Author Archives: Google Chrome Blog

Re-rethinking computing

People tell us they love their Chromebooks. Yet, you have to use a trackpad, type URLs and Search queries using a keyboard, and click on links. Google’s top research scientists have calculated that the average person burns up to five calories per day by clicking on web links. This is absurd—these calories could be put to much better use for breathing, pranking a co-worker, or cleaning your bathtub.

Well, a rogue team of engineers set out to solve one of mankind’s top problems and re-rethink computing. Today, we’re excited to announce a way to make your Chromebook self-browsing.


With just one click, you’re off surfing the web—no input needed. And what can you do once your Chromebook is self-browsing? The possibilities are endless:

  • Plan your summer vacation to Qikiqtarjuaq
  • Fall in love using your new automated online dating profile
  • Write this blog post
  • Earn high scores in every online game
  • Post random status updates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Manage your finances at whim
  • Run for President
  • Pen the next best-seller (Is your favorite author using a self-browsing Chromebook? We'll never know)

We’ve been testing this new functionality for weeks, browsing the whole web from classifieds to news, music to cat photos -- and now, these Chromebooks are responsible for the majority of ALL CAPS comments on the web. In total, our self-browsing Chromebooks have logged more than 5 million pageviews without once heading here.

The first version of our self-browsing software is now available at this very easy to remember link: http://goo.gl/1Htv4S. Give it a shot—then sit back, relax, and watch the future unfold. This is the last link YOU will ever click.

Posted by Barbara Macdonald, Product Manager and Efficiency Advocate

Introducing #ChromeSelfie

Have you ever read an article that made your jaw drop or seen a funny clip that made you laugh until you cried? Now, #ChromeSelfie lets you show your friends exactly how you feel. 

If you’re a selfie fanatic like me you've probably sent a lot of selfies in reaction to articles in the past, but it takes a lot of time and hassle to exit Chrome, open the camera and snap a pic. In fact, with so much of our time spent browsing online, most Chrome users lose up to 6 hours of selfie-taking time every day! And we think it’s a tragedy that your reactions, as well as luscious lashes and beautiful brows, are going uncaptured. With #ChromeSelfie you can share sites with your family and friends on social media and via instant messages, along with a handsome selfie instead of cumbersome text.

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Source: Wikinews

As a pioneering platform, Chrome on mobile is committed to being at the forefront of innovation in the selfie space. One #ChromeSelfie can easily replace dozens of words, improving efficiency and comprehension. Starting today, when you open Chrome on your mobile you’ll see a promo and with just a few clicks you can share your reaction with your friends. 

Turns out that the best way to communicate in the future is simply to strike a pose.

Posted by AbdelKarim Mardini, Chrome Product Manager and Pro Prankster

Now casting: TED, MTV, Pac-12 and Qello Concerts for Chromecast

Chromecast has another great group of apps you can now cast directly to your TV.

Hot on the heels of the annual TED conference, you can now watch “ideas worth spreading” with TED Talks. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, an old talk you missed, or something more recent, it’s never too late to expand your mind and learn something new. And for those new to TED, check out the 20 most-watched TEDTalks to get started.
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For the sports fans out there, Pac-12 Networks has all of your favorite collegiate sports covered. From fall to summer, Pac-12 Networks brings you live coverage of 30 sports, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics and more.


For those who want to keep up with the latest family drama in Finding Carter or see what secrets Nev and Max uncover in Catfish, start casting with the MTV app available today.


When you’re in the mood to jam out with Nirvana, Freddie Mercury or the Rolling Stones, you can tune into Qello Concerts for full-length concerts and music documentaries. For a limited time, Chromecast owners can sign up to try Qello Concerts all-access pass free for one month through April 19, 2015. Check out more offers at Chromecast.com/offers.

Find these and more Google Cast-enabled apps at chromecast.com/apps.

Posted by Brad Foreman, Chromecast Partnerships and Nerd Nation alum

More Chromebooks, for everyone

“Get more done and worry less.” That’s what teachers, businesses, and everyday people have told us they can do, thanks to Chromebooks. Since we introduced them four years ago, Chromebooks have made computers faster, simpler, and more secure, while eliminating everyday hassles like waiting for your computer to boot up, having to constantly charge it, and remembering to install software updates. And a lot of people love them—Chromebooks were the best selling laptops on Amazon last holiday season, and teachers and students made them the #1 device in schools last year.

Quality and affordability

You shouldn't have to choose between a computer that performs well and one that you can afford. Today we're introducing two new devices that meet both criteria: the Haier Chromebook 11 (available at Amazon) and the Hisense Chromebook (available at Walmart). These new Chromebooks are fast, lightweight, have long-life batteries and are available for pre-order today for $149.

They join new partners like TRUE, XOLO, and Nexian and our existing range of Chrome devices —ranging from 11.6” Chromebooks for $199 to 15” Chromebooks for $499 rolling out over the next few months from partners like Acer, AOPEN, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and LG.

A Chromebook you’ll flip for

We’re also excited about the ASUS Chromebook Flip. A premium, all-metal convertible, it’s ultra-portable—just 15mm thin and weighing less than two pounds. The Chromebook Flip has a great keyboard and a touch screen for immersive experiences like gaming and educational apps. It will be available later this spring for $249.

A little bit more...

This summer, ASUS will launch a new type of Chrome device: the Chromebit. Smaller than a candy bar, the Chromebit is a full computer that will be available for less than $100. By simply plugging this device into any display, you can turn it into a computer. It’s the perfect upgrade for an existing desktop and will be really useful for schools and businesses.



So whether you’re looking for a smaller Chrome device that packs a big punch or a laptop that can do back bends, there’s a Chromebook for you...and for everyone else, too.

Posted by Katie Roberts-Hoffman, Engineer and ARM Wrestler

For What’s Next: the new Chromebook Pixel and USB Type-C

Today we’re introducing an updated, more powerful Chromebook Pixel. While the new Pixel has many improvements, one feature that is especially exciting is universal charging, data, and display in the form of USB Type-C. We joined forces with the USB Implementers Forum and leaders across the industry to create the new standard over the past few years, and are now starting to see its debut in devices.


The case for a new connector

Mobile devices charge from a USB port, which has worked pretty well, even though USB wasn’t designed for that purpose. Micro-USB can deliver up to 10 Watts, which charges small mobile devices reasonably quickly. However, as phones get bigger and batteries charge faster, there’s a distinct need for something that can supply more power than micro-USB.

Laptops, on the other hand, have no common charge standard. Each one tends to have its own proprietary connector and power supply to deliver just the right combination of voltage and current to charge that laptop at its most efficient point. Laptops also need a lot more than 10 Watts of power.

More power and speed

USB Type-C combines these varying needs in a durable, high power, high data-rate connector powerful enough for laptops yet small enough for mobile phones. It also does so in a symmetrical design to eliminate the guesswork when plugging in.

USB Type-C can deliver up to 100W of power, which is more than even the largest laptops typically need. When a USB Type-C enabled device is plugged in, the charger negotiates the right power for that device.  That way, phones, laptops and tablets can all be powered from the same charger.

Not only does Type-C enable universal charging, but it also allows high-speed data and high resolution display. Type-C was designed to transfer data at speeds up to 20Gbs. Since current USB devices max out at 5Gbs, there’s room to grow.

From the same port, Type-C also enables high resolution display output to a monitor or TV through DisplayPort and HDMI accessories.

New possibilities

USB Type-C on the new Pixel means that one day soon you’ll be able to charge your phone, laptop, and tablet all from the same power charger.

There’s a Type-C port on both sides of the Pixel, so you can output display and charge at the same time. It also means you can charge from either side of your laptop, something that’s really convenient on a crowded desk.

Forgot your power adapter? Plug in the optional Type-C to USB A cable, and top up from any traditional USB port, your phone charger, or a USB power bank. It won’t charge as fast as the included 60W supply, but it’s handy in a pinch.  For the truly adventurous, you could even charge your Pixel from another Pixel!**

As more devices use Type-C, you can imagine a world where chargers become ubiquitous to the point where device makers won’t need to ship them with a new phone or laptop. We’ve even open sourced our work on Type-C adapters so that you’ll have more choice of accessories. That’s good for your wallet and the environment.

We’re really excited about the new Chromebook Pixel and USB Type-C. To learn more, head over to the Google Store, the new home for the latest devices made with Google, or the Pixel site.

Posted by Adam Rodriguez, Product Manager at Google

*Battery life tested using Chromium standard PowerLoadTest at default brightness. The PowerLoadTest was created to emulate average user behavior and measure the resultant battery life. Charge time testing is measured by battery capacity increase with lid closed divided by average energy usage during PowerLoadtest. Battery life and charge time may vary depending on usage and other conditions.
**Pixel to Pixel charging is possible, but it won’t charge all that fast. You could theoretically connect your Pixel to itself, but we recommend against experimenting with perpetual energy machines.

1,000 Chrome Experiments and counting…

In 2009, we launched Chrome Experiments to showcase the work of creative coders who pushed HTML5 and JavaScript to the limits in order to build beautiful, unique web experiences. At first, the site had only 19 experiments, but we hoped they would be a source of inspiration for programmers who made art with open web technologies. Since then, we’ve been humbled by the quantity and quality of new submissions. Today, we’ve reached a major milestone: 1,000 experiments.

To celebrate, we’ve created a special Experiment #1000 that visualizes every other experiment on the site. You can explore all 1,000 in a variety of ways, including a real-time code editor and a timeline with selectable tags. Click on the WebGL tag, for example, and you’ll see how that technology surged in popularity when it was added to Chrome in 2011.
A visualization of the first 1,000 Chrome Experiments

Along with Experiment #1000, we’ve redesigned ChromeExperiments.com using Polymer. It’s mobile-friendly, so no matter what kind of phone or tablet you have, or how you hold it, the site scales smoothly. If you’re on your phone, you can also filter the list to mobile-compatible experiments by selecting the Mobile tag.
The new ChromeExperiments.com

Looking back at the old experiments this month has been a joy. Highlights include Mr.doob’s classic Ball Pool (one of the original 19 experiments), the first WebGL experiment by Gregg Tavares (try 4,000 fish – this used to be very slow!), and Dinahmoe’s multiplayer audio toy Plink, which combines the Web Audio API with Node.js. At Google I/O in 2012, we released the first mobile experiments, including AlteredQualia’s Multitouch Toy and Dominic Szablewski’s X-Type. And each year afterward, new web technologies appeared, like getUserMedia and the Web Speech API. It’s been a wonderful journey.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the site, and most of all to the creators who have shared their work. We’re excited to see what experiments you come up with next.

Valdean Klump, Data Arts Team

More Protection from Unwanted Software

[Cross-posted on the Google Online Security blog]

SafeBrowsing helps keep you safe online and includes protection against unwanted software that makes undesirable changes to your computer or interferes with your online experience.

We recently expanded our efforts in Chrome, Search, and ads to keep you even safer from sites where these nefarious downloads are available.

  • Chrome: Now, in addition to showing warnings before you download unwanted software, Chrome will show you a new warning, like the one below, before you visit a site that encourages downloads of unwanted software.


  • Search: Google Search now incorporates signals that identify such deceptive sites.  This change reduces the chances you’ll visit these sites via our search results.
  • Ads: We recently began to disable Google ads that lead to sites with unwanted software.

If you’re a site owner, we recommend that you register your site with Google Webmaster Tools. This will help you stay informed when we find something on your site that leads people to download unwanted software, and will provide you with helpful tips to resolve such issues.

We’re constantly working to keep people safe across the web. Read more about Safe Browsing technology and our work to protect users here.

Posted by Lucas Ballard, Software Engineer

Introducing Google Cast for audio

In 2014, many of you—millions, in fact—helped make Chromecast one of the most popular streaming media devices globally. It's been exciting to bring Chromecast from one country to now 27 countries, with more to come in 2015. Chromecast usage per device has increased by 60% since launch due to the growing roster of new apps and features.

And today, we're announcing Google Cast for audio, which embeds the same technology behind Chromecast into speakers, sound bars, and A/V receivers. Just like Chromecast, simply tap the cast button in your favorite music or radio app on Android, iOS, or the web, and select a Google Cast Ready speaker to get the party started.

Google Cast Ready speakers pull content directly from the cloud, so you’ll get the best audio quality and can freely multi-task on your phone, tablet, or laptop, all without straining the battery. These speakers will work with a growing list of apps including Deezer, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR One, Pandora, Rdio, TuneIn, and many more.


The first Google Cast Ready speakers will first be available in the US this spring from lead brands Sony, LG, and HEOS by Denon with more brands coming later in 2015 with the support of chip makers Broadcom, Marvell, MediaTek and system integrator Libre Wireless.These products will join a growing Google Cast ecosystem, which includes more Android TVs, game consoles and set-top boxes.

Posted by Tomer Shekel, Product Manager, Google Cast for audio

Chromecast, now with guest mode

You’re having friends over and before you know it, a battle has ensued in your living room over who can show the funniest YouTube video. Now, it’s even easier for your friends to cast to your TV without first having to connect to your WiFi. With the new guest mode feature, anyone with an Android device can cast to your TV as long as they’re in the same room.

To set up guest mode for your Chromecast, open the Chromecast app on your Android phone or tablet and select “Devices” from the navigation drawer. Choose your Chromecast device, tap the “Guest mode” setting and then turn the slider to “on.”

See it in action:
This update is rolling out starting today. Just make sure your Chromecast app is up to date on your Android phone or tablet. To learn more about this feature, visit chromecast.com/guestmode.

Posted by Jagjit Chawla, Product Manager and Host Extraordinaire

Now casting: Comedy Central, Nick and Sesame Street Go

Chromecast is adding seven more great apps to your casting queue. Get bigger laughs with The Daily Show on Comedy Central, learn with Elmo on Sesame Street Go, or cast Nickelodeon and let Spongebob keep your family entertained. And, no matter how far you travel this winter, stay connected with TuneIn for international radio stations and millions of podcasts. With EPIX, YuppTV and ENCORE Play also casting, you have a full lineup of shows, sports, games and movies to last throughout the holiday season.

Posted by Faisal Feroz, Partner Engineering Manager, Elmo’s best friend