Chrome and ChromeOS will soon be upgraded to version 107, with their share of new features. Presentation of the most important.
Google updates Chromium as regularly as a Swiss cuckoo clock. Every month a new version of the browser, with new features and other changes for everyone. Chrome 107, in particular, focuses on Chromebooks with ChromeOS 107, including Stage Manager-like camera functionality and the ability to shut down your computer without putting it to sleep.
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New features in Chrome 107
Google’s latest browser update, Chrome 107, is probably already installed on your machine. A rather light update which however brings some novelties.
Google’s new CDM is officially rolled out
Chrome 107 is the first version of the browser to include Google’s new Content Decryption Module (CDM). A CDM makes it possible to play content under DRM. Without the CDM, you wouldn’t be able to watch Netflix, since the browser would be unable to verify that you have the right to watch the content.
Chrome and Chromium-based browsers currently use the Widevine CDM, but it will soon be replaced by the American giant’s. Chrome 107 is just the start of this big change. Other Chromium browsers will get it from November 15. On December 6, the Widevine CDM will no longer work. You will need to have updated by then to watch DRM content.
Reduction of the user-agent
Google continues its project to reduce the user-agent. The goal is to reduce the amount of user data in the “user-agent string,” which normally lets servers and networks know about your application, operating system version, and other server information. identification. Trackers can use this information to track you and build profiles of you.
With Chrome 107, Google is entering Phase 5 of its plan. This will ultimately better protect our identity online.
New Features in ChromeOS 107
Google is focusing more on Chromebooks this time around.
Camera Framing
Anyone with a relatively new Chromebook and iPad will appreciate this change. ChromeOS 107 offers Camera Framing for compatible devices, a feature that uses software to track your head movements during a video call. It’s very similar to Apple Center Stage, making it easier to keep eye contact with each other during your calls. If your Chromebook is compatible, you’ll see a window appear to enable the feature. This will also be accessible from the quick settings.
Close the Chromebook without putting it to sleep
If you’re an administrator on your Chromebook, you can choose to disable the feature that automatically puts the device to sleep when you close it. If you just need to transport it, but want to leave some processes running, you’re saved.
Updates in virtual desktops
With ChromeOS 107, Google is introducing several updates to its virtual desktops. First of all, it becomes possible to merge offices. Handy for doing some housework. In addition to the X to close a desktop in the overview, you will now see a merge icon that will merge this desktop with the one to its left.
It also becomes possible to save a desktop for later, sometimes for those times when you want to clean up a desktop temporarily without losing its contents. The “Save desktop for later” button in the overview allows you to save what you were doing for later.
Long press to access secondary keys
Chromebooks will soon have the ability to access secondary keys, such as accents and special characters, by long-pressing the corresponding keys. This feature is in testing in ChromeOS 107, but you can enable it now. In your browser, enter the address chrome://flags#enable-cros-diacritics-on-physical-keyboard-longpress and press Enter. Enable the setting, restart the browser and try.
Privacy Indicators
Like on macOS, ChromeOS will soon show you when an app is using your webcam or mic. You’ll soon be able to test this via a setting in the Canary channel, which means you’ll need to download Chrome Canary if you haven’t already.
