The major ChromeOS update brings tons of new features, and shows it’s getting closer than ever to matching Windows and macOS
The latest update to ChromeOS has added a host of new features to the operating system, including a handy tool that makes it much easier for users to avoid distractions.
The most recent update, ChromeOS M130has been released for the stable channel and will be available on Chromebooks soon. Perhaps the most useful addition is the Focus Panel, which lets you set and adjust your focus time, quickly enable or disable Do Not Disturb (DND) mode, create new or select from existing Google Tasks, and play music with focus sound ( YouTube Music Premium if you have a subscription).
Other new features include simplifying the insertion of emojis, GIFs, and Google Drive links with the M130’s new Launcher + f shortcut. There’s also the physical Quick Insert key that will be included in the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus in 2025.
There are also numerous quality of life changes that make navigating ChromeOS easier. The new Suggestions section in Tote reduces the time it takes to find files like downloads and screenshots, online and offline access to the starred Drive files on the ChromeOS Shelf, and the “Welcome Summary” that pulls apps and tabs from the view and restore previous session.
For those who are into or specialize in audio or video editing and recording, there is the Studio style microphone tool. It includes the existing noise reduction and de-reverb effects, but also adds advanced balancing, fine detail reconstruction and room adjustment. The Google AI-powered Recorder app creates transcriptions that can detect and label speakers and provide a summary of recorded content.
Finally, ChromeOS M130 integrates appearance effects into the platform’s video calling controls, adds support for multiple calendars, and lets you move Picture-in-Picture (PiP) windows to one side of your screen, and adds the tool Add ‘Help Me Read’ to Chromebook Plus devices.
ChromeOS goes a step further
ChromeOS is often left out when discussing popular and beloved operating systems, mainly due to the perception that it is inferior – likely due to a much lower number of compatible apps and features. And even a few years ago, this would have been an accurate assessment.
However, Google has worked hard to combat this, and now we have an operating system that is much easier to use and has some really useful features. Some of the best include the Help Me series, which offers plenty of accessibility tools, the Focus panel, and all the improvements made to audio and video recording and editing options.
It’s great to see Chromebooks receiving so much more love and affection from Google. It’s slowly but surely moving from a second-rate laptop meant to be a cheap option, to an even cheaper but premium version of itself. Not to mention how much better the best Chromebooks are now for gaming compared to even two years ago. With all the progress already made, I’m curious to see how Google will continue to innovate and improve Chromebook and ChromeOS.