Google has released ChromeOS M130 to the stable channel, which means if you haven’t received the update on your Chromebook yet, the update will be available to you.
The latest version of the OS comes with a long list of new features, including the Focus panel, where you can quickly enable or disable do-not-disturb mode, create new or choose from existing Google Tasks, as well as play music with Focus sound or play YouTube Music Premium if you have a subscription.
Google is also making it easier to insert emojis, GIFs, and even Google Drive links with the M130’s new Launcher +f shortcut. Additionally, the quick insert physical key on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus will be available on more devices coming next year.
To reduce the time you spend searching for specific files, Google has added a Suggestions section to Tote, where you’ll find your most recently downloaded items and latest screenshots.
You’ll now have access to all your starred Drive files on the ChromeOS Shelf, even when you’re offline. And if you want to pick up where you left off every time you turn on your computer, you can enable “Welcome Recap” in Settings, which will let you preview apps and tabs from your last session and instantly restore them.
If you use your Chromebook to record video or audio, you can take advantage of the ChromeOS M130’s studio-style mic function that adds “advanced balance, reconstruction of fine details, and room optimization” to the standard mic function’s noise cancellation and de-reverberation effects.
Plus, you can use Google’s AI-powered Recorder app, which is debuting with the new OS and has speech-to-text capabilities that can create transcripts labeling each speaker, as well as summarizing recorded content.
ChromeOS M130 also integrates presence effects into the platform’s video call controls, adds support for multiple calendars and allows you to move the picture-in-picture (PiP) window to one side of your screen to free up space.
Finally, if you have a Chromebook Plus device, you’ll be able to use an AI-powered feature called “Help Me Read,” which makes it easier to find information in any text you’re reading in your browser and gallery.