Last year, Microsoft decided to leave Windows 10 on a deserted island with enough supplies to last for a year. This, of course, resulted in a lot of PC hardware unable to run Windows 11 being left behind.

Since then, a lot of people have been searching for an alternative way to salvage old hardware that's perfectly usable despite not supporting Windows 11. E-waste remains a huge problem on our planet, and PCs certainly make up a fair share of what's tossed out each year.

Refurbished tech marketplace Back Market and Google have teamed up to create a new way to salvage old Windows PCs. This pilot program will see Back Market begin selling $3 USB sticks that, once plugged into an x64-based PC, make it super easy to install ChromeOS Flex.

You can, of course, create your own ChromeOS Flex installation USB at home, so this seems like more of a convenience and awareness play.

Back Market is the same company that began offering HP and Lenovo laptops with ChromeOS Flex installed in September 2025, one month before Windows 10 officially entered its end-of-life phase.

What is ChromeOS Flex, and why would I want it on my PC?

ChromeOS Flex is a cloud-based operating system that moves a lot of the hardware burden into Google's servers, which is exactly what you want in an older PC using outdated components. The "Flex" version of ChromeOS lacks a few features compared to the original, including Android app support, and it's not compatible with all PCs.

👉 ChromeOS Flex certified model list

Regardless, there's a good chance it will work on the old laptop you have lying around if it has an internet connection, and it'll also work with most Intel-powered Macs from before Apple's M-series silicon became the standard.

Speaking with Wired, Back Market says it will create only 3,000 of these $3 USB sticks as part of a trial run, which begins on March 30. If the pilot is a success, Back Market plans to expand production.

Alexander Kuscher, Senior Director at Google, is quoted in the associated Back Market press release as saying, "Millions of laptops are approaching the end of their supported operating systems, even though the hardware is still perfectly fine and works."

Does Microsoft offer anything similar to the new $3 ChromeOS Flex USB sticks?

The short answer is "No." Microsoft wants you to use Windows 11 no matter what, and if your PC can't handle the upgrade from Windows 10, that's just too bad.

There are some involved workarounds, like installing Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (generally purchased in batches for business), which includes extended support up to 2032, but it's not exactly any more efficient than regular Windows 10.

You can also make the switch to Linux, which runs well on older hardware, but a lot of users simply don't want to learn how to work a new OS.

Considering that Google and Back Market are focusing on accommodating "sellers, buyers, schools, and small businesses," it's clearly aiming for a large target that doesn't necessarily intersect with Long-Term Servicing Channels or Linux.

What do you think about 3$ USB sticks installing ChromeOS Flex on old PCs?

Have you made the switch to ChromeOS Flex on any of your "outdated" PCs? Is it a worthy alternative when Windows no longer works? Do you wish Microsoft offered something similar to help cut down on e-waste?

If not ChromeOS Flex, how have you revived old PC hardware that can't run Windows 11? Please let me know in the comments section!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft is sunsetting Windows 10, with end-of-life for the operating system set for October 14, 2025. After that date, users will no longer receive security updates, leaving millions at risk.

In 2020, it was estimated that Windows 10 had passed 700 million users, and now in 2025, many users can’t upgrade due to Windows 11's hardware requirements.

Google has spotted an opportunity here. The company has launched a new Chromebook and ChromeOS ad campaign, directly targeting Windows 10 users. The ads highlight the looming security risks and pitch Chromebooks as a safer alternative with regular updates.

Google’s Chromebook push

Google is running ads directly on Google.com, with messages like: “Time for a new laptop? Get Chromebook Plus. With security fixes for Windows 10 ending this October, switch to the laptop that has never had a virus.” The warning makes it clear that Windows 10 security updates are ending soon.

The ad suggests that Windows 10 is no longer safe, especially when compared to Chromebooks. To drive the point home, it even shows a generic laptop displaying a virus alert on a Windows-style blue screen.

It’s a bold effort from Google to push users toward Chromebooks. Still, it’s hard to imagine many people making the switch, given that ChromeOS has its own limitations, even if it has carved out a strong niche in schools.

It's also not the first time Google has done this. We reported back in March that Google had already started a similar push to get users to switch, anticipating the big October deadline for Windows 10 users.

This isn’t a one-sided fight either; those who use Bing search get prompted to stick with Microsoft Edge when trying to download Chrome, so it’s only fair that Google takes jabs where they can.

The Windows 10 upgrade dilemma

Windows 10 still powers nearly half of all PCs in use, while Windows 11 adoption has been slower than Microsoft likely hoped, sitting at around 40%.

The main barrier comes down to hardware requirements. Windows 11 needs TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, and not every machine has them.

It’s estimated that more than 200 million PCs can’t be upgraded because of these restrictions. That leaves users with a tough choice: buy a new PC that supports Windows 11, pay Microsoft for extended security updates unless you’re in the European Economic Area, in which case they’re free for another year, keep using Windows 10 without updates and risk security issues, or switch to an alternative.

Google would prefer users to make the jump to ChromeOS, but some fans continue to suggest Linux as another option.

Chromebook opportunities and limitations

To my surprise, having tried Chromebooks once upon a time, they’re far from dead. In fact, they’re widely used, especially in schools. In the U.S. and Canada, many school districts rely heavily on Chromebooks for students due to lower costs and easier IT management, and Microsoft has been fighting them for years with various attempts in education.

Google also offers ChromeOS Flex, which can be installed on older Windows hardware. This gives aging PCs a new lease of life without needing to buy something brand new.

Chromebooks themselves are usually cheap, secure, and come with automatic updates. Build quality can vary, but the pitch of low cost and low maintenance can be appealing for some.

Google even highlights that ChromeOS has had zero reported ransomware attacks, which is impressive.

Of course, switching to ChromeOS comes with trade-offs. You lose access to Windows apps, the platform relies heavily on internet access, and storage and power are often limited compared to a traditional laptop.

Still, for basic tasks like browsing, writing, or schoolwork, a Chromebook or ChromeOS might not be a bad deal at all.

What this means for users and the market

End of life for Windows 10 will likely force millions of people to decide what to do next. It makes sense that Google sees this as an opportunity to step in and try to win over some of that user base.

That said, I think most people will still end up buying a new Windows 11 PC, paying for extended updates, or finding another workaround.

I’d be curious to hear from those of you still on Windows 10. What’s the main barrier stopping you from upgrading? Is it the hardware requirements, the cost, or something else entirely?

via Windows Latest

Nobody saw this one coming besides everybody. Google's attempts to woo gamers into buying Chromebooks is officially done. Steam for Chromebook will be joining Stadia in Google's gaming graveyard as we go into 2026.

The news was broken by 9to5Google, who reported that there's now a message stating the Steam for Chromebook beta will be ending on January 1, 2026. Oh yeah, it never actually progressed beyond the beta stage.

Steam can still be installed on Chromebooks for now, albeit with the aforementioned cancellation message. But once it's done, any games folks have on their machines will be unplayable.

That will come as a surprise to some, after all, this isn't some cloud gaming service, this is Steam. But it's not like Steam would be installed on your Windows PC, or Mac, or Linux. It is the Linux version of Steam, but it's built into a special container, and presumably once Google hits the killswitch the container will no longer work.

Google's gaming efforts outside of Android continue to fall apart

I think the most surprising part about all this is that after debuting initially in 2022, it's taken until now for this to be discontinued. I've tried it out a bit on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, in part to see if a ChromeOS laptop could be a viable choice for keen gamers.

Steam works OK, and some games play pretty nicely, but there was never any statement of intent from Google about being serious with it. There are no Chromebooks with dedicated graphics, for example. While not essential, it'd be nice to have had one or two to choose from to show el Goog was serious.

Failing that, utilizing chips from Intel or AMD with recent integrated graphics, even. Both companies have some pretty solid iGPUs nowadays, but Chromebooks still seem to be saddled with mid-tier (at best) offerings.

2022 was a rollercoaster for Google's gaming ambitions. It announced Steam for Chromebooks at the beginning, further down the line, cancelled Stadia, and then just after cancelling Stadia, announced its "gaming Chromebooks" initiative.

Google apparently has taken "learnings for the future of Chromebook gaming" but those seem clear. It'll be relying on everyone else's cloud, including Xbox Game Pass, and Android.

The worst part is, I actually hoped for so much more from this. I like ChromeOS, and in many ways, it's a perfect antidote to Windows for those who want a simpler life. But those same people can also very easily want to play games as well.

Increasingly, though, it's harder to invest in any new initiatives from the biggest tech companies. Google and Microsoft are both renowned for cancelling products. But hey, both are all-in on AI!

For gamers, the platform of choice will continue to be Windows. It's where all of your games will work, and even a budget gaming laptop will get you a lot further than any Chromebook ever would. You don't have to like Windows, but it will forever be the safe bet if gaming is your number one priority.

But I want to pour one out, still, for Steam on Chromebooks. It was better than I ever thought it would be, and with the right investment, could have been something with a rosy future. But it's dead, so it's back to Windows. Or a Steam Deck if you want to spend Chromebook money and play almost all of your Steam games.

It's certainly been a week for me. My PC woes began almost immediately after trying to make DOOM: The Dark Ages work at all, then work without crashing.

The end result was a PC that would not boot. The first warning sign that something was wrong was when the Windows 11 Start Menu wouldn't open, an inconvenience to shutting down said PC.

But the following morning it wouldn't boot at all, and through everything I spent about 5 days on and off trying various tactics to get back up and running, and running stable.

In that time, so I could actually get some work done, I reached for my (not that) old trusty Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. Once again, with a newfound appreciation for the simplicity of ChromeOS in a world where Windows 11 is full of potential pain points.

A week where my PC nearly beat me

I'm not going to go through every single point step by step; nobody wants to read that. But I can trace it all back to fudging around with NVIDIA drivers to get DOOM: The Dark Ages to play nicely on my system powered by an Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA RTX 5080.

Issues with the drivers and the RTX 50 Series were documented, but I must have tried at least three older drivers, and then the latest update after the one with issues, but none could stop DOOM from crashing on my PC.

What followed was total annihilation, the MIA Start Menu followed by a refusal to boot. My boot SSD is in good health, so it wasn't that dying that was at fault.

As I had only a USB handy with a Linux installer on, I figured at least for now I'd toss that on so I could finish the work week.

It worked to an extent, but even now that NVIDIA drivers on Linux are better, I was experiencing crashes in games and even on the desktop. And any touching of the drivers seemed to break things entirely. Good old RTX 50 series, it seems(?)

So I dug out a Windows laptop, built a USB installer, and tried and failed multiple times to even get it to install at all. So I gave up and started using my Chromebook so I could get something done.

Too many points of complication

Right from the beginning, it looks like my USB stick, which I chose to install Windows 11, wasn't formatted correctly.

It took multiple failed attempts and some top-level Googling to figure out that unless I formatted it as exFAT, it wouldn't work. Was this a secret change or just something I've been lucky with in the past?

In case you wondered, exFAT is not the default option when you format a USB stick on Windows 11.

This is but one example of complications in installing and using Windows that aren't obvious and can cause significant problems.

What followed, though, were multiple days of reinstalling Windows in the hopes of having a stable experience.

Each minute, I would get an error saying the Recycle Bin has been corrupted. Every fresh boot, I couldn't save files to my Downloads folder or write to my Steam library.

Why? For some reason, every directory had been set to read-only permissions. I've never seen that one before.

What seems to have worked in the end is completely nuking both SSDs in my PC, setting up fresh partitions, and accepting all the telemetry, all the stuff Microsoft wants you to enable, but that you don't necessarily want to. Literally making it as close to something I just pulled out of a box as I could.

Why did I do that? Some helpful tips on the Internet suggested that they've seen issues with some aspects of Windows when opting out of telemetry.

Others warned against using debloat tools (which, full disclosure, I did as I have always done on my first attempt) because stuff will break.

Between all of this, all the drivers you have to install, all the potential points of failure, it's a lot. It really puts into perspective just how massive, bloated, and potentially complicated Windows 11 can be.

There is a huge market for Chromebooks that are potentially using the wrong OS right now

Despite Windows 11 being my main platform (partly because of my job, partly for gaming), I've always made sure I use others. I'm a firm believer in understanding the competition and what else is out there.

But I also still use a Chromebook anytime I leave the house with a laptop because I enjoy using one. It's a perfect antidote to the last week of cursing and installing Windows 11 (and Linux) more times than any sane person should have to.

It has hooks into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem now, with the Office suite of web apps and integration of OneDrive into the ChromeOS Files app.

It's still based on the most used web browser on the planet, you can game on it through Steam or the cloud, and Google even has some AI tidbits if you just have to have them.

But most of all, using a Chromebook is simple. So many apps now have web clients, including Photoshop. You can edit videos using something like Microsoft Clipchamp. The Play Store will even offer developers the opportunity to Chromebook-optimize versions of their Android apps.

If you need something not on Android or the web, you can fire up the Linux environment.

However, it's mostly the simplicity that draws me to ChromeOS. Updates are regular and fast to install. If something does go wrong, it takes mere minutes to reset and be back with all your stuff synced to your machine again. But there's not a lot to go wrong in the first place.

I wish beyond all else that Microsoft had a real competitor. A stripped-back version of Windows for the hundreds of millions of more casual users out there. Hell, we're crying out for a lighter version of Windows to run on gaming handhelds as it is.

I'm not getting rid of my Windows 11 PC, but even more so, I won't be getting rid of my Chromebook. It's the backup that I now have a greater appreciation for.

Google and Microsoft often find themselves fighting. The tech rivals compete in several spaces and the feud between the companies spans across decades of squabbling and pettiness.

Sometimes you will see things like Google blocking a Microsoft-made YouTube app and Microsoft trying to trick people into using Bing rather than Google. But Microsoft and Google leaders know that people use services from multiple ecosystems.

With that in mind, Microsoft has dozens of apps on Android. Google's ChromeOS also plays nicely with Microsoft 365.

The latter of those is the focus of a recent Google blog post. In that post, Google highlights the following five ways ChromeOS "enhances the Microsoft 365 experience for organizations:"

1. Microsoft 365 applications are made available to ChromeOS users with a familiar, desktop-like user experience
2. ChromeOS devices can be set up to automatically log into Microsoft 365 applications with SSO powered with Microsoft EntraID and other third party providers
3. Microsoft OneDrive can be integrated with the ChromeOS Files app
4. ChromeOS devices can be set up with OneDrive storage only without leaving local data on the device
5. All of these features are easily configurable for IT admins from the Google Admin console

Some of those features, such as making web apps feel like desktop apps, are not exclusive to ChromeOS. But that's not really the point here.

Google wants IT admins and users to see ChromeOS as a viable way to use Microsoft 365 apps.

Support for integrating OneDrive with the ChromeOS Files app and giving IT admins greater control over where files are saved help make ChromeOS a viable option for enterprise users.

While ChromeOS can cover some workflows that rely on Microsoft 365, investing in new hardware may be too much of a leap for some companies.

Google does not do enough to advertise the following, but there is a way to run ChromeOS without having to spend money on new hardware.

Can I make my PC run ChromeOS?

The impending end of Windows 10 support will leave millions of PCs stranded. Many devices do not meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11, meaning they cannot upgrade.

Users with older PCs can buy a new PC or continue using Windows 10, which is not recommended because that operating system will not receive security updates.

There are other options, such as paying for extended support. But for many, a better alternative would be upgrading their PC to run ChromeOS.

"Refresh the devices that you already own at no cost with a modern, cloud-based operating system that's secure and easy to manage," reads Google's page for ChromeOS Flex.

That's a clever angle from the tech giant. If someone already has a device with a good screen, keyboard, trackpad, and internals, why throw it away just because Microsoft won't let that PC run a supported operating system?

In a recent episode of the Windows Central Podcast, our Senior Editor Zac Bowden discussed his experience with ChromeOS Flex, which is a version of ChromeOS that can be installed onto existing devices (jump to the 34:50 mark to hear Bowden on the topic).

ChromeOS is not for everyone. It's a cloud-based operating system that's largely just a web browser. But that's actually perfect for many people.

I have several friends and family members that only use their browser and web apps. They primarily use a Windows PC because they're familiar with the operating system, not because they need programs or features exclusive to Windows.

When people ask me for advice on which computer to buy, I ask them which programs they run. Most of them say something along the lines of "I need to browse the web, check my emails, and use Office."

I can't imagine that workflow is exclusive to my circle of friends. ChromeOS could meet the needs of many people and help those who have devices otherwise stranded on Windows 10.

The question is if Google can convince people to try something other than Windows.

Perhaps Microsoft cutting support for millions of devices will be the push people need to try a different operating system.

What you need to know

• Parallels for ChromeOS makes it possible to run Windows apps on Chromebooks through a full virtual desktop.
• No major updates have shipped to Parallels for ChromeOS in around 18 months, and the entire project is reportedly set to be discontinued.
• Google purchased Cameyo recently, which makes it possible to run Windows apps on Chromebooks through Virtual App Delivery, which does not require a full virtual Windows desktop.

Parallels for ChromeOS appears to be on the way to the graveyard. A report by Chrome Unboxed claims that Parallels for ChromeOS will be shut down and that customers will receive official word before the end of the year. The source of that leak explained to Chrome Unboxed that Parallels for Chromebook has been largely neglected for quite some time.

There hasn't been a major update to Parallels for ChromeOS in around 18 months. Even that update was relatively small, as it focused on improving performance on budget-friendly Intel and AMD chipsets. Google and Parallels worked together to bring virtual Windows desktops to Chromebooks in 2020, but that experiment appears to be over.

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💾Seagate Xbox Expansion Card (1TB) | $129.99 at Best Buy (Save $70!)
• 📺Amazon Fire TV Stick | $24.99 at Amazon (Save $25!)
• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) | $499.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 💻Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (Ryzen 5) | $329.99 at Best Buy (Save $250!)
• 💽AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU (8-core) | $164 at Amazon (Save $285!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $799.99 at Best Buy (Save $550!)
• 💻Dell XPS 13 (X Elite) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 🎧Sony ANC Wireless Headphones | $228 at Walmart (Save $122!)
• 💻HP Envy 2-in-1 14 (Ryzen 7) | $649.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)

While Parallels for ChromeOS may be on the way out, the concept of Windows apps on the best Chromebooks is not dead. Cameyo, which was acquired by Google earlier this year, uses Virtual App Delivery (VAD) to let people run Windows apps on ChromeOS. Rather than having an entire virtual desktop, Cameyo lets you run individual apps through VAD.

Cameyo integrated its VAD tech into ChromeOS last year. It's safe to assume that integration was well received, since Google then decided to purchase Cameyo. While VAD is a unique approach to running Windows apps on non-Windows devices, it is a different approach to virtual desktop solutions like Parallels. It will be interesting to see if Cameyo is viewed as a true replacement for Parallels for ChromeOS.

"One of the biggest draws of migrating to ChromeOS was its security," said Mario Zúñiga, IT Director, Digital Workplace at Fortune 500 manufacturer Sanmina last year. "This integration, and the fact that Cameyo has a zero-trust security model baked in at its core, adds additional layers of security so that we can confidently enable our employees to work from anywhere, on any device, with the utmost security."

Google often receives criticism for its ever-growing graveyard of cancelled projects, but the Parallels on ChromeOS experiment falls into a different category. Rather than killing off one of its own projects and leaving third parties to fill in the gaps, Google is doing the opposite. The tech giant worked with Parallels to bring Windows apps to Chromebooks until it found what its team believes is a better solution.

At least for now, Cameyo's VAD solution is only available for enterprise customers. Parallels for ChromeOS was also enterprise-only. Hopefully, we'll see consumer-focused ways to run Windows apps on Chromebooks in the future.

What you need to know

• Google is pitching its ChromeOS Flex operating system as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows 10 once it hits its cutoff date, further stating that it will extend the lifespan of existing devices and reduce e-waste.
• Microsoft is set to cut support for Windows 10 next year in October.
• This move could potentially render millions of old PCs obsolete.

Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system has been available for almost three years now. However, its adoption has been rather slow for varied reasons, including the stringent system requirements for the OS. 

Windows 10 continues to dominate the market share with a 66.45% stake, while Windows 11 comes in second with 27.83%. Microsoft has been urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 ahead of Windows 10's cutoff date, which is slated for October 2025. The tech giant has heightened pressure on Windows 10 users to make this upgrade, and was recently spotted using full-screen multipage popup ads to further this agenda.

As it happens, there might be an extended lifeline for users who may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. Google will let businesses install an auto-updating version of ChromeOS Flex on Windows devices that are not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, while simultaneously ascertaining security and sustainability.

For those unfamiliar with ChromeOS Flex, it's simply a version of Google's ChromeOS operating system that can be installed on x86-64-bit devices. Google has listed several reasons why users should consider transitioning from macOS or Windows OS to ChromeOS Flex, including its capability of extending the lifespan of existing devices thus preventing e-waste, energy efficiency, flexibility, and familiarity.

A Windows 10 alternative maybe?

Google's decision will allow users to continue using their old PCs, even after Microsoft cuts support for Windows 10. Last year, a public interest research group filed a petition asking Microsoft to reconsider its decision to cut support for Windows 10. The group pointed out that over 40% of users still run Windows 10.

Consequently, if Microsoft moves forward with its plan to cut support for the OS, it could potentially lead to "the single biggest jump in junked computers ever." This will push the company further away from its sustainability and environmental goals.

When Microsoft cuts support for its Windows 10, it'll no longer ship updates, new features, or bug fixes to the OS. This will leave users who continue using the OS susceptible to malicious attacks from hackers. However, Google's ChromeOS Flex OS will continue receiving regular security updates and features, thus allowing users to keep using their existing PCs.

Microsoft introduced an "extended security update" (ESU) program for Windows 10, which is in place to allow users to pay for monthly security updates beyond Windows 10's end-of-support date. The ESU program adds three years of continued support from Microsoft for Windows 10 after officially cutting support for the OS. 

Google says, "If you’ve used Chrome Browser or have Google Workspace, ChromeOS Flex will be a natural addition to your organization." And while ChromeOS stacks miles behind Microsoft's Windows OS market share, the former presents Windows 10 users with a more viable option that lets them retain their existing devices and continue to receive regular security updates (especially after Microsoft cuts support for Windows 10).

What you need to know

• Microsoft just released an update that improves Xbox Cloud Gaming when played through a browser on Linux and ChromeOS.
• The improvements also apply to Steam Deck.
• Gamers can now "expect a higher resolution and smoother streaming experience," according to Microsoft.

Xbox Cloud Gaming just got a boost on Linux and ChromeOS. Microsoft rolled out an update that improves the streaming experience when playing through a browser on the platforms. Since Steam Deck runs Linux, it also received the benefits of the update.

Reddit user CohenJordan, who is an Xbox employee, shared the news. "Hi everyone! We've just released a set of performance improvements on Xbox Cloud Gaming for gamers playing via browser on Linux and ChromeOS devices. You can expect a higher resolution and smoother streaming experience."

In addition to boosting resolution and improving the streaming experience, the update marks the end of a shift in underlying technology, though CohenJordan didn't go too much into detail.

"These changes also complete a long journey of upgrading our browser gaming experience to a different streaming technology. You should now have a more consistent experience in the browser, no matter what device you use."

Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on an increasing number of devices, including phones, tablets, PCs, and Xbox consoles. It's also available on some Samsung TVs and on the way to Meta Quest. Even those on Linux and ChromeOS can use the streaming service to play their favorite games.

Earlier this year, our Miles Dompier took a look at Xbox Cloud Gaming on Steam Deck. The experience has only improved since then, including with Microsoft's latest update.

What you need to know

• Cameyo just announced a new service that allows companies to switch devices to a cloud desktop environment in case an on-premises environment is attacked.
• The service, called Cameyo Rapid Recovery, runs in Google Cloud.
• Cameyo also has a service that allows users to run desktop Windows applications on Chromebooks and through the web.

Cameyo just announced a new service that allows organizations to quickly switch to a cloud-based desktop environment in case of an attack. Cameyo Rapid Recovery can be used by an organization to continue operating after a ransomware attack or other emergency. The service is available for $300 per organization. At the moment, the first four months of Cameyo Rapid Recovery are available for free.

Cameyo has a Virtual App Delivery service that allows users to run Windows applications through the web or on a Chromebook. In addition to providing the flexibility of running Windows apps on non-Windows devices, Cameyo claims that its service is a more secure way to run those applications.

Windows systems are often a target of ransomware and other attacks. Nordic Choice Hotels recently swapped 2,000 PCs to Chrome OS following a ransomware attack. Organizations concerned about similar emergencies may look to Chrome OS as an alternative to Windows.

Cameyo Rapid Recovery brings together the company's Virtual App Delivery service and Google Cloud. The idea behind the service is that an organization could maintain access to business-critical applications through the cloud. If an attack disrupted an on-premises environment, a company could quickly migrate employees to a pre-configured environment based in Google Cloud.

If an organization is looking to transition from Windows PCs to Chromebooks, it may be able to do so without purchasing new hardware. Google recently announced Chrome OS Flex, which transforms PCs or Macs into Chromebooks.

Cameyo points out that companies may be able to repurpose compromised Windows and Mac devices as Chromebooks. If an organization did this, it could then run Windows apps through the cloud on a device that was once a PC but was converted to a Chromebook.

What you need to know

• Cameyo is now a Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution, which means that it has been optimized for Chrome OS.
• With Cameyo, it's possible to access full desktop applications, including legacy Windows apps, through a Chromebook or the web.
• Google recently launched a tool to convert older Windows PCs into Chrome OS Flex devices.

Cameyo is a Virtual Application Delivery (VAD) platform that allows people to access Windows apps from devices running Chrome OS and through the web. Today, the company announced that Cameyo has been named a Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution, meaning it has been optimized for Chrome OS and that it meets a set of performance standards.

While some organizations rely on complete virtual desktop solutions, others prefer to provide access to specific apps. Cameyo allows people to access legacy Windows applications and internal web apps on the best Chromebooks and through a browser. In addition to providing a path to access Windows apps on non-Windows hardware, Cameyo also provides security benefits. The platform has built-in support for HTTPS, single sign-on, and separation of applications from a device's operating system.

"Cameyo is helping businesses with Chrome OS remove roadblocks to accessing Windows apps and enabling enterprises with secure access to all the business-critical apps they need in a cloud desktop," said Senior Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group Mark Bowker. "Cameyo being certified as a Chrome Enterprise Recommended partner establishes Chrome OS and Cameyo as a strong joint solution for organizations that want to deliver secure cloud desktops without the burden of managing Windows desktops."

For those unfamiliar with Cameyo, the company has a quick demo of the service:

The main benefit of Cameyo is that it allows people to access full desktop applications through a browser, including devices running Chrome OS or Chrome OS Flex. In related news, Google recently rolled out a tool for converting older Windows PCs to run Chrome OS Flex.

What you need to know

• Google has debuted Chrome OS Flex.
• It's a way to transform your PC or Mac into a Chromebook.
• It also features IT controls and is eligible to be deployed across fleets of PCs right now.

If you're saddled with a PC that's out of date, isn't relevant anymore in the software or hardware game, and is more or less looking like a lost cause, wait a moment before you chuck it in the dustbin (or recycling bin or do something with it that's more productive than wasting old electronics). Because instead of putting that piece of junk out to pasture, you can turn it into a Chromebook!

You can thank Google for this development. With its newly debuted, cloud-managed Chrome OS Flex, old PCs and Macs can be saved from their own deaths, Padmé style, via the power of Chrome. All you need to get up and off to the races is a USB drive and a willingness to convert your machine to Google's operating system.

Chrome OS Flex features IT controls and the essentials for managing fleets of PCs, so in case you have an organization's worth of wilting machines and aren't sure what to do, Google may have just given you a way out.

You can read the full scoop over at Google, where you'll also have the option to give Chrome OS Flex a try.

To warn you: Chrome OS Flex is a lifestyle choice, and if you choose it, it comes with drawbacks. For example: No Google Play, no Android apps, and no ARM PCs allowed. If these items aren't dealbreakers for you, then the house of Chrome welcomes your machine with open arms. It's like that old Google saying that the company never actually said, "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free of Mac and Windows."

What you need to know

• Nordic Choice Hotels suffered a major ransomware attack in December 2021.
• As a direct result of the attack, the hotel chain fast-tracked its CloudReady pilot program.
• Within 72 hours, the chain converted the PCs of 212 hotels across five countries to the Chrome OS ecosystem.

Windows PCs are popular, especially for ransomware opportunists. That's a big part of why Nordic Choice Hotels decided to abandon Windows.

Back in December 2021, the hotel chain suffered a ransomware attack that threatened to cripple its infrastructure. However, as the chain was already in the process of piloting its CloudReady migration from Windows to the Chrome OS ecosystem, it simply kicked the plan into high gear ahead of schedule and within 72 hours of the ransomware strike, 2,000 PCs spanning 212 hotels and five countries were converted (via Mynewsdesk).

Nordic Choice Hotels appears to be happy with its swap and shows no signs of considering a reversion to Windows, at least for the foreseeable future.

It's no secret Windows is a ransomware magnet. According to VirusTotal, 95% of all ransomware attacks go after Microsoft's operating system. And anyone who follows Windows news has likely seen the numerous reports of ransomware raining on the operating system's parade wherever it can, including with regards to pedestrian functions such as Windows-based printing.

As such, it's little surprise that a business unwilling to tolerate ransomware headaches would make the move to abandon the OS altogether and go with a safer alternative, assuming they don't have a need for the specific functionalities Windows affords.

Microsoft and Google have a history of taking swipes at each other's products and highlighting their competition's drawbacks. However, the debate gets a little thornier when it comes to ransomware since in that department, (virtually) all major roads lead to Redmond.

What you need to know

• Many Chrome OS users utilize Microsoft Office Android apps.
• Microsoft is taking those apps out of the equation.
• The company asks that Chromebook-bound Office fans use the web versions of its apps instead.

If you're a Chromebook-equipped fan of the Office Android apps and enjoy your offline Excelling and Wording, bad news: Microsoft's pulling the plug on these options. The company decreed that Chromebook users will have to roll with the web versions of Office and Outlook if they want to keep enjoying the products.

The news came about as the result of an About Chromebooks reader pinging the site's Kevin C. Tofel about a notification they received while trying to use Office apps on their Chromebook. Tofel followed up with Microsoft and then received the update that's spurred this article. In a statement to About Chromebooks, Microsoft said the following:

You may be thinking, "an end to Office for Android?" Well, no worries there, at least for now, according to sources who spoke with Tofel. This change seems to affect Chrome OS users exclusively, meaning all those who love using the Office and Outlook apps on their Android phones can continue to do so.

For those who need a quality offline Office solution on their Chromebook, this change could be a sizeable problem, although details are limited and big-picture ramifications of the app shakeup remain unclear.

What you need to know

• Windows reportedly lost almost 5% market share in 2020.
• Chrome OS went up by over 4% in the same span.
• Windows held a market share of 80.5% at the end of 2020 according to IDC.

New figures indicate that Windows lost almost 5% market share in 2020, with the majority of its share moving to Chrome OS. The figures come from a report by Geekwire based on numbers from IDC. The figures indicate a trend of consumers moving towards Chrome OS. 2020 is also the first time that Chrome OS devices outsold Macs (via iMore).

Before diving deeper into the figures, it's important to note that there is room for error in these figures. IDC's methodology for tracking OS market share helps track trends, but it's impossible to have exact figures for market share at any given time.

Even with room for error, the figures illustrate that Chrome OS devices did well in 2020 and that Windows market share dipped.

Windows market share dropped from 85.4% in 2019 to 80.5% in 2020. Chrome OS market share went up from 6.4% to 10.8% in that same span. Windows still has a sizeable lead over Chrome OS and macOS, even if the latter two are combined, but a drop of almost 5% in a year is notable.

Geekwire breaks down the figures on a quarterly basis as well. Note that these figures are not cumulative, instead indicating figures of each respective quarter:

2020 was a unique year in terms of personal computing. With millions of people working and studying from home due to a global pandemic, people's computing needs rapidly shifted. It's likely that this shift contributed to the growth of Chrome OS over 2020.

As people continue to work and study from home, we'll have to see if these trends continue.

Microsoft is working on Windows 10X, which may help it compete with budget-friendly Chromebooks. In his breakdown of Windows 10X, our senior editor Zac Bowden states that "Windows 10X will launch this spring first for commercial markets. Commercial markets include education and enterprise industries looking for sub-$600 PCs for students in the classroom or first line workers."

With more affordable devices on the way that are geared at first line workers and education, Microsoft may be able to buck current trends.

PowerShell is an immensely popular and powerful tool that comes built into Windows 10 with applications across enterprise, development, automation, and so much more. But PowerShell is also cross-platform and open-source, with versions available for Mac OS and Linux, too.

But what about if you're using a Chromebook, either personally or professionally? Well, so long as it's a recent machine with support for Linux apps, you can install and use Microsoft PowerShell.

Here's what you need to know.

Making sure Linux is enabled on your Chromebook

What makes the magic happen is the Crostini Linux container on Chrome OS, which will allow you to install the Linux version of Visual Studio Code on your Chromebook.

If you don't already have that enabled, it's really straightforward.

1. Open Settings.
2. Locate Linux (Beta) in the sidebar.
3. Click Turn on.

4. At the next window, click Next.

5. Give your Linux install a username.
6. Decide how much space you want to dedicate from your internal storage to it.

7. Click Install.

The Linux container will now begin to download and install itself on your Chromebook. You'll know it's finished when a terminal window pops up, and then you can move on to the next step.

Downloading and installing PowerShell on a Chromebook

While PowerShell on Linux isn't exactly the same as on Windows — modules and commands specific to Windows are naturally unavailable — it's available for folks who need it. Once Linux is set up on your Chromebook, we can go about installing PowerShell.

We'll be installing PowerShell 7 here, and the process is really straightforward.

1. Go to the PowerShell release page.
2. Download the .deb installer for Debian 10.
3. Locate the downloaded file, by default, it will be in your downloads folder.
4. Right-click and select Install with Linux (beta).
5. Click install.

A fairly short installation process will now occur, and you'll receive a notification when it's all done.

The big difference between PowerShell and other most other Linux apps installed on a Chromebook is that there won't be an app icon appear in the Linux Apps folder in your app drawer.

How to launch PowerShell inside the terminal

PowerShell is an entirely terminal-based application, and on a Chromebook, it operates inside the Linux terminal.

Open the Linux terminal either by searching for it or just heading to your Linux apps folder and when the virtual machine has done its startup, enter this simple command.

pwsh

You'll now see a short bit of blurb beginning with the PowerShell version, and your command line will change from yourusername@penguin to PS /home/yourusername.

You're now all set to use PowerShell on your Chromebook. Any time you want to use it, simply enter the command to launch it and exit out when you're done by typing exit.

But if you're going to use it a lot, you might want to set it as the default shell for your Chromebook's Linux terminal.

Setting PowerShell as the default terminal shell

PowerShell's bonus is that it doesn't overwrite your existing shell; any Linux commands you could normally enter in the bash shell can also be entered in PowerShell. As such, if you're going to use PowerShell a lot, you can set it as your default shell and not worry about losing any functionality.

To do this, simply fire up the terminal and enter this code.

sudo chsh -s /usr/bin/pwsh $USER

Reboot the terminal, and you'll now be taken straight into PowerShell and no longer see the regular yourusername@penguin.

And that's all you need to do to get up and running with Microsoft PowerShell on your Chromebook. Whether you're just looking to poke around and learn some of the basics or you need to use it for work or development purposes, the Linux version of PowerShell works great on a Chromebook.

Updating PowerShell on your Chromebook

If you need to update PowerShell, either to newer stable releases or to a preview build, the process should be straightforward. In the first case, you should be able to follow the steps above to download the installer for the newer build and simply install it over the top.

If that doesn't work for any reason you may need to uninstall the existing PowerShell first by entering:

sudo apt remove powershell

If you're still having issues then the only option (spoken from experience) could well be to completely remove Linux from your Chromebook and start from scratch. If you've been poking around and making changes for some time you may well have dislodged something that affects PowerShell and this will almost certainly resolve any issues.

What you need to know

• Chromebooks will support Windows apps from this Fall
• The upcoming integration is courtesy of a partnership with Google and Parallels.
• Both companies are currently billing this as an enterprise feature, touting the ability to run Microsoft Office and legacy Windows apps.

Chromebooks started life as web-only machines, then added Android support a few years ago. Last year, Google brought Linux support to beef up Chrome OS's developer clout, and now it's going to add Windows apps to the list of platforms Chromebooks will support.

Google's John Solomon, VP of Chrome OS, snuck the announcement in the middle of a blog post today:

Parallels, if you're unfamiliar is a virtualization program that's most known for bringing Windows apps to macOS (check out a review of Parallels15 over at iMore to see how it performs).

The functionality will be made available to Chrome enterprise this fall, as per Parallels. Questions around whether it will also be made available to consumer Chromebooks a bit later, how well it will run, and further queries are unanswered at this time. Google promises that there is "more to come on this over the coming months," but the move already sets up Chromebooks like the new HP x360 to be more desirable business purchases than they currently are.

Both the Chromebook (Pixelbook in our comparison here) and the HP ENVY x2 are two great portable choices that unlock access to two very different ecosystems. With the ENVY x2, you're locked into Windows 10 S and on the Pixelbook you're at the mercy of Google and Chrome OS.

Choosing between Windows and Chrome OS

The major differences between the HP ENVY x2 and Google Pixelbook are the OS and internals. You're able to kit either PC out with a 256 GB SSD and the Pixelbook will even go up to 16 GB of RAM. Google also has the upper hand in the screen department. while the ENVY x2 display is pretty good, it simply doesn't compare to the gorgeous 2400 x 1600 Pixelbook panel.

Where HP pulls things back is with the larger capacity battery, support for LTE, Bluetooth 5, and the ability for the screen to be detached from the keyboard — something the Pixelbook simply cannot do. The Pixelbook could be considered as Google's attempt to create a Chrome-powered laptop, while the ENVY x2 is more of a Windows ARM tablet.

And while there are some super-cheap and nasty Chromebooks out there, I didn't view it as a fair comparison to throw in a $200 Acer Chromebook against a $700 Windows tablet.

There is an Intel version of the HP ENVY x2, but we don't really recommend purchasing it. Compared to the Snapdragon model it's more powerful with the Core i5 CPU, but HP made some strange decisions in the making of the second variant, including a sub-par keyboard, smaller touchpad, less reliable LTE, and higher asking price.

Back to the Pixelbook and HP ENVY x2 with ARM. Both devices are worthy options but are rather expensive. If you need LTE and to be connected all the time, go with the ENVY x2. Bored of Windows and want to try something new? Pixelbook is your device.

HP ENVY x2 if you prefer Windows

HP's ENVY x2 is a stellar attempt at pushing ARM into the Windows ecosystem. It'll give Microsoft more of an incentive to get the Store sorted since owners of the tablet aren't able to install software downloaded from various websites. Sporting 4G LTE and a gorgeous design, you'll remain connected in style throughout the day.

Try Pixelbook if you want something new

Not content with Windows 10 S and the state of the Microsoft Store regarding apps? You'll want to go with the Pixelbook, or a more affordable Chromebook if the specifications and price are a little too much.

What you need to know

• Google has deprecated "Project Campfire," according to comments and code removals in Chromium.
• The feature, which was first spotted in development last year, would have allowed Chromebooks to dual-boot Windows 10.
• Google was previously spotted working on getting Windows 10 certification for its flagship Pixelbook.

Google appears to have ended work on "Project Campfire," a feature that would have allowed Chromebooks to dual-boot other operating systems, such as Windows 10 and Linux. As first reported by About Chromebooks (via 9to5Google), Google recently marked AltOS, as the feature was known, as deprecated in comments and code removals.

From what little was seen of Project Campfire in Google's prior code commits, it appeared the feature would have worked much like Apple's Boot Camp. Multiple operating systems could be installed on a Chromebook, with the device offering up the ability to boot into any one of them after installation. Prior to Campfire's outing, Google was even spotted attempting to receive Windows 10 certification for its flagship Pixelbook.

However, as About Chromebooks points out, most of the work on Campfire was done between September and December of 2018, and then things went quiet. Google has also never acknowledged the feature publicly, so it's not entirely surprising to see that it's being deprecated. It appears it was just an experiment.

At least for now, any hopes of running Windows 10 on Chromebook hardware have been dashed.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

Google has been chipping away at Microsoft's software empire for many years now, with Android in particular exploding as a software ecosystem to rival Windows itself. Android handsets armed with Google Play are a dominating force on mobile devices, while Microsoft's efforts in the space fell spectacularly flat.

Google has been leveraging its Android app ecosystem on its increasingly popular line of cheap Chromebook laptops. Chrome OS loaded with web apps and, now, a large array of Android apps is proving problematic for Windows in a casual computing context, particularly in businesses and schools who see Chromebooks as a cheaper alternative to a Windows laptop, strangled by legacy code. Google has been incredibly adept at exploiting Microsoft where it is weak, notably with the Chrome web browser, which has come to dominate Windows too.

There are a few notable absences on Chrome OS when it comes to usability and versatility. It's often missing more powerful applications, such as video editing and programming packages, but for Windows consumers, it's also missing games. The vast legacy of Windows is one of Microsoft's greatest strengths, granting it thousands of quality apps and, vitally, games spanning across decades and different hardware levels. Even if you're running a potato PC, your device likely has better quality core games than the latest Android phone, and especially the latest Chromebook. But all of that could be set to change.

Recently, Google played its hand after years of speculation. Google is working on Project Stream, which will (if it works) allow you to experience "AAA" quality core games via Chrome OS, and of course, cheap Chromebooks. Notably, mega publisher Ubisoft is one of the first companies to jump on board, with Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

If Google can credibly make streaming a viable way to access real games on the cheap across their devices, and not the usual Candy Crush-style pay2win garbage associated with Android, Microsoft could find Windows' popularity with consumers plummet into nothingness. But it's not like Microsoft isn't gearing up to compete.

Next-gen streaming wars

While powerful local hardware is not going away by any stretch, the battle for new consumers will be fought firmly within the streaming arena. Casual mobile gamers who have no intention of buying a $1500 gaming PC or a dedicated video game console tend to play whatever they can get access to on their Android or iOS devices, if the core gaming industry can expand to that market by lowering the barriers to access, it could prove extremely lucrative for everyone involved.

Sony has PlayStation Now, Google has Project Stream, Amazon is widely expected to be working on something similar, with Microsoft already having announced "console-quality" game streaming for phones and other devices. Recently I've heard credible rumors that Microsoft's game streaming platform could be available as early Q1 or Q2 2019, which would make X0 2018 in November a good place to announce it.

Microsoft has a considerable head start here, but so too was the case with tablets, Cortana, Skype, and even smartphones.

Google and Amazon will exploit every weakness

Microsoft has this uncanny ability to allow competing companies to react to changes in the market more quickly, whittling away at every gap and weakness in a Microsoft product while Redmond sits on its hands, overconfident and complacent. Microsoft cannot afford to allow this to happen with gaming if it wants to prevent Chrome OS from eliminating its main weakness with game streaming, potentially giving away an entire generation of potential gamers over to cheaper Chromebooks.

Microsoft's main advantage here is that many millions of its customers already have a large library of expensive games primed for streaming. Those users you could say, are effectively already locked in. Problematically, they're not really the audience Microsoft wants here. The whole point of streaming is improving access to gamers who want to play on the devices they already own, rather than investing in a new platform or device, and this is where Google has an advantage.

Project Stream will send games to a Chrome OS laptop, presumably an Android phone, and even a Windows PC via Chrome's web browser. When it's ready for the prime time, it will be advertised and pushed heavily across those platforms, since Google holds the keys to all the defaults on many millions of those Google Play-enabled devices.

Google has already signed deals with Ubisoft and is no doubt working with other companies too, all of whom are eager to expand their profitability by reaching untapped device markets, namely mobile. All this is while disregarding Amazon's play, which will no doubt factor in Twitch and Amazon's store front, and other mammoth gaming companies like Tencent.

Swimming in the midst of all this is Discord, which has become the gaming world's de facto friends list. Discord has become the largest gaming social network by a significant margin, beating Skype and Xbox Live at their own game with a razor sharp focus on messaging and community building. Whichever cloud company manages to snap up Discord first (and one of them will, eventually) will plug a massive gap in their respective capabilities, while adding another screen upon which to deliver streaming games. Microsoft could simply modernize Skype and Xbox Live's communication capabilities, but so far it has shown a staggering incapability to do so. Losing Discord to Amazon, more especially Google and Chrome OS, would be catastrophic for Microsoft in the coming streaming wars. Either company could simply embed their game streaming service directly into the app.

Time is of the essence

Microsoft might have a head start now — but as we've seen with various other Redmond products that hit market first and then wallowed in complacency — that head start could evaporate incredibly quickly.

Microsoft seems to have made many of the right moves, investing heavily in a future exclusive games portfolio, adding Mixer.com as a vehicle for building community, and so on. But many of Xbox Live's other aspects, such as messaging and community tools, and presence on mobile devices, are really weak. Google, and others, will exploit these weaknesses with impunity.

I'm not suggesting game streaming will fully replace local, powerful Windows PC hardware or PlayStation or Xbox consoles, but it could prove to be an incredibly lucrative way for big publishers to grow their audiences beyond the traditional install base. Core gaming could grow from millions, to billions, and that's ultimately the goal here. The risk for Microsoft is that they won't be part of the story, and that for future generations, Windows and Microsoft may no longer offer everything many people want from their devices, factoring in price.

Microsoft has a really troubled relationship with consumers lately, seemingly unsure whether they want to be a boring "productivity" company or something a little more fun, with Xbox and Mixer. It still feels like Microsoft as a company isn't pulling in the same direction in this context, and if that's true with regards to gaming and consumer products, that is ultimately the biggest weakness Google can exploit.

Related: Microsoft, ignore the threat of Discord at your peril

During the last 12 months, Microsoft made some significant advancements in positioning Windows 10 as a viable Chrome OS competitor. With Windows 10 coming to ARM, and the introduction of Windows 10 S, Microsoft is journeying towards turning Windows 10 into a real Chrome OS alternative.

The recent announcement of a "Sets" feature coming to Windows 10 is yet another step forward in that journey, essentially lifting the tabbed experience Chrome OS is known for and bolting it onto Windows.

Sets + Edge > Chrome?

The tabbed browsing experience is a popular one. People love tabs in their web browsers, so why not bring that same experience to apps? This is what Chrome OS already nails, putting everything in a tabbed environment, whether it be a website, app, or progressive web app. More and more people on Windows are using their web browsers exclusively to do pretty much everything on their PCs,

Microsoft needs a true "lite" version of Windows

The problem with that is even on Windows people are choosing Chrome over Edge. If more and more people are using Chrome to do everything, Windows itself is being used less as a result. So, Microsoft needs to somehow get people to start using Edge, and what better way to do that than to tie Edge with Sets, making Edge a more convenient choice when switching between websites and apps on a Windows 10 PC?

Sets and Edge will work together, just like the Chrome browser and tabs environment do on Chrome OS. With Sets on Windows 10, the user will be able to switch between the apps on their PC and websites they're browsing, without having to switch windows or environments. This scenario only really works if the user is using Edge, so the Sets function itself is almost going to have to trick people into using Edge.

With Sets, every window will have a tabbed UI above it, with a plus (+) button for opening a new tab. The new tab experience begins with the familiar Edge Start page, and from there you'll be able to launch not just websites but locally installed apps on your device, directly from within the Edge Start UI. This is Microsoft's attempt at keeping users within Windows and Edge, instead of switching to Chrome.

What sets Microsoft's approach apart?

Google Chrome on Windows is a serious problem for Microsoft. Windows 10 S is the perfect example of this. Many people will scoff at the idea of Windows 10 S because it doesn't have Chrome. But if Microsoft can minimize the want for Chrome by making Windows 10 perform and behave better when using its own tabbed experience, then perhaps Microsoft can eliminate people's need for Google's browser.

Why Microsoft's new tabbed "Sets" in Windows could be a genuine game changer

Microsoft is essentially trying to keep people within its own platform, which is important as users opt for a more web-orientated workflow. Microsoft is essentially webifying Windows 10 with Sets by bundling websites, apps and more under the same tabbed windows. It's all about the efficiency of the user's workflow, with Sets enabling the ability to resume entire windows across PCs and multitask with ease.

So, now we have the Chrome OS tabbed experience on Windows thanks to Sets, along with Windows 10 S and Windows 10 on ARM. Microsoft isn't done with trying to compete with Chrome OS, however. We understand that there are even more changes and features in the pipeline that will further help Windows 10 along, as more and more people flock to using their web browsers as their one-stop-shops for everything.

Portable computing in the present day is unlike anything we've ever experienced before. With laptops getting smaller and thinner, smartphones offering ever more like Continuum and the rise of the PC stick. Whatever you're looking for there's almost guaranteed to be something for you.

But, when it comes to getting a PC stick in particular, there is more to consider than just which Windows 10 one you should go for. There is also the other way. The Google way.

The Chromebit puts Google's Chrome OS in your pocket and on any display you connect it to. Visually it's the same kind of device as a PC stick with Windows 10, but which should you spend your money on? Let's examine.

The case for the Chromebit

Google Chrome is the most popular desktop web browser on Earth right now. That means there's a decent chance it's what you also use on your PC. Chrome is a powerful browser with a huge ecosystem of apps and extensions that you can add to it, and by extension, Chrome OS.

To say that Chrome OS is 'limited' is short-sighted. Yes, it's not as feature-packed as Windows 10 and you can't use 'traditional' desktop applications on it. But the world of web apps is much larger than it once was. Even if you're reliant on Microsoft Office apps in preference to Google's own, you've Office Online to use. Anything available in the Chrome Web Store can be used on a Chromebit, and that's a lot of apps. All the major content services have web apps, too, so you're not going to miss out on your Netflix or your Spotify.

Google can also offer seamless updates to Chrome OS which means you're up to date, all of the time, with crucial platform and security enhancements. There aren't any complex menus and options to worry about, with the operating system being light and user-friendly if lacking in overall performance in places.

Ultimately if you spend most of your time inside a web browser then a Chromebit could be an ideal option for you. All at a low asking price, too.

The case for the Windows PC stick

The biggest point here is Windows 10. Web apps are great, but sometimes you just need a native, desktop application for something. That you can run a full version of Windows 10 on something that fits in a pocket such as this is remarkable.

What you have access to is the Windows Store as well as any Win32 applications you need to run from elsewhere. The hardware will limit how much you can use, but if the specs fit and you have space then you're good.

And let's not forget, you can also run the Chrome browser on Windows 10, so you still get access to most of those apps available on Chrome OS.

The PC stick can be used in a variety of ways, depending on what you want it for. With Plex or Kodi you have an entertainment hub that slots into a HDMI port, likewise with apps like Netflix, Groove, and Hulu. You don't have to make do with web versions of apps like Office, either. Anything you can do on a desktop PC or a laptop, within reason, you can do on a PC stick.

You can also splash the cash and get something like Intel's Compute Stick with a Core m processor. Expensive, perhaps, but it's as powerful as some laptops. Or you can spend much less and get a lesser performing stick but save a bundle.

Any drawbacks?

In both cases performance can be an issue, especially if you're trying to multitask. Lots of browser tabs or apps open at the same time can make either chug. Unless you stump for a Core m PC stick you have to remember that you're dealing with decidedly entry-level hardware on both fronts, so there are limitations to what you can accomplish.

You also have to factor in that you need a keyboard and mouse to use either a PC stick or a Chromebit. You can spend a little or you can spend a lot, but it's something you will need to have and something else to carry around with you if you're taking them on the road. At some point, though, the price approaches that of a cheap Windows 10 laptop or a Chromebook, both of which you can also plug into a larger display. Less elegant, but still the same end result.

And while you don't really need local storage with a Chromebit, you don't have the option to use a memory card with one, either. You do get that luxury on a number of PC sticks. It doesn't matter why you need to use it, you only can with one of them.

The bottom line

At a similar price for each, our recommendation would be a PC stick if you want to do anything that needs software outside of a browser. In this instance it's a no brainer, and Windows 10 is offered as a full operating system. Chrome OS is better than ever, but it's still not Windows. If you live inside Chrome, then punt for a Chromebit.

But, with so much to choose from in terms of getting a PC stick, even some higher end options, you've more chance of finding a good deal on the right product for you. Google's hardware ecosystem is nothing like that which uses Windows, so your choices are more limited.

Neither of these two products are perfect, but on balance the Windows 10 PC Stick has more to offer — even Google Chrome.

See at Amazon

• Android Central's ASUS Chromebit review
• Lenovo Ideacentre 300 PC stick review

Microsoft can add another feather to its IP licensing hat, having now signed Motorola Solutions up for a licensing agreement. That's not Motorola Mobility, the portion of Motorola bought by Google and now being sold to Lenovo that makes handsets such as Moto X and Moto G, as well as Verizon's Droid line. No, Motorola Solutions is the other Motorola, the part left behind after Google snapped up the smartphone half of the company. And they apparently have eyes on the mobile devices market, with this agreement covering devices running both Android and Chrome OS.

The terms of the deal weren't announced, but it's clear from signing the deal that Motorola Solutions is serious about getting more involved in the Android and Chrome OS space. And probably confusing the heck out of everybody with there being two different Motorolas.

Microsoft, for their part, has signed deals like this with numerous companies, including major Android players like Samsung and HTC, and even manufacturer Foxconn. The deals have been estimated to bring in more than $2 billion a year in revenue for Microsoft, and while Motorola Solutions isn't likely to be a major contributor to Microsoft's bottom line, it never hurts to have another company paying for the rights to your patents.

The exact terms of the IP licensing deal signed by Microsoft and Motorola Solutions were not made public.

Microsoft also recently cut the licensing cost for Windows Phone devices and smaller Windows tablets down to the low low price of zero dollars. Windows Phone is steadily gaining marketshare, but for now those almost-pure-profit multi-billion-dollar Android licensing agreements are overshadowing the costs of building up the Windows Phone ecosystem and user base. But they'll get there.

Press release:

Microsoft and Motorola Solutions sign licensing agreement

Agreement with Motorola Solutions covers devices running Android and Chrome.

REDMOND, Wash. — April 21, 2014 — Microsoft Corp. announced on Monday a patent licensing agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of communication solutions and services for enterprise and government customers. The license provides worldwide coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Motorola Solutions’ devices running the Android™ platform and Chrome OS™ operating system.

“Microsoft and Motorola Solutions share a respect for intellectual property and a commitment to fair and reasonable patent licensing programs,” said Nick Psyhogeos, general manager, associate general counsel, IP licensing of the Innovation and Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. “Microsoft prefers licensing to litigation, since licensing is a more effective way to share technology and accelerate the pace of innovation.”

“Our Motorola Solutions communications technology works best for everyone when it is backed with robust intellectual property and patents,” said Joe White, vice president of Enterprise Mobile Computing, Motorola Solutions. “We are pleased to have agreed upon a solution that allows our customers to purchase Android products from Motorola Solutions with confidence.”

Microsoft’s commitment to licensing IP

The patent agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant technology ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 1,100 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that open Microsoft’s IP portfolio for customers, partners and competitors. The program was developed to provide access to Microsoft’s significant R&D investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio. Microsoft’s specific patent licensing program for Android device-makers has resulted in signed license agreements with numerous companies, including Samsung, ZTE, LG, HTC, Acer and Barnes & Noble.

Source: Microsoft, Image Source: CNET

With the recent demise of official support for Microsoft's Windows XP, Google is looking to attract business users of the 12-year-old OS with a handful of promotions for enterprises considering the switch to Chromebooks.

Organizations buying through Chromebooks for Business will get $100 off each managed device they purchase. And if Windows desktop app support is needed, Google is offering $200 off Chromebooks for Business with VMWare's DaaS virtualization suite, and 25% off Citrix XenApp Platinum Edition — both of which are designed to ease the transition from Windows to Chrome OS.

Between Google's efforts to steal away Windows users and Microsoft's campaign to push folks onto Windows 8 (or at least Windows 7), it's clear both companies see XP's end-of-life as an important juncture, particularly in the enterprise space where the ageing OS is so well-entrenched.

Source: Google Enterprise Blog

Google, like Microsoft, is a company in transition. This can be evidenced today by their entering into the “high end” Ultrabook market with their new Chromebook Pixel. It’s an odd move not because the hardware is not nice (it is) but the pricing: $1299 (32GB) $1449 (LTE, 64GB).

For a company that prides itself on 'free' it’s a different approach from the previous Chromebook strategy of low-cost devices.. To quote iMore’s Rene Ritchie “When did Google become Apple?”.

The other question is how does it stack up against Microsoft’s Surface Pro? We’ll take a look to see how things stand and if Google is making the right move here.

The Chromebook Pixel on paper is impressive. The name is derived from the device’s main selling point: resolution. It sports a crazy 12.85" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio at an astonishing 2560 x 1700 (239 PPI). We just started to get used to our 1920x1080P 13.3” display on our Acer S7. There’s little doubt in our mind that the Chromebook Pixel will look quite amazing for watching movies or viewing photos.

The problem though is the operating system. It runs Chrome OS, which for those of you unfamiliar is Google’s “web application based” OS. It’s not Android and it’s certainly not Windows, which makes it an odd sell. You can’t run Photoshop on it or any standard applications that most folks are used to, instead you are locked to Google’s web apps: Gmail, YouTube, Google+, Hangouts, Play, Drive, etc.

For those who are completely enveloped in Google’s services and don’t mind limited off-line support, it could be an ideal sell.

Chromebook Pixel Specifications

• 12.85-inch, 400 nit display at 2560 x 1700 resolution (239 PPI)
• Gorilla Glass multi-touch screen
• 32 GB storage
• Backlit Chrome keyboard
• HD Webcam
• 2 x USB 2.0 ports
• Mini display port
• 2-in-1 card reader supporting: SD, MMC
• Intel Core i5 Processor (Dual Core 1.8GHz)
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM
• 59 Wh battery

For all intents and purposes, this is just a standard Intel Ultrabook with a higher resolution display and less memory. Same i5 processor, same weight (3.35 lbs), 4GB of RAM, HD Graphics 4000. They do step down on storage (32GB or 64GB) whereas a Windows 8 device will come with 128GB or 256GB of storage on board. The also only opt for 2x USB 2.0 whereas at least one USB 3.0 port is common these days, if not two. (Because of the spec similarities, we may give a bounty to the first person who throws Windows 8 on a Chromebook Pixel.)

Surface Pro specs

• 10.6" ClearType Full HD Display, 1920x1080 pixels, 16:9 (widescreen)
• 10-point multi-touch
• 3rd Gen Intel Core i5 Processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 4GB RAM—Dual Channel Memory
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology
• Battery 42 W-h
• Two 720p HD LifeCams, front- and rear-facing with True Color
• Full-size USB 3.0
• microSDXC card slot
• Headset jack
• Mini DisplayPort

But it’s that price thing that keeps getting in the way:

1. Chromebook Pixel: $1299 (32GB) or $1449 (64GB + 4G)
2. Surface Pro: $899 (64GB) or $999 (128GB) + $120 for keyboard
3. Lenovo Yoga: $999 (128GB), Windows 8 (convertible laptop/tablet)
4. Acer S7: $1299 (128GB), Windows 8, 1920x1080P display

Of course not one of those Windows 8 devices has such a high resolution display but then again, they do run a full desktop OS that can be used offline with no limitations. And for all the bad press the Surface Pro’s battery gets, the Chromebook Pixel is rated “up to 5 hours” which we understand as PR speak for “a lot less in the real world”. In other words, that high resolution, 400 nit display comes at a cost: battery life.

We get the fact that not everyone like Microsoft (Surface) or wants Windows 8 but considering you could literally buy a solid Ultrabook and load up Chrome OS yourself, we’re not sure what the real advantage of the Chromebook Pixel. While photos and media will look stunning on such a display, with such a short battery life and the inability to run desktop class apps, it just seems very limited.

And limited is fine. That’s why we have the Surface RT ($499). But despite people calling that price too high, it’s at least in the ballpark of being reasonable (at least by comparison).

In short, this one is a bit of a head scratcher. It’s certainly exciting to see what looks to be solid, quality hardware coming to the Ultrabook market and we can’t blame Google for trying their hand at hardware (they’re even rumored to be opening “stores” in 2013). At least they throw in 1TB of cloud storage (for 3 years), which is a nice gesture.

We just can’t help but think this makes the Surface Pro look like a much better deal now (and we're doubtful if that was Google's intention).

Source: Google, Google Play; via Android Central