Chrome OS 75 may bring more improvements than initially anticipated after startup somewhat and changes spotted in Reddit suggesting that Android apps for cloud services could soon have their own directories in the Files app. Simply put, after updating to Chrome OS Dev Channel version 75.0.3770.19, Reddit user 'reiji_tamashii' noticed that at least one app, Synology's cloud storage solution, is now showing a synchronized folder inside the Chromebook's File Manager app.
The change was reported later in the developer channel with other storage-based cloud-based Android apps with the notable exception of Dropbox. The exception appears to be the result of not fully implementing Dropbox for Google's DocumentsProvider API, which is being used to enable the feature but the company is said to be considering adding support.
This means that users may soon be able to break free from using Google Drive as their only cloud storage option on heavy web laptops and other Chrome OS devices. Most importantly, as long as the appropriate Android app is installed, the associated cloud storage folder appears to appear automatically - eliminating the setting required to use some of the less suitable Android options out there.
Some of the options tested with the update include the Box.com app as well as Microsoft's OneDrive app.
Tucked behind the flag ... now
At the moment, and only in the developer channel release of Chrome OS 75, it appears that the ability to work locally with secondary file storage solutions based on a network is associated with a single signal setting. This means that it does not work by default yet and requires users to go to the hidden menu in "chrome: // flags" and then enable a certain setting so that directories appear in the files.
The flag in question is found under the heading "ARC DocumentsProvider Integration", which links to the aforementioned API. Toggle the flag from "default" to "enabled" in the dropdown menu and then restart Chrome OS to activate the feature. Any new supported directories should appear under the Google Drive directory within the Files app.
Will this arrive?
There is no way whether or not this will eventually end in Chrome OS 75 or whether it will push back to Chrome 76. The latest version of Dev Channel for the OS has already been updated with its launch today, version 76, which is being delivered immediately. Essential bug fixes and security with no clear indication of any new features.
In fact, Chrome OS 75 was initially scheduled to go live on June 11, following the June 4 desktop systems update - which was immediately followed by a mobile browser update. Although the release schedule for any of Google's updates is generally temporary at best, it is not unusual for the company to hold out for too long or to remain mum due to the reason for the delay.
The delay appears to be related to Google's recent decision to effectively abandon development of its hardware on Chrome OS tablets or Android tablets entirely. Although we continue to develop bug fixes for Chrome OS tablets and support gadgets in the future, the change in focus may have halted some development on Chrome OS 75 as resources are reallocated to the transformation account.
Google's current dashboard for Chromium releases shows that the iteration of Chrome OS 76 is scheduled for August 6th. And that's a week after the scheduled landing of other platforms and after more than a month from today, which should allow Google plenty of time to collect things and release an update to version 75 for Chromebook users.
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