Chromebook Productivity Launcher will give you quick access to recently used files
The new Chromebook Productivity Launcher looks set to replace the current Peeking launcher that’s called with the “All button” on your Chrome OS devices, and while Google is still only testing it in the Canary Channel, it seems to be working quickly towards a public release. . As of now, it’s unclear whether it’ll replace the old full-screen design entirely or become something optional, but with how much I already love it, I can’t see it going back to what it was.
With an already very neat design, a frosted glass look, a built-in assistant, its reduced-size icons and folders, and more, the new launcher takes on yet another trick. Check out the image below – you’ll notice a large section above “recent” apps that says “Continue”. This segment was only recently added and only appears on certain Canary devices. It shows recently viewed files and makes it look like Google wants to give you quick access to pick up where you left off, much like the new Drive Files module on Chrome’s New Tab page.
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I have mixed feelings that so much of my launcher is taken up with text while the rest is full of very visual iconography, but I understand the appeal of having it here. I would have also agreed to the dev team adding “Recent Files” or this “Continue” section to the bin at the bottom right of the Chromebook shelf, but it’s neither here nor there.
Each element is accompanied by an icon according to its type. There is a video and photo icon, but the “MyFiles” section I have above is indicated by a broken piece of paper icon instead of a folder, which is this item. There is currently no separation between the Continue section and âRecentâ apps, but another horizontal separator bar would look pretty outdated, and visually it’s pretty easy to tell you’re watching a different type of content.
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With the inclusion of more interactive elements like this, with the huge speed traps removed, including paging and drag-and-drop animation times, the Productivity Launcher seems like a very welcome change for most. people. I’ve seen a lot of people state that they would like it to be centered like the Windows 11 Start menu, so hopefully when it comes to your laptop, the option to choose that in addition to aligning it. on the left is both present.