The Chrome OS recently released new updates for added organization, improved controls and OK Google voice functionality on the operating system.
The Chrome stable channel update to 35.0.1916.116 (platform version: 5712.61.0) contains several bug fixes, security updates and feature enhancements.
The first highlight of the update is the addition of folders to the Chrome OS Launcher, allowing users to sort all of their apps in whatever way that they want. This eliminates the need to scroll through and organize several pages of apps, as apps can be grouped into subsets as deemed by the user.
Window controls for the Chrome OS were also updated, as based on the feedback provided by users. Google brought back the minimize button, and the tilting of windows to the left and right can now be carried out through a long press on the maximize button.
OK Google, a voice search functionality that was first released as a Google Chrome extension in 2013, can now be accessed through the New Tab Page. One problem regarding OK Google in the past was that users had to access the Google search page first before being able to use it, at which point it may have been easier to do the search the old-fashioned way of typing out the search terms. By moving the functionality to other parts of the system, it could provide more accessibility to users. However, this change is only for English-speaking users in the United States.
The latest update also implemented captive portal detection for signed-in sessions, which assists users in getting online in public locations that provide Internet connectivity such as hotels, cafes and airports. When the user is signed in to the public Wi-Fi spot, Chrome OS will be able to detect if the network wants you to agree to certain terms, effectively making the browser an additional layer of security.
The update is currently rolling out for all Chrome OS devices, except for the ASUS Chromebox and the Samsung Series 3 Chromebox. Google has not revealed when the latest updates will be available for these devices. Chrome OS will automatically prompt users who have not yet updated to the latest version of the operating system.
Google has recently been pushing Chromebooks to businesses following the end of support for Windows XP, looking to move users away from Microsoft Windows into the Chrome OS. The company is offering discounts for selected Chromebooks until the end of June.
