What you need to know
- Google has allowed Chromebooks to access the entire Play Store since 2016.
- The company says Android app usage on Chrome OS devices has jumped 4x in the last year.
- The company also sold 44% more Chromebooks year-over-year.
While Chromebooks have always been limited in what they can do compared to a Mac or a Windows PC, they've come a long way since Google first unveiled its browser-based operating system. One of the most significant changes to the OS came in 2016, when Google allowed Chromebooks to access the entire Play Store library.
That not only opened up a world of possibilities for Chromebooks (1 billion+ of them, given the number of apps on Google's digital store), but the feature has also been a resounding success for the company. In fact, in the last year alone, Android app usage on Chromebooks has increased fourfold, the company proudly revealed at its Android Dev Summit this week.
Not only is it a notable achievement for the folks over at Google, it's also meant to be an encouragement for Android app developers to fix the lamentable state of Android apps on anything larger than a phone and to start catering to the burgeoning market for Android apps that are optimized for larger screens.
And to further entice developers to start optimizing their apps for Chromebooks, Google also announced it'll allow developers to install Android apps to Chromebooks without needing a tethered smartphone. You'll also not need to be in Developer mode for it to work. The change will go live in the developer channel for Chrome OS 80 this November.
Premium mid-ranger
Google Pixelbook Go
Google's take on a mid-range Chromebook has arrived.
The Pixelbook Go is the most affordable Chrome OS machine Google's ever released. While it's still not "cheap," it offers a compelling package for the price range. You get 12 hours of battery life, a unique textured bottom, and a 13.3-inch display that goes up to 4K.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Meet ARM's Cortex-X, the design that could create custom Pixel chips
Big and fast, slow and wide, or even both at the same time — ARM's Cortex-X program lets companies building ARM chips take part in the design process for a custom edge. It's also the system that could allow Google to make its own custom chips for Pixel phones.
These are the best apps for your Android device — period
It can be difficult to find the "right" app when surfing the Play Store simply due to the sheer number of options available. Regardless of what type of app you're looking for, there's an app that can help make your life easier.
Daily Coronavirus updates: Amazon redoubles COVID-19 testing efforts
COVID-19 has caused untold devastation around the globe, with entire industries shutting down in the wake of the virus. Here's how coronavirus is affecting the tech industry.
Need a replacement USB-C charger for your Chromebook? Got you covered.
USB-C is the single best thing to ever happen to laptop chargers, and now that basically all recent Chromebooks use it, you can buy a reliable spare charger, replacement charger, or travel charger without costing an arm and a leg.
