LG’s all-in-one Chromebase will bring Chrome OS, unfortunately, to the desktop

<img alt="LG Chromebase, front and side" class="attachment-full wp-post-image" height="353" src="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/chromebase-lg-front-side-640x353.jpg" style="border-style: none; color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" width="640" /><br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> In a weird and not entirely pleasant twist of fate, LG has announced a Chrome OS… kiosk. Well, technically it’s an all-in-one PC, but given Chrome OS’s minimal feature set, it is essentially a kiosk. Called the Chromebase, there’s no word on pricing or availability yet, but given its chunky appearance and circa-2005 rounded bezels we’re probably looking at somewhere in the region of $300 to $400.</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> LG’s Chromebase, which will be shown off at CES 2014, is an all-in-one (AIO) with a 21.5-inch 1920×1080 IPS display, Intel Celeron CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of solid-state storage. A fairly wimpy spec, but it sits firmly within Chrome OS’s minimum hardware requirements. The paltry supply of RAM may be an issue if you like to keep more than a few tabs open, but LG will probably offer a 4GB model for an extra $50 if you think you’ll need it. With a Celeron CPU, the Chromebase won’t exactly blitz through page loads, and you can expect a fair bit of slowdown if you try to do more than one non-basic tasks at the same time.</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> LG envisions the Chromebase as a secure kiosk-style computer for schools, hotels, call centers, and other settings that don’t require the feature set provided by a full Windows PC. Chrome OS is very secure, and cloud-based profiles — all of your bookmarks, add-ons, and apps are automatically synced when you log in – make it ideal for situations where dozens or hundreds of people might use the same computer. The Chromebase might also make sense as a family computer, though given the wimpy processor and lack of apps and games, your kids probably wouldn’t be too happy to receive a Chromebase for Christmas.</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/chromebase-lg-back.jpg" style="color: #b1700a; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="LG Chromebase, back" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-173077" height="632" src="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/chromebase-lg-back-640x632.jpg" style="border-style: none;" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> There are some other important questions about the Chromebase’s hardware spec, too. The LG press release doesn’t mention if the display is a touchscreen or not — a significant point, if the Chromebase is destined for kiosk use. Chrome OS has received a few touchscreen tweaks over the last year, which I assumed were for touchscreen Chromebooks — or perhaps, at long last, a Chrome OS <em>tablet</em> — but maybe they were in preparation for the Chromebase. The Chromebase will come with a mouse and keyboard, 2x USB 2.0 sockets, a single USB 3.0 socket, and an RJ45 LAN socket (probably Gigabit).</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Curiously, the Chromebase has an HDMI input socket, meaning you can use it as a standalone screen — say, as a second display for your Windows PC, perhaps. It’s hard to come up with a valid usage scenario for such a setup, though. Maybe you use Chrome OS when you just want to bring up a website quickly, but boot your real PC when you want to do some gaming or Photoshop work? Given how quickly Windows 8 and OS X come out of standby, though, such a scenario seems tenuous at best. Still, having an HDMI input is better than not having an HDMI input. (See: HP Chromebook 11: Finally, a Chrome OS laptop with the right specs at the right price.)</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The fact remains that <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/tag/chrome-os" style="color: #b1700a; text-decoration: none;">Chrome OS</a> occupies a weird mid-ground between fully-fledged mobile OS like Android, and a desktop OS like Windows. Chrome OS, which was initially conceived by <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/tag/google" style="color: #b1700a; text-decoration: none;">Google</a> as a mobile, browser-based, always-connected-to-the-cloud operating system, always seemed a bit ahead of its time. Browsers still don’t have native-level performance (and they churn through battery life), and mobile connectivity is still nowhere near good enough or cheap enough. As a result, Chrome OS has been forced to adapt, and the end result is essentially a secure but featureless OS that’s usually strapped onto cheap, weak hardware — because, let’s face it, no one would buy a Chromebook if it cost more than $400.</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <i>Via: <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/173075-lgs-all-in-one-chromebase-will-bring-chrome-os-unfortunately-to-the-desktop">ExtremeTech</a></i></div>

LG’s all-in-one Chromebase will bring Chrome OS, unfortunately, to the desktop

In a weird and not entirely pleasant twist of fate, LG has announced a Chrome OS… kiosk. Well, technically it’s an all-in-one PC, but give...

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LG Chromebase all-in-one desktop to run Chrome OS

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="lg-chromebase-chrome-os-all-in-one-desktop-pc" height="551" src="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/r/story/70/00/024440/lg-chromebase-chrome-os-all-in-one-desktop-pc-620x551.jpg?hash=AmuuAQyvAG&upscale=1" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 15px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: auto;" title="lg-chromebase-chrome-os-all-in-one-desktop-pc" width="620" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">LG Chromebase all-in-one desktop to run Chrome OS</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #252525; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While ideal for laptops (like Chromebooks), Google's Chrome OS has occasionally found itself on desktop PCs, usually in <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/computers/xi3-chromiumpc-first-desktop-pc-to-run-google-chrome-os-due-in-july/5879" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">small-form-factor systems</a> like the <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/samsung-chromebox-gets-updated-with-intel-core-i5-sandy-bridge-cpu-7000009885/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">Samsung Chromebox</a>. But LG is going a different route with its forthcoming Chromebase machine.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #252525; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Chromebase is an all-in-one (AIO) PC that combines Chrome with a 21.5-inch display with 1,920x1,080 full HD resolution. Given the lightweight footprint that Chrome requires, it should come as no surprise that the Chromebase's other specs aren't awe-inspiring: Intel Celeron Haswell processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of solid-state storage.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #252525; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lgnewsroom.com/newsroom/contents/64056" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">LG hasn't announced</a> pricing on the Chromebase, though don't expect a big sticker price considering the pricing strategy for most Chrome systems (Google's <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/google-chromebook-pixel-review-7000013538/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">Chromebook Pixel</a> aside). In addition to Windows AIOs, it will be competing against a handful of <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/android-invades-the-desktop-7000017286/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">Android-based all-in-ones</a>from <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/ifa-2013-acer-readies-da241hl-android-desktop-7000020221/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">Acer</a> and <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/hp-slate-21-all-in-one-pc-is-powered-by-android-tegra-4-chip-7000017204/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self">HP</a>. LG announced the Chromebase to get a jump on the deluge of tech news coming soon from next month's CES trade show, but more information will probably emerge when the company shows off the new PC in Las Vegas in January.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #252525; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Via: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/17/lg-chromebase-aio/" style="border: 0px; color: #005399; cursor: pointer; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Engadget</a></i></span></div>

LG Chromebase all-in-one desktop to run Chrome OS

LG Chromebase all-in-one desktop to run Chrome OS While ideal for laptops (like Chromebooks), Google's Chrome OS has occasionally found ...

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Chromecast now supports Play Movies

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0m8RoN1TEE0SM1KrujMsN2asHZGHDcf3aZFjAZwvgdWRhc4mfgPBME1n4jrlPP6uZg1eRKKNtZx3umIP4-3sj_89PggDDSW_K6hv_gh5rBF8xUJshBQeVOdje9kF9wAxup6WuXCR8aye/s1600/chromecast-play-web-540x284.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0m8RoN1TEE0SM1KrujMsN2asHZGHDcf3aZFjAZwvgdWRhc4mfgPBME1n4jrlPP6uZg1eRKKNtZx3umIP4-3sj_89PggDDSW_K6hv_gh5rBF8xUJshBQeVOdje9kF9wAxup6WuXCR8aye/s1600/chromecast-play-web-540x284.png" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Chromecast</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The announcement of this new feature just comes on the heels of Chromecast gaining support for ten new apps, expanding the streaming device’s coverage quite considerably. While Google Play Movies and Music have long been supported as streaming sources, this new feature brings a bit of convenience to users.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When your Android smartphone or tablet is out of reach, simply go to the Google Play web page to get access to your uploaded media content. Look for the Cast icon in the web player and click it to immediately start streaming your movie or song to the TV via Chromecast. Now you can get access to more than 20 million songs, new release films and next-day TV releases from Google Play’s content offerings right on your TV even without your phone.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Download: <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?hl=en" target="_blank">Google Cast</a> extension for Chrome<br />SOURCE: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GooglePlay/posts/ZGxKs2zUWqK" target="_blank">Google</a> </i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span>

Chromecast now supports Play Movies

Chromecast The announcement of this new feature just comes on the heels of Chromecast gaining support for ten new apps, expanding the strea...

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Why is Microsoft scared of Chromebooks?

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04oy7jGRcGDJWa6_fLX9_z0s-kHca9gX2w5Ub__gr2Ah6u0b3w6nHgh-s3dYlYFl1adCHmR64gqsNrefiCkMYubhpTbdH51Qk-QBpXCNzHQ649L6DwFxab-vbj1PunLp86AkKcEC8718/s1600/vv.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04oy7jGRcGDJWa6_fLX9_z0s-kHca9gX2w5Ub__gr2Ah6u0b3w6nHgh-s3dYlYFl1adCHmR64gqsNrefiCkMYubhpTbdH51Qk-QBpXCNzHQ649L6DwFxab-vbj1PunLp86AkKcEC8718/s320/vv.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Microsoft scared of Chromebooks</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph0" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s pretty much a brick," says <i>Pawn Stars</i>’ Rick Harrison as he rejects a Samsung Chromebook brought in by an actor playing a customer. Microsoft really doesn’t want you buying this thing.</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But why? Just how big of a threat are Chromebooks, Google’s oft-ridiculed web-only laptops, to Microsoft’s core business?</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In many ways, 2013 has been the year of the Chromebook for Google. From Acer’s $199 C720-2848 to HP’s $279 Chromebook 11, Mountain View has attracted traditional Windows PC makers to build a variety of low-cost laptops in time for the holidays. While Microsoft had largely ignored the threat since the first Chromebook launched some two years ago, it’s been on the attack in recent weeks as part of its ongoing "Scroogled" campaign. Following the <i>Pawn Stars</i> bit, the company has recruited its own "Ben the PC Guy" to hit the streets for comparisons between Windows 8 and a Chromebook.</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Microsoft’s latest effort to undermine the Chromebooks feels more "Mac vs. PC" — Apple’s famous ad campaign from several years ago — than anything else. The scenes are reminiscent of the "laptop hunter" ads that Microsoft used to attack Apple following the Windows Vista release — it’s a similar approach nearly five years later. The difference this time is that Microsoft appears to be targeting a threat that doesn’t really exist yet: while consumer-research group NPD claimed earlier this year that Chromebook sales have snared nearly 25 percent of the US market for laptops under $300, that market has been largely replaced by tablets. Rival research firm IDC estimatesthat Samsung shipped around 652,000 Chromebooks worldwide in Q3. "Among other vendors Lenovo, Acer, and HP have shipped, but in tiny volume," says IDC’s senior research analyst Rajani Singh. IDC expects Chrome OS devices to reach 3 million units this year — that’s less than 1 percent of all PC sales.</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something has Microsoft spooked, though. Chromebooks have dominated Amazon’s best seller charts in the US, but without hard numbers, it’s still unclear exactly how well Google’s laptops are selling worldwide. There is a threat from well-priced laptops, as we’ve witnessed from Linux-based netbooks years ago, but things appear to be moving slowly for Chromebooks right now. Google’s latest Chromebooks from Acer and HP could help push things further, but Google and HP were forced to halt sales of the Chromebook 11 last month following complaints of chargers overheating. After three weeks, the Chromebook 11 still hasn’t returned to shelves despite the important Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days during the busy holiday period.</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph7" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in reality, Microsoft’s offensive could backfire, drawing more attention to a platform that many consumers aren’t familiar with. Google has been aggressively pushing its range of Chromebooks with simple ads that focus on the price of the laptop and its simplicity. The devices won’t appeal to every consumer due to their various restrictions, but many potential customers might not even be aware of their existence yet.</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph8" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Given Microsoft is currently losing the mobility war by a wide margin, they are turning to defending their laptop turf, and doing it by playing a strong offense," says Patrick Moorhead, president and principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy. "The downside is that by Microsoft going after Chromebooks with broadcast media, they are increasing general consumer awareness and familiarity for Chromebooks versus the more technically savvy who are buying Chromebooks."</span></div><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph8" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Via: <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/6/5181974/why-is-microsoft-scared-of-chromebooks">The Verge</a></span></i></div>

Why is Microsoft scared of Chromebooks?

Microsoft scared of Chromebooks It’s pretty much a brick," says  Pawn Stars ’ Rick Harrison as he rejects a Samsung Chromebook brought ...

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Voice Search Lands on Chrome

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ODTswrtwGf4QdAUTh3sOtBTh5SEMqjo0bF80R5As5wTgR8wkfxs-1fw0Aqs3vbuKDYAY75bYywT9DNEEW83hVY3VV8dtO64OmU_dIYGljex5PuqksrqsSlJA2OWnks2Abpv0dxCZO842/s1600/Voice+Search+Lands+on+Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ODTswrtwGf4QdAUTh3sOtBTh5SEMqjo0bF80R5As5wTgR8wkfxs-1fw0Aqs3vbuKDYAY75bYywT9DNEEW83hVY3VV8dtO64OmU_dIYGljex5PuqksrqsSlJA2OWnks2Abpv0dxCZO842/s400/Voice+Search+Lands+on+Chrome.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google has released a Chrome extension that brings the voice-activated "OK Google" command to the browser.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Google Voice Search Hotword (Beta) <a data-ls-seen="1" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-voice-search-hotwo/bepbmhgboaologfdajaanbcjmnhjmhfn/related" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">extension</a>is now available in the Chrome Web Store. When installed, it allows those on the desktop to speak their commands to the browser using the "OK Google" hotword.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a <a data-ls-seen="1" href="https://plus.google.com/+google/posts/h79NY5hqDPV" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Google+ post</a>, the search giant said the new extension is ideal for those preparing a Thanksgiving feast this week. "This year, rather than stopping midway through to wash your hands and type in a search, you can just speak to your laptop: 'Ok Google, how many ounces are in one cup?' Et voila, the cooking can go on," Google said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The extension also supports reminders, so you can say "Ok Google, set a timer for 30 minutes."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once installed, you'll have to give Chrome permission to access your computer's microphone. Then, a "Say OK Google" notice will appear in the Google.com search bar. When it recognizes your voice, a red microphone will appear and Google will type what you say before giving you an answer. Click the image above to see it in GIF form, or watch the video below for a demo.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the reviews, some users said that they had to click the microphone icon on Google.com before it would accept a voice search, while others had no problems. A few, meanwhile, said it would be useful if the feature worked when you had another tab open.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 9px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source : <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2427694,00.asp">PCMag</a></span></i></div>

Voice Search Lands on Chrome

Google has released a Chrome extension that brings the voice-activated "OK Google" command to the browser. The Google Voice Search...

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Chromecast stand-in CheapCast now beams browser tabs to your display

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBp92c21PDMo8Tn8_tyGdXCLCP3NA3fx_vPxR9LQwP3Y3TwdjZK9XHPefoIXcQcKrMChbJmDYv8w9Z614GwTBaS6BBYgk_-S99f9pN5P9bB9kaZ0ETG_d5j2x7ztrkrZ8gkqcwT94Zq8/s1600/cheapcast-update-casted-tabs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBp92c21PDMo8Tn8_tyGdXCLCP3NA3fx_vPxR9LQwP3Y3TwdjZK9XHPefoIXcQcKrMChbJmDYv8w9Z614GwTBaS6BBYgk_-S99f9pN5P9bB9kaZ0ETG_d5j2x7ztrkrZ8gkqcwT94Zq8/s1600/cheapcast-update-casted-tabs.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/13/cheapcast-app-chromecast/" style="background-color: white; color: #3399cc; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">CheapCast</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> is a great way to get some of </span><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/29/google-chromecast-review/" style="background-color: white; color: #3399cc; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">Chromecast's</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> functionality for free, sure, but it's been lacking a few of </span>the Google dongle's<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> features since the app launched. If you've been hankering to beam browser tabs to your TV (via an HDMI-or-WiFi-connected mobile device, of course), CheapCast's </span>latest update<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> enables just that.</span><a href="http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/11/25/cheapcast-gets-a-big-update-to-v0-4-1-beta-with-support-for-tab-casting-and-embedded-chromium/" style="background-color: white; color: #3399cc; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;"><em>Android Police</em></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> notes that this seemingly only works with tabs and not fullscreen casting, while DRM'd services like Netflix and Google Play Movies "actually might never work." However, this should make it easier to play </span>Vimeo<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"> or other Flash-based video content on your flatscreen -- right where it belongs.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Via: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/26/chromecast-emulator-cheapcasts-latest-update-beams-browser-tabs/">Engadget</a></span></i></span>

Chromecast stand-in CheapCast now beams browser tabs to your display

CheapCast  is a great way to get some of  Chromecast's  functionality for free, sure, but it's been lacking a few of  the Google don...

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