ChromeOS 135 is here with some surprising updates

It’s been 4+ weeks, so that means a new ChromeOS update is beginning its journey to the Stable Channel. Rolling out now, ChromeOS 135 (M135) brings a handful of useful additions and refinements to Chromebooks and, notably, ChromeOS Flex devices as well. As always, keep in mind that these updates roll out progressively, so it might take a few days before it lands on your specific device. Let’s dive into what’s new in ChromeOS 135.

Fluoride Bluetooth Stack Expands to ChromeOS Flex

Back in ChromeOS 122, Google began transitioning standard ChromeOS devices to Fluoride, the Bluetooth stack used in Android. Now, that same upgrade is making its way to ChromeOS Flex installations. The goal here is improved Bluetooth reliability and compatibility. The good news is this transition should be seamless; existing paired devices will be preserved, and connections should work without interruption upon login.

If you do run into any unexpected Bluetooth hiccups on Flex after the update, Google encourages filing feedback. There’s also a flag available as a temporary workaround if needed: navigate to chrome://flags/#bluetooth-use-floss and disable it to revert to the previous stack (BlueZ).

Image Content Search Arrives in the Launcher

This is a potentially handy feature for ease of organization. Instead of relying solely on remembering file names, ChromeOS 135 introduces the ability to search for images based on their content directly from the Launcher search bar. If you’re looking for that picture of a dog but can’t recall what you named the file, searching for “dog” should pull it up. I’m very interested to test this one out and see how effective it is in daily use.

Fast Pair Comes to Mice

Fast Pair has made connecting Bluetooth headphones and earbuds incredibly simple on ChromeOS, and now that convenience is extending to mice. With ChromeOS 135, if you have a Fast Pair-compatible mouse, simply bringing it near your Chromebook should trigger a notification prompting you to pair it with a single click. It’s a small touch, but one that further streamlines the setup process for many users.

Mouse Keys Accessibility Feature

Improving accessibility is something Google is constantly working towards, and to that end, M135 adds the Mouse Keys feature we’ve talked about before here at Chrome Unboxed. This allows users to control the mouse pointer using the keyboard’s numeric keypad. It’s designed specifically for individuals who may have difficulty or experience pain when using a traditional mouse, offering an alternative input method. To try it out, head to Settings > Accessibility > Cursor and touchpad > Mouse keys and try it for yourself.

Face Control Enhancements

For users utilizing the Face Pointer accessibility feature introduced in ChromeOS 134, Google has made some usability improvements. It should now be clearer when the feature is active, with a prominent message displayed directly in the UI that includes a convenient button to quickly turn it off. Additionally, users will now receive a notification when Face control is initially activated. These changes should make the feature’s status more transparent and easier to manage.

You can check for the update by heading to Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates. As mentioned, the roll-out is gradual, so don’t worry if it doesn’t appear immediately.