ChromeOS M137 Released: New Face Control Policy and Additional Features

Google Launches ChromeOS M137: Key Updates for Users and IT Admins

Google has officially rolled out ChromeOS M137 to the stable channel, introducing targeted enhancements tailored for both end users and IT administrators. Among the standout features is a new policy designed to streamline the management of large groups of Chromebooks, facilitating smoother administration across schools and organizations.

Enhanced Control with FaceGazeEnabled

Building on previous updates in ChromeOS M135, the Face Control accessibility tool has received a significant upgrade. The newly introduced FaceGazeEnabled policy allows administrators to easily toggle the usability of this feature for all devices under their supervision. This enhancement comes as part of Google’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility in educational and corporate environments.

Introducing Crosstalk Cancellation for Superior Audio

Users will also appreciate a novel audio enhancement called crosstalk cancellation, aimed at significantly improving sound quality through the Chromebook’s built-in speakers. This sophisticated feature processes audio in a way that creates an immersive, surround-sound-like experience, making it particularly effective for multimedia tasks such as watching movies or playing games that utilize directional audio. The impact of this feature is most evident in scenarios where sound positioning is crucial.

New Accessibility Tools: ChromeVox Improvements

In tandem with these audio enhancements, additional accessibility tools have been introduced. The widely-used ChromeVox screen reader now features a direct keyboard shortcut— Search + O + C—that allows users to display spoken text as braille captions on a connected device. This is a welcome improvement for individuals who rely on braille for reading digital content.

Simplified Troubleshooting for IT Administrators

IT administrators can breathe a sigh of relief as the update introduces a new event-based log collection mechanism. When activated, this system automatically uploads relevant logs for specific failures, such as operating system crashes or unsuccessful updates. This targeted logging minimizes the time spent sifting through extensive data, providing IT professionals with focused reports on issues.

Enabling the New Log Collection Feature

To set up this new feature, administrators can follow these steps:

Activate the Device system log upload setting.
Enable OS update status reporting. For the Report device OS information option, select OS update status.
Turn on device telemetry reporting for crash information. For the Report device telemetry setting, select Crash information.

To maintain system efficiency, Google limits these targeted log uploads to a maximum of twice daily per device.

Gradual Rollout of the Update

As is typical with software releases, the update is being distributed gradually. If your device has not yet received ChromeOS M137, exercise patience. This phased approach enables Google to identify and rectify any potential issues prior to a wider deployment.

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