Productivity Archives

This small Google Chrome OS 102 change brings a huge benefit

Kevin C. TofelApril 12, 2022April 12, 2022NewsChrome OS, Chrome OS 102, Chromebooks, Experimental Features, Google Calendar, Productivity, Quick Settings, UX11 Comments

In a Google Chrome OS 102 Dev Channel update, a small design change to the Calendar widget makes the experience immensely better.

Google Chrome side panel getting private user notes and Read Anywhere to replace Reader Mode

Kevin C. TofelApril 4, 2022April 4, 2022NewsChrome OS, Experimental Features, Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS, Productivity, Read Anywhere, Reader Mode, Side Panel, User Notes3 Comments

The Google Chrome side panel is adding a Read Anywhere option, which will take the place of Reader Mode in Chrome, and a place to write private user notes.

The Chromebook fingerprint sensor needs to do more

Kevin C. TofelMarch 26, 2022March 29, 2022News, Opinion1Password, 2FA, Authentication, Chrome OS, Chromebooks, Fingerprint reader, Google, Productivity, Security8 Comments

More Chrome OS devices are coming with a fingerprint sensor. There’s just one problem: A Chromebook fingerprint sensor can only do one thing, while on other platforms it can do so much more.

Chrome OS virtual desks are getting a useful upgrade

Kevin C. TofelMarch 24, 2022March 24, 2022NewsChrome OS, Chrome OS 101, Chromebooks, Dev Channel, Productivity, Virtual Desks1 Comment

Google is working on a welcome update for Chrome OS virtual desks that will reduce clutter when closing a workspace on your Chromebook.

Chromebook owners will get to disable automatic Chrome OS updates. YES!

Kevin C. TofelMarch 3, 2022March 4, 2022NewsChrome OS, Chrome OS 100, Chrome OS flags, Chromebooks, Google, Productivity6 Comments

In June of 2019, I called for Google to give consumers the ability to disable Chrome OS automatic updates. A new code change suggests that’s coming.

Why I’m still using a Chromebook from 2018 as my daily driver

Kevin C. TofelFebruary 13, 2022February 13, 2022News, Opinion16 GB, Acer, Acer Chromebook Spin 13, Chrome OS, Chromebooks, Convertible Chromebook, Core i5, Intel 8th-gen, Productivity11 Comments

You’d think I’m constantly upgrading to the latest Chrome OS laptop. Nope. Here’s why I’m still using a Chromebook that debuted in 2018.

Chrome OS 100 lets you open events from the Calendar quick settings

Kevin C. TofelFebruary 7, 2022February 7, 2022NewsChrome OS, Chrome OS 100, Chrome OS 99, Chrome OS flags, Chromebook productivity, Chromebooks, Google Calendar, ProductivityNo Comments

The newest Dev Channel for Chrome OS 100 opens calendar events from a Chromebook’s date and time, popping up the Google Calendar app.

How to revert Chrome OS to a prior version on a Chromebook

Kevin C. TofelFebruary 4, 2022February 4, 2022How to, NewsChrome OS, Chrome OS Stable Channel, Chromebook how to, Chromebooks, Productivity, Recovery Mode3 Comments

As we’ve recently seen, sometimes a bug gets by testing with a new Chrome OS Stable Channel release. Here’s how to revert Chrome OS back to a prior version.

How to change the zoom levels in Android apps on a Chromebook for easier reading

Kevin C. TofelFebruary 2, 2022February 2, 2022How to, NewsAndroid, Android apps, Chrome OS, Chromebook how to, Productivity, Settings6 Comments

I’ve been a little frustrated using some of the Android apps installed on my Chromebook lately due to small font sizes. Here’s how to enable custom zoom levels for Android apps on a Chromebook.