Google Pixel Slate Stops By The FCC, Imminent Release

Google's recently unveiled the Google Pixel Slate tablet at Google I/O,  and has now been spotted at recent FCC filings, filed by Google hardware partner Quanta Computer Inc.

The information contained within the filing indicated hardware and features including, Intel Celeron Kaby Lake processor and memory set at either 4GB or 8GB up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 SoC with 16GB of RAM. 

Storage, will scale between 32GB and 256GB backed by a 48Wh 12 hour rated battery under a 2.5D glass panel, 12.3 inch screen resolution set at 3,000 x 2,000 pixels. Packed into an all metal midnight blue body measuring 290.85 x 202.04 x 7.0 mm and weighing just 1.6lbs, with a front and rear facing 8 megapixel camera. 

The metal body houses dual USB Type C charging and video output ports, fingerprint scanner, with wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac protocols and Bluetooth 4.2, with prices starting at $599.


Source: Google

Google Might Unveil A Second Gen Pixelbook This Fall

As we wait for Google to unveil the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL, second generation Pixel Buds, and possibly a Pixel branded Wear OS smartwatch in October. Now we add a second generation Pixelbook to the list.

Evan Blass, famous leaker we've come to know simply as @evleaks tweeted earlier today that a Pixelbook refresh will be part of Google's fall 2018 hardware lineup stating it will ship before the end of the year.

Last year Google gave us the Pixelbook available for preorder immediately after it was announced in early October specs included the i5/128GB and i5/256GB models which shipping within a few weeks later. The high end i7/512GB model was delayed until January.

This announcement isn't surprising given the recent discounts we've seen on the Google's current Pixelbook line-up.


Source: Evan Blass via Twitter

Asus Chromebox Preorders Now Available For $179

Asus today started accepting preorders for the device through a number of online retailers. Amazon is currently accepting orders and listing an expected release date of March 17th for the new Chromebox.

The new Chromebox from Asus will actually arrive in three CPU configurations. Preorders today start for the dual-core 1.4GHz Celeron 2955U model, while an Intel Core i3 will also arrive March 14 as will an i7 model for outside of North America. Other specs include 2GB RAM, a 16GB SSD, 4 USB 3.0 ports, SD card reader, HDMI, DisplayPort, Bluetooth 4.0, and dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n. That’s all inside a case that measures 4.88″ x 4.88″ x 1.65” and comes in at 2.2 pounds. 

You can preorder the Asus Chromebox from Amazon now. 

Samsung’s New Chromebook 2 Gets Official

Samsung’s new Chromebook is now official. The biggest upgrades include the form factor featuring the faux leather stitching made famous by its Galaxy Note 3 and a new 1080P 13-inch display on the higher end $399 model. Both still use Exynos 5 Octocore processors, both come compete with 8.5-9 hours battery life claimed by Samsung. These machines also have wake times of less than one second and cold boots in less than ten.

Another improvement is the Hangouts video chat experience enhance by a 720P front side camera paired with improved mic and 2x 2W speakers.

Available in April, the 11.6-inch Samsung Chromebook 2 will be available for an MSRP of $319.99, while the 13.3-inch model is $399.99.

Google Said To Be Launching IaaS Cloud Services At Google I/O

Sources at GigaOm state that Google will be releasing their own IaaS (infrastructure as a service) cloud solution next week at Google I/O. This move would extend their current cloud services, like app engine, cloud connect, and storage, and allow users to rent virtual servers from the folks in Mountain View, bringing them in close competition with cloud giant Amazon.

In this scenario, two things come right to the front of our minds ChromeOS and Google Docs (Drive). Both services could be great front-ends for a cloud infrastructure that's set up by the user, especially in the enterprise. Imagine a corporate portal that you connect to as soon as you fire up your Chromebook, and your own IT department manages it all. Then imagine you can also connect with your Android phone. This could be a really big deal™.

Google Snags The webOS Enyo Team

At one time the Enyo app framework was supposed to help webOS run faster and on a wider variety of devices, but as HP continues to struggle, reports have surfaced from The Verge and AllThingsD that much of the team behind it, including leader Matthew McNulty, has been hired away by Google. Numbering a half dozen or so, the immediate danger is the effect this might have on HP's efforts to open source webOS, but in a statement the company indicated it remains on track and will stick to the roadmap it announced in January. Less clear is what these employees might end up working on for Google, although Enyo's focus on web apps and HTML5 suggests the possibility they'll end up working on ChromeOS projects.