Google’s latest ChromeOS update is here (ChromeOS M128), and it’s bringing some pretty nifty features to your Chromebook. If you’re into keeping your workspace organized, copying text from images, or just tweaking your camera and microphone settings, this update has something for you.

First up, let’s talk about Snap Groups. This new feature is a game-changer for those of us who juggle multiple apps at once. It’s kind of like what Windows 11 offers with Snap layouts. With Snap Groups, you can now organize your apps into various fullscreen layouts with just a few clicks. It works just like the one in Windows: hover over the maximize button — and your apps are neatly grouped.

Next on the list is a cool upgrade for the ChromeOS camera app. It now comes with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capability. This means you can extract text from your photos, whether it’s from a letter or a document. Want to copy text from an image, search it, or convert it into a searchable PDF? You can do all that now. The OCR supports 77 languages and can detect text both horizontally and vertically. It’s turned off by default in photo mode, so you’ll need to switch it on if you want to use it.

For those using ChromeVox, there’s another helpful addition. The Magnifier tool now works seamlessly with ChromeVox, so when text is read aloud, the magnifier will follow along. This is great for visually impaired users who need to keep track of their place. Just keep in mind, that this feature is also turned off by default, and you’ll need to enable both Magnifier and ChromeVox in your settings to get it working.

Lastly, Google has made life a bit easier when it comes to managing your Chromebook’s camera and microphone. Instead of having to dig into privacy controls and app permissions separately, they’ve now added software permissions directly into the apps section of the ChromeOS settings menu. There’s also a new Auto Gain Control (AGC) feature that will automatically adjust your mic volume for better sound quality during calls. You’ll get a quick notification in the settings panel if AGC is adjusting your audio settings.