Category: Chrome OS

For the third time in three weeks, the Chrome team at Google have released an update to the browser for Windows, Mac and Linux as well as Chrome OS.  The updated build across these platforms is 47.0.2526.106 for those keeping score at home and is available know across these platforms.  While there is one identified bug posted in the release notes, Google has once again opted to keep the details of the issues resolved restricted until the updates have propagated to a majority of devices.

Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix. We will also retain restrictions if the bug exists in a third party library that other projects similarly depend on, but haven’t yet fixed.

That message has been a recurring theme with these past few updates to both the browser and Chrome OS.  The positive of course is that Google is being diligent about keeping them secure but it does keep us end users busy updating things.

Earlier this morning I posted on an update to the Chrome browser that was released late yesterday.  Today, as is normally the case, the Chrome OS team has announced a new version is available for Stable Channel users based on the same update as the browser.  The new build of the OS is 47.0.2526.80 (Platform version: 7520.62.0) and it also includes an updated version of Adobe Flash Player, version 20.0.0.228-r1 for those keeping score at home.

Chrome OS users will likely recall that this is the second update to the platform in as many weeks which is not normally the case.  Google was very vague in the release discussing the update on what exactly was addressed, saying that there were bug and security fixes but not much else.  Usually they provide more details on specific bugs which may be an indicator that they don’t want the exploit widely known until more systems are up-to-date.

If you are in the market for a Chromebook, head over to the Dell website to check out the deal on the Dell Chromebook 11.  Right now they have it on sale for $269 which is $272 in savings off of the regular price. This isn’t a stripped down version of it either.  It comes with an Intel i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage with all the easy-of-use and security that comes with Chrome OS.

As the name suggests, this Chromebook has an 11.6″ display with a 1366 x 768 resolution so while it is not an HD, the crisp LCD display should still make it easy for hours of viewing.  You can of course connect an external monitor via the built-in HDMI port for more comfortable viewing. You can also expect to get about 7 hours of battery life on a full charge.

Dell Chromebook 11 – SALE at $269 – Dell

Today Asus and Google announced that the all new Asus Chromebit is now available for purchase from a wide range or retailers around the globe.  It is the fulfillment of a product that the companies announced back in March.  You can now pick one up for $85.  But what is it exactly?

The Chromebit is a Chrome OS computer that is roughly the size of your favorite granola bar that plugs into an HDMI port on any monitor or television.  Plug it in and bada-bing, you have a Chrome OS computer.  It is powered by the Rockchip ARM processor, has 2GB or RAM and 16GB of storage built in plus it has a USB 2.0 port, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.  No it is not going to set any land speed records when it comes to processing power but given that it is running a full version of Chrome OS, you can do just about anything on the Chromebit that you can do on a Chromebook.

For $85.  Not bad.

HP has announced today that they will be refreshing their Chromebook 14 lineup with improved specs and a new Sky Blue color option.  The updated Chromebooks will be available starting November 8th with a starting price of $249.99.  The updates will include improved overall battery life which is now rated up to 9 hours while bringing an updated Intel Celeron N2840 processor along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage.  There will be two variants to the new Chromebook 14:  A 1366 x 768 resolution version at $249.99 while a full HD version will be $30 more at $279.99.

HP is also bundling several things in with the Chromebook upon purchasing, some of which come from Google on any Chromebook purchase.  You will get 100GB of storage on Google Drive for 2 years, 12 GoGo Inflight passes for use while on flights and a 90 day subscription to Google Play Music Unlimited.  HP is also throwing in 3 free movie rentals from Google Play Movies.

HP Chromebooks

The Chrome team at Google have just posted an updated build of Chrome OS, bringing with it several improvements, fixes and changes.  The updated build has been released to the stable channel and it is build 46.0.2490.71 (Platform version: 7390.59.0) for those keeping score at home.  In the update there are the normal stability, security and performance improvements which are pretty granular in nature.  However, with this build, the Chrome OS team have added some new features and made other improvements that will be visible to most users on their Chromebooks or other Chrome OS-based devices.