Chrome OS Stories Today
Google is rolling out Chrome OS 102 starting today with a handful of notable changes. This new version will be fully available over the coming weeks.
Chrome OS Stories May 17
Parallels Desktop for Chromebooks now supports Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 5000
Back in 2020, Google worked with Parallels to let enterprise users run Windows and its apps on Chrome OS. Expanded hardware support arrived last year, and Parallels Desktop for Chromebooks now works with Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 5000 processors.
Chrome OS Stories May 13
Chromebooks have long been criticized for their lack of ways to edit photos and videos. While there are some solid web apps, the tide is finally turning. LumaFusion, a popular video editor from iOS, previously announced that it would be launching an app on Chrome OS, and at I/O Google has shown off the app up and running on a Chromebook.
Chrome OS Stories May 11
Chromebooks get an official PWA for Webex Meetings [Video]
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a huge number of video calls and a massive boom in sales of Chromebooks. As a result, Google’s desktop platform has gotten more attention from apps. Today in the midst of Google I/O, Cisco announced that Webex is getting an official PWA for Chromebooks.
Chrome OS Stories May 9
Following last month’s big milestone, Chrome OS 101 is beginning to roll out today with slightly more changes and new features than usual.
Chrome OS Stories May 5
Ushering in a new era of AMD chips on Chrome OS, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is getting a 2022 refresh with a Ryzen 5000 series chip and other new tweaks. And we’ve had a chance to take an early look at the device.
The vast majority of Chromebooks on the market today run on top of either Intel or ARM-based chips from brands such as MediaTek. But as Chrome OS enters a new era that includes support for Steam, there are new options coming out. Today, AMD is announcing Ryzen 5000 “C-Series” chips for Chromebooks.
Chrome OS Stories May 4
A new Chrome flag has led some to believe that ChromeOS will soon let you refresh your wallpaper every 10 seconds, but that’s not what’s happening here.
Chrome OS Stories May 3
The security world has been abuzz about a new Linux exploit called “Dirty Pipe,” which also affects Android 12 devices like Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6. Here’s everything you need to know about “Dirty Pipe,” which devices it affects, and how best to avoid it.
Chrome OS Stories April 29
Google seems to have decided to fully drop the space and rebrand its desktop operating system to “ChromeOS.”
Update: Google has gone ahead with the rebrand, with the change appearing in pre-release builds of Chrome OS.
Chrome OS Stories April 25
Zoom app for Chromebooks gains better virtual background support, more
Zoom launched its revamped Chromebook app last year with some big upgrades, but it was still a limited experience compared to other platforms. As a part of its latest updates, the Zoom PWA for Chromebook app has picked up better support for virtual background options and more.
Chrome OS Stories April 15
Recent reports have suggested that Chrome OS would be removing Smart Lock in the near future, but instead, Google is only tweaking the way it works, potentially to keep your account more secure.
Chrome OS Stories April 14
An early hands-on with a leaked Chromebook powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series processor showcases the high-powered potential for future Chrome OS devices.
Chrome OS Stories April 7
Google working to fix broken cameras on some Chromebooks following recent Chrome OS updates
Chrome OS updates come often and are a breeze to install, but like with anything else, there’s always the potential for things to go a little bit wrong. With some recent Chrome OS updates, it seems as though some Chromebook owners have noticed their onboard cameras have broken.
Chrome OS Stories March 30
Ever eager to organize the world’s information, Google will soon be offering a way to sort through today’s cloud gaming services to figure which games can be played where, with an aggregator starting on Chromebooks.
Following the desktop browser and mobile apps, Google is detailing what’s new in Chrome OS 100, which starts rolling out later this week.
Chrome OS Stories March 25
Google is rolling out a new Side Panel UI in desktop Chrome that provides fast access to your bookmarks and Reading List.
Chrome OS Stories March 24
Chromebooks get a new $40 wireless keyboard and mouse combo from CTL w/ ‘Everything’ button
If a Chromebook or Chromebox is your daily machine, you’ve got a new official keyboard and mouse combo option available for pre-order now with a native layout, certification from Google, and more. Here’s what you need to know about CTL’s new wireless keyboard combo for Chrome OS.
Chrome OS Stories March 22
After two years in the making, it’s now become possible to play Steam games on select Chromebooks. However, the setup process for Steam Alpha on Chrome OS is a bit complicated; here’s what you need to know.
Chromebooks have always been thought of as cheap laptops running a glorified web browser instead of an operating system, but times have certainly changed. Today, you can buy powerful Chromebooks and use them to run local Android and Linux apps and, now, that’s extending to games. Google has officially released Steam for Chrome OS, at least in its alpha state, and we’ve been able to take a first look at it in action.
Google and Valve have finally launched the fruits of their partnership to bring Steam to Chrome OS; here’s which Chromebooks are ready for playing games and which titles are supported.
Following a casual announcement last week, Steam for Chrome OS is officially rolling out in Alpha quality. Only a handful of new Chromebooks are supported, and switching to the Dev channel is required.
Chrome OS Stories March 18
Just in time for Steam to be making its way to the platform, Google is adding support for variable refresh rate displays to Chrome OS.
Chrome OS Stories March 15
The long-awaited availability of Steam on Chromebooks was just more or less announced (in alpha) at the 2022 Google for Games Developer Summit. That said, Google is light on availability details for the moment.
Chrome OS Stories March 9
Chrome OS will soon have a way to set your wallpaper to one of your favorite images or albums from Google Photos.
Update: This feature is now available in the latest Chrome OS Canary builds, allowing us to see Google Photos integration in action.
Chrome OS Stories March 4
With Google now releasing major Chromebook updates every four weeks, some releases are more significant than others. Chrome OS 99 adds a slew of convenient features that will start rolling out today.
Chrome OS Stories March 3
Google will soon offer Chrome OS device owners a bit more control over their devices, by letting you turn off automatic updates.
Chrome OS Stories February 28
As part of MWC, Lenovo is announcing a few new Chrome OS devices, including the well-rounded IdeaPad Flex 5i and more affordable Flex 3i Chromebooks.
Chromebook tablets have been growing in popularity over the past couple of years, and Lenovo especially has been doubling down on the form factor. After launching the Chromebook Duet 5 last year, Lenovo is today announcing the smaller, but equally specced, IdeaPad Duet 3.
Chrome OS Stories February 24
While we’re all still waiting for formal reviews of Valve’s Steam Deck, many of the early impressions seem overwhelmingly positive. For Chrome OS fans, though, there is a direct line to be drawn between the success of the Steam Deck and the future potential of gaming on Chromebooks.
Chrome OS Stories February 19
Having been confirmed by a Googler over two years ago, Chrome OS is now closer than ever to officially supporting gaming through Steam. 9to5Google has uncovered the first Chromebooks that should support playing Steam games.
Chrome OS Stories February 16
Google announced Chrome OS Flex yesterday as a way to turn old Macs and Windows PCs into Chromebooks. It amusingly also breathes new life into older Chromebooks that have hit their Auto Update Expiration (AUE) or end-of-life (EOL) date.
Chrome OS Stories February 15
In December of 2020, Google acquired a Chromium-based operating system that turns old PCs into Chromebook-like devices. CloudReady is now becoming “Chrome OS Flex” and is launching in early access today.
Chrome OS Stories February 14
Google has been preparing a way to stream apps and notifications from your Pixel phone to your Chromebook or PC, and 9to5Google has enabled this feature to provide an exclusive first look at it.
Chrome OS Stories February 10
Chrome OS is about to become even more powerful, with Google’s “Bruschetta” project adding support for using the Linux distro of your choice.
Chrome OS Stories February 7
Google’s AirDrop competitor, Nearby Share, is working on a way to share Wi-Fi passwords from Android 12 to Chromebooks.
Chrome OS Stories February 1
It will soon be possible to hibernate your Chromebook instead of simply putting it to sleep, allowing it to conserve even more battery while not in use.
Chrome OS Stories January 26
The next class of Chrome OS devices may be targeted at the gaming market – more than one Chromebook is set to release with a full RGB keyboard.
Chrome OS Stories January 24
Chrome OS is set to gain an Adaptive Charging feature, similar to Pixel phones, that will extend your Chromebook’s longterm battery life.
Chrome OS Stories January 20
For those who have or use more than one Chromebook, Google is working to make it easier to move between Chrome OS devices with a new “floating workspace” feature that syncs windows and tabs.
Chrome OS Stories January 19
Google has rebuilt Chrome OS’s built-in Calculator app, making it available for all devices, not just Chromebooks.
With Android 12, Google introduced Material You, a colorful third-generation of Material Design which will eventually expand beyond Android. To that end, Google has begun experimenting with bringing Material You design cues to Chrome OS.
Chrome OS Stories January 7
At the end of 2020, Google acquired a company that offers software to convert old PCs into Chrome OS-like devices. In one high-profile example, a Norwegian hotel chain turned to CloudReady to convert several thousand ransomware-locked Windows laptops into Chromebooks.
Chrome OS Stories January 6
Google previewed a slew of new features coming to Chromebooks this year. Until then, Chrome OS 97 is rolling out today with a brand-new audio player as part of a broader tweak to the Gallery app.
Chrome OS Stories January 5
At CES 2022, Google is making a handful of audio-related announcements across Chromecast and Bluetooth headphones, including auto-switching on Android and Chromebooks.
This year, Google wants to improve the cross-device experience across Android and Chrome. At CES 2022, Google previewed a slew of upcoming integrations for Chrome OS.
Following a big 2021 for Wear OS, Google is continuing the momentum with the upcoming ability for watches to unlock Chrome OS and Android devices. On a similar front, Google is expanding what digital car keys can do this year.
Chrome OS Stories January 4
Chromebooks often miss out on the bleeding edge of laptop tech, but that’s slowly starting to change. A few years after Apple popularized the idea, HP is bringing a haptic trackpad to Chromebooks with its new Elite Dragonfly Chromebook.
