Google has unveiled an exciting update to ChromeOS, enhancing the user experience for Chromebook owners with a host of new features designed to streamline productivity and accessibility. The latest version, ChromeOS 128, introduces Snap Groups, a functionality reminiscent of Windows 11’s Snap layouts, which allows users to effortlessly organize their on-screen applications into various fullscreen configurations. This feature is activated in a familiar manner—by hovering over the maximize button of an app, making it intuitive for those transitioning from other operating systems.
Enhanced Text Extraction and Accessibility Features
Among the standout additions is the integration of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) within the ChromeOS camera app. This innovative capability enables users to extract text from images of documents or letters, facilitating the copying and searching of text within pictures. Additionally, it simplifies the process of converting images into searchable PDFs and enhances accessibility by allowing the built-in ChromeOS screen reader to vocalize image-based text. Google has designed this OCR feature to recognize text in both horizontal and vertical orientations across 77 languages, although it remains disabled by default in photo mode.
Moreover, the update brings improvements to the Magnifier tool, which now works seamlessly with ChromeVox. This integration allows the screen magnifier to follow along with text as it is read aloud, providing essential support for visually impaired users. Like the OCR feature, this functionality is also disabled by default and requires users to enable both the Magnifier and ChromeVox in their device settings.
Streamlined Camera and Microphone Controls
In addition to these features, ChromeOS 128 enhances the usability of Chromebook cameras and microphones. Previously, users had to navigate through multiple settings to manage privacy controls and app permissions. The update simplifies this process by consolidating software permissions within the apps section of the ChromeOS settings menu. Furthermore, a new Auto Gain Control (AGC) feature has been introduced, which automatically adjusts microphone volume for applications such as video calling software. This enhancement aims to improve audio quality during calls, with users receiving notifications in the quick settings panel when the AGC feature overrides manual audio controls.
