As part of MWC, Lenovo is announcing a few new Chrome OS devices, including the well-rounded IdeaPad Flex 5i and more affordable Flex 3i Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding CloseLenovo announces Flex 3i and Flex 5i affordable and mid-range Chromebooks
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Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
This week’s top stories: Pixel 7 renders leak, Pixel 6 Wi-Fi fix inbound, Google Search gets darker theme
In this week’s top stories: we get our first look at the familiar-looking Pixel 7 in new renders, Google promises a fix to the Pixel 6’s Wi-Fi issues, Google Search’s dark theme gets darker, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseOpinion: Valve’s Steam Deck could be a boon to gaming on Chromebooks
While we’re all still waiting for formal reviews of Valve’s Steam Deck, many of the early impressions seem overwhelmingly positive. For Chrome OS fans, though, there is a direct line to be drawn between the success of the Steam Deck and the future potential of gaming on Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding CloseTCL 5-Series review: Solid mid-range experience held back by Google TV
TCL’s 5-Series television, powered by Google TV, is a solid device that could have been perfect for the price point with a bit more polishing.
Expand Expanding CloseSteam for Chrome OS is coming, here are which Chromebooks will be supported at first
Having been confirmed by a Googler over two years ago, Chrome OS is now closer than ever to officially supporting gaming through Steam. 9to5Google has uncovered the first Chromebooks that should support playing Steam games.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst details of Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come roaring out: 2nd-gen Tensor, new Samsung modem
9to5Google has uncovered the first concrete details of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, including the devices’ codenames, the Tensor chip used, and their Samsung modem.
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Microsoft confirms minimum specs for running Android apps on Windows 11
Earlier this week, Microsoft launched the ability to run Android apps on Windows 11 computers. Now the company has revealed the official minimum specs for your Windows 11 PC to run Android apps and the Amazon Appstore.
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Google Doodle honors Michiaki Takahashi, Japanese creator of chickenpox vaccine
Today’s Google Doodle is a tribute to Dr. Michiaki Takahashi, the Japanese virologist who created a chickenpox vaccine which is still in use today.
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[Update: Rolling out] Google Messages prepares setting to disable pinch to zoom text size [Gallery]
Google Messages is preparing a new setting that will keep you from accidentally zooming and increasing the size of your text.
Update: This option is now rolling out to those in the Google Messages beta.
Expand Expanding CloseExclusive: Pixel will be able to stream Android apps to your Chromebook/PC, here’s how it works [Video]
Google has been preparing a way to stream apps and notifications from your Pixel phone to your Chromebook or PC, and 9to5Google has enabled this feature to provide an exclusive first look at it.
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These smartwatches are confirmed to be compatible with Wear OS 3 [Updated]
Google has so far confirmed that only a handful of current and upcoming smartwatches will be upgradeable to Wear OS 3 later this year.
Update: Tag Heuer has unveiled a new smartwatch set to get a Wear OS 3 upgrade.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13’s new features for developers aren’t all exclusive
Android 13 has some fantastic new features for developers, including an update to the core Java libraries, some of which will also be coming to older versions of Android.
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Android 13 DP1: Quick Tap gesture can now turn your flashlight on and off
The Pixel series’ Quick Tap gesture is now more helpful than ever, with the option to toggle your flashlight.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 DP1: Any app can now offer a Material You-style Themed Icon
Google has shared info on how, starting with Android 13, any app can offer their own Themed Icon to appear in the Pixel Launcher and more.
Expand Expanding Close‘Bruschetta’ may bring your favorite flavor of Linux into Chrome OS
Chrome OS is about to become even more powerful, with Google’s “Bruschetta” project adding support for using the Linux distro of your choice.
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Google Doodle pays tribute to Toni Stone, the first woman to be a professional baseball player
Continuing their celebration of Black History Month, Google has dedicated a Doodle on their homepage to Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in a professional league.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Material You-esque dynamic colors will soon be a requirement of Android 12
According to a new report, Google may be requiring makers of phones and tablets on Android 12 to include a dynamic color system like used for Material You on Pixel phones.
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Here’s where to find the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in stock [Updated]
Because of how well received it was by reviewers and Android fans, the Pixel 6 has become a hard phone to buy. Here’s where to find the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in stock to buy Google’s best phones for yourself.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Nearby Share will soon be able to share Wi-Fi passwords to Chromebooks
Google’s AirDrop competitor, Nearby Share, is working on a way to share Wi-Fi passwords from Android 12 to Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia promises a ‘great future’ and more games, in response to recent report
Following a recent report of Google’s shift in focus away from the “consumer” side of Stadia, Google has promised gamers that a “great future” is still ahead for the streaming service.
Expand Expanding CloseWith Flutter 2.10, you can now create apps for Windows just as easily as Android and iOS
For the last few years, the name of the game for Google’s Flutter SDK has been expansion: expanding the number of Flutter developers and expanding the platforms for which they can make apps. The latest update, Flutter 2.10, makes it just as easy to make apps for Windows as it is for Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is preparing a way to hibernate your Chromebook to help save power
It will soon be possible to hibernate your Chromebook instead of simply putting it to sleep, allowing it to conserve even more battery while not in use.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogler-exclusive clear Stadia Controller appears for purchase on eBay, and it even works
A clear colored Stadia Controller – a gift to members of Google’s Stadia team – has appeared in a new eBay listing, and it’s even been modified to be fully functional.
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Verizon’s Visible outage leaves customers unable to send text messages [Update: Fixed]
It’s not just you: Verizon’s Visible MVNO is currently experiencing an outage that is preventing customers from sending text messages.
Update: Visible’s SMS service has been restored.
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