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The Gallery app on Chrome OS is one of the few native apps to remain since Google launched the operating system nearly a decade ago. Much like the file manager, its existence seemed like an afterthought, collecting dust as the company continued to roll out updates to the operating system. Although it has undergone a major visual overhaul and name change to “multimedia app” in 2020, it still lacks essential photo editing features. However, that will change soon, as Google is experimenting with three new features that will really add value.
As seen recently in the Chrome OS Canary channel, the new Media app brings a slew of quality of life features, such as annotation tools, EXIF support, color filters, and edits. subtle features of the user interface that make it even more useful. Some of these features require the activation of a Chrome flag, which you can test right now (to some extent) on the Dev channel. If you’d rather not play around with your Chromebook, here’s a handy rundown of the changes you can expect in the near future.
Annotation tools
After years of half-baked implementation, Google is finally the addition of a suitable image annotation system in Chrome OS. To start doodling on your photos, you need to enable chrome: // flags / # media-app-annotation. After restarting your Chromebook, you will be able to access the new annotation tools from the Media app toolbar. Let’s take a closer look below.
Doodling on an image using the annotation tool.
Annotating an image with the new tool is extremely easy. The drawing instruments are neatly organized on the right side of the Media app. You have access to three media: pen, highlighter and eraser. Ink sizes vary from “extra fine” to “extra thick”, and a small handful of color choices. I noticed almost zero latency when drawing from my Pixelbook Pen, which matches the inking performance of Chrome Canvas. After using it for a few days, I find it incredibly useful for taking notes after taking a screenshot. You can also annotate PDFs in the Media app if you enable chrome: // flags / # media-app-pdf-in-ink, but I recommend using Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer or the Android Squid app instead.
Color filters
Need a quick way to apply Instagram-esque color filters to your photos? The native Media app will soon offer a variety of overlays to add a touch of drama to your photos. To try out the color filters, select “Activate colorFilterTool” from the Experiences menu of the media application.
A handful of color filters to choose from in the Media app.
The app offers twelve different filters ranging from monochromatic to vibrant color. Interestingly, the filters offered are identical to those found on the web version of Google Photos, except for the absence of an “Auto”, which I find useful for some images. although I Probably won’t use this feature, I can see it’s useful in a pinch.
EXIF support
Being able to read camera metadata in Chrome OS is a feature I’ve been waiting for forever. As Google recently added EXIF support in File Manager, it was only a matter of time before developers introduced it to the Media app. Like color filters, EXIF support can be enabled by going to the “Experiences” menu in the Media application, then selecting “Enable displayExif”.
The feature doesn’t work in the Media app yet, but I imagine the layout will be similar to the one found in the Chrome OS file manager. There may be a line for image dimensions, camera brand, settings used to capture the image (aperture, ISO, lens size, etc.) and location of the camera. Photo. While digging through the “Experiences” menu, I found an intriguing string called “Enable saveExif”, which could allow you to change the metadata information on photos when the feature starts working.
After many years of neglect, I am happy to see the Media app receiving the attention it deserves. With these three features coming soon, the new tool is fast becoming the great photo viewer and editor that Chrome OS sorely needs.
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