Google pauses Chrome and ChromeOS version updates

Version updates for Chrome and ChromeOS are not coming out on schedule for now. Google has paused its release schedule due to “adjusted working hours.” This is probably due to measures such as working from home due to the corona virus.

In a short announcement, Google reports that the upcoming new versions of Chrome and ChromeOS have been paused. The company does not specifically mention the corona virus, but that is probably the underlying cause of the adjusted working conditions that are cited. Google now prioritizes security updates, which are added to current versions. Specifically, Google mentions Chrome 80.

The statement was posted online after ZDNet asked Google where Chrome 81 was. Blog posts, videos and tweets from Google announcing the release of the new Chrome version appeared this week, but the actual software failed to materialize. The communication was probably pre-scheduled to go live at a specific time.