ChromeOS gets better multitasking and Wi-Fi traffic prioritization

The latest type of ChromeOS (M124) is out pinch a mates of bully upgrades, including faster divided surface setup and a caller web postulation prioritization feature. The update brings different updates pinch it arsenic well, for illustration a settings UI refresh and updated motion controls.

Judging from screenshots published by 9to5Google, nan caller “Faster Split Screen Setup” characteristic will beryllium acquainted to Windows users. After you threat an app to 1 broadside of nan screen, previews of different apps popular up connected nan different broadside — prime one, and it pins location for you. Before this update, you had to navigate to nan different app and repetition nan side-by-side pinning process, truthful this should region a small of that friction.

9to5Google writes that options for this characteristic tin beryllium recovered nether Settings > System preferences > Windows and desks.

Google has besides added Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) to ChromeOS. The idea, overmuch for illustration nan QoS characteristic of routers, is that your Chromebook will prioritize things for illustration video calls and online games erstwhile your Wi-Fi web is congested. If it useful well, that could mean higher-quality video calls, little buffering while streaming, and smoother online gaming.

In nan class of “things cipher asked for,” ChromeOS now supports bearer locking — truthful wireless companies tin waste you a Chromebook that you tin only usage pinch their service. In theory, erstwhile you salary disconnected nan laptop aliases nan statement ends, your bearer will unlock it, which I’m judge will ever spell disconnected without a hitch.

Lastly, this update brings a redesigned ChromeOS settings app that’s slathered successful Google’s Material You creation and system much for illustration smartphone settings menus, according to Chrome Unboxed. The outlet reports that there’s besides a caller 2-finger trackpad motion for swiping distant notifications and that ChromeOS now supports turning connected nan expertise to digitally pan, tilt, and zoom moreover connected Chromebook webcams that don’t support Super-Res Zoom.

Like astir of its updates, Google doesn’t rotation retired ChromeOS versions each astatine once, but says type M124 will deed compatible Chromebooks “over nan coming days.” To cheque for nan update, either look for nan “Update available” notification aliases spell to Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates.