ChromeOS 130 brings enhanced recorder, studio-style mic, reading aid, PiP docking, and Google Discover redesign
ChromeOS 130 is now available, delivering a range of new features and enhancements, especially for Chromebook Plus devices. This release introduces several improvements across productivity, audio, display settings, and privacy, making the user experience smoother and more intuitive. Here’s a closer look at what’s new in ChromeOS 130:
Enhanced Recorder App with Real-Time Transcription
All Chromebooks now include a Recorder app that offers on-device transcription. This real-time transcription activates after downloading a 100MB model. The app is designed with a dual-column Material You interface, allowing users to capture audio from their devices seamlessly. For Chromebook Plus users, a more advanced 2GB model provides additional features, such as a three-point summary and title suggestions for recordings, making organization and review easier.
Studio-Style Mic with Enhanced AI Noise Control
ChromeOS 130 adds a new “Studio-style mic” feature for Chromebook Plus devices, bringing professional-level audio quality to online calls. Using advanced AI, this microphone setting simulates the quality of high-end microphones by enhancing noise cancellation and de-reverberation effects. Users who have already enabled noise cancellation will automatically receive these new features by default, but they can choose to switch back to standard noise cancellation in Settings > Device > Audio if desired.
The Studio-style mic feature is available through video call controls in the Shelf. Additionally, new “Appearance effects” adjust lighting and brightness, enhancing overall video call quality.
Help Me Read: Summarization and Question Tool
ChromeOS 130 introduces “Help me read,” an accessibility feature allowing users to right-click on websites and PDFs for quick summaries or to ask questions about the content. This tool can help simplify complex material, providing a brief overview or more details on the topics within.
Docked Picture-in-Picture (PiP) for Flexible Viewing
The Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature has received an upgrade, enabling users to dock PiP windows on the side of the screen, which only shows a slim portion when not in use. A double-tap allows for easy expansion and minimization, making PiP more versatile than before.
Multi-Calendar Support in Google Calendar
ChromeOS 130 also introduces multi-calendar support, allowing users to view events from several calendars in Google Calendar. This integration helps users keep all their commitments in view without switching between accounts or tabs.
New Keyboard and Display Controls
In Settings > Device > Keyboard, users now have a slider to adjust the backlight brightness and an option to enable or disable the ambient light sensor, offering more control over display preferences. Likewise, similar settings are available under Display to control screen brightness, enhancing accessibility and personalization.
Improved File Suggestions and Access in Tote
ChromeOS 130 updates Tote with enhanced suggestions, making it easier to access files stored locally and on Google Drive. This new feature recommends important files and allows users to pin them for offline access. Additionally, starred Drive files can now be accessed directly from the Shelf, streamlining file management.
Enhanced Privacy Controls for Microphone and Camera Access
ChromeOS 130 includes improved privacy settings, making it easier for users to control OS-level privacy options for camera and microphone access. This update helps users understand and manage permissions across ChromeOS and the Chrome browser, ensuring privacy remains front and center.
Google Discover Tests Material 3 Redesign for a Fresh Look
Google is currently testing a Material 3 redesign of the Google Discover feed, visible on the latest Google app beta (version 15.43). This new design introduces cards that contain individual content items and make images taller, giving the feed a less cluttered appearance. With a single overflow menu per card, users can access “Save” and “Share” options more conveniently. Additionally, certain cards show the topic at the top with a “+” button for easy following, refining the experience to feel more organized.
With this update, ChromeOS 130 reinforces Chromebook’s utility, accessibility, and user control across work and leisure settings, making it a valuable release for all ChromeOS users.
Google is working on Android 16, and while big changes are still under wraps, some small updates have already been noticed. These tweaks may not seem major, but they can improve how users interact with their devices.
One of the changes spotted in the Android 16 Developer Preview is the return of the status bar clock to the left side of the screen. This layout used to be common before Android 9, but later Android versions placed the clock on the right. Now, with the new preview, the clock moves back to the left, which could make room for more icons and make the status bar easier to read—especially on phones with notches or punch-hole cameras. However, this change might not be final, as Android is still being tested.
Another interesting update is in the Android terminal tool. A new feature allows users to resize disk partitions without needing a full system reboot. This could be very helpful for developers and advanced users who need to change storage settings quickly. Instead of restarting the device, the system now supports live resizing in many cases, which saves time and effort.
Overall, Android 16 is shaping up with some practical improvements that focus on convenience and better user experience, even in the smaller details.
YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.
Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.
You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.
This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.
So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.
Android
Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes
Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.
At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.
These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.
Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.
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