Episodes

  • In anticipation of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE

    In anticipation of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE
    Apr 30 2024
    We’re back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and this week we dive into upcoming hardware, our thoughts on the Chromebook market, and how new ARM processors might impact things moving forward. But the bulk of our discussion revolves around Robby’s discovery of a Chromebook Plus branded version of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. If you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ve probably heard Robby talk about the 516 GE and his love for this device, so we take some time in this episode to talk through the small tweaks that he’d like to see in an upgraded, Chromebook Plus branded version. For the remainder of the show, we talk through developments in the ARM space, including new benchmarks of MediaTek MT8188 and how Qualcomm’s focus on their Snapdragon X Elite compute platform has us excited for that processor to maybe make it to Chromebooks down the road. We’ve been talking about ARM processors for many years and look forward to seeing how these new chips will push Chromebook innovation. Show Links Acer is about to give us a Chromebook 516 GE Chromebook Plus upgrade What I’m hoping for in the new Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE Just like that, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is $200 off again Upcoming Chromebook tablet ‘Ciri’ gets impressive Geekbench ML score Why a Snapdragon X Plus Chromebook would be amazing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • New Chromebooks, new features, new Chromecast

    New Chromebooks, new features, new Chromecast
    Apr 23 2024
    This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we have a little hardware and a little software. For the first half of the show, we focus on a few new Chromebook releases: the kind of different but kind of the same Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and the Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i that you should not buy. We wrap up our hardware segment with a discussion of a 4K Chromecast with Google TV that is rumored to be on the way and what we hope Google brings to their next-gen streaming dongle. In the second half of the show, we dive into a new feature coming soon in Google Photos that will help you de-clutter your library by getting rid of all those random screenshots, GIFs, and memes that have been building up. And then we finish up the show with a phone call feature that Robby thinks should head to Chromebooks soon. We even have a throwback to Andromeda, for some of you OG Chrome Unboxed readers who might remember all of those rumors back in 2016 and 2017. I hope you enjoy it, cheers! Show Links Acer’s new Chromebook Plus 514 is more of the same, but different A new Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook appears, but makes little sense Walmart’s excellent Onn. Google TV streaming box getting a “Pro” upgrade A new, updated 4K Chromecast w/Google TV is on the way Your Google Photos library is about to get far less cluttered This needed Chromebook feature could tempt me back to Pixel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • The mounting problem of the Google Graveyard

    The mounting problem of the Google Graveyard
    Apr 18 2024
    This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we dive into a big update on the website, publishing our last YouTube video for a bit, and a mounting problem that has us frustrated with Google. The first half of the show is all about the return of the comments section on the website. After working through what turned into a complicated issue with Disqus, we are thrilled to have comments back on the site! It’s taken some time to get everything set up correctly, but we hope our improved comments section is a place for engaging conversations. So, head to the bottom of this article and leave us a comment! For the remainder of the show, we share our thoughts on Google’s expanding graveyard of canceled services and why we think Google needs to shift away from its “move fast, break things” startup mentality. With many great services shutting down over the last few years (many of which users relied on for personal and business use), it’s easy to understand the frustration that some users might be feeling and how it could lead to a distrust in Google services. We make sure to end the show on a high note, though, with some exciting news on upcoming hardware so stick around for that. I hope you enjoy the show and, again, leave us a comment below with your thoughts on the topics we covered. Cheers! Show Links Here’s why we’re taking a break from YouTube [VIDEO] Google kills off yet another fantastic service Google Podcasts is officially dead: What you need to know Walmart’s excellent Onn. Google TV streaming box getting a “Pro” upgrade More proof that upcoming Chromebook tablet ‘Ciri’ belongs to Lenovo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Exclusive first look at Chromebook Plus AI

    Exclusive first look at Chromebook Plus AI
    Apr 10 2024
    On this week’s episode of The Chrome Cast podcast, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming with a discussion about wrapping up our Chromebook Plus reviews and an exciting exclusive demo of the upcoming Chromebook Plus AI features. We appreciate everyone tuning in last week as we explained why we’re taking a quick break from YouTube, but it was fun to get back to news coverage this week. For the first half of the show, we dive into our Chromebook Plus review process and the collective relief we’re feeling after wrapping up our 8th Chromebook Plus review. We hope that these reviews have been helpful as you all have tried to wade through these new devices that were all launched at the Chromebook Plus event last October. We have several exciting things in the works that we can’t wait to work on after our hiatus, so stay tuned. The remainder of the show is all about our exclusive demo of the upcoming Chromebook Plus features. Given the nature of Chromebook news, we don’t get many exclusives (other than finding things in the repositories) so it was very nice of the ChromeOS team to reach out and give us a sneak peek of the Chromebook Plus AI features that are coming soon. We’ve shared some frustration around the delivery of these features, so it was great to also get clarification on why it’s taking a little longer and why it will be worth the wait. If you’re as excited as we are about these new features, you don’t want to miss this one. Enjoy! Show Links All of our Chromebook Plus reviews Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Review: solidly affordable [VIDEO] The best all-around Chromebook Plus is down to just $389 right now Don’t miss this incredible deal on the ASUS Chromebook Plus CM34 Exclusive: Google demoed the new Chromebook Plus AI features for us [VIDEO] Where is Google’s promised ‘Help me write’ feature for Chromebooks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • The real reason we're taking a break from YouTube

    The real reason we're taking a break from YouTube
    Apr 5 2024
    This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we took a break from our normal news roundup and decided to explain some of how we got here, where we're heading, and why we've decided to take a few weeks off from publishing on YouTube. And no, Chrome Unboxed isn't going anywhere and we aren't quitting YouTube. We do talk through why this is probably happening on YouTube, but we are as focused and clear-headed about Chrome Unboxed as ever. We just need some time to focus on the launch of something exciting! The official announcement of what we've been working on is coming soon so this episode is kind of a long-form explanation and teaser of what's coming. We will publish a more buttoned-up version of all this on YouTube next week, so keep an eye out for that. We have some exciting videos planned and some things in the works that we can't wait to tell you all about, but for right now, we want to take some time to focus on the launch of Proof Golf. I promise we will get back to our regularly scheduled programming soon, but this was a fun conversation that gives you all a behind-the-scenes look at what we've been working on and how we operate. We dive deep into how our content strategy has evolved and how we've responded to changes in the digital publishing world. So, if you are a fan of Chrome Unboxed and want a look behind the curtain, this one is for you. As always, we greatly appreciate you all listening and supporting Chrome Unboxed. Enjoy! Show Links Chrome Unboxed YouTube Proof Golf Coming Soon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • We have Lenovo's pocket-sized Chromebox Micro in the office

    We have Lenovo's pocket-sized Chromebox Micro in the office
    Mar 28 2024
    We're back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and on this week's show, we discuss some new, interesting hardware we've been testing. If you've been listening to the show or reading the site lately, you know that we have been working hard to get through our reviews of the Chromebook Plus models announced in October. So it was a nice change of pace when the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk and Lenovo Chromebox Micro arrived at our office this week. We've been anxiously waiting for the Logitech Casa to arrive for a few reasons. First and foremost, we wanted to ensure that the keyboard and trackpad work with ChromeOS as seamlessly as we hoped, since Logitech went above and beyond to make this a Works With Chromebook-certified product. And secondly, we wanted to see if the hardware was good enough to justify the $180 price tag. Listen in to see what Robby thinks and check out our recent unboxing video to see the Casa in action. The second half of the show is all about Lenovo's interesting new take on a Chromebox: the Chromebox Micro. We've been excited to see this Chromebox is truly pocket-sized so as soon as it arrived, we opened the box and I popped it straight into my pocket. No problem! Oh, and we've already discovered that it is the first Chromebox we've ever tested that can be run off of a portable power bank. Outside of many standard Enterprise or home-desktop setups, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro opens the door for some unique use cases that we are excited to try out. Maybe a portable setup with AR glasses? Stay tuned as we test and experiment with this new Chromebox. If you are excited about this Chromebox, send us a message or hit us up on X and explain why - we're curious why it seems like so many of you are interested in this Chromebox. We also made sure to squeeze in a "Hot Take" at the end of the show so make sure to stick around for that to hear Robby's ode to the original Google WiFi. I hope you enjoy the show! Cheers! Show Links Unboxing and trying the new Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk [VIDEO] Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk: a real option for a wireless Chromebook trackpad? Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk is confirmed ‘Works with Chromebook’ Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk arrives at Best Buy March 21st Lenovo’s pocket-sized Chromebox Micro arrives at B&H Meet the new pocket-sized Chromebox from Lenovo: The Chromebox Micro Yes, you will be able to buy the Lenovo Chromebox that fits in your pocket An ode to my now-dead original Google Wi-Fi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • Useful updates coming soon to Chromebooks

    Useful updates coming soon to Chromebooks
    Mar 21 2024
    We’re back with another episode of The Chrome Cast podcast and this week we tackle a few software updates that are coming soon to your Chromebook, the 2024 Google I/O announcement, and why we can’t wait for an exciting new accessory to show up. The first part of the show is dedicated to – you guessed it – Lacros. We’ve been talking about this de-coupled Chrome browser on Chromebooks for a while now but it looks like we could be nearing the finish line soon – maybe in ChromeOS 124! And although it will likely be an update that you might not even notice, we explain why it’s a massive shift for ChromeOS. For the second half of the show, we split the conversation between Google I/O and the Logitech Casa. The official date for I/O 2024 has been released and so we talk through what we’re expecting from Google’s developer conference this year and why we’re hopeful for a new Chromecast. As for the Logitech Casa, you might have heard us talk about this “desk in a box” product in last week’s show but since then we have made a few discoveries that make us even more excited to get it in the office and test it out (if FedEx ever decides to stop by.) Oh, and brace yourself for the AI discussion that gets brought up near the end of the show; this stuff is terrifying and so interesting at the same time. Enjoy! Show Links: Why the Lacros Chrome browser may arrive on Chromebooks very soon Quick Share for Chromebook set to get a Wi-Fi Direct speed boost Google and Samsung join forces to simplify file sharing This new feature will finally make the Chromebook calendar widget useful Google I/O 2024 dates and small live crowd confirmed The next Chromecast with Google TV could get a solid performance upgrade Leaks of the Pixel 8a box confirm minor design changes Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk is confirmed ‘Works with Chromebook’ Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk arrives at Best Buy March 21st Figure Status Update – OpenAI Speech-to-Speech Reasoning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 23 mins
  • We’ve reviewed all but one of the Chromebook Plus models

    We’ve reviewed all but one of the Chromebook Plus models
    Mar 14 2024
    This week on The Chrome Cast podcast, we focus most of our discussion around two main topics: the full review of the HP 15.6" Chromebook Plus and the new Casa Pop-Up Desk that includes a wireless trackpad that works with ChromeOS. The HP 15.6" review is the second to last review of Chromebook Plus models that were launched back in October, so we also talked through that process and why the Lenovo Slim 3i is still Robby's favorite. The second half of the conversation is all about the new Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk that we recently stumbled upon. This interesting multi-device "desk in a box" setup looks great all on its own but through some investigation, we've discovered that the Casa is a Works With Chromebook certified device, making it the only wireless trackpad option for ChromeOS right now. So, as you might imagine, we are pretty excited about the Casa and can't wait to test it out soon. LINKS HP 15.6-inch Chromebook Plus review [VIDEO] Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review [VIDEO] Big savings return for my favorite Chromebook: the Acer 516 GE Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3i: is this ‘Chromebook Plus’? [VIDEO] Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus Review: my favorite of the bunch [VIDEO] If the Slim 3i Chromebook Plus stays at $339.99, it’s the one to beat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins