Android is Google's most popular platform, but Chrome OS is where the most correct and exciting developments are going on these days.
In recent years, the way Chromebooks work and what they can do--what kinds of programs they can run and the benefits they can offer--and interesting ways to interact with Android to create a more connected and cohesive experience, have evolved dramatically.
And while many people quickly devalue Chrome OS as a pointless experiment, there are a few things to think about. This sentiment is based on an old myth in the early days of the Chrome OS platform. Chrome OS is now nearly 10 years old, and the Chromebook is, ironically, surprisingly good at the moment given its original limited use. Plus, it sells more than the current Mac. According to Gartner, Chrome OS accounted for about 13% of all US computer shipments in the fourth quarter of 2020. Apple's share is 8.7%.
So, if someone laughs at the idea of Chrome OS itself, it's usually an opinion that comes from that person's ignorance rather than the platform being actually meaningless. Chromebooks are a valuable productivity tool that is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there is no sign that this growth and development will slow down for the time being.
Here are five interesting elements that Google has implemented in Chrome OS. One is already widely used, but the other four are still in development. But if you know how to find it, you can use it right now.
Chrome OS feature #1. Basic tab manager
The first new feature was released just before the end of the year, so you may not notice it at once. But if you don't know for a long time, it's a loss. It's a very convenient built-in system that allows you to manage and search for open tabs and navigate to other tabs in the blink of an eye.
To find this feature, click the down arrow icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window, or use the Ctrl-Shift-A shortcut, which is faster. The list of all open tabs is then displayed in the same screen area.
From here you can do a few things:
- Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move focus between open tabs.
- Press Enter to go directly to the highlighted tab.
- Enter a search term to narrow the list of tabs and find a specific tab by title.
- You can open it by clicking on any tab in the list.
- You can close the tab by clicking the 'x' next to the title of the tab without having to open it.
For me, who tend to have too many tabs open at once (sometimes spanning multiple virtual desktops), this feature is particularly nice. And you can use it right away. All you have to do is make it a habit.
Chrome OS feature #2. Built-in clipboard manager
A separate feature, but vaguely related to the tab feature, Google is working on a new feature that lets you view all of the items you've recently copied and paste anywhere you're working on.
The Enhanced Clipboard, as it is now known, gives you the five most recently copied pieces of information each time you press v together with the Everything Key (launcher key or search key).
This feature is still being improved, but if you want to try it out early, follow these simple steps:
- Type chrome: flags in the address bar of the open window.
- Type enhanced clipboard in the search bar at the top of the screen that appears.
- Click the button next to 'Enable Enhanced Clipboard' and change the setting to Enabled.
- Click the blue restart button at the bottom of the screen.
When the Chromebook restarts, copy some text to anything and press the Everything key with v. If you're happy, you can rejoice with joy, then start working again.
Chrome OS feature #3. New and quick access center for files
This feature has the potential to save time and increase productivity when the amount of files you use is large. It is especially useful not only for work but also for education, often for individuals with many files. The new Quick Access Center feature provides a one-click tray to keep and easily open recent screenshots along with other important files and folders.
When activated, a new icon will appear on the left side of the clock and a status bar in the lower right corner of the screen. Click to find a screenshot you recently captured and a file or folder pinned to that area. Clicking on one of them gives you very quick access without the need for one or another.
In the case of pinned files and folders, right-click on the desired item in the main area of the app (not the left sidebar) and select'Pin to shelf' from the menu that appears, then the item within the normal Chrome OS files Can be added or removed.
This feature is still under development, but like the clipboard manager, it can be activated in just a minute.
- Enter chrome: flags in the address bar of the open window.
- Enter holding space in the search bar at the top of the screen that appears.
- Click the button next to the item 'Quick access to screenshots, downloads, and test files' and change it to 'Use'.
- Click the restart button at the bottom of the screen.
When the system restarts, all the new elements are in place and ready to use. However, Google still calls this option 'test'. So it can disappear without warning and without official distribution (which is always true to some extent in this kind of undistributed item).
Chrome OS feature #4. Nearby sharing support
Google's Nearby Sharing system for wireless file transfer between devices appeared on Android last summer, but for some reason, Chrome OS devices still don't support it. And for anyone who owns both an Android phone and a Chromebook, it severely limits its usefulness.
But it doesn't need to be limited anymore. You can enable nearby sharing support on your Chromebook right now. When you activate the feature, you'll find a new icon in your computer's Quick Settings panel.
Click the icon, share the file in the desired format on your Android phone, select the 'Nearby' option at the top of the Android sharing interface, then select your Chrome OS device from the list that appears.
All that's left is to accept the transfer on the Chromebook side. That way, any file you send is immediately saved to your computer. There are no wires, worries, and hassle.
This system theoretically allows you to share files from Chromebook to Android, but right now this part is a bit awkward, but it seems that it is still under development. Nonetheless, Android to Chromebook transfers is very useful.
If you want to try it, follow these steps:
- Enter chrome: flags in the address bar of the open window.
- Enter nearby sharing in the search bar at the top of the screen that appears.
- Click the button next to 'Nearby Sharing' and change the setting to Enabled.
- Click the blue restart button at the bottom of the screen.
After restarting the system, you can start sharing by looking for the Nearby Sharing icon in the Quick Settings panel. The Quick Settings panel is an option box that appears when you click the clock area in the lower-right corner of the desktop.
Chrome OS feature #5. Improved media control
Speaking of Android connectivity, Google is also bringing a newly integrated media player to the Chrome OS world. It is clear that it was inspired by the universal media player introduced in Android 11 last year.
Like Android, the new Chrome OS media player puts controls over audio or video played from any source in one compact space, instead of each set of controls being present as a standalone item in the notification panel. In the Chromebook environment, new players appear inside a special icon that pops up to the left of the clock and status bar area whenever something is played.
If you want, you can change it to a modern interface and make it look great. It also provides a nice and useful PIP (Picture In Picture) function that allows you to display the video being played on its own floating box if necessary. This box sits on top of everything else, so you can still watch very important work-related videos (since it's the only kind of video you'll see while you're working) while you're doing other tasks.
If you are ready to upgrade a feature that is still in development, follow these steps.
- Enter chrome: flags in the address bar of the open window.
- Enter global media in the search box at the top of the screen that appears.
- Click the button next to 'Global Media Control for Chrome OS' and 'Global Media Control Modern UI', and change both settings to Enabled.
- Click the blue restart button at the bottom of the screen.
Now let's play audio or video on a number of websites and apps and see what happens.
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