Chrome OS 92 released: What’s new?
With remote working here to stay for the foreseeable future, Google is focusing on improving the video conferencing capabilities of Chromebooks with the latest update. The Google Meet Progressive Web App (PWA) comes pre-installed as part of this effort. It will be available straight from the launcher. Announced last week, the new Meet PWA offers the same set of features and functionality as the conventional desktop app but in a smaller package. Google promises performance improvements to adapt to different network conditions, so users can always enjoy the optimal experience. Zoom also recently launched a PWA for Chromebooks, which gets a mention in the blog post announcing the release of Chrome OS 92. If you want to add some fun elements to your conversations, it’s now easier to launch the emoji picker on Chromebooks. You can use the keyboard shortcut, Search/Launcher key + Shift + Space, to quickly bring up the emoji picker. You can also right-click on the text field and select “Emoji” from the menu. Your recently used emojis will appear there, or you can scroll to discover more. You can also search for a particular emoji, though this feature is currently only available in English.
eSIM support, new wallpapers, and more
With Chrome OS 92, Chromebooks are getting eSIM for cellular connectivity. Of course, your device needs to have eSIM functionality in the first place. But if it does, Google is finally providing the software support it needed. So wherever you go, you can quickly switch your carriers without having to visit stores and fumble through a bunch of physical SIM cards. You can download eSIMs whenever you want, with Google providing a QR code setup. Simply navigate to Settings » Network » Mobile data and follow the on-screen instructions. Next up, we have a new digital magazine curated for kids and families in the Explore app on Chromebooks, under “Discover”. Google says each issue of this magazine will bring recommendations to educational apps to “help kids discover new ways to create and play on their Chromebooks.” The first issue focuses on game design and also includes an interview with game creator Jesse Schell. This digital magazine is currently only available for Family Link users in the US. Last but not least, Chrome OS 92 comes with a bunch of new wallpapers inspired by the “concept of togetherness”. These wallpapers are available under the “Togetherness” category in your wallpaper picker.
