Chrome OS 100 update arrives with a start menu to rival Windows 11
Google’s ChromeOS for Chromebooks was also updated to version 100, alongside its web browser, showcasing a new app launcher and other features.
In a blogpost, the company spoke of the app launcher being the headline feature here, with it moving from the center to the left of the screen, similar to Windows 11‘s start menu.
Searching for a term also looks cleaner here, with results being shown in a list, with the choice to look at images or news on the query. But there’s also other features, such as being able to edit words with your voice and using the webcam to create gifs of yourself.
These are promising features as we approach Google IO in May, and make us wonder if we’ll see some surprises at the event for Chrome OS.
Analysis: Strength to strength for Chrome OS
(Image credit: Google)
Around 2010, ‘netbook’ was a term that was associated with smaller-sized laptops that had a terrible battery life and slow speeds, with their only advantage being that they were available for a low price.
Tablets like the iPad would push these out of the way, but Google saw another route in this area with its Chromebooks, which only run on ChromeOS and offered a majority of Android apps.
These Chromebooks have only gotten better in recent years, especially for those who only do work on Google’s apps. In certain places of work, employees are given Chromebooks as their sole machine, mainly due to their solid battery life and being able to easily access their work email, spreadsheets and documents through G Suite.
With Chrome OS reaching version 100 and Android 13 fast approaching, we can’t help but wonder if there’s going to be some announcements made at Google IO in May. Whether that’s in gaming or a dedicated Pixel tablet that runs on Chrome OS instead of Android, it looks to be an encouraging time if you’re all in on the Google ecosystem.
