What's On My Chromebook Shelf Right Now (May 2014)

THE MOST USED APPS ON MY CHROMEBOOK, AND

WHY THEY'RE THERE

I realize that its only been a few weeks since I last did a What's on my Chromebook shelf right now post but there has been a few minor changes to my shelf setup.

While my iPhone and Google Nexus 7 Tablet are mainly used for leisure, my Chromebook is used mostly for work, I spend I've most of my day, it's what I use to update this blog and work on various other projects. So I thought I'd do a post in the style of the what's on my Mac Dock and why, but for Chromebooks, so here's what's on my Chromebook Shelf and why. First off we'll cover some of the stock Chrome apps, and there are a few. The first is Chrome as it's permanently placed on the Shelf by default, Files as it's easier than having to go through the App Drawer to find it, finally I've got the Wallpaper Picker as it's convenient for quickly changing my Desktop Wallpaper.

Now onto the rest of my Apps.

• Dashboard. I use Dashboard as it adds a Mac OS X style Dashboard to Chrome OS. I've removed Dashboard as it's now stopped working.


• Clock Calendar. I've replaced Dashboard with Clock Calendar as Dashboard has stopped working, and Clock Calendar adds a nice convenient Month view Calendar and Clock that can be used like a widget.


• Google Calendar. I Use Google Calendar on a daily basis, not always to add events. So it's essential to have Calendar in easy reach.


• Google Drive. It's essential for me to always have quick access to all of my work with more advanced features than using Files.


• Full Screen Weather. I use Full Screen Weather, because it's always nice to keep an eye on the weather.


• Google+ Photos. I use Google+ Photos as it's a nice simple way to view all my photos that are backed up on Google+& even shared to Google+.


• Google Play Music. I use Play Music as a lot of my music is already stored on Play Music, and having it on the Shelf makes it easy to use when I want to listen to anything.


• Hangouts call. Hardly ever used, but it's still there if I need it.


• OMG Chrome. As it's nice to keep an eye on the latest Chrome & Chrome OS news.


• Spotify.  I like using Spotify & it's nice to be able to use Spotify from the Shelf.


• WeVideo. I've added WeVideo to my shelf as I'm planning on doing a tour of my Office/Desk at some point during the next week and thought that it would be an ideal time to experiment with WeVideo, so it's gained a place on my shelf for at least the next few weeks.


• WordPress.com. Since my blog is hosted on WordPress.com it makes sense to keep the WordPress.com app on the Shelf.


• YouTube. I watch YouTube videos nearly every day, so keeping the YouTube app on the Shelf makes sense.


• Google Play Music Mini Player. Having the Google Play Music Mini Player on the Shelf means that I can get access to some of the Google Play Music features without having to go into the Google Play Music app, would be nice to be able to use the Google Play Music Mini Player while the Google Play Music app is closed though.

That's everything on my Chromebook Shelf. I've got loads of other apps on my Chromebook, but the list I've provided in this post are the select few that I use enough to allow to grace a spot on my Shelf. That's enough about my Chromebook, what about you? Be sure to share your Chrome Shelf setups in the Comments.

Roland

Living In The Cloud 4 Months 6 Days Review

It's been 4 months 6 days since I started living in the Cloud. When I started it was a month-long experiment for a blog series that I decided to write, and I was just living in Chrome on Windows 7, this worked fine but there was still the temptation to use Windows 7. I soon moved over to the open source Chromium OS, and with the temptation to use Windows now gone I was able to throw my life 100% into the Cloud for the rest of the month-long experiment.

When the month was up I then replaced my Laptop with an official Chromebook and on the 14th of January this year  and I'm now entrusting my life to the Cloud, but for the price of entrusting my life to the Cloud I've got an easy to use Laptop that requires no maintenance where I can just simply get on with the task at hand.

4 month conclusion

After nearly 4 months and 1 week of living in the Cloud I'm more productive as I don't have to wait for my Laptop to boot up and all the startup programs to start before I can use it, which means I can start being productive as soon as I take my Chromebook out of my bag, and the long battery life means that I can be productive all day, and if I don't use my Chromebook all day I can use it for several days between charges. With my Windows Laptop I was lucky if a could get an hours worth of use out of it even after changing the battery for one with a higher capacity.

My Chromebook is light enough that I can carry it with me everywhere that I go as I went for the 11.6" Acer C720 which is a lightweight powerhouse that does everything that I do on a day-to-day basis, that was the reason for me choosing a Chromebook over a Windows Laptop or Ultrabook. My first choice was a MacBook Pro closely followed by a MacBook Air, but as they were way out of my price range I went for what is basically the new comer to the computing world.

Chromebooks are nothing like what Microsoft tries to lead everybody to believe, as now that everything is connected to the Internet even Windows and Mac Laptops can't do most things without an Internet connection. Sure you can use Office programs Offline along with other tasks, but for the day-to-day things like browsing the Internet or sending and receiving emails can't be done without an Internet connection. As Chrome OS matures more and more things can be done Offline as Google Drive has the ability to view documents Offline, but at present has limited Offline creation options, as you can only currently create and edit documents Offline but once you've named a document you're unable to rename it until you're back Online.

I'll probably do another review post in 4 months time.

Roland

Chrome OS In The Future

With Samsung launching the Chromebook 2 in 11.6" and 13" varieties and the Education focused Chromebooks from new Chrome OS OEM's Dell and Lenovo, what's the future got in store for Chrome OS? The  Lenovo ThinkPad 11e yoga looks the most interesting of the new entrants to the Chromebook market, and could be the Chromebook that kickstarts the idea of having a Chrome OS Tablet in the future. We've already got Chromebooks, Chromeboxes & LG launching an iMac styled Chromebase then a Chrometab seems to be the obvious progression in the evolution of Chrome OS.

What I'd like to See in Chrome os in the future

With Google hinting at introducing an Easy Unlock feature, what would I like to see in the future of Chrome OS?

I'd like to see a way to integrate OneDrive, Box & Dropbox into the files app and improvements to the Offline capabilities of Google Drive.

Yesterday April 29 Acer announced an as yet unnamed Chromebook that will be powered by an intel Core i3-4005U running at 1.7GHZ and boast intel HD4400 grapics. as yet there is no word on a release date, price, amount of RAM or storage size, source OMG Chrome.

Roland

Other External Hardware That Works in Chrome OS

 

I was going through some of the external hardware that I've got lying around in my Windows Laptop bag to see what is compatible with Chrome OS and what isn't compatible with Chrome OS.

Generic USB 2.0 webcam

 

I originally got this Webcam as an experiment using face tracking software for gaming which has sat in my Laptop bag ever since. So I decided to try it in my Chromebook, it works flawlessly in Hangouts call and is so much clearer than the built-in one and the 6 LED's get rid of any artifacts created by low light. Unfortunately the Chrome OS Camera app doesn't support the use of external Webcams, but the LED's will help get rid of low light artifacts.

I don't really use the built-in Webcam that much, so I won't be using my external Webcam all that much, but it might come in handy if I attempt to do some Unboxing videos on YouTube.

Generic Wireless USB Mouse

I originally got this mouse because I'm not a fan of the tiny portable wired Mouse that came with the Laptop bag. For the small amount that I paid for it on eBay it's an excellent Mouse. It works perfectly with Chrome OS, but yet again it'll not get much use as I really like the gesture control of the multi-touch trackpad.

If I could get hold of an Apple cheaply on eBay I'd give it a go with my Chromebook as I'd like to re-setup a little office space in the Livingroom to get a comfortable work area than having my desk pretty much being my knee and the spare seat on the sofa.

Conclusion

Chrome OS is really good at supporting external hardware no matter how cheap or generic it is.

Planned Projects

I'm hoping to get a replacement HDD Caddy for my 2.5" external HDD, as I've had my current one since about 2009/10 and it's seen better days. I'm also considering upgrading the 16GB internal SSD by adding a 32GB SD card, whether I keep the SD card in the SD slot permanently or keep inserting it every time I take it out to use it I've not decided.

I'm hoping to do these over the weekend or in the week as I've got to order them on eBay and await delivery. I'll not be doing any Articles on the's upgrades but I might do a review of the SD Card and the HDD Caddy.

Roland

Targus Slim Netbook Case Review

I was looking for a bag for my Acer C720 Chromebook as the Targus Laptop Messenger bag that I'd previously been using was starting to get uncomfortable to as it's a heavy bag when it's empty.

How I came across the Targus Slim Netbook Case was purely by accident while searching eBay for Chromebook Cases and it popped up on the listings, so for the price I decided to buy it & yesterday it was delivered. So after over a days use here's my review.

Review

The Targus Slim Netbook case states on its information tag that it's for Netbooks up to 11.6", but it comfortably fits my Acer C720 even when its got its iPearl cover on it.

[caption id="attachment_2092" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Targus Slim Netbook Case information tag showing dimensions[/caption]

The Case is a good size and is very well made, it's got the same quality feel about it as my old Targus Laptop Messenger Bag the only difference is that it's made from lightweight material.

[caption id="attachment_2094" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Targus Slim Netbook Case outside[/caption]

The case looks more like a Netbook Sleeve than a Netbook Case as it doesn't have a full Zip main compartment, but the handles and the front zip pocket are a give away that it's a Case and not a Sleeve, it's also got a rear baggage trolley loop with Velcro fastening.

The main compartment has a double zip fastening with an elasticated Velcro strap to stop your Netbook or Chromebook from slipping out. The main compartment is spacious with more than enough space for an 11.6" laptop.

[caption id="attachment_2095" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Main compartment with Velcro fastening closed[/caption]

The front compartment has room for 3 pens,a small expanding pocket with a Velcro fastening, a big pocket with 2 medium-sized pocket in front, another big pocket with 4 pockets the size of USB flash drives on the front, as well as a spacious pocket to hold a Power supply, the only down side is that a UK mains lead is a bit too bulky to fit in unless you're using the case for an 11" MacBook Air.

[caption id="attachment_2096" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The front organizer Accessory pocket[/caption]

The case also comes with an extendable shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry your laptop around without the risk of dropping it.

[caption id="attachment_2097" align="aligncenter" width="300"] extendable shoulder strap[/caption]

The case is so spacious that I can get my Asus Google Nexus 7 Tablet as well as my Acer C720, power supply, headphones and a few other accessories including a Chrome OS Recovery USB Flash Drive.

[caption id="attachment_2098" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The contents of my Targus Slim Netbook Case[/caption]

Conclusion

The Targus Slim Netbook Case is a quality case with plenty of space for carrying your 11.6" Chromebook along with all your essential accessories, keeping the Chromebook power supply with you is probably not necessary, but I keep it in so I can find it when I need it as well as it's always ready for when I go away for a few days and need to charge. The only chargers I can't carry with me are my phone and tablet ones, but there is room for a USB to iPhone Dock Connector cable and a USB to Micro USB cable.

I'd recommend this case for anyone who has an 11" Chromebook  as there is plenty of space to keep everything that you need together.

 

Roland

New Easy Unlock Feature Coming Soon To Chrome OS

In the latest Chrome OS Development release there is a new feature hidden under a Chrome Flag, this feature is called Easy Unlock.

[caption id="attachment_2087" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Easy Unlock Chrome Flag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2085" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Easy Unlock option in Settings.[/caption]

Once enabled Easy Unlock Setup can be found in Settings > Show Advanced Settings, once you select Setup Easy Unlock you get a Setup Wizard.

[caption id="attachment_2086" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Easy Unlock Setup Wizard[/caption]

The Easy Unlock Setup Wizard currently doesn't work, but it does point towards how it will work as when you select Find your phone it switches on the Bluetooth Radio in your Chromebook.

Conclusion

The Chrome OS Easy Unlock reminds me of a tiny hardware device that I saw in my local PC World years ago where you plugged a USB Dongle into your Windows Computer or Laptop and a puck was used to lock or unlock your Computer depending on if the puck was in rang of the USB Dongle in your Computer.

At present it's impossible to tell if Easy Unlock will only unlock your Chromebook or if it'll lock your Chromebook as well. If it only unlocks when it goes live it'll be nice if Google improve Easy Unlock to lock as well.

Roland

What's On My Chromebook Shelf Right Now

THE MOST USED APPS ON MY CHROMEBOOK, AND

WHY THEY'RE THERE

While my iPhone and Google Nexus 7 Tablet are mainly used for leisure, my Chromebook is used mostly for work, I spend most of my day, it's what I use to update this blog and work on various other projects. So I thought I'd do a post in the style of the what's on my Mac Dock and why, but for Chromebooks, so here's what's on my Chromebook Shelf and why. First off we'll cover some of the stock Chrome apps, and there are a few. The first is Chrome as it's permanently placed on the Shelf by default, Files as it's easier than having to go through the App Drawer to find it, finally I've got the Wallpaper Picker as it's convenient for quickly changing my Desktop Wallpaper.

Now onto the rest of my Apps.

• Dashboard. I use Dashboard as it adds a Mac OS X style Dashboard to Chrome OS.


• Google Calendar. I Use Google Calendar on a daily basis, not always to add events. So it's essential to have Calendar in easy reach.


• Google Drive. It's essential for me to always have quick access to all of my work with more advanced features than using Files.


• Full Screen Weather. I use Full Screen Weather, because it's always nice to keep an eye on the weather.


• Google+ Photos. I use Google+ Photos as it's a nice simple way to view all my photos that are backed up on Google+& even shared to Google+.


• Google Play Music. I use Play Music as a lot of my music is already stored on Play Music, and having it on the Shelf makes it easy to use when I want to listen to anything.


• Hangouts call. Hardly ever used, but it's still there if I need it.


• OMG Chrome. As it's nice to keep an eye on the latest Chrome & Chrome OS news.


• Spotify.  I like using Spotify & it's nice to be able to use Spotify from the Shelf.


• WordPress.com. Since my blog is hosted on WordPress.com it makes sense to keep the WordPress.com app on the Shelf.


• YouTube. I watch YouTube videos nearly every day, so keeping the YouTube app on the Shelf makes sense.


• Google Play Music Mini Player. Having the Google Play Music Mini Player on the Shelf means that I can get access to some of the Google Play Music features without having to go into the Google Play Music app, would be nice to be able to use the Google Play Music Mini Player while the Google Play Music app is closed though.

That's everything on my Chromebook Shelf. I've got loads of other apps on my Chromebook, but the list I've provided in this post are the select few that I use enough to allow to grace a spot on my Shelf. That's enough about my Chromebook, what about you? Be sure to share your Chrome Shelf setups in the Comments.

Roland