Google May Be Removing Chrome From ChromeOS

According to reports, Google has been making efforts for a considerable period to disentangle the Chrome browser from Chrome OS, which indicates that their project is now close to completion. The proposed solution appears to be a relatively new independent browser called Lacros, which is based on Linux and would replace the existing Chrome OS-based browser. Furthermore, it has been stated by About Chromebooks that Lacros is almost ready for widespread use.

Why does this matter? As it stands, you need a full Chrome OS update to make any changes to the browser. This is not the most efficient way to release browser patches, hence the years of searching for an untethering solution. Additionally, older Chromebooks lose access to system updates, so this change may make these machines more secure.

You can already use Lacrosse, but it runs alongside the built-in Chrome browser and requires quite a bit of know-how to get up and running. About Chromebooks, some small code changes were found that suggest Lacros is set to be the default browser for Chromebooks to be released, potentially removing the current browser entirely. This means that the new Chromebooks would have Lacros as a browser out of the box, allowing for browser-specific fixes and updates without an operating system.

These changes also seem to be coming soon, like really soon. All signs indicate that the next system update, Chrome OS 116, will bring Lacrosse into the mainstream. Chrome OS updates arrive about once a month, so probably late August or early September. It’s still unclear if the system update will make Lacros the default browser or if it will just remove restrictions on using Lacros instead of the default browser.

In the meantime, the latest Chrome OS updates have included Android app streaming and a powerful video editor.