Merge EDU is expanding compatibility with Chromebooks, so that you can bring digital teaching aids,  interactive science simulations, and globe activities directly to your classroom!

However, not all Chromebooks are made the same. This article will go over the basic criteria a Chromebook will need to have in order to run Merge EDU apps:

• Released after 2019 (to present)
• Access to Google Play Store
• Rear-facing or front-facing (web) camera for Cube Mode 

Learn more about each of these criteria below:

1) Released after 2019 (to present)

As AR is a relatively new technology in education, older models of Chromebooks may not have the specifications necessary to run Merge EDU apps. Devices without the correct internal specs may not allow the apps to be downloaded at all, or may display issues when loading objects or tracking the cube. We recommend using Chromebook models released in or after 2019 to avoid these compatibility issues.

2) Access to the Google Play Store

Merge EDU compatible Chromebooks must be able to access the Google Play Store. Because Merge EDU apps can only be downloaded from app stores, your Chromebooks will need to be able to access or accept Google Play apps.

If your school uses a Mobile Device Manager (MDM) for its applications, be sure to contact your system administrator to see if Merge EDU apps - Merge Object Viewer, Merge Explorer, and Merge HoloGlobe - can be downloaded onto your devices. 

Note: Both apps are free to download, so we highly recommend testing them on the devices you wish to use in your classroom before purchasing.

For more information on how to download Merge EDU apps, click here.

3) Rear-facing or front-facing (web) camera configuration for Cube Mode 

NOTE: Chromebooks without a camera will only work in 3D Mode. Learn more about 3D mode here.

To use Merge EDU apps in Augmented Reality with the Merge Cube, your Chromebook will need to have one of the following camera setup options:

• A rear-facing camera on the back of the lid or for 2-in-1 models
• A secondary camera on the keyboard (which turns into a rear-facing camera when the keyboard is flipped to the back and the Chromebook enters a “tablet” configuration)
• A front-facing, or web camera

Note: Merge EDU apps will need to be granted “Camera” permission to allow them to scan and track the Merge Cube.

For more information on how to download Merge EDU apps, click here.

We hope this article was helpful to see if your Chromebooks are compatible with Merge EDU! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our dedicated support team at support@mergeedu.com.

If your Chromebooks are compatible with Merge EDU, be sure to start a free trial, learn more about grants & funding, and look into how to buy a Merge EDU subscription. 

You can also find our full compatibility guide here.