Google today announced the release of Chrome OS 70, bringing a dramatically improved UI for touch-based Chromebooks, tablets, and 2-in-1s.
Or, at least I’m told it does. According to the Google release notes, Chrome OS 70 looks fairly innocuous, offering just Autofill improvements, user controls for extension site access, a new search field in accessibility settings, and an AV1 decoder.
But as 9to5Google reports, Chrome OS 70 offers much more than that. And key among the new features is a “thoroughly revamped” new user interface for touch-based Chromebooks, tablets, and 2-in-1s.
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This new UI includes newly redesigned app shelf and control panels, a Gboard-based virtual keyboard that can optionally float, and a new Camera app.
I’m looking forward to seeing this for myself, but the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 I’m currently testing reports that Chrome 69 is still the latest OS version. Perhaps it will hit later today.
ArvindV
<p>Better recent/multi tasking screen with drag drop support</p><p>Android App shortcut support</p><p>Floating keyboard.</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#357103">In reply to architxt:</a></em></blockquote><p>Chrome OS has .33% market share. I think Microsoft is safe. </p><p><br></p><p>Between the massive and growing privacy issues with Google and the fact there are MANY apps I could not use Chrome OS is a non starter. </p>
jedwards87
<blockquote><em><a href="#357104">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p>Exactly. Outside of education Chromebooks are not to be found. Outside of the US is even worse.</p>