Chrome OS Weekly S1 EP7: Stadia History, More Multitasking Options On Chrome OS 78, Edge Browser Might Hit Chromebooks, Deals, And So Much More
How Google Fiber and Doom 2016 Inspired Stadia
Google Fiber — Google’s super-fast Internet service– was the catalyst for the upcoming Google Stadia gaming service. The provision of extremely fast internet to homes offered Google an opportunity to experiment with streaming high-end content. This led to the creation of what was then Project Stream and it allows users of Chromebook to stream and play video games without the requirement of a high-end PC or consoles.
The team that created Stadia tinkered with several ways and went through several iterations before you could create an actual working product.
Now, with the initial launch a little over a week away, the team behind Stadia talked exclusively to IGN and explained how the idea started and how it experimented with that idea using DOOM 2016.
Google Sets up a Partnership to tackle Play Store’s Malware Infestation
Android’s open nature has been one of its biggest advantages in the smartphone business. This allows any manufacturers to use the platform on their devices leading to more options for the masses.
However, this has made Android somewhat less secure evident in the amount of Malware-infested apps being found on its App sharing platform, the Play Store.
It’s not because Google isn’t doing enough to find and remove these dangerous from the Play Store but hackers and individuals with malicious intent seem to have become smarter.
This has led to Google seeking help from ESET, Zimperium, and Lookout to form a body dubbed “App Defence Alliance.”
The three security firms already have working malware detection technologies in place and Google is hoping the integration of those tools with Google Play Protect will boost its ability to detect malicious apps a lot faster.
Microsoft Edge Browser Might Come to Chromebooks Via Linux
Microsoft raised a lot of eyebrows when the tech firm announced it’s revamping its Edge browser making use of Google’s open-source Blink and V8 engines. These are the same variant powering the Chrome browser.
This is kind of ironic considering Microsoft has long insisted that its Edge Browser –then using an in-house EdgeHTML and Chakra engines– was much more efficient the Chrome and in the process igniting a browser war.
The two seem to have settled their differences and Google is helping Microsoft rebuild its browser and during its recent Ignite conference, Microsoft hinted at a possible arrival of Edge to Linux.
This is actually quite interesting considering Linux is already supported on most Chromebooks but since Microsoft didn’t lay bare any details on how it intends to bring its browser to Linux, we can only speculate.
It is possible that you will be able to use the Chromium-based Edge browser on your Chromebook either through Linux apps or through the Play Store if the company ever decides to make an Android version.
Chrome OS 78 Ushers in Multitasking Options and Easy Printer Configuration
Google is beefing up Chrome OS’s feature adding Native File System access ( allows webpages to directly access your storage medium), Click-to-call (which in essence allows your you dial numbers from the browser to any connected Android smartphone) to the cloud-based operating system.
All these features first arrived to the browser before they made their way to Chrome OS but the new iteration of the operating system is sporting a new set of additions specific to it.
In a bid to make multitasking simpler, Google is allowing users to create multiple virtual desks tops allowing work to be segregated within several workspaces.
Open the Overview window and then click or tap New desk in the top right corner of the interface. This allows you to drag and drop windows between the spaces.
Google also added more options catered for Printers including showing the list of all connected and compatible printers when a new print is initiated and allowing users to set their default printer through the settings menu.
Stadia Android Pops up On The Play Store
The Stadia launch date is slated for the 19th but according to reports, not everyone will get their Foundation Edition Packages before that and deliveries will be made based on a first-come, first-served basis.
However, Kyle from 9to5Google spotted the Stadia app on the Play Store giving us a first glimpse at how Google plans to bring its game streaming to mobile devices.
Here is an excerpt from his post
Booting into the newly aunched Google Stadia app from the Play Store brings you to a splash page, prominently featuring Destiny 2. Selecting “Get Started” first prompts you to select an account, then causes a loading popup dialog that cheekily states that it’s “Waking up the GPUs.” Other fun gaming quotes like “Building Rome” and “Reticulating Splines” have also been spotted by readers.
Last Week Deals
HP Chromebook 14 with Core i3, 8GB RAM and 64GB of flash storage for $349 on eBay.
Lenovo 2-in-1 Chromebook with Mediatek MT8173c quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB eMMc Storage and 10 hours of battery life for $179 at BestBuy.
Refurbished Asus Chromebook with Intel N4200, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of Storage and an FHD 15-inch touchscreen display for $190.
Lenovo Chromebook 14 with 14-inch LED-backlit LCD Anti-Glare screen, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMc storage for $199.
Acer Chromebook Spin 13 with Core i5, 8GB of RAM, 2K display, and a massive 128GB of storage for just $599.
