ChromeOS has come a long way since its inception as a "browser-only" operating system. With features like Android app support, Linux development environments, and Steam gaming, Google has transformed ChromeOS into a versatile platform. However, not every promised feature has lived up to its potential. Let's explore some of ChromeOS's most intriguing yet neglected features that seem stuck in development limbo.

Phone Hub's Missing "eche" Feature

When Google announced phone streaming capabilities for ChromeOS in late 2021, it seemed like a game-changer. The "eche" project promised to bring Android apps from your phone directly to your Chromebook's screen. However, nearly three years later, this feature remains frustratingly limited to a handful of Google Pixel devices.

What's particularly disappointing is that Microsoft has launched and expanded similar functionality with Windows Phone Link, supporting most Android 12+ devices. Windows users can now:

• Stream any app from their Android phone
• Send and receive SMS/RCS messages
• Interact with phone notifications
• Wirelessly access phone storage
• Mirror their phone's screen

The limited rollout of "eche" feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering Google's ownership of both Android and ChromeOS. This should have been a showcase of seamless integration between Google's platforms.

Google Photos Integration: The Perpetual "Coming Soon"

The promised deep integration between Google Photos and the ChromeOS Files app seemed like a natural fit. The ability to seamlessly access and manage your Google Photos library directly from the Files app would have streamlined the workflow for many users. Instead, we're left with a web-based interface that, while functional, falls short of the native integration we were promised.

Virtual Machine Support: A Developer's Dream Deferred

Perhaps one of the most tantalizing features that never materialized was the hint of native virtual machine support (codenamed "bruschetta") found in ChromeOS source code. For developers and power users, this would have been transformative, enabling:

• Testing across multiple operating systems
• Running specialized software not available for Linux
• Development and testing in isolated environments
• Learning and educational opportunities

Why Do Features Get Abandoned?

Several factors might contribute to these features remaining in development limbo:

1. Resource Allocation: Google's frequent reorganization of teams and priorities might lead to promising features losing their champions within the company.
2. Technical Challenges: The complexity of implementing these features while maintaining ChromeOS's security model and performance standards could be more challenging than initially anticipated.
3. Strategic Shifts: Google's focus on enterprise and education markets might lead to consumer-focused features being deprioritized.
4. Competition with Other Google Products: Features like virtual machine support might conflict with Google's cloud-first strategy and products like Cloud Workstations.

Looking Forward

While it's frustrating to see these promising features languish, ChromeOS continues to evolve in other meaningful ways. The platform's core strengths - security, simplicity, and speed - remain intact. However, as ChromeOS matures, Google needs to either commit to fully developing these features or communicate clearly about their status.

The ChromeOS team has shown they can deliver on ambitious features when properly prioritized, as demonstrated by the successful implementation of Steam gaming and improved Linux support. Perhaps it's time for Google to revisit these abandoned features and either revive them with renewed focus or officially sunset them to set proper user expectations.

What are your thoughts on these missing features? Which abandoned ChromeOS feature would you most like to see completed? Let us know in the comments below.