Google released a new beta version of Chrome OS to beta users on Wednesday. The beta version, 30.0.1599.30, adds drag and drop and text selection support for touchscreens, as well as a variety of improvements.
The Chromebook Pixel is currently the only chromebook that has a touchscreen, but that could change as Google improves touch on Chrome OS. Google has slowly added new touchscreen features since the launch of the Pixel. Touch gestures like Pinch and zoom have been previously added, but requires the user to manually enable them. That said, this may be an indication that they are readying more touch Chromebooks, so keep your eyes peeled.
François Beaufort, who is a Chrome OS enthusiast, recently previewed drag and drop functionality in a YouTube video, posted to Google+.
Google says that this beta "contains a number of bug fixes, security updates and feature enhancements." Below is the full changelog from Google"s Blogspot page.
- Audio source selector in the tray menu
- Quickoffice (Beta) editor for Word & Excel files on by default
- Improved UI for release channel switcher - owner accounts
- Touch enabled text selection on touch devices
- Touch enabled drag and drop on touch devices
- Connectivity diagnostics tool enabled on the Chrome offline page
- Ability to share folders and files from Files app
- Better sandboxing for Native Client
Source: Google Chrome Releases via Engadget