XDA Basics: How to Change the Wallpaper on an iPhone

If you’ve got yourself a brand new iPhone and recently switched over from Android, you may find it difficult to navigate through basic settings on iOS. A lot of things aren’t as straightforward as on Android and even simple settings like the option to change the wallpaper or other home screen elements are buried inside the Settings app. So we’re going to tell you how to change the wallpaper on your iPhone in a few different ways.

Changing Wallpaper from the Default Options on iOS

Just like any other phone, every iPhone comes with a set of default wallpapers you can choose from. A lot of default wallpapers on the iPhone have different variations depending on what theme you’ve set on your iPhone. If you’re on the light theme, wallpapers have brighter colors and if you’re team dark mode, the wallpapers also have a slightly darker tone to match the overall aesthetic. You even have the option to pick live wallpapers if you like seeing changes on your home screen from time to time.

Here’s how you can access all the default wallpapers on iOS and change the look of your home screen and lock screen –

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to find the Wallpaper option.

• Tap on it and then select Choose a New Wallpaper.

• You will now see three options at the top – Dynamic, Stills, and Live. You can go through all the wallpapers under these three options to see which one you like.

• Once you find the wallpaper you want to apply, tap on it and select the Set option on the bottom right corner of your screen.

• Select whether you want to apply the wallpaper to your home screen, lock screen, or both, and your wallpaper will be changed.

Changing Wallpaper from the Photos App

If you’ve clicked a nice picture or you have an image stored on your iPhone that you want to use as your wallpaper, the process is quite simple.

• Open the Photos app on your iPhone and navigate to the album where the photo you want to use is saved.
• Tap on the photo to open it and then select the Share button located at the bottom-left corner of the screen.

• This will open the iOS Share Sheet where, if you scroll down, you can see an option that says Use as Wallpaper.

• Tap on it and you will see a preview where you need to tap on Set and choose whether you want to apply the wallpaper to your home screen, lock screen, or both. Once you select the relevant option, your wallpaper will be changed.

Using Third-party Apps to Apply a Wallpaper

If you don’t like the built-in wallpapers that iOS has, and none of the pictures you have can be set as wallpapers, there are several third-party apps you can download from the App Store that offer lots of wallpaper options. Vellum and Backdrops are two apps we highly recommend for some great quality wallpapers.

• Download whichever app you prefer and navigate through the different options to choose which wallpaper you’d like.
• Once you’ve landed on a wallpaper you like, download or save it onto your iPhone.

• Next, head over to the Photos app on your iPhone and follow the steps we mentioned in the previous section regarding how to change the wallpaper from the Photos app.

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Using any of these methods, you should easily be able to change the wallpaper on your iPhone and customize the look of it as per your liking. Speaking of customization, if you want to change the exterior look of your iPhone as well and give it some extra protection, you might also want to check out the best cases for the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro or even the 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Mini.

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XDA Basics: How to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch

If you’re into the Apple ecosystem, meaning you have an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a Mac, there are a lot of possibilities that you unlock with regards to making your workflow simple and convenient. There’s Handoff which can let you take calls from your iPhone on your Mac, Continuity to help you scan documents from your iPhone onto your Mac, and of course, a small but handy feature that can save you a lot of time on a daily basis – the ability to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch.

When you have this feature enabled, you’ll no longer have to enter your passcode to unlock the Mac every time you wake it up from sleep. Even if you use a Macbook or even the latest 24-inch iMac with TouchID, unlocking with the Apple Watch is still more convenient since by the time you lift up the lid of your MacBook, it’s already unlocked and you’re good to go.

Let’s see how you too can unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch in a few simple steps.

Pre-requisites to Enable Unlocking via Apple Watch

There are certain conditions that need to be satisfied before you can enable unlocking your Mac with an Apple Watch. Once you’ve made sure you have everything ready, we can move on to the next step which is actually enabling the option. The pre-requisites are –

• A Mac from mid-2013 or later, running macOS High Sierra or newer.
• An iPhone linked to the same AppleID as your Mac.
• An Apple Watch that is connected to your iPhone.
• Two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple ID. In case you don’t have this enabled, head over to System Preferences on your Mac and select Apple ID. Select Password and Security on the left pane and click on Turn on next to Tw0-Factor authentication. Follow the on-screen steps.

Steps to Enable Mac Unlock with Apple Watch

If you’ve followed all the pre-requisites, let’s get on with setting up the Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. First, make sure that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on on your Mac. For this feature to work, you’ll have to keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on at all times on your Mac. Next, set up a passcode for your Apple Watch if you haven’t already. Then, follow these steps –

• Wear your Apple Watch on your wrist and unlock it by entering the passcode. Make sure you’re not too far away from the Mac.

• You can also unlock your iPhone and keep it next to you.
• Head over to System Preferences on your Mac and select Security & Privacy > General.

• Select the option that says Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac.

Now, every time you’re wearing your Apple Watch on your wrist and it’s unlocked, your Mac will automatically unlock when you wake it up from sleep. You’ll see a prompt on your Apple Watch telling you the Apple Watch was used to unlock your Mac. For security reasons, this will only work when your Apple Watch is on your wrist and is unlocked. So if you’ve put your Apple Watch on your desk and it’s locked with a passcode, your Mac will not be unlocked.

This feature will also not work for the first time after a reboot so if you power off your Mac and turn it back on, you’ll have to enter your passcode the first time before being able to use your Apple Watch to unlock it next time onwards.

Features like these are why the Apple Watch still holds its crown as the best smartwatch when compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 on the Android side of things. If you already have an Apple Watch or are planning to get one after being impressed by the set of features that it offers, you might want to check out which Apple Watch is best for you, as well as the best Apple Watch bands to customize according to your needs and preferences.

Apple Watch Series 6

The Apple Watch Series 6 is one of the best smartwatches in the market both in terms of health and fitness tracking as well as the features that it offers.

View at Amazon

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These are the Best Google Chrome Themes: Choices across Nature, Art, and more!

Google Chrome is the go-to choice for most people when it comes to browsers, and it sure has gone a long way. From being a decent third-party option years ago to being by far the most used browser in the world, there’s plenty of things Google should be proud of with Chrome. Aside from being present in Chromebooks, it’s also installed on billions of computers. One feature Chrome carries with it is theme support. Theme support might seem like a relic from a long time ago, and indeed theme support arrived with Chrome 3.0, a version of the web browser released in 2009. Today, we’re going to give you a brief rundown on some of the best Google Chrome themes out there.

The mobile version doesn’t support them, but on the desktop, themes are still perfectly relevant. From simple, colored themes all the way up to artistic and landscape themes, you can spruce up your browsing experience as much or as little as you want. The possibilities are endless.

Navigate this guide:

• Official Themes (Simple)
• Official Themes (Artist)
• Geeky Themes
• Nature Themes
• Art Themes

Official Themes (Simple)

You can’t go wrong with an official theme, made by Google themselves. They don’t deviate that much from your browser’s aesthetic while also allowing you to add a little splash of personality on top. Google actually makes plenty of official themes for Google Chrome, and they can range from very simple to very colorful. Here are some of the best in this category.

Just Black

Google Chrome already offers a dark theme, but Just Black’s pure black colors take it a step further. It’s an ideal theme for those using OLED displays with pure blacks (or simply those who aren’t really fond of having dark gray instead of black on a dark theme).

Download the Just Black theme!

Rose

The “Rose” theme paints your browser in light rose hues while also not detracting from the overall look of the rest of the browser. If you want to attain a “chic” look or if you’re theming your whole operating system around that color, it’s one of the best Chrome themes you can get right now.

Download the Rose theme!

Sea Foam

Sea Foam is actually fairly simple. The main color remains white, while the backdrop becomes turquoise, reminiscent of a marine-ish feel. It’s perfect if you have a sea/beach wallpaper or if you really like turquoise.

Download the Sea Foam theme!

High Contrast Colorful

Users in low-light environments or photosensitivity can take advantage of a high contrast theme, which has been included in operating systems like Windows for years, and the High Contrast Colorful theme delivers the best of both a light and a dark theme in one single theme.

Download the High Contrast Colorful theme!

Oceanic

If you dig the “marine” look that the Sea Foam theme provides, but you’re not too fond of it being a light theme, then you might be more fond of the “Oceanic” theme. It’s similarly greenish and ocean-inspired, but it’s a darker hue.

Download the Oceanic theme!

Classic Blue

Finally, Classic Blue is a remake of the old blue/white theme we used to have on older versions of Chrome on older versions of Windows. If you’re into a little nostalgia ride, this is definitely the way you should go!

Download the Classic Blue theme!

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Official Themes (Artist)

If you think the official, standard Google Chrome themes made by the Chrome team are boring or lack a little bit of spark, then Google also has a few more “artistic” themes you can check out. Most of these themes are made in collaboration with black artists and are pretty much just colorful artistic spins on some of the existing themes.

Bits + Pieces

This theme is made by Laci Jordan and, according to the official description, it’s inspired by “the idea of connectivity and diversity of voices”. It’s a colorful spin on the “Just Black” theme, and if you already like that theme, you’ll probably find this one pretty cool.

Download the Bits + Pieces theme!

Stargazers

This one is made by Olivia Fields, a Brooklyn-based cartoonist and illustrator, and her theme is directly inspired in the starry night sky, using purple as the main color. The result is a purple theme with a mesmerizing background that’s very captivating.

Download the Stargazers theme!

Golden

The “Golden” theme is actually not golden at all, contrary to what the name might suggest. Instead, it’s a red-based theme that actually employs colors in a creative manner, made by artist Sabrena Khadija. Definitely worth a look.

Download the Golden theme!

A Spark

By Los Angeles-based illustrator Abelle Hayford, A Spark is all about “finding something to love”, according to the description. The theme itself uses blue hues to complement the “Spark” drawing background that’s supposed to be the star of the show. The result is splendid and shows itself as one of the best Google Chrome themes.

Download the A Spark theme!

The Connect

By up-and-coming graphic designer Laci Jordan, The Connect features a very colorful design and background that, according to the description, “captures the feeling of human interaction represented in free-flowing organic shapes.”

Download The Connect theme!

Euphoria

This one is also made by Sabrena Khadija, the same Brooklyn-based artist that made the “Golden” theme we showcased before. This theme actually seems pretty similar in design too, mostly using blue hues instead of red ones.

Download the Euphoria theme!

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Geeky Themes

It’s now time to enter the realm of unofficial themes. Unofficial themes make up the vast majority of the themes available at the Chrome Web Store, a place where they’re mixed with apps and extensions. Some are crappier than others, but every once in a while, you can also come across a jewel. If you want to show your geek cred on your browser, here are some of the best geek themes based on comic books and video games.

Iron Man Material Design

Here we find a static theme inspired by Iron Man, which has dynamic and striking colors that achieve a very nice visual effect. On the other hand, it also has a shade of colors that make a nice contrast between active and inactive tabs.

Download the Iron Man Material Design theme!

Charizard Y

If you’re a true Pokémon fan or you’re just looking for a new theme for your browser, maybe this is the ideal one for you. Despite only using the colors of one of the most popular Pokémon that exists, the visual effect it achieves is simply elegant.

Download the Charizard Y theme!

Zelda Dark

If you are looking for a dark theme and you’re a fan of The Legend of Zelda, then you’ve just found the perfect theme to install in your browser. This Chrome theme has a nice dark color scheme based on The Legend of Zelda, which makes it an ideal choice for viewing at night.

Download the Zelda Dark theme!

Deadpool Full Screen Theme

If you happen to like the color red and you’re a fan of Deadpool, then you must try this theme. After all, who doesn’t like Deadpool? One of the most iconic Marvel characters by far in recent years, present in one of the best Google Chrome themes available for geeks.

Download the Deadpool Full Screen Theme theme!

No Man’s Sky Theme

Undoubtedly, No Man’s Sky is a work of art, so if you need a new theme for your browser or you are a fan of the game, this is a great option to check out. This theme has a color scheme that perfectly captures the incredible art style of the game.

Download the No Man’s Sky Theme theme!

Mega Lucario

If you are a fan of Lucario or if you just like Pokémon, this may be the ideal theme for you. It’s not always easy to choose, especially when it comes to Pokémon-themed themes, but this theme just by using some colors manages to perfectly capture the essence of this iconic character.

Download the Mega Lucario theme!

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Nature Themes

Are geeky themes not really your jam? What about something a little bit more simple? Landscape backgrounds have been a popular choice of wallpaper for a very good reason. Your theme is the center of your Google experience, so a nice-looking, nature-inspired theme might just be what you’re looking for.

Beauty

If you like nature and you’re looking for a theme that feels relaxing, this may be perfect for you. Just look at the landscape background this theme comes with and you will find the balance and harmony of nature in an incredible landscape full of colors.

Download the Beauty theme!

Waterfall

If you’re looking for a theme with a stunning design, here you will find a fascinating view. This waterfall will make you feel fresh, calm and positive every time you open a new tab. The colors are gorgeous in this theme, as the colors were carefully selected to make it easy to distinguish between tabs for faster navigation.

Download the Waterfall theme!

Sea Cliffs

Sometimes we’re just looking for a “fresh” theme with nice colors that will allow us faster navigation. That’s why we’ve come across this simple and elegant theme with a nice view that reminds us of a beautiful sunset on the beach.

Download the Sea Cliffs theme!

Sunset

If you’re looking for a theme that will make you feel like you are on vacation in a beautiful place, this is all you need. This is a simple and amazing theme with purple and lilac hues, so it’s quite pleasing to the eyes. It’s so relaxing and realistic that it’ll make you think you’re there. It’s one of the best Google Chrome themes available as far as landscapes go.

Download the Sunset theme!

Mountain Lake

This theme is based on the Banff National Park landscape, and if you like the view, then you’ll find this theme quite nice. It has great color balance with a scenic background that would make you want to go camping and exploring.

Download the Mountain Lake theme!

Beautiful Landscape

An amazing theme with high definition quality and customization options. It also has great textures and some really nice eye-catching colors that combines with good typography that’s easy to read, so you don’t strain your eyes.

Download the Beautiful Landscape theme!

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Art Themes

Finally, artistic themes are also a good option if you’re looking to add some flair to your browser. The definition of “art” depends on who we ask, though. Some people might settle with a heart pattern on their home screen and call that an “artistic” theme, while others might like something a little bit more elaborate or abstract. Whatever the case might be, here are some of our top picks.

Retro Robots Theme

If what you want is a fun and colorful theme that’s at the same time vivid and electrifying, then look no further. The colors of this theme are amazing. It uses neon tones with a dark background. It also features a nice glow effect at the top of the browser which makes it look really sleek.

Download the Retro Robots Theme theme!

Heart Pattern

This Heart Pattern theme is exactly what it sounds like — a background with hearts of multiple colors. If you’re into cute-looking themes, this is probably your type of theme.

Download the Heart Pattern theme!

Pattern of Leaves

Following up on that is a Pattern of Leaves theme which, again, is exactly what it sounds like. Or not. The “Pattern of Leaves” theme might hint at an autumn-like theme, but it’s actually hand-drawn leaves in a pattern. It looks pretty cool if you ask me.

Download the Pattern of Leaves theme!

Horizon Club Sydney

According to the description of this theme, it’s inspired by “the view from the Horizon Club at Shangri-La Sydney”, and the background itself does look pretty mesmerizing as far as an abstract design goes.

Download the Horizon Club Sydney theme!

Hint Hint

This theme is made by an artist called Melissa Payne Baker and seems to be based directly on a painting. The painting itself has a nice combination of colors and should be able to please art enthusiasts.

Download the Hint Hint theme!

Parkway Drive Theme

Finally, but no least important, this theme features a sort-of rustic design, but it’s definitely unique, even well into 2021. If you’re looking for something that looks different from the rest of the themes in this list, this is a pretty good starting point.

Download the Parkway Drive Theme theme!

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In terms of recommendations, you really can’t go wrong with official themes as they’re the ones that are usually the most updated and play nice with the rest of the UX. Chrome themes, including some in this list, can go several years without being properly maintained, and they’ll still work just as they did previously — UI changes notwithstanding. However, it’s always good practice to grab something that’s regularly tweaked and supported with the passage of time. Both the official options as well as the “Artist” official options are amazing.

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Samsung Galaxy Book S vs Galaxy Book Pro: Which is better for you?

Samsung Galaxy Book S and Galaxy Book Pro are Samsung’s two ultralight and everyday use laptops. While the Galaxy Book S was introduced in 2020, the Galaxy Book Pro arrived this year. With these laptops, the company is targeting consumers who want a great on-the-go performance from their laptop. If you’re in the market for a good ultralight laptop and are confused between the Galaxy Book S and the Galaxy Book Pro, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the specifications and features of the two laptops to help you decide which one is right for you.

Samsung Galaxy Book S vs Galaxy Book Pro: Display

The Samsung Galaxy Book S comes with a 13.3-inch full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) LCD touchscreen, whereas the company offers two options for the Galaxy Book Pro – a 13.3-inch full-HD AMOLED and a 15.6-inch full-HD AMOLED. As is true for any LCD or OLED display, the screen on the Galaxy Book Pro is capable of an amazing picture quality and will be a treat to enjoy movies and other visual content. Samsung also claims that the Galaxy Book Pro’s screen produces less blue light emissions than standard LCDs.

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro

One positive for the LCD on the Galaxy Book S is that it’s going to be brighter and Samsung says it can offer up to 350 nits brightness in the normal mode and up to 600 nits in the outdoor mode. So if you’re planning to use your laptop outside a lot and need a touchscreen, Galaxy Book S is a better option, whereas the Book Pro is great if you’re consuming a lot of multimedia content.

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Samsung Galaxy Book S vs Galaxy Book Pro: Design

While both Samsung Galaxy Book S and Galaxy Book Pro look like fairly standard Windows 10 laptops, the company has really tried to slim them down and keep the weight to a minimum. It’s amazing how light both these laptops really are. The Galaxy Book S is just 11.8mm thick and 2.09lbs (950 grams).

Samsung Galaxy Book S

The 13-inch Galaxy Book Pro (aka Galaxy Book Pro 13), on the other hand, is barely 11.2mm thick and 1.94lbs (880 grams), while the 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro (aka Galaxy Book Pro 15) is 11.7mm thick and 2.31lbs (1.05kg). The company also offers a discrete graphics variant of the Galaxy Book Pro 15 and it’s 13.3mm thick and 2.53lbs (1.15kg). Samsung doesn’t sell the discrete GPU variant in the US.

For the chassis, Samsung has used an aluminum chassis on the Galaxy Book S, while the Galaxy Book Pro has been made out of aluminum-magnesium alloy, which is the reason why the Galaxy Book Pro 13 is lighter the Galaxy Book S.

Both laptops also pack backlit keyboards and a fingerprint sensor in the power button. While the Galaxy Book Pro has a full-size keyboard, the one from the Galaxy Book S ditches the number pad to give the keys more breathing room.

Overall on the design front, there’s not a whole lot differentiating the two Samsung laptops. You can’t go wrong with either of the two, at least considering their design, unless obviously you need a full-size keyboard.

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro comes with a 65W USB Type-C charger in the box

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Samsung Galaxy Book S vs Galaxy Book Pro: Internals

It’s the internal hardware of Galaxy Book S and Galaxy Book Pro where things get interesting. The Galaxy Book S uses Intel’s ‘Lakefield’ chip, the Core i5-L16G7, coupled with onboard UHD graphics. It’s Intel’s hybrid processor, designed for ultralight devices like this laptop. It combines one powerful CPU core with four lower-power cores for a total of five cores and five threads. Samsung earlier used to offer a Qualcomm variant of the Galaxy Book S but now it’s mostly out of stock everywhere.

The Galaxy Book Pro uses 11th-gen Intel ‘Tiger Lake’ Core i5-1135G7 and Core i7-1165G7 CPUs, paired with onboard Iris X graphics in the US. Some markets will see a Core i3 variant with UHD graphics as well.

In terms of RAM and storage, there’s just one variant of the Book S with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB eUFS storage. But with the Galaxy Book Pro model, you’ll get up to 16GB RAM and up to 512GB NVMe SSD, depending on which screen size you go for.

Samsung Galaxy Book S ports

In terms of the connectivity options and ports, the Book S includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, two USB Type-C ports, one 3.5mm audio port, and a microSD card reader. The Book Pro model comes with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, one Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB Type-C port, one USB 3.2 port, one 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. The 15-inch model also packs an extra HDMI port.

Among other specifications, you’ll also get a 1-megapixel webcam, 42Wh battery, Dolby Atmos support, Windows 10 Home, and quad stereo speakers with audio tuning by AKG, like the Galaxy Buds Pro, on the Galaxy Book S. The Galaxy Book Pro comes with a 720p webcam, 63Wh battery (68Wh on 15-inch model), Dolby Atmos support, and Windows 10 Home. The company also bundles a 25W USB Type-C charger with the Book S, whereas the Book Pro gets a faster 65W USB Type-C charger.

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro ports

Overall in terms of performance, the Galaxy Book Pro is a better option as both Core i5-1135G7 and Core i7-1165G7 are more powerful CPUs than the Core i5-L16G7. Also, you’ll get more storage as well as the choice to get more RAM with the Galaxy Book Pro. Moreover, you can upgrade the SSD in the Book Pro as it comes with an extra NVMe SSD slot, something that’s not possible with the Book S. The bigger battery on the Book Pro is another advantage as it’ll help you stay away from a plug point for a longer duration.

So if you’re looking for performance and battery life, the Galaxy Book Pro clearly beats the Book S.

Colors and pricing

Samsung Galaxy Book S in Earthy Gold

Samsung offers two colors for both laptops in the US. The Galaxy Book S is sold in Mercury Gray and Earthy Gold colors, and it starts at $749 (was $949 earlier). The Galaxy Book Pro, on the other hand, can be bought in Mystic Silver and Mystic Blue, and starts at $999 (for 13-inch) and $1,099 (for 15-inch).

Conclusion: Samsung Galaxy Book S or Galaxy Book Pro?

While the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Book Pro are both ultra-portable laptops, there are a number of things that differentiate them. The Galaxy Book S is a good option for consumers who want a touchscreen laptop that provides good battery life and decent performance on the go. It’s fine for light workloads but heavy users will be disappointed.

The Galaxy Book Pro, on the other hand, is great for consumers who are looking for excellent performance, great battery life, and a superb display. The laptop also includes a good selection of ports than the Galaxy Book S, and more choice in terms of pretty much everything, including the display size, RAM, SSD, and processor.

Obviously, your budget will also play a big role in choosing one of the two laptops. If you’re a little tight on the budget front, the Galaxy Book S is a good $250 cheaper than the Book Pro. But if you can shell out $1,000 or more, you’ll be better off with the Galaxy Book Pro, which also features in our best Samsung laptops list.

Which one are you planning to buy? Let us know in the comments section. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for laptops with built-in cellular connectivity, don’t forget to check our guides on the best 5G laptops and best 4G LTE laptops on the market.

Samsung Galaxy Book S

The Samsung Galaxy Book S is an ultra-portable laptop from Samsung. It comes with Intel 'Lakefield' Core i5 processor and 13.3-inch full-HD display.

Buy at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is an ultra-portable laptop from Samsung. It comes with up to an Intel 'Tiger Lake' Core i7 processor and 13.3-inch full-HD AMOLED display.

Buy at Samsung

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XDA Basics: How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook

Taking a screenshot is often useful at work or just to show a friend something you find interesting on social media. If you use one of the top Chromebooks as your daily machine, you’ll undoubtedly need to take a quick screenshot at some point. The good news is that taking a screenshot on Chrome OS is just as simple as on your Mac or PC. Let’s take a quick look at how to take a screenshot and edit or annotate the result.

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook

If you want to take a screenshot of your entire screen on a Chromebook, press Ctrl + the Show windows button (Ctrl + F5 on a Windows keyboard). The Show windows key, which looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right side, is on the top row of the keyboard (this is in the same position as F5 on a Windows machine).

It is worth noting that all screenshots taken on Chrome OS end up in the Downloads folder. This is a bit different than the storage defaults on a Mac or PC. You can quickly find the Downloads folder by navigating to the Files app in your launcher. It’s also quite easy to add additional folders for organization.

To capture a partial screenshot, press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows (Shift + Ctrl + F5 on a Windows keyboard), then click and drag your cursor over the exact area you want to capture. A crosshair icon will appear; click and drag it until the part of the screen you want to copy is highlighted, and then release. Depending on the version of Chrome OS, you may see a quick pop-up window with the screenshot preview in the bottom right corner of your desktop. From the pop-up window, you can choose to copy the screenshot to the clipboard or begin annotating the image.

If you have a Chrome OS tablet or device running in tablet mode, you won’t have direct access to the keyboard. Taking a screenshot is still possible, just using a different method. Press the following physical buttons simultaneously: Power + Volume Down. With a stylus you can also select a part of the screen to capture in tablet mode.

Editing a screenshot

Google has a nice built-in annotation tool for editing screenshots in Chrome OS, which you can access in a few ways. First, you can tap the Edit option in the initial pop-up box. If you decide that you want to edit your image later, you can navigate to the Downloads folder and select the image.

Syncing screenshots across devices is also easy. You can use Google Keep as an annotation tool to accomplish this. For those that need more robust and powerful editing, consider checking out Chrome Canvas.

Now you’re all set to start taking screenshots on your Chromebook or Chromebox. If you work with screenshots for work all the time like we do, you might also want to consider a docking station for your Chromebook. This allows you the additional flexibility of working from a larger monitor. Keep in mind that you can also use Android apps on Chrome OS, so you can screenshot your favorite social media posts too.

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