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Chrome OS is getting full-fledged Linux apps
Google Chrome is getting a big upgrade with the ability to run Linux apps, with a preview set to be released on the Google Pixelbook today before rolling out later to other models, according to a report from VentureBeat.
It's a major addition to Google's web-based operating system, which up until now has offered web-based Chrome applications and, more recently, the ability to run Android apps. But the option to run full-fledged Linux software marks the first time that real desktop applications have come to Chrome OS.
According to Chrome OS director of product management Kan Liu, users will be able to run Linux tools, editors, and integrated development environments directly on Chromebooks, installing them from their regular sources just like they would on a regular Linux machine. According to Liu, "We put the Linux app environment within a security sandbox, running inside a virtual machine," with the apps running seamlessly alongside Android and web applications on Chrome OS.
(Score: 3, Informative) by DannyB on Thursday May 10 2018, @02:27PM
One other piece of info you didn't ask for.
Google maintains the Chrome OS image, for different models of chromebook.
The BIOS has an unconventional UI. It tells you how to completely reinstall Chrome OS. Use another computer to go to this URL, and download the image for the following 16 digit model number. Then "dd" that image onto a USB stick. Then pick reinstall (or whatever it is called). The BIOS verifies that this USB stick image is the real deal, and then fully re-installs the OS totally wiping everything. This option is useful if you repartition the SSD and install, say Ubuntu, directly onto the hardware.
If you still have Chrome OS, rooted or not, the Settings have an option called "PowerWash". This does effectively the same thing, but from a write protected copy of the OS. If you take the machine apart (but nobody would do that!) there is a certain screw you can remove to un-write-protect that copy of the OS.
You really do own the machine. Can do literally anything to it. Yet can reinstall or PowerWash it back to factory fresh. Quite a refreshing change from Microsoft OSes that stopped providing reinstall media a long time ago.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.