Google Chrome OS 64 announced; check out the new features and security fixes

Google Chrome OS 64 is here and it comes with a slew of new features as well as some general security fixes and performance improvements. The build is expected to reach the devices in the coming days. The latest version of Chrome OS has added a new shortcut for screenshots among other features. The update has also made some system-level optimizations to give users a better Android app experience.

As stated earlier, the Chrome OS build 64.0.3282.134 brings along a shortcut for screenshots, mainly aimed at users of convertible Chrome OS devices. If you own a touchscreen based Chrome OS device, with this new feature you will be able to capture screenshots just by pressing the power button and volume button together. This is similar to how you take a screenshot on your Android phone or tablet.

Besides this, the new Chrome OS also improves the way of handling Android apps. As such, it adds enhancements to the existing protected media pipeline for Android as well. Also, there is now an option to enable a VPN for Google Play apps and an Intent Picker for Play apps to enable a "same window by default with override". Moreover, the update brings Android Container Auto Update optimizations and touchscreen pairing settings.

Other than the new features, the Google Chrome OS 64 addresses some security issues. For instance, it comes with fix for the potential side-channel attack techniques particular to the dangerous Spectre vulnerability. Google released the patch for Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities in the previous version of its Chrome OS.

Another major feature included in the latest version of Chrome OS is the support for running multiple Android apps simultaneously in the background. This Split View is aimed to improve multitasking on supported devices. This feature was earlier spotted in the Chrome OS 64 beta version. However, half of the Chromebooks available in the market doesn't offer support for Android apps.

Furthermore, the Google Chrome OS 64 comes with a three-layer protection to prevent websites with ad abusive experiences. There is a better pop-up ad blocker along with a barrier for third-party iframes to stop malicious auto-redirects from any third-party content that is embedded into Web pages.

Finally, the latest version also enables sitewide auto-muting setting for providing a more consistent media autoplay behavior for Chrome OS users.