ChromeOS 125 comes with tons of new features

Right on schedule, it looks like ChromeOS 125 will roll out across the board (except for a few stragglers still waiting for the latest update), and that means a bunch of new features are on the way for your Chromebook after you receive the download and reboot your device.

For a change, there’s nothing in this update that should come as a huge surprise after yesterday’s announcements surrounding Google’s latest Chromebook event. We have an entire post dedicated to the new features Google promised in New York, and from what we can tell so far, almost everyone is here and ready to try this update. Some features are clearly intended for Chromebook Plus devices, so there will be certain things that only users with Chromebook Plus certified devices will see.

What’s new in ChromeOS 125

Since there are no official release notes yet, we’re doing away with the Chromebook event from last week and the list of new features in the Explore app. The list is pretty extensive and we cover most of this stuff in our video yesterday, so I’ll keep it short.

Chat with Gemini: Chromebook Plus devices now have Gemini on the shelf for more direct chat access. You can use Gemini to spark your ideas and get help thinking, planning, studying and more.

Help me write: The long-awaited Help Me Write tool is here to help you write and/or copy using Chromebook Plus. Whether you’re writing a blog post, composing a review, or coming up with catchy social media headlines, you can get writing help right where you need it: just a right-click away.

Magic Editor: In the Google Photos app for ChromeOS, you can now use the Magic Editor to move objects, resize things, change the sky, improve lighting, and more. Just open a photo, select the Magic Editor button at the top and away you go. Google has even included some useful keyboard shortcuts for easier editing on Chromebook.

AI wallpapers and backgrounds: Another long-awaited AI capability is now here for ChromeOS with AI-generated wallpapers and backgrounds. Whether you’re looking for a unique wallpaper for your device or to set the right mood for a video chat, these wallpapers are interesting and unique.

Game dashboard: Game Dashboard makes it easy to add keyboard input to Android games, capture and record your gameplay, and share your recordings with others. To access the dashboard menu, tap the window bar in the game window (or press SEARCH + G) to see all the options available to you in the game.

Google Tasks in Quick Settings: You can now access and add to your Google Tasks from your Chromebook’s shelf, just above the quick calendar. Tasks added from Gmail on your phone will sync to your Chromebook. Just tap a date to see your calendar and Google Tasks checklist, and you can switch between your to-do lists by tapping the down arrow to switch between them. For that matter, this is the only new feature I still don’t see on my devices, but it could also be a server-side issue.

GIF recorder: I like this little feature. Baked right into the screenshot feature, you can now toggle the record button to shoot GIFs instead of video. It makes a quick clip from a YouTube video or movie an absolute breeze, and it’s sure to be super handy for WhatsApp chats.

I’m sure there are other little things hidden throughout the OS, but this is a lot of new stuff in one update! Fortunately, everything is shipping on time and on schedule to match the new hardware we’re already seeing on store shelves. And I’m happy that – for the most part – this launch is well-coordinated and doesn’t promise features that are months away. Today they are here, ready to use and each very helpful in their own way.