It wasn't so long ago that Google (News - Alert) brought out a little boost for its Chrome Remote Desktop, offering an iOS app version that allowed a user to control a PC from an iPad or an iPhone (News - Alert), and this was a development that was comparatively well received. But there's been one odd discrepancy thrown in here that's knocked some users for a loop: while users can gain access to a variety of devices from, say, a Chromebook, it was impossible for the various other devices to actually gain access to a Chromebook as Chrome OS didn't allow for such things to take place. That's a development, meanwhile, that's set to change thanks to a new development in the works for Chrome OS.
The development in question, meanwhile, is at last report still in the testing phase, but once it's complete, users will be able to get access to Chromebooks in the same way that, right now, said users will be able to get access to just about everything else. Naturally, such a tool was something of a low-priority add-on for Google, as well as for many of its users; since Chromebooks were so focused on the cloud to begin with, what was the point? However, even hard-core Chromebook users eventually began to see that remote access could be useful, particularly when it came to screen sharing functions like helping new users get started, and so the tool to do just that went to development.
Right now, the system in question is under development, being tested in the developer channel at last report. This means a usable version won't be coming to users for some time, but given that Google's now talking about it, it should be a good sign for getting the functionality sooner rather than later. Indeed, in a sense, it's actually available now according to reports, particularly for those willing to switch to the developer channel. Of course, such a move carries certain risks in tow, as the developer channel is largely under development. That means plenty of bugs and some associated problems likely to follow.
It's clear, though, that Google's paying attention. Admittedly, such a move isn't going to resonate with a lot of users—that cloud focus means that remote access for data is largely already taken care of—but it's likewise clear that there will be at least some users that could find such a program a powerful new tool for educational use. Since it's never good practice to ignore the concerns of even a small market segment, particularly these days, Google likely saw value in developing a feature that wouldn't exactly be widely used, but would be welcomed by that small market segment, thus ensuring that the company maintains value among that market and keeps same from jumping ship.
Markets are valuable things right now, and protecting same is vital to business operations. Google has seemingly taken that point to heart, and is putting up a powerful new user experience. Though it may not be useful for all that many, it will be useful for some, and the end result should be a market preserved.
Edited by Alisen Downey