Unlike the ever-growing ecosystem of iPhones, MacBooks and other products released by Apple, Google’s portfolio of Android devices and Chromebooks has never been cohesive enough to fully stand on its own.
With the new Chrome OS 103 update, that might just happen. Google has just announced details of upcoming features, including improvements to photo syncing, Wi-Fi sharing and quick pairing via Android. Suffice to say that these should appeal to Chromebook and Android users wishing to get their hands on an ecosystem as detailed as that offered by Apple.
First of all, with this new update Google should allow easy photo sharing via Phone Hub. While this feature today only serves as a control center for Android users to reply to text messages, activate a hotspot and connect various settings through the Chromebook, the latest update will allow it to have access to recently captured images as well. , even if your Chromebook is offline. Users will be able to download a recent photo and distribute it as a document or email, much like Apple’s iCloud sync.
Connect to Wi-Fi via Nearby Share
Nearby Sharing is typically used to distribute files, photos, and videos between phones or Chromebooks. Now, you’ll be able to use the handoff feature to securely connect your Chromebook to the Wi-Fi network saved on your Android, saving you the hassle of retyping Wi-Fi passwords or scanning QR codes. To use this feature, go to your Android phone’s connection settings, select Wi-Fi network, Share, Nearby, then select your Chromebook from the list of nearby devices
Finally, Google will make it easier to pair Bluetooth-enabled headphones with a Chromebook. Quick Pairing, slated for this summer, will allow Chromebooks to automatically detect nearby Bluetooth headphones as soon as they’re turned on. Once detected, a pop-up notification will prompt users to connect or learn more about the audio device. Thanks to compatibility with Fast Pair, the days of having to look closely at the blue light on your headset to make sure it was in pairing mode are over.
Google still has it up its sleeve: Earlier this year, the US giant announced at CES that a slew of Chrome OS features were in the works, all aimed at further unifying the company’s product suite. . This announcement was followed by more feature announcements at the Google I/O conference in May. Later in the year, the company says “we’ll be introducing even more useful features that will make all your devices work better together.” In the meantime, Chromebook and Android users will be able to enjoy the aforementioned features.
Source: ZDNet.com