Latest Google Chrome update, version 32.0.1700.76, turns any Windows 8 PC into a Chrome OS enabled device. Back in October with the “dev channel” version of the web browser software gave as a preview of Google gearing up to further extend its Chrome OS with Windows 8. Today the search giant is releasing the final stable version of its internet software with the new users interface much like its Chrome operating system. In short, the next time you update the web browser, you’ll need to go to the menu and click “Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 Mode”, then the Chrome OS like environment will launch.
If you ever played with Chrome OS or you happen to own a Chromebook, everything you see will look very familiar. You can open multiple windows, you can snap web pages left and right, and you’ll also see the shelf (or taskbar) with icons to launch YouTube, Google Docs, Gmail, Google Search, and you will also see the app launcher, which will let you access to other services and Chrome extensions as long you’re signed-in.
The latest updates also ships with the noisy tabs features that allows you to visually find that one page that is playing videos, sounds, or it’s using the webcam.
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Although Chrome still a desktop application, Google has easily managed to take advantage of a Windows 8 feature that permits web browsers to run as a Windows 8-style app, though this feature doesn’t work with Windows RT — now you can see why.
It’s absolutely clear that Google plans includes to take advantage of every door open by Microsoft to promote Chrome OS and the cloud-powered apps that comes with it. And if you also notice this is another way for Google to slowly introduce its notebook operating system to users with the hope we someday choose a Chromebook instead of a Ultrabook.
Update: Quick update, if you look closely to at the experimental section of Chrome, you’ll also find out Google Now is also part of this release.
Source Google Chrome and Google Chrome Blog
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He's also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ & Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn.