Google Chrome Stick

[Kaido]

Note: ChromeOS, not Chrome Cast.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/31/google-chromebit/

Interesting. ARM-based. I was going to set my brother up with a Chromebox (~$160), but this looks even better (I'm assuming $99 since they said it was "under a hundred"). One neat feature is that it has a battery, so it doesn't go poof when you unplug it.

I have an Android HDMI stick (ARM) as well as a Windows HDMI stick (Baytrail-T) & they are both pretty neat little devices. I was also planning on waiting for a nice Cherrytrail-T model later this year, but the price, size, and battery feature are pretty compelling.

 

[Red Storm]

Love it. Will get one on release for sure.

 

[Slick5150]

Can't quite figure out what the use of something like this would be until they finally merge Android with ChromeOS, but hey, it's cheap anyways.

 

[Dulanic]

I guess I don't get the idea? I can't find any reason for this? I guess I'm becoming technically ignorant as I get older? I love my Chromecast, I love my AFTS even more... but why Chrome OS? What does it offer me?

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

There is no point in this. Nobody wants to use a TV screen to browse web or reply emails. I can understand why it's cheap. It's useless that's why.

 

[v-600]

There is no point in this. Nobody wants to use a TV screen to browse web or reply emails. I can understand why it's cheap. It's useless that's why.

I disagree. Hypothetical situation, I have a second TV + DVD player on a table in the smaller bedroom. Now I have a computer too.

 

[WelshBloke]

Quite tempted.

If just to use chrome remote desktop into my main PC.

 

[Kaido]

I guess I don't get the idea? I can't find any reason for this? I guess I'm becoming technically ignorant as I get older? I love my Chromecast, I love my AFTS even more... but why Chrome OS? What does it offer me?

So basically, the popular thing right now is a Chromebook. It runs ChromeOS, which is like Android Lite - all it runs is the Chrome browser. It's very, very fast. Even more secure than Android because you can't download fake spyware apps like you can on Android. It's just if you want a clean, fast Internet surfing device.

They also make Chromeboxes, which is just a mini computer - same idea, just a zippy, safe Internet computer. Little bit nicer to surf on a Chromebook or Chromebox since you have a physical keyboard for typing. So the next step is putting the Chromebox on a stick...just plug it into the HDMI port on a cheap LED monitor (what is it, $149 for a 24" 1080p model now?) or to your television...voila, Internet.

I have a Chromebook because most of what I do is web-based...forums, Youtube, email, misc. online apps like Todoist & Evernote...so it's awesome when you don't want to use your full computer. The HDMI stick version they just announced is really neat because now you don't have to spend $160+ on a Chromebox if you want a desktop version, like for your family's kitchen computer or something.

Although, I don't really see a super huge purpose for it. I dunno. Chromeboxes aren't nearly as popular as Chromebooks are. I don't really know how popular they will be on televisions either, since you can buy a Chromecast for like thirty bucks, or a nice Android HDMI stick for $65 on Amazon that runs a bunch of other apps (granted the Chrome browsing experience is MUCH better on ChromeOS). Or for a couple hundred more, get an AIO running ChromeOS like LG's Chromebase.

 

[Kaido]

Quite tempted.

If just to use chrome remote desktop into my main PC.

I'm really happy with how well CRD works :thumbsup:

 

[Red Storm]

So Google has released the ARC Welder app, which basically lets you package any Android apk to use in Chrome OS. Combine that with something like the Chromebit, and the potential uses for Chrome OS will really expand. Chrome OS running Android apps will be huge.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm really happy with how well CRD works :thumbsup:

I tried CRD on my HP Chromebook (the 11 inch with ARM processor). It was pretty horrible. I assume my Chromebook was underpowered for this. So I would fear it might not be so good on this Chromestick either. Just speculating.

 

[Kaido]

I tried CRD on my HP Chromebook (the 11 inch with ARM processor). It was pretty horrible. I assume my Chromebook was underpowered for this. So I would fear it might not be so good on this Chromestick either. Just speculating.

Hmm. I have an Intel model (1.4ghz Haswell Celeron) & it flies. Totally great for remoting into my work VM. I'll give the Chromebit a try when it comes out - I'm planning on replacing my brother's Windows 7 rig with one (all he uses is Chrome, gDocs, and Youtube - a Chrome desktop will be the perfect device, especially for $99).

Sidenote: I have the 2GB model (not the 4GB) and it is actually pretty zippy, lets me have a ton of tabs open. I do regret purchasing the touchscreen version; it is not as good as say an iPad, and I also haven't found much use for it - thought it might be fun for Angry Bird & whatnot from the Chrome store, but it's really just very annoying went there's hair or dust on the screen & I brush it off and end up closing tabs or clicking on random stuff or scrolling all over the place. I don't think I would buy a touchscreen version again.

 

[TwiceOver]

Can Chrome Remote Desktop support RD Gateways?

 

[Kaido]

Can Chrome Remote Desktop support RD Gateways?

Having a hard time getting a clear answer on that - from what I can see, they advertise it, but it doesn't actually work (thread going back several year's worth of discussion & complaints). I've only done it from a Chromebook to a Windows VM running Chrome before (with excellent results).

 

[evident]

is this going to replace chromecast?

 

[sgrinavi]

There is no point in this. Nobody wants to use a TV screen to browse web or reply emails. I can understand why it's cheap. It's useless that's why.

With Google docs and a cloud service you can do quite a bit with a Chrome OS. If you just need a computer for home use, have a spare port on your TV you can have it for $99 plus a keyboard and mouse.

 

[Kaido]

is this going to replace chromecast?

I would say no. A Chromecast is only $30 and lets you wirelessly shoot stuff over to your screen. The Chromebit moves the entire Chrome browser onto your screen so you don't need another device for casting (or the issues that go along with wireless streaming, like stuttering & different resolutions). It'd be neat if they integrated Google Cast into it so it could double as a Chromecast tho!

 

[Graze]

is this going to replace chromecast?

Can a knife replace a spoon? Two completely different products

 

[Kaido]

So Google has released the ARC Welder app, which basically lets you package any Android apk to use in Chrome OS. Combine that with something like the Chromebit, and the potential uses for Chrome OS will really expand. Chrome OS running Android apps will be huge.

Tutorial for ARC Welder here:

http://liliputing.com/2015/04/how-to-run-multiple-android-apps-through-chrome-with-arc-welder.html

Looks promising if there's only a few apps you need! I still really wish ChromeOS was standalone...would love to throw it on a NUC or something more powerful. Hexxeh hasn't updated his builds for years now:

http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/

Closest thing I've seen is Cr OS Linux:

http://getchrome.eu/