This week in Chrome OS: Chrome hardware update

We’re back after a week off. Samsung largely dominated the tech news last week, so there wasn’t much to say about Chrome. Let’s take a look at this week in Chrome OS. This week we have several interesting Chromium commits to look at for upcoming features. Not only is the Chrome browser undergoing hardware design changes, but Chrome OS adds some useful new features to better integrate with Android.

There have also been a few new Chromebook hardware announcements and leaks, especially when it comes to HP. We expect this trend to continue for about the next month or so as we head back to school. We’ll talk about some of the upcoming devices and preview what else might be on the horizon. I will also give a brief fact sheet for my ASUS Chromebook CX9 review, as well as a comparison to the Galaxy Chromebook 2.

I decided to rearrange the column format a bit, so that you can find what you want to read. Going forward, we’ll start with upcoming Chrome features / updates, move on to hardware announcements, and then end with random bits that don’t belong anywhere else. Let’s go.

Upcoming Chrome OS Features / Updates

Chrome materials makeover

We’re all aware of Google’s efforts to revamp the material design in Android 12, so it makes sense that they continue those efforts in other products. Originally spotted by Kent Duke at Android Police, the Chrome browser gets a makeover with fewer blue accents.

This new Chromium Gerrit commit adds styling updates to Chrome preferences, bookmarks, downloads, extensions, and history. You can activate the changes using the flag:

chrome: flags # webui-branding-update

It seems that this flag mainly affects the style of the bright theme in Chrome. If you use dark mode, the changes are a little less noticeable. There is a slightly higher contrast in dark mode, but much less noticeable than the change from blue to white in the light theme.

Nearby sharing integration in Android apps

The integration of Chrome OS with Android is gradually improving. It is already possible to receive all notifications and messages on your Android phone in Chrome OS. Now Google is preparing to add Chrome OS Nearby Share in Android apps.

We initially spotted this Chromium Gerrit commit earlier this week. The commit shows that Nearby Share is tested in Android apps. It looks like the developers have already tested the feature on the Hatch and Eve Chrome platforms. Obviously, that would make it much more convenient to share content on your Android phone with a Chromebook nearby. Adding a sharing option in apps will also encourage users to use nearby sharing more often, as it is currently not that easy to use.

We don’t know exactly when Nearby Share will be available in Android apps, but we’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on this feature in development.

Chrome OS gets a Windows-style positioning menu

In another interesting Gerrit commit, it looks like Chrome OS will soon get a Windows-style menu to control window position. This commit is not detailed, as it is the first commit for the new feature. We would expect this to look like the Windows menu below.

Obviously, this feature will be tested using a Chrome indicator, so we will have the opportunity to test it eventually. This is a welcome feature because Chrome OS is not the most intuitive for controlling and repositioning windows. We will continue to monitor this for further developments.

This week in Chrome OS: hardware

HP develops Alder Lake c1030

Our friends at Chrome Unboxed have discovered evidence that HP is working on an Alder Lake version of the premium Chromebook c1030. This hardware discovery also comes to us by examining a Chromium commit. It appears that Alder Lake’s new model is codenamed Redrix internally.

We know it will be an update to the c1030, the commit says it by indicating that both devices have the same design. This is very exciting because the c1030 is one of the best Chromebooks around. An update for aging processors would be welcomed by many HP fans.

HP Pro c640 updated for 2021

The HP Chromebook Pro c640 was recently refreshed for 2021. You get newer 11th gen Intel processors and the price is also under $ 849. It’s not a much bigger upgrade, but the price cut is substantial. The 2020 model of the Pro c640 cost over $ 1,000, which is pricey even for a business device.

If you’re a corporate customer, this is a solid upgrade for interns. The version has not been updated and the original dark display (250 nits) also does not appear to have any improvements. Still, the Tiger Lake chips and Iris Xe graphics definitely make it an impressive device from a performance standpoint.

ASUS launches rugged detachable for education

ASUS has launched a landing page for the all-new ASUS CZ1 detachable Chromebook. This device is identical to the detachable ASUS CM3 Chromebook, except for some new robust enhancements. This is a clear game for the education industry, with a durable rubber pad and 3D texture for easy grip.

Inside, the ASUS Chromebook CZ1 features the same MediaTek Kompanio 500 as the CM3 and Lenovo Duet. It also comes with 4 GB of RAM and two types of storage of 64 GB or 128 GB of eMMC. It has the same 1920 x 1200, 16:10 display, a garage stylus, and a single USB-C port. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack, something that isn’t included in the Lenovo Duet.

A good thing about the CZ1 is the inclusion of a keyboard case in the purchase price. Many detachable devices have an optional keyboard case, but for an educational device it’s good to see everything in the box when you buy it. The keyboard case also has a touchpad, something ASUS omitted from previous detachable keyboards. There’s no pricing just yet, but it looks like a great device for K-12 students.

This Week in Chrome OS: Random Bits

I encourage everyone to check out my full review of the ASUS Chromebook CX9, it is definitely the best Chromebook one can buy right now. I also did a full comparison with the CX9 and the Galaxy Chromebook 2, two devices that are similar in many ways. Currently, the CX9 has replaced the Galaxy Chromebook 2 as the Chromebook of choice for everyday use, mostly thanks to the keyboard.

Hopefully, we’ll start hearing more information about Vulkan support on Chrome OS as we get closer to Borealis becoming a reality for Chrome OS. Until then, there should be a lot of interesting material to look at. Personally, I hope Google surprises everyone and releases a Pixelbook Go successor in October. Let me know what you’d like to see in a new Pixelbook in the comments.