ChromeOS 130, the latest update to Google’s operating system for Chromebooks, was officially released on October 31, 2024. This update includes numerous new features and enhancements aimed at improving user productivity, security, and the overall experience.
According to Cyber Security News, the ChromeOS 130 update will address 20 security vulnerabilities, including five rated as “high” severity. This includes Web Authentication, UI, DevTools, and ParcelTracking.
For Chromebook users waiting for the update for the specific Chromebook model, using antivirus software can provide an additional layer of protection. Ilijia Miljkovac from Techopedia says that despite Chromebooks having built-in security features, it’s not enough to prevent phishing attacks, fake browser extensions, and malware infections. Since these devices have limited storage capabilities, the best antivirus for Chromebook must provide real-time threat detection, protection for Android apps, and offer web protection to reduce risks associated with known vulnerabilities.
What’s New in ChromeOS 130
ChromeOS 130 introduces several new features and improvements to enhance user experience.
Quick Insert Feature
The Quick Insert feature allows users to easily add various types of content to their documents and chats. Users can access this feature by pressing the Launcher + f key combination on most Chromebooks, while some devices like the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus have a dedicated Quick Insert hardware key. This feature allows users to insert emojis, symbols, GIFs, and Google Drive links, and perform quick calculations and unit conversions.
Focus Mode
Focus Mode is designed to help minimize distractions and improve productivity. Features you can expect include:
- Setting and adjusting focus time
- Enabling or disabling Do-not-Disturb (DND) mode
- Managing Google Tasks
- Accessing curated playlists for better concentration
AI-Powered Features
The update includes various AI-powered features, including a new Recorder app with advanced capabilities. This app offers real-time speech-to-text transcription, speaker detection and labeling, content summarization, and title suggestions. Another AI-powered feature, Help Me Read on ChromeOS, is available only on Chromebook Plus devices. It does provide text summarization for on-screen content and a Q&A functionality for further inquiries about the text.
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Audio Enhancements: Studio-style Mic
ChromeOS 130 also introduces AI-powered audio enhancements with the Studio-style Mic feature. This includes advanced balancing for clear voice output, fine detail reconstruction for natural sound, room adaptation capabilities, and improved noise cancellation and de-reverberation.
Welcome Recap
The Welcome Recap feature provides users with a summary of recent activities and allows quick restoration of previously used apps and tabs. This helps you quickly get back to where you left off in the previous session.
Additional Improvements
Additional improvements in ChromeOS 130 include
- Enhanced Google Drive integration for easier access to starred files.
- Multi-calendar support for viewing events from multiple calendars.
- Improved Picture-in-Picture (PiP) functionality allowing easier resizing and repositioning.
There’s also a new Suggestions section in Tote for quick access to frequently used files, and appearance effects for video calls, which are exclusive to Chromebook Plus devices.
Device Compatibility and Rollout Status
The ChromeOS 130 update is currently rolling out to supported Chromebooks, enabling users to take advantage of the new features and improvements. This update aims to enhance the overall user experience and includes significant additions like the Quick Insert feature, AI-powered audio enhancements, and the new Recorder app. As part of Google’s commitment to keeping devices up to date, most Chromebooks released in recent years are eligible for this update.
To check if your Chromebook is receiving the latest updates, users can follow a straightforward process.
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- Click the time in the bottom right corner
- Select “Settings” (gear icon)
- Scroll down and click “About ChromeOS”
- Click “Check for updates”
All Chromebooks typically receive automatic updates for about ten years from their release date. This ensures that devices remain secure and equipped with the latest features. But, older models may eventually reach a point where they no longer receive updates, which can affect their functionality with newer applications or features.
The ChromeOS 130 update is currently not available for most Chromebook Plus models. Specifically, the only devices that have received the update are those equipped with AMD processors. The two models that are confirmed to be on ChromeOS 130 are:
- Acer Chromebook Plus 514
- ASUS Chromebook Plus CM34
All other Chromebook Plus devices, including those with Intel processors, remain on ChromeOS 129 for the time being. This situation appears to be related to compatibility issues between the new features in the update and Intel silicon, as it affects multiple generations of Intel devices (12th, 13th, and 14th-gen). Users of these Intel-based Chromebook Plus models will need to wait for further updates or fixes before they can access the new features included in ChromeOS 130.
Users should keep an eye out for any notifications regarding their device’s update status, especially if they see a “Final software update” message indicating that their device will no longer receive updates.
Impact and Implications
For General Chromebook Users
For general Chromebook users, ChromeOS 130 provides a wide range of new features that promises to enhance productivity and the user experience. The Quick Insert feature and Focus Mode offer improved efficiency in daily tasks, while audio enhancements provide better quality for video calls and recordings. These updates make Chromebooks a little more versatile for work, education, and personal use.
For Chromebook Plus Users
Chromebook Plus users benefit from exclusive features like the advanced AI-powered “Help me read” function and enhanced appearance effects for video calls. However, the delayed rollout for some Intel-based Chromebook Plus models may cause frustration among users eager to access these new features.
For the ChromeOS Ecosystem
The introduction of AI-powered features and productivity tools narrows the gap with traditional operating systems. This potentially attracts more users to the platform and influencing future Chromebook sales and adoption rates.
User Guide: Getting the Most Out of ChromeOS 130
To access new features, users should first ensure their device is updated to ChromeOS 130. The Quick Insert feature can be activated using the Launcher + f shortcut or the dedicated key on some devices. Users can customize Quick Insert by selecting their most-used emojis, symbols, and frequently accessed Google Drive files for faster access.
For optimal use of Focus Mode, users should set realistic focus times and use the Do-not-Disturb mode to minimize interruptions. Experimenting with the curated playlists can help find the most effective background audio for concentration.
When using AI-powered features like the new Recorder app, users should speak clearly for better transcription results. For the “Help me read” feature on Chromebook Plus devices, users can improve results by selecting specific text areas for summarization.
ChromeOS 130 is a big step forward for Chromebooks. While some Chromebook Plus models are still waiting for the update, it fixes known security issues for those who have it. If you’re waiting for the update, using good antivirus software can help keep your device safe.
