Pixel Power Podcast

I'm taking a break this episode from prepared content and to get caught up on a long list of addendum items. I'll be back next week with a look at...well, you will just have to listen to find out.

There are thousands of applications available on the Chrome Web and Google Play stores. There are also thousands of applications available as a web page or service. What if you combined the two? Well, then you would have a progressive web application, or PWA. In this episode, we take a look at the best PWAs for Chrome OS and Android (since they work on either device). I have 12, count 'em 12, items to share in this episodes Addendum segment.

Show notes available at:

It been some time since my last podcast episode and a lot has changed. In this episode I take time to catch up on what's been going on since episode 0044. Can anyone say COVID-19? I talk about how things have changed in my Pixel-powered world, how Pixel devices are used in my virtual office, and then send out a call to each of you to share your experiences. Unusually, the Addendum segment does not make an appearance since this episode is basically one long Addendum segment. Enjoy the show and wash those hands, listeners!

[2019-12-18] It’s the last episode of the year before I head off for a holiday hiatus and I’ve got some news for the new year. No main topic this episode, but an extended addendum. Think of it as a stocking full of Google goodies!

Show notes available at:

[2019-11-25] In the second and last part Turkey Day edition of the two-part series, I spend less time than normal talking about extensions and utilities you can install that power up your Chrome OS keyboard ninja skills. In the addendum, we ramp up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Happy Thanksgiving to all my United States listeners!

[2019-11-11] In the first of this two part series, we learn how to master our Pixelbook/Slate and Chrome OS keyboard. Adding these keyboard shortcut keystrokes to your typing repertoire will allow you to become productive and save you time doing tasks over and over. Keep that hand off that mouse and trackpad and start using these shortcuts today!

Show notes available at:

[2019-10-28] It's Halloween and in this episode I share my new Treat (or is that Trick?); the new Pixel 4 XL (I don't have a Pixel 4, so I can't comment on that scary battery life controversy). Afterward, I have a whole lot to share in the Addendum segment including my new nickname, the deal I received on my Pixel 4 XL, and another Pixel related purchase I'm looking forward to receiving in November.

Be sure to check out the show notes at:

In this recording, and just in time for your commute home, I share my ramblings and musings from today's (2019-10-15) Made by Google 2019 event. As a reminder, ad hoc episodes don't include show notes, aren't prepared, and receive minimal editing. In this ad hoc episode, I reference notes I made in the Pixel Power Podcast subreddit. Those are available at:

https://www.reddit.com/chat/r/pixelpowerpodcast/channel/17196837_f23a4bb0505515b2230fd2e3b64c9792cedf63a9

If you'd like to join in the discussion about the event, visit the Pixel Power Podcast subreddit at:

[2019-08-25] The Android keyboard is the most important user interface for your Pixel phone and your productivity. In this episode I talk about the default Pixel keyboard, Gboard. After listening you will learn all the tips, tricks, and settings that will help you get the most out of typing on the Google Pixel. Afterward in the Addendum, I make a few shopping recommendations and briefly share my visit with my 106 year-young aunt!

[2019-09-22] The sixth and final in my six-part series of My Favs episodes. In this episode, I share my favorite Android apps for the Pixel Phone. These are the applications I have installed on my Pixel Phone. Since this episode could be a "snoozer", I keep it lively and share tips and tricks for each app.

In the Addendum, I share a first for me as well as some additional pixel-powered tips and news.

Show notes link:

[2019-09-08] The fifth and penultimate in a six-part series of episodes I'm calling, My Favs. In this episode, I share my favorite Chrome browser extensions. These are the extensions installed and synced across all my Chrome browser devices but a few of them really add to your Pixelbook, Slate or Chrome OS device experience.

In the Addendum I answer a listener question, share some additional flags, clear up some mistakes and then share some family news. It's a jammed packed episode!

Show notes link:

[2019-08-25] The fourth in a six-part series of episodes I'm calling, My Favs. In this episode, I share my favorite flags for the Chrome OS. Before that, I share the difference between flags on Chrome for Android and Chrome OS. In the Addendum, I’ve FINALLY experienced the new Android Auto, sadly, not by using my Pixel 3 XL.

Show notes available at:

[2019-07-07] The first in a new six-part series of episodes I'm calling, My Favs. In the first episode of this six part series, I share my favorite Chrome OS applications. These are apps that are the first to be installed (or restored) on my Pixelbook (and Chromebook). Because I install these apps on my Pixelbook, they follow me around on Chrome browser installs on other desktop computers such as Mac and Linux. In the Addendum segment, I share listener feedback and questions as well as talk about a new device I am excited to try.

[Episode Date: 2019-06-16] This week I take a look at the latest version of Android Q beta with release 4. What works, what doesn’t and should you install are the questions I answer. In the Addendum, I share some new things I learned while using my Google mini, Pixelbook, and my new 3D printer.

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-06-09] The previous four episodes of the podcast focused on Linux on Chrome OS with our Pixelbooks. Not to be outdone, the Pixel phone gets a Terminal via an app called Termux. Learn all about using Termux and how having a Terminal on our phone is not only geeky, but can be useful as well. In this week’s addendum, I spend some time sharing some quick news and my new hobby. And, I finally get an episode back under the 30 minute mark!

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-05-19] In the first two episodes of the four-part series, we learned how to get started with Linux on Chrome OS. In this episode I share how to access files and hardware devices in the VM as well as how to make those pesky applications visible on the high resolution Pixelbook screens. There’s also show format changes based on listener feedback and a new way to interact with the podcast.

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-05-07] I'm on the road this week and had some time to pull over and share the announcements from Google I/O 2019. More sharing than telling, this ad hoc episode was recorded in a noisy hotel room with the portable recording gear. We will return to our "Linux on Chrome OS" series (and a decent recording studio) next week. I hope you enjoy this brief interlude.

No show notes for this episode but check out the episode page for the Google I/O 2019 Keynote video. It's available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-04-29] In the last episode, I explained how to activate Linux (Beta) on your Pixelbook or Chromebook. Now it's time to install Linux applications. I share my Linux applications recommendations and also talk about current application limitations. The show wraps up with the latest Google related news of the week.

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-04-22] You own a Pixelbook or Chrome OS device. Did you know you are running a Linux kernel based operating system? Why not open up Chrome OS so you can load actual Linux applications and increase your productivity. No, we won’t use some hack. In this episode, I show you how to use the new Chrome OS Linux (Beta) virtual machine.

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-04-08] In this episode I share how to relax with your Pixelbook, or any other convertible Chromebook, and use the device in one of four unique configurations: laptop, tent, stand or tablet. I then explore Chrome OS’s unique tablet mode functions and teach you a few things you may not have known. The episode wraps with a look at two weeks of news after a tax hiatus week off (and an illness).

Show notes available at:

For this episode, I've scoured the web looking for what's new in the beta release of Android Q, the next OS coming soon to Pixel Phones (and possibly Pixelbooks). And for this week’s “The Addendum”, I discovered a few useful tips I just had to share and ponder if anyone at Google actually listens to this podcast. Best guest? Of course not. And let’s not forget our weekly news.

Show notes available at:

[Episode Date: 2019-03-23] You hear it everywhere you go; “Getting things done!” In this episode, I discuss the readily available, and free, tools: Google Tasks and Google Keep, and how you can use these apps to organize your personal and professional life. I begin the episode by sharing my getting things done (GTD) process and then I end with the news that interests me this week.

Listen to the episode, read the show notes and interact at: 

I'm on the road this week and took some time to use the mobile recording equipment to crank out an episode of observations and news. 

Hear me talk about my travel experiences with my old Nexus 6 (complete with Google Fi SIM card). Listen as I ramble and complain about the recording setup. Enjoy as I share a whole host of other observations and news revealed during the week of interest to all Pixelbook and Pixel phone users. Finally, hear me take a drink of water. 

Exciting stuff indeed! If you listen closely, you will also hear a few tips and tricks.

Show notes will be late, but they will eventually find their way to: 

In this ad hoc, or quick tip episode (less than two minutes long), I share a Google Duo feature that arrived just in time for Valentine's Day. There will be no show notes for this or other ad hoc episodes. Visit the podcast page to get caught up on all past episodes.

In Episode 0012 (2019-02-03), a double-sized edition, I take a look at some alternative remote control devices for Android TV and then share the latest news – and there is a ton! I also include a hearty welcome to a few founding members to our Google Group, thank a colleague and begin a new podcast feature, The Addendum.

In Episode 0011 (2019-01-27) we learn how to take our analog notes (paper that is) and easily convert them to digital using our Pixel devices. We can then store, search and share the text information from those notes electronically. At the end of the show, I take a look at some news and why Google Fi users need to start planning for the future of messaging.

In Episode 0009 (2019-01-13) we take a short detour from our two-part Google Keep series and look a week full of Google-related news. The Consumer Electronics Show was last week and not only was there a host of Google-assisted products released, but Google also released some significant enhancements to their services. I run down the very long list.

In Episode 0008 (2019-01-06) I take a look at the basics of Google Keep. Use Google Keep to, well, keep all your notes organized and accessible. This is part one of a two-part series. There is a lot to unpack and for this particular episode, you are likely to find the show notes invaluable.

Episode 0007 (2018-12-30) seems like the perfect opportunity to focus on gadgets and to learn what Santa left under the Christmas tree in 2018.

Just in time for Santa’s big ride. Last minute tips and deals!