Google is pushing a new ChromeOS update that introduces important upgrades, together with a brand new look, some helpful battery charging controls, accent colour accessibility settings, and extra (via 9to5Google).
ChromeOS, now on secure version 117, adopts Google’s “Materials You” design philosophy, the unconventional new look launched on Android 12 in 2021. The change is most distinguished within the newly redesigned Fast Settings view that now has easier-to-select (and browse) rectangular buttons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and different settings in comparison with the earlier small circle icons.
Up to date ChromeOS gadgets may also get a brand new notification panel on the underside proper of the display screen, providing you with simpler entry to new messages, emails, and different alerts from apps. The calendar additionally will get an upgraded Up Subsequent view with the power to simply bounce onto video calls. As well as, there are new privateness indicators that present when the digital camera and mic are in use within the standing space on the underside proper of the display screen.
The brand new software program additionally permits you to discover the specs of your Chromebook (or different ChromeOS gadget), just like the CPU and RAM, by a easy search in Launcher. Beforehand, there have been convoluted steps to seek out the RAM, and different data would require the help of third-party apps like Cog to uncover.
To assist elongate the battery’s well being, ChromeOS now has adaptive charging that may maintain the cost at 80 p.c and use machine studying to foretell when a person will unplug it so it might probably cost to 100% earlier than that point. (You possibly can entry the function by going to Settings > System > Energy > Adaptive charging.)
Lastly, Google is including new accent colours so customers with colour imaginative and prescient deficiencies can higher navigate the interface. This function could be discovered within the ChromeOS accessibility settings beneath “Show and Magnification.”