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How to change ChromeOS channels: easily switch between Stable, Beta, and Dev
Try out the newest Chromebook features early
Chromebooks are capable and easy-to-use devices that run Linux-based ChromeOS on the software front. The best Chromebooks offer premium builds and receive operating system (OS) updates for many years. Chromebook updates are mainly released in Stable, Beta, and Developer channels. You can switch between these channels to access the newest features while they're being finalized. However, each channel offers a different mix of new features and stability. This guide details the ChromeOS channels available to you and how you can try them out.
Our favorite Chrome OS 93 flags you should try on your Chromebook
Some of these flags also carry over to the browser on other platforms
Chrome OS 93 arrived for Chromebooks on Tuesday of last week, and it's packed with quality-of-life polish to help you enjoy your Chromebook even more. There are several additional features and tweaks that are not yet part of the default experience — including four that we detailed earlier this week. That's because they're still in development and need further refinement before being made available for millions of Chromebook users around the globe. Google has hidden these work-in-progress Chrome OS features behind a page in the Chrome browser, where you can set "flags" to toggle them on and off at will. Just take your time and be wise enough not to enable them at random — the wrong one could render your device unusable.
4 hidden Chromebook features to supercharge your productivity on Chrome OS 93
Features that will take your productivity to the next level
Chrome OS 93 arrived for most Chromebooks last week, and it refines the core experience with polish (like adding a stylus battery indicator) to help make your device more enjoyable to use. It's not the most exciting release out-of-the-box, but with a little tweaking on your end, you'll be able to take advantage of some even-more-useful but experimental features that aren't part of the default Chrome OS experience yet. Here are a few of them we've found that will help take your productivity to the next level.
Chrome OS 93 is heading to your Chromebook today, and it's all about the details
Tweaks that strengthen, mature, and enhance the overall Chrome experience
Today Google is launching Chrome OS 93 to Chromebooks, just a week after it released Chrome 93 to mobile and desktop platforms. Chromebooks have seen wild success over the last couple of years thanks to Chrome OS being reliable, secure, and easy to use, and Chrome OS 93 adds polish here and there to help you enjoy your Chromebook even more. Here are all the important features and tweaks coming with this update.
Our favorite Chrome OS 92 flags you should try on your Chromebook
Some of these flags carry over to the browser on other platforms
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Chrome OS 92 arrived to Chromebooks on Monday this week following a week of delay, and it's packed with a ton of helpful features to supercharge your ability to communicate on Chrome OS. There are several additional features and tweaks that are not yet part of the default experience — a few we detailed earlier this week. That's because they're still in development and need polishing before being made available for millions of Chromebook users around the globe. Google has hidden these work-in-progress Chrome OS features, or "flags," behind a page in the Chrome browser, and you'd be wise not to enable them at random — the wrong one could render your device unusable.
Chrome OS 92 is rolling out to Chromebooks with a huge focus on communication
Featuring a brand new emoji picker, eSIM support, and more
There's no denying that Google has had a rough couple of weeks following its recent attempts to fix Chrome OS. After a brief delay, the company is now jumping back on track and announcing the next major update for Chromebooks — two weeks after Chrome 92 launched for mobile and desktop platforms. Chrome OS 92 sweetens the user experience with a sprinkle of new features; here are all the important bits Google announced today.
Chromebooks get a step closer to Apple's AirDrop with Chrome OS 91
Nearby Share, revamped media viewing experience, and more
Following Chrome 91's release for mobile and desktop platforms, Chrome OS 91 is launching on eligible Chromebooks. The major update introduces a sprinkle of new features that'll sweeten the user experience — here are all the important bits Google announced today.
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A week following Chrome 90's release for desktop and mobile platforms, Chrome OS 90 is now arriving on eligible Chromebooks. Although Google didn't stuff quite as many features into it like OS 89, the update still improves Chromebooks with several changes to enhance the user experience. Here are all the important Chrome OS 90 features Google announced today.
Here's every new Chrome OS 88 feature and improvement we've found
Everything from the new screen capturing tool to a light system theme
The Chrome OS Stable channel received a significant milestone update recently, from 87.0.4280.152 to 88.0.4324.109. As with every big new bump, this brings substantial changes, offering several new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements to improve your Chrome OS user experience. There are around 19,000 changes total in this release, so there may be a few things we missed. Here is everything new in Chrome OS 88 we've found so far.
Chrome OS 88 is here with screen savers, improved virtual desks, and more
A solid update that improves Chrome OS with new features and improvements
Just a week after Chrome 88 launched on desktop and mobile platforms, Google is rolling out Chrome OS 88 to the Stable channel, the first significant update for 2021. Like the former major milestone, the new software update improves Chrome OS with several new features and improvements to enhance the user experience. Here are a few of the things Google announced today that are coming to eligible devices.
Every new feature and improvement we've found in Chrome OS 87
Everything from revamped media controls to the game-changing Holding Space
The Chrome OS Stable channel received a significant milestone update recently, from 86.0.4240.199 to 87.0.4280.88. As with every big new bump, this brings substantial changes to the table, offering several new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements to improve your Chrome OS user experience. Due to this update's sheer size, there may be a few things we missed, but here is everything new we've found in Chrome OS 87 so far.
Chrome OS 87 rolls out with Bluetooth battery indicator, interactive Alt+Tab experience, and more
A well-rounded update that brings several new features and improvements to Chromebooks
A couple of weeks after Chrome 87 was released to desktop and mobile platforms, Google is rolling out Chrome OS 87 to the Stable channel, the final update of the year. Like the previous major update, 87 brings several new features and improvements to Chromebooks to enhance the user experience. Here are a few of the things Google announced today that are coming to eligible devices.
Google resumes rolling out Chrome OS 86 update following multiple reports of issues
The update should reach your device by the end of this week
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It's been a rough week for most Chromebooks following Google's ill-fated attempt to roll Chrome OS 86 out to the stable channel. Shortly after Google announced the major milestone update, I covered a slew of new features and improvement found within, including accessibility improvements, an improved login screen experience, and a refreshed gallery app. Although some people are enjoying OS 86 without problems, others are still anxiously waiting for the new update to land on their Chromebook. In a surprising move by Google, it silently pulled the build off the update server a couple of days before the update finished rolling out.
Here is every new feature and improvement we found in Chrome OS 86
Everything from revamped input menu UI from a subtle icon tweaks
Chrome OS Stable channel got a major milestone update yesterday, from 85.0.4183.133 to 86.0.4240.77. As with every new milestone update, this brings massive new changes to the table, offering several new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements to improve your Chrome OS user experience. Due to the sheer size of this update, there may be a few things we missed, but here is everything new we found in Chrome OS 86.
Google has introduced the latest update to Android Studio, taking the stable channel up to version 3.1. According to a post on the Android Developers Blog, this release focuses on product quality and development productivity. The last major update included a whole new programming language, and 3.1 continues to support the introduction of Kotlin with new lint checks among other improvements.