Google ended up buying Neverware back in 2020 to bolster its presence in the desktop OS market.įor those looking forward to trying Google's new operating system, Chrome OS Flex is now available in preview. However, unlike Chromebook, Chromebox, and Chromebase devices, it appears that Chrome OS Flex users will not have access to the Google Play store.The Chrome OS Flex is essentially a rejuvenation of the CloudReady, a Chrome OS-based operating system owned by a company called Neverware.

IT administrators will also be able to manage Chrome OS Flex devices alongside regular Chrome OS devices, according to Google. The company says that Chrome OS Flex can be deployed quickly via USB sticks or network deployment, and a user's cloud profile, settings, bookmarks and policies will sync after they log in.Īs part of Chrome OS Flex, users will have access to the official Chrome browser, Google Assistant, and will be able to take advantage of cross-platform features with Android devices such as notification syncing. Chrome OS Flex will also offer proactive security with sandboxing and protection against viruses, ransomware, and phishing. Just like Chrome OS, the new operating system offers access to Web apps and virtualisation, boots up quickly, and offers background system updates, according to Google.

In a blog post, Google has detailed the new free-to-download Chrome OS Flex operating system that is built for businesses and schools.

Users will be able to download an early access version of Chrome OS Flex to their computers, or run it from a live USB, according to the company. The new operating systems will allow users to use some of Chrome OS' features including background updates, sandboxing, Web apps, and Android phone notification syncing.

The new version is created from the same code base as Chrome OS and will be released alongside the software that is available for Chromebooks and other Chrome OS machines. Google has introduced a new version of Chrome OS for older PC and Mac users called Chrome OS Flex.

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