What's New in ChromeOS 117? Chromebooks Get Android Vibes
Google's latest ChromeOS 117 update is here, and it's all about making Chromebooks easier to use. This update brings in some cool changes that make Chromebooks act more like Android devices.
Big Changes in Quick Settings
One of the first things you'll notice is the Quick Settings menu. It looks different now. Instead of small circles, you'll see big, rounded rectangles. This makes it easier to see and use the settings.In the Quick Settings, you can quickly turn on important things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cast Screen. Google wanted to make it simpler, so you don't have to scroll around too much.
Also read: 5 Reasons why bluetooth airpods won't connect to Chromebook
What you see depends on your Chromebook.
What shows up in your Quick Settings may be a bit different from someone else's. It depends on the type of Chromebook you have and what software is on it. For example, you might see a VPN option, or if you have accessibility features turned on, that could show up too.Bigger Volume and Brightness Sliders
Adjusting the volume and brightness is now easier. The sliders for these are bigger, which means you can drag them more easily, especially if your Chromebook has a touchscreen.New Tools for Sound and Display
Next to the sliders, you'll see two new tools. The top one is for sound. You can change how your microphone and speakers work. You can also turn on live captions, which is pretty cool. Below that is for your display. You can turn on the dark theme or set the nightlight feature.Dynamic Color Theming
Now you can pick from four accent colors based on your wallpaper. This adds a little personal touch to your Chromebook. These colors also change based on whether your Chromebook is set to light or dark mode. If you don't like them, you can go back to plain colors.To change these preferences, go to the Settings menu, then find the Personalization section. Scroll down until you see "Set your wallpaper and style." It's right there.
Help for Colorblind Users
Google is also helping people who are color blind. There are special filters to make colors look better. One filter makes greens stand out more, and another makes reds look brighter. If you don't want any color, you can use the grayscale filter to make everything black and white.Taking Care of Your Battery
The update also brings adaptive charging. This feature slows down how fast your battery charges when it gets to 80 percent. It helps your battery stay healthy for a longer time.Other Changes
Aside from these cool features, there are other important changes in ChromeOS 117. It includes fixes for security issues, a new time-lapse video recording feature in the Camera app, and you can even join video calls directly from your calendar.Getting the Update
The update is rolling out, but not all Chromebooks will get it right away. Google says they will eventually. Keep an eye out for it. To get it, just go to the Settings menu and click on "About ChromeOS" at the bottom.With this update, Google makes Chromebooks more user-friendly, taking inspiration from Android devices to improve your computing experience.
Tusher Shaha
Hi! I am Tusher Shaha, the author and creator of The Tech Ideal. As a content creator, I enjoy sharing knowledge. My love is reviewing the most recent smart devices (like; smartphones, earbuds, watches and so on) and keeping up with technology. Cheers!
