Google takes on the Apple Store. Photo: Google

The world’s first Google-branded store has today opened its doors in London.

Officially dubbed The Google Shop, it’s an Android lover’s alternative to the Apple Store, offering Android-powered phones and tablets, Chromecasts, and Chrome OS notebooks and desktops — as well as a variety of courses and events.

Google’s next Chromebook could be something special. Photo: Acer

Google’s Chromebook lineup could get a whole lot more exciting this year as the company prepares to take on the Microsoft Surface and similar devices.

Sources claim the search giant is developing a new 2-in-1 notebook that runs both Android and Chrome OS that will be completed by the end of this quarter.

Fastboot on an HTC One M8. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

If you want to unlock the bootloader on your Android device or flash a custom recovery so you can use third-party software, you need a Mac or PC. But that could soon change, thanks to Google.

The search giant is reportedly working to bring the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and fastboot to its Chrome OS platform, allowing those with affordable Chromebooks and Chromeboxes to tinker with Android development.

HP’s Stream mini is a PC that fits in the palm of your hand. Photo: HP

Google’s miniature Chromeboxes make desktop computing more portable than ever before, and HP’s hoping to do the same for those who prefer Windows over Chrome OS. The company’s new Stream mini and Pavilion mini PCs look like an Apple TV or a Roku, but they run Windows 8.1 on specifications you’d usually expect to see in a budget notebook.

Chromebooks are only going to get more popular. Photo: Acer

Lenovo wants to shake up the affordable notebook market by launching the cheapest Chromebook we’ve seen to date, according to sources in its supply chain. The Chinese company is said to be targeting a price tag under $170, and it will turn to budget processors in order to keep costs low.