The Gallery app on Chrome OS is one of the few native apps that has endured since Google launched the operating system almost a decade ago. Much like the file manager, its existence seemed like an afterthought, gathering dust as the company continued to release operating system updates. Although it received a significant visual overhaul and a name change to “media app” in 2020, it still lacks essential photo editing capabilities. However, that will soon change, as Google is experimenting with three new features that really add some value.
As recently seen on the Chrome OS Canary channel, the new media application brings a number of quality of life features, such as annotation tools, EXIF support, color filters and subtle UI adjustments that make it even more useful. Some of these features require the activation of a Chrome flag, which you can test now (to a certain extent) on the Dev channel. If you prefer not to tamper with your Chromebook, here are the changes you can expect in the near future.
Annotation tools
After years of incomplete implementation, Google is finally add a suitable image annotation system in Chrome OS. To start doodling on your photos, you’ll need to enable chrome: // flags / # media-app-annotation. After restarting your Chromebook, you’ll be able to access the new annotation tools from the media application’s toolbar. Let’s take a closer look below.
Scribbling on an image using the annotation tool.
Annotating an image with the new tool is extremely simple. The drawing instruments are perfectly arranged on the right side of the media application. You have access to three media: pen, highlighter and eraser. The size of the ink ranges from “extra-fine” to “extra-thick”, and a small handful of color options. I noticed almost zero latency when drawing from my Pixelbook Pen, matching the ink performance of Chrome Canvas. After using it for a few days, I find it extremely useful for taking notes after taking a screenshot. You can also tag PDFs within the media application if you enable chrome: // flags / # media-app-pdf-in-ink, but I recommend using Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer or the Squid app for Android.
Color filters
Need a quick way to apply Instagram-style color filters to your photos? The native media app will soon offer a variety of overlays to add a dramatic touch to your photos. To try out the color filters, select “Enable colorFilterTool” from the Experiments menu of the media application.
A handful of color filters to choose from in the media application.
The app offers twelve different filters, from monochrome to pop colors to make your eyes water. Interestingly, the filters offered are identical to those found in the Google Photos web version, except for the lack of an “Auto”, which I find useful for some images. although I probably I will not use this feature, I can see that it is useful at times.
EXIF support
Being able to read camera metadata on Chrome OS is a feature I’ve been waiting for since forever. With Google recently adding EXIF support to the file manager, it was only a matter of time before developers brought it to the Media application. Like color filters, EXIF support can be activated by going to the “Experiments” menu in the media application and selecting “Enable displayExif”.
The feature isn’t working in the media app yet, but I imagine the layout will be similar to the one found in the Chrome OS file manager. There may be a line for image dimensions, camera brand, the settings used to capture the image (aperture, ISO, lens size, etc.) and the location of the photo. While browsing the “Experiments” menu, I found an intriguing string called “Enable saveExif”, which can allow you to edit the metadata information in the photos when the feature starts working.
After many years of neglect, I am happy to see the media app getting the attention it deserves. With these three features coming soon, the new tool is shaping up to be the excellent photo viewer and editor that Chrome OS so badly needed.