Android apps can soon run in the background on Chrome OS

Google's Pixelbook redefines the Chromebook segment

If you heavily multitask on Chrome OS, the implementation of Android apps there right now leave a lot to be desired. App activity for most apps will generally pause when you aren’t using these specific applications or games. That is about to change though as Google is testing out in the beta channel of Chrome OS 64 that lets app properly run in the background even if you’re working on something else. And if it’s made its way to beta, there is some assurance that it might make it to the public release. As 9to5Google points out, Chrome OS 64 also introduced split view recently, which puts further emphasis on the OS’s multitasking capabilities.

Chrome OS gets more touch-friendly

Looks like Google is trying to make Chrome OS more Android/mobile-friendly. A new version of Chrome OS in Canary build just surfaced. The Canary build is where they try out the most experimental updates for the browser. This new version shows off a launcher that comes with a search bar. When you swipe up, you get to see more apps. It also lets you do voice search. It comes as no surprise that Google is trying to make Chrome OS more touch-friendly. The company has been pushing Chromebooks with touch support, stylus support, and convertible form factors.

Source: The Next Web

Lenovo plans to release Chrome OS version of Yoga Book

Lenovo sees more potential to its sleek and unique 2-in-1 Yoga Book. The tech company plans to release a Chrome OS version to the line, joining the Android and Windows versions of the device. What makes this hybrid device unique is that it ditches a traditional keyboard and goes with a touch surface on one side that can be used both for typing and writing or scribbling on. The Chrome OS version will support the Real Pen stylus that allows you to write on the pressure-sensitive keyboard surface.

According to Lenovo Vice President Jeff Meredith, there have been “a lot of interest” in a Chrome OS version for this device. And that it could even serve as a great option for schools for its unique offering. There is no official release date yet for this new version but Meredith says Lenovo plans to “maintain the three distinctive products throughout this year at least.”

Source: Engadget

Chromebooks might integrate fingerprint scanning

Google might be looking for a way to improve security of its laptops. Mention of a fingerprint sensor for Chrome OS was spotted in the company’s Chromium code repository. But it isn’t clear yet how the feature might work with the operating system. It could make it faster to log into the device itself, access certain Google apps, or even to pay for items in the Google Play Store or third-party vendors. Google won’t be the first one to try this out. A lot of the flagship smartphones have built-in fingerprint sensors and for the desktop/PC side you have Microsoft’s Windows Hello feature that uses biometric authentication as well. For now, Chrome Unboxed suggests Google might just be working on getting basic fingerprint scanning and then we can see from there.

Source: PCWorld