Do your Bluetooth voice calls over the web on a Chromebook sound like an old telephone call? That’s going to change with the addition of wireless wideband audio support, just added to Chrome OS 76.
Hangouts
Chrome OS 74 may address Chromebook slowness caused by Hangouts video chat
Have you experienced system slowness or an app crash when using Hangouts video chat on your Chromebook? A bug report shows a possible issue that’s being researched for a Chrome OS 74 fix.
Acer Chromebase 24v2 and 24vi debut for Hangouts, kiosks or business workstations
A pair of new Acer Chromebase devices with up to an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 are arriving this summer. These are ideal for group video, kiosks or business workstations in the enterprise although I know more than a few consumers that want a Chrome OS desktop.
Don’t expect to record audio or have Skype video chats using Linux for Chromebooks any time soon
Sound support is still in the works for Linux apps on Chromebooks, but the first function will simply be that: Sound playback. Audio recording is slated to follow and camera access — needed for Skype video — isn’t even on the roadmap yet.
Atlas and Nocturne Chromebooks may natively support Acoustic Echo Cancellation
Annoyed by hearing yourself echo on a voice or video chat with a Chromebook? That may be a non-issue going forward thanks to AEC support for Atlas and Nocturne.
4K Atlas Chromebook to use IMX208 front camera, supporting 1080p video chat
The 4K detachable screen of the unannounced Atlas Chromebook might wow your eyes but the 1080p-capabled IMX208 camera sensor should wow folks you video chat with.
Chromium team may bring VP8 hardware acceleration for Hangouts on Kaby Lake Chromebooks
Have you ever been in a Google Hangout video call on a Chromebook and watch the battery life quickly drop while the device gets really hot? That may change with hardware accelerated VP8 video encoding on Chromebooks with Intel Kaby Lake processors.
