Google has started the rollout of Chrome OS 96, and this build turns the cameras on a Chromebook into a document scanner and a QR code reader among other things. The popularity of Chromebooks has skyrocketed lately, and Google has made sure to keep it that way with the steady addition of new features to Chrome OS. Just over a month ago, Google added more human-sounding voices for the Select to Speak accessibility feature.
This was preceded by a slew of new features to improve the virtual classroom experience. To start, Google Meet was graduated to a pre-installed status for Chromebooks and a useful Tab Search feature arrived. More importantly, Chrome OS gained support for eSIM functionality, making it easier for users to switch carriers without going through the hassle of handling a physical SIM. Google also rolled out PIN logins for education users, introduced a new panning method for the native full-screen magnifier, and added a very helpful Everything Button as well.
Now that Chrome OS has clocked a decade’s worth of shelf life, Google is releasing a slew of new features that make the cameras on Chromebooks even more useful. To start, the built-in camera on a Chromebook can now be used to scan a document and instantly turn it into a JPEG image or a PDF file. In a neat touch of convenience, both the front and rear cameras of a Chromebook can be used for scanning documents. To do so, the native camera app on Chrome OS devices has added a new Scan mode and, making the process even easier for users, the software can automatically detect edges and perform the requisite cropping. Once the document has been scanned and converted into an image or PDF, users can choose to share it via Nearby Share, email attachment, or whichever medium they prefer.
Making Chromebook Cameras More Versatile
Another neat feature making its way to Chromebooks is support for camera adjustments. For users who rely on an external webcam for better quality videos and photos, they can now take advantage of the new Pan-Tilt-Zoom feature in the camera app. Cropping the view and making the necessary angular adjustments are all saved as a preference, which means they will automatically be applied the next time the user launches Google Meet or any other camera-centric application. The onboard Chromebook camera can also record videos and enable a self-timer, and all the captured media is neatly saved in the dedicated “Camera” folder inside the Files app.
In terms of the future, the company is experimenting with Google Assistant integration for the camera app. Users will be able to dole out voice commands such as “Hey Google, take a selfie” or “Hey Google, record a video” to get the job done. In addition, Google says it will soon allow Chromebook users to capture five-second clips and instantly turn them into a GIF.
Source: Google