It's kind of incredible that a Google-made laptop runs a hobbled version of Google Assistant. We're referring to the Pixelbook Go, which begins shipping on November 15 as a sibling to the original Pixelbook. It's a performant and sleek machine with an exceptional keyboard and all-day battery life, but there's little to recommend it on the software side. When Google Assistant came to Chrome OS alongside the circa-2017 Pixelbook, the assumption was that it would match or best the robustness of Assistant on smartphones, smart displays, and speakers. Nips and tucks continue to arrive two years later, but Google Assistant on Chrome OS is advancing at a snail's pace relative to its counterparts.

Reviewing the Pixel Slate was like reviewing two devices. But when you attach it to the Pixel Slate Keyboard, it transforms into a premium Chromebook, with a large multitouch trackpad and PC-like multitasking. The Pixel Slate appears to be a dream 2-in-1, the rare hybrid device that truly conforms to your immediate needs. Where the iPad Pro and various convertible PCs fail to consider the jarring interface changes when switching from a touch-based UI to a keyboard-based UI, Google has designed Chrome OS's new hybrid interface specifically with the Pixel Slate in mind. Google understands that you'll use your Chromebook differently as a tablet than you would as a laptop. So the Pixel Slate deserves to be taken seriously as the next generation of both Chromebooks and Android tablets.

While it might seem like the annual Made by Google event has already taken place based on the Pixel leaks we've received on a daily basis, we actually still have another day until the big event. Google hasn't exactly been secretive about its new phone or much of anything else being unveiled tomorrow, but there's still plenty to be excited about. Here's everything we expect to see tomorrow, a few things we probably won't be seeing, and a couple of surprises that may be in store: The star of the show Tuesday will be the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL. With all the leaks, there's little left that we don't know about them. You can check out the details in our rumor roundup, but in a nutshell, the two phones will once again be separated by screen size, with the smaller one likely getting a 5.5-inch display and the larger one possibly getting a 6.7-inch one.

Sometimes it's hard to choose between a laptop and a tablet. You might want to draw with a stylus, and tap the screen in a game, perhaps. Or you may need a keyboard so you can type a long document. Two-in-one machines gives you the best of both worlds, with a keyboard that folds back through 180 degrees to sit on the back of the screen, creating a thick tablet. In some cases, the display part detaches to be used in tablet mode.

I recently had a prolonged online chat with a Google expert while we troubleshot and fixed a problem with a Google Home device. I went through the experience with a Pixelbook and the process made it abundantly clear how useful a Chromebook can be. The problem began when I was setting up Continued Conversation and I discovered that the feature recognized our Home minis but not our main Home device. After a few failed attempts to get Continued Conversation working on the Home, I launched the chat through the Chrome browser on the Pixelbook. Troubleshooting the problem involved reactivating Continued Conversation to see if it recognized the Home after various changes were made.

Father's Day is coming up soon! While we've handpicked eighteen great gifts for the dad-ly figure in your life, we've also worked with our friends at TechBargains to find great deals on other gift-worthy gadgets that we adore. Does your traveling dad need a compact iPad? Or does he want the best robot vacuum that can be had for love or money? We've got you there, too.

If you want Google Assistant on a Chromebook, you currently have exactly one option: Google's own $1,700 Pixelbook. It looks like Google's about to unleash its voice helper on any ChromeOS device, however, if code spotted by XDA Developers is implemented. In a recent ChromeOS built, there's a new feature that will let manufacturers enable Google Assistant (by default, it's off). According to another part of the code, OEMs will be able to decide whether it listens for a keywords or is activated simply by a button press. Google Assistant code for ChromeOS has been spotted before, but this is the first time we've seen a reference to a code commit.

They're probably the person in your life you go to help for all your technology needs. So how can you give something good to the tech-savvy person in your life? Here are some suggestions for gifts to delight those who are always looking at the hottest tech trends and products. As with all cutting-edge tech, this isn't for the faint of heart, both in terms of price and in willingness to try something new. You still won't find a headphone jack with the The iPhone X.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 promises a lot of gaming for not a lot of money. Can they deliver on their promise of affordability AND keep gamers happy? Battery life is key for today's laptops, with some models delivering up to 15 hours between charges. Buying a new computer is a lot like ordering a pizza: You think it's a fairly simple task until you realize how many choices you need to make. But if your existing machine is so old it could barely run solitaire, you're probably due for an upgrade.

This isn't the first time Google has asked you to spend a grand or more for one of its own cloud and browser-based Chrome OS laptops. The Pixelbook, though, might just be the first pricey Google-branded Chromebook to legitimately tempt you to part with such a lofty sum. Chromebooks are their own breed of computer, of course, distinct from the Mac or Windows PCs. They rely on Google's Chrome operating system and--most of the time-- an Internet connection where the files and apps, several but not all from Google, typically reside. Pixelbook is a beautiful, thin and well-constructed 2 ½ pound aluminum and glass piece of hardware, with a 360-degree hinge that lets you fold the thing into a tablet, prop it up to watch a movie, or use more conventionally like any laptop.