CloudReady is now 'Chrome OS Flex'

[Arthur]

The successor to CloudReady.

 

Source: Google (via 9to5Google)

 

In December of 2020, Google acquired a Chromium-based operating system that turns old PCs into Chromebook-like devices. CloudReady is now becoming “Chrome OS Flex” and is launching in early access today.

 

CloudReady’s big pitch was how it extended the life of old PCs that were no longer getting official updates. That software is now becoming an official Google offering with Chrome OS Flex.

 

Billed as a “free-to-download operating system” by Google, the original team directly integrated “the benefits of CloudReady into a new version of Chrome OS.” It offers the same user interface, Chrome browser, cross-device features/integrations with Android, cloud sync (for settings and bookmarks), and Google Assistant that’s found on Chromebooks today. Other available features include Family Link, Smart Lock, Instant Tethering, and Nearby Sharing.

 

However, there are no plans at the moment to add the Play Store and support for Android apps to Chrome OS Flex, but newer hardware might allow for Linux.

 

This also includes the same code base, seconds-long boot time, background system updates, and release cadence. On the security front, there’s tab/application-level sandboxing, while “the read-only OS blocks executables where threats often hide.” Google also touts Safe Browsing and remote wipe capabilities for IT departments (via the Google Admin console).

 

That said, Chrome OS Flex hardware doesn’t have a Google security chip for verified boot, or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

 

Continues...

[FN-GM]

Good news - means they are probably keeping this for the long term.

[Sanchez]

I like the fact they are removing the licence costs for cloudready / flex we've expanded our usage over the last couple of years and this will help with our tight budget. The possibility of android apps in the future would expand opportunities too.

[dhicks]

I like the fact they are removing the licence costs for cloudready / flex we've expanded our usage over the last couple of years and this will help with our tight budget.

 

Ah ha - the email from CloudReady / Chrome Os Flex arrived in my inbox just after I'd seen this thread. I hadn't spotted that part, we'll no longer have to pay for a separate license for CloudReady, which is handy.

 

I notice the email I got has links to the Enterprise and Education vesions, does anyone know if there's still going to be a "home" version? That was rather handy for older hardware to hand to people for home use without any need for a managed device.

[tg12]

I notice the email I got has links to the Enterprise and Education vesions, does anyone know if there's still going to be a "home" version? That was rather handy for older hardware to hand to people for home use without any need for a managed device.

 

I believe you can use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to install the home version of Flex. Source - https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=en&ref_topic=11551271

[PrimaryNetMan]

You still need to purchase a licence to enrole the devices to manage them via the admin console, which came bundled with the Cloudready Licence when I last purchased them, but the removal of the minimum purchase amount is a good move for those with just a few devices.

[paulkerton]

You still need to purchase a licence to enrole the devices to manage them via the admin console, which came bundled with the Cloudready Licence when I last purchased them, but the removal of the minimum purchase amount is a good move for those with just a few devices.

That's the point though, you won't need to buy a Cloudready licence, you'll just need to have the management license, which any Google Partner can sell you.

[PrimaryNetMan]

True, was thinking more along the lines of saving by not paying for the Cr licence.

[Killer_Bot]

That's the point though, you won't need to buy a Cloudready licence, you'll just need to have the management license, which any Google Partner can sell you.

 

Aren't the Chrome Management Licenses one off costs too rather than annual (perpetual for a device)? And from when I last bought some I'm sure they were a good bit cheaper than the £26 odd the Cloudready Bundle licences were.

[PrimaryNetMan]

Ha forgot about Cr being annual, just ignore me, need more sleep lol

[Killer_Bot]

Ha forgot about Cr being annual, just ignore me, need more sleep lol

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up moving to an annual model too but here's hoping not. Would free up a good few thousand for us which these days is a good chunk of our budget.

[Arthur]

we'll no longer have to pay for a separate license for CloudReady, which is handy.

No more CloudReady licenses required, but Google did increase the price of the Chrome OS management licenses for everyone last year. They give with one hand and take away with the other.

[paulkerton]

No more CloudReady licenses required, but Google did increase the price of the Chrome OS management licenses for everyone last year. They give with one hand and take away with the other.

 

They also increased all new Chromebooks to 8 years of guaranteed support from 4 originally and 5 since 2018. So it works out about £3.75 a year.

[dhicks]

No more CloudReady licenses required, but Google did increase the price of the Chrome OS management licenses for everyone last year.

 

I think a Chrome OS management license is currently around £30, which as a one-off fee is still pretty good value for money. I can understand why they've done that, especially in the education market where schools tend to get lump sums of money for purchases ("Here's £10,000 for some laptops") and running costs tend to get forgotten about.

 

Just for added confusion, we went for CloudReady's yearly combined CloudReady / ChromeOS management fee license - the one way (I think) you could pay a (smaller) yearly fee for ChromeOS management, with the advantage that you could transfer the management license to a different computer as needed, handy for older hardware likely to conk out. At some point I'm guessing we're going to have to re-install our 20 or so existing CloudReady devices when they got all the licensing and whatnot figured out.

[Arthur]

ChromeOS Flex is now ready to scale broadly to PCs and Macs / ChromeOS Flex Certified models list

 

Today, we’re excited to announce that ChromeOS Flex, the cloud-first, easy-to-manage, and fast operating system for PCs and Macs, is now ready for your fleet. Just like too much sun, software bloat, clunky hardware, and security vulnerabilities can cause unwanted damage. Thankfully, ChromeOS Flex is just the sunscreen your legacy devices need. And thanks to everyone who has participated in our early access program, we’ve been able to significantly improve the product in many areas while continuously certifying devices to run ChromeOS Flex. You can now experience modern computing at scale with:

 

• Proactive security: ChromeOS Flex provides much needed protection from growing threats, including ransomware, malware, and employee errors.
  
• Fast deployment & easy management: ChromeOS Flex can be rapidly deployed via USB or through your company network. With Chrome Enterprise Upgrade, you can manage apps and policies from anywhere, even the beach.
  
• Fast, modern work experiences: Devices don’t slow down over time. Background updates reduce device downtime and improve productivity, so you can spend extra time relaxing.
  
• Sustainable for your business and planet: Breathe new life into existing hardware to reduce e-waste, energy consumption, and maintain clear blue skies.
  

 

 

Continues...

[paulkerton]

The best bit of this, is that they've definitely made sure that the Surface Pro SE is on the compatibility list!

[Arthur]

The best bit of this, is that they've definitely made sure that the Surface Pro SE is on the compatibility list!

The Surface Pro SE is actually worth buying now!

[PotNoodleTech]

Fair play those neverready execs must have made an absolute killing.

 

Just goes to show, if you make something truly useful and innovative you shall be rewarded!

[wickit]

The Surface Pro SE is actually worth buying now!

 

Had two kicking around, Flex works a treat on them