In late 2020, Google purchased the corporate Neverware, which had made a reputation for itself due to a product known as CloudReady that allow particular person customers or massive organizations flip previous Windows PCs and Macs into Chrome OS units. The thought was that in the event you had getting older {hardware} that wasn’t working Windows or macOS in addition to it used to, you can get extra life out of it by utilizing it as a Chromebook. CloudReady continued to be out there after Google purchased Neverware, however in the present day we’re getting our first take a look at an up to date model of the product that’s been within the works for the final yr or so.
It’s known as Chrome OS Flex, and it’s a rebuilt model of CloudReady that was constructed internally with entry to all of Google’s code and assets. The thought behind Chrome OS Flex is similar: you may go to an internet site, shortly make a Chrome OS picture on a USB drive, after which run that on a PC or Mac. If you resolve that you simply’re able to wipe the pc, you may then exchange the prevailing OS with Chrome OS and use the pc as a full-fledged Chromebook.
Anyone can attempt Chrome OS Flex in the present day, however Google is positioning the product extra in direction of companies and training establishments — one thing that the corporate already focuses on with Chrome OS extra broadly. As such, one of many massive advantages of Chrome OS Flex is that IT departments can handle the units similar to some other Chrome OS {hardware}. Flex might be deployed over a community to a number of units, and IT departments can handle every part by Google’s Admin console. Once Flex is put in, these units might be managed in the identical method some other Chrome OS {hardware} is, so IT departments can deploy particular software program installs or permissions.
Chrome OS Flex can also be extra succesful than the CloudReady product it can ultimately exchange. It makes use of the identical code base as Chrome OS, and Flex units will get software program updates concurrently (earlier than, Neverware needed to watch for Google to push out a Chrome OS replace after which make it work with CloudReady). Flex additionally has entry to the Google Assistant, a function constructed into hottest Chromebooks as of late and one thing CloudReady didn’t provide earlier than.
While Google is focusing Flex on companies and training, anybody can attempt it. You simply have to visit this site to create a bootable Chrome OS Flex occasion on a USB drive and go from there. As that is early entry software program, although, you’ll in all probability wish to do it on a pc that isn’t your important gadget. Google’s making the method of making a bootable drive constructed proper into the Chrome browser, too — the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension already allows you to make Chrome OS restoration media, and now a Flex set up shall be one of many out there choices.
One factor Google is being clear about is that this Chrome OS Flex launch is an “early access” product. They need folks to attempt it and provides suggestions, however are noting that there could also be bugs that also have to be squashed. A full, last launch of Chrome OS Flex is deliberate for Q2 this yr. For now, Google will proceed providing the steady model of CloudReady; as soon as Chrome OS Flex is last, CloudReady customers shall be transitioned over to Flex.
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