Category: Chrome OS Beta Channel

The Chrome OS Beta Channel has been updated but not in the way that was expected.  An almost unheard of seventh build has arrived to the channel in the current cycle and comes a few days after it was expected to be moved up a build.  The new build is still based on Chrome 68 and is build 68.0.3440.87 (Platform version: 10718.71.2).

Chrome 68 was expected to be in the Chrome OS Stable Channel by this point.  That release was suppose to happen on July 31st but clearly hasn’t yet.  While the release notes don’t indicate why there is a delay or any specific bug found, the delay in release likely indicates a last minute issue was discovered or something new cropped up.  That’s the life of beta software.

A sixth and likely final Chrome 68 build has arrived in the Chrome OS Beta Channel.  Build 68.0.3440.76 (Platform version: 10718.63.0) is making its way out to the majority of device out there in the beta channel.  You can check for the update, as always, by typing chrome://help in the browser then clicking the Check for update button.

With the release of Chrome 68 for the Stable Channel expected next Tuesday, July 31st, it is possible that this .76 will be the one we see at that release barring a show stopping bug being found at this late hour in the beta cycle.

The Chrome OS Beta Channel, the last step before a new build of the platform arrives to the masses, has been updated with its fourth Chrome 68 based build today.  Build 68.0.3440.59 (Platform version: 10718.50.0) is in the process of rolling out to the majority of devices registered in the channel and should be available today.  As always, you can check for the new update manually by typing chrome://help in the browser bar and then clicking the Check for update button.

This fourth update comes two full weeks after the previous update, a unusually long period of time during the beta cycles.  Most of the time in the Chrome OS Beta Channel, there is an update every 7-10 days.  The delay however could simply be because of the United States Independence holiday which was last week.

The third Chrome 68-based build in as many weeks has landed in the Chrome OS Beta Channel.  Build 68.0.3440.40 (Platform version: 10718.34.0) is the updated version for those keeping score at home and should be available to the majority of devices that are in the channel.

As always, for those who have a device registered in the Beta Channel, you can just type chrome://help in the browser ominbar which will bring you to the build information on your Chromebook.  There you will see a Check for Update button which will download the latest build to your device.

After being delayed following the update of the Chrome OS Stable Channel to Chrome 67, The Chrome OS Beta Channel has now received its first Chrome 68-based build.  The channel is now running build 68.0.3440.25 (Platform version: 10718.22.0) and it is available for the majority of devices in the channel starting today.

For those that may be new to Chrome OS, the Beta Channel is the last channel prior to a build being released to the general public in the Stable Channel.  You can always change your channel on your Chromebook by typing Chrome://help and then clicking on the Build Information section of the page.  Keep in mind that the hint is in the name:  The Beta Channel is still not ready for prime time so you could run into bugs or other issues that impact your daily workflow.

An unexpected sixth beta build of Chrome 67 has been released to the Chrome OS Beta Channel today, indicating that the Chromium team within Google are still sorting out a few last minute bugs.  The new build is 67.0.3396.78 (Platform version: 10575.54.0) and should be available to devices that are in the beta channel.  You can check for it by typing chrome://help in the browser bar and checking for the update.

The build likely contains a fix for a bug found in the Chrome 67 version of the browser, which has already been released and was patched yesterday.  The bug found was a significant security flaw.  It is probable that the Chrome OS team wants to make sure it is stable in the platform prior to releasing to the Stable Channel.  Chrome 67 was expected to go to the Stable Channel on June 5th which clearly hasn’t happened yet.