Chrome OS More Than Just The Chrome Web Browser

  Chrome OS & Chromebooks have a long-standing false reputation of not being a real OS or a real Laptop, but being just the Chrome Web Browser. Back in 2007 this was the case as Chrome OS was basically a full screen Chrome web browser with an app launcher tab and the ability to pin frequently used tabs, now fast forward to today and Chrome OS has evolved into what is more like a version of Windows than what it started out as, but yet it's still stuck with the it's just the Chrome web browser reputation and Chromebooks are getting called not real Laptops just because they don't run conventional programs.

Everything is synced to your google account

Unlike Windows 8 where only certain settings are backed up to your Windows Account (Hotmail) all your documents, Chrome extensions, Bookmarks & Apps are backed up to your Google Account (GMail), and the only  things that aren't backed up are anything that you've got stored on your local storage (Downloads folder), anything stored on an SD Card or USB Flash Drive is of course backed up away from the Local Storage.

This is a huge bonus as if you buy a new Chromebook, Chromebox or recently released Chromebase then it's just a case of logging into your Google Account and all of your apps and extensions are automatically installed for you to use & if you log into the Chrome web browser on a Windows, Mac or Linux machine your bookmarks, extensions & a limited amount of apps are installed (I've not managed to get all my Chrome apps to install in the Chrome web browser on Windows yet), & since all your documents are stored in Google Drive there ready to use no matter what web browser or OS you're using.

Chrome OS is secure

Chrome OS doesn't require Virus Protection & if you lose your Chromebook or if it gets stolen all you have to do is change your Google Account password and all your data is safe. Chrome OS also has built-in security that wipes your Chromebook should anyone try a brute force attack to gain access to your Chromebook. There is a Developer mode in Chrome OS, but should anyone try to enter Developer mode to gain access to your lost or stolen Chromebook it'll get wiped while entering Developer mode. Since not much is kept on the internal storage of a Chromebook if anyone tried to gain access to your data simply by creating another user account on the device all they will get is a blank Downloads folder & a Google drive folder and no way to browse to your data.

Chrome OS is based on Linux

From Chrome OS's Launch in 2007 to February 2010 it was based on Ubuntu Linux, then in February 2010 Chrome OS switched to Gentoo Linux.

Chromebooks for everyone

Chromebooks are truly for everyone, they're cheap compared to their Windows or Mac counterparts, they're easy to use with a simple UI that anyone could navigate easily, they don't have any software pre-installed that's not needed and only come with the basics pre-installed like a Camera app for the built-in Webcam, a Calculator, File Manager, Wallpaper switcher, Chrome web browser, Chrome web store & a basic help system. Chromebooks are also maintenance free and all OS updates are applied when the Chromebook is restarted.

Conclusion

While the false reputation of Chrome OS being just the Chrome web browser and Chromebooks not being real Laptops was true in the early days of Chrome OS today Chrome OS has evolved to an OS in its own right and it's evolving with every new update, and more and more Offline apps are making Chromebooks more functional when away from an internet connection.

Chrome OS can now be seen as a low-cost competitor to Windows and Mac for people who need a cheap lightweight Laptop that they can take everywhere with them or for someone who doesn't want the expense  of an all bells and whistles Windows or Mac Laptop that's expensive, high maintenance and in Windows case Trialware riddled Laptop that needs a lot of cleaning to regain HDD space that could be used for more apps or data.

Cloud based computing where all your data and apps are backed up Online is definitely the future of computing as it takes all hard work out of buying a new computer in the future as everything is just there ready for you to use once you've logged in & the same goes for restoring your computer back to factory defaults.

Roland

Developing In Chrome OS Using Neutron Drive

Neutron Drive is a fully featured Cloud based IDE that allows you to code in a large selection of Programming Languages, Scripting Languages, Markup/Template Languages, Query/Data Languages as well as others including CSS.

[caption id="attachment_2033" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Page 1 of the Languages available in Neutron Drive[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2035" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Page 2 of available Languages in Neutron Drive[/caption]

Once Neutron Drive is all setup for your chosen Language/Project it looks just like a conventional IDE such as Microsoft Visual Studio.

[caption id="attachment_2036" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Neutron Drive setup with code entered & tabs for various aspects of the Project[/caption]

Like all apps designed for Chrome/Chrome OS Neutron Drive uses Google Drive to store your Projects.

I'll go into Neutron Drive more in the future as I attempt to Program in the various languages available in Neutron Drive.

Conclusion

Neutron Drive looks to be the best Programming IDE for Chrome/Chrome OS and could be a way for Chromebooks, Chromeboxes & the recently introduced Chromebases into the Business/Professional world.

Roland

Using Folders In Chrome OS

With the release of using folders in the latest Chrome OS beta, I decided to try it out even though I'm using the latest Chrome OS dev build.

being able to use folders in Chrome OS makes it feel more like a proper Desktop OS and less like Android.

I've always kept my most used Applications sorted alphabetically on the shelf, but being able to tidy all my apps into folders within the App Drawer will improve productivity even more as everything is organised neatly.

[caption id="attachment_2026" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Folders in the Chrome OS App Drawer in Chrome OS 35 Beta & Chrome OS & the latest Chrome OS 35 Dev[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2027" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Apps in folders in the Chrome OS App Drawer in Chrome OS 35 Beta & Chrome OS & the latest Chrome OS 35 Dev[/caption]

I'd previously been sorting my applications in an alphabetical list, but this was getting a bit of a pain as I was having to scroll through the App Drawer to find what I want.

[caption id="attachment_1631" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My previous App Drawer Organization[/caption]

But since using the folders in the App Drawer I'm finding it far more easier to find what I want as my App Drawer is down to one Page of alphabetically sorted folders.

[caption id="attachment_2026" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My new App Drawer Organization using folders[/caption]

I've also got my Applications sorted alphabetically within folders.

 

[caption id="attachment_2028" align="aligncenter" width="300"] All my Google Docs Applications sorted alphabetically within a folder[/caption]

Google should really expand this App Drawer folder feature to include the ability to have folders within the Android App Drawer.

Roland

RollApp Adds The Ability To Use LibreOffice And More For Chrome OS Users (Follow up)

It's just over 1 month since I first reviewed RollApp and I've decided to re-visit the LibreOffice Chrome Apps from RollApp and compared to when I originally tried them they seem to be a lot more stable and actually work like they're supposed to. The one little annoyance is the introduction of a video ad trying to get you to subscribe to individual RollApp Applications for 99c a month or all RollApp apps for $6.99 a month, but I'll take this little annoyance for access to working LibreOffice Applications over no ad's and broken LibreOffice Applications.

GIMP Image Editor

 

After a positive experience with the LibreOffice Applications I thought I'd give the GIMP Image Editor App a try, so I downloaded the Chrome App for the  GIMP Image Editor RollApp App only to have  a less that expected experience as after the short ad and the Application Splash Screen it just dumps back to the Chrome OS Desktop.

After doing a quick search for the GIMP Image Editor on the RollApp website I discovered that the GIMP Image Editor isn't available on RollApp despite the fact there is a GIMP on RollApp Chrome Application available in the Chrome Web Store which seems rather strange.

Conclusion

Since the first time I tried RollApp it's come along way and gives Chrome OS users more choice of Applications to use, even though a lot are run via the RollApp website with only LibreOffice Writer, Calc & Impress along with openOffice Impress being available as downloadable Chrome Applications.

The only downside to using the RollApp Chrome Applications is that you can only save to Google Drive and not have the ability to save to your local storage, which is no big deal, but if you save a lot of files then you'll eat into your Google Drive Storage. As long as you remember to download and re-upload in google Docs formats any files that you're expecting to keep for a long time should minimize any high Google Drive usage.

Roland

Chrome OS Build 35.0.1883.2 Developer Channel

The Chrome OS Build 35.0.1883.2 Developer Channel includes new features some of which are carried over from the Chrome OS 34 build on the Developer Channel.

New features

1. 3 finger Expose ( this feature has been around a while when pressing the Window Switcher key, but now the ability to swipe up on the Trackpad will bring up the open window spread, while swiping down will put all windows back how they were). This new Trackpad gesture is far more convenient than having to press the Window Switcher key when you want to switch between open Windows.


2. Multi-Profile support is currently in testing, this allows you to run Multiple-Profiles in the same Desktop session without having to login to the other Profile, the only useful use for this feature is to be able to check Multiple GMail Accounts at the same time.


3. A new Wallpaper API is available to allow Application Developers to create new Apps that allow you to customize the Chrome OS Desktop how you want it.


4. Black & White Web Page History, this feature renders previously visited webpages in Black & White when you do a 2 finger Horizontal swipe on the Trackpad (but I've been unable to get this new feature of the 2 finger Horizontal swipe gesture to work on the new Developer Channel build).


5.  Quick App Info, this feature allows you to see App permissions from the Right Click Menu ( currently hidden behind a Chrome flag).


6. Android Style On-Screen Keyboard, This feature is only useful if you're rocking a Touch-screen device such as the Google Chromebook Pixel or Acer C720-P Touch-screen Chromebooks & could also be a hint towards a future Chrome OS Table.


7. App Launcher Folders, this feature is useful if you want to Organize your App folder (especially if you want to keep all your Google Drive Office Applications altogether).


8. New look Chrome OS Audio Player that has a speech bubble style pop-out from the Shelf instead of the box pop-out of the earlier version.


9. Chromecast Streaming fix, this fix allows Chrome Tabs to be streamed to a Chromecast enabled TV even when the lid of a Chromebook is closed.


10. Transparent App Windows Dropped, Google has dropped Transparent Application Windows borders in favour of the gray Maximized border. Ether Google are facing a Copyright Law suit from Microsoft due to the Transparent Window borders looking Windows Aero-esque or they want to move away from an Aero styled Desktop & Develop their own style.

Conclusion

With these new features being added to Chrome OS in the Developer Channel build of Chrome OS 35, it's making Chrome OS a serious alternative to a Traditional Desktop OS, but as always none of the features in the Dev Channel are guaranteed to make it to the Beta Channel or as with the webpage history changes in the previous Dev Channel Chrome OS 34 build they're not even guaranteed to make it to the next Dev Channel build.

Roland

Google Chromecast Officially Hits The UK

Google officially launched the Chromecast HDMI dongle in 11 new countries on Wednesday and the UK was one of them, this means that anyone wanting to get their hands on one will no longer have to go through the time-consuming and expensive route of having to get one imported from the US. This also means that there will be more streaming services than just YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music & Netflix will be available with the BBC's on-demand service BBC iPlayer being available at launch (through the BBC iPlayer Android & iOS App). But all the UK on-demand services are available through their respective websites, although you've got to be a Google Chrome user and have the Google Cast Chrome extension installed on your Desktop or Laptop computer.



The UK Chromecast is exactly the same as a US import with one exception the UK one comes with a UK USB mains adaptor, and it's also fully configured for the UK services meaning that iPlayer will work out of the box.

Set up

Set up is a simple matter of plugging the Chromecast into a free HDMI port on your TV, connect the Micro USB to USB power lead to the Chromecast then plug it into the USB socket on your TV or to the mains outlet on your wall via the mains adaptor, switch to the HDMI input that you plugged it into and follow the on-screen instructions.

Initial impressions

I've only been using my Chromecast since Wednesday when it was launched, and picture quality from YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Google Play Movies & TV & Netflix is just as good as what you get over the air on any SD or HD channel that's available. If your Broadband connection is anything less than 2mbps+ then your experience will be less than satisfactory.

With the 12.51mbps Broadband connection that I've got streaming BBC One programs live is exactly the same quality as watching BBC One SD via Freesat, with no signs of compression for streaming via the internet. The same can't be said for streaming a YouTube video as that depends on the equipment used by the YouTube channel as most YouTube channels are amateur the recording and editing hardware & software won't always be the top of the range or of the same quality as Professionals, but with the 12.51mbps Brokadband Connection on a 42" 1080p TV YouTube videos are just as good as what they are on a Laptop or Tablet & Smartphone screen.

Pro's

1. Cheaper than having to pay a premium for a Smart TV


2. More convenient than having to use a computer screen to watch YouTube, BBC iPlayer & Netflix

Con's

1. Takes up a HDMI input on your TV or AV amp


2. Currently only limited to Google Services for Streaming and BBC iPlayer for on-demand


3. Needs an Android or iOS Tablet or Smartphone to control the Chromecast


4. Limited to Google Chrome & Google Cast to stream a Google Chrome tab for on-demand services that don't currently support Chromecast via their Smartphone/Tablet Apps

Despite the Con's out weighing the Pro's at the moment the Chromecast is still well worth the £30 price tag as over the coming weeks and months more services should start to support Chromecast.

With the Chromecast being a plugin Dongle it means that you can quite easily move it from TV to TV around your home or even move it from old to new TV so that you don't have to pay a premium for a smart TV. Since Wednesday I've not used my Chromebook to watch YouTube videos as I've used the Chromecast instead as it's much more convenient to just use my Google Nexus 7 Tablet and Google Chromecast to do the same thing.

Roland

Why I Chose The Acer C720 Chromebook

I chose the Acer C720 Chromebook for  5 reasons:

1. I wanted a Ultrabook style computer without having to pay a premium for a Windows 8 or MacBook Air, when all the time I spent on my Windows 7 Laptop was online and using Google Chrome.


2. The Acer C720 Chromebook is the only Chromebook that looks like a Ultrabook.


3. the price, at £198.99 The C720 is the cheapest of the Chromebook line and I didn't want to break the bank on a second Laptop.


4. The Acer C720 is more portable than the only other Intel based Chromebook, the HP Chromebook 14 and I didn't want a Laptop with a comparable screen size to my Windows 7 Laptop that is 15.6" as I wanted something that I could take everywhere with me.


5. The Samsung Chromebooks along with the HP Chromebook 11 are nice looking but are a little over priced to say that they're using Arm Processors.

I also thought for the price the Acer C720 Chromebook is pretty well specced for the price and looks as stylish as any of the Windows Ultrabooks that are out there. Why pay more for a HP or Samsung Chromebook that runs an Arm Processor when you can get a more powerful x86 Intel Processor based Chromebook for less than £200.00, I know that the HP Chromebook 14 is Intel based but as it's a larger size than the Acer C720, Samsung & HP Chromebook 11 it's not fair to include it in this comparison of Arm v Intel Chromebooks.

Roland

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