Chrome OS 69 Brings New Look, Linux App Support

Chrome OS 69 is available publicly today for the first time, bringing the same Material Design Refresh that we saw in the Chrome web browser last month. This release also includes Linux app support on select Chromebooks and other new features.
“The Stable channel has been updated to 69.0.3497.95 (Platform version: 10895.56.0) for most Chrome OS devices,” Google’s Chrome Releases blog blandly announced today. “This build contains a number of bug fixes and security updates. Systems will be receiving updates over the next several days.”
The most obvious new feature is the Material Design Refresh, which adds curved user interface elements through the system, including the browser tabs and address bar, the notification pane, the slide-up Apps pane, and more. But Chrome OS 69 also includes other improvements. A limited range of Chromebooks can now run Linux apps. Other new features include:
- Files app UI refresh with new support for accessing Play files
- Native support for Team Drives in Files app
- Save Play app files directly to Files app via the share sheet
- Dictation into any text field, a new feature in accessibility settings
- Power state alerts for Kiosk apps
- Global text-to-speech settings
- Night Light
- Fast Access to Emojis
- OOBE visual improvements
- Swipe to close apps in Overview
- Tablet mode behavior unification
- Video capture service
- Fixes for the L1TF and Foreshadow vulnerabilities