These days we get to see regular improvements in the functionality and performance of Chromebooks. Google has been making leaps and bounds in improving the functionality of these devices and redefining their potential. The benefits they bring, the programs they offer, the capabilities they offer, and the way they interact with Android to offer a more cohesive ecosystem are redefined every year.
Over the years, Chrome OS has earned pretty bad reviews from its users that discourage others from trying it. However, they were all just outdated myths that arose when Chrome OS was initially released. Today, Chrome OS is much more capable, powerful, and competitive. It’s emerging as a tough competitor to Windows.
With its regular updates and additions, Chrome OS has become a much cooler operating system. Read on to find out about all the new best Chrome OS features that you may not have heard of yet.
Best Chrome OS Features that You May Have Not Heard of Yet
1. Wireless File Sharing
Our top favorite feature in Chrome OS is wireless file sharing. Having been in development for a long time, it is a Nearby Share system that lets you send and receive files wirelessly between your Android devices and Chromebooks, as well as between two Chromebooks. It is a recently released feature that not many people know about.
Wondering how it works? Simple! Follow these steps:
- Click on the clock at the lower right corner of your screen to open the Chrome OS Quick Settings panel.
- Click on Nearby Visibility to open the Nearby Share Settings configuration tool.
- Make sure your Chromebook is visible to all your friends or to some friends whenever the screen is on and the Chromebook is logged in. You can also choose to make your Chromebook visible to anyone for 5 minutes.
- Once you enable Nearby Visibility, grab your Android phone or Chromebook and share a file by using the in-app sharing method. You will see the Nearby Share option on Android in your system’s sharing interface. Your Chromebook will also appear as an option to share your files.
- To send something from your Chromebook to an Android device or another Chromebook, open the Files app and select the desired file.
- Click on the share icon at the top of the window.
- Select Nearby Share and make sure that the receiving device is visible.
And that’s how you can share your files between your Chrome OS devices and Android devices wirelessly. No need to plug in any cords.
2. Calendar View
Over the years, Chrome OS has actually lacked a basic calendar as a part of its interface. This is especially bizarre if you think that Google actually runs the calendar app that we all use, known as the Google Calendar. But fortunately, that has changed.
Google actually realized that a calendar integrated into the desktop interface for Chrome OS devices had been missing. Now you can have the calendar view on Chrome OS. It only takes six seconds to have a full month’s overview, as well as add the data right into the taskbar area on your Chromebook.
Here’s how you can do it on your Chrome OS device:
- Enter Chrome:flags in your browser’s URL bar.
- Now type calendar at the top of your screen in the search box that pops up.
- Select the box next to the line “Productivity experiment: Monthly Calendar View.” This would change the status to Enabled from Default.
- Now click on the Restart button at the bottom of your display.
Once your Chromebook powers back up, you will be able to view the date in the bottom right corner of the display. Click on the date and then select the date in the Quick Settings panel that appears. You will be able to view your monthly calendar.
3. Better Grammar
This one is for all the grammar nazis out there! No matter how much of a grammar nazi you are, there are always times when you end up missing a comma or misspelling a word. It’s only human. To fix these errors and ensure that your typed text is flawless, there is already a grammar corrector on Gmail and Google Docs.
However, when it comes to typing text anywhere else, you are basically on your own. The latest Chrome OS has a great new way of checking your grammar anywhere you type on the web, be it a random website or a content management service of your company. It alerts you to fix any problems before it is too late.
Whenever this virtual editor identifies anything wrong, it shows a blue dotted line below that word to notify you. When you click on this text, you will see a suggestion to fix your word and save your honor. The best part about this editor is that it works perfectly well both offline and online. So you can rest assured that this system will have your back even when your Wi-Fi does not.
4. Web-Wide Search System
Do you ever google something, click on a link, realize that it doesn’t have what you are looking for, and then go back to check another link from the search results? Well, you are not alone. However, there is a new Chrome OS feature that has to do with the same problem. Once you enable this feature, you will realize what was really missing from your life.
Known as Side Search, this feature shows a new icon in your web browser’s URL bar that only pops up whenever you have searched anything on Google. Once you click on that icon, you will see a little Google-themed “G” in the top left corner of your screen, right next to the commands for a refreshing, moving forward, or moving back.
Right there, you can see a sized-down view of the similar search results that you were looking at a few moments ago. You can look at them for as long as you want while each page opens up inside the same frame automatically.
To enable the Side Search option on Chrome OS:
- Enter Chrome:flags in your browser’s URL bar.
- Now type side search at the top of your screen in the search box that pops up.
- Go to Side Search and change its settings to Enabled from Default.
- Now, hit the Restart button to ensure that the changes apply.
Whenever your Chromebook restarts, run a random Google search to check if the feature is working. Once you search for something on Google, find the “G” icon in the opt left corner of your browser so you can activate the new panel after clicking on anything from the results.
Remember to run a regular Google search after your Chromebook is back online. You can then look for the “G” icon. It should be in the upper-left corner of the browser. Once you find it you can click on one of the search results and activate the panel. Make your search experience much smoother by enabling this feature on your Chromebook.
Conclusion
So these are some of the newest best Chrome OS features that you should check out. Make sure to make the most of these features to enjoy a much more refined experience on your Chrome OS device.