The most conspicuous change in ChromeOS 117 is the revamped Quick Settings menu. In place of circular icons, items are now presented within large rounded rectangles. This design alteration aims to reduce pagination and create a more streamlined user experience. Here, users will find convenient buttons for enabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cast Screen, among other functions.
The contents of the Quick Settings menu may vary depending on the type of Chromebook you own and the installed software. For instance, a VPN entry may be present on some devices, while others, like the Chromebook Spin 714, offer options for Accessibility features.
Notably, the volume and brightness sliders have been enlarged, facilitating smoother touchscreen adjustments. Two new tools make their debut alongside these sliders. The top icon, dedicated to Audio settings, allows users to fine-tune microphone and speaker input and output. It’s also the control center for activating Live Captions. Just below that, users can configure display settings, including enabling the Dark Theme or manually activating the night light.
Dynamic Color Theming and Accessibility Upgrades
ChromeOS 117 introduces Dynamic Color theming, offering users a choice of “one of four accent colors” based on their wallpaper, adapting to light or dark themes. Alternatively, users can opt for “more basic neutral colors.” These theming options are conveniently accessible in the Settings menu under the Personalization section.
In the realm of accessibility, Google has enhanced its menu by adding filters tailored to users who are color blind. These filters include options for deuteranomaly, which enhances green visibility, and protanomaly, which makes reds more vibrant. Additionally, users can opt for the Grayscale filter to remove all color from their Chromebook display.
Adaptive Charging for Prolonged Battery Health
One noteworthy addition to the ChromeOS 117 update is Adaptive Charging. This feature regulates charging speeds, slowing down once the battery reaches 80 percent to preserve the device’s long-term battery health and its ability to hold a charge over time. However, it’s important to note that not all Chromebooks will receive this feature with the update.
Other Notable Changes
Beyond the Material You redesign and Quick Settings overhaul, ChromeOS 117 includes several security fixes, introduces time-lapse video recording within the Camera app, and enables the ability to join video calls directly from the on-device calendar.
While the exact timeline for the rollout remains uncertain, Google has stated that not all Chromebooks will be immediately eligible for the update, but eventually, they will receive it. Keep an eye out for the patch, which can be installed by navigating to the Settings menu and selecting “About ChromeOS” at the bottom. Stay tuned for an enhanced Chromebook experience with ChromeOS 117.
