ChromeOS 142 is here, continuing the trend of no new user-facing features

It’s that time again, and the next milestone update for ChromeOS is beginning its roll-out. ChromeOS 142 is now arriving on most devices. However, if you were hoping this would be the update that breaks the recent trend of no new front-facing features, I have some bad news.

Much like the last handful of updates to ChromeOS, this new version looks to be completely devoid of any significant, user-facing changes. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between 141 and 142 at a glance.

This appears to be the new normal for the time being. As we’ve discussed a lot recently, the ChromeOS team’s primary focus is almost certainly on the massive, foundational work required for the upcoming Android and ChromeOS merger. It’s understandable that resources aren’t being poured into developing new features for the “legacy” version of ChromeOS when such a huge transition is on the horizon.

You should still update anyway

Just because an update is boring doesn’t mean it isn’t important. While there are no new features to talk about, ChromeOS 142 is still packed with crucial security patches and bug fixes. We always recommend updating your Chromebook as soon as the new version is available to ensure your device is as safe and stable as possible. So, when you see that notification, go ahead and restart.

It’s also worth noting that this rollout doesn’t seem to be for everyone just yet. We’re noticing that a wide swath of 11th and 12th-gen Intel-powered Chromebooks (devices based on ‘Tiger Lake’ and ‘Alder Lake’) are still on ChromeOS 141 for the time being. This isn’t unusual, as different hardware boards (like the Kompanio Ultra devices in the last update) often have slightly different update schedules. If your device hasn’t seen the update, just be patient, as it will likely arrive in the coming days or weeks.