chrome os News - Page 2 of 4 - CNX Software

May 14, 2018May 14, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

How to Run Chrome OS in Android Emulator

While it’s possible to run the open source Chromium OS in your computer or a virtual machine, AFAIK there was only was way to test Chrome OS: purchasing an actual Chromebook, or other device running the operating system. But this week-end, I read the news that Chrome OS was now available in Android Studio, and you can run in Android Emulator while emulating a Pixelbook, so I gave it a try by following the instructions on Android Developer website. If you haven’t done so already, we first need to install Android Studio. I’m running Ubuntu 16.04 in my computer, but this will also work in Windows and Mac OS X. After download the IDE zip file, we can extract it… and then open a console, go into “{installation home}/bin” and run the program:

./studio.sh

1	./studio.sh

After a few seconds, we got into Android Studio 3.1.2 welcome screen. We can now click […]

April 21, 2018April 24, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Run Linux Apps in (PixelBook) Chromebook with Crostini VM

Ever since the first Chromebooks were released, it has been possible to run Ubuntu or other Linux distributions using Crouton (Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment) on Chrome OS devices, but that requires to enable developer mode, which disables some of security features that come with Chrome OS. Google has now make it easier and safer with Crostini VM that does not require developer mode. The only downsides for now are that it only works on Google Pixelbook, and you need to install/run Chrome OS v67 dev channel with the #enable-cros-container flag enabled. Using Crostini is fairly straightforward. First start crosh terminal with Ctrl++Atl+t, and running the following command to create a VM, and launch a container:

vmc start dev
run_container.sh --container_name=stretch --user=<username> --shell

1 2	vmc start dev run_container.sh --container_name=stretch --user=<username> --shell

This will start a Debian Stretch environment with networking and GUI support, so you can install & run programs like you would in Debian (e.g. apt install htop). Kevin Tofel at AboutChromebooks managed […]

April 10, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

HP Chromebook x2 is a 2-in-1 Tablet Running Chrome OS

We’ve recently seen what should be the first Chrome OS tablet with Acer Chromebook Tab featuring a Rockchip RK3399 / OP1 processor, and a 9.7″ display. The device is now joined by a high-end tablet, or more exactly a 2-in-1 tablet/ laptop with HP Chromebook x2. Specifications: SoC – Intel Core M3-7Y30 dual core/four thread processor @ 1.0 / 2.6 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 615 @ 300 / 615 MHz; 4.5W TDP System Memory – 4GB or 8GB LPDDR3-1600 RAM Storage -32GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot up to 256 GB Display – 12.3″ touchscreen display with 2400 x 1600 resolution; Camera – 13MP rear camera, 5MP front-facing camera/webcam Audio – Stereo speakers, dual microphones, headphone jack Connectivity – 802.11 ac 2×2 MIMO WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 LE USB – 2x USB 3.0 type C ports User Input – Detachable island-style keyboard and an HP Active Pen for pressure-sensitive input. Battery […]

March 28, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

Acer Chromebook Tab 10 is the First Chrome OS Tablet

Chrome OS has been found in laptops (Chromebooks), and mini PCs (Chromeboxes) or even All-in-One PCs (Chromebases) for a while, but a new category has launched with Chrome OS tablets starting with Acer Chromebook Tab 10. The tablet is powered by a Rockchip RK3399 / OP1 processor, comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, a 9.7″ display, supports Wacom EMR stylus, targets the education market. Acer Chromebook Tab 10 (D651N) specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3399-C / OP1 hexa core processor with two Cortex A72 cores, four Cortex A53 cores, and a Mali-T860MP4 GPU System Memory – 4GB RAM Storage – 32GB eMMC flash, micro SD card slot Display – 9.7″ touchscreen IPS display with QXGA (2048×1536) resolution Audio – Headphone/speaker jack Connectivity – 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 Camera – 2MP front-facing camera USB – 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port for charging, data transfer and connection […]

October 15, 2016October 16, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 19 Comments

Samsung Chromebook Pro Powered by Rockchip RK3399 SoC to Sell for $499

Considering Linux kernel commits related to RK3399 processor almost always involves developers with a chromium.org email address, beside rock-chip.com ones, we had to expect a Rockchip RK3399 based Chromebook sooner or later, and based on various leaks, Samsung Chromebook Pro appears to be one the RK3399 Chromebooks to come to market very soon. We’ll see some of the key features and pictures, and technical details on websites such as Adorama, so we can have a pretty good idea of Chromebook Pro OP1 / 513C24I specifications, even though Samsung and Google have yet to officially launch the device: SoC – Hexa core processor with 2x ARM Cortex A72 cores @ up to 2.0 GHz, 4x ARM Cortex A53 cores (Which has to be Rockchip RK3399 SoC, or a special RK3399-C specific to Chromebooks) System Memory – 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM Storage – 32 GB eMMC Flash Storage Display – 360°-rotatable 12.3” LED […]

September 1, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Acer Chromebook R13 is Powered by Mediatek MT8173 64-bit ARM Processor

The just announced Acer Chromebook R13 is both the first Mediatek Chromebook and the first 64-bit ARM Chromebook thanks to its Mediatek MT8173(c) quad core processor with two ARM Cortex-A72 cores, and two ARM Cortex-A53 cores. The Chromebook is also fitted with a 13.3″ touchscreen display, 4 GB RAM, and up to 64GB internal storage. Acer Chromebook R13 specifications: SoC – Mediatek M8173C quad core processor with 2x ARM Cortex A72 cores, 2x ARM Cortex A53 cores, and a PowerVR GX6250 GPU System Memory – 4GB LPDDR3 RAM Storage – 16, 32 or 64 GB eMMC flash Display – 13.3″ touchscreen IPS display; 1920×1080 resolution; 10-point touch; 360-degree hinge design Audio – Integrated microphone, dual built-in speakers, microphone and headphone jacks Video Output – HDMI Camera – HD webcam (1280×720 resolution) with HDR and 720p HD audio/video recording Wireless Connectivity – 2×2 MIMO 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – […]

May 20, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Google Play and Android Apps Are Coming to (Recent) Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and Chromebases

There’s been talks about Android and Chrome OS merging for many years, and while it’s unclear whether it will ever happen, both operating systems’ features are converging, with the latest development officially bringing Android apps and the Google Play store to Chromebooks. Developers will have very little to modified on their Android apps, except possibly setting touchscreen support, and a few other options in the manifest file. Google listed a few benefits of Android apps on Chromebooks: Android Apps can be shown in 3 different window sizes Users can multi-task with multiple Android apps in moveable windows along with a full desktop browser within Chrome OS interface. Keyboard, mouse, and touch input will seamlessly work together Users will get Android notifications on their Chromebooks Android apps benefit from the Wifi or Bluetooth connectivity setup by the user or the administrator File sharing is seamless between Chrome and Android apps through […]

April 29, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

HP Chromebook 13 G1 Features Skylake Pentium or Core M Processor, 4 to 16GB RAM, and a 3200×1800 Display for $499 and Up

HP Chromebook 13 G1 is the middle ground between Google’s $1000 Chromebook Pixel and the cheap Rockchip RK3288 chromebooks, thanks to a choice of low power Skylake Core M processor, plenty of memory, and for people who loathe 1366×768, or even 1920×1080 displays, a 13.3″ display with 3200×1800 resolution. HP Chromebook 13 G1 specifications: SoC (four options) Intel Pentium 4405Y dual core / quad thread processor @ 1.5 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU @ 300/800 MHz (TDP: 6W) Intel Core m3-6Y30 dual core / quad thread processor @ 900 / 2.2 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU @ 300/850 MHz (TDP: 4.5W) Intel Core m5-6Y57 dual core / quad thread processor @ 1.1 / 2.8 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU @ 300/900 MHz (TDP: 4.5W) Intel Core m7-6Y75 dual core / quad thread processor @ 1.2 / 3.1 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU @ […]