Enterprises that use Chromebooks can now remotely disable devices if they are lost or stolen. Other new enterprise-user features for Google's Chrome operating system, unveiled Wednesday, include permission policies for enrolling new or deprovisioned devices and a device list function that supports partial-match searches for serial numbers.

The latest Chrome updates add a new layer of security Relevant Products/Services and control for organizations that use the cloud Relevant Products/Services-based devices. With the new admin console features, IT departments will find it easier to lock down Chromebooks that fall out of their employees' hands.

Administrators who remotely disable misplaced or stolen devices can create custom messages that pop up should any unapproved user try to turn on the Chromebook. "(A)ll the user can see when turning on the Chrome device is a screen telling them that it's been disabled, and your desired contact information of where to return the device," Chrome "happiness evangelist" François Beaufort wrote Wednesday in a Google+ post.

'Smart Lock for Chrome'

Remote disabling from the web-based admin console isn't yet available for personal Chrome devices. However, Google did recently roll out "Smart Lock for Chrome," which enables users to sign into or unlock a Chromebook with a nearby Android phone.

Beaufort hinted at future remote management tools for "regular" Chrome device users, in a Google Plus post in May. So consumers have reason to hope the remote lock feature now available to enterprises will eventually be heading their way as well.

"The Chromium OS Team is thinking about adding a nice new feature called internally (sic) consumer management that will let Google help you remotely lock, erase, and locate your Chrome OS device," Beaufort said in that blog post. Still a "work in progress," the feature is currently available only through an experimental command line switch, he added.

Aiming for Android-Like Experience

Over time, Google is also expected to continue adding more Android apps and integration for Chrome. The company released its first four Android apps for the OS in September.

The goal is to eventually provide Chrome users with more Android-like, interactive experiences. In addition to being able to sign into or unlock their Chromebooks with their Android phones, users can also enable Chromebook prompts to appear when text messages or phone calls come into their phones.

Adopted rapidly by school organizations, Chromebooks are increasingly expected to see wider use by enterprises. For now, however, they remain largely a niche offering, with sales of around 5.2 million units last year, compared to laptop and PC sales of over 300 million.