ChromeOS 130 Brings a Pixel-Like Recorder App, AI Features, and More

Nov. 2, 2024

ChromeOS 130 is rolling out to all Chromebooks, and it brings new features to both Chromebook and Chromebook Plus platforms, including a built-in recorder app and AI features. Here’s everything new in ChromeOS 130.

What’s New in ChromeOS 130?

Quick Insertis another great feature rolling out in ChromeOS 130. The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the first Chromebook to get a dedicated Quick Insert key. With this, you can now use a keyboard shortcutLauncher + Fto emulate the same key on other Chromebooks.

Similarly,Focus Modeturns on DND and integrates Google Tasks in the UI, allowing you to work efficiently and be more productive without distractions. I’vetried the new Focus Mode, and it has how it helped me get things done quickly. So, I’m sure you all will like it too.

Welcome Recapis also rolling out in ChromeOS 130, and it shows you the files and apps you were working on before you last shut down your Chromebook. You can restore all the apps in a jiffy, and it can also serve as a reminder if you usually forget what you were working on last night.

Besides, there’s now support for multiple calendars, and an option toadjust keyboard backlight brightnessin Settings. There’s a similar slider in display settings with Ambient brightness control, but we couldn’t find it on our Chromebook.

As for the Chromebook Plus-specificnew AI features, there are two new features — Studio-style mic and Help me Read. TheStudio-style micfeature is pretty straightforward. It uses AI to enhance the input sound quality and processes it to give it a studio feel.

TheHelp me readfeature, on the other hand, also uses AI to summarize websites and PDFs. Users will see a text field where they can ask questions about the documents or pages and get summaries for the same.

That’s not it. There are some other notable additions that Google has shared in itsChromebook supportthread like the ability to access Google Drive files from the shelf, privacy controls that are more accessible in Chrome, and suggestions in Tote.

What are your thoughts on ChromeOS 130? Let us know in the comments below.