ChromeOS 129 Rolls Out with Exciting New Features

Google is rolling out ChromeOS 129 with new features such as Quick Insert menu, Welcome Recap, and Focus. The Quick Insert key is exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus but can be accessed on other devices through a Launcher key + F shortcut. It allows users to access various tools including Help me write, emoji and GIFs, browsing history, Google Drive search, calculations, unit conversions, specific dates addition, and caps lock enablement.

Other features include Live Translate in Live Captions for video calls and YouTube videos with support for over 100 languages, a Welcome Recap on startup which opens previous windows and apps (can be disabled), a bottom row displaying weather, calendar events, Drive file suggestions, and suggestions from other devices. The zoomed-out Overview mode also shows these suggestions.

The new Focus Tile in Quick Settings turns on Do Not Disturb for a set period, integrates with Google Tasks to select a list item, plays Focus sounds or a calming YouTube Music playlist. Other features include the use of PIN in all authentication surfaces across ChromeOS, control over display and keyboard brightness through the Settings app, improved Welcome Experience for peripheral configuration, and the Select-to-Speak keyboard shortcut (Search + s) working without prior enablement in settings.