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Google Chromebook Pixel Touchscreen 1.8GHz/4GB/32GB: $400 shipped (Reg. 650+)

 

Expansys offers the Google Chromebook Pixel (i5-3427U) 1.8GHz/4GB/32GB for $399.99 shipped. That’s about $600 less than the Google Store currently charges and the lowest we can find for one. It has a 3rd Gen Intel Core i5-3427U processor with dual-core and a 1.8GHz processor speed. It also has 4GB DDR3 memory and offers a 32GB solid state drive with fast read/write times. You also get 1TB of Google Drive cloud storage for 1 year (that’s a $120 value!) Rated 4.2/5 stars from 31 Amazon shoppers.


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Former Google advisor Bill ‘The Coach’ Campbell passes away

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Re/code today reports that Silicon Valley icon and longtime Google advisor Bill “The Coach” Campbell has passed away at age 75 after a long battle with cancer. The unfortunate news comes from “many prominent tech players,” following earlier unconfirmed reports. Campbell was a mentor to many tech leaders, including Steve Jobs, Larry Page, Eric Schmidt, and Jeff Bezos.


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Android N and VR hints – Is affordable virtual reality the future of Android?

Android N is on its way, and as each new Developer Preview is released, we get a clearer picture of what Google has in mind for its next (and future) versions of Android. One major, albeit fairly inconspicuous drive is one towards a mobile-based VR platform, but one that everyone can access. Within Android N, we finally see some actual evidence that — at its inner most core — going forward the smartphone platform is going to be built for Virtual Reality.


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Huawei introduces a VR headset that looks a lot like Samsung’s Gear VR

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Huawei has today introduced a VR headset for its flagship smartphones (via Weibo). And, as you can tell, it looks a lot like Samsung’s Gear VR headset. This comes hot on the heels of the Chinese company’s introduction of its latest P9 and P9 Plus smartphones, and you might guess, this headset is fully compatible with them. It also works with Huawei’s previously-launched Mate 8…


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Opinion: If bots are the future, Google needs to play it smart in the war with Microsoft, Facebook and Apple

We’ve recently argued that the Galaxy S7 edge may represent the culmination of the “Smartphone 1.0 era”. It won’t please everyone about everything — and no such thing will likely ever exist — but it’s indubitable how all of the cornerstones of a modern smartphone have been tackled cleverly by the Korean giant, and all its positives can even justify its hefty price tag. Actually delivering something that steps up the game in a significant way, in fact, looks like a very tough challenge. Perhaps we will have to wait until true, Project Ara-like modular smartphones show up before radically rethinking the way we look at hardware, but the software roadmap seems to be getting clearer, with a future studded with bots.

Microsoft is betting big on them as a major part of the future of computing, and so is Facebook. There is a case that could be made for them to become the new apps — and this certainly is how these two firms are pitching the concept. Chances are that Google will follow sooner than later, and I think that if the general idea of bots we have been so far given remains valid, the owning of a platform as popular as Android may leave the Mountain View behemoth with quite an interesting card up its sleeve, which could give them a notable lead in the upcoming war for bots dominance, were they to play it cleverly…


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Google launches an official ‘Save to Google’ Chrome extension for saving articles

Google has recently launched a Chrome extension for its under-the-radar Pocket-like service for saving photos, articles, and other online content. The extension is appropriately called “Save to Google,” and lets you easily put some of your favorite web content in the same digital folder as all the other stuff you’ve saved…


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Long-rumored ‘Google Workshop’ for custom Nexus ‘Live Cases’ is finally a real thing

Almost two years ago, evidence of a custom Moto Maker-like service for creating custom cases for Nexus phones surfaced supposedly called “Google Workshop”. Today, Google has finally made the long-awaited custom case product official. You can now order a customized “Live Case,” which is notably the same moniker Google used for the special lineup of Skrillex cases launched last year


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Sergey Brin defends Verily, says it is profitable on a ‘cash basis’

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There has been quite a bit of press surrounding the behind-the-scenes aspect of Alphabet companies over recent weeks, mainly centered around Nest and Tony Fadell. Earlier today, it was reported that Fadell appeared at Google’s all-hands meeting two-weeks ago to address the stream of negative press. In addition to Fadell defending Nest, Re/code now reports that executive Sergey Brin also defended the company’s life science unit, Verily, at the meeting.


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Google enhances its machine learning software TensorFlow with distributed computing support

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In a post on its Research Blog, Google today announced that it is making some significant improvements to TensorFlow. For those unfamiliar, TensorFlow is the company’s open source machine learning software that powers things like Google Translate and many Photos features. Today, Google revealed that it is adding the ability for TensorFlow to run across multiple machines at the same time with distributed computing support.


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You can now use a Shaq voice in Waze to mark the 2016 NBA playoffs

Waze is known for adding special voices to its app to help you navigate while on the road, and the latest is the addition of Shaq’s voice to commemorate the 2016 NBA playoffs. This follows the Google-owned navigation app featuring the voice of Morgan Freeman in February to mark the release of London Has Fallen…


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Nest CEO defends company at Google meeting after recent controversies

Following a number of recent controversies surrounding smart-home accessory maker Nest, Recode reports that CEO Tony Fadell defended the company while addressing the reports at a recent Google meeting.

First acquired by Google, Nest is now under Alphabet, the same parent company as Google following a restructuring last year.

At the weekly Google meeting, Fadell reportedly addressed recent reports of troubles on the Nest team that followed comments from Dropcam’s former CEO Greg Duffy regarding Fadell’s brash management style. Those comments led to a public response from Fadell and a number of mainstream media outlets picking up the story, while a report last week from Recode added that the company was under-performing financially and that its future at Google could be in jeopardy.

Here’s an excerpt from Fadell’s talk with Googlers addressing the reports:


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New Google+ Content Controls flag spam and inappropriate posts in Communities

The latest iteration of Google+ heavily revolves around Collections and Communities. To help prevent spam and inappropriate content, Communities now have more aggressive content controls and filters that will flag posts. Google is gradually rolling out the new filters to existing communities…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: HTC 10 $599 w/ code, APC Back-UPS Power Supply $20, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Get $100 off the HTC 10 when you pre-order w/ code HTC1008, down to $599 shipped | HTC

Stay online when the power goes out with the APC Back-UPS Power Supply for $20 (Reg. $30)

Huawei Watch Stainless Steel with Leather Strap + extra Mesh Band: $300 shipped ($449 value)

Philips Hue Starter Kits (1st gen) w/ free shipping: Lux $56 (Orig. $80), White & Color $135 (Orig. $170)

Philips Hue discounted bundles: 4-pack A19 white & color bulbs (2nd gen) $199 shipped (Reg. $240), more

Amazon’s new $290 Kindle Oasis is a slim, luxury e-reader with months of battery life

Apple’s latest 256GB Retina MacBook Pro: $1,200 (Reg. $1,499) – $99 less than list price of 128GB model

Apple 12-inch MacBook w/ Retina display 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB: from $1,250 w/ .edu

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Daily Deals: Canon MG5720 Printer Scanner & Copier with AirPrint $60, SanDisk Ultra Plus 64GB microSDXC Memory Card $25, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/720275111127814144 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Green Deals: Aukey 12000mAh Solar Dual-USB Power Bank $25 (Reg. $30+), more

Samsung 48-inch Smart 4K UHDTV w/ 3 HDMI + 2 USB ports: $450 (Reg. $800)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Impossible Project reveals its Polaroid-style analog camera with iOS connectivity

JBL’s new Reflect Aware C noise cancelling headphones are powered by USB Type-C

Google offers $20M funding to 29 non-profits developing tech to help disabled people

Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, has announced $20M in funding spread across 30 non-profits that are developing technology to assist disabled people. The projects range from 3D-printed prosthetic limbs through smartglasses for the blind to a low-cost way to convert standard wheelchairs into powered ones.

We’re supporting forward-thinking nonprofits with big ideas that use technology to expand opportunity and independence for people with disabilities. As part of the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities, we awarded 29 amazing grantees with $20 million in grants to help address accessibility challenges all over the world—and now, we’re helping them bring their projects to life … 


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Samsung Milk VR is a huge library of VR content you can watch without a headset

Samsung’s “Milk” line of apps — if not just because the “Milk” brand is just plain weird — have never been that popular. In fact, even the more-popular-than-most Milk Music is rumored to be on the chopping block. This one, though, might catch the eye of some. Launched yesterday on the Google Play Store, the reason for the app’s existence is to let owners of Samsung phones access Samsung’s huge library of 360-degree video content without a Gear VR headset…


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Proposed CA bill hopes to put Google’s driverless prototype cars in the regulatory clear

Truly autonomous vehicles are poised to be an exciting technology, but as with any other technology, there are always regulatory hurdles to be cleared. As first spotted by public records sleuth Mark Harris, a bill working its way through the California legislature would require the state’s DMV to effectively legalize Google’s ambitions of having a driverless fleet of self-driving Koala cars…
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Android Marshmallow now rolling out to Galaxy S6 in Canada, LG V10 on T-Mobile

Android Marshmallow is making perhaps the slowest crawl ever in adoption, only just recently managing to find itself installed on a measly 4% of Android devices. Now, reports suggest that more handsets are finally getting the latest version. In today’s updates, we’re hearing of Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge owners getting Android Marshmallow in Canada, as well as users of T-Mobile’s LG v10…


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Google launches ‘Voice Access’ app in beta, lets you control your phone with your voice

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After first planning to launch the app during Google I/O 2015 and changing its mind at the last minute, Google has finally launched Voice Access in beta, a new accessibility app that allows users to control their phone using their voice. With Voice Access, you can use a wide variety of voice commands like “open Chrome” to bring up the browser or “go home” to go to the home screen…


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Major record labels again complain of unfair YouTube deals as contracts set to expire

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The major US record labels are still unhappy with the current state of their deals for YouTube royalties, leading the industry’s trade group to file a complaint as contracts with the streaming service are set to expire this year. Recode spoke with head of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Cary Sherman who represents the labels and explained why the music industry thinks the deals and negotiations with YouTube are unfair and hurting the industry and artists.


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Google Fiber drops its free basic tier in Kansas City, replaces with $50/m 100Mbps plan

When Google Fiber first launched in Kansas City, it did so with the promise of free internet, as long as customers paid for their installation. While subscribers could opt to pay $25 per month for 12 months to cover the $300 installation fee, internet usage was completely free. There was one caveat however: Download speeds were limited to just 5Mbps. Now, Google has replaced this Basic Tier with a 100Mbps plan and rebranded its two other tiers.


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: 3 months of free Reddit Gold w/ app download, Mpow Streambot Mini $14, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Reddit’s official Android app now launched w/ three months of free Reddit Gold

Add Bluetooth to nearly any speaker w/ the Mpow Streambot Mini for $14 Prime shipped

Google Nexus 5X 16GB now just $230 shipped (Reg. $349)

Green Deals: Philips hue LED Starter Bundle w/ HomeKit Bridge $170 (Reg. $200), more

Beats Solo2 Wired On-Ear Headphones (multiple colors) $90 shipped (Orig. $200), more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Audio-Technica’s best selling ATH-M50x studio headphones + FiiO A3 amp $130 shipped ($180+ value)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/718104977198198784 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Smartphone Accessories: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III $249 shipped (Reg. $300), Aduro 2-Outlet USB Surge Protector $10, more

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Ryobi’s new Ultra Quiet Garage Door Opener has a Bluetooth speaker and more

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