Google released ChromeOS Flex, a free cloud-based secure operating system for older PCs and Macs in July 2022. Potential users should check if their device is on Google’s list of computers models that are certified to work with ChromeOS Flex. Documentation is available at chromeenterprise.google/os/chromeosflex and at the Chrome OS Flex Help site.
Category Archives: Google
Google Chromebook Self-Repair Program for schools
Google’s Self-Repair Program for Google Chromebooks has instructions and manuals for schools to help them make repairs locally. Additional help can be found at the Chromebook Help Center and Chrome Education and Enterprise Help Center.
CISA announces Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) with tech companies
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the standup of the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC). This will be a cyber defense collaboration with major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, etc. More information is available at www.cisa.gov/jcdc.
Google Workspace now available to all Google users
Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) has now been made available to all Google users, including free Google user accounts. More information is available at workspace.google.com/faq.
Update: G Suite Legacy Free Edition will no longer be available as of July 1, 2022. This will not affect users with a free Google account using Gmail, Docs, Sheets and other apps.
Google Photos storage policy changes on June 1st 2021
Google account users that back up new photos and videos in High quality will have these files counted towards their free 15 GB storage limit starting June 1, 2021. Google will provide a free tool in June 2021 that will let users find and review low-quality photos to stay within the free 15 GB storage limit. Additional file storage can be purchased from Google One, if needed
Another recent Google Photos change is the ability to save photo attachments in a Gmail message directly to Google Photos with a new “Save to Photos” button (JPEG images only).
Developer online conferences in May and June 2021
Major technology companies will hold their annual developer conferences in the summer of 2021:
- Google I/O: May 18 – 20
- Microsoft Build: May 25 – 27
- Microsoft Virtual Training Days: Ongoing
- Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC): June 7 – 11
Chromebook adds new features for 10 year anniversary
Google has added new features to celebrate 10 years of Chromebooks as part of Chrome OS 89. These include:
- Phone Hub
- Clipboard
- Quick Answers
- Tote file manager
- Nearby Share
- Select-to-speak enhancements
- Screen Capture and media controls added to Quick Settings menu
Chrome OS is currently the second most popular operating system, according to Google.
A full list of Chromebook keyboard shortcuts may be found here.
Google buys Neverware and CloudReady software
Neverware, which develops CloudReady, announced in December 2020 that it will be soon be part of Google. CloudReady is an operating system based on the open-source Chromium OS that is free for home use to install on computers that meet its minimum requirements.
Gmail Go app now available for all Android users
Gmail Go is a lightweight mail app that was previously available only on devices running the Android Go operating system, but now it is available for all Android users. Not all features in the Gmail app are currently in the Gmail Go, such as Google Meet.
Downdetector shows outage information for websites and services
Downdetector shows outage information and status for widely used websites and services such as mobile and internet service providers, social media sites, banking and financial services, etc. This includes:
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- Most recent outages
- List of all companies tracked
- Facebook, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp
- Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat
- Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint
- AT&T, Comcast / Xfinity, Spectrum, CenturyLink, Frontier and Cox
- Google, Gmail, Google Cloud, and Google Hangouts
- Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and Box
- Apple Maps, iCloud, iMessage, and iWork
- Office 365, Outlook, Sharepoint, Skype and Skype for Business
- Visual Studio, Microsoft Teams, Azure, and Exchange
- Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cloudflare, and Zoom