Google has announced that it will extend automatic updates for Chromebooks starting in 2024. Previously, Chromebooks received eight years of support. Now two years have been added. In addition, Google ensures that devices can be repaired and recycled more easily.

With the extension, the American technology company says it is responding to demands from schools, companies and other users to extend the lifespan of their devices. “In addition to expanding updates for Chromebooks, we’re working to include more post-consumer recycled materials (PCR), energy-efficient applications, and faster recovery processes,” Google’s Prajakta Gudadhe and Ashwini Varma wrote in a blog.

Ten years of automatic updates

Chromebooks receive an automatic update every four weeks. Of course, this ensures that the device is safe and stays in good condition for longer. Starting next year, Google will extend updates from eight to ten years. “Starting in 2024, a user will automatically receive 10 years of updates for a 2021 or newer device. Previously released Chromebooks will receive a notification (after the last automatic update) so IT administrators can renew the updates.”

To ensure compatibility, Google works with all manufacturers within the same platform. Even if a Chromebook no longer receives automatic updates, it remains a secure device, according to Google. “With Verified Boot, the Chromebook runs a self-test every time it boots,” it says. “At the slightest detection of tampering or damage to the system, the application repairs itself and returns to its original state.”

Criticism of expiration dates

In recent years, Google has received a lot of criticism about its update policy. ArsTechnica understands that the fact that Google uses the manufacturing date as the starting point for determining the update period has led to significant misunderstandings. “Failure to respect the sell-by date could result in the purchase of products with limited or no security support,” said Elizabeth Chamberlain of iFixit.

The ten-year extension comes three years after Google extended automatic updates from five to eight years. It’s also in response to a report from the American Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) that pointed out the limited lifespan of Chromebooks. “Google and other technology companies must continue to innovate and commit to a circular economy. “They need to stop pressuring consumers to replace their devices,” said PIRG’s ​​Lukas Rockett Gutterman.

Easier repairs and durability

In response to the PIRG report, Google announced some measures to make Chromebooks easier to lifespan and maintain. The Chromebook Repair Program, created after a survey of American high schools, allows school and business IT administrators to easily repair devices. “We are continually making updates. This allows technicians to repair Chromebooks without a physical USB drive, reducing device downtime.”

On an environmental level, Google claims that its devices are becoming more and more sustainable, both in terms of hardware and software. “In the coming months, we will introduce new, energy-efficient applications such as ‘adaptive charging’ to maintain battery health. Saving batteries in turn reduces or eliminates energy-intensive processes. Since last year, we have been working with our partners on more sustainable Chromebooks that are made, among other things, from ocean plastic.”