Over the past year, Google has been working on new Android and Chromebook features to better bridge the gap between phones and laptops. With today’s release of Chrome OS 103, Google has once again improved how Chromebooks connect to Android phones.
Phone Hub introduces “Recent Albums”
The Phone Hub feature announced last year now introduces the Recent Albums feature. With the Chrome OS 103 update, you’ll be able to quickly access the latest photos you’ve taken on your phone in Phone Hub. It’s an easy way to avoid emailing yourself photos or having to dig into Google Photos to find your most recent photos. The feature even works offline.
Nearby Share
Google is also improving its Nearby Share feature to connect Chromebooks to any saved Wi-Fi network on an Android phone. It’s even easier if a friend or a family member has a Chromebook and needs to connect to your Wi-Fi, and it matches Apple’s clever integration between iOS devices and Macs to share Wi-Fi passwords with ease.
In fact, Google’s new Chrome OS additions this week are meant to work better with Apple’s ecosystem integration and Microsoft’s Phone Link. Google calls its plan “Better Collaboration” and will roll out software features throughout 2022 to improve how Android, Chromebooks and Bluetooth-connected devices work together.
Google is developing a system so that any messaging app on your phone can be mirrored on a Chromebook, allowing direct access to third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram on the Chromebook.
Fast Pair
Google’s “Fast Pair” framework will also make pairing Bluetooth headphones easier this summer. When a new pair of Bluetooth headphones is nearby, the Chromebook will automatically detect it and pop up a notification to make pairing easy. It’s similar to Easy Pair in Windows or AirPods on Mac.
Screen recording application
Chrome OS has a new Screencast app for teachers. It’s perfect for making video lessons, with the ability to draw and highlight the screen while recording from the front-facing camera. However, the key feature is that easily searchable and translated transcriptions can be uploaded via Google Drive for easy sharing.
