Google Chrome OS News & Updates

[sumitroy]

The Stable channel has been updated to 75.0.3770.102 (Platform version: 12105.75.0) for most Chrome OS devices. This build contains a number of bug fixes and security updates. Systems will be receiving updates over the next several days.

Stable Channel Update for Chrome OS M75

 

[iDJ]

When did they start having chromium apps for smartphones?

 

[Bapun Raz]

We've built new gestures for Chromebook tablet mode, which make it easier for you to navigate using touch.

Now, to get to your tablet mode’s Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

You can also see all the windows and apps open on your Chromebook with a similar gesture. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold at the end of the motion, and you’ll see an overview of the windows and apps running on your Chromebook.

If you’re browsing in tablet mode, you can navigate between web pages faster now. Just swipe from the left side of the screen to go back to the previous page.

We’ve redesigned the shelf on Chromebook to give you more space on your screen for windows and apps. Now, when you’re in tablet mode, you can access your pinned apps and other programs that are running from the Quick shelf. To summon the Quick shelf, just make a small swipe up from the bottom of your screen.

What’s new in Chrome OS: Easy navigation in Chromebook tablet mode

 

[Bapun Raz]

Think of the Explore app as your compass for navigating your Chromebook. It’s an evolved form of Get Help, our previous in-product education app. Now, when you log in to a Chromebook for the first time and complete the initial onboarding, the Explore app orients you to learn about the most helpful Chrome OS features.


The Explore homepage gives you easy access to answers and visual tutorials to some of the most commonly-asked questions from new Chromebook owners, like how to best manage your files on Chromebook across local storage and Google Drive, or how to set up a printer with Chromebook.

Use the Overview key, which helps you zoom out and see all the windows that are open, to multitask across windows masterfully. Now, when in Overview, you can drag windows from your Chromebook’s screen to an external monitor and vice versa. You can also easily split your screen from Overview, which makes it easier to multitask—you can have two documents open at one time, or review an article while taking notes.

Words are wonderful, but sometimes emojis can capture even more emotion. We just added more emojis for you to use within Chrome OS, like a yawning face emoji (), an ear with a hearing aid ( ), and a sari (). To use emojis on Chromebook, right click in any text field and navigate to “emoji.”

"Explore” helps you get the most out of Chromebook

 

[Bapun Raz]

We’re always finding ways to make using Chromebooks as seamless as possible. Today, with our latest Chrome OS release, we’re introducing a faster sign-in experience as well as personalized lock screens.

And in case you missed it, we’ll share the exciting new Chromebooks that were recently announced at CES 2021.

Faster and easier web sign-in​

Forget the hassle of typing in a long password or trying to remember which one you use for a specific online account. Now you can securely sign in to websites with the PIN or fingerprint you’ve set up to unlock your Chromebook with our new Web Authentication (WebAuthn) feature. Websites that support WebAuthn will let you use your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID—if your Chromebook has a fingerprint reader—instead of the password you’ve set for the website. And if you use 2-Step Verification to sign-in, your Chromebook PIN or fingerprint ID can be used as the second factor, so you no longer need to pull out your security key or phone to authenticate.

To get started, sign in to a supported website like Dropbox, GitHub or Okta, and you’ll be prompted to switch to using WebAuthn for future sign-ins.

Beautify your space with a personalized lock screen​

The Chrome OS screen saver lets you transform your Chromebook’s lock screen into a personalized smart display. Show off your favorite photo album from Google Photos or pick from hundreds of art gallery images. You can use your lock screen to check information like the current weather and what music is playing; you’ll also be able to pause a track or skip songs without unlocking your device.

Go to your Chrome OS Settings and select Personalization > Screen saver to turn it on now.

Sign in to sites faster and personalize your lock screen

---

 

[Siva]

As seen recently in the Chromium Gerrit, the developers are laying the groundwork for Google Photos to reside in the Chrome OS file manager's navigation pane. This commit explains you'll be able to see your Google Photos uploads when selecting files in the file picker.

Google Photos may finally be integrated into the Chrome OS file manager

 

[Siva]

Because they're often cheap, durable and secure, Chromebooks are popular laptops in schools. Google wants to make them even more student-friendly and is announcing a set of new features today alongside a host of updates to its Education-focused products. In addition to promising 40 new Chrome devices, the company is also bringing accessibility improvements and a built-in screen recorder to the OS.

Chrome OS is getting a built-in screen recorder | Engadget

 

[Bapun Raz]

Chrome OS 92 introduces nearly 1,000 redesigned — as part of Unicode 13.1 — Google emoji, while the picker has been redesigned. It adds search (for English) and can be opened with the Launcher (or Search) key + Shift + Space combo, or by right-clicking on a text field and tapping “Emoji” at the top of the menu.

Chrome OS 92 rolling out: Redesigned emoji & picker, eSIM support, pre-installed Meet PWA

Following the desktop update last week, Chrome OS 92 is beginning to roll out today. There's one particularly big feature addition in this...

9to5google.com

---

 

[Bapun Raz]

New designs for Chrome and Chrome OS, by Latino artists

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re showcasing work by Latino artists, in a collection of backgrounds for your Chrome browser and Chromebook.

blog.google

 

[Bapun Raz]

Check out Chromebook’s new accessibility features

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness month, learn about the new enhanced voices for Select-to-speak.

blog.google