Get Early Access To Google's Free Chrome OS Flex: The Upgrade Windows PCs & Macs Have Been Waiting 4
Aug 24, 2023
Get Early Access To Google's Free Chrome OS Flex: The Upgrade Windows PCs & Macs Have Been Waiting 4
In This Video We Are Discussing About ► Subscribe me here : https://bit.ly/3dI03ff ► Follow me on Tumblr : https://www.tumblr.com/blog/runboxing ► Follow me on Twitter : https://twitter.com/Runboxing1 ► Follow me on Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/Runboxing1/ Get Early Access To Google’s Free Chrome OS Flex: The Upgrade Windows PCs \u0026 Macs Have Been Waiting 4 Click Here to Watch More Entertainment : ► Linux Videos : https://bit.ly/2Teia2U ► Buyer Guide Videos : https://bit.ly/35cUaTK ► Raspberry pi Videos : https://bit.ly/3jgfaxQ ► Review Videos : https://bit.ly/2HeIuYo ► Mozilla Videos : https://bit.ly/2IOi3JG ► Vpn Videos : https://bit.ly/3m3V23B ► Ipad Videos : https://bit.ly/34guh6d ► Mac Os Videos : https://bit.ly/37mPrBx ——Subscribe to stay up to date with the channel! —— Make sure to subscribe to the channel \u0026 select the 🔔bell push notifications (click the 🔔BELL icon next to the subscribe button) to be notified immediately when I release a new video. ✅ BE SURE TO LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS!!! If you watched this video and scrolled to the bottom and are reading this I would love to hear from you. If you have any questions give me a shout on social media \u0026 I’ll try and answer all the questions you might have. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time! Windows 11 is a really good operating system, but it is overkill for many home and education users these days. Not to mention, it can be risky to use since there is so much malware designed for it. Even for business, many companies are exclusively using web-based solutions in the browser, making Windows unnecessary for them. And so, Chromebooks are becoming more and more popular. They are affordable, easy to use, and extremely secure. If a company wants to switch to Chromebooks from Windows laptops, however, there is a big dilemma — what should be done with existing computers? After all, Chrome OS cannot be installed on computers that didn’t ship with Chrome OS, right? Well, actually, this is changing… Following Google’s 2020 acquisition of Neverware — a company that developed and maintained the Chromium OS-based CloudReady operating system — the search giant is putting that acquired technology to good use. You see, CloudReady is becoming an all-new operating system called “Chrome OS Flex.” What makes Chrome OS Flex so special? Unlike regular Chrome OS, this Flex variant can be installed on old Windows and Mac machines. In other words, a company can transform their existing laptops or desktops into Chromebooks or Chromeboxes. This won’t just save money, but it will help the environment by keeping some hardware out of landfills. “Chrome OS Flex has the same code base and release cadence as Chrome OS which ensures a consistent end user and IT experience. Chrome OS Flex delivers the official Chrome Browser, Google Assistant, and cross-device features in the same user interface as Chrome OS. And with Chrome Enterprise for Education Upgrade, IT can manage Chrome OS Flex devices and Chrome OS devices like Chromebooks side by side in the Google Admin console,” says Thomas Riedl, Google’s Director of Product for Enterprise and Education. Riedl adds, “It’s important to know that Chrome OS Flex is still in early access and available on the dev channel. It’s constantly improving, but you should expect bugs. A stable version of Chrome OS Flex will be available in the coming months, and at that time, CloudReady customers will be upgraded to Chrome OS Flex for free.” Chrome OS Flex seems pretty interesting — you can even run the operating system from a USB flash drive to try it before replacing Windows or macOS on your existing hardware. However, the experience will not be identical to a proper Chromebook — Chrome OS Flex does not currently have access to the Google Play Store and cannot run Android apps. Hopefully that changes in the future. If you want to try a pre-release version of Chrome OS Flex for yourself, you can sign up to test it #Cloudready #ChromeOS #ChromeOSFlex #Windows11 #LinuxBased Todays Video - Google’s Linux-based Chrome OS Flex is a huge threat to Windows 11, and Microsoft should be extremely worried!
Content
0.489 -> ♞ Coming up on 9TO5Linux ♞
18.449 -> Chrome OS Flex turns an old Mac or PC into
a Chromebook
63.86 -> If you wanted to use Google's system for the
web without having to buy a Chromebook, Chrome
72.289 -> OS Flex turns an old Mac or PC into a Chromebook.
77.74 -> Google's Chrome OS is a lightweight and secure
operating system that was originally built
87.979 -> around Google's Chrome browser, but has become
more versatile over the years with a built-in
103.17 -> file manager, media player, and other tools...
and optional support.
113.299 -> to run applications for Android and Linux.
120.38 -> However, most people using Chrome OS probably
bought a Chromebook with the operating system
134.56 -> pre-installed.
135.57 -> But now Google is making it easy to turn just
about any PC into a Chromebook with the release
154.81 -> of Chrome OS Flex .
158.86 -> Chrome OS Flex turns an old Mac or PC into
a Chromebook
172.04 -> Yes.
175.1 -> Chrome OS Flex turns an old Mac or PC into
a Chromebook.
187.93 -> Despite this, it is still unclear whether
all Chrome OS features will be available.
189.14 -> In a nutshell, Chrome OS Flex is a version
of Google's operating system that you can
190.53 -> download and install on virtually any PC or
Mac.
191.53 -> The operating system is free and receives
automatic feature updates and bug fixes on
192.53 -> the same schedule as the Chromebooks provided
with the operating system.
193.53 -> Chrome OS Flex is currently available as an
“early access” project, and Google notes
199.35 -> that users may notice some instability or
other issues.
207.26 -> But if that doesn't scare you, you can sign
up for a download link and installation instructions
219.55 -> to prepare a bootable flash drive that you
can use to test Chrome OS on your computer
221.04 -> before deciding whether to install the OS
from storage.
222.04 -> place.
223.04 -> Google is positioning Chrome OS Flex as a
solution for people with older hardware that
224.04 -> may have dated specs or compatibility issues
with newer versions of Windows or macOS.
225.04 -> And Google's timing looks particularly good
for people who may be using older Windows
226.04 -> PCs, as many of them don't officially support
Windows 11 (although Windows 10 will continue
227.04 -> to be supported until 2025).
228.04 -> Of course, there are other options – if
your old computer can run Chrome OS, it can
229.04 -> probably run Ubuntu or another GNU/Linux distribution.
230.04 -> But Chrome OS is simple, fast, and familiar
enough to millions of users who might not
231.04 -> feel comfortable learning about an operating
system that works just as differently than
232.04 -> most desktop Linux distributions.
233.04 -> There is also an option for a Chrome Enterprise
Upgrade, which will support network administrator
234.04 -> features including advanced security services,
controlled updates and granular device controls.
235.04 -> This can be useful for businesses, governments,
or educational institutions that want to repurpose
236.04 -> old hardware rather than investing in new
Chromebooks or other computers.
237.04 -> In fact, the corporate and education markets
are probably Google's main target for Chrome
238.04 -> OS Flex, but it's available for anyone to
use.
239.04 -> One thing to keep in mind, though, is that
while many Chrome OS features, including Google
240.04 -> Assistant and Phone Hub, are coming to Chrome
OS Flex, it's unclear whether support for
256.5 -> Android or Linux apps will follow suit.
269.099 -> As Android Police points out , none of these
were supported by CloudReady, the software
294.3 -> on which Chrome OS Flex is based.
306.9 -> And Google says Android apps aren't supported
by Chrome OS Flex either , while Linux apps
333.9 -> are only supported on some fully certified
computer models .
350.099 -> Chrome OS Flex is not an entirely new product.
366.309 -> It's the Google-branded version of CloudReady,
a service that lets you turn an old PC into
377.358 -> a Chromebook since 2015.
378.358 -> Google acquired CloudReady maker Neverware
in 2020 and last summer it became clear that
379.358 -> the company was planning to release its own
version of the software.
380.358 -> If you're intrigued by the idea of Chrome
OS Flex but don't want to risk running "early
381.358 -> access" software, Google says a stable version
of the software should be available in a few
382.358 -> months.
383.358 -> Google says that when Chrome OS Flex is stable,
people using CloudReady will automatically
384.358 -> upgrade to Flex, although there are some features
that advanced users might not consider an
385.358 -> "upgrade".
386.358 -> For example, CloudReady Home Edition currently
supports command-line access via a shell or
387.358 -> TTY, as well as the ability to disable rootFS
verification.
388.358 -> Chrome OS Flex does not.
389.358 -> Some other differences between CloudReady
and Chrome OS Flex include:
390.358 -> There is only one OS version, which means
there are no separate Home and Education & Enterprise
391.358 -> editions.
392.358 -> Chrome OS Flex uses the official Chrome browser
instead of the open source Chromium browser
393.358 -> Update cycle matches Chrome OS
Google Assistant, Family Link and Nearby Sharing
394.358 -> are supported
Google also notes that Chrome OS does not
395.358 -> officially support some hardware that may
be included with your old Mac or PC.
396.358 -> If you have a computer with a fingerprint
reader, IR camera for facial recognition,
397.358 -> active pen and stylus support, CD or DVD drives,
or Firewire or Thunderbolt ports, for example,
398.358 -> these features may not be fully supported.
399.358 -> :: More ::
400.358 -> Google’s free Chrome OS Flex can turn an
old PC into a Chromebook
401.358 -> Google describes Chrome OS Flex as a newer
version of its CloudReady technology.
402.358 -> Google has released Chrome OS Flex, a way
to take older Windows and Mac hardware and
403.358 -> replace the operating system, turning them
into Chromebooks.
404.358 -> It’s an interesting development given Windows
11’s strict hardware requirements, which
405.358 -> could leave legions of older PCs stranded
when Windows 10 goes end-of-life in 2025.
406.358 -> Although Google is calling Chrome OS Flex
an “early access” and “unstable” project,
407.358 -> the concept is intriguing: Instead of disposing
an old PC that’s nearing the end of its
408.358 -> life, you can turn it into a Chromebook instead.
409.358 -> Google has launched the new operating system
on its dedicated Chrome OS Flex site, though
410.358 -> you’ll have to sign up with an email to
receive download instructions.
411.358 -> Google appears to be positioning Chrome OS
Flex for a dual purpose: a way for consumers
412.358 -> to try out the benefits of Chromebooks, and
a way for enterprises to evaluate how well
413.358 -> they can be managed.
414.358 -> For example, a Chrome OS Flex “fleet”
can be managed with Chrome Enterprise Upgrade,
415.358 -> Google says.
416.358 -> If this all sounds familiar, you’re right:
Google bought CloudReady a few years ago,
417.358 -> and used that company’s work as a way to
turn laptop PCs into Chromebooks.
418.358 -> Google describes CloudReady as a “previous
version of Chrome OS Flex.”
419.358 -> “Google will automatically update CloudReady
devices to Chrome OS Flex, when Chrome OS
420.358 -> Flex is stable,” the company added.
421.358 -> Traditionally, DIY PC enthusiasts would either
leave an older PC running, scavenge it for
422.358 -> parts, or replace the Windows operating system
with a resource-light version of Linux.
423.358 -> Now, Google is offering them an additional
option: Replace Windows with Chrome OS, and
424.358 -> enjoy the benefits of that streamlined operating
system.
425.358 -> And that’s a point to be reiterated: Chrome
OS Flex doesn’t offer the ability to run
426.358 -> Chrome OS in a window or a virtualized environment,
a la the new Android apps for Windows.
427.358 -> Instead, it replaces Windows, and all of its
files.
428.358 -> On a support page, Google says that Chrome
OS Flex will be a more limited version of
429.358 -> CloudReady, at least for now: “Chrome OS
Flex will not allow some system-level access
430.358 -> currently available on CloudReady Home Edition,
including: command line access via shell and
431.358 -> command line access via teletype (TTY),”
Google says.
432.358 -> Don’t expect things to go smoothly, either.
433.358 -> “This operating system is still in early
access on the dev channel—you may experience
434.358 -> some instability,” Google says.
435.358 -> Installing Google Chrome OS Flex looks similar
to installing Windows 11 via installation
436.358 -> media on a new PC.
437.358 -> You’ll need a USB key with 8GB or more.
438.358 -> PCs will need at least 4GB of RAM and 16GB
of storage.
439.358 -> The CPU restrictions are more lenient: You’ll
need a 64-bit CPU, period.
440.358 -> Which is basically any processor made after
the year 2000.
441.358 -> There are GPU restrictions, though: Intel
GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware
442.358 -> do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards,
Google says.
443.358 -> The real gotcha, however, appears to be simply
in the diversity of compatible PC hardware,
444.358 -> and how it will interact with Chrome OS Flex.
445.358 -> Google has published a list of “certified
models” that are either currently certified
446.358 -> or planned to be certified with Chrome OS
Flex, and many, many of them are listed with
447.358 -> the caveat “minor issues expected” next
to them.
448.358 -> (“Models are likely to support at least
basic functionality, but are still being worked
449.358 -> on by our team,” Google says rather circularly,
in describing what “minor issues” might
450.358 -> mean.
451.358 -> “You might run into minor issues.”)
452.358 -> The certified models include both PCs and
Macs.
453.358 -> So why wouldn’t you want to install Chrome
OS Flex on an older PC?
454.358 -> Well, there is the substantial list of caveats
that come with the installation.
455.358 -> For one, forget Android apps, Google Play,
or Parallels Desktop support—that’s out,
456.358 -> Google says.
457.358 -> Google can’t manage firmware updates on
Chrome OS Flex devices, nor can it provide
458.358 -> verified boot capabilities.
459.358 -> ARM PCs?
460.358 -> Nope.
461.358 -> All this makes it seem like adding Chrome
OS Flex to an older PC is very much a “use
462.358 -> at your own risk” type of project—but
one that can still turn your older PC into
463.358 -> a Chromebook, for free.
464.358 -> It’s worth checking out before you toss
it out.
465.358 -> Thanks for watching,
466.358 -> I hope you enjoyed this video,
467.358 -> If you did hit that thumbs up button, it helps
me to make good content for you, other then
468.358 -> that, I will see you in tomorrow's video,
peace out.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQv-Tr-BPg