Chrome OS receives Aura UI update

Google’s Chrome OS may have won over hearts due to the simplicity of its concept, but the browser-only interface doesn’t appear to be cutting it anymore. 

Announced via the Google Chrome Blog, a new Chrome OS update (version 19.0.1048.17) is now being rolled out to Chromebooks running on the dev channel. The update adds a variety of new features, most significantly, the new Aura UI. Traditionally, Chrome OS has relied solely on the included browser, but now the OS can utilize multiple, simultaneous, overlapping windows that each support multiple tabs. In addition, the OS now includes a Windows-like taskbar for shortcuts and bookmarks, and a status bar that displays the time, date, battery life, etc…

While the new UI is the biggest addition in the new update, other goodies also include support for .tar, .gz, and .bzip2 files, an improved audio and video player and enhanced support for multiple monitors. Sadly, the update will only be coming to the Acer AC700 and Samsung Series 5 Chromebooks, and the Cr-48 won’t be supported. On the other hand, Google still plans on supporting their original Chromebook with future updates, and it was only skipped over this time around due to “platform considerations”. 

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