The Beta channel for Chrome OS has been updated to 68.0.3440.34 (Platform version: 10718.29.0) for Chrome OS devices, Including the Pixelbook and Samsung Chromebook Plus. I explicitly mention these two devices as they were both previously blocked from the Beta update to 68.0.3440.25 (Platform version: 10718.22.0) – I wonder why?
Many users, including me, have been waiting to run Linux apps support on our Chromebooks on Stable and Beta channels and were hoping Chrome OS version 68 would bring it, as it is available in the developer channel. Project Crostini, allows you to run a full Linux virtual machine environment in sandboxed containers within the Chrome OS. Previously we have needed to run the Chromebook in Developer mode using Crouton, which is a much less secure method and also runs you the risk of accidentally wiping your machine. We have previously seen Project Crostini allowing Visual Studio Code to run on a Pixelbook, which is damn exciting 😉
Linux App support is now expected to be available in the Stable and Beta channels of Chrome OS version 69, according to a recent commit. If you want the Stable release then you are possibly looking at mid-September. Remember, you can also access this feature, Linux app support on Chrome OS, on Developer or Canary channels, but both are often quite unstable and I wouldn’t recommend either of them on a work device.
What to expect in Chrome OS 69
As I was previously salivating at the prospect of Project Crostini in OS 68, now I have to wait for OS 69. The usual bug fixes, performance upgrades are in the pipeline as some much anticipated features, as listed below:
Linux Integration in the Files App
If you are a user the Linux environment then you will appreciate its Integration into the Files App, meaning you do not need to drop into a Terminal in order to access Linux files.
USB access to Peripherals
You will be able to directly access USB peripherals in your Linux container.
Audio Support for Linux Apps
Your Linux Apps will have the ability to come alive and give you Sound. Yes, without it the experience can never seem like the full experience when only accessing visual.
There are lots of other features in the pipeline, such as GPU acceleration, Cloud sync and backup, and Support for FUSE filesystems, but there are no timescales when these will be released in a Stable Chrome OS release.
We will keep you updated with all the Linux App on Chromebook news 😉
