The latest update to Chrome OS – Stable channel 69.0.3497.95 – has added a host of new features built in, including bringing the Linux Beta option which has been present as Project Crosstini on Dev and Beta channel to supported devices on the Stable Channel offering access to Linux based apps and functionality.
Back when Chromebooks first hit the retail market, it didn’t take long for developers to figure out the pathway to get Ubuntu on their machines via Crouton, but Linux Beta support adds support for a far higher level, allowing you to run Linux apps from containers with the additional functionality available through a couple of very simple steps:
- Go to Chrome OS Settings
- Open the Linux Beta Tab
- Turn on the functionality
The download will take a while, even on a decent connection but adds a great deal of functionality and the ability to add Linux applications to your device. Even if it’s only to get access to a handful of favourites, its quick simple and well worth the effort.
Among the other updates and features added are the usual security updates, some fixes and functionality additions for Chrome OS tablets and a host of other improvements which (on my Chromebook and current review Chromebox) has improved performance noticeably.
The full change log for Chrome OS is available here
There was already a lot to like with Chrome OS, but with further functionality being added that requires less technical nous to access – it’s continuing to get better.
What functionality needs to be added to Chrome OS for you to accept it as a daily driver?
To answer what does Chrome OS need to be my daily driver; I want to see Valve and Google work together to officially bring Steam Link/In home streaming to Chrome OS.
As a dad and a husband I can’t just lock myself away in a study all the time, sometimes I’d like to sit in the couch with a Chromebook, headphones, and a controller playing Steam games at full quality.
Like Ubuntu Live, the first requirements are native browser and native offline office suite. Firefox can be forfeited for the Chrome, but offline native LibreOffice in this Linux environment thingie would be handy. That would make it at par with Ubuntu Live ( that happens to be single DVD binary compatible with thousands of different models ). It (Chrome OS)’s still an installed operating system and that’s just sitting duck for millions of vectors that reside for life ( however anyone claims that they’re the next trust worthy thing ). Live DVDs don’t gather viruses beyond a reboot. They should… Read more »
You can install and use Libre Office under Linux for ChromeOS. I’ve used it. Works well enough.
Interestingly, ChromeOS 69 brought Linux to the Samsung Chromebook Plus, but not the material redesign.
Whereas the Chromebook Pixel LS got the material design, but not Linux.