Chrome OS is 10 years old and to celebrate, Google is rolling out some new features to the operating system. These new features include Phone Hub, Quick Answers, an improved clipboard, and more. Here are the key new features coming to Chrome OS:
Phone Hub
With Phone Hub, users will be able to control their connected phones from their Chromebooks. There will be a phone icon right next to the status information pill. When you click it, you will get information such as network signal, battery level, and Quick Settings shortcut for Hotspot, ring mode, and a way to easily locate your phone. It will also show the last two open Chrome tabs from your phone and also allow you to respond to texts from your device
Screen Capture and an Annotation mode
Users will be able to record what is on their screen. They will be able to access this feature from a tile in the Quick Settings menu. You will be able to quickly access recorded videos or screenshot items from a Tote space in the Chrome OS Shelf.
Wi-Fi Sync
The new update makes it easier to connect to Wi-Fi networks. If your phone or other Chrome OS device with the same Google account has been connected to a Wi-Fi network, you don’t have to enter the password for that network on your Chromebook again. With Wi-Fi Sync, your device connects automatically to the trusted network. The feature can be accessed by going to Settings > Connected devices. Click the arrow next to the phone and turn on Wi-Fi Sync.
Media Controls
Google has added media controls to the Quick Settings many, making it easy to control the playback of whatever you are listening to.
#Chromebook turns 10! We’re launching new features and looking back at the past decade of Chromebook → https://t.co/Bi2NDlYZdQ #Chromebook10 pic.twitter.com/i2i3y5cw07
— Google (@Google) March 9, 2021
Revamped Icons
Another new feature is redesigned icons. Icons on the shelf and in the app launcher are now circular or placed in a circle with a white background. There are also new icons for the calculator and canvas app.
Improved Clipboard
Chrome OS gets an improved clipboard that shows the last five things you copied including images. Copied items, as well as recent downloads, screenshots, and pinned files, will appear in a space called Tote which is a sort of holding space.
Quick Answers
When you right-click on a word, Chrome OS will provide a definition or translation of the said word. Depending on what is highlighted, it will also provide the unit conversion.
Nearby Share
When Google announced Nearby Share for Android devices last year, it said the feature will be available later for Chromebooks. The feature will allow you to share apps, photos, and links to nearby Chromebooks and Android devices. Unfortunately, this feature is still touted as coming soon.
These features and more are rolling out with the Chrome OS 89 update.
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