Chromebooks launched 10 years ago with a vision to rethink computing by designing a secure, easy-to-use laptop that becomes faster and more intelligent over time.
As more and more people started to use devices running Chrome OS, they decided to evolve and expand their platform so that it can meet their customers’ needs. Today, Chrome OS devices can do everything. It can help people get things done, or entertain them while they unwind. But in the technology sphere, growth and development are mandatory, so if you need to be on the top you have to constantly work for it. Just because of that for its 10th Birthday, Chromebook decided to overjoy its customers with plenty of new features that will bring our vision to life.
You can now move between devices with ease. Chromebook is launching two solutions that help your Chromebook and Android phone work better together.
With Phone Hub, you now have a built-in control centre that brings key capabilities from your Android phone to your Chromebook. If you have received a text but your phone is out of reach do not worry, this isn’t a problem anymore. Respond to that message, check your phone’s battery life and cellular signal, turn on its hotspot and even locate it, all from your Chromebook. Phone Hub also shows the Chrome browser tabs you last opened on your Android phone.
Photo Credit: Google Blog
The Wi-Fi Sync is also extended so that it can work with more devices. Now it is easier and faster to get online because your Chromebook can automatically connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks you’ve used on your Android phone and other Chrome OS devices when signed in with the same Google Account.
In the coming months, customers will also be able to use Nearby Share to instantly and securely share files between their Chromebook and other Chrome OS or Android devices. Nearby Share lets us send and receive without sharing contact details so that our information and files stay private.
The new Screen Capture tool in your Quick Settings menu lets you take precise screenshots and screen recordings without needing to remember keyboard shortcuts. Once you take a screen capture, it’ll instantly show up in Tote, a new space that keeps important files right at your fingertips.
The Chromebook set up is also streamed up for parents and guardians to highlight two important tools. Now when parents set up a new Chromebook using their child’s personal Google Account (managed with Family Link), they can immediately add a school account. Their child can then use school apps like Google Classroom while Family Link controls on their device still apply, so parents can supervise while they do homework.
Photo credit: Google blog
With its new Clipboard, your Chromebook saves the last five items copied so you can easily paste any or all to a new page without needing to switch between windows. Just press the Everything Button + V to use your Clipboard. There’s also Quick Answers, which offers helpful information when you right-click a word. No need to open a separate tab to search for the answer.
Aside from new features, several existing ones are also enhanced. For instance, you can now share files, images and links between apps in fewer steps. When you click “share” on a supported app or website, you’ll see a list of apps you can share content with directly. For example, you’ll be able to share an image from your Files app to the Microsoft Word app, with just a few clicks.
Select-to-speak, which enables you to hear text read out loud, also has new controls that let you speed up, slow down and pause the reading voice in real-time, and easily jump to different sections of text.
Last but certainly not least the icons for your Chromebook’s built-in apps have a fresh new look, making it easier for you to find essential apps made for Chrome OS like Canvas and Explore.
