Last week, Chrome OS 88 started distributing to users around the world. This update includes some useful features up front for users, but the new Chrome OS screen protector is arguably the most talked about. The screen saver feature, once called environment mode, has been running for over a year and a half and is now available in the stable channel of Chrome OS.
Before we dive into the new Chrome OS screensaver, let’s discuss a bit what it is not. A number of publications have referred to the new feature as a way to turn your Chromebook into a smart screen. Although the screen saver provides useful information, it does not offer the functionality of devices such as the Nest Hub or Lenovo Smart Display. In its current state, the screen saver does some neat tricks. First, it gives you the opportunity to adjust the images displayed on your screen if the screen is inactive for a period of time. Like a Chromecast, users can choose between images from Google’s art and photography albums, or you can turn on Google Photos and choose from your personal photo albums.
In addition to the customizable images, you get basic weather information, time, and a tick at the top right of the screen that displays media you play when the screen is blank. It’s all handy and gives your Chromebook a real personal feel. That said, you can say ‘Hey G’ and expect your Chromebook to become a Smart Activated Smart Screen. You will not be able to control your home appliances or ping the assistant with a query about the points of your favorite team. That’s not to say it’s not on the roadmap for the Chrome OS screen saver. It’s just not there at the moment and I do not know if it will ever be. Personally, I do not know if I want my Chromebook to become a smart screen when the screen is empty. I assume that with Voice Match it will not be a big deal as long as there is a way to prevent others from communicating with my device. It’s not a thing anyway, and it’s not a problem at the moment.
Well. If you want to enable screen saver on your Chromebook, it’s as easy as 1,2,3. Go to your Chrome OS settings menu. You can do this by clicking on the quick settings menu at the bottom right of your screen. At the top of the settings you should see a rat icon. Click on it. Now you are in the settings menu. In the left menu, click on the “personalization” tab. The last setting on the list must be ‘screen saver’. If not, you may still be on Chrome OS 87. Click the “About Chrome OS” tab in the left menu to view, then select “go to updates.” Back to the screen saver. You can switch between Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending on your personal preference. Click Art Gallery to set your screensaver photos to serve Google and Art and Photography. That’s it. If your screen is inactive, you will see images as you see on your Chromecast or smart screen.
If you want a more personalized experience, you can select ‘Photos’ and choose from which album you want to view photos on your Chromebook. You can choose as many albums as you want. If you want to show a specific set of photos compiled just for your Chromebook, then go to Google Photos and create a new album just for this task. Click the Albums tab, and then click “Create Album.” Call it whatever you like. Then find the photos you want to use for your Chromebook and add them to the new album. After you’re done, go back to the screen saver on your Chromebook and your new album should be available as an option for the environmental view. That’s all there’s to it. Hope you found this helpful. I like the new screensaver option and I think it is an excellent addition to the ecosystem.