The Chrome Cast

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.

Notable Links:

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by once again delving into the week's news surrounding the highly-anticipated Pixel 6 launch.  With the new rumors swirling, it seems clear that we'll be seeing these new phones up for order on October 19th - less than four weeks from now.  We also take some time to further discuss the Pixel fold and the fact that even in being completely overshadowed by the Pixel 6 right now, there's still hope that it may launch later in 2021.

For the second half of the show, we talk about Acer's upcoming global press conference and the hopes we have that we might at least get a glimpse of a new MediaTek-powered device or two.  We have strong suspicions that Acer is behind both a MediaTek MT8192 and MT8195 device, so our hopes are high that we get to at least get a sneak peek at these new Chromebooks at their event on October 13th.  Just like with the Pixel 6 news, we'll know very soon as October is nearly upon us.

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This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend some time unpacking the recent – and frankly surprising – jab Apple chose to take at Chromebooks during their latest keynote presentation. In very non-Apple fashion, the company chose to quickly mention Chromebooks when talking about their latest, entry-level iPad and though it was a bit of a misdirection, the fact that they brought up Chromebooks at all is very interesting to say the least.

For the second half of the show, we spend more time on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Specifically, we unpack some rumors that have circulated this week surrounding the core makeup of the Tensor SoC we’ll know much more about in just a few weeks. While we were all happy enough that Google looks to be delivering a new, custom Tensor chip that should deliver some on-device processing chops we’ve never had in a Pixel before, we weren’t expecting mind-blowing speed. It turns out we may be getting that, too.

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This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR.

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and save 69% on a 2-year plan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we discuss the new way that Google teased the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with little warning in a new sizzle video on YouTube. The ad-like, 30-second video doesn’t give too much away that we didn’t already know, but it did give us the first official looks at the new Pixel phones in the hands of actual humans. Sure, the renders were shown off a bit as well, but it was cool to see the phones in real-world settings and in the possession of real people. We also discuss the new Material You treatment Google announced for many of its own in-house apps that will all culminate in the release of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later in October, presumably.

The second half of the podcast is for all of you interested in Chrome OS tablets. With Lenovo’s recently-announced Duet 5, we’re seeing more detachable Chromebooks finally show up and we’re as curious as ever just what users actually do with these devices. From iPads in keyboard cases to mid-range Chromebook tablets to low end models, there’s still a desire for tablets, but what role do they ultimately play in a world with large-screen smartphones and thin/light laptops. If you are into tablets and detachables, this one’s for you!

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This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks. Is your school district going 1:1? Do you manage thousands of Chromebooks and other IT assets like projectors and Smartboards? VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your student information system, now including PowerSchool. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR.

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and save 69% on a 2-year plan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dive into all the news surrounding the release date of the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Though there were murmurs of a possible unveiling on September 13th, it looks like that won’t be the case and there’s a new rumor swirling from noted leaker Jon Prosser that places the launch of Google’s new phones on October 19th with a shipping date of October 28th.

For the second half of the show, we talk about the recent rumor from Nikkei Asia that further confirms Google’s upcoming investments in their own silicon in Chromebooks. Though we had a good feeling that this was the direction Google would head with these Tensor processors, it’s nice to see a notable news outlet confirm that they have multiple inside sources that can confirm Google is in fact working on this as we speak.

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This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we had a handful of things to talk through, but the first half of the show was dominated by discussion of the HP Chromebook X2 11. This device is now available at Best Buy and as we wait during the next few days for it to arrive, we’re getting more hyped about it with every passing moment. From the 11-inch 3:2 QHD display that measures a whopping 400 nits to the sleek-looking tablet form factor to the wirelessly chargin USI pen, the new Chromebook tablet from HP has a lot going for it and we can’t wait to show it to you on video next week.

For the second half of the show, we dive into a cryptic tweet by Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer and what it could mean for the timing of Google’s fall hardware releases. After that we wrap up the show by discussing even more upcoming Chromebook hardware on the way with the new AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, 12th-gen Intel Alder Lake processors, and even more Intel Jasper Lake processors. It’s a full show, so we hope you enjoy this week!

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This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea!

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we’re welcoming our contributing writer Luke Short on the show to discuss a bit more in-depth about the discoveries he’s made getting Vulkan API support working on Chromebooks. For gaming on Chrome OS to finally arrive, Vulkan is a necessary piece of the overall puzzle. Though Luke’s work hasn’t unlocked the full Borealis (Steam gaming on Chromebooks) experience, it gets us a lot closer to testing that reality.

After the break, we dive into the great-yet-confounding Pixel 5a and discuss the good parts of the phone along with how it could find its place as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro loom in the future. With the Pixel 5a, it feels like Google has put the train back on the tracks a bit and if the new Tensor-powered phones from Google deliver as we’d expect, the future for Pixel has never looked brighter.

NOTABLE LINKS

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This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. If you manage Chromebooks for a School or School district you’ll want to listen to this, especially you have a 1:1 program. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which Student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. 

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we dive into Samsung's latest announcements, including the two new foldables (Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3), the new Samsung Watch, and the latest Galaxy Buds.  Sometimes new tech comes out and we just have to discuss the long-term ramifications of new advancements whether it surrounds Chromebooks or not.  This is one of those weeks.

For the second half of the show, we delve into the new hardware from HP and discuss the quirky, fun new HP Chromebase 22 along with the highly anticipated detachable HP Chromebook x2 11.  With a ton of interesting features and bold form factors, HP is clearly looking to diversify its Chrome OS portfolio, and so far, we're loving it.

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This episode is sponsored by VIZOR for Chromebooks - Chromebook 1:1 Management Software for Schools. If you manage Chromebooks for a School or School district you’ll want to listen to this, especially you have a 1:1 program. VIZOR is a Chromebook management solution that seamlessly integrates with the Google Admin Console and your Student information system. With VIZOR for Chromebooks, you can easily see which Student has which Chromebook, manage repairs, and even automate disabling lost or stolen devices while notifying parents, all in one click. CLICK HERE to learn more about VIZOR. 

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode of The Chrome Cast should probably be renamed “The Pixel Show”. In case you missed the news, Google officially unveiled its upcoming flagship phone earlier this week. Needless to say, we are excited and there’s a lot to talk about. While we spend quite a bit of the podcast talking specifically about the new hardware, the Tensor SoC that powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is arguably the bigger news as Google sets its sights on future hardware.

After a lengthy discussion, we touch on Google’s other new hardware that comes in the form of a new lineup of cameras and a new doorbell from the Nest family. This includes a rechargeable Nest cam that touts up to seven months of use on a single charge. Rounding off the chat, we talk about all of ASUS’ new Chrome OS hardware and how the company has set a new bar for the premium Chromebook segment.

Notable links

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get 3 months free.

Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Chrome Cast, we spend the first half of the show sorting out what is going on in the confusion surrounding MediaTek's latest Kompanio 1300T SoC announcement.  While Kompanio chips have been included in low-end Chromebooks and will ship in two additional variations in other Chromebooks by the end of the year, this latest chip is being touted in the media as yet another Chromebook option.  Is that it or is there a tad bit of misunderstanding?

In the second half of the show, we look at Google/Alphabet's Q2 2021 Earnings Call and talk a bit more about the importance of the "deep investments in hardware" that Google is ready to show off this fall.  Between a new phone, a new watch, and perhaps a little tease of a Google silicon-powered Chromebook in the mix, we're likely in for a very interesting event this fall.

NOTABLE LINKS

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This episode is brought to you by Fresh Roasted Coffee, a coffee website that we have been using for a while now. We made the switch to FRC from the hand-roasting coffee method we had been doing for years and couldn't be happier. They offer great prices and they roast the coffee right before it is shipped to your doorstep! To check it out, go to https://chromeunboxed.com/coffee/ and use the discount code CHROMEUNBOXED for 15% off your initial purchase of coffee and/or tea!

This episode is also brought to you by NordVPN. Get a VPN that takes your privacy seriously. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and will secure your browsing on your Chromebook or on any device. Use NordVPN to keep your private data to yourself whether you are at home or on the go! CLICK HERE to try it out and get a 3-year deal for $3.49/month.

Join our Patreon community and get access to things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to videos, private Discord server access, an ad-free experience on the mobile and desktop versions of the website, your name listed on all our YouTube videos, and monthly live stream Q&A. CLICK HERE to be a part of our community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices