Eric Zeman / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google may very well be very near separating the Chrome browser from Chrome OS.
- Code references counsel that this variation may come to customers quickly.
- This might permit the Chrome browser to be up to date independently of Chrome OS.
We’ve identified for the previous few years now that Google was working to decouple the Chrome net browser from Chrome OS itself. This mission, dubbed Lacros, would see Google ditch the built-in Chrome browser in favor of a standalone Linux-based Chrome browser.
Now, About Chromebooks (h/t: Chrome Unboxed) reviews that this course of may get underway for customers quickly. The outlet noticed a number of code modifications suggesting that you simply gained’t need to manually allow the standalone Lacros browser in Chrome OS 116. The outlet additionally famous that they may not manually allow the standalone browser on a tool working the Chrome OS 116 beta.
It’s additionally value noting that earlier variations of Chrome OS allow you to run each the common Chrome browser and the Lacros browser on one system. Nonetheless, the outlet enabled a flag on the Chrome OS 116 beta to make Lacros the one browser on the system, and it certainly leads to just one browser being current on the pc.
Why ought to we look ahead to this?
Kris Carlon / Android Authority
Taken collectively, this means Google could be very near decoupling Chrome from Chrome OS. And there are a couple of the explanation why it is a large deal.
This transfer would permit the Chrome browser to be up to date independently of Chrome OS. Browser updates at the moment require a full system replace, so the brand new strategy would permit for sooner browser updates in idea.
Decoupling Chrome from Chrome OS may theoretically have constructive safety implications for older Chromebooks too. Gadgets that not obtain system updates wouldn’t obtain Chrome browser updates. However the brand new strategy signifies that the browser can nonetheless be up to date to patch flaws and introduce new options, even if you happen to’re caught on an outdated Chrome OS model.
In saying so, we’re guessing that this separated browser/OS expertise requires a latest model of the platform within the first place. So that you won’t need to dig out your Chromebook from 2013 simply but.
