ChromeOS 143: The Silent Update You Probably Missed
â–¼ Summary
– ChromeOS 143 is a quiet update focused on administrative and enterprise tools rather than flashy consumer features.
– It introduces better management for USB printers, allowing IT admins to target specific hardware and pre-configure print settings.
– The update pre-installs the AI video tool Google Vids for users on managed work or school accounts.
– It includes a small UI tweak for the Japanese virtual keyboard, adding a dedicated toggle for input modes.
– The release notes indicate future development, like Badge Authentication, will continue to prioritize enterprise and education sectors.
The latest update to ChromeOS, version 143, has begun its rollout, bringing a suite of under-the-hood improvements primarily aimed at system administrators and enterprise environments. For the average user checking email or browsing the web, this release will feel nearly invisible, continuing a trend of updates focused on stability and management rather than flashy new consumer features. It represents the essential, if unglamorous, work of maintaining a robust and secure platform for organizations that rely on it.
If you were hoping for a dramatic redesign or a groundbreaking new tool for personal use, you won’t find it here. ChromeOS 143 is very much about the boring-but-necessary plumbing of the operating system, refining the infrastructure that keeps devices running smoothly in schools and businesses. The most significant changes empower IT departments with greater control over local hardware and standardized workflows.
A major advancement for administrators is enhanced local printer management. Previously, centralized management was largely confined to network-connected printers. With version 143, administrators can now manage printers connected directly via USB. This allows for precise control by targeting specific Vendor and Product IDs, enabling organizations to strictly regulate which peripherals can be used. This is a crucial step for security and cost management in controlled environments.
Complementing this is the introduction of pre-configured print settings. IT staff can now preset or restrict options like paper size, duplex printing, color output, and DPI on a per-printer basis. While this may seem like a minor detail, it streamlines operations in fields like healthcare or logistics where consistent label formats and print quality are non-negotiable requirements, eliminating user error and saving time.
On the application front, Google is pushing its new collaborative tool. Google Vids, the AI-powered video creation application for work, is now being pre-installed for managed users. Anyone on a work or school account will find it readily available in the ChromeOS Launcher. This move signals Google’s ambition to integrate video creation as seamlessly as document or presentation editing within its Workspace ecosystem, though it holds little immediate impact for personal device users.
The only other user-facing adjustment is a subtle interface refinement for the Japanese virtual keyboard. ChromeOS 143 adds a dedicated toggle button on the keyboard interface itself for switching between Kana and Romaji input modes. This is a thoughtful improvement, particularly for devices operating in Kiosk mode where users need to change input methods without accessing the full system settings menu.
Future updates continue to spotlight enterprise needs. Release notes point toward “Badge Authentication” enhancements slated for ChromeOS 145, which will allow frontline employees in retail or manufacturing to unlock their devices or switch sessions with a simple tap of an ID badge. This forward-looking feature reinforces that the current developmental energy for ChromeOS is squarely directed at institutional, rather than individual, productivity.
(Source: Chrome Unboxed)
