Is it just me or is Chrome OS getting more and more WIndows-looking? Remember, when you just signed in, and you were in Chrome, and that was basically it?
Google has gradually added more of a traditional operating system-like interface to its OS, and that continues today with the latest stable update, which introduces a new redesigned app list (pictured above).
“Notably, we made the apps list much more compact, so you can access your apps without interrupting your browsing experience,” says Google software engineer Xiyuan Xia. “We also added a search box at the top of the apps list, which you can use like an omnibox to search the web, specific websites, or the apps on your computer.”
There’s also a new print UI, which has been available in the beta release for over a month. It integrates your printers in Google Cloud Print into the Chrome print dialog, so you can print to a cloud-ready printer, Google Drive, Chrome on your mobile device or to Fed Ex Offices.
Other new changes in the latest stable update include:
- You can select your own custom wallpaper
- New, offline-capable Google Docs app
- Update Adobe Flash to version 11.3.31.230
- Flash Access Support
- Seccomp Flash sandbox
- New Shill connection manager
- WiMax support in Shill
- LTE Support for modem manager
- Support Standard USB audio devices
- Support wireless (bluetooth and others) Gamepads
- Update GTalk Plug-In to version 3.3.3
- Update Netflix Plug-in to version 2.0.5
- Kernel rebased to 3.4
- Gestures: support 3-finger tap/click as middle button
- Resolved issues Samsung users were experiencing with Verizon Wireless activation
“The Stable channel has been updated to 21.0.1183.0 (Platform version: 2465.127.0) for Chromebooks (Acer AC700, Samsung Series 5 550, Samsung Series 5, and Cr-48) and Samsung Chromebox Series 3,” says Google’s Josafat Garcia.
The update will be rolling out to these devices over the course of the next several days.