ChromeOS gets better multitasking and Wi-Fi traffic prioritization

The latest version of ChromeOS (M124) is with some interesting updates, including faster split-screen setup and a new web traffic prioritization feature. The update also brings other updates like a Settings UI update and updated gesture controls.

Judging by the screenshots published by 9to5Google, the new “Faster Split Screen Setup” feature will be familiar to Windows users. Once you place an app on one side of the screen, previews of other apps appear on the other side – choose one and it will be pinned there for you. Before this update, you had to navigate to the other app and repeat the side-by-side pinning process, so this should remove some of that friction.

9to5Google writes that options for this feature can be found at Settings > System Preferences > Windows and Tables.

Google has also added Wi-Fi quality of service (QoS) to ChromeOS. The idea, like the QoS feature of routers, is that your Chromebook prioritizes things like video calls and online gaming when your Wi-Fi network is congested. If it works well, it could mean higher quality video calls, less buffering while streaming, and smoother online gaming.

In the “things no one asked for” category, ChromeOS now supports carrier lock – so wireless companies can sell you a Chromebook that you can only use with their service. In theory, when you pay off the laptop or the contract ends, your carrier will unlock it, which I’m sure will always happen without a hitch.

Lastly, this update brings a redesigned ChromeOS Settings app, packed with stuff you design from Google and structured more like smartphone settings menus, according to Chrome without box. The agency reports that there’s also a new 2-finger trackpad gesture to remove notifications and that ChromeOS now supports enabling the ability to pan, tilt, and digitally zoom, even on Chromebook webcams that don’t support Super-Res Zoom.

Like most of its updates, Google doesn’t release versions of ChromeOS all at once, but it says version M124 will be coming to compatible Chromebooks “in the coming days.” To check for the update, look for the “Update available” notification or go to Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates.