Google 's recently released Chrome OS version 103 now gives users the ability to share content between Chromebooks and Android devices. As the company announced at CES , you'll now have instant access to the latest photos you took with your phone from your Chromebook, even when you're offline.
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When you take a photo with your phone, it will automatically appear in the Recent Photos section of Phone Hub, which allows you to control some of your mobile device's features from your laptop . You'll need to click on the image to download it, though it's a more user-friendly option than going to the Google Photos website or emailing a photo to yourself .
There's also now a way to connect a Chromebook to the internet faster. If you're trying to connect your laptop to a WiFi that's already saved on your Android phone, you can use Nearby Share. Go to the WiFi Network tab in your phone's Internet settings. After selecting Sharing, you can tap the Nearby and select the Chromebook you want to connect to. The Chromebook will then automatically access the internet and save your login credentials.
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Additionally, Google revealed that the Chrome OS Screencast app it announced earlier this month will begin rolling out this week. You can use it to record, trim, and transcribe videos.
Later this summer, Chromebooks will gain fast pairing support for hundreds of Bluetooth, including, of course, the Pixel Buds. Fast Pair will save the headphones to your Google account so both your Chromebook and your Android phone can quickly connect to them.
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Google said it will release more features to make Chromebooks and Android devices work better together later this year. The company is looking to take a page out of Apple with updates like these. Apple has long offered deep integration between its devices, including features like Wi-Fi password sharing and iCloud, which helps it keep people more invested in its ecosystem.
