Google Chrome OS 100 update arrives with a start menu to rival Windows 11

Google wants in on the start menu action

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Google’sChromeOSforChromebookswas also updated to version 100, alongside itsweb browser, showcasing a new app launcher and other features.

In ablogpost, the company spoke of the app launcher being the headline feature here, with it moving from the center to the left of the screen, similar toWindows 11’s start menu.

Searching for a term also looks cleaner here, with results being shown in a list, with the choice to look at images or news on the query. But there’s also other features, such as being able to edit words with your voice and using thewebcamto create gifs of yourself.

These are promising features as we approachGoogle IO in May, and make us wonder if we’ll see some surprises at the event for Chrome OS.

Analysis: Strength to strength for Chrome OS

Around 2010, ‘netbook’ was a term that was associated with smaller-sized laptops that had a terrible battery life and slow speeds, with their only advantage being that they were available for a low price.

Tablets like theiPadwould push these out of the way, but Google saw another route in this area with its Chromebooks, which only run on ChromeOS and offered a majority ofAndroidapps.

These Chromebooks have only gotten better in recent years, especially for those who only do work on Google’s apps. In certain places of work, employees are given Chromebooks as their sole machine, mainly due to their solid battery life and being able to easily access their work email, spreadsheets and documents throughG Suite.

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With Chrome OS reaching version 100 and Android 13 fast approaching, we can’t help but wonder if there’s going to be some announcements made at Google IO in May. Whether that’s in gaming or a dedicatedPixel tabletthat runs on Chrome OS instead of Android, it looks to be an encouraging time if you’re all in on the Google ecosystem.

Daryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time, he’s written a book, ‘The Making of Tomb Raider’. His second book, ‘50 Years of Boss Fights’, came out in 2024, with a third book coming in 2025. He also has a newsletter called ‘Springboard’. He’s usually found playing games old and new on his Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and MacBook Pro. If you have a story about an updated app, one that’s about to launch, or just anything Software-related, drop him a line.

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