Chrome OS update turns Chromebooks into scanners - Ars Technica

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Chromebook cameras just learned some new tricks, as Google started pushing out Chrome OS 96 on Tuesday. As detailed by a Google blog post, the update brings the ability to use your camera to scan images and convert them into PDFs or JPEGs.

If your Chromebook has a webcam and front-facing camera, as the HP Chromebook x2 does, you can use the feature with both cameras. Chrome OS Software Director Alexander Kuscher explained how: "Open the Camera app and select 'Scan' mode. When you hold out the document you want to scan in front of the camera, the edges will be automatically detected."

Enlarge / Scan mode turns printed documents into PDFs or JPEGs.

Google

You can share the resulting file through the standard mediums, like email. You can also distribute the scanned document to other Chromebooks and Android devices via Nearby Share. Similar to Apple AirDrop, Nearby Share lets you quickly send data through Bluetooth, WebRTC, or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. Google first brought Nearby Share to Chromebooks this June.

Google threw a bone to people who connect external cameras to their Chromebooks, too. Users can now use the operating system's Pan-Tilt-Zoom feature with a virtual D-pad that lets you "crop and angle your camera view exactly how you want it," Kuscher said, and the device will remember your preferred settings across apps.

Enlarge / Set your preferred angle across apps.

Google

GIFs en route

Kuscher said that next year, Google will add the ability to turn short videos into GIFs.

The company is also currently beta testing a feature that lets you control the Camera app, including opening it up, through Google Assistant.

More changes

Chrome OS 96 brings further changes to the Google operating system that were not detailed in the blog post. The updated OS adds a way to toggle each app's notification settings, 9to5Google reported. Instead of navigating to Quick Settings, you can now go to Settings>Apps and flip a switch for your programs.

Additionally, Chrome OS 96 lets you pick whether links open in-app or in the Chrome browser. Head to the "Opening supported links" section under "Manage your apps."

Finally, the Wallpaper app got a dedicated icon so that it's no longer relegated to the desktop's right-click menu.

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