Chrome OS 72 stable releases: add new features & improve security
Following the release of the Chrome 72 stable version earlier this week, Google has started to push the Chrome OS 72 version update today, and “most Chrome OS devices” will be updated in the next few days. Chrome OS 72 introduces a new set of features, the most noteworthy of which is the picture-in-picture feature, which allows users to continue watching videos while switching to other tabs or apps.
The built-in browser is also optimized for touch, making it easy for Google’s own Pixel Slate to interact with touch devices. In addition, users can use the search function in the app drawer to find Android app shortcuts. Another major improvement is the ability to use the “Files” application to view files that are backed up synchronously using Backup and Sync on Drive.
The full change is the below
New Features
- Addition of a page about touch gestures in the built-in ChromeVox screen reader tutorial
- Chrome browser has been optimized for touchscreen devices in tablet mode
- External storage access for Android apps using direct /storage and MediaStore APIs
- App shortcuts for Android apps are now searchable in the launcher. Users can find an app shortcut by long pressing or right-clicking on an Android app.
- Policies added to manage print job attributes for native printing including simple/duplex printing and color/B&W printing
- Picture in Picture (PiP) now available for Chrome sites
- Within the ChromeVox screen reader, added a setting in the ChromeVox options page to read anything under the mouse cursor
- Files saved via Backup and Sync on Drive now available in Files app under My Drive/Computers
Security Improvements
- Shill, the network manager for Chrome OS, has been put in a sandbox and no longer runs as the root user on the system. This security hardening measure helps protect users in the case of networking-related security vulnerabilities, such as one that resulted in persistent device compromise in 2016.
