Android applications were made available for the ASUS Chromebook Flip not too long ago, but that was only one of the first three devices Google stated would support early access to Google Play. Last night, it appears Google rolled out updates to the developer channel for the other two devices, the Chromebook Pixel 2 and the Acer Chromebook R11.
With this update now available, owners of either of these Chromebooks can load up Google Play and run nearly any Android application they would like. However, keep in mind, these are early builds of software, so your experience could be a little buggy.
Not sure how to enable the developer channel on your Chromebook? We got you.
On your supported Chromebook, head into Settings>About Chrome OS. You will need to flip to the “Developer – unstable” channel, so you’ll need to click on the “More info” link under the “Check for and apply updates” button. Once in there, choose the “Developer – unstable” option, let it update and reboot. Confirm that you are on the latest Chrome OS for that model and then in general settings, look for an option in between “Search” and “People” that says “Android apps.” Enable access there and you are done!
Want to see what Android apps are like on a Chromebook? Check out our video.
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So if I wanted a chromebook that was pretty close to what I have with the nexus 7 (2013), what should I look at? Mainly I’m thinking in terms of screen dpi, stock nexus like updates, and price. But with chromebooks running Android it would be sweet to have one that converted to a tablet that was easy to hold but had the resolution of the nexus. And was reasonably priced too.
They’ll release Play Store optimized Chromebooks later this year.
For $1200, I need a little more than 64GB of storage. I love everything else about the Pixel 2, but I can’t do with just 64GB of onboard. What was Google thinking making this thing’s main memory chip non-replaceable, or at least adding a slot for an M.2 NVMe drive? That would make this thing worth the $1200.
Because, for ChromeOS, 64GB is beyond overkill.
Ugh I want to purchase a Pixel so bad. But I just can’t force myself to spend that much money on it. But man this news sure doesn’t help.
Im all in for buying the next Pixel. Cant wait for it to be released!!!
Yeah, but make it 500-600$.
That’d be nice but I’ll pay up to $1K for top-of-the-line internet browsing machine :). Better than my $2300 iMac that struggles with Chrome and Office being open at the same time…
Must not have much Ram or an SSD. I have a MBP 2012 running El Capitan with an i5, 8GB Ram, and 256GB SSD. It handles Chrome with over 10 tabs and Office no problem.
iMac can’t run Chrome OS, Ubuntu, and Android side by side with no partitioning, rebooting, or overhead. A Pixel can do that. The wonders of the Linux kernel.
The Pixel is already cheap for the hardware you get. There’s no way they could sell it for $500.
Um… I disagree. The only costly components are the screen and the processor. Everything else is fairly inexpensive to produce. You’re not paying for the hardware, you’re paying for the design.
So what computer can you buy for less money with equivalent specs/hardware?
Is answering that question supposed to reveal something informative to the conversation?
Yes, because you are arguing that the computer is expensive, and not cheap. So, in order to prove that it is, in fact, expensive, you have to compare it to the other products on the market. So go ahead and compare it. Show me a cheaper computer with similar hardware/specs.
You made a claim you cannot back up with facts, and now you’re trying to weasel your way out of it by dodging the question.
No, you really don’t have to compare it to other products on the market to know whether it’s “cheap for the hardware you get.” You only have to consider the cost of its components. And, like I said, there are really only two costly components in the device. The rest of its components are common on lower end devices. And I don’t think the screen and processor justify several hundred dollars in markup. Therefore, the only justification left for the high price is the design. You’re paying for all these components to be put together in a particular way, which is more expensive than the sum total of the cost of the components. Therefore, it is not “cheap for the hardware you get.” It’s actually pricier than the hardware you get. It may be “cheap” for the design you get, but that’s a subjective valuation.
“You only have to consider the cost of its components.”
Right, because you live in a fantasy world where companies sell products at cost.
Um, you’re the one who said the Pixel “is cheap for the hardware you get,” implying the hardware is sold at cost. I rebutted your claim, as it is clearly sold above cost. You’re accusing me of making the argument you made earlier. Sounds like nonsense.
“implying the hardware is sold at cost”
Lay of the drugs, dude. Nobody ever implied that.
No, it isn’t. And insulting me only reveals the weakness of your own argument. Hopefully you don’t act like that IRL.
The Current Pixel is already over powered for Chrome OS a Core 17 with 16GBs… why not buy this one?
I’d actually like to buy the one out right now, if the price dropped to $1k.
I bought a Pixel C a few months back and all this Chromebook/Android apps stuff is making me want to go waste some money.. 🙁
I’m hoping that either Google or some dev will allow the Pixel C to be used more as a chromebook/ChromeOS device in the future
I had to toggle it on and off a few times before Play Services would stop breaking. Having done that, most apps work flawlessly and respond well to mouse input.
Kellen right now…
http://i.imgur.com/WyO7Y5d.gif