Chrome OS review (version 19)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/chrome-os-review-version-19/

It seems like yesterday that we reviewed the inaugural Samsung Series 5 Chromebook running Google's Chrome OS, an operating system for laptops based on Chrome. It was, from the start, a world in which everything from music playback to document creation happened in browser tabs. Since we last checked in a year ago, Google has addressed some early complaints -- the browser can actually stream Netflix now! -- but it's only just getting around to ticking off some other long-standing grievances, like multitasking.

The company just announced two new Chrome OS devices -- the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 and Chromebox Series 3 -- and both run a spanking-new build of the OS that ushers in a simplified desktop with customizable wallpaper and the ability to minimize, maximize and close windows -- oh my! More importantly, you can now view multiple windows onscreen, edit docs offline and pin shortcuts to the bottom of the screen -- a combination that promises some seriously improved multitasking. Other goodies: built-in Google Music, Google+ and Hangouts, along with a basic photo editor, redesigned music player and enhanced remote desktop app. So does all this add up to an upgrade meaty enough to make the skeptics give Chrome OS a second look? Could it be time for you to get the low-tech person in your life a Chromebook? Let's see.

Gallery: Chrome OS screenshots (version 19)

Continue reading Chrome OS review (version 19)

Chrome OS review (version 19) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell XPS One 27: A Massive, All-In-One Slab of Ivy Bridge [Computers]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5913874/dell-xps-one-27-a-massive-all+in+one-slab-of-ivy-bridge

Dell is reviving its XPS line of all-in-one computers with the XPS One 27, an 27-inch, Ivy Bridge-equipped number cruncher meant to go against the likes of the iMac and the HP Omni 27.

With features such as a 2560x1440 screen, Core i5 or i7 processor, 2 terabyte HDD, Infinity speakers, 4 gigabytes of RAM (expandable to 16) and the option for Blu-ray, NVIDIA GeForce 640M graphics, and additional 32 GB SSD, this is definitely a PC geared towards home entertainment consumption, but could probably also function just as well in a professional setting.

The XPS One's rounded edges, black facade, and silver base is nothing eye-popping, but the build quality is solid and doesn't need to be tucked out of sight. And of course it's still running Windows 7, so it remains to be seen just how nice it will play with Windows 8. But the XPS One 27 could fill a void for those who don't need a laptop at home anymore. Especially considering it starts at $1300. Dell says it will arrive in the US in the "coming weeks." [Dell]

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Samsung's 'human centric' Galaxy S III launches around the globe, says what delays?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/28/samsungs-human-centric-galaxy-s-iii-launches-around-the-globe/

Despite carrier and retailer indications of delays for certain editions of Samsung's new Galaxy S III, the company triumphantly announced its launch right on schedule tonight. Of course, here in the US we're sadly on the outside looking in at the launch action going on in 28 countries as a new day dawns for the 29th, but at least there's rumblings that our localized editions aren't far off. In July, its world tour is expected to have swung through 145 countries and 296 carriers. As long as you're looking for a 16GB Marble White quad-core Exynos juggernaut, you should be able to find it right away -- if the machine translated Korean press release is too tough to bear, remember we've got all the launch details (and a review) right here.

Samsung's 'human centric' Galaxy S III launches around the globe, says what delays? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explay Crystal revives transparent display phones with dash of color, low price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/explay-crystal-revives-transparent-display-phones/

If you've been lamenting the passing of transparent display phones like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness as those vile, opaque smartphones took over, you'll be happy to know that Russia's Explay has taken up the mantle with the Crystal. The basic song remains the same, a numberpad-driven dumbphone with a display that will help you avoid the lamp post up ahead, but it's remixed through colors that render the experience a lot less monotone. We saw this in the Lenovo S800, but the dual SIM card slots and Bluetooth 3.0 at least see the Crystal keep pace with more recent phones in its category. By far the biggest advantage Explay has over its ancestors is pure cost: at 7,000 rubles ($218), it's less than half the $500 that Lenovo wanted and that much more palatable for a handset that isn't running a sophisticated OS like Android or Windows Phone. Russians have to wait until July 1st to pick up the Crystal, but wouldn't count on the see-through phone seeing its way to the US through official channels.

Explay Crystal revives transparent display phones with dash of color, low price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 05:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MediaPlus Enables Total Control of Flash and HTML5 Video [Video]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5913671/mediaplus-enables-total-control-of-flash-and-html5-video

Chrome/Firefox: There's no shortage of browser extensions that help you download Flash or HTML5 video, but few give you the myriad of options available from MediaPlus.

Once you enable the extension on a page containing a video element, rolling your mouse over the video will reveal a toolbar. From here, you can download the video, move it around the page, blow it up fullscreen, pop it out into its own window, and even dim the surrounding page elements for easier viewing. Most of these options are available on their own in separate extensions, but MediaPlus saves you time by combining them into one package.

Media Plus for Chrome | Chrome Web Store via Ghacks

Media Plus for Firefox | Firefox Add-Ons via Ghacks

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