My Chromebooks Keep on Ticking

by Tony Thomas

Tick...tick...tick. Can you hear that sound?

That is the sound of my Chromebooks approaching their expiration date.

Unlike many other computers, Chrome devices have an expiration date baked in. For older models, it is five years after the date of introduction (not the date of sale). Newer models get a date of 6.5 years.

That means that if you were an early adopter of the Chrome platform like me, chances are that time is running out for your Chrome devices.

What happens when that day arrives? According to the Google AUE (auto update expiration) website:

“Chrome devices receive automatic updates regularly that enhance both the device itself and the software on the device. However, advances in hardware and technology eventually make devices out-of-date; and as time goes by, we cannot indefinitely ensure that older Chrome devices will receive updates to leverage new OS features.”

“When a device reaches Auto Update Expiration (AUE), it means that the product model is considered obsolete and automatic software updates from Google are no longer guaranteed.”

That doesn't mean that the devices will suddenly stop working. It just means that they will not get any more updates or new features. At some point, they may cease to function correctly as new web technologies are created and added to Chrome. More troubling is the fact that security updates may also cease when the expiration date is reached.

Does this mean that you should discard a perfectly good device? Not necessarily. If you are technically inclined, you can install Linux on the device by reflashing the device to wipe ChromeOS and replacing it with SeaBIOS. However, that is not for the faint of heart or anyone who lacks some serious technical chops. In addition, this will only work for devices with Intel CPUs (not ARM).

A simpler solution is to enter developer mode on the Chrome device and install Linux via Crouton (Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment). It is a much simpler process and is easily reversible as it does not make any permanent changes to the device. Crouton gives you the option to install a number of Ubuntu variants and update them as needed. If you install Chrome on your Linux distribution, it mirrors much of the functionality inherent in the Chrome operating system while also enabling you to run Linux applications such as Libre Office even while not connected to the Internet.

If you are buying a new Chrome device, it would be wise to check the AUE expiration database To find out how long the device has before it reaches its expiration date. There are many older Chrome devices (especially used ones) still on sale that are close to or even beyond their expiration date. Buyer beware!

Here is a link to Google’s AUE database:

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en

And a link to the Crouton GitHub page:

https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton

Are Chromebooks Getting Pricier?

by Tony Thomas

When they were introduced, Chromebooks were seen as a low-cost alternative to a notebook PC.  How things have changed.  

I visited my local Best Buy yesterday and noticed that the prices of Chromebooks are moving on up.  At the very top of the line is the Google Pixel - the flagship of Chromebooks.  Even with its impressive specs, at $999, I think the Pixel has very limited appeal unless the buyer is a Chromebook fanatic.  

Bolstered by the high price of the Pixel, other manufacturers, like Samsung, Asus, and HP, are coming out with new Chromebooks in the medium-price range of $500 to $750.  At the lower end of the pricing scale, there are fewer offerings to choose from.  I think this is because the recently introduced Android functionality requires more RAM and storage space to be used effectively.  

Personally, I find the dependence on Android troubling as I am a big fan of the offline native apps on Chrome OS that have apparently been deprecated.  Google will be adding Linux functionality which may help to fill in the gap between mobile apps and more powerful desktop computer programs.  They are also betting heavily on Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) that are beginning to appear but have not gained much traction or acceptance yet.

The problem with the more expensive Chromebooks is that they lose their advantage of being a low-cost solution and have solid competition from lower-end notebooks and tablets like the iPad.   And, speaking of the iPad, I will be watching with interest how well the new ChromeOS tablets will do compared to Apple's new affordable base model.  

In any case, ChromeOS is still a strong option for anyone looking for a secure web-based computing solution.

Check out my YouTube Video:

Are Chrome Apps Going Away?

by Tony Thomas

The potential market for Google Chrome apps just got a lot smaller. 

According to the Chromium Blog, Google will be phasing out Chrome apps (but not extensions) for the Chrome browser on all platforms except Chrome OS. This phase out will begin in late 2016 and will continue until early 2018. As only 1% of users reportedly use Chrome apps on Windows, MacOS and Linux, this move will allow Google to simplify the Chrome browser. 

They are encouraging developers of Chrome packaged apps to migrate them the web. What this means is that there will less developers willing to develop for a platform with diminishing potential. 

I really question the future viability of Chrome apps, even on Chrome OS, especially now that Android capability is beginning to roll out to Chrome OS devices. I think that it is just a matter of time before they are just a distant memory.

Official Announcement:  http://blog.chromium.org/2016/08/from-chrome-apps-to-web.html

Android on My Asus Flip!

by Tony Thomas

The Google Play Store is now available for the Asus Flip Chromebook!  It is the very first Chromebook to get this feature.  (Sorry, Pixel!)  And as you may know, I purchased a Flip a few weeks ago in anticipation of this event.

When I heard the news yesterday, I came home, did a power wash, and switched from the stable to the dev channel (Version 53.0.2768.0 dev) and was immediately rewarded by the familiar Google Play Store icon on the right hand of the shelf. 

I installed some of my favorite apps and most seemed to work perfectly, but for some reason, the audio does not work on apps like Google Music. I immediately opened a ticket with Google and am hoping they fix it soon. Also, "flipping" from horizontal to vertical in tablet mode seems to be problematic for some apps.

As this is an alpha build, there is obviously still a lot of work to do by both the Google developers and app coders. On the positive side, Android apps look and behave just like standalone Chrome apps.  They appear and can be launched in the "All Apps" menu and can be pinned to the shelf. Very nice integration!

In any case, I am having fun with Android apps and it looks like the future of ChromeOS is suddenly much brighter!

My review of the Asus Flip: http://tonythomastechtrends.blogspot.com/2016/05/asus-chromebook-flip.html

The Google Play Megathread on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/4ohqyt/chrome_os_m53_google_play_mega_thread/


Update 6/24: After loading alpha again (after about 5 days on the stable channel), I found that sound and video does work on the apps that I tested as long as you reboot the machine after installation. This is a good practice for any app that isn't behaving right.


Update 6/25: The latest alpha update broke Android and wiped everything out. I am heading back to the stable channel until they get it sorted out.


Update 6/26: After doing some reading on the megathread, back to alpha: Version 53.0.2773.3 dev. There is now a symbol on icons that are websites and not apps.


Update 7/7: I noticed on my 2GB Flip that memory usage is low when I first turn it on and then all the ARC (Android) system stuff loads up. It takes up 151.5 MB of memory before running any Android apps according to Task Manager. I then went to Crosh and entered a "free" command and it appeared that all of the memory was being used by the system. I then opened up 17 tabs in three windows and the memory figures did not change that much. None of the tabs forced closed either. That demonstrates to me that ChromeOS is very good with memory management and that you can do more on a 2GB system than you might think.


Update 7/9: V53 alpha just updated to 53.0.2785.4. Android apps I pinned to the bar disappeared but they were still installed.

Another view of the Play Store




The About page of the new build




The Weather Channel Android app running on the Flip

Asus Chromebook Flip

 by Tony Thomas

Since it has been announced that Android apps are coming to the Chromebook this fall, I thought I would celebrate by picking up a Chromebook Flip 2GB.  Although this machine is very similar to my Rockchip-based Asus Chromebook C201, the Flip offers a a lot of additional functionality.  

First of all, the Flip will be one of the first devices to support Android during the alpha and beta test phases which should be launching soon.  So, that will give me the ability to test Android on ChromeOS as soon as it is launched.

Secondly, it is a very light and compact device with a 10.1" touchscreen is capable of double-duty as a small notebook and a capable tablet.  Additionally, you can flip the keyboard under and use it to watch You Tube, videos, movies or even use it for tabletop presentations.  The addition of the touchscreen with pinch-to-zoom and the 360 degree hinge is really a game-changer.

It has a great (although smallish) keyboard, two USB 2 ports, a micro-SD card slot, a micro-HDMI jack and a combo mic/heaphone jack.  Power is supplied by an Asus power brick with the same custom connector used on the C201.  Battery life is excellent at around 9 hours.

Using the Flip

The Flip has a very similar feel to my C201 and it uses the same chip and memory. The Rockchip Quad-Core ARM Cortex A17 (RK3288C) processor with Mali graphics core is up to the task and the Flip runs very fast despite only having 2GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD.   (There is also a 4GB version for those who need more memory for multitasking.)  The keyboard has a decent amount of travel, making it a joy to type on.  The trackpad is smooth and responsive.  The Octane score at circa 7000 is slow compared to most Intel-equipped Chromebooks but is adequate for this kind of hybrid.  A faster CPU usually requires more cooling and battery power (adding weight) and reduces the operating time. 

The touchscreen is very useful on this device as it allows for pinch-and-zoom and when it is flipped to tablet mode, an onscreen keyboard is automatically enabled.  Very slick!  When using it in tablet mode, you need to hold it do that your fingers are not in contact with the keyboard.  Even though the keyboard is inactive in tablet mode, it makes for a strange experience if you press the keys while in that mode.   The fit and feel of the all-aluminum body is superb making it look and feel like a much more expensive device.   The MacBook Air comes to mind.

The audio quality of the speakers is decent and the screen is very sharp when used at the recommended 1280 x 800 resolution.  The front HD camera is adequate for web chats but not much else.  There is no rear camera.

Triple Threat

I installed Ubuntu on the Flip using Crouton and can easily switch between ChromeOS and Ubuntu in real time using a key command.  Having a Linux distro available provides enhanced offline functionality and the ability to run powerful programs like Libre Office,  Gimp, Inkscape, Filezilla, etc.  As soon as this machine has the ability to run all of the Android apps on the Google Play store, it will be a real triple threat!

I believe that devices like the Asus Flip will become much more common as the Chrome/Android marriage comes to fruition.  I expect to see devices with more memory, more storage and even longer battery life.   If you want to get into the game early, the Asus Flip may be a good option.

Asus Flip Web Page

The Flip has a great keyboard and trackpad

Flip in video viewing/presentation mode

Flip in tablet mode (vertical)

Flip running Ubuntu via Crouton

Neverware CloudReady

by Tony Thomas

I have an old Thinkpad T43 around and decided to try Neverware's CloudReady OS on it.  If you have never heard of it, CloudReady is a free solution that essentially turns an old computer into a ChromeOS machine (it actually runs ChromiumOS, the open source version of ChromeOS).  

While the product is primarily aimed at the business and education markets with annual licenses of $25-49 with Google Management Console and technical support, the free version is great for the casual user even though no technical support is provided.

Installation is pretty straightforward. You download a 600MB zip file to a computer and then use the Chromebook Recovery Tool from the Chrome Web store to write it to a 8 GB or larger USB thumb-drive.  There are 32 and 64-bit versions of the file, so you just select the one that will support your machine.  

Then, you just boot the computer with the USB thumb-drive you created.  You can test drive CloudReady OS without installing it on the machine.  If you like it, you can install it.  Just be warned that it will overwrite everything on your hard disk.

You even have the option to dual-boot it with Windows on selected newer computers.  The list of CloudReady certified computers is available here.  Most of them are business-class notebooks that can be picked up very inexpensively (from under $100 to $200) on eBay.  Some Apple MacBooks and old netbooks are also on the list. 

It worked wonderfully on my T61 with CoreDuo processor and 320GB hard drive with 2GB of memory.   Even though it books up a bit more slowly than a typical Chromebook, it is speedy and offers a much more disk storage.

If you want to make your own cheap and very fast Chromebook, this is the solution you need!

Neverware Web Site

I Don't Get It, Google!

by Tony Thomas

I don't get it, Google!

ChromeOS and Chromebooks have been pretty much ignored at two Google I/O developers conferences in a row!

Coincidentally, it has just been reported that Chromebook sales have topped MacBook sales for the first time ever: 
http://www.businessinsider.com/google-chromebooks-outsell-apple-macs-2016-5

Millions of units are still being sold, but Google doesn't seem to be interested.  News that Google Chrome will soon be able to run millions of Android apps was buried in a day 2 breakout session and not included in the keynote!

Chromebook advertising has all but disappeared.  Rumors that Chromebooks are a dead platform have not been squashed.  The Android/Chrome merger rumors have not been clarified.  Yet, manufacturers are still coming out with new machines.  What is going on?  Where is the ChromeOS love?

Asus C201 Chromebook Review

by Tony Thomas

I recently added the new Asus C201 Chromebook to my arsenal.  It is an 11.6" Chromebook with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage that is available for as little as $160\.  It uses the new Rockchip 3288-C ARM A17 quad-core SoC (system on a chip).

Key Features:

1. Price:  At $160, it is a no brainer.  It is almost disposable.  You can't even buy a decent tablet for that price these days.  
2. Between 10 and 13 Hours of Battery Life:  That is an amazing amount of battery life! 
3. Nice Sharp Screen: It is reflective, so it looks sharper.  And viewing angles aren't bad.
4. Weight: At only 2.2 lbs, it is light enough to carry everywhere.
5. Ports: It has 2 USB 2.0 ports, a micro HDMI, micro SD card slot and headphone jack.
6. Slim profile: It is not only small, it is nice and sleek as well.
7. Camera: It has1.3 MP webcam.
8. Graphics: It uses Mali-T764 integrated graphics.
9. Audio: It has speakers and a microphone
10. Scores: Octane = 6861 Sunspider = 617.8 ms

I have been using this as my road notebook for the past few weeks.  Performance has been great and it seems to be a pretty solid.  I am very pleased with it!

www.asus.com

Calmly Writer for ChromeOS Review

by Tony Thomas

Calmly Writer is an immersive writing environment for Chrome with a strange name. It even works off line on the Chromebook since it is a standalone Chrome app. (Yea!) It is the only Chrome app that I paid money for ($2.99) and it is well worth the price, in my opinion.

Features include the ability to save files Plain Text, HMTL, Markdown, or a proprietary Calmly file. You can also open all of those file formats plus Microsoft Word DOCX. It also includes minimal formatting features like three levels of headers, bold, italic, links, curly quotes and numbered and bulleted lists. It also has the ability to print documents plus you can insert pictures.

Missing is the ability to precisely set margins, indents or center text. That is fair because it is not meant to replace a word processor or DTP program. It is an app that focuses on creating text, not formatting it.

Its full screen mode makes everything go away but your text (true immersion), focus mode blurs everything but the paragraph you are working on, and dark mode reverses the text. Other preferences include the ability to set narrow, wide or medium text width, select between two fonts (I would love to have more), change font size (three options), add space between paragraphs, and enable smart punctuation.

As a writer, I also like the fact that it shows word count, character count and reading time in the options side bar. I look forward to continued development of this app and hope it signals a trend towards more powerful and capable Chrome apps in the future.

For more information: http://calmlywriter.com/

Free online version: http://calmlywriter.com/online/

Why I Love Chromebooks!

I am writing this article in Evernote on my Chromebook.  I love Chromebooks!  Why?

1. They Are Fast: I can open up my Chromebook and begin working in seconds.  Since it is essentially a web browser-based operating system, there is very little overhead and the system runs extremely fast.  Also, I can take any Chromebook, wipe it and reload it with all of my apps and bookmarks in about 5 minutes.

2. They Are Comparatively Cheap:  I paid around $250 for my original Samsung 11.6" ARM Chromebook and a bit over $200 for the Asus 13.3" Intel Chromebook I am using now.  That is a fraction of the price of a decent notebook with comparable specs.

3. Google Docs is Great:  It comes with a great free suite of applications that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, drawing program and more.  It also supports a robust scripting language (Apps Script) for customization.

4. They Come with 100 GB of Free Storage for 2 Years:  You get 15 GB of free Google Drive storage with a Google account.  If you buy a Chromebook, they currently add 100 GB of free storage for 2 years.  That is a $1.99/mo. value.

5. A Growing Selection of Mostly Free Apps:  The Chrome Web store has tons of great apps and they are there for the taking.  

6. You Don't Have to Worry About Viruses and Malware:  I have spent many hours cleaning my Windows computers of malware and PUPs.  No worries on the Chromebook.  

7. Automatic Free Updates:  Major updates are released every 6 weeks and my Chromebook updates automatically in the background.  All I have to do is turn it off and back on and: voila!

8. I Can Also Run Linux: I also run Ubuntu on my Chromebook simultaneously with Chrome OS using Crouton. That also allows me to use my Chromebook sans the Internet and to run applications not available on Chrome OS.  Check out: https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton

9. A Lot of Apps Can Be Used Offline: While you generally need to be connected to the Internet to use a Chromebook, a growing number Chrome apps can be run offline.  Some Android apps are also being ported to Chrome.

10. Your Work is in the Cloud:  Your work is stored in the cloud automatically.  No more worrying about crashing your hard drive and losing all of your work.  You also have the ability to download your work from Google Drive and store it locally.  

If you are looking for a inexpensive and easy-to-use notebook, I recommend a Chromebook!