The updated platform lets users stream Windows software such as Excel, AutoCAD, or SAP directly through the Chrome browser or as web apps, taking out the need for full desktop virtualisation. 

This approach gives organisations the freedom to operate legacy Windows programmes alongside modern web-based tools in ChromeOS, simplifying workflows and cutting down the time and resources needed to switch between systems.

“For years, the primary blocker for deeper enterprise adoption of ChromeOS has always been the ‘app gap’, the persistent need to access a few remaining Windows applications within an organization,” Google said in its announcement. 

“Now, teams can move to a more modern, collaborative productivity suite that was built for the web, and they can still access any specialized Windows apps that their workflows still depend on.”

Cameyo’s integration with ChromeOS Flex takes the transition a step further, allowing IT departments to convert existing Windows or Mac devices into secure ChromeOS endpoints while still running Windows applications. 

This feature provides companies with a cost-effective and sustainable way to modernise their systems without replacing their hardware.

The service also includes centralised management and security tools for IT teams and supports Gemini AI for smarter, contextual assistance. For hybrid work environments, this balance between cloud-native and legacy software could reduce complexity while boosting productivity.

In bridging the gap between traditional and web-based computing, Google is making ChromeOS a practical alternative to Windows, particularly in sectors like education, healthcare, and government, where device costs and manageability are most important.

PCMag noted that Cameyo by Google “makes ChromeOS an even more effective Windows replacement”, stressing how the new integration could finally close one of the biggest limitations to wider ChromeOS adoption.

Webex by Cisco has been committed to providing Chrome OS users with an amazing video conferencing experience.

Previously, we built web-based versions and an Android version optimized for Chrome OS.

Today, the developers announces that they have collaborated with Google to build the Webex Meetings PWA specifically for all Chrome OS devices to enable delightful collaboration experiences.

Webex users can have engaging meetings on the most reliable platform for video conferencing backed by sophisticated web technologies.

With Webex Meetings PWA on Chrome OS, customers can have the best of both worlds—the simplicity of web-based technology and the robustness of local applications.

Users can install it on their Chromebooks like any desktop app and quickly join meetings with one click from the launcher without opening the browser to enter the URL. 

Together with Google, Webex is reducing friction and making collaboration easier and seamless for our users to get work done anywhere in today’s hybrid world.  

See more details in At-a-Glance:

Collaborate in real-time on Chromebooks with absolute ease

Webex by Cisco has had a long-standing technology innovation partnership with Google to improve hybrid work collaboration—across software and devices alike.

We’ve teamed up again to provide choice and flexibility to our customers. The popularity, security, and highly mobile design of Chromebooks for home, school, and work make for a great pairing with Webex. “We’re committed to giving the hybrid workforce more choices for flexible work, regardless of which device they may be using.

“Now, Webex users can join Meetings and Webinars directly from their Chromebook desktop. Users simply sign in, securely join Webex meetings or webinars, and instantly start their video, share content, or record.

“With Webex Meetings PWA for Chrome OS, users have complete flexibility to join meetings from anywhere and with anyone and leverage advanced functionalities like background noise removal and real-time translation. 

Webex Meetings PWA, powered by web technologies, enables users to collaborate more efficiently. For instance, a user working across multiple browser tabs for online research, live documents, and browser access to other tools doesn’t have to worry about managing yet another tab for their meeting.

“It can help users minimize switching across browser tabs, drive focused work, and engage better in live interactions.

From an IT administrator’s standpoint, the Webex Meetings PWA provides more control over managing Webex on their Chromebooks, too. Webex can now be pre-imaged and installed on Chromebooks before distributing to users.

The Webex Meetings PWA offers all the meeting capabilities that the users currently enjoy on their browser-based Meetings web app.

Webex users can now download the Webex Meetings PWA from the Google Play store and access it as an application on their Chrome OS device.

Then they can simply start/join meetings and webinars right from their desktop, without having to go through the browser.

Webex Meetings PWA is available on the Google Play store or visit the community for support.

Shipments are still above pre-pandemic levels; however, growth has softened, which is an indication of the market reverting to normal seasonality.

Also, aggressive purchasing of devices in 2020 and 2021 led many users to hold onto their recently purchased tablets. Chromebooks also continued to decline with shipments down 61.9% year over year in 1Q22.

While the overall market contracted due to saturation in mature markets, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China) still recorded growth in the quarter as there have been several large investments for digital education in the region.

“While the tablet market is certainly on a downward trend at the global level because of lower demand in mature markets, it is interesting to see several new players entering the emerging markets, especially smartphone vendors like realme, OPPO, Xiaomi, and so on,” said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “While their volumes are not significant enough to move the market as of now, it is the high demand for tablets in the emerging markets since the onset of the pandemic that has led these vendors to take advantage of their existing channel presence to build an ecosystem where consumers possess multiple products of the same brand, just like Apple.”

“The decline in Chromebooks doesn’t come as a surprise given the buildup of inventory due to reduced demand over the past several quarters,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “Barring any major shifts in supply, we do anticipate the inventory to clear out with the help of promotional activity over the course of the coming months and new shipments will start to pick up as the educational buying cycle begins to ramp up again.”

Top Five Tablet Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q1 2022 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions)

Top Five Chromebook Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q1 2022 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions)

According to IDC, the data is preliminary and subject to change. Also, shipments include shipments to distribution channels or end users. OEM sales are counted under the company/brand under which they are sold.

Chromebook numbers include Notebook PCs running Chrome OS.

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, company share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe.

Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC’s Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis.

Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.