ChromeOS

Back in October, Google and Parallels let enterprise users run Windows on Chromebooks for the first time. A big update is now rolling out to Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS that adds a slew of new features.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome OS will soon be testing a frequently requested feature, the ability to have the current date and notification icons displayed in the corner of the shelf.
Update: Google has changed the flags that are used to add the date to your Chrome OS shelf.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing the desktop update last week, Chrome OS 90 is beginning to roll out today. There are a handful of usability enhancements in this release, which will be available over the coming days.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile Chromebooks have long been used as affordable, low-power computers, there’s also a growing market for premium, high-end devices running Chrome OS. To that end, Nvidia and MediaTek have announced that they are now working together on bringing RTX graphics to future Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding CloseA useful feature of Chrome OS is Guest Mode, which essentially acts as an incognito mode for a friend or family member to use your machine without access to any of your data. Unfortunately, though, there’s a bug that can actually reveal your location data to another user who is on Chromebook’s guest mode.
Expand Expanding CloseLenovo has launched a series of new Chromebooks including the 14e Gen 2, 100e, 300e, and 500e Gen 3 with a major focus on the massive education sector.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Chrome OS has the advantage of including support for Android and the platform’s vast app collection. Now, Chromebooks are finally getting updated to Android 11 to bring some new features and better functionality, but the update is in beta-only for the time being.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first Chromebooks launched a decade ago, and Google is celebrating that milestone with a big Chrome OS 89 update that introduces a ton of user-facing features. The company is also using this occasion to look at where Chromebooks will go in the future.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing the desktop and mobile updates last week, Chrome OS 89 is beginning to roll out today. There are a number of big usability enhancements in this release that will be available over the coming days.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has rolled out a new wallpaper collection to Chromebooks called “Imaginary” that adds 12 colorful new images to Chrome OS. Each background contains a fun, digitally-sculpted scene.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has historically released new versions of Chrome every six weeks with smaller patches rolled out in between. In a big change, Google Chrome is moving to a four-week update cycle this year.
Expand Expanding CloseChromebooks are doing very well amid distance learning, and Google is doubling down on that with 40 new Chrome OS devices built for education coming this year. Meanwhile, Chrome OS 89 in March will add a native screen recording tool.
Expand Expanding CloseLast month, we learned that Chromebook shipments grew over 4x amid the pandemic and shift to distance learning. That demand in 2020 has led Chrome OS to overtake macOS in worldwide sales.
Expand Expanding CloseCloud streaming particularly excels on devices that would otherwise never get access to AAA titles. To emphasize that today, Google announced that it’s giving most Chromebook owners a three-month Stadia Pro trial.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile question marks and doom do unfortunately surround the cloud gaming platform at the moment, Google will be hoping for big growth after confirming that all new Chromebooks will come with Stadia pre-installed.
Expand Expanding CloseAs of last year, downloading certain apps from the Play Store on Chrome OS would automatically “install” the Progressive Web App. The latest service to follow this PWA approach is YouTube Music, though Google is taking a circuitous route with a separate Chromebook listing.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome OS’s upcoming Android “Phone Hub” may be getting the ability to mirror your phone’s screen as an exclusive feature for Google Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseRemote learning today involves a lot of video calls, and Google is working to improve Meet, as well as Zoom, performance on Chromebooks. Efforts are focused on boosting program efficiencies and making live optimizations.
Expand Expanding CloseFor six months now, we’ve been patiently tracking progress on a new “Phone Hub” feature that is poised to make Chrome OS and Android devices “better together.” It seems patience is finally paying off, as the Chrome OS “Phone Hub” has begun to arrive for a very limited group of people.
Expand Expanding CloseThe ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 has leaked ahead of release with the Chrome OS-powered device taking the dual-purpose use-case concepts from the impressive Lenovo IdeaPad Duet.
Expand Expanding CloseChromebooks have become valuable tools for consumers and for the classroom, and now they’re getting a handy addition. This week, the “One by Wacom” drawing tablet and pen has been granted the “Works with Chromebook” certification.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing the desktop update last week, Chrome OS 88 is beginning to roll out today. There are a handful of usability enhancements in this release, which will be available over the coming days.
Expand Expanding CloseWindows 10X was originally intended to debut on dual-screen devices, like the Surface Neo, before later coming to laptops. Last May, Microsoft announced a “pivot” to “focus toward single-screen Windows 10X devices” amid the work-from-home surge. A “near final version” of Windows 10X has now leaked, and it reveals some key similarities to Chrome OS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle looks to be working on a unified one-stop hub for all of your video streaming services in Chrome called Kaleidoscope.
Expand Expanding Close