Enlarge (credit: Valentina Palladino)
The handy feature that lets Chromebook users connect to a smartphone’s cellular hotspot is now coming to more devices. Google announced that Chrome OS’ Instant Tethering feature will now be available on more than 15 Chromebooks and more than 30 smartphone models, including handsets from HTC, LG, Motorola, and Samsung.
Previously, Instant Tethering was only available on a handful of Chromebooks, including the Pixelbook and the new Pixel Slate. The list of supported smartphones was similarly short, initially confined to Google-made handsets like the Pixel and Nexus. The expansion is part of Google’s effort to make the experience of using a Chromebook easier and more seamless for those with Android smartphones, regardless of the handset’s manufacturer.
Instant Tethering, which first came to Chromebooks in 2017, requires an initial setup process that users can complete upon setting up the Chromebook or at any time from the Settings menu. Users must be signed in to the same Google account on the Chromebook and the Android smartphone in order to use Instant Tethering features.