Google takes a few pages from Apple’s book with the release of Chrome OS 103.
The company says (Opens in new window) that the operating system update will introduce the ability to automatically sync photos and share Wi-Fi settings between a Chromebook and a paired Android smartphone. The first sounds a lot like iCloud Photos, which syncs images between Apple devices, but Google actually plans to make the feature much more powerful than the competitor’s offering.
“With the latest update, you’ll now have instant access to the latest photos you’ve taken on your phone – even if you’re offline,” says Google. “Once you take a picture of your phone, it will automatically appear in the Phone Hub on your laptop under” latest pictures. ” Just click on the image to download it, then it’s ready to be added to a document or email. “
The company’s response to sharing Wi-Fi settings between devices seems a little less convincing. Google says users will need to follow a multi-step process on their Android phone to share information on a nearby Chromebook; Apple’s proposal encourages users to share a Wi-Fi password if their device is unlocked and connected to the network in question.
But Google is planning another trick for Chrome OS. It’s called Fast Pair, and the company says it will allow the Chromebook to “automatically detect when a new pair of Bluetooth headsets is turned on, nearby, and ready to set up.” The devices can then be paired with a single touch (or touch) of a pop-up that appears when these conditions are met.
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“Whether you want to use new headphones to watch videos, join a virtual meeting or listen to music, Fast Pair will do it without a hitch,” says Google. “This feature will be compatible with hundreds of different headset models – and it counts.” The company says it plans to release Fast Pair in a separate Chrome OS update “later this summer.”
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