Chromebooks Archives

BetaBeacon

September 8, 2026

First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost

Arm's DLSS for Android is set to be released soon, starting with the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China. The new Arm Mali G2-Ultra NX graphics processor inside the custom Xring O3 chip promises to enhance mobile gaming by providing PC-like technologies to improve game performance without using more power. This technology includes AI gaming graphics accelerators that can eliminate jagged edges in games and offer features similar to Nvidia's DLSS, such as AI upscaling, frame generation, and ray reconstruction. The new graphics tech is expected to be available in various devices beyond Chinese phones, including tablets and Chromebooks. The technology is aimed at improving gaming experiences while maintaining battery life and will be integrated into games like Where Winds Meet, Infinity Nikki, and Arena Breakout: Infinite.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

Google wants to let you use your phone as a remote Googlebook trackpad

Google is set to launch Googlebook laptops, which will integrate with Android devices and serve as an alternative to Chromebooks. An early version of Google’s Cross-Device Services system app has revealed a feature called the “Cast trackpad,” allowing users to control their Googlebooks using their phone’s touchscreen. This feature will support basic gesture controls, include buttons for functions like “back” and volume control, and offer adjustable sensitivity settings. The Googlebooks are expected to be released this fall, with multiple manufacturers involved in their rollout.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Bring the Fire: Play Games on GeForce NOW With New Firefox Browser Support

GeForce NOW has introduced support for Firefox, enabling gamers to play PC games directly from their browsers without downloads or installations. This integration allows access to high-performance gaming on various devices, with graphics powered by GeForce RTX at resolutions up to 1440p and frame rates of 120 fps for Ultimate members. Users can start gaming by downloading the latest version of Firefox and visiting play.geforcenow.com. The platform also offers cloud saves for seamless transitions across different devices. New game releases include Gallipoli, Stars Reach, The Sinking City 2, and more, with varying availability on GeForce NOW. Users can begin with a day pass, which can be credited toward a membership upgrade.

Tech Optimizer

August 7, 2026

I’ve found the best antivirus software to protect your PC in 2026

The Independent and Yahoo will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Windows 11 includes Microsoft's built-in Defender, but its security measures are basic. Effective antivirus solutions provide comprehensive threat analysis, advanced malware protection, and additional privacy features such as VPNs and password managers. No antivirus can protect against every threat, so users should download applications from trusted sources and use strong, unique passwords. The best antivirus apps for 2026 include: - Bitdefender Total Security: £42.49 for the first year, rated 5/5, includes a limited VPN, offers multi-device coverage, excellent malware detection, and built-in tools for phishing and ransomware protection. - Malwarebytes Plus: £29.99 annually for the basic package, rated 4/5, includes a VPN in the 'plus' bundle costing £49.99, focuses on malware removal and identity protection features. - McAfee Premium: Rated 4/5, includes unlimited VPN, compatible with various platforms, offers a firewall, ransomware protection, and AI-powered scam detection. - F-Secure Total: Rated 4/5, includes a password manager and deep scanning capabilities, but the basic plan covers only a single device. - Sophos Home Premium: Rated 4/5, allows coverage for up to ten devices under one subscription, features real-time scanning and parental controls, but does not include a password manager. Most antivirus applications offer free trials. The testing involved installing each application on a Windows 11 PC and conducting scans, while also reviewing reports from independent security testing labs.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Why I’m so excited for the Googlebook Android app experience on a desktop

Support for independent tech journalism is emphasized, particularly for Chrome Unboxed, which offers a membership for an ad-free experience and exclusive access to a private Discord. The author expresses frustration with the limitations of Android apps on ChromeOS, specifically citing issues with PUBG Mobile's performance on Chromebooks. The introduction of Googlebook, particularly the Lenovo Googlebook ‘Sapphire’ detachable tablet, is highlighted as a potential solution, featuring an architecture built on native Android, which promises improved app compatibility, native input mapping, direct hardware acceleration, and seamless Play Store integration. The author envisions an ideal tablet experience that combines the functionality of a desktop Chrome browser with robust Android applications.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

How to sideload Android APKs on your Chromebook

A Chromebook can be used for productivity, gaming, and entertainment, and users can sideload Android apps when they are not available on the Google Play Store. Sideloading involves installing Android Package Kits (APKs) directly onto the device, but caution is advised as these apps have not been verified by Google. Users should research APKs to ensure they are legitimate and free from malware. To sideload an app, users can enable Linux on their Chromebook and use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires enabling ADB debugging in the Linux development environment and using the Terminal to install the APK. Alternatively, users can run APKs using an emulator in Android Studio, which involves setting up Android Studio and creating an Android Virtual Device to install the APK.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW allows students to balance study and gaming by transforming everyday laptops into powerful gaming machines through cloud gaming. Members can access a library of thousands of supported PC games, including the newly added Halo: Campaign Evolved, which features high-definition visuals and enhanced gameplay. The service enables users to stream games they own from platforms like Steam and Xbox Game Pass without lengthy downloads or installations. The Ultimate membership offers advanced gaming performance with NVIDIA technologies. New titles available this week include Halo: Campaign Evolved, Mistfall Hunter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Sudden Attack Zero Point, The Ranchers, Corsair Cove, Funnel Runners, and Pathogenic.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Samsung’s new GAIA PC chip challenges Microsoft’s Copilot+ program — and why I can only see that as a positive for the AI PC industry

NVIDIA announced the RTX Spark at Computex 2026, prompting competition among major silicon market players, including Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Samsung is entering the market with its custom silicon for AI-driven PCs, named GAIA, marking its first development of PC-centric silicon since 2012. GAIA will function as a companion Neural Processing Unit (NPU) rather than a traditional System-on-Chip (SoC). It is expected to use a 4nm process and may incorporate processing-in-memory (PIM) capabilities. Lenovo China and HP USA have received samples for testing. Competitors like Snapdragon X/X2, Intel Core Ultra, and AMD Ryzen AI are integrating NPUs with at least 40 TOPS. Samsung's GAIA has not been officially confirmed, and details regarding TOPS, power consumption, and pricing are unclear. The 40 TOPS benchmark by Microsoft for integrated NPUs raises questions about how GAIA would be evaluated alongside Intel or AMD CPUs.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Samsung’s new GAIA PC chip challenges Microsoft’s Copilot+ program — and why I can only see that as a positive for the AI PC industry

NVIDIA announced the RTX Spark at Computex 2026, prompting Samsung to develop custom silicon for AI-driven PCs, marking its return to the PC silicon market since the Exynos 5 Dual in 2012. The new silicon, named GAIA, is being created by Samsung's System LSI unit as a companion Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to enhance performance by offloading AI tasks. GAIA is expected to utilize a 4nm process and may explore processing-in-memory (PIM) capabilities with specialized DRAM. Samples of GAIA have been sent to Lenovo China and HP USA for evaluation. Many details about GAIA, including performance metrics and pricing, remain undisclosed. Microsoft has not commented on GAIA's implications for its Copilot+ program, which has a minimum threshold of 40 TOPS for integrated NPUs.