ChromeOS update makes it easier to avoid distractions

Google has released ChromeOS M130 to the stable channel, which means an update is now making its way to your Chromebook if you haven’t gotten one yet. The latest version of the OS comes with a lengthy list of new features, starting with a Focus panel where you can quickly enable or disable Do-not-Disturb mode, create new or select from existing Google Tasks, as well as play music with focus sound or YouTube Music Premium if you have a subscription. Google is also making it easier to insert emojis, GIFs and even Google Drive links with the M130’s new Launcher + f shortcut. In addition, the Quick Insert physical key on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus will be available on more devices coming out next year.

To cut the time you need to find specific files, Google has added a Suggestions section in Tote, the space where you’ll find your most recently downloaded items and latest screenshots. You’ll now also be able to access all your starred Drive files right on the ChromeOS shelf, even when you’re offline. And if you want to pick up from where you’d left off every time you switch on your computer, then you can enable “Welcome Recap” in Settings, which will let you preview and instantly restore apps and tabs from your previous session.

In case you use your Chromebook to record videos or audio, you can take advantage of ChromeOS M130’s studio-style mic function that adds “advanced balancing, reconstruction of fine details and room adaptation” to the standard mic function’s noise cancellation and de-reverberation effects. Plus, you can use Google’s AI-powered Recorder app, which is debuting with the new OS and which has speech-to-text capabilities that can create transcripts labeling each speaker, as well as summarize recorded content.

The ChromeOS M130 also integrates appearance effects into the platform’s video call controls, adds support for multiple calendars and allows you to move Picture-in-Picture (PiP) windows to one side of your screen to free up space. Finally, if you have a Chromebook Plus device, you’ll be able to access an AI-powered feature called “Help me read” that makes it easy to find information in any text you’re reading on your browser and in your Gallery.