After the debut of Chrome 88 Both on the desktop and on the phone, it’s Chrome OS’s turn to shine. Google is launching Chrome OS 88 for Chromebook users, bringing a host of new features, including faster logins and custom lock screens.
Expect new features to start appearing on Chromebooks in the coming days, as Google releases the new Chrome update. Some of the changes outlined by Google seem designed to make Chrome an attractive alternative to Windows.
See the changes to the lock screen, which are certainly some of the most visually significant changes that come with Chrome OS 88. According to Google, your Chromebook’s lock screen essentially becomes a smart screen with Chrome OS 88, since you can show the photo albums stored on Google Photos spread across the Chromebook screen. The lock screen can now display information such as the current weather, as well as the music that is playing. Better yet, you’ll be able to control playback from the lock screen without having to unlock your Chromebook.
Accessing this lock screen feature is as easy as accessing Chromebook Settings and selecting Personalization> Screen saver. From there, it is a simple matter to activate the features.
If you’re using your Chromebook for work or personal productivity, security is probably a high priority for you. This means protecting passwords for your various online hangouts. Chrome already has a variety of ways to use your saved passwords, but Chrome OS 88 allows you to use your Chromebook as a second authentication point. It does this using the Web Authenticator API (WebAuthn).
Typically, you’d have to use your phone with two-factor authentication to verify your identity when signing in to your Chromebook. According to Google, your PIN and fingerprint will not be shared with any of the sites that require verification. In addition, Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) is coming in a new version of Chrome OS for added security.
Many Chromebook converts tend to use their machines to write or work, so productivity is equivalent. That’s why an improved self-correcting user interface is such an important and exciting addition to Chrome OS 88. The faster it can help you check spelling and put your words on the screen, the faster you’ll complete your task, or whatever you’re doing. Chrome OS 88 brings a significant update to the autocorrection interface, as well as a new visual indicator that it has been applied. There are also several ways to go ahead and undo the changes that automatic correction may have made if they do not meet your standards.
If you’re using your Chromebook as your primary workstation, Chrome OS 88 brings major improvements to the virtual desktop system. Virtual desks allow you to open multiple windows and workspaces to separate projects and programs. Switching between them has been a little boring in the past, but with Chrome OS 88, the frustrations associated with that have been eliminated, says Google. Using virtual tables is a simpler experience, so you can switch between each one at will without worrying about the animations that slow you down.
Chrome OS 88 will also offer a variety of extra features when it finally arrives. Keep an eye on the update and make sure you take advantage of it to give your Chromebook an edge.