Between offline file synchronization, Android and Linux apps, and smart prepping, you can do more than ever with a Chromebook when you’re not online. Here are 4 strategies from ComputerWorld and 2 of my own to make it happen.
Browsing: Chrome OS
Google is following up last month’s Pixel Slate deal with a new one: Buy a keyboard for the Chrome OS tablet and you’ll get $250 off a Pixel Slate through August 18.
So you have Linux on your Chromebook. Now what? Here’s a tutorial on some key commands to help you navigate Linux files, view directories, update Linux and install applications.
The virtual desk feature for Chromebooks is expected to land in a few weeks with Chrome OS 76, including keyboard shortcuts. A new code commit suggests a four-finger swipe to move between workspaces may be added in time for the release.
If the Pixel Slate meets your needs, this week is a great time to buy one. Google is selling all models of the Chrome OS tablet for $100 off and including your choice of either Google or Brydge keyboard.
Is the Linux partition taking up too much storage capacity on your Chromebook? A feature to resize that disk was expected for Chrome OS 75 but has been pushed back to Chrome OS 78 for now.
Automatic Chromebook updates are a great thing, until they’re not, as shown by the recent issues with Chrome OS 75. Maybe it’s time for users to have a little more control around the update process, similar to how GSuite managed devices have.
After nearly 5 months of inactivity, code efforts to bring Linux app installation searches to the Chrome OS launcher have been paused. For now, you’ll need to find Linux apps for your Chromebook the old-fashioned way: Googling for them.
When Chrome OS 75 arrives on your Chromebook, you’ll finally have a “reader mode” option for distraction-free browsing. Currently, enabling this mode requires a trip to the Chrome menu; a new icon switch is in the works for faster mode switches.
After a late rollout that was later paused, Chrome OS 75 appears ready. Well, at least for the Pixel Slate, which is currently the only device listed as getting the update. That’s actually a smart decision on Google’s part. Here’s why.
USB-tethering to an iPhone for web access is in the works for Chromebooks. Why would you need this? It uses less battery on your device compared to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth tethering.