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Chrome OS Revamp Delivers a New Look and Linux App Support (engadget.com)

Posted by msmash on from the how-about-that dept.

Google has released a Chrome OS 69 update that introduces a range of new features. From a report: Most notably, there's now support for running Linux apps. You'll need a supported machine (a handful of machines from Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Google itself). Still, this could be more than a little helpful if you want to run a conventional desktop app or command line terminal without switching to another PC or a virtual environment. The new software also adds the long-in-the-making Night Light mode to ease your eyes at the end of the day. Voice dictation is now available in any text field, and there's a fresh Files interface that can access Play files and Team Drives.

30 comments

  1. Linux app support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This sounds like the makings of a gaping security hole.

    1. Re: Linux app support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, the code of conduct calls that an infeasible potential release candidate. Security is a bad word.

      And hole, do not get me started. That is denigrating

    2. Re:Linux app support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the only holes allowed in a chromebook are those built-in by google.

      voice enabled at any text field means google will always be listening... on top of the metrics and user data gathering that it's always had that would make any TLA jealous as hell.

    3. Re: Linux app support by greenfruitsalad · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Only temporarily. Remember that chromebooks only get 5 years of support. Then you're supposed to throw them in the ocean and buy a new one. On top of that, only a subgroup gets android app support, of which only a subgroup gets linux container support. The fragmentation is as bad as on android. F*ck em. I have chromebooks at home and i love them, but my 5 years of support are almost over. The hardware is capable but planned to be obsolete. I'll give Neverware Cloudready a go when that happens but ive tried it elsewhere and there are some bits missing + it's not meant for chromebooks.

    4. Re: Linux app support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yep. I have an acer chromebook 11 core i3 4005u that still absolutely crushes 90% of the chrome books out there plus it had a real m.2 ssd, so I've added a nice amount of storage to it plus croutonized it immediately... Nice little machine with a keyboard barely larger than many tablets and nearly infinitely more useful.

  2. Gaming on Chrome OS by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    one of the things I'm wondering is if stuff like PUBG and Fortnite will see native Chrome OS support. One of the things that keeps folks on Windows is gaming, but in 2018 there's a lot of folks who just play one of the big multiplayer titles.

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    1. Re:Gaming on Chrome OS by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Are there any chromebooks with enough GPU to play those games decently at native resolution?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  3. It's the Three E's by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Embrace. Extend. Extinguish.

  4. c6gunner IMPERSONATING me again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    c6gunner your FAKEname's on a post impersonating me & worse is you altering /. user's words https://linux.slashdot.org/com... as I challenged you to show you do better work and you can't after you tried to mock me you hypocrite LYING loser https://linux.slashdot.org/com... .

    * You're online FAKENAME trash c6gunner & a childish dishonest punk.

    PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH TOO saying what I don't on spectre/meltdown https://tech.slashdot.org/comm... & I haven't had a MacOS X version recompiled for me yet (I don't own a Mac but I have a friend who does & can code (to a good extent, good enough to load FreePascal 3.0.4 + patches & Lazarus 1.8.2 IDE for it in 64-bit to do so but he is a BUSY guy, just waiting on him for it to do this as a FAVOR to me...))

    APK

    P.S.=> Impossible to deny FACT of your FAKEname (for your FAKE wasted lie of a so-called life) on that 1st post link above you unbelievable loser... apk

  5. supported models by fibonacci8 · · Score: 2

    Chromebooks using Intel’s BayTrail do not include VT-x. Yes, normally this CPU includes VMX, but the variant in Chromebooks does not. Thus, unfortunately, they'll never be supported.

    Currently running GalliumOS on a Gnawty BayTrail. It does include VT-x. I can enable and use the features in virtualbox. I'm curious who wrote that bit of the page listing currently supported chromebook models.

    --
    Inheritance is the sincerest form of nepotism.
  6. Following Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Chrome is getting worst with each release. stop fucking with the interface.

  7. What is the use case for Chrome OS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why would a person run Chrome OS instead of some native Linux distribution? There are no native applications for Chrome OS, and it is just a Linux with Google's spyware added on top of it.

    1. Re:What is the use case for Chrome OS? by Xord · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You already know the answer to this. A lot of non-technical people just want to get stuff done without worrying over little detail about how the device works. The recent TV ads I have seen for Chromebooks ask the question "Have you ever wanted your PC to be as simple to use as your phone?". Like it or not, that's an awfully big market.

  8. Chrome OS is worthless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Chrome OS is Google malware that won't even run software people want to use.

    It's also a super duper secure operating system. Not quite as secure as a worthless brick but right up there. It'll certainly keep you safe from the last vestiges of Google's competitors.

    Saying Chrome OS looks different and runs Linux apps is pointless. Nobody cares not even the last remaining single solitary user of this most useless malware.

  9. The master is always the master by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One OS to rule them all!
    "Linux on Windows 10: Microsoft releases new tool to get more distros on Windows"
    https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-on-windows-10-microsoft-releases-new-tool-to-get-more-distros-on-windows/

  10. Re:Fuck Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey pal you came to the wrong part of town with that attitude. Now you better leave right back where you came from.

  11. Linux desktop? by Bradmont · · Score: 1

    So at this point, what is the difference between ChromeOS and a regular linux machine? It's looking more and more like Linux with an Android compatibility layer.

  12. Oh great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So now Google are trying the Embrace Extend Extinguish business practice too! Wonderful!

  13. Finally... by TuringTest · · Score: 2

    This is the year of Linux on the desktop! :-P

    --
    Singularity: a belief in the "God" idea with the "demiurge" relation inverted.
  14. Crouton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess that google missed that over the last half decade or so... Or you could roll your own...

  15. No Linux Apps support for G Suite users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you are G suite user then you don't have the option to enable Linix Apps. There is simply no option (yet?) onadmin console to enable it. Again Google did great job to penalize its paying customers.

  16. There are but they're pricier by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    than the sub $200 ones, and there's no clear indication which is which. You might spend $300 and get decent performance or $500 and get a dog. What's needed is somebody to market it. If I were Samsung I'd partner with Epic to release a Fortnite themed Chromebook.

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