The latest ChromeOS update brings several accessibility improvements
It was a big day for the Chrome platform. It wasn’t just the mobile app that got an update search functionbut Chromebooks are getting a patch in the form of ChromeOS M126. It’s not a major overhaul, but it does introduce various improvements in quality of life who want to make the system more accessible together. There is no specific focus on anything in particular, as multiple features are being updated.
Starting at the top, the Chromebook Camera app is getting Super Resolution. This gives the laptop’s camera the ability to zoom in on objects that don’t have a built-in optical engine. On certain “high-performance Chromebooks,” however, Super Resolution can visually enhance the photos you take. Exactly which models will get this is unknown.
The next visual updates include the Magnifier tool, which is being integrated into Select to Speak. As Select to Speak reads words, Magnifier automatically follows the text and enlarges it as you go, so you never lose your place. Google says that both tools must be enabled to see the feature. Additionally, you can zoom in further by pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Brightness Up keys. Replacing the latter key with Brightness Down lets you zoom out.
People who are light sensitive or have cognitive differences can also adjust the cursor blinking speed for a more comfortable user experience.
The rest of the patch moves further away from accessibility updates and more towards providing additional tools to users. For example, Quick Start is now available on Chromebook and allows users to connect their Android smartphone to their computer as a quick way to migrate Wi-Fi and Google Account credentials when first setting up a Chromebook. This allows you to set up a Chromebook without entering a single password – quite handy.
Parents will appreciate this next set of changes, as the company breaks down “permissions for sites, extensions, and apps” to provide more granular parental control options. Supervised accounts must also request approval before installing an extension.
A new system option has been added to the Settings menu to disable the swipe gesture when navigating between pages. Last but not least, Google is rolling out support for multiple calendars, allowing you to view events from multiple sources through the Google Calendar app.
ChromeOS M126 will be rolling out in the coming days, so keep an eye out for the patch as it arrives. Please note that your device may not be immediately ‘eligible’. We’ve reached out to Google for clarification on what makes a Chromebook ineligible. If we hear anything, we will report back.
In the meantime, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best Chromebooks in 2024.