Google announces a new 10-year update policy for Chromebooks, promising continued support for even older devices.
The tech giant's latest move will take effect in 2024 when ChromeOS devices will become eligible to receive automatic security updates for a decade after their release. Chromebooks that were released in 2021 or later will all receive automatic updates.
Google's 10-Year Update Policy for Chromebooks
Additionally, people who own older products will also have the option of manually turning the security updates on. The tech company currently guarantees eight years of automatic updates to its Chromebook products. However, that period begins at the time when the company certifies a Chromebook, not when a customer actually buys one.
Because of the time that it takes for schools and businesses to purchase, receive, set up, and deploy the products, they commonly end up getting only four to five years of use. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund published a report known as the "Chromebook Churn," as per The Verge.
It sparked a lot of discussion around the environmental impact of ChromeOS in the education space earlier this year. The report also estimated that "doubling the lifespan of Chromebooks could result in $1.8 billion in savings for taxpayers."
While adding two more years of use is not exactly doubling the product's lifespan, it certainly is a step in the right direction to save customers money and reduce their e-waste. The tech giant also notes in its press release that even if a Chromebook is no longer receiving automatic updates, it still has powerful, built-in security features.
Google also said that it would be rolling out updates to its Chromebook products' repair program that would allow technicians to make software fixes without the need for a physical USB key. The tech giant estimated that this would make software repairs faster by more than 50%.
While older Chromebooks have the chance to get the updates, the problem is that not all models will get that opportunity. Google's support forums have listed the models that would be supported for the updates in the future, according to Gizmodo.
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Compatible Chromebooks
If you unfortunately do not find your Chromebook model on the list, the tech giant is at least hoping that you will be satisfied with the Verified Boot feature. This would check-in, at start-up, with a database to ensure that your device's system has not been "tampered with or corrupted" by any known malware.
Google also previously tried to improve the battery health of the devices, saying that it was planning to roll out features, including adaptive charging and battery saver mode to a "majority of compatible platforms."
The latest announcement by the tech giant to increase the shelf-life and repairability of its Chromebook products comes on the heels of Apple's announced initiatives to manufacture carbon-neutral products and let go of leather entirely.
Google partnered with Framework last year in an effort to launch a $999 self-repairable Chromebook, said TechCrunch. However, the main drawback of that product is it was priced at the higher end of the company's models.
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