Weekly Issue: 2023-40

Though we were hoping for all 8 new Chromebook Plus models to show up today, it looks like we’re not getting every model in stock at this point.

Google’s newest class of laptops are available today, which you can read a Chromebook Plus review on the device you’re interested in. Here’s a roundup of early thoughts.

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 sets a new standard for affordable but premium Chromebooks, and for $400, it’s a steal

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 sets a new standard for affordable but premium Chromebooks, and for $400, it’s a steal

It’s been a little over a week since the official launch of Chromebook Plus, and we’re still reeling a bit from all that was unveiled at the event.

If you love psychological horror games, and you’re already getting your fix this month with Google’s new content for Play Games and Google TV, then you’ll be happy to hear that everyone’s favorite horror game, Silent Hill, is coming to Android soon!

Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge The issue You may have noticed recently that of the tabs on your Chrome browser have circles around the tab’s icon and that the icon itself is smaller and slightly faded. What’s that all about — and can I change them back?

The Chrome team is excited to announce the promotion of Chrome 119 to the Beta channel for Windows, Mac and Linux. Chrome 119.0.6045.

The Dev channel has been updated to 119.0.6045.9 for Windows, Mac and Linux.A partial list of changes is available in the Git log. Interested in switching release channels? Find out how. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug.

Over on the Google Workspace Updates blog today, Google announced that it’s adding an ‘Activity’ tab to the left-hand side bar of Drive. This new tab will help you quickly access and track comments, approvals, and access requests. It’s actually split into separate groupings once you click on it.

LTS-114 is being updated in the LTS channel to 114.0.5735.337 (Platform Version: 15437.74.0) for most ChromeOS devices. Want to know more about Long Term Support? Click here.

If you’ve been around Chrome Unboxed for any stretch of time, you know that part of what started this whole thing in the first place was my propensity to change phones. Over time, my phone swapping was replaced with Chromebook swapping, I started making content, and here we are today.

Google just announced that it’s injecting Bard into Assistant to improve the once-amazing digital helper.Access will first be given to Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners when the phones ship out, but for now, we’re stuck with regular ol’ Bard.

The success of any application depends on the user experience it provides. It’s no secret that a positive user experience is directly linked to customer satisfaction and long-term engagement. Cost optimization is important to an application’s success too, of course.

The Stable channel is being updated to OS version: 15572.63.0 Browser version: 117.0.5938.157 for most ChromeOS devices.If you find new issues, please let us know one of the following waysFile a bugVisit our ChromeOS communitiesGeneral: Chromebook Help CommunityBeta Specific: ChromeOS Beta Help CommunityReport an issue or send feedback on ChromeInterested in switching channels? Find out how.

Yet more turmoil was announced by the beleaguered freight logistics software startup Flexport Inc. today, as it revealed plans to cut up to 30% of its workforce.

Hi everyone! We’ve just released Chrome Dev 120 (120.0.6046.0) for Android. It’s now available on Google Play.You can see a partial list of the changes in the Git log. For details on new features, check out the Chromium blog, and for details on web platform updates, check here.

Ever since Apple introduced FaceID on the iPhone and Google attempted to follow along with the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 Pro, I’ve been waiting for this feature to make a comeback on Google’s phones.

For this episode of The Chrome Cast, we dive into all the announcements from Google’s 10/4 hardware event. From a keynote that announced everything from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel Watch 2 and generative AI everywhere, there’s clearly a lot to talk about.

A lot of Chromebook users, myself included, have been dying to get hands on Adobe Photoshop on Google’s laptop OS, but it was never possible before.

Veeam Software Inc. Wednesday announced a couple of new offerings in the backup-as-a-service market: Cirrus by Veeam for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure. I had a chance to get a pre-briefing with Veeam Chief Technology Officer Danny Allan and asked him what was behind this move.

SQLite on the web? Persistent access to local user files? Encoding and decoding video and audio? Using multiple screens? Bluetooth and USB? The Chrome team is hard at work adding new features and APIs that make new things possible on the web and on ChromeOS.

October’s arrival not only paints the trees with a myriad of colors (not in Florida) but also ushers in a wave of ghoulish fun and thrilling experiences, and no, you’re not too old for that.

Roughly two dozen current laptops will get the Chromebook Plus upgrade. Here’s the list of them, along with reasons why your Chromebook might not be on it.

Hi everyone! We’ve just released Chrome Stable 118 (118.0.5993.58) for iOS; it’ll become available on App Store in the next few hours.This release includes stability and performance improvements. You can see a full list of the changes in the Git log.

First things first: I can’t give any opinions on either wearable for now. We can talk about each one’s features and other public details for now, but I can’t weigh in on my thoughts. And that’s OK since I don’t have a ton of those just yet, anyway.

There’s been a lot going on over the past week or so, right? A little over a week ago, we were in New York City to hear all about Chromebook Plus and now the Google Hardware Event has all of us talking about Google’s new mobile devices as well.

In the face of rapid digital transformation, a positive organizational culture and user-centric design are the backbone of successful software delivery. And while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the center of so many contemporary technical conversations, the impact of AI development tools on teams is still in its infancy.

Hi everyone! We’ve just released Chrome Beta 119 (119.0.6045.5) for iOS; it’ll become available on App Store in the next few days.You can see a partial list of the changes in the Git log. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug.Erhu AkpobaroGoogle Chrome

Company behind popular in-process OLAP system feels weight of success DuckDB Labs is updating the support policy and flexible commercial support options for its in-process analytical database.…

Hi, everyone! We’ve just released Chrome 118 (118.0.5993.48) for Android to a small percentage of users: it’ll become available on Google Play over the next few days. You can find more details about early Stable releases here.This release includes stability and performance improvements.

In today’s GUI Challenge, @AdamArgyleInk shows you the CSS relative color syntax for creating color variants based on another color. 17 examples and use cases are shown to help you learn the capabilities and the syntax for this powerful color feature of CSS.

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro out, Chrome goliath ups support to seven years Google on Wednesday revealed its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro model Android phones, and promised to support them in sickness and in health for seven years.…

At the Made by Google event today, Google officially unveiled its Pixel Watch 2, the second generation of its wearable meant to bridge the gap between WearOS and Fitbit. While it may look nearly identical to the original, this new iteration boasts several new features and hardware improvements.

The Beta channel has been updated to 118.0.5993.54 for Windows, Mac and Linux.A partial list of changes is available in the Git log. Interested in switching release channels? Find out how. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug.