives' computers, or individuals getting access to their own machines from afar.

"Chrome Remote Desktop BETA is the first installment on a capability allowing users to remotely access another … Read more

The 404 918: Where a phone by any other name would smell as sweet (podcast)

The band is back together again, just in time for the release of the Apple iPhone 4S. Like everyone else in the first world, we have our share of complaints, but to whine about its aesthetics is to downplay the exciting changes to iOS 5, so we'll try to keep it posi without coming off as fanboiz.

We'll review CNET's First Take of the iPhone 4S at the start of the episode, beginning with a pedestrian explanation of its network connectivity options, and go over some of the more exciting features about iOS 5, things like Newsstand, iCloud with Find My Friends, Cards, and a new AppleCare+ accidental protection package.

And just to explore the playful side of yesterday's announcements, we'll tell you why Japanese customers are chuckling at the name Siri and show you a Steve Jobs Soundboard that could offer useful buying suggestions for potential upgraders.

After the first bathroom break, we'll move onto the general tech stories of the day, including a money dispute that could finally kill "The Simpsons" after 23 seasons, Google's first adult daycare center, a batch of rereleased Disney movies in 3D, and NASA seeking applicants for its next astronaut class in 2013.

The 404 Digest for Episode 918

CNET's complete coverage of the Apple iPhone 4S. Get $200 back for your iPhone 4. Money dispute may end 'Simpsons' Google opens first retail store for Chromebooks. Seriously, Apple? In Japan, Siri fans bottom jokes.

Are Disney's 3D rereleases helping people change their minds about 3D? NASA seeking applicants for next astronaut candidate class. Bathroom break 1: Nancy Grace might have farted on last night's Dancing With the Stars. Bathroom break 2: The Museum of Obselete Objects Presents: The Fax Machine.

Episode 918 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Inside Google's London Chrome Zone shop

Google's bursting out of your computer screen and shoving you off your chair before running off down the road to install itself in a shop. Specifically, the "Chrome Zone" section of PC World on London's Tottenham Court Road, where punters can now get a hands-on look at Google's Chromebooks.

We took a brisk jaunt down to the Chrome Zone to check it out. Click through our photos to ogle affairs from the comfort of your seat.

Read more of "Inside Google's London Chrome Zone Chromebook shop," and see more photos, at Crave UK. … Read more

Senate notes: Schmidt's Apple plug, Google piracy issues

WASHINGTON--Google and Apple are supposed to be at each others' throats, but apparently Eric Schmidt still has Apple's back.

Minutes prior to testifying on Wednesday before a Senate subcommittee investigating whether Google stifles competition, Google's chairman sat down at the witness table to allow himself to be photographed. As cameras clicked, Schmidt decided to open a laptop.

The computer was a MacBook Air.

One of the leaders of one of the most powerful Internet companies was about to be given the third degree by U.S. lawmakers and he's making sure that he's photographed trusting his … Read more

New Offline Gmail, Docs won't save Chromebooks

To say Chromebooks--laptops running on Google's browser-based Chrome OS--become less useful without an Internet connection is an understatement. Even just a flaky wireless connection makes using one frustrating, never mind having no connection at all.

To correct some of that, Google's been working on offline Gmail and Docs access and, after months of delay, it finally made it a reality. Sort of.

To get access to your Gmail, you'll have to install an Offline Gmail app from the Chrome Web Store. Once installed you'll need to allow your mail to sync with the Chrome browser's storage on the Chromebook. This makes your e-mail potentially accessible to other users; that's not good if you bought or planned to buy a Chromebook as a public or shared computer.

This wouldn't be so bad if Google hadn't hyped the platform's flexibility for shared computing, but it did, so it is. Still, it probably won't be a deal breaker for most users. What might be, though, is that you don't get all of your e-mail. Instead, it's synched by date, downloading approximately 500 messages or about three days to a week's worth. … Read more

Samsung, Acer Google Chromebooks still strong on Amazon

Google software-based Chromebooks from Samsung and Acer are still vying with Apple MacBook Pros and Windows 7 laptops in an Amazon top-10 popularity contest.

As of Thursday evening, the $349 11.6-inch Acer AC700-1099 Chromebook (Wi-Fi) is ranked No. 4 on Amazon's laptop best-seller list, while the $499 12.1-inch Samsung Series 5 3G Chromebook (Titan Silver) is in the No. 10 spot.

Above the No. 4 Acer is a MacBook Pro and a couple of Toshiba Windows 7 laptops, like the Toshiba Portege R835-P56x 13.3-Inch LED Laptop (Magnesium Blue).

Nevertheless, the new entrants to the laptop market--the Samsung Chromebook went on sale last month, the Acer this month--seem to have staying power in the top 10.

"They're what a Netbook should have been," said Richard Shim, an analyst at DisplaySearch. The traditional Netbook Shim is referring to is the Windows variety, which has always been dogged by performance problems. Chromebooks, of course, run Google's Chrome OS. … Read more

Google confirms Chromebooks are for the beautiful people

What do Virgin America and New York's Ace Hotel have in common? They are frequented by the digerati, the beautiful, and the in-the-know.

So it's a shrewd marketing move by Google to announce today that some Virgin America flights this summer and the Ace will be testbeds for the brand new Chromebook.

Chromebooks were a concept initially introduced two years ago, but are just now making their way to retailers.

The laptops are made by Samsung and Acer and boot directly to Google's Chrome browser, which means a Wi-Fi or 3G connection are necessary to get anything done on them. … Read more

Acer AC700 Chromebook available, shipping soon

The Acer AC700 Chromebook is available now.

The AC700 is Acer's first Chromebook launch. The device comes with an 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit LCD and features HDMI output for those who want to connect the device to an HDTV. The Chromebook weighs 2.95 pounds and comes in at just one-inch thick. Users can connect to the Web via Wi-Fi and work on the device for six hours on a single charge.

The AC700 runs Google's Chrome operating system, a cloud-based platform that relies solely on the Web to get work done. People can save files in the … Read more

Offline Google Docs starts playing peek-a-boo

One of the big criticisms of Google's Chromebooks is that they're significantly less useful when you don't have an Internet connection or are paying by the megabyte for a wireless data plan. That drawback is particularly glaring when it comes to Google Docs.

And unfortunately for Google, the company missed the Chrome OS launch window with one important upgrade coming to Google Docs, the ability to use the word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software while not connected to the Net.

Offline Google Docs was slated to arrive early this year, but Google pushed it back. In May, … Read more