Interesting. I think in my case the app is my company's VPN/remote desktop solution that only works on Windows. I have to admit that I only thought of this when you mentioned the above, so thanks.

How is ChromeOS for offline video viewing? When I travel I always load up my MacBook with mkvs because this is the native/preferred format for my video library.

That makes sense. So I've signed up for what IMHO is a somewhat dodgy unlimited cloud storage solution and I have a couple of complaints:
1. Upload speeds are a bit slow. Can you get 100mbit uploads through Google Drive? I'd hope that Google drive would have industry leading connectivity.
2. Subtitles aren't supported in video streaming so I have to download foreign language videos.
3. I don't have control over video streaming bitrate and I think they too aggressively compress the video stream.

I think Google built the Pixel and spared no expense because they want to show the world that Chromebooks can be "sexy" and not just cheap low-end laptops.(or cheap alternatives to Windows laptops / Macbooks)

That sounds about right. It is pretty obvious that the machine is way, way too much hardware for ChromeOS.

Well, it seems awfully over the top for what amounts to a great tool for a bit of writing (and spread sheeting) in the cloud + surfing. I still plan on getting the latest Samsung model for just that. Anything more expensive and I'd expect more function on the device. Also, I've been using Google Docs of late. The word processor is great for simple writing but poor for complex reports. The time for excuses has come and gone!

Do you know who actually assembled the Pixel for Google?

Thanks!

Yes, it was apparently designed and spec'd entirely in-house and built Compal.

There are a plethora of apps that can do a lot more than that, and well. If they merge Chrome OS and Android, that will become the case even more so.

Seems like they are heading towards using it more for photos, but I doubt the decision was made to have it replace Photoshop. After all, it was just this week that Chrome OS got exFat support for memory cards >32GB. I'll stick with my cheap disposable Chromebook, thank you.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/10013223...ts/VPu9m4wbm2c

Why would they need hardware specs like the Pixel's to run Android apps? Touchscreen I get, but retina graphics and dual core i5?

They aren't needed; they just open the possibility of more intensive functions being more usable.

Well, I use Quick Office Pro HD on my Nexus. It's considered one of the best for Android. I consider it pretty dire! Looking what Microsoft have achieved with it's web based Office Apps in Sky Drive, what I expect of Google Docs is doable. If it's an architectural issue, I guess Google had better get re-architecting!

So the only chrome device that will run android apps will be the pixel? Doubt it.

I don't think the two are connected. If Chrome gets an android emulator, you can't ask the public to pay $1200 for the "right". Besides, what android app is aching to be run on a laptop? Internaut is right, phone/tablet apps pale compared to their laptop brethren....its all about compromise for the smaller screen, lack of keyboard, etc.

That's not what I meant. I meant that new apps that run much better when used with high-end hardware like the Pixel might be developed/expanded to take advantage of the capabilities. For example, the lack of good video editing that was mentioned upthread could be addressed by new apps that are very usable on the Pixel but would be cumbersome on the low-end Chomebooks (albeit still would work).

Took the Pixel on a several trips over the past two weeks, and still loving it. Using it more than any of my Windows 8 laptops.

Same thing with my 9.7" iPad for 1/3 less in price, 1/2 less in weight, and twice the battery life.