All in all, Better Together seems more like a branded bundle and simple setup of currently existing features. That’s not a bad thing as many Chromebook users likely don’t know about or use features like Instant Tethering, SMS integration and Smart Lock.
Browsing: Android
Last month, I reported on an experimental picture-in-picture (PiP) feature that I used on my Chromebook. Google will enable the PiP API by default with Chrome version 69, and not just for Chromebooks. It will also be available in the Chrome browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. And eventually, Chrome for Android support will follow.
This doesn’t quite look like the “Better Together” service I reported on earlier in the month, however, Google announced Android Messages support for the web today. The feature will allow Chromebook users and those on desktops to send, receive, and reply to messages directly in the browser.
Google recently added both Android and Linux files to the native Chrome OS Files app but don’t get used to it if you have this feature. Google Drive is getting moved down the tree while Android and Linux files gain more prominence.
Hot on the heels of news indicating that Chromebooks will eventually support Project Fi and eSIM capability, Google is looking to bring Android Messages support to Chrome OS devices.
Similar to how enterprise users can manage access to the Play Store, Google is working on a method for controlling children’s use of Android apps on Chrome OS. It’s just a first step though, providing or revoking access to starting Android apps.
First we got Linux files appearing in Chrome OS and now we have experimental access to our Android app files. One quick setting change now shows user-accessible Android folders in the native Files app on a Chromebook.
Although Toshiba is out of the Chromebook business, many folks do still have a Toshiba Chromebook 2. The latest Chrome OS update reportedly brings Google Play Store support to the 2015 model.
Android apps running on Chromebooks can now see their data stored on a memory card in the Chrome OS Beta Channel. Writing files isn’t working consistently but this is a step forward for conserving local storage on a Chromebook.
Unless (or until) the native Chrome OS Files app gains access to the Android file system, Solid Explorer is a good choice for data management on a Chromebook if you want more access to your Android files.